Contractor articles from August 2005

Contractor archives from August 2005

Sales of plumbing: fittings, fittings strong through 2013.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2005... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR COMMACK, N.Y. -- Sales of plumbing fixtures and fittings will continue their historical strong and steady growth rate of between 3% and 4% per year, according to a new study by market research firm Business Trend...

NFPA closer to home sprinklers.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2005... QUINCY, MASS. -- The National Fire Protection Association has come as close as any code body has so far to mandate fire sprinklers in all new one-and two-family dwellings. At its 2005 World Fire Safety Conference and Exposition in June in...

Radiant rehab is nearly allergen-free.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Radiant Heat Solutions)
August 1, 2005... CORVALLIS, ORE. -- The city of Corvallis sits cradled in the Willamette Valley, about an hour's drive from Eugene and about an hour and a half from Portland. The area is home to some spectacular scenery, several local wineries, Oregon State...

Laars acquisition fits Bradford White's strategy.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Bradford-White Corp.)(Laars Heating Systems)
August 1, 2005... AMBLER, PA. -- When Bradford White Corp. announced last month that it is buying Laars Heating Systems Co. from Water Pik Technologies, it was the culmination of an effort that began all the way back in the last century. Bradford White...

QSC members raise $11,805 for Challenge Air.(Quality Service Contractors )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Quality Service Contractors raised $11,805 for Challenge Air, an aviation program that benefits physically challenged children and young people, at a charity golf tournament July 28 just before its Power Meeting XXIII here. ...

Growth in electric sales shocks radiant market.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... LOVELAND, COLO. -- Earlier this summer, the Radiant Panel Association reported that annual sales of hydronic radiant tubing had surged 37.4%, according to a survey of tubing manufacturers (June, pg. 1). While the robust housing and remodeling...

Contractors' costs, nation's health still concerns for stack; new PHCC president.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2005... KIRKLAND, WASH. -- Considering how many centuries that plumbing was made out of lead, it's ironic that Jim Stack suffered lead poisoning from paint. That was good for the plumbing business and bad for the painting business. Stack, the...

NFSA members see growth in home fire sprinkler market.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(National Fire Sprinkler Association)
August 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- Union fire sprinkler contractors have a good reason for entering the home fire sprinkler market: "Residential fire sprinklers have the largest single growth potential of any area in our industry," said Jamie Reap, vice...

Home Depot buys PVF wholesaler.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2005... ATLANTA -- The Home Depot announced in mid-July that it has entered into an agreement to acquire National Waterworks Holdings, a leading distributor of products used to build, repair and maintain water and wastewater transmission systems....

U.S. manufactures' sales of plumbing fittings and brass goods, by major product category.(CONTRACTOR INFOCUS)
August 1, 2005... U.S. manufactures' sales of plumbing fittings and brass goods, by major product category. ($ Millions) 1987 1992 1997 Single-level controls $490.5 $492.0 $582.3 Bath and...

EMCOR group is implementing a company-wide program.
August 1, 2005... EMCOR Group is implementing a company-wide program to obtain green building accreditation for key personnel under the guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design professional accreditation...

Centex Construction Co. awarded the plumbing, heating, ventilating and air conditioning work contract.
August 1, 2005... Centex Construction Co. awarded the plumbing, heating, ventilating and air conditioning work contract for the Stonewall Jackson Middle School to Coastal Mechanical of Melbourne, Fla. Coastal Mechanical also acquired the HVAC and plumbing...

Women in HVACR.(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... Women in HVACR will hold its second annual educational conference Sept. 1 3-14 at the Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, Tenn. Session topics include customer service, service agreement marketing and sales, and the value of LEED buildings...

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association.
August 1, 2005... Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association has said that the passage of Association Health Plan legislation by the House of Representatives is a good sign for plumbing, heating and cooling contractors, who are primarily small...

The LightWash rebate program, now in its third year, is offering rebates of up to $600 per 100,000 Btu (rated input) for qualifying new and retrofit installations.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The LightWash rebate program, now in its third year, is offering rebates of up to $600 per 100,000 Btu (rated input) for qualifying new and retrofit installations. The Northern California-based program will run for the remainder of the year, or...

Two keys to success for service companies.(INDUSTRY EDUCATION)
August 1, 2005... AS QUALITY SERVICE Contractors' business coach, I frequently visit member companies and give advice on how to improve their operations. I also lead many seminars across the country on business management topics. Invariably, two subjects always...

