Contractor articles from July 2005

Contractor archives from July 2005

Bradford White buys Laars.(Bradford-White Corp., Laars Heating Systems.)
July 1, 2005... AMBLER, PA. -- As part of a strategic plan that includes diversification within the industry, Bradford White Corp. announced June 7 the signing of an agreement to purchase the Laars Heating Systems business from Water Pik Technologies. Closing...

Plumbing supplies sales ride wave of home rising improvements.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2005... TAMPA, FLA. -- Total plumbing supplies sales to consumers in 2004 for existing homes reached $23.5 billion, up 16% from 2003, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute. Overall, home-improvement product sales reached $271 billion in...

School job keep Haberberger hopping.(Haberberger Mechanical., Parkway Central High School.)
July 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- No more pencils, no more books means Haberberger Mechanical here starts working on high school retrofit projects that can take advantage of the summer vacation period. Haberberger is continuing work this summer on a boiler and...

Kinetics Systems names Beittenmiller CEO.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(J. Gordon Beittenmiller)
July 1, 2005... UNION CITY, CALIF. -- Mechanical piping Giant Kinetics Systems has named J. Gordon Beittenmiller its chief executive officer and a member of its board of directors. Before joining Kinetics in April, Beittenmiller had been executive vice...

Creative contractor heats small N.Y. college.(FPI Mechanical replaces boiler system at Russell Sage College.)
July 1, 2005... TROY, N.Y. -- When FPI Mechanical replaced the boiler system at Russell Sage College here, it really put on its thinking cap. The contractor replaced aging boilers in separate boiler rooms with a central plant with new boilers, controls, steam...

NAOHSM awards first Oil Heat Cares Cup.(National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... HERSHEY, PA. -- The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers at its convention in May here awarded the first Oil Heat Cares Cup to its Central Pennsylvania Chapter to recognize the efforts of the oil-heat industry to help people in...

K/BIS shows plumbers need to know low-voltage wiring.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2005... LAS VEGAS -- The Kitchen/Bath Industry Show can be artsy/craftsy because it draws a crowd of architects, interior designers and remodelers. But what was striking about the plumbing products at this year's show in May here is how much technology...

Survey: homeowners satisfied with kitchen/bath remodels.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2005... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR LAS VEGAS -- More than 80% of homeowners who remodeled their kitchen or bathroom in the last 12 months say they are satisfied with the entire process--including the installation--according to a survey released May 11...

EMCOR Group.(awards.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... EMCOR Group has been named the recipient of a 2005 American Business Award: The company's marketing department was selected "Best Marketing Organization." The mission of the awards is to raise the profile of exemplary companies and individuals...

PHCC Educational Foundation.(offersProject Mangement course for mechanical contractors.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Twenty-one business owners, operations managers, project managers, estimators and superintendents spent four days at the PHCC Educational Foundation's recent offering of the Essentials of PHC Project Management Course, a training program...

Plumbers' Success International.(conference for plumbing contractors.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Plumbers' Success International's next Summit will be held Sept. 26-30. in Orlando, Fla. The PSI Summit is a tri-annual meeting of new and current members of PSI, an organization for residential plumbing contractors. This year's theme is "The...

Associated General Contractors of America has congratulated the House for introducing legislation that strengthens and preserves multiemployer pension plans.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Associated General Contractors of America has congratulated the House for introducing legislation that strengthens and preserves multiemployer pension plans. The bill increases the maximum deductibility limit to 140% of current liability...

A.O. Smith Water Products.(surpasses 1 million work hours.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A.O. Smith Water Products Ashland City, Tenn., plant recently surpassed 1 million work-hours without a lost-time accident. This is the first time the 1,400-employee plant has reached the milestone in its 44-year history.

Takagi.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... On the wake of the company's 10-year anniversary in the United States, Takagi recently moved its headquarters to larger facilities in Irvine, Calif. This move was made in response to the company's growth over the past decade in the U.S. water...

Ferguson stages fastest plumber contests.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... KOHLER, WIS. -- Wholesaler Ferguson Enterprises Inc. and Kohler Co. are cosponsoring a national "Ferguson Fastest Plumber" competition in which participants install Kohler and Sterling plumbing products. The contests, staged at locations...

EMCOR wins UNH jobs.(EMCOR Group Inc.., University of New Hampshire.)
July 1, 2005... NORWALK, CONN. -- EMCOR Group Inc. announced in mid-May the award of several long-term energy-related operations, maintenance and consulting contracts from the University of New Hampshire. The new contracts, totaling more than $40 million over...

