A.O. Smith acquires Applied Energy Recovery Systems
A.O. Smith Corporation has acquired Applied Energy Recovery Systems Inc. (AERS) of Norcross, Ga., a leading manufacturer of commercial and residential heat pump water heaters. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The AERS product line includes the E-Tech line of commercial and industrial water heaters, as well as commercial outdoor and indoor pool heating systems, and residential water heating and swimming pool products.
“The acquisition of AERS allows A.O. Smith to reinforce our leadership position in providing energy efficient water heating solutions and provides us a strong platform from which to address the growing interest from our customers in renewables,” said Ajita G. Rajendra, president of A.O. Smith Water Products Company. “We plan to leverage the technology, engineering expertise and know-how from AERS to expand our capabilities and product lines across the globe.”
Heat pump water heaters capture heat from the surrounding air (air-source) or from water sources (water-source) such as waste water generated by a building’s chiller or cooling system and use it to heat water for hot water uses. Energy savings generated from the captured heat significantly exceeds the energy cost of running the heat pump, making this a highly efficient means for water heating with savings up to 80%.
A.O. Smith Corporation, with 2008 sales of $2.3 billion, is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment, offering a comprehensive product line featuring some of the best-known brands in North America and China.
Hercules Industries opens branch in Wyoming
Hercules Industries has opened its 13th location, this one in Casper, Wyo. Already operating in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona, this is Hercules’ first Wyoming location.
“Our Casper branch gives us the ability to serve the entire state,” said co-owner William Newland. “We previously served the southeastern portion from our Fort Collins, Colo., branch. With the new, central location, we’re able to provide complete HVAC industry products and service across Wyoming.”
Stocked products at the new branch include manufactured sheet metal pipe and fittings, Sterling unit heaters, Armstrong HVAC equipment, LG ductless split systems, Calcana infrared radiant heaters, Honeywell controls, IAQ and zoning, grilles, registers & diffusers, exhaust fans and shop supplies. Hercules also sells new and used sheet metal machinery, and stocks steel flat sheet, slit coil and full coils. A complete line of commercial and residential HVAC products will be sold at the new Casper location.
Mike Baudendistel, who worked in Hercules’ Tempe facility, returns to Casper to manage the new warehouse. The branch is approximately 9,500 square feet, has two loading doors and features an expansive showroom.
For 47 years, Hercules has grown to become one of the largest companies of its type in the Rocky Mountain region, with 13 branches across Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and now Wyoming. Hercules continues to grow even in this slow economy and aims to be a single source for everything HVAC.
Coleman’s new branding campaign capitalizes on brand heritage and recognition
Coleman® launched a new branding campaign, “The Brand That Opens More Doors.” It features several key mediums that complement each other and provide consistent messages, including trade ads, online banners and a new trade destination website at www.colemanhvacdealer.com.
The first ad in the trade series, entitled “The Brand Everyone Knows,” underscores the ability of Coleman’s brand recognition, heritage and preference to open more doors for HVAC dealers. The second ad, “The Brand That Fits,” expands upon product-focused trade materials developed last year around the compact footprint of Coleman MicroChannel products and the reduced height of Coleman 33-inch furnaces.
The website supports the branding campaign and further entices potential dealers to consider joining the Coleman team. The new site features improved navigation, more product detail, links to Coleman’s history, featured products and the Coleman Home Comfort Center, an interactive program that shows customers how equipment upgrades can improve comfort and lower operating costs.
An updated dealer support section presents information about the Liberties™ program, including descriptions of the Retail Credit, Dealer Floor Planning, Commercial Leasing and Co-marketing programs as well as the new Marketing Action Center.
The site also educates potential dealers about Coleman’s brand power and its best-in-class training. In addition, a new sustainability page describes the environmentally friendly selling features of Coleman products.
For additional information, visit www.colemanhvacdealer.com.
HVAC products from Johnson Controls Inc., marketed under the well-known Coleman® brand, include highly reliable residential central air-conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and accessories and light-commercial, packaged heating and cooling systems marketed through a network of distributors and delivered to home and building owners through independent Coleman heating and air conditioning dealers.
