Contractor articles from January 2002

Contractor archives from January 2002

Enron's mechanicals alive, well. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... PHILADELPHIA -- Despite the bankruptcy of corporate parent Enron Corp. (December 2001, pg. 3), its mechanical contracting subsidiaries are doing well. They are not part of Enron's bankruptcy and may be put up for sale to raise cash for Enron...

Contractor infocus.(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... CONTRACTOR INFOCUS Nonresidential construction put in place (Millions of current dollars) 2001 2002 2003 2004 Private office and professional $46,523 47,666 52,620 55,313 Education ...

Panel urges tariffs on steel imports. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. International Trade Commission Dec. 7 recommended that President Bush slap tariffs of 5% to 40% on low-cost steel imports that domestic producers say have crippled their industry. For some U.S. steel makers, the penalty...

Delta drops from PHCC Pro Product Line. (Industry News).(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors)(Delta Faucet Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR FALLS CHURCH, VA. -- The Plumbing-Heating -Cooling Contractors - National Association has scheduled a press conference for Jan. 23 in Chicago to announce that new manufacturers will add their offerings to its...

Plumbing apprentices compete in contest. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... LAS VEGAS -- The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association, in conjunction with the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors of Nevada, conducted the National Plumbing Apprentice Contest Nov. 10 here. Apprentices competed on...

Roto-Rooter to sell non-branded contractors. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR CINCINNATI -- Chemed Corp. announced Nov. 30 that its board of directors has approved a restructuring plan that includes selling or closing non-Rote-Rooter branded plumbing and HVAC operations and buying out more...

New look for contractor. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... CHICAGO -- CONTRACTOR magazine, the most established publication in its field, has unveiled a contemporary look with its January issue. "Our new design is bolder, brighter and more colorful," Editorial Director Bob Miodonski said. "Our new...

Hydronics market expects good 2002. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... WHAT RECESSION? "According to most indications we are in a recession, but the business hasn't shown it," said David Garlow, national sales manager of radiant heating supplier Stadler-Viega. Manufacturers and contractors interviewed by...

Plumbing market sees slight upturn. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... PLUMBING CONTRACTORS and manufacturers are facing 2002 with more uncertainty than they've experienced in years. "We've looked at several variations for 2002," said Ray Kennedy, vice president/marketing for Delta Faucet of Co. "If somebody...

Key issues: education, UA, affiliates. (New MCAA president).(United Association (Plumbing and Pipefitting))(Mechanical Contractors Association of America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... SHREVEPORT, LA. -- FitzGerald Contractors Inc. had been in business here for 60 years when it joined the Mechanical Contractors Association of America in 1974. Chairman and CEO Bob FitzGerald can recall his first MCAA encounter. "We had...

Murphy Co.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Murphy Co., St. Louis, won a 2001 Design Build Institute of America Award for Excellence for the University of Colorado Hospital Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, Aurora, Colo. Murphy's $17 million mechanical contract included HVAC, medical gas...

S.I. Goldman Co./Comfort Systems USA.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... S.I. Goldman Co./Comfort Systems USA, Longwood, Fla., donated 1,949 lb. of food and a check for $1,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank in November. More than 200 Goldman employees collected donations from Florida construction sites during the...

Expert Plumbing.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Steven Brockman, owner of Expert Plumbing, Naperville, Ill., won an Excellence in Construction Award from the local Associated Builders & Contractors for his renovation of the sewer system for the Warren Residence, Downers Grove, III. Brockman...

The National Oilheat Research Alliance Education Center.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The National Oilheat Research Alliance Education Center has assumed responsibility for the National Oilheat Certification program and awarding Continuing Education Units. NORA is cataloging all manufacturers, vendors and schools that offer oil...

Plumbing and Piping Industry of Northern Illinois.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Chicago-area Plumbing and Piping Industry of Northern Illinois raised $95,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Illinois. The charity helps make dreams come true for terminally ill children. Top sponsors at the fundraiser were...

