Cifial announces new WaterSense partnership
Atlanta — Cifial usa partners with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Program to introduce two WaterSense certified faucet collections. Known for its distinctive Portuguese craftsmanship of high quality plumbing and hardware products, Cifial’s Quadra 25 and Techno 25 collections offer sleek, high performance design that is ideal for smaller spaces such as apartments or condos.
“The Quadra 25 and Techno 25 are styles that embrace form and functionality with the water-saving capabilities that homeowners are looking for,” said Jim Osborne, director of sales for Cifial. “Our Partnership with the epa’s WaterSense Program reinforces Cifial’s commitment to producing environmentally sustainable products.”
The Techno 25 and Quadra 25 faucets come standard with a 1.5 gallon per minute flow rate, resulting in a 30% savings as compared to the industry standard of 2.2 gpm. Measuring just over 6 inches in height, both single handle lavatory faucet lines are ideal for living spaces with full bars, kitchen islands, or secondary bathrooms in finished basements.
Both collections are available in polished chrome, satin nickel and Cifial’s exclusive weathered. The collections feature a choice of a wall mount, single handle and single handle high-profile lavatory faucet style to fit a wide array of design needs. They are a perfect complement to the company’s existing Techno collection of faucets, custom shower components and bath accessories.
In addition, all Cifial faucets can be used for leed qualifying projects by utilizing a low-flow aerator that is available upon request. This small change has the potential to save the average household over 2,200 gallons each year.
For information, call 800/528-4904 or visit www.cifialusa.com
Universal Package Systems expands mfg facility; improves customer service
Dale, Ind. — In response to growing demand for its custom material handling products, Universal Package Systems has expanded its Dale, Ind., facility with a 9,000-square-foot addition. The new space now houses a portion of the company’s manufacturing equipment including routers, saws and welders used in the customization of containers.
Universal offers a wide and growing variety of custom solutions including cut and welded bulk containers, corrugated bulk containers, a variety of cut and welded injection molded totes, corrugated totes, custom dunnage and packaging. The additional space will allow them to offer faster turnaround and additional customization options.
Universal Package Systems now has 27,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space under roof, with acres of available outdoor staging space for its used bulk container, hopper and tote business.
More information is available by calling 866/875-9918 or on the web at www.universalpackage.com.
U.S. Congressman visits Danfoss Turbocor mfg facility
Tallahassee, Fla. — If a prominent U.S. congressman has anything to say about it, Danfoss Turbocor’s advanced compressor technology will have a much larger stake in federal, state and commercial facilities in the U.S. That’s because the technology makes air conditioning equipment more efficient, significantly reduces energy consumption and creates “green” jobs in the hvac industry.
“The private sector will play a significant role in our national energy policy as our country begins to move toward energy independence,” said Congressman F. Allen Boyd Jr. (D-Fla.), who recently toured the Danfoss Turbocor Compressors manufacturing facility in Tallahassee. “This visit was a great opportunity to learn more about the important work being done right here in North Florida to advance the latest energy technologies. New energy-efficient technologies, like those being developed at Danfoss Turbocor, are a key component of reducing our energy consumption and energy costs.”
Boyd’s district includes the Tallahassee area, where he has served as a congressman since 1997. He is a member of the House Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Ricardo Schneider, president and ceo of Danfoss Turbocor, complimented the congressman on the timing of his visit. “The economic stimulus package can have a huge impact on federal, state and commercial facilities in the U.S.,” Schneider said. “Working with the administration under the stimulus program presents a unique and significant opportunity for Danfoss Turbocor to help the hvac industry become more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable.”
The technology has won numerous awards in the past 10 years. According to Ron Conry, who invented the technology 15 years ago, it’s truly transformational because it features magnetic bearings, which use 99.5% less energy compared to conventional bearings.
In 1994, Conry invented a compressor that would meet the industry’s needs for the future, based on his own extensive experience in the field of chiller and compressor rebuilding and maintenance. He assembled a world-class international team of experts with a mission to develop a centrifugal compressor that would operate at high variable speeds, be extremely efficient, oil free, lightweight, quiet and cost competitive. In order to commercialize the compressor, in 2004 Turbocor entered into a joint venture with Danfoss and formed Danfoss Turbocor Compressors Inc.
For more information, visit www.danfoss.us or www.envisioneering.danfoss.com.
Bobrick introduces new toilet partition program
Hollywood, Calif. — Bobrick Washroom Equipment Inc. has announced the availability of more than 400 Wilsonart, Formica and Nevamar plastic laminate toilet partition patterns and colors with 20-work day order fulfillment.
