Contractor articles from August 2007

Contractor archives from August 2007

Green Hills, green house: a high-efficiency home chooses high-efficiency water heaters.
August 1, 2007... NASHVILLE, TENN -- The Green Hills are a borough of Nashville, Tenn., near the I-440 loop. The eastern edge of the neighborhood is bordered by Lipscomb University (go Bisons!), and is filled with stately older homes, some dating back to the...

American Standard sold to private equity firm.(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- American Standard Companies Inc. announced July 23 that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the company's worldwide Bath & Kitchen products business to funds advised by Bain Capital...

Immigration document surprises contractors.
August 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Contractors must maintain I-9 employment eligibility forms and supporting documents for all employees, human resources consultant Stephanie A. Peters told contractors here. A handful of surprised contractors had not heard of the...

Contractor infocus.
August 1, 2007... U.S. ranks low in vacation days (annual average per person) Italy 42 days France 37 Germany 35 Brazil 34 United Kingdom 28 Canada 26 South Korea 25 Japan 25 United...

Toto 'clothes' Washlet billboard.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... NEW YORK--Toto's advertising campaign for its Washlet bidet seat has proven to be too avant garde for Times Square. Toto announced its "Clean is Happy" ad campaign at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas that included an image of naked...

Care to Ride raises $75,000 for charity.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... HERSHEY, PA.--By raising $75,000 for Oil Heat Cares with the 2007 running iwinter for many in need. Topping last year's total of $50,000, the event was held on a perfect spring day in Hershey, Pa. in late May and, for the first time, included a...

ARS buys San Antonio contractor 'Will' Fix It.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... MEMPHIS, TENN.--American Residential Services L.L.C., a privately held, nationwide provider of plumbing and HVAC services, has acquired the "Will" Fix It brand, San Antonio, Texas, as part of the company's stated strategy for continued growth...

Changing the world, one apprentice at a time.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- Linda Hannah is a 5'2" dynamo who has become a local leader in preparing young people for careers in mechanical construction and other construction trades. Described by the Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago as "an expert...

UA/MCAA partnership to focus on green initiatives.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- United Association General President William Hite and Mechanical Contractors Association of America President David Kruse announce plans in late June to launch several new joint initiatives to assist members and the public in...

James Coulas Sr., 92, Weldbend founder, CEO.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(James J. Coulas)(Obituary)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- Weldbend Corp.'s founder and CEO, James J. Coulas Sr., died July 4, apparently of heart failure. He was 92. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Originally named Viking Valve and Fitting Co., he founded the industrial fittings and flange...

Contractor infocus.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... Substance dependence or abuse in the past year (Percentage of workers 18-64) Occupation Illicit drugs Alchol Drafters & engineering technicians 5.4% 11.7% Construction and...

The associated general contractors of America.(In Brief)
August 1, 2007... * Ken Simonson, chief economist for The associated general contractors of America (AGC), said the August 3 payroll employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics appears to understate the contribution of nonresidential construction as a...

Construction contractors' alliance's.(In Brief)
August 1, 2007... * Construction Contractors' Alliance's (CCA) Sept. 26-28 meeting in Chicago will reveal leadership techniques to remain successful and profitable while facing unknown circumstances. Featured speaker Gary Heil will discuss "Change Leadership:...

The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute.(In Brief)
August 1, 2007... * The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI) has announced that NSF International has certified CISPI's member-company cast iron soil pipe and fitting products as being compliant with the CISPI 301 and ASTM A 74 Standards. In addition, NSF...

Quality service contractors.(In Brief)
August 1, 2007... * Quality Service Contractors (QSC) is offering a new member benefit: human resource consulting through SESCO Management Consultants. The new service is sponsored by A.O. Smith Water Heaters. QSC members will have access to such types of...

SMW merges with UTU.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Sheet Metal Workers' International Association)(United Transportation Union)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... WASHINGTON--The Sheet Metal Workers' International Association and the United Transportation Union have announced plans to merge into a new 230,000 member union called the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation...

