Acadia system to be offered through HVAC Distributors
Bangor, Maine — Energy-minded homeowners and businesses throughout Pennsylvania now have easier access to the Acadia: Combined Heating and Cooling System from Hallowell International through its new distribution partnership with hvac Distributors Inc.
The Acadia is a revolutionary new green technology used for residential heating and cooling. It provides a significant cost savings to the consumer by outperforming conventional fossil fuel-based heating systems, such as natural gas, by up to 300%.
The Acadia is a single system engineered to comfortably heat and cool homes in all weather conditions, even temperatures as cold as minus 30°F. When traditional heat pumps are put in colder climates such as the Northeast, a back-up heat source is usually required; this uses additional energy, resulting in a higher energy bill for the homeowner. The Acadia, through patented boosted compression technology, operates much more efficiently than a traditional heat pump, and also eliminates the need for an additional heat source.
In response to local contractor requests for the Acadia system, HVAC Distributors reached out to Hallowell as a green partner. The partnership has allowed the wholesaler to round out their selection of green products for the residential and light commercial marketplace, while providing Hallowell with an expanded network of training facilities and customer support across Pennsylvania.
“The Acadia combined heating and cooling system is a welcome addition to our green offerings. It gives contractors the ability to offer their customers an energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuel systems,” said Dave McIlwaine, president of hvac Distributors Inc.
For details, visit www.HallowellInternational.com or www.hvacdist.com.
Davis & Warshow renovates its A+D Building showroom
New York, N.Y. — Transformations can be a beautiful thing. In the case of the Davis & Warshow kitchen and bath showroom at 150 East 58th Street (the Architects & Designers Building), the makeover not only is beautiful, it is a mathematical wonder.
Architect Emanuela Frattini Magnusson has ingeniously and exquisitely managed to create from a modest 3,600-square-foot space — double the former area, thanks to addition of two neighboring spots that had been vacated — a resource center representing literally scores of crème-de-la-crème brands of sinks, tubs, vanities, faucets, toilets, showers and accessories. In fact, nearly 150 brands are in the d&w portfolio, yet Magnusson has tamed the extraordinary range into a presentation and environment that are calming, tranquil, functional and inspiring. What’s more, the leed-accredited architect has incorporated construction and design features to help make this location one of Davis & Warshow’s greenest and most eco-responsible at a time when it has embarked on a company-wide sustainability initiative, “Practically Green.” To this end, she was careful to specify low-voc paints and coatings, fsc-certified woods, locally sourced materials and fabrication, and high-efficiency/low-consumption lighting.
Green, by the way, in a fresh tint reminiscent of sea glass, adds just the right punch of color to the space that is light and airy in predominant shades of white and cool grays. The concrete tile floor contributes to the neutral palette that allows product to be king.
From the moment one enters, it is a candy shop filled from front to back with fixtures and fittings, purposeful and minus clutter or confusion. Magnusson allowed for a touch of whimsy and emotion in the most innovative and artful way. For the bath area she chose a selection of photographs of mirrors — some baroque and ornate, some classic and simple — and juxtaposed them against colorful materials such as red brick, polka dotted fabric and other colorfully patterned materials. Six of these abstract photo compositions were enlarged to 30-x-45 poster size and silk-screened onto panel facades that have been fabricated into light boxes. Suspended from the ceiling, they inject an inspirational note and a unique decorative touch. The kitchen area also features this original art concept, crowned by a single 45-x-72 horizontal still life of a teapot and other cookware icons.
“The main challenge was to design a practical space that could adapt and grow with the vast array of collections,” said Magnusson. “Plus, the design needed to properly reflect the status that the kitchen and bath have ascended to in our current culture.”
Bath occupies the greatest amount of real estate within the long expanse of the showroom, and products are organized and showcased by type. Tubs are in front, followed by vessel sinks then under-mount sinks, and each sink genre is displayed within custom cabinetry built to accommodate triple tiers of product. The vessel styles are shown in open shelving while the under-mounts are featured in drawers. The top levels of these display units are reserved for best sellers. Continuing along this impressive design avenue one finds combination sinks and vanities. What you don’t find, however, is any kind of vignette or staged environment.
