Snips articles from November 2007

Snips archives from November 2007

A mass-ive project: contractor climbs new heights with 103-foot chapel; A new town has sprung up on 5,000 acres of old farmland in southwest Florida. Thirty miles from Naples, it might seem like any other, with schools, houses and retailers.(Cover story)
November 1, 2007... But this planned community has the curious name of Ave Maria, and it has caused a but of controversy since breaking ground in 2005. Developed by Tom Monaghan, a devout Catholic, founder of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Domino's Pizza and former owner...

Welding in the Windy City: metal-forming show returns to Chicago for this month's event.( Fabtech event)
November 1, 2007... In 2007, Fabtech is returning to what many might consider its home: Chicago. For many years, the Windy City alternated hosting duties with Cleveland for Fabtech, one of North America's largest events focusing on metal fabrication. ...

Power to the people: allow employees to make smart decisions and better your business.
November 1, 2007... Most company leaders say they want an organization filled with great decision makers. However, the reality is that the majority of employees are not empowered to make decisions. Instead, the company policies or culture make decision making a...

SMACNA guidelines on making Bermuda-type roofs.(tech tips)
November 1, 2007... The following is taken from the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association's Architectural Sheet Metal Manual, Sixth Edition. The Bermuda roof illustrated in Figure 6-11, 6-12 and 6-13 (not shown) is not recommended...

Plasma system adds more leisure time.(applications in the field)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... For some sheet metal shop owners, it is hard to justify the purchase of a plasma cutting system. Bob Bepristis, president of MultiCam Great Lakes, says many shop owners do not believe they have enough volume or the shop is too small to...

Metal company saves energy with data loggers.(applications in the field)
November 1, 2007... One of the greatest challenges facing building owners and facility professionals today is finding ways to reduce energy costs. Air compressors, for example, are often one of a production facility's largest energy consumers. In fact, the...

Health care facility adopts plastic cooling towers.(applications in the field)
November 1, 2007... From his office window in North Carolina, Coy Overton can see the Atlantic Ocean. For many office dwellers, such a view would be a major perk, the kind that makes colleagues and visitors envious. But as plant operations director for...

Study contradicts view of parallel fan efficiency.(association news)
November 1, 2007... Despite common perception, parallel fan-powered air-terminal units may not be more efficient than series fans, according to a recent study. The study was sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning...

Rail union OK's merger with Sheet Metal Workers.(association news)(United Transportation Union)(Sheet Metal Workers union)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The United Transportation Union has agreed to merge with the Sheet Metal Workers union. The agreement, which followed more than a year of talks by leadership from the two groups, was approved by UTU members Aug. 8. It takes effect Jan. 1....

Down housing market to slow economic growth, says AMCA.(association news)
November 1, 2007... A downturn in the housing market is expected to result in slower economic growth, according to the AMCA. The Air Movement and Control Association recently released a third-quarter forecast for 2007 authored by consulting economist Hans...

ASHRAE awards first health care certification.(association news)
November 1, 2007... Ildefonso Bayron Jr., an associate partner for Syska Hennessy Group in Los Angeles, was the recipient of ASHRAE's first health care facility design professional certification. Bayron and 28 others recently earned certification after passing...

Klein Tools affiliate buys Heritage Cutlery.(supplier news)
November 1, 2007... Klein Tools affiliate Klein Cutlery Inc. has purchased the manufacturing assets of Heritage Cutlery Inc. in Bolivar, N.Y. The acquisition, which includes the company name, facility and such brand names as Heritage and C-Mon, was completed...

BNP Media acquires publications.(supplier news)
November 1, 2007... BNP Media, parent company of SNIPS magazine, has purchased the professional services division of Overland Park, Kan.-based Ascend Media. Terms were not disclosed. The move adds food, beverage, packaging and gambling-related magazines,...

Bradford White donates to community college.(supplier news)
November 1, 2007... Bradford White, along with JVH Engineering, awarded Grand Rapids Community College a grant that features a 25-seat classroom lab of Autodesk Inventor 2008. The Invest in Education program is an Autodesk grant program that aims to connect...

Saving snips; hotel air; Minn. convention center; and a trade show.(Turning back the pages)
November 1, 2007... As part of our continuing celebration of SNIPS' 75th anniversary, we have a "new" department, Turning Back the Pages. Longtime readers may remember an occasional department with the same name when Edward Carter published the magazine. A look at...

Emerson adds RSS feed to Web site, allowing portable news.(internet news)(Website overview)
November 1, 2007... Emerson Climate Technologies has added RSS feed capabilities to its public Web site allowing users to stay connected to the latest Emerson news. With RSS, which stands for "real simple syndication," content can be read using software...

