Snips articles from October 2006

Snips archives from October 2006

Cutting through the clutter: plasma machines help contractor work more efficiently.
October 1, 2006... While HVAC and plasma-cutting technology may seem synonymous today, the world of metal fabrication has long been jumbled with a variety of processes. Often overshadowed by laser and water-jet cutting systems, plasma technology was viewed by...

Desert distractions: SMACNA to hold 2006 convention in Phoenix.
October 1, 2006... Cities such as Phoenix, the site of this year's SMACNA convention, might still be sparsely populated, dusty cowboy towns if it weren't for the invention of air conditioning. But thanks to Willis Carrier's patent, the so-called Sun Belt, which...

Hurting for a health plan: contractors push lawmakers for lower cost insurance options.
October 1, 2006... Last May, Renee Kerckhoff officially became part of the national debate on health care. Kerckhoff is the second-generation owner of Rudroff Heating & Air Conditioning in Belton, Mo. The company is like many small heating and air-conditioning...

Elbow room: making miter-line intersections using parallel lines.
October 1, 2006... Creating a miter-line intersection of a gore elbow and round cylinder is much easier than one might think. The pattern can easily be made with a few simple parallel-line developments and projecting some lines. ********** To begin this...

A charitable attitude: metal-building show promoting causes at 2006 event.(Metalcon International)
October 1, 2006... You could say this year's Metalcon International is adopting a "can-do" attitude. Organizers for the Oct. 3-5 event at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., are touting "Canstruction," a competition of architectural, vocational and...

Reaching for the top: Michigan contractor to assume SMACNA presidency.
October 1, 2006... GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- For anyone driving Interstate 75 north of Detroit, it's hard to miss Dee Cramer Inc. The sheet metal contracting company has a massive 66,000-square-foot facility just off the freeway, with a huge sign and logo...

Expensive lessons: mistakes teach, cost business owner as he grows, then shrinks company.
October 1, 2006... The following is taken from The Ugly Truth About Small Business: 50 Things That Can Go Wrong and What You Can Do About It, written by SNIPS columnist Ruth King and published by Sourcebooks Inc. It's No. 38: 'I Did It All Myself' and was...

Heart of the matter: local contractors take on the Cleveland Clinic's new Vascular Institute.(Cleveland Clinic Home Care Services Inc. contracts Reliance Mechanical Corp. and Franck & Fric Inc. )
October 1, 2006... While the Cleveland Clinic's new Heart and Vascular Institute isn't set to open until October 2008, the prognosis on the project's construction is looking good, especially the HVAC and sheet metal work. Cleveland-based Reliance Mechanical and...

Avoiding hazards pays: steps for creating an injury-free workplace.
October 1, 2006... Can companies really attain zero injuries in the workplace? Many executives, managers, supervisors and workers don't think so. Imagine for a moment that one of your children has secured his or her first job with an HVAC or sheet metal company....

Camfil Farr takes mobile filter lab to university.(applications in the field)
October 1, 2006... Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., employed the Camfil Farr mobile filter test laboratory to decide which air filters would be the best choice for the university's HVAC system. Camfil Farr officials say its mobile test rig made...

YMCA project saves on energy, installation.(applications in the field)
October 1, 2006... PLAINFIELD, Ill. -- Officials with the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield, Ill., wanted an HVAC systems that was "outside the box" and energy efficient. More specifically, operators for the 52,000-square-foot facility were looking for...

Mold work saves bibles.(applications in the field)
October 1, 2006... When an appraiser was asked to evaluate the American Bible Society's rare-book collection in New York City, it was discovered that mold was attacking nearly a quarter of the 4,700 irreplaceable volumes. The library is the largest...

York enhances Build-A-Brochure program.(supplier news)
October 1, 2006... NORMAN, Okla. -- The York Build-A-Brochure program now includes an updated list of products. The program is provided to York dealers, enabling them to create customer brochures from the Web, print them locally or e-mail them to customers....

Johnson Controls buys Environmental Technologies.(supplier news)
October 1, 2006... MILWAUKEE -- Johnson Controls has acquired Environmental Technologies of Largo, Fla. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The company designs, manufactures and supplies HVAC terminal products, including variable-air-volume terminals,...

CertainTeed sponsors NASCAR driver.(supplier news)
October 1, 2006... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- CertainTeed sponsored the Haas CNC Racing No. 66 Chevrolet and driver Jeff Green at the Aug. 26 Sharpie 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race. The race, at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., marked the second...