ServiceMagic buys ImproveNet.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. -- ServiceMagic and ImproveNet, two online marketplaces that connect consumers with prescreened residential contractors, announced in late June that they have entered into an agreement for ServiceMagic to acquire all the...

KSW gets condo conversion job.(selected as mechanical contractor.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. -- KSW Inc. announced in late June that it has been selected as the mechanical contractor for the new luxury condominiums to be constructed on Central Park West at 61st Street in Manhattan, adjacent to the new Trump...

Wirsbo hosts contractors.(Uponor Wirsbo.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... APPLE VALLEY, MINN. -- Uponor Wirsbo recently hosted nearly 200 contractors from around the country for its first-ever Contractor Appreciation Days in June. Wirsbo Training Manager John Barba offered contractors a full-day sales and marketing...

Control your destiny--don't be a victim.(GIBBLE ON EDUCATION)
July 1, 2005... WE DO SO MANY things because we are conditioned to respond as we are taught to do. Our mentors and our markets are the conditioners. Being conditioned can lead to being victimized. I like to think that no matter the situation, though, I can...

Irrigating with reclaimed water.(FORUM)
July 1, 2005... NEARLY THREE-FOURTHS of the earth's surface area is covered by water. Yet only about 2.5% is fresh water that is fit for human consumption--and most of that supply is locked up in the polar ice caps. When you also consider the continuing...

Mutual goal should be better installations.(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... PALATINE, ILL. -- I have to admit that reading David Yates' column "Home inspections can lead to legal tangles" (April, pg. 30) was aggravating for me as I consider myself a professional inspector. The follow-up letters "Inspection column...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2005... The ISH trade show March 15-19 in Frankfurt, Germany, drew 192,175 visitors as well as 2,350 exhibitors, who occupied 2.73 million sq. ft. of exhibition space, according to Messe Frankfurt, the organizers of the event. The statistics reported...

Real-time energy load calculations, Part 2.(EATHERTON ON HYDRONICS)
July 1, 2005... AT THE END of last month's column (pg. 36), I promised to tell you the secrets of my real-time monitoring equipment. I use a system manufactured by a company named Onset Computers. It can be reached at www.onsetcomp.com, and it has a full line...

Radiant in the Rockies (Part 1).(HYDRONIC SYSTEMS)
July 1, 2005... The legends of the Rocky Mountains date back to times immemorial. Many of them stem from the mountain men of the early 1800s--rugged men who shunned the trappings of society to live on their own, to embrace the dangers of the mountains, and...

Chicago fitters open $15 million training center.(HYDRONIC SYSTEMS)
July 1, 2005... MOKENA, ILL. -- Construction projects entail many potentially dangerous duties that just can't be taught in conventional classrooms, and inadequate training can lead to accidents and injuries. United Association Pipefitters Local Union 597...

iPod Photo: job presentations in your pocket.(FELDMANS ON COMPUTERS)
July 1, 2005... HERE'S A SLEEK, new, high-tech consumer electronic device that we foresee as a crossover success from entertainment to business. The iPod Photo (www.apple.com) is, really and truly, a great contractor tool. Business benefits abound. The pocket...

Arbitration, mediation, litigation: what's best?(McGREEVY ON LAW)
July 1, 2005... SINCE THE TIME when resolving construction disputes with six-shooters at high noon became socially and legally unacceptable, contractors, vendors and their customers ended up in court. "Litigation," as it is formally known, is the system of...

How to turn $360,000 into $10 million tax-free.(BLACKMAN ON TAXES)
July 1, 2005... LET'S SPELL OUT the problem right off the bat: The estate tax monster is going to get you. The question is not if, but for how much. Let's pick an estimated tax number--say $10 million--to work with for the rest of this column. Write down...

Shared risk/reward project management hooey.(CRAIG ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT)
July 1, 2005... STEP RIGHT UP, ladies and gentlemen, and let me sell you a bottle of the latest snake oil being foisted upon the mechanical contracting community, otherwise known as "shared risk/reward project management." The ingredients to this magic...

Calif. water agencies get water-saving funds.(Metropolitan Water District)(Family of Southern California Water Agencies )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- "California Friendly" water conservation efforts in Southern California spearheaded by the Metropolitan Water District and the Family of Southern California Water Agencies have been awarded state bond funding for more than $3...