OSHA reform bills pass House.(INDUSTRY EDUCATION)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives has passed four Occupational Safety and Health Administration reform bills that may provide contractors with a more fair process in dealing with OSHA citations while saving contractors time and...

An online response to change in our industry.(FORUM)(website management)
August 1, 2005... I FEEL CHANGES coming to our plumbing and HVAC service industry as powerful as the changes faced by the horse-and-buggy transportation industry 100 years ago. Like many of you, I was raised in a plumbing-and-heating family business, which...

Yellow Pages becoming less effective.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... SHARONVILLE, OHIO -- An article in the June issue of CONTRACTOR states that "plumbing contractors get $10 back in revenue for every $1 they spend on Yellow Pages advertising" ("'Plumbing Contractors' ranks 11th in Yellow Pages look-ups," pg....

Yellow Pages ROI defined.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS -- In a news story in your June issue, I do not believe the statement that "plumbing contractors get $10 back in revenue for every $1 they spend on Yellow Pages advertising" ("'Plumbing Contractors' ranks 11th in Yellow...

Understand business rules.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... LACONIA, N.H. -- I just want to let Bob Miodonski know that I think his dad is right on target ("Stand behind your work and never cut your prices," June, pg. 80). It's too bad that more people in our industry don't understand the simple...

Red carpet service: Hub's marketing program builds more than image.(MARKETING)
August 1, 2005... John Wood came from an environment where the plumbing contractor for whom he worked provided traditional service. "I wore blue jeans and a Red Sox shirt," recalls Wood, who is now president of his own company, Hub Plumbing & Mechanical,...

Nexstar.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... Laura O'Rourke has joined Nexstar as the best practices group's membership consultant.

Tom Vander-Hyde.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... Tom Vander-Hyde, president of Rite-Way Plumbing and Heating, has been selected for the Michigan Plumbing Mechanical Contractors Association Contractor of the Year Award. Vander-Hyde obtained his Master Plumber's license in 1975 and purchased...

Frank MacInnis.(Contractors)(chairman of EMCOR Group awarded the Corporate Leadership Award by Voluntary Action Center )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... EMCOR Group chairman and CEO Frank MacInnis has been awarded the Corporate Leadership Award by the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield County, an organization dedicated to promoting and recognizing volunteerism in Norwalk, Westport, Weston...

EMCOR Facilities Services.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... EMCOR Facilities Services hired Edward Dabrowski as chief financial officer and senior vice president. He comes to EFS after a 28-year career at Carrier Corp. Michael Bordes has joined EFS as vice president and general manager of the EFS Mobile...

Gowan Inc.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... Mark Froman has been elected president and CEO of Gowan Inc., a subsidiary of EMCOR and a leading mechanical and custom sheet metal producer in the Houston area.

Heritage Mechanical Services.(Contractors)(appoints Jeffrey A. Porrello)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Jeffrey A. Porrello has been named president and CEO of Heritage Mechanical Services, a subsidiary of EMCOR Group. He has been with the company since 1999, serving as piping operations manager, vice president/ field operations and vice...

Gem Plumbing & Heating.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... Gem Plumbing & Heating in Lincoln, R.I., has promoted two of its senior managers, Arnold Romano and Rod Rodrigues. Romano has been promoted to general manager/service division. He has been with the company since 1996. Rodrigues has been...

Coastal Mechanical.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... Trevor Lewis has rejoined Coastal Mechanical's estimating/marketing department. He has more than 30-years' experience in the mechanical contracting industry.

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... John Wood has been named CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical in Boston. The full-service plumbing company was established in 1999.

Roto-Rooter Services Co.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... Roto-Rooter Services Co., based in Cincinnati, has named Keith Vadas and Brian Roach vice presidents of Northeast and Southeast regions, respectively. Vadas has served as Roto-Rooter's Northeast regional manager since 2000, while Roach has...

Emma Donohew.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association has awarded the Women in Construction Scholarship for the 2004-2005 academic year to Emma Donohew of Bothell, Wash. The scholarship is worth $1,200.

Brett Davis.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... Project manager Brett Davis, with Bellevue, Wash.-based Burnstead Construction, was the grand prize winner in Price Pfister's 2004 Get a Pfresh Look Sweepstakes promotion. He won a 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle, valued at more than...

