Industry News
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McJunkin Red Man acquires LaBarge
McJunkin Red Man Corp. has acquired LaBarge Pipe & Steel, a St. Louis-based distributor of carbon steel pipe for use in the energy infrastructure market. LaBarge is one of North America's largest stocking distributors of large diameter carbon steel pipe, serving companies in the oil & gas transmission, petrochemical, utility, industrial and construction markets. LaBarge operates sales offices in St. Louis, Houston, Birmingham, Ala., and Charlotte, N.C., along with a manufacturing facility in Wagoner, Okla.
Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., and Charleston, W.Va., McJunkin Red Man is a distributor of industrial pipe, valves and fittings and related products and services to the energy industry.
Acyrline consolidates manufacturing facilities
Acryline Custom Bathing Systems has consolidated their U.S. and Canadian facilities. The merge to the facility in Lyster, Quebec, took effect on October 1.
"With manufacturing and technical support located in Canada, we have determined that it is both economically and structurally more beneficial to relocate our corporate headquarters to the plant," said William Tennant, Acryline CEO. "While we will maintain a U.S. presence with several satellite offices, we are excited to offer enhanced productivity, technical support and customer service through relocation to our manufacturing facility."
Acryline Custom Bathing Systems will continue to service the entire U.S. territory and all new products will be available in the U.S. William Tennant and president Steve Deland are continuing to spearhead sales for the U.S. and Canada.
Acryline's custom warm air massage system baths promote personal health and well being for people of all ages. From a tactile to forceful massage, individuals can individually regulate, vary and change massage intensity to their own individual needs.
Elkay streamlines faucet manufacturing
According to Elkay Plumbing Products Division (PPD) president Steve Rogers, the company will be streamlining its faucet manufacturing facilities. Targeted for completion in November, Elkay's Commercial faucet production will be moved from a company-owned St. Charles, Ill., facility to another company facility in Savanna, Ill. The move is designed to strengthen the assets of Elkay's new Commercial Business Unit and provide faucet expansion for the education, healthcare, hospitality and public venues segments the unit currently serves.
Elkay's Residential Business Unit produces three brands of faucets for the home: Elkay, Phylrich and Doralfe. Elkay branded faucets are currently manufactured in the St. Charles facility, while Phylrich and Doralfe production is located in Burbank, Calif. After manufacturing consolidation, all three faucet lines will be produced in one larger, more efficient Elkay-owned facility on the East Coast; this new facility will provide for future portfolio expansion, and incorporate the latest faucet manufacturing technologies. Targeted completion for the residential faucet manufacturing consolidation is December 2009.
Rogers noted that the faucet production reorganization will not disrupt fulfillment of existing or future Elkay, Phylrich and Doralfe orders, and that quality and performance of the offerings will remain strong.
Central States Group announces new owners
As a result of the retirement of one of Central States’ principal owners, seven of the company’s key associates have acquired ownership in the company. This transition is providing a solid basis for the future growth of the company. The new owners are:
- Patty Lundgren, VP-sales for the Pipe, Valve and Fitting Division, who has been with CSG for 15 years
- Todd Ford, chief operating officer, who has 10 years experience with a national PHCP distribution company
- Corry Walton, VP and general manager of the Engineered Products Division, has been with the company for 17 years
- Susan Marsh, a key accounts manager focused on the Bio-Fuels market, has been with CSG for 16 years
- Al Pfeifer is chief information officer and has been with the company for 34 years
- Joann Schacher, chief financial officer, has been with CSG for 15 years
- Mike Vezina is VP and General Manager of the company’s Mueller Sales group in New Hope, Minn.
New Products
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Circulator replacement sizing slide chart An updated, complementary slide chart for commercial circulator system design and pump selection has been released. The slide chart will now include the new high efficiency MAGNA variable speed circulator. This easy-to-use tool allows users to design heating/cooling systems and select pumps for replacement opportunities. Grundfos. |
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Variable voltage circulator All-in-one pump/control variable voltage version of its Variable Speed 00 circulator has been offered for a wide range of commercial building hvac applications. The Variable Voltage 00-VV circulator has been designed to operate the pump at different speeds based on an externally generated analog voltage signal input. The 00-VV’s control accepts four external signal voltage ranges: 0-10 V(dc), 0-20mA, 2-10 V(dc) or 4-20mA signal. Easy to wire with a snap-in PC board and plug-in low voltage wiring terminal, the ul approved 00-VV circulator integrates seamlessly with ddc or building management systems. Taco. |
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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. |
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Suspended equipment platform
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Movers & Shakers
Kevin Roach joined Activant Solutions Inc. as the executive vice president of its wholesale distribution group. His responsibilities will include the development, sale, and implementation of software designed especially for wholesale distributors. Roach brings more than 25 years software industry experience to Activant. Most recently, he served as president of Rockwell Software for Rockwell Automation.
Javier Korneluk, Blanco America's new national sales manager, is responsible for all Blanco sales activities in the U.S. Korneluk has 15 years of broad industry experience, most recently serving as regional sales manager for Delta Faucet Co., overseeing the Delta and Brizo brands. Korneluk also has held several positions at American Standard, including national sales coordinator and regional manager of Porcher, American Standard's high-end brand. Prior to American Standard, he was with Ferguson Enterprises.
Crane Energy Flow Solutions, a Crane Co. Company, appointed Vincent Buffa president. Buffa joined Crane in December 2007 as president of Crane Pumps & Systems where he led targeted, customer-focused marketing strategies and directed Operational Excellence tools. Peviously, he had leadership roles in the aerospace and defense industries.
Lasco Bathware named Gary Anderson as its new president. Lasco is a division of Tomkins Industries. Anderson will oversee more than 2,000 employees in nine locations across the U.S. He will be responsible for positioning the company for growth as the housing market stabilizes. Anderson brings extensive experience in a variety of diverse manufacturing businesses and has held several senior-level management positions throughout his 20-year career. Prior to joining Lasco, Anderson was VP-operations, acting VP and general manager for Lennox Hearth Products. |