The New FastColor Program includes Bobrick’s three plastic laminate toilet partitions — 1540 Classic, 1040 Designer and 1030 TrimLine — in three mounting configurations — Ceiling-Hung, Floor- Anchored and Overhead-Braced.
For further product details, telephone 800/553-1600 or visit www.bobrick.com.
Halsey Taylor wins platinum ADEX award
Oak Brook, Ill. — Halsey Taylor’s Marblyte Contour drinking fountain has been recognized in the 2009 Design Journal Award for Design Excellence Competition as a platinum winner. Considered among the most prestigious award programs for the design of furniture, fixtures and finishes, the adex Awards are judged by industry professionals representing a cross section of key players in the design industry.
Developed with educational facilities in mind, Halsey Taylor’s vandal-resistant, bi-level model (hrfgsebp-vr) features a stylish, contemporary look and is manufactured from Marblyte, a premium non-porous solid surface material known for its superior durability. The fountain is also available as a freeze-resistant model.
Equipped with heavy-duty, vandal-resistant bubblers and easy-to-operate, vandal-resistant push buttons, the new Marblyte Contour fountain can withstand almost any rough handling. In addition, the protective bottom cover plates, manufactured from galvanized steel, are also designed to further safeguard the unit from any damage due to frequent use in high-traffic areas.
For details call 630/574-3500 or visit www.halseytaylor.com.
Haws corporate marketing department receives Telly Awards
Sparks, Nev. — Haws Corporation® was recently awarded five separate Telly Awards® for their work on the axion msr™ video. Haws received bronze awards for Employee Communications, Use of Animation, Art Direction, Videography/Cinematography and as a “How-to Video.”
The Telly Awards honor the very best television commercials and programs, as well as the finest industrial video and film productions and work created for the internet.
The axion msr video was produced by Boost Creative Services of Reno and 9mm Media of Las Vegas under the direction of the Haws Marketing Department.
Visit www.axionmsr.com for more information.
PMI adopts position statement on balance between consumer choice, water efficiency
Rolling Meadows, Ill. — The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute adopted a new position statement advocating the efficient use of water while also maximizing consumer choice on water-saving products. As the new statement notes, “We believe that these two objectives are not mutually exclusive and can be achieved simultaneously.”
Executive director Barbara C. Higgens said pmi believes that responsible water use begins with awareness and education, which put consumers in a better position to make personal decisions and trade-offs. “Water efficiency is best achieved by pursuing the overall goal of water savings as a society, but not by dictating how the savings are to be achieved,” Higgens remarked. “Every circumstance is different, and pmi believes that providing end users with flexibility to make their own decisions is the best way to move the marketplace towards true water savings.”
She added that allowing manufacturers and designers the freedom to innovate “in both form and function” results in better solutions that do not require great sacrifice to save water.
“It was the freedom to innovate that led to the current generation of top-performing toilets that actually exceed the federal standard of 1.6 gallons-per-flush, saving 20% or more on water use without sacrificing performance,” Higgens noted. These new high-efficiency toilets, called hets, work so well at saving water and meeting consumer performance standards that pmi successfully led the effort to pass legislation in California and Texas, calling for all newly installed toilets to be hets.”
The full text of the position paper is at www.SafePlumbing.org.
Remstar workstations improve order picking
Portland, Maine — The universal workstation from Remstar creates efficient order picking operations for organizations by combining automated and manual technologies. The workstation is a cost-effective solution that integrates automated technologies such as horizontal and vertical carousels, vlms and manual pick-to-light flow rack into one workstation.
A single operator works in a round-robin style as directed by the pick-to-light devices on each piece of equipment, keeping labor costs to a minimum. Each piece of equipment automatically positions itself for the next pick, eliminating operator wait or idle time. Order picking needs differ, which is why the universal workstation has the ability to simplify the process by providing the right equipment for each application. By using the horizontal carousel, fast and medium moving skus can be stored, consolidated and easily slotted for batch picking.
Facilities can maximize overhead space and recover up to 85% of floor space by implementing a Shuttle® vlm or vertical carousel into the universal workstation. Both systems automatically deliver stored items to an operator at an ergonomic height with a push of a button.
For information, call 800/639-5805 or visit www.Remstar.com.
Robert Brown Associates launches online catalog
King of Prussia, Pa. — Robert Brown Associates Inc., a distributor of fluid pumps, pump parts and systems for industry, has launched a new online catalog from ThomasNet to better represent its product lines and reach more customers.