IAPMO Group.(Contractors)
August 1, 2005... The IAPMO Group has hired Carl Marbery as director of code support. Formerly of the International Code Council, he fills the position John Halliwill left vacant after retiring in summer 2004.

Burnham Hydronics.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Burnham Hydronics recently named Rick Link 2005 Salesperson of the Year. Link has been with the company for 15 years, serving most recently as representative for the western Pennsylvania territory.

Bradford White.(appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Bradford White has announced two staff promotions at its Middleville, Mich., manufacturing facility. Michael P. Reid has been promoted to vice president/materials. He has been with the company the past two years, most recently as director of...

Milwaukee Valve.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... John Labellarte has been promoted to chief operating officer at Milwaukee Valve. He joined the company in 1999, beginning as general manager.

Sloan Valve Co.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Sloan Valve Co. recently honored Ren Owen, vice president/business development, with an award signifying his 40 years of service to the company. Owen began his career with Sloan at age 19 in Sloan's Foundry Division, which at that time was...

Slant/Fin.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Slant/Fin has appointed Bob Flanagan national sales manager. Flanagan has been with the company since 2003 as a regional sales manager.

The Elkay Division.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... The Elkay Division has named Frank Profiti to vice president/sales and marketing for Elkay, Canada. He brings more than 20 years' experience to the position and has held senior sales positions with A.O. Smith, Blanco, Price Pfister and Delta...

Ironclad Performance Wear.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Ironclad Performance Wear has hired Kent Pachl, vice president/sales and marketing. Pachl joins Ironclad from the TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Co., where he oversaw national sales and service operations since 2002.

A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co.(appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co. has made two executive promotions to its sales and marketing organization. Louis C. Rasmussen has been named vice president/North American sales, and Steve D. O'Brien has been named vice president/marketing....

Mansfield Plumbing Products.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Mansfield Plumbing Products has named Bill Kelley vice president/retail sales. He has more than 20 years' experience in the vitreous china sanitary-ware industry. Adriana Bedoya has joined the company as sales manager/manufactured housing. She...

Armstrong Pumps.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Armstrong Pumps has appointed Patti Malone buyer in the company's strategic sourcing team. She was previously a buyer for Bombardier Aerospace.

Lasco Bathware.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Lasco Bathware has appointed David McFarland director of marketing. He most recently held the position of vice president/marketing for Playhut, where he focused on the consumer market through retail distribution.

ABS Group.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Fredrik Groth has been appointed president of the ABS Group, a solutions provider in wastewater technology. He joined the company in 2004 as CFO and was appointed COO earlier this year.

Wright Tool.(Manufacturers)
August 1, 2005... Wright Tool has hired James D. Rowland as director of international sales. Before joining Wright Tool, Rowland was president of Jim Rowland & Associates, a manufacturers representative firm.

New president/CEO at Briggs.(PEOPLE NEWS)
August 1, 2005... CHARLESTON, S.C. -- CISA Holding announced in early June the appointment of William Houlin as president and CEO of Briggs Plumbing Products. "William is a seasoned executive and proven leader," said Jorge Meruane, president and CEO of...

The value of post project reviews: debriefing on your 'bests' and 'busts' on big jobs helps you learn to improve.(PROJECT MANAGEMENT)
August 1, 2005... In facilitating the High-performing Contractor assessment for Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, one of the most frequent weaknesses the contractors identify is holding post project reviews. Most contractors...

'The (PHCC) Apprentice': with proper training and education, plumbing can trump other careers.(APPRENTICE TRAINING)
August 1, 2005... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR First in a five-part series On TV, "The Apprentice" is a steppingstone to a career and wealth in Donald Trump's real estate development firm. In real life, apprenticeships can be steppingstones to career and...

A.O. Smith, State start fall promotions.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2005... ASHLAND CITY, TENN. -- A. O. Smith Water Products Co. is offering contractors exclusive deals on products for work and play. Beginning on Sept. 1, 2005, and continuing through Nov. 15, 2005, select A.O Smith residential and commercial water...

In-Sink-Erator kicks off Pro Bowl promo.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2005... RACINE, WIS. -- In-Sink-Erator is kicking off its newly structured Pro Circle program by offering each plumbing contractor who applies, and is certified, an automatic entry into the Pro Bowl Sweepstakes. The grand-prize winner will receive...