Ventilation product wins design award.(In-O-Vate Technologies wins Dealer Design Awards)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... PLANO, Texas -- In-O-Vate Technologies was recognized in the third annual Dealer Design Awards, sponsored by SNIPS' sister publication The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News. An independent panel of 45 contractors judged the...

If its not broke, maintain it!
October 1, 2006... The National Center for Energy Management and Building Technologies conducted the research on barriers to proper maintenance procedures with the University of Illinois at Chicago. The results of that study are presented in this article....

Fan and duct pressures (TP=SP + VP).
October 1, 2006... When a fan is moving air through a duct system, two types of pressures are encountered, velocity pressure and static pressure. The sum of these pressures is referred to as total pressure. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] Velocity pressure is the...

Challenging project requires special skills.(constructing multifunctional and specialty buildings)
October 1, 2006... Several departments of the State of Indiana crime, health, and enforcement divisions needed similar facilities updated to modern standards. A combined effort is in the process of producing the State of Indiana Forensic and Health Sciences...

NEMI--25 years and counting ...(National Energy Management Institute's services)(Organization overview)
October 1, 2006... Stemming from the need to find solutions to the energy crisis 25 years ago, the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) opened its doors for business on November 2, 1981. With gas prices reaching close to a dollar a gallon, NEMI's initial...

National Center for Energy Management and Building Technologies provides grant to Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).
October 1, 2006... Michael Sullivan, general president of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association, presented a grant of $180,000 during the CSI annual convention in March to Mike Owens, president of CSI for the Construction Taxonomy Project initiating...

Rheem launches fall financing promotion.(supplier news)
October 1, 2006... FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Rheem Manufacturing Co.'s new "Turn Up The Heat" fall promotion will include a 12-month, no-interest program for consumers. The KwikComfort financing promotion will run through Dec. 15, and offers 12-month, no-payment,...

K-Flex Clad wins innovation award.(supplier news)
October 1, 2006... The K-Flex Clad system received the ISO 2006 Award for Technological Innovation of Insulation products at the ISO 2006 exhibition March 23-24 in Weisbarden, Germany. The international ISO fairs focus on insulation material and technology...

Bradbury opens plant for trim shop machinery.(supplier news)(Bradbury Company Inc)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The Bradbury Co. Inc. has opened a new 22,000-square-foot plant in Moundridge, Kan., for the production of trim-shop machinery. The building is located adjacent to the company's main office and manufacturing facility. Designated Plant...

Sanyo extends compressor warranties.(supplier news)
October 1, 2006... Sanyo HVAC has increased its compressor warranty from five years to six years. The company is citing the reliability of its new high-efficiency models for the longer warranty. "For many years, our air-conditioning products have...

Hypertherm honored for work environment.(supplier news)
October 1, 2006... Hanover, N.H.-based machinery maker Hypertherm Inc. was ranked No. 6 in the list of the top "50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America." The list is compiled by the Society for Human Resource Management and was announced...

Wife works business as contractor serves in Iraq.(contractor news)
October 1, 2006... Doug Brantley has been a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard for 23 years. In that time, he married Kim, had a son, and purchased Brantley Heating and Air Conditioning in Jackson, Tenn. But in December 2004, Doug Brantley was...

Company awarded Boston research center project.(contractor news)
October 1, 2006... STOUGHTON, Mass. -- J.C. Higgins Corp. will install the "shell and core" HVAC mechanical work for the Center for Life Sciences Building at the Black Fan Research Center in Boston. J.C. Higgins is a subsidiary of Emcor Group Inc., a Fortune...

PHCC members repair hurricane-damaged homes.(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Several PHCC members, including a family of five, volunteered July 23-29 to rebuild Gulf Coast homes damaged by recent hurricanes. The program was part of Rebuilding Together's Rebuild 1000 campaign, which aims to restore 1,000 homes for...

Construction material costs up, says AGC.(contractor news)
October 1, 2006... The cost of construction materials was up in July, even as producers eased up on price increases, according to the AGC. Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors, recently commented on the Aug. 15 producer price...

Teledyne Hastings updates Web site, adds product info.(internet news)
October 1, 2006... Teledyne Hastings Instruments says its new Web site will allow customers to find more product information. The company manufactures a line of instruments for measuring and controlling vacuum pressures and gas flows. The site,...

