Contractor articles from January 2004

Contractor archives from January 2004

Raven mechanical is Contractor of the Year.(Raven Mechanical has an outstanding team and management reputation)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... HOUSTON -- Raymond Jones says that a leader creates a good management team by setting everybody up for success. That's exactly what his father, Bill Jones, president of Raven Mechanical, has done. Because of the outstanding team at Raven, its...

Linc group frees itself in management buyout.(former Enron subsidiary frees itself with help from private equity partner)
January 1, 2004... HOUSTON -- The last of the mechanical contracting businesses attached to Enron has emerged through a management buyout. Management of the Line Group and private equity firm GI Partners have purchased the company. Enron Energy Services...

Contractor marks 50th year of publishing.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... DES PLAINES, ILL. -- When Herb Walther published the first issue of THE CONTRACTOR magazine on Jan 1, 1954, he made this pledge to his new readers: "We will deliver a vigorous, enterprising journalistic service to you, on principles of honesty,...

Eagles, opponents land on turf-conditioned field.(Industry News)
January 1, 2004... PHILADELPHIA -- The old Veterans Stadium here had some of the most notorious Astroturf of any football stadium in America. This season, however, the Philadelphia Eagles and their grateful NFL opponents are playing on natural grass in tire new...

ISH North America trade show to go to every other year.(Indutry News)
January 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- The ISH North America partners agreed in December to make their show an every-other-year event. The move answers the complaints of several manufacturers in plumbing, heating and related fields who were unhappy that the annual ISH-NA...

Residential to lead way in 2004 plumbing market.(2004 Industry Forecast)
January 1, 2004... A YEAR AGO, plumbing industry experts were holding their breath. The previous year had been good to housing, and people were hoping for more of the same in 2003. Today, the feelings are similar, although the levels of expectation have been...

Hydronic heating market expects moderate growth.(2004 Industry Forecast)
January 1, 2004... LET'S BE cautious and say that the hydronic market is going to be up in the mid single digits, 5% or 6%. Then we can be happy if it's better. The problem with forecasting the hydronic heating market is that it fooled the experts in 2003....

Industry optimism spikes for 2004.(2004 Industry Forecast)(contractors and the construction industry in general are seeing growth potential)
January 1, 2004... CONFIDENCE IN THE economy for 2004 by members of the construction industry jumped 16% from last year, the biggest increase in 28 years in an annual survey taken by construction equipment lender CIT Equipment Finance. CIT Equipment Finance,...

Contractor Publisher and Editorial Director Bob Miodonski will be a panelist Feb. 11-12 at an international symposium in Los Angeles to explore the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in relation to plumbing system design.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... CONTRACTOR Publisher and Editorial Director Bob Miodonski will be a panelist Feb. 11-12 at an international symposium in Los Angeles to explore the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in relation to plumbing system design. The IAPMO...

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers' 97 standards and 11 guidelines are now available on two CDs, condensed from four 4-in. binders. The standards and guidelines are bookmarked, allowing for quick...

As it seeks to pare non-core operations, Exelon Corp. announced plans to sell its water-cooling subsidiary to Macquarie Bank Ltd. of Australia for $135 million in cash.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... As it seeks to pare non-core operations, Exelon Corp. announced plans to sell its water-cooling subsidiary to Macquarie Bank Ltd. of Australia for $135 million in cash. The Exelon Thermal Technologies unit is made up primarily of five Chicago...

The 2004 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference April 1-4 at Chicago's McCormick Place has announced its speaker lineup.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The 2004 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference April 1-4 at Chicago's McCormick Place has announced its speaker lineup. On April 2, the keynote address will be given by Jason Jennings, author of "It's Not the Big that Eat the Small, It's the...

8 steps for improving commercial salespeople.(Industry News)
January 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- A slow economy is only one reason why nonresidential business may be sluggish these days. Wendell Bedell, president of Building Services Institute, listed at least five other factors for contractors who attended his workshop,...

Do your kids respect your business?(Schmitt On Management)
January 1, 2004... THIS IS A CONTINUATION of the New Year's Resolutions list I started in December (pg. 18). You should strongly consider using this as an operational checklist for 2004. If you thought the December column was a crock of crap, I would not be...

Rodenhiser helps kids.(Schmitt On Management)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... HOLLISTON, MASS.--As they do every year, employees of Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Cooling pooled together to brighten the Christmas of two children from the Massachusetts Department of Social Services. One was a 14-year-old girl and the...