Running on a parallel track with all of the sinks is a display of faucets mounted on acrylic pods. These units smartly hook onto a floor-to-ceiling rail and translucent panel system and can easily be lifted off so a client can see how it pairs with a sink, tub or other accessories. This faucet display system obscures the workstations but still allows the sales staff to keep an eye on the showroom. They enjoy, as well, the benefits of having the bank of windows at their back, and the natural daylight also helps illuminate the entire space. The full stretch of the bath display is interspersed with toilet models, and near mid-point there is a build-out of a square-shaped private cube where face-to-face shower displays are positioned.
“For 25 years, our 58th Street showroom has been the face of Davis & Warshow for the A&D community in New York,” said Sheldon Malc, the company’s director of showrooms. “Aside from the fact that we had outgrown the original footprint and were able to finally add-on, we’re proud that this renovation allowed us to create a space that is much more user-friendly, aesthetically compelling and inspirational, and reflective of the vitality of our business.
“We’re excited to invite architects and designers to explore and experience for themselves why we’ve earned our reputation as the go-to source for the best in kitchen and bath.”
The Davis & Warshow 58th Street showroom is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information contact 212/688-5990 or visit www.dwny.com.
Gustave A. Larson Company announces PEAQ award winners
Pewaukee, Wis. — Winners of Gustave A. Larson Company’s Annual Supplier Evaluation were recently announced. Honored were Advanced Distributor Products, J.B. Industries, Crystal Distribution Inc., DuPont Fluoroproducts, and Heatcraft Refrigeration Products. All received the 2008 Partners in Excellence and Quality (peaq) Award at a dinner on May 5.
The winners are chosen through an evaluation of data collected throughout the year considering various measurements of the quality of partnering in business. Factors considered in the evaluation process are product quality, profitability, marketing, sales support, electronic commerce capabilities, on-time deliveries, basic credit terms, policies and procedures.
The Larson Company held another awards dinner on May 4 honoring the top supplier salespeople for 2008. The top three supplier salespeople in each of Larson’s four regions were selected and the winner in each region announced at the awards dinner. Dan Thompson, representing Lennox Hearth Products, was named the Outstanding Sales Person in the Great Lakes Region, Roy Heimbrock, representing Endres & Associates, in the Great Plains Region, David Barnson, representing g&s Sales, in the Mountain Region, and John Saufferer, representing Saufferer & Associates, in the North Central Region. The criteria used to evaluate the sales personnel include quality of sales call, product knowledge, communication skills, and accountability.
Sue Sinclair, senior vice president/chief inventory management officer, administers the peaq program. “Our peaq program continues to strengthen our partnerships with our suppliers helping us to provide better service to our customers,” she said.
Haws relies on strategic initiatives to withstand economic challenges
Sparks, Nev. — In these days of economic doom and gloom, it’s refreshing to hear about a company that simply refuses to sink into the abyss. Such a company exists in Sparks, Nev. The 103-year-old Haws Corporation successfully relies on a series of targeted initiatives to mitigate most of the effects of the economic downturn. Their formula includes a clear strategic course aimed at market share expansion: taking advantage of every opportunity that the current turmoil and re-trenching competitors provides. And, that plan is executed at every level of the organization.
Additionally, they stress open and candid communications with their highly empowered employees, as well as focusing on superior product innovation and very aggressive sales and marketing efforts. Their positive, can-do attitude starts at the very top and runs throughout the entire organization. Company president Sallie R. Haws — great-granddaughter of the company’s founder — is the head strategist. “You can call it guile, stubbornness or brilliance, it really doesn’t matter,” she said. “All that counts is that history has shown that companies who are aggressive in the face of economic downturns come out stronger on the other end. We’ve proven it before and we’re proving it again!”