Ben Franklin owner lauded.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... GILBERT, ARIZ.--Chris and Linda Stanfield's Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in the Greater Phoenix area has been winning numerous business awards this year. The husband and wife team believes the recognition is a result of having made a significant...

Lochinvar gives contractors 'Nashville experience'.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... LEBANON, TENN.--Lochinvar Corp. recently awarded seven participants in its VIP Contractor Program with the grand prize--an all-expenses-paid trip to Tennessee for The Nashville Experience. In early June, Lochinvar treated the winners and their...

Maxwell buys Estimation Inc., Quest Solutions.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... KING OF PRUSSIA, PA. -- Construction management software developer Maxwell Systems Inc., announced it has acquired two leading estimating technology software providers, Estimation Inc. and Quest Solutions Inc. The result will be a seamless...

Globe recalls dry sprinklers.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... STANDISH, MICH. -- Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, have announced a voluntary recall of approximately 300,000 sprinkler heads. The sprinklers in questions were sold under the name Globe Model J Series...

Home sprinkler group unveils 'Educator Kit'.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... FRANKFURT, ILL. -- The non-profit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition has introduced its new Public Education Kit. The kit is available free to fire service and public educators nationwide. HFSC has also launched a new interactive educational web...

NIST tests residential fuel cells.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... WESTWOOD, MASS. -- Acumentrics Corp., a developer of solid oxide fuel cells and winner of a 2007 New England Innovation Award, announced in early June that it has submitted a 5 kW fuel cell generator to the National Institute of Standards and...

Linc buys Jackson & Blanc.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(The Linc Group)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Linc Group (TLG) has purchased Jackson & Blanc's Linc franchise in Irwindale, Calif. A Linc Service Contractor since 1998, Jackson and Blanc has been in business more than 75 years. TLG's acquisition maintains the Linc Service Network's...

Service Roundtable announces Windshield U.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... DALLAS -- The Service Roundtable has announced the release of Windshield University, an audio training program for plumbing and air conditioning contractors designed to be listened to while driving. The first issue will be offered free. ...

Wrightsoft wins design award.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... LEXINGTON, MASS. -- For the fourth consecutive year, Wrightsoft was recognized for excel lence in produc t des ign serving the HVAC industry in the annual Dealer Design Awards program. An independent panel of 51 contractors acted as judges in...

Take control of your exit strategy.(O'CONNOR ON EDUCATION)(managerial skills of contract managers)
August 1, 2007... RECENTLY, A GOOD FRIEND of mine lost his wife. It was far too early and she was much too young. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On the same day, one of my favorite former employees witnessed the birth of his first child. Not to trivialize...

A. O. Smith announces executive appointments.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... ASHLAND CITY, TENN. -- A. O. Smith Water Products Co. announced that Kevin Wheeler has been named senior vice president and general manager of U. S. retail water heaters. Wheeler replaces Robert W. Trudeau, who retired May 31 as president...

Lean thinking can work in construction.(LETTERS AND E-MAILS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... SAN DIEGO -- I work for a contracting company, and I have a few question about the article in your magazine called "Lean thinking works in construction too" (February 2005, pg. 5; archived at www.contractormag.com). One section of the...

Thanks for the coverage.(LETTERS AND E-MAILS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILL -- I would like to thank Mr. Mader for the great story in CONTRACTOR Magazine's June issue (Edwards Engineering comes to condo's rescue, pg. 5) and your note. It has been a very exciting year for Edwards Engineering,...

How do you front load schedule of values?(LETTERS AND E-MAILS)
August 1, 2007... NORWOOD, OHIO -- I recently came across an article H. Kent Craig wrote on job schedule and schedule of values that has helped me quite a bit. I was wondering if I could ask a couple of questions. I am the second generation in a commercial...

Franchise players: a franchise may the way to boost you to the next level, to get the phone to ring more and to let you charge more money.(CONTRACTOR OPPORTUNITIES)
August 1, 2007... Contemplate, if you will, while drinking your Starbucks coffee or, perhaps, on your way to Panera for lunch, the state of franchising in the plumbing-heating-cooling industry. While so many of the products and services we buy today come from...