Steel distributor enhances site.(internet news)
October 1, 2006... Due to increased traffic, Second City Metals has improved its Web site. The site, www.secondcitymetals.com, includes information on products, pricing, locations and company news. "As a midsize company it's just another tool needed to...

Plumbing association wins award.(internet news)
October 1, 2006... The Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association of Northern Illinois was honored for its educational Web site, www.Get2KnowH20.org. The site was created and maintained by the association's Industry Promotion Fund, and provides teachers...

Sheet Metal Guy launches SolidWorks site, 'blog'.(internet news)
October 1, 2006... Sheet Metal Guy LLC has published a new section of its Web site dedicated to SolidWorks users. The site will be updated daily to keep users informed with the latest news on SolidWorks and the sheet metal industry. "One of the biggest...

Site offers help with bids.(internet news)(www.hvacquickquote.com)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Owners, managers and salespeople looking for speedy, online help with cost estimating may want to check out www.hvacquickquote.com. Only two months old, the new Web site allows visitors to complete estimates, proposals and manage customer...

Fabtech, welding show to hit Atlanta's World Congress Center.(meetings & conventions)
October 1, 2006... For the first time, the Fabtech International & American Welding Society Show will come to the Georgia World Congress Center Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Atlanta. For several years, the show has alternated between Chicago and Cleveland. "Many...

ASHRAE offers sessions at AHR Mexico.(meetings & conventions)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... In an effort to meet the demand for new technology in Mexico and Latin America, ASHRAE will provide educational courses at AHR Expo-Mexico. The event will be held Oct. 10-12 in Mexico City, and is sponsored by the American Society of...

ASHRAE installs new officers, directors.(meetings & conventions)
October 1, 2006... ASHRAE named Terry E. Townsend as its new president during the society's 2006 annual meeting, June 24-28 in Quebec City. Townsend is the president of Townsend Engineering in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Panama City, Fla. Townsend will use his...

WennSoft holds annual users conference.(meetings & conventions)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... More than 120 attendees took part in WennSoft's annual Users Group, May 8-11 in Milwaukee. "We are very pleased with the number of customers who attended and participated in the 2006 Users Group," said Jim Wenninger, president and CEO of...

Danfoss meeting explores energy challenges.(meetings & conventions)
October 1, 2006... Danfoss held its first EnVisioneering Symposium Aug. 2 in Kansas City, Mo. The conference brought together officials from 50 HVACR and related industries to focus on the energy challenges of the 21st century. Among the speakers at the...

Engineer wins product development award.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Mike Shipulski, director of engineering for Hypertherm Inc., was honored with a Design for Manufacture and Assembly Supporter of the Year Award for his work on the new HyPerformance HPR130. The program, first developed by Boothroyd Dewherst...

Thermadyne Industries Inc.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Cutting and welding products manufacturer Thermadyne Industries Inc. named Wesley Morgan global communications manager. Morgan will manage the company's internal and external communications, the company's Web site and all creative activities....

Thermadyne's.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... "Wes has an extensive background in communications, marketing and advertising and has experience in both agency and corporate environments," said Joseph Muller, vice president of marketing for Thermadyne's American division.

Jackson Systems.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Indianapolis-based Jackson Systems promoted Doug Engel to inside-sales engineer. Engel has been with Jackson Systems since 2002, holding positions as warehouse manager and production manager. In his new position, Engel will focus on helping...

Lennox Industries.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Tom Dowling was recently promoted as a regional director for Lennox Industries, representing commercial products in the U.S. South. Dowling will lead the southern commercial districts and guide the growth in the design build and...

Dynamic Air Quality Solutions.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Dynamic Air Quality Solutions announced that Wayne Mayer will serve as the southern regional manager for the company's commercial indoor air quality products. With more than 20 years of experience, Mayer's past positions include design and...

ABB Automation's.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Michael Mikolajczak has been named product line manager for ABB Automation's low-voltage drives. He will be responsible for the growth, strategic planning and lifecycle management of specific drive product lines. Most recently, Mikolajczak...

Johnstone Supply.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Johnstone Supply promoted Johanna Glode to the position of vice president of organization development. Glode will be responsible for Johnstone's corporate humans resources and national training functions. She will also play a role in the...

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers has hired Jeff Diamond as its new marketing director. Diamond has 24 years of communications management experience, and will oversee ASHRAE activities with the goal...

Industry People Group.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Josh Fleming has joined the Industry People Group in the new position of vice president of enterprise solutions. IPG is the parent company of MEPatWork.com, which provides a job board for construction related professions.