The company stocks thousands of fluid pumps in more than 40 categories that could be used in exponentially different ways, from pumping municipal sewage to circulating condensation in an air conditioning unit. They serve customers across industries, including power generation, chemical processing, hvac and plumbing, food and beverage, wastewater and life sciences.
The online catalog provides an easy way for customers and prospects to sort through the options important to them to find the right pump or system for their project. Visitors can search by pump type, manufacturer, key word or part number, comparing up to five items at a time.
“Our new website is like having another salesperson on staff, giving us the tools to better showcase our capabilities,” said Robert Brown Associates president Tom Halley. “Because we represent more than one dozen manufacturers, this online catalog makes it so much easier for our customers to conduct business with us.”
Visit www.rbapump.com.
Shook releases new catalog and price sheets
Akron, Ohio — Shook Manufactured Products Inc. released the latest edition of its printed catalog and distributor price sheets. This is a product-only catalog, so it can provide the opportunity to be distributed to select customers. A distributor price catalog is also available. The catalog can be requested in e-mail format, cd or printed copy.
For additional information, call 800/354-9792 or e-mail shookmfg@earthlink.net.
Updated Tjernlund Products resource CD is now available
White Bear Lake, Minn. — Tjernlund Products, a leading manufacturer of Draft Inducers, Side Wall Vent Systems, Combustion Air In-Forcers™, Duct Booster® and Ventilation Fans for residential, commercial and industrial ventilation applications, has updated its Resource cd which contains a myriad of current information for hvac contractors, distributors and dealer/contractors.
Among the information contained on the cd are product specifications, replacement part lists, literature, fan curves, install/service manuals, wiring diagrams, parts reference, side wall power venter selection software, plus an array of Powerpoint and video presentations.
Resource CDs are available at www.tjernlund.com or by calling 800/255-4208.
Fortune Brands reports 2Q results
Deerfield, Ill. — Fortune Brands Inc., the company behind leading consumer brands including Jim Beam, Titleist and Moen, recently reported results for the second quarter of 2009. In an economic environment that remained very challenging, net sales and operating income before charges/gains both declined at a more moderate pace than in the prior quarter. Net sales for the second quarter were $1.74 billion, down 17%, as the stability of the spirits business tempered double-digit sales declines for the company’s home and golf products.
Reflecting the benefit of lower cost structures, supply-chain initiatives and seasonality, the home products business returned to profitability as expected. Diluted earnings per share were $0.66, and excluding one-time items, diluted eps before charges/gains was $0.70. The stronger U.S. dollar reduced both sales and operating income before charges by 4% and decreased earnings by 5 cents per diluted share.
“Fortune Brands continued to effectively navigate the challenges of the global recession and severe U.S. housing downturn in the second quarter,” said Bruce Carbonari, chairman and ceo of Fortune Brands. “At a time when consumers are being very cautious, we’re pleased that each of our businesses performed in line with our expectations for the quarter and that each is delivering industry-leading operating margins. While we continue to aggressively manage costs, we’ve carefully maintained an appropriate level of strategic investment, which is paying off in innovative new products that are helping us succeed in the marketplace. We’re also confident that our supply-chain and balance-sheet initiatives position us well to emerge from the downturn an even stronger company.
“... As anticipated, our home products business returned to profitability in the second quarter and sales declined at a more moderate pace as compared to the seasonally smaller first quarter. Despite lower year-over-year results, our home products business benefited from its dramatically lower cost structure, share gains with key customers, new products, and the favorable impact of the consumer tax credit for energy-efficient products.”
For details, visit www.moen.com.
JM Eagle expands mfg, distribution, delivery
Los Angeles — Jm Eagle, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of plastic pipe, has begun East Coast production and distribution of its entire line of polyvinyl chloride electrical fittings.
Used in conjunction with the company’s pvc electrical conduit and gas line products, jm Eagle’s complete assortment of pvc electrical fittings — including Schedule 40 fittings, Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 standard radius elbows, special radius sweeps, boxes and couplings — are now being manufactured in Adel, Ga., for distribution to customers throughout the eastern half of the U.S.
“The fittings used with our electrical conduit pvc pipe products have been well received by customers in the West, and we’re pleased to now be able to offer them to the remainder of the country,” said Michael Lang, electrical fittings manager at jm Eagle.
Jm Eagle produces a wide range of pipe products for above-ground and underground applications in the electrical conduit/solvent weld category, including PVC Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 conduit, encased and direct-burial power and communication duct, Type C telephone duct, Schedule 40 utility pipe, and pvc “gas sleeve” pipe.