Real-time energy load calculations, Part 3.(EATHERTON ON HYDRONICS)(Column)
August 1, 2005... I PROMISED AT the end of last month's column (pg. 32) to tell you what to do with all the digital information you will have obtained from monitoring one of these systems in which the heat source has to be replaced. Once you have retrieved your...

Radiant in the Rockies, Part 2.(HYDRONIC SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2005... LAST MONTH, (pg. 34) we introduced Concept Mechanical, a $1.8 million residential and light commercial contracting firm doing business in the mountain towns near Denver. Headquartered at the base of Beaver Creek mountain in Avon, Colo., the...

Adobe innovations streamline collaboration.(product introduction)
August 1, 2005... WHEN IT COMES to maximizing productivity on any construction or renovation project, having the participants actively review a document has a lot of advantages over an electronic document that is read only. Enter a streamlined method of...

Sole-source specs: risky for designers, owners.(McGREEVY ON LAW)
August 1, 2005... I AM SURE that every contractor and vendor has encountered the frustration of finding a specification that limits acceptable products too much. If your firm makes or sells excluded products, you have lost out on potential sales. If you are a...

The rituals of project management.(CRAIG ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT)(Column)
August 1, 2005... A LITTLE MORE than a year ago, I wrote a column, "Rules for creating a successful PM career" (July 2004, pg. 44). One of the rules I mentioned was, "Ritualize your job life," and I added, "Don't fight the rituals of project management; embrace,...

Four things that drive your customers crazy.(HUDSON ON MARKETING)
August 1, 2005... HAVE YOU WONDERED why the most irritated people in the world always call you? Surely it has less to do with you than the kind of contracting business you're in. The fact is, plumbing contractors get irritable phone calls because the...

Little known strategies to save your tax dollars.(BLACKMAN ON TAXES)
August 1, 2005... STRATEGY NO. 1. Are you an S corporation? Be careful. The IRS is on the warpath. Why? Many S corporation owners take small--or sometimes zero--salaries to avoid paying payroll taxes. Instead, they take dividends, which are not subject tO...

NAOHSM sets Alaskan cruise.(BLACKMAN ON TAXES)
August 1, 2005... EAST PETERSBURG, PA. -- The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers is sponsoring a trip to Alaska aboard a Carnival cruise ship July 12-19, 2006. The trip offers the option of flying from Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore or...

Our prefab shop is worth the cost.(BEST PRACTICES)
August 1, 2005... WHEN I WAS preparing to host a shop tour and presentation for MCAA's 2005 Pre-Fabrication Seminar, it made me stop and think about what happened in the course of our company business that made us mount a full-scale prefab shop. I've been asked...

When all else fails, follow the instructions.(GUEST COLUMNIST)(Column)
August 1, 2005... IT WAS SEPT. 9, 1993. My wife said to me on a Sunday at 1 p.m.: "Honey, there is water coming out of the closet. Would you take a look at it?" I got up off the couch and put down the book I was reading. I opened the door in the bathroom....

FMI slates young manager training.(GUEST COLUMNIST)
August 1, 2005... RALEIGH, N.C. -- FMI Corp., management consultants and investment bankers to the construction industry, has scheduled a conference for young contractor managers. The session is one of FMI's 17 conferences and workshops for 2005-2006. ...

Hite wins Rerum Novarum award.(EATHERTON ON HYDRONICS)
August 1, 2005... William P. Hite, general president of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, is a recipient of the 2005 Rerum Novarum Award. The award is given by St. Joseph College Seminary at the...

Apprentice initiatives address training needs.(PHCC NEWS)(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association )(Advertisement)
August 1, 2005... TODAY'S PLUMBING AND HVACR workforce is much different than it was 10, five or even two years ago. Priorities are different. Learning styles are different. Access to technology and communications has expanded. Everyone wants "instant...

Floodsafe auto-shut off connectors.(editor's choice)
August 1, 2005... FLOODSAFE AUTO-SHUT OFF CONNECTORS protect against catastrophic water damage caused by burst, broken or ruptured water supply hoses and fittings. The connectors include a standard braided flexible stainless steel hose and a shutoff device...

The Fairmont collection of faucets.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE FAIRMONT COLLECTION OF FAUCETS feature traditional styling. The collection includes a widespread faucet, a centerset faucet, and a versatile mini-widespread faucet that can be installed in place of the centerset or with valves positioned up...