Space-Ray has new Web site.(internet news)(Website overview)
November 1, 2007... Space-Ray has launched a new Web site at www.spaceray.com that features the company's line of radiant infrared gas tube heaters. The site provides information on the over 180 heating configurations, high-intensity ceramic heaters and more...

MCAA tool guide available.(internet news)(Mechanical Contractors Association of America )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Mechanical Contractors Association of America released the 2008 edition of its Tool & Equipment Rental Guide in an online-only format. MCAA said the move to online delivery gets the information to members more quickly while at the same...

Engenuity adds new features to Web site.(internet news)(Website overview)
November 1, 2007... Engenuity Systems, a distributor of LonWorks, wireless and peripheral products, has added some new features to its e-commerce marketplace Web site. The company says the new features make it easier for customers to compare pricing, manage...

Web site offers text message job alerts.(internet news)
November 1, 2007... Online job seekers can now have job alerts sent to their mobile devices via text messaging. The service is available from MEP Jobs, an online job board for professionals in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing industries. "Our audience...

Apprentice competition returns after 33-year absence.(meetings & conventions)(industry and education)
November 1, 2007... The last time the United Association held its apprentice contest, waterbeds, bell-bottoms and ultra-wide ties were popular items. The United Association held its International Apprenticeship Competition Aug. 11-16 in Ann Arbor, Mich. It was...

Registration open for ACCA conference.(meetings & conventions)(Conference news)
November 1, 2007... Registration is now open for the 40th annual Air Conditioning Contractors of America convention, Feb. 5-7 at the Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo. In celebration of the association's 40th annual conference, the ACCA elected to...

Thermadyne names executive vice president.(people in the news)
November 1, 2007... Thermadyne Industries appointed Terry A. Moody as its executive vice president of global operations. Moody was formerly employed by Videocon Industries, a privately held manufacturer of high-end digital products, where he served as the...

Emerson Climate Technologies.(people in the news)
November 1, 2007... Emerson Climate Technologies promoted Dave Proffitt to the position of vice president of its international procurement business division. In this position, Proffitt will help develop global strategies for the company's direct-material...

Berner International Corp.(people in the news)
November 1, 2007... Berner International Corp. appointed Chris Cooney as the new marketing manager for their air curtain and energy-recovery divisions. With over 15 years of marketing management experience, Cooney comes to Berner from the Rock Group, where she...

Mark Taggart was named managing director of North American operations for Laser Mechanisms Inc.(people in the news)
November 1, 2007... Mark Taggart was named managing director of North American operations for Laser Mechanisms Inc. Taggart previously served as general manager of medical operations. Glenn Golightly was appointed as managing director of Pacific Rim operations for...

Lenze-AC Tech.(people in the news)(Danny McDonald )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Danny McDonald was named to the newly created position of vice president of North American sales for Lenze-AC Tech. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In this position, McDonald will evaluate the current market and estimate market projections for...

Dreisilker Electric Motors.(people in the news)
November 1, 2007... Dreisilker Electric Motors appointed Charles Jirek to the position of vice president of sales and marketing. Jirek brings a combination of management experience coupled with a manufacturing and distribution background that will directly support...

N.B. Handy Co.(people in the news)
November 1, 2007... Commercial roofing products distributor N.B. Handy Co. announced that Mike Landry has been promoted to the position of director of sales and marketing for roofing. In this position, Landry will oversee and manage roofing sales throughout N.B....

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Evaluation Service.(people in the news)
November 1, 2007... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Evaluation Service hired Amir Zamanian as its new business unit director. Prior to joining IAPMO, Zamanian held positions with the California Department of Transportation,...

Tim Russell.(Obituary)(Lochinvar Corp.)(Obituary)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Tim Russell, who represented Lochinvar Corp. in the Nashville, Tenn., area, passed away Sept. 14, 2007, after a short battle with cancer. He was 33. Lochinvar officials said Mr. Russell was an integral member of the Lochinvar staff since 1998....

Copper group to study hospital germs.(indoor air quality)
November 1, 2007... The Copper Development Association has been awarded a federal grant to determine the germ-fighting effectiveness of copper, brass and bronze. One study will focus on the ability of copper metals to kill potentially deadly pathogens on...

Ventilating institute sees surge in growth.(indoor air quality)(Home Ventilating Institute)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Home Ventilating Institute says it is experiencing a growth spurt. Since January, the number of companies that have joined HVI has increased by 25 percent. HVI was founded more than 50 years ago by five ventilating companies that were...