The 9 top plumbing direct mail mistakes.(HUDSON ON MARKETING)
July 1, 2005... DIRECT MAIL CAN BE the most lucrative marketing tool you'll ever use, if you use it correctly. Yet most plumbers waste wads of money on ineffective mailings because they don't know how to do it right. Direct mail offers the advantage of...

How to remove language barriers.(DEXTER ON BEST PRACTICES)
July 1, 2005... AS WE ALL KNOW, finding qualified labor is a big challenge in today's construction industry. In California, we've found an excellent pool of workers among the state's Hispanic population. Since Mexico is only a few hundred miles away, a lot of...

General kicks off 75th anniversary summer promo.(General Pipe Cleaners)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... MCKEES ROCKS, PA. -- General Pipe Cleaners is celebrating its 75th anniversary with its "7S Days for 7S Years" summer gift promotion through Aug. 31. As a way of thanking its customers for helping reach this milestone, General has...

Editorial 'hit home'.(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... VIA E-MAIL--Bob Miodonski's editorial in the June CONTRACTOR was nicely done ("Stand by your word and never cut your prices, "pg. 80). I'm on the other side of 50 years old. My bride and I just started our own service plumbing business less...

Homeowners need more.(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Dave Yates' column regarding home inspectors is interesting ("How to become a certified home inspector," May, pg. 48). Every homebuyer should read it. Most states have no requirements at all for home inspectors or for builders. If...

General marks 75 years of drain cleaning industry leadership: customer satisfaction, product reliability & creative solutions fuel an American success story.(Company Profile)(Editorial)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... Three generations of General Pipe Cleaners personnel are celebrating the company's 75th anniversary. Founded by Abe Silverman in 1930, General spearheaded key developments in the drain- cleaning industry--including heavy-duty Flexicore[R]...

Anvil recently launched a newly designed and reorganized Web site.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... ANVIL RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEWLY DESIGNED AND reorganized Web site. Changes include UPS tracking for customers, downloadable Excel list price sheets, customized submittal packages, a new search option to identify and link to product display...

Borit Manufacturing the original manufacturer.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... BORIT MANUFACTURING THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER of the "Hand Held Earth Boring System." The Borit earth boring tool comes with all 3 available hard surface steel bits (2", 3" and 4 3/4"). It is designed for use by professional contractors in the...

www.borzit.com shows how to save time, money and effort.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... WWW.BORZIT.COM SHOWS HOW TO SAVE TIME, MONEY AND EFFORT with the BorZit System. Photos, testimonials and a factory eStore give you information that proves underground boring is easy. Powered by a 1/2" drill, you can bore a 1 1/2", 2", 3" or 5"...

Bryan flexible water tube boilers.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... BRYAN FLEXIBLE WATER TUBE BOILERS brochure describes gas, oil and dual-fuel fired hot water and steam boilers, electric hot water and steam boilers, indirect water heaters and related equipment. The boilers are available in sizes from 250,000...

Elkay offers a complete line of institutional.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... ELKAY OFFERS A COMPLETE LINE OF INSTITUTIONAL and commercial products including stainless steel sinks, faucets, water coolers and drinking fountains. Elkay's Web site, www.elkayusa.com, offers detailed product specs as well as information...

The "resources" section of Heat-fab's Web site.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... THE "RESOURCES" SECTION OF HEAT-FAB'S WEB SITE lets the company's experience and knowledge serve the installer or specifying engineer on a 1-to-1 level. Information for each AL 29-4C[R] Special Gas Vent product Heat-fab produces is presented in...

The Virtual Yellow Pages (VYP) Web site.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... THE VIRTUAL YELLOW PAGES (VYP) WEB SITE is your comprehensive source of information for specifying, quoting and ordering, and includes technical data on all Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. products. The site features literature, pictures, submittals and...

Weather Guard[R] Vehicle Solutions[TM] from Knaack Manufacturing.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... WEATHER GUARD[R] VEHICLE SOLUTIONS [TM] FROM KNAACK MANUFACTURING are easy-to-use, 3-D, Web-based software that allows users to custom-design work vans with shelving, cabinets, racks and accessories. It is the first tool of its type in the...

Providing high quality hand and power tools.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY HAND AND POWER TOOLS designed for professionals, Ridge Tool Company manufactures over 300 different tools in more than 4,000 models and sizes. The company's Web site provides product information and specifications, news...

