Viega Takes ASPE Award
Viega, a Kansas-based heating and plumbing manufacturer, took home the coveted 2008 ASPE Industry Award from October’s 2008 American Society of Plumbing Engineers Engineered Plumbing Exposition in Long Beach, Calif. “The real ‘rock stars’ at Viega are the engineers who dream up the products we sell to our customers--like our new ProPress Stainless Steel System,” said CEO Dan Schmierer. ASPE presents the 2008 ASPE Industry Award to a plumbing industry-related company for providing “outstanding service to the advancement of plumbing engineering technology.”

Sloan is CIPH’s ‘Most Innovative’
Sloan Valve Company’s new Sloan ECOS electronic dual-flush Flushometer was awarded most innovative product at the 2008 CIPHEX West trade show and conference held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Sept. 25-26. The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating show combined the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada and the World Plumbing Conference with the theme, “Water—Our Business, Our Life, Our Responsibility.” CIPH voted the Sloan ECOS Flushometer as a “Most Innovative Product” in the industrial category.

T&S Brass Launches AB1953-Compliant Line
Traveler’s Rest, S.C.-based T&S Brass and Bronze Works took advantage of October’s 2008 American Society of Plumbing Engineers Engineered Plumbing Exposition in Long Beach, Calif. to debut a new line of products compliant with California’s AB1953. In September of 2006, California Assembly Bill 1953 was signed into law. It will mandate the lead content of products to be a weighted average of not more than 0.25 percent in pipes, fixtures, and fittings in California after Jan 1, 2010. The company said its new products would be available ahead of the deadline.

JACLO Pockets Multiple Design Awards
JACLO—a manufacturer of decorative plumbing products, took home more awards than any other manufacturer at the Seventh Annual DPHA Conference and Product Showcase, which took place at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Oct. 24-26. Larry Brodey, CEO of JACLO, won the award for Industry Professional of the Year. Brodey, along with the national sales manager of JACLO, T.J. Mullally and executive sales assistant Michelle Auerbach, accepted awards for Customer Service Department of the Year and Most Innovative Product of the Year for the Dream Light Rain Canopy, as well.

Networkcar Now Networkfleet
Networkcar, a San Diego-based supplier of wireless GPS fleet management systems, said Oct. 28 it is changing its name to Networkfleet. The name change and corresponding new brand image reflects the company’s sole focus on helping commercial and government fleets to increase operating efficiency and reduce costs. The company also announced its recent move to a larger, newly renovated building in San Diego to expand its headquarters. This new building nearly doubles the company’s office space to accommodate current and future growth.

GreenPlumbers Wow Conservation Conference
Sacramento-based environmental training and accreditation program GreenPlumbers USA furthered its mission by holding five free workshops over four days of the WaterSmart Innovations ‘08 conference held recently in Las Vegas. The workshops encompassed 32 hours of continuing education for plumbers, including training on water conservation, climate care, solar hot water and new technologies. More than 450 plumbers and other industry professionals, from upward of 30 states, attended the workshops and became accredited GreenPlumbers. For more information, visit greenplumbersusa.com or watersmartinnovations.com.

AWWA Releases 2008 State of the Industry Report
Source water supply and protection emerged as the top area of concern among North American water professionals in the 2008 “State of the Industry Report,” published by the American Water Works Association. The report, now in its fifth year, represents an annual checkup for the water industry, with more than 1,800 leaders assessing the overall health of the industry and identifying key challenges. Members may access the report online at awwa.org/publications. Non-members may purchase the report through www.thewaterlibrary.com

QSC Recognized by Nonprofit
The Quality Service Contractors’ organization was recognized with an “Outstanding Supporter Award” at the annual Challenge Air for Kids & Friends Gala Oct. 25 in Dallas. The presentation occurred during the 15th anniversary celebration of Challenge Air, which was held at the Southwest Airlines Headquarters at Dallas Love Field. QSC was recognized for raising more than $125,000 for Challenge Air over the past five years.

Flip This Heater
The State Premier Power-Vent DV water heater has made its television debut on A&E Network’s “Flip This House.” The episode that featured a house being flipped in the Los Angeles area, was aired Nov. 22. Rudy Martinez, host of “Flip This House” in Los Angeles, was shown purchasing the State Premier Power-Vent DV from Lucas Plumbing in Torrance, Calif. After the purchase, the plumbers from Lucas Plumbing were shown installing the unit in the house in Simi Valley, Calif. In addition to “Flip This House,” State brand water heaters were also featured on HGTV’s “Dream House” program in 2007.

Sterling Revamps Web Site
In an effort to create a more personal, connected experience for users, Sterling has launched its newly redesigned kitchen and bath plumbing products Web site at sterlingplumbing.com. The complete overhaul focuses on speed, enhanced features and functionality, and overall user-friendliness. The improved navigation of the site allows users to more easily locate product information, the “Where to Buy” locator, product and “how to” videos, resource guides, and other key pages.