Industry News
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Visit www.americanstandard-us.com/waterefficiency for further information.
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High Efficiency Toilets Allow Americans to Flush with Confidence
High Efficiency Toilets (HETs), with their proven performance and water-saving features, are the next important wave in plumbing conservation efforts for North America, according to a new white paper released by industry leader American Standard Brands.
This document, entitled “High Efficiency Toilets (HETs): Why ‘Flushing with Confidence’ is Here to Stay”, provides an excellent overview of why HETs were developed, how American Standard perfected its models to achieve powerful flushing performance, and why these low-flow toilets will be vital to the future.
Authored by C.J. Lagan, compliance engineering manager for American Standard Brands, this informative piece is available for free download to all members of the plumbing industry at www.plumberprotects.com. The educational white paper conveys why HETs originated after the National Energy Policy Act of 1992, the initial challenges with this move from 3.5 to 1.6 gallons per flush and the ultimate success in HET design and performance.
The paper reviews the innovative flushing technologies developed by American Standard, including the company’s triumphant methods to effectively harness gravity, use larger flush valves and trapways, efficiently size water spots and well contours, and create sophisticated water flow dynamics that contributed to the superior performance of collections like the Champion 4 and Cadet 3.
HETs and the water efficiency they achieve are critical in the future, according to the paper. Growing populations, aging infrastructures that process and transport water, rising daily usage rates among individuals and environmental factors increasingly draw on the existing fresh water supply.
“HETs will become commonplace as the green movement to conserve water and energy grows,” concludes Lagan. “American Standard is ready with high-performing HETs that have been developed, tested and proven successful in the marketplace, so that North America can continue to flush with confidence.”
Billtrust makes online bill payment easy
Billtrust, a leading provider of outsourced billing services, announced the release of its advanced EIPP (Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment) product, called Invoice Gateway. The new release features an improved user interface and more flexible payment options for both the biller and the bill recipient.
Online bill presentment and payment has undergone significant growth in recent years. In 2001, there were 60 million bills paid electronically. In 2008, the number has grown to a staggering 5 billion, according to The Tower Group. The release of Invoice Gateway will help B2B companies capitalize and accelerate this trend.
Invoice Gateway is designed to allow bill recipients to visit an online site that contains the branding of the biller, where they can view, research, print, download and pay their bills. The benefit to the biller includes reduced bill delivery costs, improved days-sales outstanding, reduced costs to process payments and increased customer satisfaction. The changes to Invoice Gateway were driven by research Billtrust conducted among its customer base, along with input from their customer advisory council.
For more information, visit www.billtrust.com.
Consolidated Supply Co. opens 18th location
Located in Pacific, Wash., and serving the South Puget Sound region, Consolidated Supply's new 20,000-square-foot warehouse is under the leadership of industry veteran Garth Hatfield. Supplying both plumbing and hydronic heating supplies, the Pacific location also boasts a 2,500-square-foot designer plumbing showroom, The Fixture Gallery.
A grand opening event was held September 17, complete with Southern-style barbecue, a dessert buffet and a generous list of door prizes, including a spa weekend for two and Seattle Seahawk tickets. All of the guests received a long-sleeved shirt to commemorate the occasion.
Consolidated Supply Co. has been a Northwest institution for 80 years. With seven Washington State locations, six locations in their home state of Oregon, five Idaho locations and one location in Hawaii, they are 320 employees strong.
Visit their websites at www.consolidatedsupply.com and www.thefixturegallery.com.
Titan expands Lumberton facility
Earlier this year, Titan Flow Control opened a new warehouse and plant facility in Lumberton, N.C. The 80,000-square-foot facility, located on seven acres, has allowed Titan to expand their manufacturing, fabrication and testing of strainers, check valves and related industrial flow control products.
Titan expanded their screen manufacturing capabilities and installed a new paint booth, along with extensive testing and quality control systems and procedures. A significant addition to their quality control process includes a PMI system that allows for instant verification and certification of virtually all non-ferrous materials used in the manufacture and sale of non-ferrous Titan products.
The manufacturing, quality control, sales and support staffs in Lumberton were also expanded. Titan is proud of its employees who care about their customers and the level of service that they provides, and is thrilled to have a following of loyal, committed customers.