The airdata multimeter air balance system is a portable, multifunction instrument for air balance and energy audit.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... THE AIRDATA MULTIMETER AIR BALANCE SYSTEM IS A portable, multifunction instrument for air balance and energy audit. This unit offers precision accuracy in the measurement of air flow, velocity, differential and absolute pressure, and...

T&S brass and bronze works, travelers rest, S.C.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... T&S BRASS AND BRONZE WORKS, TRAVELERS REST, S.C., has an easy-access Web site that allows you to learn about the company and its history, products and craftsmanship. Click on "Product" to view product models, specifications and installation...

Sloan valve company's newly updated website.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... SLOAN VALVE COMPANY'S NEWLY UPDATED WEBSITE offers instructions on ordering the latest Sloan literature. Visit www.sloanvalve.com then click on Sloan Support to order literature. The Web site also offers information on Sloan's new Flushometers,...

Hercules Chemical Company.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... HERCULES CHEMICAL COMPANY, the leading manufacturer of chemical plumbing products, announces its newlydesigned Web site. The Web site, which details 100 of its top-of-the-line chemical products, also features an extensive technical database....

Taco, Inc., has recently redesigned its existing site.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... TACO, INC., HAS RECENTLY REDESIGNED ITS EXISTING SITE at www.taco-hvac.com. Major additions to the site include product information on Taco's LoadMatch, single pipe system and the new "Taco Green" initiative. Engineers and contractors who want...

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has launched its redesigned Web site. (WEB SITE SHOWCASE.
July 1, 2005... CHARLOTTE PIPE AND FOUNDRY HAS LAUNCHED ITS REDESIGNED WEB SITE at www.charlottepipe.com. The site provides customers with easier access to product information relating to the company's six product systems (including FlowGuard Gold[R] Copper...

For the latest product and technical literature visit: www.weil-mclain.com.(WEB SITE SHOWCASE)
July 1, 2005... FOR THE LATEST PRODUCT AND TECHNICAL LITERATURE VISIT www.weil-mclain.com. Filled with an abundance of information the Weil-McLain Web site offers: Installation, Service & Maintenance Manuals, Warranty Information, answers to your questions, a...

Forefront Management Software V. 12.(editor's choice)
July 1, 2005... FOREFRONT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE V. 12 offers Microsoft SQL server database structure, the ability to track minutes in its Project Management module, and new capabilities in its document imaging software. It also integrates Forefront with...

Models Z874-12 and 7874-21 pre-sloped trench drains.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... MODELS Z874-12 AND 7874-21 PRE-SLOPED TRENCH DRAINS are constructed of high-density polyethylene in 80" modular channels. Each section features interlocking ends, a radiused bottom, and clips on each side for rebar. They have 12"-wide and 21...

Version 3 of the company's Autocad CD.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... VERSION 3 OF THE COMPANY'S AUTOCAD CD was developed to provide a complete set of two-dimensional and three-dimensional AutoCAD drawings for all the company's products. The latest release includes data on the ChemDrain CPVC chemical waste drain...

The Maratea self-rimming lavatory.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE MARATEA SELF-RIMMING LAVATORY provides a generous amount of basin space, and a straightforward design that can be used in numerous bathroom designs. Easy to install, the extended faucet deck of the sink can accommodate single, 4" and 8"...

Version 1.1 of enterprise estimating software.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... VERSION 1.1 OF ENTERPRISE ESTIMATING SOFTWARE is designed specifically for mechanical contractors. The multi-user system allows several estimators to share jobs in real time and work on the same bid simultaneously. It supports multiple methods...

The act-o-matic 2.5 GPM flow showerheads.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE ACT-O-MATIC 2.5 GPM FLOW SHOWERHEADS combine self-cleaning action with a "cone-within-a-cone" spray. The showerheads use a pressure-compensating flow control that provides a consistent and powerful flow at low pressures to save water. They...

The CXL DP low pressure transducer.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE CXL DP LOW PRESSURE TRANSDUCER is engineered to deliver stable, reliable static or differential pressure measurement in HVAC comfort control systems. A small housing and multiple mounting options allows the unit to be easily mounted on a...

This new thermostatic balancing valve assembly is an economical way to provide a safe, balanced system for stand-alone master tempering valves.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THIS NEW THERMOSTATIC BALANCING VALVE ASSEMBLY is an economical way to provide a safe, balanced system for stand-alone master tempering valves. It monitors return-line water temperature and flow, and automatically directs water to either the...