The Speedrooter 91 drain cleaning machine.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE SPEEDROOTER 91 DRAIN CLEANING MACHINE features a power cable feed that drives 3/4", 5/8" and 1/2" cables. Drum changes are easy--switching from 3/4" or 5/8" cables to a small drum with 100' of 1/2" cable takes less than a minute. No...

The MPO oil boiler.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE MPO OIL BOILER is 87% AFUE Energy Star certified. It features a reversible, full-swing door and specialty configuration that allows the entire block to be cleaned and vacuumed without removing the flue pipe. Internal flue baffles allow the...

The 4D-200 series defender backflow preventer.
August 1, 2005... THE 4D-200 SERIES DEFENDER BACKFLOW PREVENTER is lead-free thanks to an all-stainless steel check design. It is available in sizes from 2 1/2" to 10" and fully conforms to all performance standards. The valve's maximum rated working pressure is...

The Knight high-efficiency condensing heating boiler.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE KNIGHT HIGH-EFFICIENCY CONDENSING HEATING BOILER features advanced controls that incorporate a two-line, 16-character LED display. It offers a fully-modulating burner with 5:1 turndown. The boiler has a 92% DOE AFUE efficiency rating, and a...

Pure flow turn valves.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... PURE FLOW TURN VALVES allow fixture shut-off at the press connection between PEX tubing and standard fixture risers. Available in straight or angled configurations, the valves are chrome plated, reliable and long-lasting. Viega CIRCLE...

A new line of drain and septic products.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... A NEW LINE OF DRAIN AND SEPTIC PRODUCTS are now available that incorporates more than 70 strains of specialized enzymes to clear the toughest clogs. The environment-friendly products rapidly open and restore flow to clogged systems without the...

The Cozumel vanity sink.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE COZUMEL VANITY SINK is available in designer finishes that include traditional bronze and nickel bronze. Designed for vanity tops, the sinks may be installed at any height for ease of use by people with disabilities. The sinks are molded...

The Carlyle widespread lav faucet.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE CARLYLE WIDESPREAD LAV FAUCET is available with a straight spout, many handle options, and a multitude of finishes to complement any bathroom decor. Featuring classical lines, it is offered with a full line of matching accessories. ...

The model RH520 humidity and temperature recorder.
August 1, 2005... THE MODEL RH520 HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE RECORDER can be either desk or wall mounted. It provides simultaneous numerical and graphical displays of humidity (20% to 95% RH) and temperature (-20[degrees]F to 140[degrees]F), and can also calculate...

The Powerpush 7000 dispensing gun.
August 1, 2005... THE POWERPUSH 7000 DISPENSING GUN is battery-operated and designed for contractors using two component adhesives and sealants. It can dispense and evenly mix even the most viscous two-part epoxys in both hot and cold temperatures. Variable dial...

The Titan toilet.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE TITAN TOILET ensures total bowl evacuation in one flush, every time. Dual jets inside the walls of the bowl act to create a fast (2.5 seconds), powerful flush. A streamlined trapway increases siphoning action to assist in clearing out the...

The BA-100/150 NSF bronze ball valve.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE BA-100/150 NSF BRONZE BALL VALVE is available with threaded end (the 100 model) or solder end (150), and is the first of its kind certified ANSI/ NSF Standard 61 for potable water. It is offered in sizes from 1/4" to 2". It features a...

Intrepid cast-iron oil boilers.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... INTREPID CAST-IRON OIL BOILERS feature a contoured combustion chamber designed to support stable combustion. The heat exchanger has one of the lowest draft losses in the industry. Burners are configured for each specific model to provide...

The urban edge collection of kitchen sinks.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE URBAN EDGE COLLECTION OF KITCHEN SINKS offers a wide array of undermount sinks ranging in size from 13" X 17" to double bowl sinks up to 36" X 17", in styles including farmhouse sinks, worktop sinks, and the kitchen island. All feature...

The Catalina series faucet.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE CATALINA SERIES FAUCET is available in the company's "design your own" program that allows customers to mix and match components to create a one-of-a-kind, built-to-order faucet. With 25 styles and 30 decorative finishes to choose from, a...

The HC-108D seam alignment tool.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... THE HC-108D SEAM ALIGNMENT TOOL consists of two hand suction cups for picking up nonporous surfaces, and features a removable turnbuckle assembly for pulling them together. The tool is ideal for handling and aligning countertops. Anver...