Murphy Co.(people in the news)
October 1, 2006... Robert L. Koester has been promoted to chief financial officer for St. Louis-based mechanical contractor Murphy Co. Koester joined Murphy in 2003 as controller and treasurer. As CFO, he will oversee the company's day-to-day financial...

Customer loyalty and profits: survival skills for the 21st century.(business management)
October 1, 2006... Several years ago, Phoenix residents were polled to determine their favorite department store. The winner? Nordstrom, which might not seem surprising given the retailer's legendary reputation for customer service. But Nordstrom had no...

When meeting prospects, listen before talking.(sales & marketing)
October 1, 2006... We have all heard prospects say that while the price was OK and the product was high quality, they placed the order with a competitor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Why? The answer is the first thing salespeople must think about before they...

Don't forget to say thanks at end of a busy season.(human resource and sales management)
October 1, 2006... We had one of the hottest summers throughout the country that I can remember. If a company didn't do well this season--something is wrong. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Now much of the country is starting to cool off and many companies...

ASHRAE cited in surgeon general's report on secondhand smoke.(indoor air quality)
October 1, 2006... A report on secondhand smoke released in June by the U.S. surgeon general used ASHRAE research in reaching its conclusions. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona released "The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Secondhand Smoke"...

Zentox expands air purification production.(indoor air quality)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Zentox announced that it is expanding its facility in Newport News, Va., to manufacture more Photox air-purification systems. The expansion will increase the company's current square footage by approximately 50 percent, with 60 percent of...

Association endorses AHR Expo.(indoor air quality)(Indoor Air Quality Association )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The Indoor Air Quality Association has endorsed the AHR Expo, and believes the yearly product show is a valuable event for its members. "By endorsing the AHR Expo, IAQA hopes to attract more of its members to the (show) where they can learn...

ASHRAE partners with former President Bill Clinton on climate initiative.(indoor air quality)
October 1, 2006... The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers will join former President Bill Clinton in an initiative to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency around the world. The "Clinton Climate...

Parents voice concern over school air.(indoor air quality)
October 1, 2006... Eight out of 10 parents say the quality of air their children breathe while at school can affect their health, according to a survey conducted for Kimberly-Clark Filtration Products. The survey by Opinion Research Corp. polled 476 parents...

Mitsubishi Electric expands HVAC distribution.(wholesaler news)
October 1, 2006... SUWANEE, Ga. -- The Habegger Corp. in Cincinnati and Indiana Supply Corp. in Indianapolis are the two newest stocking distributors for the Mitsubishi Electric Advanced Products Division. "We are excited to bring aboard two new customers...

Air conditioner shipments down 28 percent.(wholesaler news)
October 1, 2006... ARLINGTON, Va. -- Combined U.S. factory shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps for July totaled 644,300, according to ARI. This total is down 28 percent compared with shipments from the same month last year. ...

Trumpf names new regional distributors.(wholesaler news)
October 1, 2006... Hegman Machine Tool in Maple Grove, Minn., will represent Trumpf Inc. products in Nebraska and western Iowa. The company currently represents Trumpf's line of fabricating machinery in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and counties in...

F.W. Webb to supply York products.(wholesaler news)
October 1, 2006... BEDFORD, Mass. -- HVAC and plumbing distributor F.W. Webb will provide York products throughout eastern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The distributor recently signed an agreement with...

Company partners with community college.(wholesaler news)
October 1, 2006... AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Mich., is receiving support from Grainger, a distributor of facilities maintenance supplies. The distributor recently awarded its first Tools for Tomorrow scholarship to...

Manufacturing consumption up 23 percent.(wholesaler news)
October 1, 2006... Manufacturing technology consumption in the United States totaled $322.68 million in June, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology and the American Machine Tool Distributors Association. The total is up 26 percent from the...

Emerson distribution center adds ventilation products.(wholesaler news)
October 1, 2006... The Emerson Climate Technologies distribution center in Mount Comfort, Ind., will now stock the company's ventilation products. The facility is now home to Copeland, Emerson Climate Technologies flow controls, HVACR motors and ventilation...

Firestone, Admiral donate to education fund.(roofing news)
October 1, 2006... Firestone Building Products Co. and Admiral Building Products Inc. donated $10,000 to the North/East Roofing Contractors Association's educational foundation. The donation was made during the association's March 21 convention and trade...