A.O. Smith.
January 1, 2002... A.O. Smith is sponsoring a scholarship program for members of it Professional Contractor Association. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a two-year, four-year or vocational-technical school.

Winemaker Southcorp sells water heater unit. (Industry News).(to Paloma Industries Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... JOHNSON CITY, TENN. -- Australian winemaker Southcorp Ltd. said in December that it has agreed to sell its Australasian water heater business to Japan-based Paloma Industries Ltd. for $540 million (Australian, which is $275 million U.S.). ...

Swan Corp. loses founder, Jack Moore. (Industry News).(Brief Article)(Obituary)
January 1, 2002... ST. LOUIS--John "Jack" W. Moore, 77, president of The Swan Corp., died Oct. 28, 2001. A Princeton University graduate of the class of 1946 and World War II veteran, he flew missions as a B-29 pilot in the Pacific theater. Moore founded The...

Overachievers make business fun. (Schmitt on Management).(Joseph Schmitt)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2002... SEVERAL MONTHS ago I offered, absolutely free, some testing information to readers who sent me a stamped, self-addressed envelope using their home address. I didn't want to send this packet to their business address because I've found that...

Run, don't walk, from bars, restaurants. (Letters).
January 1, 2002... DENVER -- A full-page ad (November 2001, pg. 31) is nothing to be sneezed at from a revenue standpoint, so I have no argument with your accepting it. Likely, Phillip Morris' desire (short of discouraging smoking) to mechanically mitigate...

Don't get hung up on wall-hung toilets. (Letters).
January 1, 2002... JANESVILLE, WIS. -- I read Dave Yates' column in the July 2001 issue of CONTRACTOR (pg. 28). I am not sure if he can help me, but here goes. I own a home built in 1969. It has four bathrooms equipped with four Case 3200 wall-hung toilets....

`Cathedral' is one of Holohan's best. (Letters).
January 1, 2002... PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- I read Dan Holohan's column in the October 2001 issue of CONTRACTOR ("An American Cathedral," pg. 22). It's a wonderful piece -- one of Dan's very best.

That's a fact, Jack. (Holohan at Large).(Short Story)
January 1, 2002... JACK HAD developed a habit when he was a younger man that he thought would make him a lot more believable than he was at the time. Young men often have concerns about their believability. Most folks don't take the average young man seriously...

New options in domestic hot water. (Eatherton on Hydronics).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... MANY TIMES, we as hydronic heating contractors, are overlooked when it comes to providing domestic hot water for the homes we're heating. This is quite unfortunate because the consumer has already paid us a substantial sum of money to set up a...

Bid software allows changes on the fly. (Feldmans on Computers).(William and Patti Feldman)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2002... BELOW ARE two productivity enhancing solutions, each dedicated to saving time, effort or both, when estimating a job or when processing your payroll. When it comes to estimates, the very best are those that both win the project and make a...

When is your work substantially complete? (McGreevy on Law).(Susan Linden McGreevy)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2002... MOST STANDARD-FORM construction contracts provide that the contractor is entitled to be paid when the work is "substantially complete." A problem can arise when the architect or engineer doesn't issue a "Certificate of Substantial Completion"...

Enrich your family while you help others. (Blackman on Taxes).(Irving Blackman)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2002... BECAUSE SUCCESSION planning is so essential to business owners and their families, I believe that this article, covering some of the most important points I've talked about before, bears repeating. Always remember, your succession plan -...

Surviving the recession as a project manager. (Craig on Project Management).(Kent Craig)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2002... AS THE ECONOMY continues to slow down nationally, chances are the area you live in will soon be in a local recession if it isn't already. Project managers are in that vulnerable middle-management class that's always the first to get laid off...