Liberty Pumps completes expansion
With bad news surrounding so much of America’s manufacturing sector, there are still some bright spots coming right here, from the U.S. plumbing industry. Liberty Pumps, based in rural upstate New York, is expanding amid the current economic downturn. The company recently held an open house celebrating its new building expansion — one that more than doubled its current size. The additional space provides added manufacturing areas for new products, increased warehouse space and a significant upgrade and expansion of the engineering area used in product development.
Liberty Pumps has a history of innovation and aggressive product development. The company produces such trademark names as the SumpJet®, SumpBox®, Omnivore® Grinder, V-Slice® cutter technology, pro-Series™ ejectors and QuickTree® float technology. Recent additions to the product line include larger fl-Series effluent pumps and the newly released leh-Series sewage pumps.
With a proud heritage of being an independent, family-owned business, Liberty takes its service levels seriously. A live voice answers the phone instead of an automated system, orders are shipped in 24 to 48 hours and custom EPS job quotes are provided the same day. Its lean manufacturing environment reduces costs — keeping Liberty competitive and allowing resources to be put into value-added areas of the company. States Randall Waldron, vice president-sales & marketing, “Material flow and efficiency are key to streamlining the manufacturing process. These efficiencies directly impact our customers — both in helping to reduce the cost of our products and to assure quick delivery of our products. The new expansion features a reconfiguration of many of the manufacturing areas to further enhance these efficiencies.”
Amid all the talk of another poor year for 2009, Liberty is optimistically looking forward. Several new product releases are planned and the company continues to pursue new cost effective means to keep evolving and growing — right here in America.
Murray Supply hosts Milwaukee Tool Counter Days
Wholesale plumbing distributor Murray Supply Company held two Milwaukee Tool counter days recently.
The first was held at the Apex branch on March 24. On March 30, a Milwaukee Tools counter day was held at the Winston-Salem branch. At both events, the Milwaukee Tool representative showcased a wide range of heavy duty industrial power tools, including hammers, hand held sanders, cordless drills and screwdrivers. The customers enjoyed bratwursts with grilled peppers and onions, as they discussed the features of new products in the marketplace with the sales associates from Murray Supply.
Murray Supply Company is a family owned and operated company that was founded in 1965 by Mr. C.V. Murray in Charlotte, N.C. The company is engaged in the wholesale distribution of residential and commercial plumbing, pvf, hvac, industrial along with maintenance, repair and operations products. Murray Supply Company serves their customers from two showrooms and six locations based in North Carolina.
Watts announces online 3D CAD program
Watts has released an online 3D cad drawing program, available in their Engineer Resource Center at www.watts.com/ engineerCenter or on applicable product detail pages.
The architectural, engineering and contracting communities will be able to preview and download the new 3D as well as 2D cad files in a variety of industry formats, including Revit, acis, dwf, stp, dwg, jpeg and pdf.
Watts’ new 3D files are designed for use in most popular building information modeling (B.I.M.) applications.
For additional information, contact Taylor Grist, national specifications manager, at specifications@wattswater.com or visit www.watts.com.
New educational program now available at Selkirk University
Selkirk Corporation announces its newest online course at Selkirk University — SuperPro usa Product Knowledge 101.
The new SuperPro USA course addresses U.S.-specific content designed specifically for the Hearth market. The course is hosted through Selkirk U’s USA Campus/SuperPro USA Faculty. Additional courses are continually in development. Selkirk believes that knowledge is power — this online training tool is another example of the company’s commitment to provide training and education to customers.
SuperPro USA Product Knowledge 101 takes the student through three separate 30 minute segments on
- Basic Knowledge
- Sales & System Design
- Installation Basics.
At the end of the course a multiple choice Final Exam tests the student’s overall knowledge in a way that is meant to maximize educational value — students may simply retake the test until they achieve a score that is satisfactory to them.
Visit www.selkirkuniversity.com to begin earning a Selkirk U Diploma.
Selkirk Corporation has been a leading manufacturer of chimney, venting for the residential HVAC, hearth and commercial markets for more than 80 years. Selkirk manufactures products in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit www.selkirkcorp.com.