While business is certainly more difficult for every company, Haws included, following the fundamentals is more important (and potentially fruitful) than ever. Sallie said that taking care of your employees and giving them the hard facts, while always important, is critical in today’s markets. “Employees at every level are savvy to the situation and they are always willing to pull a little harder if they know the whole story and what’s at stake,” she added. “We are very proud to have been a finalist in the Reno (Nevada) Economic Development’s ‘edawn Best Places to Work’ program again this year. When your employees vote you into the running for the Best Places to Work in a year like this, you know you’re doing something right.”
Haws is also at the forefront of new product innovation, which has certainly buoyed the company’s revenues. Having launched the ground-breaking axion msr™ eyewash and drench shower line in June 2008 and the exciting new HydrationStation™ this past March, the company is riding a groundswell of very positive press and customer demand. More innovations are in the works to keep the company out in front of its competitors.
Lastly, the company has refined its sales and marketing strategies over the past several years to maximize their reach and effectiveness, while assuring that the value of these efforts is industry-leading as well. President Haws concluded, “We’re acutely aware of the economic circumstances here and abroad, but at the same time, we recognize that those circumstances continue to create many opportunities and we’re really busy taking advantage of them.”
For details, visit www.hawsco.com.
Murray Supply hosts Counter Day, participates in Home Show
Winston-Salem, N.C. — Murray Supply Company’s Raleigh, N.C., location held a counter day with the assistance of Milwaukee Tool, A.O. Smith and Moen on April 16. Luke Hutchins from Milwaukee Tool, along with Len Bowden from Moen and Al Listrum with A.O. Smith, displayed a wide selection of products during the event. The customers enjoyed hotdogs as they discussed the features of new products in the marketplace with the sales associates from Murray Supply.
Listrum, an A.O. Smith representative, donated two tickets to the Darlington Raceway Southern 500. Ted Gaster with Welding Specialties and Mech Services won the tickets.
Murray Supply Company Kitchen and Bath Showroom recently participated in the Triad Home and Garden Show at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. This three day event featured vendors and builders who showcased exhibits and participated in seminars focused on giving the consumer a better understanding of the available home and garden products in today’s marketplace.
Murray Supply Company displayed a variety of products in the 60-foot booth space at the show, which included an American Standard flushing station, Aqueous faucets, an Oceania walk-in tub, A.O. Smith water heaters, Wellborn cabinets and many other items from a number of high quality vendors.
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 one showroom and six branch locations in North Carolina.
Multistack signs MOU with Clinton Climate Initiative
Sparta, Wis. — Multistack llc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Clinton Climate Initiative, a project of the William J. Clinton Foundation, to provide discounted energy efficient, modular water chillers to qualified cities and private building owners in the C40. The C40 is a group of the world’s largest cities committed to fighting climate change by reducing greenhouse gases. Multistack, a leading manufacturer of modular chiller technology in North America, provides innovative products to address water-cooled, air-cooled and heat pump needs worldwide.
“We are proud to be a part of what the Clinton Climate Initiative is doing to change the way we think about energy, emissions and the environment,” said Mark Platt, Multistack president and ceo. “We at Multistack believe it is not only possible but practical to do the right thing environmentally, while expanding the business opportunities that drive our global economy. It is a privilege to be part of such an important leadership challenge and to work alongside the Clinton Climate Initiative to help address the environmental impact of buildings, which can contribute up to 80% of a city’s greenhouse gas emissions.”
The mou involves discounts on the portfolio of Multistack products available to the C40 cities. These discounts will help accelerate the conversion of less efficient chillers that also contain large quantities of old refrigerants, to high efficiency chillers with micro-charges of new refrigerants. Refrigerants are potent greenhouse gases and the combined effect of increased efficiency and lower risk of refrigerant emissions reduces a building’s greenhouse gas emissions. The unique modular platform of the Multistack chiller design allows building owners to replace their older equipment with just what is needed to optimally meet the current building needs, knowing they can add additional capacity easily in the future if necessary. By avoiding the need for major construction on retrofit projects, modularity can often provide significant installation cost reductions thereby further reducing overall project cost and total operating costs.
Visit www.multistack.com for details.