In related news, jm Eagle has expanded its Express Service Trucking to seven additional plants, and now offers express shipments to customers nationwide via a total of 12 individual shipping locations.
Express Service Trucking provides same day deliveries within 200 miles of certain plants and special deliveries (typically no more than one day) to locations outside a 200-mile radius. With this expansion the company now has Express Service Trucking at seven new sites: Adel, Ga.; Batchelor, La.; McNary, Ore.; Meadville, Pa.; Tacoma, Wash.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Wharton, Texas.
The service was originally launched in September 2008, starting with five of jm Eagle’s California-based plants. To date, over 1,000 deliveries have been made to customers all over the country.
“In this market, distributors are holding far less in inventory,” said ceo Walter Wang. “By offering additional shipping options and flexibility, we are in a better position to serve their needs.”
Jm Eagle’s trucking fleet and express shipping is one of a number of efforts designed to build stronger relationships with — and improve overall service for — its customers of all sizes.
Activant introduces Prophet 21 version 12.0
Yardley, Pa. — Activant Solutions Inc. announced the availability of Activant® Prophet 21® software version 12.0.
“Before we began writing code for Prophet 21 version 12.0, we did an in-depth analysis of industry trends, including having extensive conversations with our customers, to determine what features to include,” said Kevin Roach, executive vice president of Activant. “Our goal with this release of the Prophet 21 software is to help distributors increase efficiencies in their business, helping them through this recession so they will be positioned to take advantage of the opportunities expected to arise during the economic recovery.”
Prophet 21 version 12.0 builds upon existing functionality and is designed to further assist distributors increase sales, improve customer service and reduce operating expenses. Among the many features in Prophet 21 version 12.0 is an enhanced user interface.
In addition, new customer relationship management tools provide ready access to information, allowing users to streamline their day-to-day processes while improving customer service.
Attributes of the Prophet 21 software’s production order and secondary processing functions have been combined into a labor tracking, job costing process that provides true light manufacturing capabilities. Distributors may assign technicians, track labor costs and issue necessary material through a series of processes that manage the entire production process, whether the manufacturing stages are completed by the distributor or a third party.
The Wireless Warehouse Management Solution Workbench capability is designed as a tool for the warehouse manager/supervisor to dynamically manage the flow of transactions within their warehouse operation. The workbench is a dynamic list of transactions ready to pick that can be sorted, grouped and moved about in an ad hoc manner.
Transactions at the top of the list can be quickly pushed to an available employee. Also, the workbench feature has the capability of dynamically creating group pick tickets, providing a command and control tool for dynamic management of the warehouse picking workload, and providing the capability to push higher priority tasks to available “picking” employees while organizing and balancing usual pick loads. This feature increases the visibility of pickers’ tasks, their progress, and their overall performance.
To learn more, visit www.distribution.activant.com, e-mail distribution@activant.com, or call 800/776-7438, press 1.
Industry companies launch, refresh websites
Portsmouth, N.H. — Anvil International, a subsidiary of Mueller Water Products Inc., launched a dramatically enhanced new website with the same address: www.anvilintl.com. It was developed to provide more information on Anvil’s extensive line of products and services, and features a variety of tools for customers and end-users to quickly and easily access the over 1,200 pages of technical content.
Enhancements include:
- Introduction of new 3D cad Library containing models in 17 downloadable formats, including Autocad mep, Revit and Solidworks
- Easy product and cross-part product search
- Secure access of new distributor-only portal
- Customized submittal program for all Anvil® products
- Download customized csi 3 part specifications
- Material test reports and certificates of compliance
- Easy search locator for Anvil representatives/agents
- Smart menu search for product by industry
- Key information related to Anvil brands.
Atlanta — A new online resource for contractors and homeowners, www.rheem.com offers a wealth of relevant information to educate visitors about the company and its whole-home comfort solutions. Engaging and interactive features such as a home comfort tour familiarizes visitors with the company's full line of heating, cooling, water and pool heating, air purification, smart system controls and whole-house stand-by generator products while geographic mapping software creates a truly personalized user-experience.
Homeowners are able to easily navigate the full Rheem product portfolio from the newly unified website. A simplified product browser guides shoppers to the best eco-friendly options from Rheem’s portfolio of choices, while a new “Comfort Tour” feature uses interactive video to familiarize visitors with the complete collection of Rheem whole-home comfort solutions.
The site was designed to give web-savvy shoppers access to relevant content in an easy-to-navigate and engaging format. With many technologically advanced features, the site instantly recognizes each visitor’s geographic location in order to provide customized recommendations, such as region-specific limited time special offers or identifying local Rheem contractors.