Roofing seminar to highlight safety, legal issues.(roofing news)
October 1, 2006... The National Roofing Legal Resource Center will hold its 27th annual seminar Nov. 2-4 at the Naples Grande Resort & Club in Naples, Fla. The center is an affiliate of the National Roofing Contractors Association. This year's keynote...

Roofing contractors repair animal shelter.(roofing news)
October 1, 2006... The Colorado Roofing Association came to the aid of a nonprofit animal shelter in need of a new roof. A contractor hired to repair the roof on the Denver-based Animal Rescue and Adoption Society building stopped after completing only half...

Students win scholarships from National Roofing Foundation.(roofing news)
October 1, 2006... Michael Marzano, Caitlin Narkawicz and Sarah Stabile were the recipients of the Roofing Industry Scholarships from the National Roofing Foundation. The foundation is the educational branch of the National Roofing Contractors Association....

Metal finish chosen for transportation center.(roofing news)
October 1, 2006... The Jamaica AirTrain JFK Terminal is a $389 million transportation system linking the light-rail system from JFK International Airport to Long Island Rail Road and New York City's subways. Construction on the project, located in the borough...

Roofing association produces video.(roofing news)
October 1, 2006... The National Roofing Contractors Association has produced a video documenting its rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. The association provided new roof systems in the regions affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In March, NRCA...

SMACNA-Arizona.(ARIZONA)(Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Members of the SMACNA-Arizona chapter celebrated Labor Day by going to the movies. The Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association chapter provided two movie tickets to all members of Sheet Metal Workers union Local 359....

Colorado Legislature.(COLORADO)
October 1, 2006... The Colorado Legislature held a special session July 6-10 to discuss 21 new laws that address immigration reform. According to the Colorado Roofing Association's August newsletter, the new laws are an effort to curtail incentives to bring...

EDC International.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... EDC International has relocated its U.S. sales office to a larger facility at 315 Riggs St. in Oxford, Conn. The new building includes the company's shipping, sales and warehouse departments. The company, which specializes in condensate...

Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems.(FLORIDA)
October 1, 2006... Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems recently treated the Florida Little League team it sponsors to a Major League baseball game. As part of the Bryant Future Stars program, the team attended the July 8 Tampa Bay Devil Rays game in St....

HVACR.(INDIANA)
October 1, 2006... The HVACR program at Ivy Tech State College in Lafayette, Ind., has received accreditation from HVAC Excellence. HVAC Excellence, a nonprofit HVACR certification organization, granted the program a six-year accreditation. [ILLUSTRATION...

United Solar Ovonic.(MICHIGAN)
October 1, 2006... United Solar Ovonic will build a $132 million solar cell manufacturing facility in Greenville, Mich. The facility will be part of the new 281.5-acre redevelopment "renaissance zone" approved for the Greenville Industrial Park. The company will...

Global HVAC Distributors.(NEVADA)
October 1, 2006... Global HVAC Distributors will supply Ruud Heating and Cooling products in Reno, Nev., and the surrounding area. The distributor partnered with Ruud in 2003 and has five locations in northern California, including its distribution center in...

New Hampshire.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... A new state law in New Hampshire will require licensing for gas fitters effective Jan. 1. The license requires obtaining certification from North American Technician Excellence. The regulation, nicknamed "Amilia's Law," establishes procedures...

Garden State.(National Association Oil Heating Service Managers wins Oil Heat Cares Cup)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The Garden State chapter of the National Association Oil Heating Service Managers was the recipient of the Oil Heat Cares Cup. The honor is given to a chapter that participated in the Oil Heat Cares program, which provides heating services to...

Trumbull County Heating and Air Conditioning Association in Ohio.(OHIO)
October 1, 2006... The Trumbull County Heating and Air Conditioning Association in Ohio awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Leah Whetherald. Whetherald is a junior attending Mount Union College; she is majoring in mathematics and education. She is the vice president...

Three wholesale distributors in central Pennsylvania are teaming up to provide their products under one roof in Chambersburg, Pa.(PENNSYLVANIA)
October 1, 2006... Three wholesale distributors in central Pennsylvania are teaming up to provide their products under one roof in Chambersburg, Pa. The companies include plumbing and HVAC wholesaler APR Supply; pipe, valve and fitting supplier Industrial Piping...

Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri.(RHODE ISLAND)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri signed legislation that will create new energy-efficiency standards for walk-in refrigerators and freezers. According to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, the standard is similar to measures...