The DR20SF pressure reducing valve.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE DR20SF PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE is now available in 316L stainless steel wetted parts. The compact, direct-acting valve is an ideal choice for pure and clean steam applications. It delivers a high degree of corrosion resistance, and features...

Lumiflex fiber optic illuminators.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... LUMIFLEX FIBER OPTIC ILLUMINATORS provide an intense light output from 24, 120 or 230 v. halogen filament lamps for illumination ports, sight ports or video inspection systems. The flexible illuminators come in cable lengths of 20" to 9.8'. ...

The vibro-curb isolator.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE VIBRO-CURB ISOLATOR has integral, vibration dampening, spring isolators that are easy to access. They provide stable mounting for large rooftop appliances. Roofing may be completed at a later time without disturbing the unit, eliminating...

The PB series "Sabre" residential oil-fired boiler.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE PB SERIES "SABRE" RESIDENTIAL OIL-FIRED BOILER features extra deep cast iron sections (4 3/4") that offer larger water content and increase water surface in the boiler, minimizing corrosion and mineral buildup while maintaining maximum heat...

The portable FP-20A cutting system.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... * THE PORTABLE FP-20A CUTTING SYSTEM features an inverter power supply that automatically links the unit to primary voltage from 115 to 230 v., single phase, 50 or 60 Hz., typically found in most homes and shops. Firepower CIRCLE 113...

The flora bowl sink.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... * THE FLORA BOWL SINK is fabricated from heavy gauge solid copper. Flower designs are executed in a circular pattern within the bowl. It may be placed on a wrought iron colonial stand to give a distinctive appearance to the bath or powder room....

This new, high-reliability ASME blow-off separator.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE NEW, HIGH-RELIABILITY ASME BLOW-OFF SEPARATOR is designed for use with 1 to 50 hp boilers. Easy to install, the model BD-10C helps clean out sludge and sludge build-up from boilers. Compact and maintenance free, the unit features 3/8" thick...

A full line of valve sealants, injection packing and penetrants.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... A FULL LINE OF VALVE SEALANTS, INJECTION PACKING AND PENETRANTS are now available, formulated to meet or exceed manufacturer's requirements, and produced in conformance with ISO quality guidelines. The products meet a wide spectrum of valve...

This heavy-duty 1/2" VSR right angle drill.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THIS HEAVY-DUTY 1/2" VSR RIGHT ANGLE DRILL features an 8 amp extended life motor designed with dusty, abusive job sites in mind. Auto-stop brushes will halt the drill's operation when they become worn and likely to damage the motor. It has a...

Nexans radiant heating cable.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... NEXANS RADIANT HEATING CABLE is now offered in longer lengths. The 512' TXLP/1-2600/17 cable covers between 221 to 260 sq. ft. Installers use fewer cables, saving time and money. It draws a maximum of 11.3 amps at 230 v. Orbit...

The grand slam manifold.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE GRAND SLAM MANIFOLD easily installs and manages the separate flow requirements of plumbing applications to assure faster hot water distribution, relatively stable water pressure, and less wasted water. It utilizes quick-connect technology...

The Pharo lift shower panel.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... THE PHARO LIFT SHOWER PANEL allows the user to adjust the height of the entire panel to maximize coverage. A smooth-operating, easy-to-use hydraulic system allows for eight inches of vertical movement, adjusting for the tallest or shortest...

A full range of chainwheel retaining cables.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... A FULL RANGE OF CHAINWHEEL RETAINING CABLES are available as protection for plant personnel working beneath overhead chain operated valves. The cables are designed to hold the deadweight of the chainwheel/handwheel assembly. Roto Hammer...

The light sentinel specialty tool storage system.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... * THE LIGHT SENTINEL SPECIALTY TOOL STORAGE SYSTEM offers secure, monitored access to up to 360 individual tools and items. It is a system of vertically rotating shelves that move up and down a tracking guide, delivering stored items to an...

Buy-sell agreement pays off for Farmer & Irwin Corp.(PRODUCTS)(Company Profile)
July 1, 2005... MANY P-H-C business owners work several decades to develop a successful business. But if they don't have an effective succession plan in place, their hard work and planning may go to waste. At Farmer & Irwin Corp., Riviera Beach, Fla., a...

Home-improvement opportunities await you.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... HURRICANES AND OTHER natural disasters aside, the home-improvement market is moving along at a record pace. The numbers add up to big opportunities if you're involved with residential building. While much of the attention has been focused...