Rutherford, N.J. — Steamist has revamped www.steamist.com with a fresh new look and added a microsite with detailed information on the recently launched Total Sense Collection. The site showcases a contemporary design that mirrors the new Steamist style, while offering visitors streamlined navigation.
The microsite, which can be easily reached from the home page or directly at www.totalsense.biz, features in-depth information on the new Total Sense Collection.
This revolutionary new product line is comprised of a menu of residential steambathing products, each of which is designed to deliver a complete, tailored experience for each homeowner. From the user-friendly digital control technology to the new AromaSense™, ChromaSense™ and AudioSense™ options, visitors can easily find all the details they need about how the Total Sense Collection can help create a unique, relaxing retreat in the comfort of their own home.
Luxaire helps fund Wish child’s N.Y. photo shoot, meeting with Nigel Barker
Norman, Okla. — Thirteen-year-old Kalista dreams of becoming a super model. The fact that the teenager suffers from sickle cell anemia has done little to curb her enthusiasm for a career in front of the camera. So when the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America asked Kalista to identify a wish they could grant to her with funds provided by Luxaire®, she was quick to respond.
“Kalista wished to be a super model for a day and meet fashion photographer and America’s Next Top Model judge, Nigel Barker,” said Erin Byers, director of program services and national sponsorships for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma. “We don’t get as many ‘I wish to be’ wishes, which made Kalista’s wish a bit unusual.”
So, earlier this year, Kalista and her parents, two brothers and sister flew from Oklahoma to New York City for sightseeing, shopping and the wished-for photo shoot and meeting with Barker. However, Kalista’s celebrity treatment actually began a few days earlier when volunteers surprised her with a makeover party at the salon where she gets her hair done.
Then, it was off to New York where Kalista and her family visited the Empire State Building. On day two she was free to enjoy a day of shopping. “We provided expense money and suggestions as to what they could do, but the itinerary for the day was theirs to create,” explained Byers. On the third day of her four-day trip, Kalista met Nigel Barker and posed for the camera in her role as super model for the day.
For more information, visit www.luxairebelievesinme.com or call 877/958-9247.
The dream of 13-year-old Kalista to be a super model and meet fashion photographer and America’s Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker came true earlier this year, when Luxaire and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America funded a trip to New York City for a photo shoot and meeting with Barker.
Updated Tjernlund Products resource CD is now available
White Bear Lake, Minn. — Tjernlund Products, a leading manufacturer of Draft Inducers, Side Wall Vent Systems, Combustion Air In-Forcers™, Duct Booster® and Ventilation Fans for residential, commercial and industrial ventilation applications, has updated its Resource cd which contains a myriad of current information for hvac contractors, distributors and dealer/contractors.
Among the information contained on the cd are product specifications, replacement part lists, literature, fan curves, install/service manuals, wiring diagrams, parts reference, side wall power venter selection software, plus an array of Powerpoint and video presentations.
Resource CDs are available at www.tjernlund.com or by calling 800/255-4208.
WaterFurnace holds annual sales meeting
Fort Wayne, Ind. — More than 400 WaterFurnace International Inc. dealers, distributors and employees from North America gathered in San Antonio, Texas for the manufacturer’s 26th annual national sales meeting.
“Our annual sales meetings provide the company with another opportunity to support our dealers and distributors,” said vice president-sales and marketing Phil Albertson. “We use this time to exchange ideas and experiences while providing important information about products, software and marketing tools that will help dealers and distributors more effectively sell, install and service geothermal systems in the field.”
In addition to information about new and existing products, the meeting agenda included a state of the industry report and the presentation of annual sales awards.
Distributor of the Year honors went to Eden Energy Equipment, Guelph, Ont. Dealer sales awards included Outstanding Sales, presented to Peters Heating & Air Conditioning, Hamilton, Ill., and Top Sales for a single location, presented to J. K. Mechanical Inc., Willow Street, Pa. For a complete list of award winners honored at this year’s annual sales meeting, visit www.waterfurnace.com/asm.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to recognize the retirement and honor the accomplishments of former WaterFurnace ceo Bruce Ritchey. The tribute included a video montage that highlighted Ritchey’s service to WaterFurnace and to the geothermal industry.
“During his 10-year tenure at WaterFurnace, Bruce guided the company through a tremendous period of growth,” said Tim Shields, chairman of the board of WaterFurnace. “This success, coupled with his in-depth knowledge of the geothermal industry and his tremendous leadership skills have positioned the company very well for a future of continued growth.”
For additional information, visit www.waterfurnace.com.