DaimlerChrysler unveils new commercial van. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... FORT MYERS, FLA. -- DaimlerChrysler Vans announced Dec. 4 in a press conference here that it is starting to distribute a full-size commercial van in the United States. The Class 2 and 3 light commercial vehicle named Sprinter has been marketed...

Service First[TM] for Windows. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... SERVICE FIRST[TM] FOR WINDOWS from KRS Enterprises will now include a new and improved bank reconciliation feature and enhanced service management features. In addition, the dynamic new version can now service Canadian customers. The program...

The industrial condensed catalog. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... THE INDUSTRIAL CONDENSED CATALOG from Milwaukee Valve has been completely updated. The 16-page catalog has been reorganized, redesigned and expanded from 12 pages to emphasize the company's industrial product offering. Extensive information --...

This informational pamphlet. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... THIS INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLET from Roth Industries details its safety tank for fuel oil storage. It describes in detail features and benefits of various tank models, including capacity, length, width, height without base, minimum install height,...

Anvil international's new web site. (Literature Showcase).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... ANVIL INTERNATIONAL'S NEW WEB SITE provides a wealth of information on the company's products and services. Users can examine Anvil's product line; contact its sales and distribution representatives; examine engineering data; browse literature...

This six-page, color brochure. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... THIS SIX-PAGE, COLOR BROCHURE details WARDFLEX* flexible gas tubing system for use in single-family, multi-family and light commercial construction. Wardflex WRITE 112 ON INQUIRY CARD [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Portable I-95[TM] drain cleaning machine. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... THE PORTABLE I-95[TM] DRAIN CLEANING MACHINE from General Pipe Cleaners packs the versatility to drive the sectional or drum mounted cables through 1 1/4" to 4" lines -- yet weighs only 39 lbs. It's three machines in one. Use 7/8" x 15'...

A new, full-color zone control family brochure. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... A NEW, FULL-COLOR ZONE CONTROL FAMILY BROCHURE from Taco, Inc., details its line of switching relays, zone valve controls, "00" priority zoning control circulators and fan controls. Taco's family of electronic controls represents the broadest...

This brochure of firestop listings. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... THIS BROCHURE OF FIRESTOP LISTINGS from ProSet Systems details drainage and pipe vent systems for floors and walls; and pressure pipe/electrical systems for floors and walls. Information includes materials, components, supports, and floor and...

A series of brochures. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... A SERIES OF BROCHURES detailing CNA Insurance's relationships with various industry-related associations are now available. Brochures are offered for MCAA, SMACNA and PHACT briefly detailing such standard business insurance coverages as...

Metraflex flow meters. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... METRAFLEX FLOW METERS are an accurate check on a system's pump output and efficiency as well as monitoring system flow at all vital checkpoints. Available in a variety of models for 10 GPM through 7,400 GPM, they have a maximum operating...

A new programs and services brochure from. (Literature Showcase).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A NEW PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BROCHURE FROM Elkay Manufacturing Co. presents the comprehensive lineup of programs and services the company offers to help its wholesale customers increase their sales and profitability. It segments the company's...

This 12-page full-color brochure. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... THIS 12-PAGE FULL-COLOR BROCHURE introduces the new Comfort Connect water heaters, a new class of water heaters designed for heating systems, combination heating and potable hot water applications. Featured in the brochure are Bradford White's...

The oatey professional product catalog. (Literature Showcase).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... THE OATEY PROFESSIONAL PRODUCT CATALOG is a 90-page, 4-color publication that represents the complete line of plumbing products Oatey Company manufactures. Complete with all of the industry leading products Oatey is known for, this catalog...

This decorative products catalog. (Literature Showcase).(Watts Brass and Tubular)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... THIS DECORATIVE PRODUCTS CATALOG from Watts Brass & Tubular features the company's full line of PVD polished brass and Designer color strainers, Designer series soap & lotion dispensers, chrome plated, decorative quarter-turn Filter Stops,...