ASHRAE investigates oxidation technology.(indoor air quality)
November 1, 2007... Air-cleaning equipment featuring new photocatalytic oxidation technology used to remove contaminants from indoor and outdoor air is being researched by ASHRAE. New research from the association will provide a method for analyzing...

Grainger celebrates new facility, presents scholarship.(wholesaler news)
November 1, 2007... Facilities maintenance distributor Grainger marked the opening of its newly relocated Madison Heights, Mich., location with a community open house and ribbon cutting Sept. 26. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] During the event, the company...

Meier Supply presents vendor, representative awards.(wholesaler news)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Johnson City, N.Y.-based Meier Supply Co. Inc. presented vendor and representative awards at its 17th annual Customer Golf Tournament Aug. 24. The tournament was held at the Conklin Players Club in Conklin, N.Y. The tournament hosted...

Yale University library top makes 'hay' with barn-style roof.(roofing news)
November 1, 2007... Yale University's Lewis Walpole Library was quickly running out of space to house the 18th century British literature and art that it's internationally known for. A new, freestanding addition solved this problem, creating more room for...

Online registration open for expo.(roofing news)
November 1, 2007... Online registration is now open for the 2008 International Roofing Expo, Feb. 21-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Attendees who register before Jan. 8 will receive special pricing. Registration is available at...

Roofing alliance seeks MVPs.(roofing news)
November 1, 2007... The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress is looking for entries to its Most Valuable Player Awards. The alliance is an affiliate of the National Roofing Contractors' Association, Any roofing professionals employed at work sites are...

The Arizona chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association appointed Darrell Fox of Dynamic Systems Inc. to its board of trustees.(ARIZONA)
November 1, 2007... The Arizona chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association appointed Darrell Fox of Dynamic Systems Inc. to its board of trustees. He joins current board members John Sapien of Bel-Aire Mechanical Inc.,...

The PMI Group Inc. in Walnut Creek, Calif., was awarded a Green Business Building certification by the Bay Area Green Business Program.(CALIFORNIA)
November 1, 2007... The PMI Group Inc. in Walnut Creek, Calif., was awarded a Green Business Building certification by the Bay Area Green Business Program. This program requires companies to meet stringent regulations in the areas of water and energy conservation,...

The Colorado Roofing Association invited Dave Harrison, CEO of GAF Materials, to speak at its membership luncheon Oct. 26 in Denver.(COLORADO)
November 1, 2007... The Colorado Roofing Association invited Dave Harrison, CEO of GAF Materials, to speak at its membership luncheon Oct. 26 in Denver. Harrison's presentation was to be titled "Building a Successful Business." Harrison has been with GAF...

HVAC services provider American Residential Services LLC in Memphis, Tenn., has purchased Jacksonville-based Florida Home Air Conditioning Co.(FLORIDA)
November 1, 2007... HVAC services provider American Residential Services LLC in Memphis, Tenn., has purchased Jacksonville-based Florida Home Air Conditioning Co. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "Joining the ARS family gives us the opportunity to grow...

Midwest Technical Institute.(ILLINOIS)
November 1, 2007... Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield, Ill., has applied for accreditation of its HVAC program from HVAC Excellence. In seeking accreditation, the staff at Midwest Technical Institute is preparing a self-study which compares its...

Jackson Systems.(INDIANA)(Jackson Systems L.L.C.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Indianapolis-based Jackson Systems was selected as the 15th fastest growing company in central Indiana by the Indianapolis Business Journal. "This is an exciting honor for us," said Tom Jackson, CEO. "We have come a long way since starting...

Four college-bound students were the recipients of scholarships from the Commercial Roofing Contractors of Southeastern Michigan, the Southeastern Michigan Roofing Contractors Association, and Roofers Union Local 149.(MICHIGAN)
November 1, 2007... Four college-bound students were the recipients of scholarships from the Commercial Roofing Contractors of Southeastern Michigan, the Southeastern Michigan Roofing Contractors Association, and Roofers Union Local 149. The college...

North East Roofing Educational Foundation.(NEW YORK)
November 1, 2007... The North East Roofing Educational Foundation held its eighth annual fall golf outing Sept. 19 at the Centennial Golf Club in Carmel, N.Y. All proceeds from the golf tournament went directly the foundation's scholarship fund. NEREF offers...

Laser welding brochure.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... Esab Welding & Cutting Products offers a brochure about the company's new HLx Series, the first commercially available mechanized laser-welding system using laser-only, laser with cold wire fill or hybrid-laser arc welding. The processes are...

Adhesive flier.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... A new featuring adhesives for HVAC filter assembly has been published by National Adhesives. The publication, "Adhesives for Filter Assmbely: HVAC Filters," aims to explain how custom-tailored solutions from National Adhesives can help...

