Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this edition's sponsor -- Caroma, leaders in high efficiency urinals and dual flush toilets. New Caroma Smart Technology™ provides significant water savings, averaging 0.9 gallons/flush, saving up to 44% compared to 1.6 gpf and 74% compared to 3.5 gpf toilets. The Smart technology is also used in the recently introduced waterless and 1 pint urinals. All Caroma toilets have a large trapway, virtually eliminating blockages. With 41 WaterSense labeled toilets, Caroma provides exceptional performance while conserving valuable water resources. www.caromausa.com
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Plumbing Engineer sales rep by visiting www.plumbingengineer.com.
AFSA hosts successful convention
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) celebrated its 27th Annual Convention and Exhibition October 15-19 in Washington, DC. As a tribune to the spirit of our nation's capital, attendees at this - the nation's largest - fire sprinkler industry trade show honored industry leaders, as well as those in the armed forces who protect our freedom.
With dozens of educational seminars to choose from, convention attendees faced some tough decisions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings. For the 16th straight year, AFSA offered local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) a free plan review seminar and a chance to explore the industry's largest exhibition. Ninety-one AHJs attended this year.
In addition to attending their choice of 36 seminars offered, the approximately 1,250 fire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, architects, Authorities Having Jurisdiction, and other industry professionals in attendance explored AFSA's exhibition, which featured a record-breaking 168 booths offering the products and services of 131 companies.
Viega provides training after making donation to tornado-destroyed town
On May 4, 2007, a devastating EF-5 tornado destroyed 95 percent of the buildings in Greensburg, Kan. On Aug. 7, 2008, Viega announced it would help with rebuilding efforts by donating a MANABLOC® homerun water distribution system for every home being rebuilt in Greensburg and the surrounding area.
Presented to residents of Kiowa County, Kan. through the Greensburg GreenTown Initiative, residents who sustained losses in Kiowa County can sign up for a free MANABLOC homerun water distribution system at the Green Sustainability Visitor Center in Greensburg, Kan.
The Viega donation of $300,000 worth of plumbing products to tornado-ravaged Kiowa County residents will supply hot and cold water for a typical 1,200 square-foot home. The entire package includes:
- A 24-port ViegaPEX Press MANABLOC
- 1/2”, 3/8” and 3/4” ViegaPEX tubing (in red and blue)
- All the Viega fittings required to make the system operate
To further solidify Viega’s commitment to rebuilding Greensburg, Viega district manager Darin Barnes, and Viega director of training Mark Parent traveled to Greensburg, Kan. on Oct. 8, 2008 to give a hands-on MANABLOC presentation to plumbers and contractors helping rebuild the city. Now the twelve plumbing installers who attended the training will have a better understanding how the MANABLOC operates, proper installation techniques and what makes the system green.
Viega has a long-standing commitment to manufacturing quality, energy and water-efficient, plumbing and heating products. It made sense for Viega to associate itself with a town committed to rebuilding, living and promoting a green message.
Tommy Gainey finishes second in PGA Tour’s final event
Tommy Gainey, a former employee at A. O. Smith’s McBee, S.C., water heater plant, concluded his rookie PGA Tour season with a second place finish in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, held Nov. 6–9 at Disney World’s Magnolia and Palm Golf Courses in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Edged out by one stroke by 20-time PGA Tour winner Davis Love III, Gainey carded 31 birdies, the most of any player in the field, and vaulted from No. 228 to No. 148 on the PGA Tour’s money list.
Gainey’s conditional status for finishing in the top 150 should earn him about 15 Tour starts next year and admittance into the final stage of PGA Q-School. “I had one week, and this was the week. I definitely assured myself of a place to play next year,” said Gainey.
New Products
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High-efficiency dual flush toilet The new Sydney Smart from Caroma is a high efficiency dual flush toilet providing significant water savings over other dual flush toilets (averaging just 0.9 gallons per flush). The toilet is easily installed and ideal for new construction or retrofits. Because of a large trapway, the HET is virtually unblockable. The contemporary-styled Sydney Smart provides clean lines for easy cleaning and features washdown technology, pushing waste from the bowl for greater drain line carry. Caroma. |
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Eye/face wash system The Axion MSR eye wash system irrigates the eye in a manner that is most consistent with eye care professionals. Using a patented design, Axion MSR sweeps contaminates outwardly safely away from the nasal cavity. Haws Corp.
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PIPE-FLO Professional 2009 design software The PIPE-FLO product line is used by designers and operators to gain a clear picture of their fluid piping systems. The program allows users to visualize their systems in a familiar format, calculate system operations, easily communicate the design with others, and access supporting documents in electronic format. PIPE-FLO is different from other software of this type because of the integration with the pump selection tool PUMP-FLO™. This allows system designers to specify and select exactly which pump would work best in their piping system from over 100 actual pump manufacturer catalogs. Engineered Software, Inc. |
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Aqus greywater system Reclaims greywater from bathroom drains and reuses it in toilets, saving thousands of gallons of water annually. Installation of a Aqus greywater system contributes to LEED point certification. System funnels water that flows down lavatory sinks and routes it through a sanitizing device that disinfects and filters the water. The water then goes through a storage reservoir under the sink. When a toilet that's connected to the system flushes, water is pumped from the reservoir to flush tank. Sloan Valve. |
Movers & Shakers
“I am delighted to announce Dave Schulte as publisher of Phc News and Brad Burnside of Plumbing Engineer. Dave and Brad have been extremely active in the marketplace; both are very customer and service oriented and each has done a remarkable sales job. I feel very comfortable turning over the reigns to them,” said Brown.
The promotions further strengthen TMB Publishing’s commitment to the plumbing, PVF and heating industry and ensure proper company leadership. “Our policy here at TMB Publishing is to have the best possible people in strategic positions, and to make smart, solid business investments,” said Brown.
Dave Schulte has been with TMB Publishing since 2000 as sales manager on all three TMB books -- Phc News, The Wholesaler and Plumbing Engineer. Prior to TMB Publishing, Schulte worked inside sales for Cahners Publishing from 1995-1997 and as Midwest sales manager from 1997-1999. Dave prides himself on the fact that he has been involved with Phc News since its inception, nearly 10 years ago. “Phc News has come a long way in 10 years. As a leading publication in the industry, our investments in editorial and circulation further strengthen Phc News as the No. 1 choice for the plumbing, hydronic and mechanical contractor,” said Schulte.
Schulte is a 1993 graduate of the University of Missouri, with a Bachelor of Arts in English/Political Science.
Brad Burnside has been with TMB Publishing for 2-1/2 years. Before joining TMB Publishing, Burnside was vice president of sales for Gillis Associated Industries a div. of Leggett & Platt (Fortune 500 Company). Burnside is a 1991 graduate from Elon University, Burlington, N.C., with a double major business/history.
“The goal for Plumbing Engineer is to assist in making the publication the dominant magazine in the industry by delivering important and value-added information to the engineering community on a consistent basis,” Burnside said. |
Representing a defining move in what can be described as positive strategic positioning for the future of TMB Publications