Mechanical Service Contractors of America.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Russ Borst, vice president/service operations at Hurst Industries, a West Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association member, has been appointed to the executive board of the Mechanical Service Contractors of America. He brings to the post 15...

National Environmental Balancing Bureau.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... James Bochat, president of Pro Mechanical Service, Phoenix, was elected president of National Environmental Balancing Bureau at its annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn. Bochat is a founding member of the Arizona chapter of NEBB.

EMCOR Group.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... EMCOR Group has announced that John McGee, vice president/knowledge and services development, has been elected to the board of directors of the International Facility Management Association. Geoffrey W. Birkbeck has been appointed president and...

Whitney Evers and Kayla Hermsen have won Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Wisconsin Industry Fund Scholarship Awards in the amount of $2,000 each.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Whitney Evers and Kayla Hermsen have won Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Wisconsin Industry Fund Scholarship Awards in the amount of $2,000 each. Megan Kane, Ashley Roth, Daniel Alteri, Dana Tenpas and Lindsay Webster have all...

Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin elected its board of directors for 2004 to three-year terms: Dale Cox, Pro-Tel, Pewaukee; Paul Price, Best Price Plumbing, Waukesha; and Chris Homer,...

Shaw Mechanical Services.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Shaw Mechanical Services has promoted Theresa A. Gamber to service administrator. She brings more than 17 years of experience in the mechanical contracting industry to the position.

The In-Sink-Erator Cox and Dore Awards for Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors auxiliaries have been presented.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The In-Sink-Erator Cox and Dore Awards for Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors auxiliaries have been presented. Lynn Lamont Heidler of the Metro Washington D.C. Auxiliary was named Lawrence B. Dote Member of the Year and received a $1,000...

J.F. Ahern.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... J.F. Ahern, Fond du Lac, Wis., has appointed Fred Olsen as estimator. Most recently, Olsen worked as salesperson/estimator for A&R Roofing. Kathy Bowe has been named marketing/communications director for Ahern. She has eight years of marketing...

Power Process Piping.(Contractors)(Piping contractor, Power Process Piping, makes appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Power Process Piping has named Art Espy as chief operating officer. Prior to joining PPP, Espy was general manager for Saturn Electronics and Engineering. Max Murdock has been named vice president/estimating and project management. Before...

Members of the Plumbing and Piping Industry of Northern Illinois recently joined together to present "A Day at the Races" benefiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Members of the Plumbing and Piping Industry of Northern Illinois recently joined together to present "A Day at the Races" benefiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois. PPNI committee members, including Gary Hull and Jim Connelly of...

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association Board of Directors has installed its executive committee to serve until Oct. 1. The new officers are: Mark C. Watson, Climate Engineers, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, president; Kevin...

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials honored three of its members during the association's 74th Annual Education and Business Conference held recently in Portland, Ore.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials honored three of its members during the association's 74th Annual Education and Business Conference held recently in Portland, Ore. James O. Weflen of the Copper Development...

PHCC-National Association calendar of 2004 major events.(PHCC news: an advertorial section sponsored by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association)(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... Discover for yourself all the ways PHCC works to help you grow your business. Join PHCC today and you can attend any of these programs at discounted member rates. Put the PHCC advantage to work for you. Essentials of PHC Procjet...

Insurance and taxes top '04 agenda.(PHCC news: an advertorial section sponsored by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association)
January 1, 2004... Even with this being an election year, PHCC's Government Relations Department views 2004 as one with tremendous opportunities. With only must-pass legislation expected to make its way through the halls of Congress, PHCC will nonetheless...

Septic odors require preventive action.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... OCEANO, CALIF. -- CONTRACTOR is one of our favorite trade publications due to the information as well as the products and advertising. I particularly want to say thanks to Dave Yates for all the good articles. This one on septic tanks...

December columns strike a chord.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... MANHEIM, PA. -- Congratulations on CONTRACTOR magazine's 50th anniversary! And thanks for another fine issue in December. Often, as I walk up the driveway, occasionally with letters falling as I open the magazine, I'm in search of Dave...

Advice sought on PM career.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... HOUSTON -- I feel that project management is in my heart, but I have not been put in the position to take the bull by the horns. I live in Houston, and I am working for the city of Houston as a plumbing inspector. I ran a plumbing crew for...