A new age in North American hydronics, part 2.(EATHERTON ON HYDRONICS)
August 1, 2007... In last month's column (p. 36), I promised to give you more information on the Wilo Brain Box training tool. This training device was developed via an education grant from the German government and is the byproduct of an industry and higher...

Run multiple print jobs on all network printers.(FELDMANS ON COMPUTERS)
August 1, 2007... IF YOU FIND juggling the printing of multiple project plans and change orders for bidding and RFPs and other distribution a hassle, here is a program that might help streamline output. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PrintWeasel print...

Daily reports can nip problems in the bud.(MCGREEVY ON LAW)
August 1, 2007... MOST GENERAL CONTRACTORS on commercial and public construction projects are required to generate and submit daily reports to their customers. Sometimes--but not as often--general contractors require their major subs to fill out their own daily...

NES contest recruits youth.(MCGREEVY ON LAW)
August 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- NES Rentals Holdings Inc., one of the largest aerial equipment rental providers in the country, announced that it will be a team sponsor in the Construction Challenge, a youth-oriented critical thinking and creative problem-solving...

How to win the life insurance tax game.(BLACKMAN ON TAXES)
August 1, 2007... ENRICHING THE IRS with your life insurance dollars--death benefits--at your family's expense makes my blood boil. Turning the insurance tax table on the IRS makes me one happy camper. You too can join the tax-saving fun. Become a happy camper....

Sioux Chief celebrates 50th anniversary.(Sioux Chief Manufacturing Company Inc.)(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... PECULIAR, MO. -- After 50 years in business, the products of Sioux Chief Mfg. Co. can be found in hundreds of thousands of homes in America. Since its founding in 1957, Sioux Chief has held itself to one goal: to make plumbing installation...

Creating the perception of leadership.(CRAIG ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT)
August 1, 2007... I ONCE HAD a foreman who was about 30 years old with 10 years' experience and wanted to become a project manager so bad he could taste it. He read every single word of every single issue of CONTRACTOR. He read everything in our public library's...

TDIndustries wins award.(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... DALLAS -- TDIndustries has won a Texas Instruments prestigious Supplier Excellence Award, based on its outstanding performance and continuous improvement in providing goods and services to TI. SEA recipients are chosen for their performance...

Marketing lessons from a Boy Scout trip.(HUDSON ON MARKETING)(Editorial)
August 1, 2007... I went on an outing with my son and five Boy Scouts. We were really roughing it, camping out in the shadow of our one-year-old lake house that's far nicer than my "normal" house. (Don't ask me the logic; there is none.) I guess if it got cold,...

The 10 best things to do on service calls.(BEST PRACTICES)
August 1, 2007... HERE ARE THE top 10 ways service techs can gain credibility: 1. Put the customer's mind at ease regarding her immediate problems within the first two minutes. Address the situation or need that prompted the service call first. Then you're...

KSW wins $9m mixed use job.
August 1, 2007... LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. -- KSW Inc. has won a 9.2 million contract to furnish the HVAC systems for a mixed use project on Columbus Ave. in Manhattan. The project includes a 359 unit apartment tower situated atop 220,000-sq.ft. of retail space....

Ore. contractor hosts 'Bobapalooza'.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... PORTLAND, ORE. -- The marketing machine that is Oregon-based George Morlan Plumbing scored another coup on June 30 by hosting a concert for lucky listeners to Portland radio station KPAM. George Morlan Plumbing opened its Northwest Portland...

State Water Heaters increases Hispanic marketing efforts.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... ASHLAND CITY, TENN. -- State Water Heaters recently announced plans to launch an integrated marketing effort aimed at Spanish-speaking contractors in key U.S. markets. Campaign initiatives include new Hispanic-themed print advertisements, Web...

U.S. Green Building Council slates Greenbuild.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Contractors interested in learning more about the LEED Rating System, green building technology, and all of the new and exciting happenings surrounding the green building industry can sign up now for the U.S. Green Building...