Coils for all applications. (Literature Showcase).(Commercial Coils Inc)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... COILS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS are outlined in this brochure: DX coils, steam coils, booster coils, hot water coils, condenser coils, chilled-water coils, heat pump coils, heat reclaim coils, steam distributing coils, insulated coil sections and...

The Spectroline[R] fluorescent leak detecting library. (Literature Showcase).
January 1, 2002... THE SPECTROLINE[R] FLUORESCENT LEAK DETECTING LIBRARY is packed with information for the novice and the experienced HVAC technician. A 6-page brochure shows how to pinpoint all fluid and refrigerant leaks quickly and easily. Flyers describe the...

The Master-Fit BTI and BTN commercial gas water heaters.
January 1, 2002... THE MASTER-FIT BTI AND BTN COMMERCIAL GAS WATER HEATERS feature induced-draft design. In replacement and retrofit applications they can be quickly installed in the same footprint space, utilizing the original vent size, While providing higher...

The Galileo Electronic Faucet.
January 1, 2002... * THE GALILEO ELECTRONIC FAUCET features an infrared motion sensor powered by four AA batteries. It is ADA-compliant and comes in lavatory and gooseneck models in a variety of configurations ideal for commercial or institutional installations....

The Chloe Washlet Seat.
January 1, 2002... * THE CHLOE WASHLET SEAT is now available in an elongated style and new size to fit round front toilet models. It allows the user to enjoy a bidet-like function, a seat warmer, and a gentle aerated dual-action water spray that can be regulated...

The Conservator 90 Series.
January 1, 2002... * THE CONSERVATOR 90 SERIES gas-fired water boiler boasts an AFUE of 90%, thanks to its cast aluminum heat exchanger which transfers heat three times faster than conventional cast iron. Its low temperature supply and return water make it ideal...

The Proflex Whirlpool Bath.
January 1, 2002... * THE PROFLEX WHIRLPOOL BATH features custom pump locations and the flanges that enable installers to meet specific customer demands without added expenses. A wide variety of colors and styles are available to suit any decor. The 1.25 hp motor...

The Hot Shot 400.
January 1, 2002... * THE HOT SHOT 400 thaws pipes in minutes to prevent tearing up floors or digging in frozen ground. With 400 amps of thawing power it can clear frozen lines up to 175 ft. long in 1 1/2" diameter lines. The machine is compact, with a heavy gauge...

This Butterfly Valve.
January 1, 2002... * THIS BUTTERFLY VALVE for industrial and commercial applications up to 200 psig offers a phenolic backed cartridge seat to provide full rated dead-end service on all lug pattern valves. Torque values are minimized by four Teflon bushings...

The Largo Free-Standing Tub.
January 1, 2002... * THE LARGO FREE-STANDING TUB features an old-world, claw-footed design combined with contemporary influences. The acrylic tub is available with either a stainless steel or white interior with a cream exterior. The tub measures 67" by 31 1/4"...

The Elite Drop-In Sink.
January 1, 2002... * THE ELITE DROP-IN SINK is crafted of 20 gauge stainless steel polished to a high shine mirror finish. The bowl is a deep 8" for filling large pots and vases. Five models are available: a 25"X22" single bowl; a 33"X22" model with two...

The 915 Manual Roll Groover.
January 1, 2002... * THE 915 MANUAL ROLL GROOVER is designed to groove in-place pipe ranging from 1 1/4" to 12" diameter. The portable machine grooves steel pipe up to 12" Schedule 10; up to 6" Schedule 40 for steel, aluminum and stainless steel; 2" to 8" copper...

Winning, losing and how you play the game. (Editorial).(surviving difficult economy)(Brief Article)(Editorial)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... GOING INTO THE WEEKEND of Dec. 15-16, my favorite NFL handicapper had posted the following record for games played in the previous three weeks: 4-9-2, 4-9-1 and 4-11. Next, maybe he should turn his forecasting skills to what the U.S. plumbing...