Everybody's part of the team: mix caring about your people with high professional standards and you come up with Raven Mechanical.(Mechanical Contractor Of The Year)
January 1, 2004... Twenty-three years ago, David Williams joined Raven Mechanical in Houston as an apprentice. He's now senior project manager and has no plans of ever leaving. Vice President Greg Larson was an apprentice 21 years ago when Bill Jones, president...

Out of the past: plumbing and heating contractors in the future will face more product choices and more demands.(Plumbing Trends)
January 1, 2004... For most magazines, a 50th anniversary is a time to lean back and reflect on the past. CONTRACTOR wanted to kick off the year by looking ahead. So we posed a question: What will the plumbing and heating business look like five, 10 or even 20...

The past and future of hydronic heating.(Eatherton On Hydronics)
January 1, 2004... WITH THE DAWNING of the New Year, I hope this column finds you and yours in good health and looking forward to a prosperous 2004. I've decided to look into my crystal ball and tell you what I see looming on the horizon for futuristic hydronic...

RSES to meet in Calgary.(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... DES PLAINES, ILL. -- The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society will hold its 67th annual conference Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the Westin Calgary in Calgary, Alberta. The RSES HVACR Technology Expo will take place Sept. 30. For more information,...

Hydronic harmony blends 4 factors of comfort.(Hydronic Systems)
January 1, 2004... THE BERKSHIRE Hills of Western Massachusetts provides designers of comfort systems with a unique opportunity to design to every worse-case scenario. We can see the minus 20[degrees] range in the winter months and oppressive humidity when summer...

C2000 to host Money Masters.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINN. -- Palm Coast, Fla., will be the host city Jan. 23-24 for Money Masters, a two-day seminar on the fundamentals of running an independent service contracting business and an onsite exploration of a full-service contractor....

Circle the wagons, we're under attack.(Feldmans On Computers)
January 1, 2004... WHEN IT COMES to computer security, it seems you can never have a moment's complacency. E-mail and Web-based viruses, spare, spyware, and other threats to the security and safety of your computer files abound, and no software solution can ever...

Be careful how you treat time limits.(McGreevy On Law)
January 1, 2004... MOST CONTRACTS IN use these days in the construction industry contain clauses that have time limits in them to take action--to give notice of claims, for example, or to cure a default. It is not uncommon for the parties to find that it is in...

Want life insurance with zero net cost?(Blackman On Taxes)
January 1, 2004... BUY TERM LIFE insurance and you are betting you will die before the end of the term. Typical terms are one year or five, 10, 15 and 20 years. The longer the term, the higher the annual premium. If you survive the term, you lost the bet. ...

What I see when I gaze in my PM's crystal ball.(Project Management)
January 1, 2004... IN ONLY THREE professions can one who practices them be consistently wrong and still be able to make a living. Those are weather forecasters, economists and so-called "futurists." All those professions depend on our fear of the unknown,...

High performers put employees first.(High-Pserforming Contractors)
January 1, 2004... WHICH OF THESE statements is true: Your people are your most important asset; nothing happens at work without people; your customers will never be treated better than your employees are treated; to your customers, your employees are your...

CCA to focus on future.(High-Performing Contractors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... FALLS CHURCH, VA. -- Representatives of Delta Faucet Co. and Meyers Real Estate Information will discuss what's ahead for the mechanical new construction industry at the next Construction Contractors' Alliance meeting March 10-12 at the...

The EF series of high-efficiency water heaters.(editor's choice)
January 1, 2004... THE EF SERIES OF HIGH-EFFICIENCY WATER HEATERS has a new 100-gal. model and three new 60-gal, models. The 60-gal. capacities deliver 125,000, 150,000 and 199,999 Btu, while the 100-gal. models now have capacities of 150,000, 199,999, 250,000...

The swirlflo cooler.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE SWIRLFLO COOLER features a new tubular arm that supports and accentuates an elegant basin. A pushbutton disc replaces the traditional pushbar. The contoured basin helps minimize splash. It is offered in single-level, two-level, refrigerated...

The interaktiv kitchen.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE INTERAKTIV KITCHEN FAUCET features cross handles and a long, curved spout for easier filling of tall pots and pans. The three-hole faucet is also available in a four-hole model that incorporates either a veggie spray or a soap dispenser....

The model 206-2.U6 Paris widespread faucet.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE MODEL 206-2.U6 PARIS WIDESPREAD FAUCET is available in 35 finishes and 41 handle trip options. The cross-handles with hot and cold ceramic insignia and angled spout are reminiscent of antique designs. It is offered with a complete line of...