Coburn's switches to State.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... ASHLAND CITY, TENN. -- State Water Heaters has announced a new partnership with Coburn's, a leader in the wholesale distribution of plumbing products throughout Louisiana and eastern Texas. Starting August 8, Coburn's will begin phasing out its...

Mr. Rooter lauds outstanding franchise owners.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... WACO, TEXAS -- The Mr. Rooter Corp., the all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company, recently recognized its outstanding franchisees and team members during the company's international convention in Atlanta, Ga. Derek...

Women in HVACR meet in St. Louis.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -- Women in HVACR, the organization committed to educating, networking and mentoring women in all facets of the HVACR industry, has announced the preliminary schedule for its 4th annual conference to be held at the America's...

R.M. Thornton to sell Linc Service to D.C. area.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... PITTSBURGH -- With an eye toward growing its service business, mechanical contractor R.M. Thornton has purchased a Linc Service franchise. Effective May 1, Capitol Heights, Md.-based R.M. Thornton, located less than 10 miles from the...

Linc Facility Services launches Web resource.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Linc Facility Services announced that it has launched a new Web site that enables online searchers easy access to the growing capabilities and service offerings of Linc Facility Services and its operating companies. The new...

Caroma has 20 HET models.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(High Efficiency Toilets)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA -- Caroma announced in June that 20 of its 30+ dual-flush toilets for the North American market have been certified to carry the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new WaterSense label. This label ensures that a toilet...

A. O. Smith signs license deal with Ed Begley Jr.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... ASHLAND CITY, TENN. -- A. O. Smith Water Products Co. has signed a longterm exclusive brand license and endorsement agreement with the producers of the HGTV television series "Living With Ed" and it's co-star Ed Begley Jr. Under terms of the...

GE Money, ARS extend consumer finance program.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... ST.PAUL, MINN. -- GE Money's Sales Finance unit and American Residential Services LLC have renewed their consumer finance agreement. ARS, Memphis, Tenn., provides plumbing and HVAC services under the brand names ARS and Rescue Rooter. ARS and...

Shaw gets LEED Platinum job.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Shaw Mechanical Services has secured a $3 million contract to provide mechanical contracting for The Conservatory at Celebration, a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Platinum-rated office building, under construction...

Contractors.(PEOPLE NEWS)
August 1, 2007... The Green Mechanical Council has elected a new board of directors to sever a one-year term. The new executive board members are: chairman Jerry Weiss, executive director of HVAC Excellence, chairman of the board of Educational Standards Corp.,...

Manufacturers.(PEOPLE NEWS)
August 1, 2007... Fujitsu General America, Inc. today announced the appointment of Shawn Hill as the firm's new southeast regional sales manager. Hill's background most recently includes five years with ECR International, the parent company for EMI ductless...

MCAA releases tool, equipment rental guide.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
August 1, 2007... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- The Mechanical Contractors Association of America began offering its members a free benefit with the release of its 2008 edition of the Tool & Equipment Rental Guide in an online-only format. The move to online delivery gets...

Software buyer's guide published.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2007... IRVINE, CALIF. -- AccountingSoftware411.com, a Website for accounting software news and information, announced release of a Buyer Guide for Construction Software. The purpose of the Construction Software Buyer Guide is to provide a single place...

MSCA awards 80th MSCA Star.(Mechanical Service Contractors of America)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- The Mechanical Service Contractors of America has announced that six more contractors have achieved MSCA Star qualification, bringing the total number of MSCA Stars to 80. MSCA Star is a qualifications program that recognizes...

Editor's choice.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2007... THE POPULAR FAIRMONT COLLECTION OF FIXTURES now includes a single handle centerset faucet, a single handle vessel filler faucet and two wall mount faucets (with single-handle and two-handle options). The collection emphasizes a simple, graceful...

So much lies ahead, no reason to look back.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
August 1, 2007... IN MY TIME at CONTRACTOR, I've addressed you on an industry issue in this space every month since March 1994. For those of you scoring at home, that's 162 Editorials, including this month's. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I thank those of you...