Industry News

We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Metropac. Metropac sells exclusively to wholesalers, OEM’s, and manufacturer reps, throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Major product lines include, Honeywell, Invensys, Johnson Controls, Robertshaw, White-Rodgers and much more.  Visit their redesigned web site at www.metropac.com to see their complete product offerings. Or call their sales department at 800-852-HEAT(4328)

 

 

To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.

 

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Metropac announces annual Spring Stock Up promotion.

 

Stock up for the heating season and take advantage of our lowest prices of the season on Braeburn, Honeywell, Johnson,  Robertshaw, White Rodgers and other HVAC/R manufacturers.   Receive bonus gifts with qualifying orders and earn substantial savings as well.  Metropac will be accepting spring stock up orders from April 1st through April 25th only.  If you haven’t received your spring stock up flyer yet request one from one of Metropac knowledgeable sales representatives by calling 800-852-4328, or you can download it from their website at www.metropac.com.

 

It’s easy to do business with Metropac.  They offer same day shipping, convenient web order entry, competitive prices, and a knowledgeable sales staff that is willing to go that extra mile.  There’s no minimum order and never any inconvenience. Just the prompt courteous service you deserve. 

 

Selkirk expands commercial warranty

 

New upgraded warranty coverage is now in effect on all Selkirk Commercial Chimney & Venting

products.

 

All Selkirk grease duct systems are now covered by a manufacturer's lifetime warranty. Selkirk heating appliance systems are covered by a 15-year warranty, when the system sizing and design has been performed by Selkirk's in-house design engineering team. (Systems not designed by Selkirk will qualify for 1-year coverage).

 

Both of the new warranty packages replace the previous 10-year/1-year coverage. The written warranty documents are now available at www.selkirkcommercial.com.

 

Lochinvar honored by Department of Defense

 

Lochinvar Corporation has been named a 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recipient. This is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The award will be presented to Lochinvar and 14 other employers at a formal ceremony on Sept. 18, 2008, in  Washington,D.C.

 

This year, a record number of National Guard and Reserve members or their family members nominated their employers for outstanding support. Included among the 2,199 nominations was a letter from William M. Jacobs, a manufacturing engineering manager at Lochinvar and a platoon sergeant for R Troop 4/278 Air Calvary Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard.

 

In his letter, Jacobs expressed his gratitude for Lochinvar's generosity and support, which touched him, his unit and task force, as well as many others in the U.S. military. From a significant monetary donation to help start up and support the unit Family Readiness Group, to multiple shipments of gifts, food and supplies collected by employees, the Lochinvar team aimed to provide positive and uplifting moments during an otherwise less than comforting experience.

 

Kahle to present Top Gun seminars

 

According to Dave Kahle, president of The DaCo Corporation, distributor salespeople need a dose of inspiration, motivation and education: "Now, more than ever, distributors are increasingly concerned about the challenges being thrown at them. The marketplace is changing dramatically due to increasing competition, the rise of E-commerce, expansion of alternate channels and new pressures from suppliers. This means that customers have less time to spend with salespeople.

 

Distributor salespeople have more pressure on them today than at any time in the past; yet fewer than 5% of them ever receive any education on how to do the sales portion of their jobs well. To combat this problem, Kahle is bringing the Top Gun Seminar for Distributor Salespeople to 14 sites around the country over the next three months.

ASA is a sponsor of these seminars; members receive the sponsor-discounted cost of $219. The regular cost is $279.

For details, visit www.davekahle.com/topgun/seminar.html.

 

FlowCon opens new U.S. headquarters

 

FlowCon International, a leading European manufacturer-distributor of flow control valves for commercial heating and air conditioning systems, has launched its line of AB automatic balancing valves from new headquarters located at 10430-K Harris Oaks Blvd. in Charlotte, N.C., serving the U.S. and Canada.

 

The new North American operation, known as FlowCon Americas LLC, is led by Howard Rozendal, an experienced veteran of the HVAC industry

 

For more information, call 704/599-4700.

New Products

Therapy bath upgrade www.jacuzzi.com Finestra 6036 LH salon walk-in therapy bath offers a precision, airtight magnetic door seal to stop leakage. A magnetic panel provides easy access to the motor, piping and plumbing. ADA-compliant seat, color-matching grab bar and slip-resistant flooring consistent with the trend toward universal design and aging-in-place. Available in 14" and ADA-compliant 17" heights as a soaking bath, whirlpool bath, PureAir bath or Salon Spa Bath. Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath.

Brass ball valve www.matco-norca.com SA/CSA certified 759 and 759t ball valve line now includes a stainless steel thumb grip T-handle valve. The 759ts brass ball valve is ideal for underground and close-quarter commercial and light industrial applications with steam, water, oil gas or air use. Full port, forged brass, two-piece bodies, teflon seats, blow-out proof stem and chrome-plated solid brass ball. Working pressures are 50 psi wsp and 600 psi non-shock wog. 759ts valve is available 1/4" through 1-1/4"sizes. Matco-Norca.

Hands-free water cooler www.halseytaylor.com Voyager MVP line is an extension of the popular HTV water cooler family. Features an attractive, modern design; equipped with proprietary electronic eye sensor, Aqua Sentry™ filter and new Filter Life Indicator. Provides a hands-free solution for healthy drinking water. If electronic eye sensor determines someone has approached the water cooler, water is dispensed, allowing for hygienic operation. To ensure water is not wasted, a built-in safeguard automatically shuts off the stream after 30 seconds. Halsey Taylor.

Suspended equipment platform www.holdrite.com There are now 10 different models of the quick stand suspended equipment platform, including 4 new wall-mount solutions and 6 existing ceiling-mount solutions. Support water heaters, fan coil units, remote chillers and water source heat pumps. Water-tight, galvanized steel platforms eliminate the need for an additional drain pan. Two sizes: 40-swhp series up to 375 lbs and 50-swhp series up to 600 lbs. Include either a 1" PVC drain fitting or a 1" welded steel drain fitting. Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE

Movers & Shakers

Viega announced that Dan Schmierer, who has served as CEO of Viega North America since 2000, will stay at the helm until 2012. When Schmierer joined Viega, the company had more than 100 years of history as a plumbing and heating manufacturer in Germany but no presence in North America. Schmierer introduced this "new" company to America; during his tenure, Viega has changed dramatically. The company has grown from simple beginnings in a small office in Chelmsford, Mass., into a thriving organization, 542 people strong, based in Wichita, Kan.

Randy Hansen has joined Steril-Aire Inc. as South Central regional manager. Hansen has more than 20 years of sales and account management experience in HVAC and technology products. He served most recently as general manager of Rio Filter Supply and is a National Air Filtration Association Certified Air Filtration Specialist (CAFS). Hansen's territory includes all of Texas (excluding Houston) and Louisiana.

Crane Co. appointed Timothy J. MacCarrick vice president-finance and CFO. MacCarrick has extensive experience in financial leadership and was most recently corporate vice president and vice president0finance with Xerox North America.