The allemande bathroom collection.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE ALLEMANDE BATHROOM COLLECTION features a widespread lavatory faucet, tub and shower fixtures and a Roman tub faucet. Each is available in six finishes: polished chrome, polished nickel, satin nickel, polished brass, satin brass and...

Large diameter pipe sizes in PP-n.(Products)
January 1, 2004... LARGE DIAMETER PIPE SIZES IN PP-N are now available in 75 mm, 90 mm and 110 mm. PP-n (polypropylene natural) is chemically resistant, making it ideal for use in semiconductor slurry, and in chemical and water applications in pharmaceutical,...

The pompei basin.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE POMPEI BASIN is carved from Amber Onyx and polished by hand to a high gloss finish. The basin measures 16" X 19" with a 5 1/4" depth. It is available in a wide array of stone choices to provide designers with a selection of colors. The...

The model 2024 vibration switch.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE MODEL 2024 VIBRATION SWITCH works directly with building automation control systems for motors, pumps and variable frequency drives. It features a user adjustable alarm and/or shutdown for setting vibration trip limits and a time delay for...

Forefront construction management software.(Products)
January 1, 2004... FOREFRONT CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE is now available with an integrated human resources module. Designed to meet the specific needs of the contracting industry, the module can handle pay rates and benefits, safety, workers' compensation,...

The pex residential fire protection system.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE PEX RESIDENTIAL FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM integrates sprinklers with cold water plumbing. The streamlined design reduces installation costs in one- and two-family dwellings and manufactured housing. Each sprinkler is served by either 3/4" or...

The reddistrip system for foamboard pex installation.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE REDDISTRIP SYSTEM FOR FOAMBOARD PEX INSTALLATION speeds installation time while reducing costs. There are no individual staples to fumble with, and no tape to strip off. Staples come in connected strips of 50, and are easily loaded into a...

The FS00 float switch.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE FS00 FLOAT SWITCH is designed for applications like level monitoring in water and wastewater systems. When rising media raises the float to a 45[degrees] angle to the ballast the switching action is triggered. It features a reliable...

The promax SL line of gas-fired water heaters.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE PROMAX SL LINE OF GAS-FIRED WATER HEATERS feature side-mounted recirculating taps for installations with combined space heating/water heating applications (such as with air handlers) or with any system requiring a recirculating hot water...

Caremates antiseptic hand wipes.(Products)
January 1, 2004... CAREMATES ANTISEPTIC HAND WIPES are pre-moistened with an antiseptic formula that kills 99.9% of disease-causing microbes in seconds, including streptococcus, staphylococcus areas, salmonella and e-coli. Convenient for situations where the user...

The J-3080 water jet drain cleaning machine.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE J-3080 WATER JET DRAIN CLEANING MACHINE clears stubborn grease stoppages as well as lines clogged with sand, sludge and ice. The machine delivers 8 gal. per minute without risking pump damage if the water supply can't match the pump demand....

The ecoflush pressurized flushing system.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE ECOFLUSH PRESSURIZED FLUSHING SYSTEM provides the user a choice of 1.1 gal. for liquid waste and 1.6 gal. for discharging solid waste. Flush action is operated by a trip lever that allows the user to press down for a partial flush or lift...

The deerfield cast iron sink.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE DEERFIELD CAST IRON SINK measures 33" X 22" and features a double bowl design with an interior basin depth of 8". Accessories include basin racks to keep plates and utensils off the sink surface, and a hardwood cutting board that can be...

The Purefecta drinking water purifier.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE PUREFECTA DRINKING WATER PURIFIER is able to eliminate viruses, bacteria and protozoa, producing drinking water that surpasses the U.S. EPA Guide Standard and Protocol. The system's seven-stage process also eliminates toxic metals,...

The FP 160 arc welding system.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE FP 160 ARC WELDING SYSTEM delivers 230 v. from a compact, portable unit. It features four-position welding power output control and infinite speed adjustment for precise welding control. It is a dual-purpose system with MIG or flux cored...

The 4S four-pass wetback scotch boiler.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE 4S FOUR-PASS WETBACK SCOTCH BOILER is available in sizes to 800 hp for high and low pressure steam or hot water. The boiler incorporates positive water flow circulation and maximum heat transfer from water backed surfaces to provide long...

The Klein-kurve utility knife.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE KLEIN-KURVE UTILITY KNIFE is designed with a 10-blade storage compartment in the handle. It is a heavy-duty, quick-change, retractable knife measuring 7" in length. It comes with a plastic holster with belt clip for safe and convenient...