Spanish motor guide.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... GE ECM by Regal-Beloit has published a Spanish translation of its new "ECM Service Guide," a free diagnostic-service booklet developed specifically for use with GE ECM variable-speed blower motors used in HVAC applications. According to company...

Green roofing.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... The National Roofing Contractors Association has released The NRCA Green Roof Systems Manual. The 2007 edition provides technical information regarding the design and installation of green roof systems. The focus of the manual is waterproofing....

Education catalog.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... HVAC Excellence has released its 2008 catalog. The catalog details the organization's accreditation programs, technician certification levels and educator credentials. The catalog also lists recommended reference books for training, which cover...

Training CD.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... The ACCA has introduced a new computer CD training package that explains the concepts of Manual D and offers real-world examples on how to apply them in day-to-day business. "Understanding Manual D" is the first in a new series of training...

Dust collection brochure.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... A new 24-page brochure from Farr Air Pollution Control highlights the company's capabilities in the design and manufacture of dust collectors for a wide range of processes. It describes how Farr APC dust collection systems solve dust challenges...

LEED Guide.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... The LEED Guide is a resource for the green building professional or novice. The guide allows users to read articles from past and current presidents of the U.S. Green Building Council, including current president, CEO and co-founder Rick...

Residential HVAC.(books, software & lit)
November 1, 2007... Larry Gardner is the author of Tips for Residential HVAC Installation. In this book he shares tips he has learned over the years on 41 practical applications. The 98-page book covers tools and materials, installing ducts, field modifying ducts,...

Specialty tapes.(new products)
November 1, 2007... Venture Tape Corp. has introduced two new products to its VentureClad product line. VentureClad 1577CWT is made with two layers of aluminum foil, a layer of polyester film and an outer layer coated with a special "Tedlar" cold-weather acrylic...

Chimney.(new products)
November 1, 2007... This company has added the SM large-diameter chimney featuring 2 inches of high-temperature blanket material insulation with solid-steel couplers to its product line. The SM large-diameter chimney was developed for custom masonry fireplace...

Ceiling fan.(new products)
November 1, 2007... The Big Ass Fan Co. has introduced the PowerfoilPlus, the latest addition to its family of high-volume, low-speed ceiling fans. The PowerfoilPlus uses hybrid airfoil technology that redirects airflow away from the floor, creating a more...

Utility holster.(new products)
November 1, 2007... This company has designed four new utility holsters called Pock-Its. The Pock-Its help technicians organize tools and accessories. The available styles include Clip Pock-Its XL, which is the company's extra-large-capacity utility holster. The...

Plate beveler.(new products)
November 1, 2007... The new Model 8000 Bevel-Mill is designed for plate edge beveling for weld preparation and for finish chamfering. The company reports that the product replaces the traditional methods of beveling, such as flame cutting and hand grinding,...

Leak-Detection Sensor.(new products)
November 1, 2007... Emerson Climate Technologies introduced the Modular Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor. The company says it is the retail industry's first refrigerant leak detector to use patented photoacoustic technology, which eliminates pumps, filters and...

Direct-drive blower.(new products)
November 1, 2007... The KRD radial blade direct drive blower is a precision balanced air-moving package in a compact design. The KRD is constructed with a welded 16-gauge steel housing and motor base, and a dynamically balanced cast-aluminum wheel. The KRD radial...

Fastening tool.(new products)
November 1, 2007... The new Hilti X-76 Punch Through Resistant fastening tool features a piston brake system designed to resist "punch through" when the steel beam is missed during fastening. Ideal for fastening metal deck to structural steel or metal joist...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... NOVEMBER [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 9-10 The National Environmental Balancing Bureau will hold its 2007 annual meeting at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa near Orlando, Fla. This year's meeting will discuss topics in...

Wholesalers & Mfr. Reps. Directory.(Directory)
November 1, 2007... The following is a paid directory of distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers representatives, listed by state. To have your company included in this list, please call Sally Fraser at 248-244-6240. We urge our readers to contact these...

Florida project shows versatility of contractors and industry.(editor's page)
November 1, 2007... I've written before about how much I enjoy putting together our annual architectural sheet metal issue. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's one of the few months I'm usually guaranteed a great picture for our cover, and the contractors...

Thanks for article.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... We would like to extend our thanks from the TinTinkers.org group for the very thorough article covering our convergence in Archbold, Ohio, this summer ("Old-time tin," September 2007 SNIPS). We were very pleased with the extent of detail that...

Not all companies are following standards.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... With the recent issues of shoddy products coming from China and the lack of inspections, the question of standards and who is enforcing them has been brought to the forefront. Underwriters Laboratories puts standards in place in order to...