For more information, visit www.titanfci.com.
PSP acquired by private investment firm
Plastic Services and Products Inc., a division of PMC Global, was purchased by a private investment trust and will now operate under the name of Plastic Services and Products LLC.
Plastics Services and Products, LLC will continue to operate the current ABS pipe plant in Centralia, Wash., and is in the process of setting up a new ABS pipe plant in Utah. The Utah plant will be using the equipment from PMC's former Sun Valley, Calif., plant as well as additional new equipment that will increase production by 30%.
PSP is owned by the investment trust that purchased Beehive Pipe Products (formerly known as Standard Pipe Nipple Manufacturing Company) in 2006. The combined companies will offer a complete line of domestic metal and PVC S.80 pipe nipples, ABS-DWV pipe and ABS-DWV pipe fittings along with the other plumbing items now currently being offered thru Beehive Pipe Products. ABS pipe is currently available at both locations and ABS fittings will be available in January of 2009.
Beehive Pipe Products and Plastic Services and Products will operate as sister companies with combined management and sales teams. Hernan Hincapie will be the director of the pipe manufacturing operations, with Nick Hanna as the director of molding and threading operations. Susan Yerkes is the director of sales and marketing. Claire Nielsen is trustee for the investment group that manages the companies. Richard Reese, who at one time was a principle in Standard Plastics, has been retained as a consultant to assist in the trust's management and to act as a temporary financial advisor. He will consult through the end of 2008.
New Products
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New FL-Series effluent pumps Company has expanded its effluent pump line to include larger 1hp, 1.5 hp and 2 hp models. The new pumps feature maximum head capabilities of over 130 feet and flows to 130 GPM. A dual-sized discharge features a 11/2" removable flange with a 2" threaded port for connection to either pipe size. The pumps also feature a standard 25' quick-disconnect power cord and dual shaft seals. Two-year limited warranty. Liberty Pumps.
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Full port ball valve Series 3903 three piece full port ball valve are available in either carbon or stainless bodies and with the option of either socket weld or threaded ends. The valve is designed for use up to 1000 Psi and is stocked in 1/4" up to 4" sizes. The 3903 also comes with a locking device standard. Sharpe Valves. |
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Decrimping tool New, improved ringcrusher decrimping tool removes pex crimp rings and pex tubing easily without damage to inside fittings. Heavy-duty design with round anvil cuts crimp rings on 1/2", 3/4" and 1" copper, brass and poly alloy/plastic fittings and tube, then expands the pex for easy removal. Lets you recycle brass and poly alloy/plastic fittings. Works in tight places, and has an adjustable stop. Clean-Fit Products, a division of Mill-Rose Co. |
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Powerful tankless water heater The innovative t-m50 unit uses two heavy-duty heat exchangers to produce up to 380,000 Btuh. Dual system ensures that if one unit were to break down, the other would continue operating without any interruption. Starts heating water at a low .5 gallons per minute, and can provide a continuous supply of hot water at a maximum flow rate of 14.5 gpm. Takagi. |
Movers & Shakers
Basco Shower Enclosures promoted Jennifer Burke to senior director of customer service. Burke joined Basco in 1996 and has since served in varying roles of increasing responsibility across several areas of the company, most recently as director of materials control. She is responsible for the management and development of Basco's data entry, customer service and technical support departments to ensure exceptional service within the call center and to support customers' diverse technical requirements.
Deacon Industrial hired Rob Laird as actuation & controls manager. Laird is responsible for all activity and growth relating to the actuation department and will be working from the New Castle, Pa., branch. He has 30 years of sales experience in the Delaware Valley and comes to Deacon from Chalmers and Kubeck, where he was responsible for the sales of Limitorque actuators.
United Pipe & Steel announced that industry veteran Gerald D. Slattery has joined its management team as director of steel pipe sales. In this role, Slattery will be working with large-volume steel pipe customers.
WaterFurnace International Inc. promoted Galen Betz to region manager for Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska and eastern Iowa. Betz began his career with WaterFurnace in 2004 as a territory manager with responsibility for sales in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The growth of the territory under his direction led to the need for a second territory manager, who was hired last January and assigned to the Minnesota territory. |