Tracpipe PS II flexible gas piping.(Products)
January 1, 2004... TRACPIPE PS II FLEXIBLE GAS PIPING can be used for a wide variety of applications, including under building slabs where sleeved and vented piping is required by codes. The piping is lightweight and flexible, requires no special tools and is...

The springfit access panel.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE SPRINGFIT ACCESS PANEL is an easy-to-install cover plate that can be used to conceal plumbing, wires, cables, and spa pumps in walls and ceilings. The panel can be fit to odd-shaped holes, and for most applications no cutting is required....

The GS-68RT series of self-propelled scissor lifts.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE GS-68RT SERIES OF SELF-PROPELLED SCISSOR LIFTS is now available with a Perkins 403C-11 diesel engine option. At 1.13 L. of displacement and 26 hp, it is the largest engine offered on the series. Genie Industries CIRCLE 124 ON...

The DC410KA cordless cut-off tool.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE DC410KA CORDLESS CUTOFF TOOL is designed for quick cutting and light grinding. The 18 v. tool produces 350 maximum-watts-out. In metal cutting applications it can go through 1/4" to 3/4" rebar, 1/2" threaded rod, and 1/2" to 3/4"...

The nicopress 330 series pneumatic crimping tool.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE NICOPRESS 330 SERIES PNEUMATIC CRIMPING TOOL is designed to crimp PEX tubing faster, neater and more reliably. It is powered by a standard shop air compressor of 85 to 95 psi. It is offered in a portable hand model or bench-mounted model....

The pro tankless GWH 635 ES water heater.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE PRO TANKLESS GWH 635 ES WATER HEATER can produce more than 6 gal. of hot water per minute, yet is so compact that it can be mounted on a wall in a closet, garage or utility room. It offers the safety and convenience of direct-vent,...

The PA351 automatic powder actuated tool.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE PA351 AUTOMATIC POWDER ACTUATED TOOL is ideal for high-volume anchoring jobs. The lightweight tool automatically cycles the load after every shot, allowing the user to fasten up to 700 pins per hour. A 10-pin clip can be loaded with one...

The DM 225 handheld drill motor.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE DM 225 HANDHELD DRILL MOTOR is designed for professional contractors for use on concrete and masonry. Able to work in tight areas, the 12 lb. drill has a high power-to-weight ratio. Users can select from speeds of 580, 1,400 and 2,900 rpm...

The model 1 anystream showerhead.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE MODEL 1 ANYSTREAM SHOWERHEAD is constructed of solid brass. A precision-molded faceplate along with the patented spray jets allows the showerhead to achieve an invigorating spray within the ANSI 2.5 gal. per minute allowed. It is available...

The WSR 650-A cordless reciprocating saw.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE WSR 650-A CORDLESS RECIPROCATING SAW combines efficient gearing and a battery anti-discharge system to prevent a full drain on the tool's battery, maximize cuts and optimize cutting efficiency. A counterbalance feature yields less vibration...

The model R3000 reciprocating saw.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE MODEL R3000 RECIPROCATING SAW offers 9 amps of power from its heavy-duty motor. A variable speed trigger switch gives the user the ability to cut a wide range of materials efficiently. Even when running at 2,800 strokes per minute, the user...

The intelli-vent gas control valve.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE INTELLI-VENT GAS CONTROL VALVE is designed for use with the company's power-vent and power direct-vent water heaters. It provides superior temperature control with a tighter set point differential than other valves. An LED temperature...

This 14" benchtop abrasive cutoff machine.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THIS 14" BENCHTOP ABRASIVE CUTOFF MACHINE will cut stainless steel, ferrous metals, masonry and concrete with ease. The 15 amp machine delivers 3,000 rpm, and features a locking vise with quick release, a spindle lock for quick wheel changes,...

The floddstopper system.(Products)
January 1, 2004... THE FLOODSTOPPER SYSTEM is a water leak-detection system that provides 24-hour protection against flooding due to plumbing failures and accidental overflows by automatically shutting off the water supply upon detection of a leak. It consists of...

Pro contractors become hot marketing trend.(Editorial)(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... A WEEK BEFORE Christmas, I was traveling on business when a USA Today was dropped at my hotel door with this front-page headline: "If the pros use a tool or a toothbrush, it will sell." The newspaper story goes on to describe how some...