ASHRAE, GBI take Sustainability Pledge
Through a new memorandum of understanding, ASHRAE and the Green Building Initiative will work together to accelerate the adoption of sustainability principles in the built environment. The agreement was approved by ASHRAE and by the GBI Board of Directors during their respective winter meetings. The agreement calls for the groups to promote the design, construction and operation of buildings that are energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally responsible by, among other things, providing education and training, promoting the link between sustainable design and actual performance outcomes and encourage and/or undertake research that identifies specific economic and environmental benefits of green building practices, among other items.

Ferman is Member of the Year
Randy Ferman, Manager of R&D for Flowserve’s Pump Division, has been honored as the Hydraulic Institute 2008 Member of the Year. The award was presented at the 92nd Annual Meeting recently held in Marco Island, Fla. He was chosen for his significant and sustained contributions to the Hydraulic Institute. Ferman served as Chairman of the Hydraulic Institute/Pump Systems Matter “Optimizing Pumping Systems” Guidebook (OPS) Committee, leading to publication in 2008 of the 200+ page guide in less than two years. In addition, Ferman has served as chair and actively participated in numerous other organization initiatives.

JACLO Acquires Taps & More LLC
JACLO, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing products and advanced shower solutions, said Feb. 17 it had acquired Taps & More LLC, in Cross Roads, Texas. Taps & More is an importer of Hollys of Bath, makers of the English Country line of bath faucets and fittings, and Steam Valve Original, manufacturers of solid stainless steel kitchen faucets and pot fillers. These offerings will be folded into the JACLO product line. Timothy J. Mullally Sr., the former owner of Taps & More, will be actively involved in the transition.

NKBA Announces Student Winners
The National Kitchen & Bath Association in February announced the ten winners of the 2008/2009 NKBA Student Design Competition, which offers $10,000 in scholarships. The winners will be awarded at the NKBA Design Competition Awards Luncheon during the K/BIS Apr. 30-May 3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The winners were: Kitchens: 1st Place: Sanchali Srivastava, West Valley College, Saratoga, Calif.; 2nd Place: Gladys Y. Chan, West Valley College, Saratoga, Calif.; 3rd Place: Alissa Mortensen, Brigham Young University—Idaho, Rexburg Idaho; Honorable Mention: Cecilia Yang, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, Calif., and Dawnelle Sarlo, Brigham Young University, Rexburg, Idaho. In the Bathroom category, winners were: 1st Place: Gladys Y. Chan, West Valley College, Saratoga, Calif.; 2nd Place: Michelle Hamilton, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, Ill.; 3rd Place: Paula Ricca, Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, Colo.; Honorable Mention: Megan Klement, Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, Minn.; and Caitlin Stewart, Brigham Young University—Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho.

PACE Supply Opens Three Branches
PACE Supply Corp., a Santa Rosa, California-based wholesale plumbing distributor, will have a trio of new branch locations operating in the Bay Area by the end of this month. Opening first in March was a new, 32,000 square foot location in Santa Clara. The company said April would see the opening of locations in San Francisco (42,000 square feet) and Oakland (39,000 square feet). The company said it will be adding about 90 employees, including warehouse workers, truck drivers and sales staff, bringing its head count to 365.

Heat Transfer Products Unveils Canada Reps
Heat Transfer Products recently announced the following lineup of independent sales agents in Canada: The Morgan Group will be responsible for the province of Ontario; KVC Industries Corp. will be responsible for the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia; and Nova West Hydro Thermal Sales will be responsible for the provinces in Atlantic Canada, including Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The company said it’s also actively searching for sales representation in other Canadian provinces, including Quebec.

Kindred Appoints New Reps
Kindred, the North American-manufactured and marketed brand that currently commands more than half of the Canadian market for kitchen and vanity sinks, said it is adding to its U.S. representation with eight new agencies covering 11 states in all regions from Utah to Georgia, Florida to Michigan. The new reps in the Western U.S. are Lines of Design in Denver, which will handle Colorado, and Mountain West Marketing in Pleasant View, Utah, which will service Utah and Southern Idaho.

Watts Launches Education Site
Watts Water Technologies, Inc., said Mar. 9 it had launched a new informational Web site at www.WeAreLeadFree.net that will provide frequent updates on what is happening around the country with “Lead Free” legislation and requirements. This Web site will provide an interactive map showing the status of “Lead Free” initiatives nationwide, downloadable catalogs and educational material.

Ferguson Showrooms Honor Remodelers
Ferguson, the country’s largest wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies, as well as a leading distributor of lighting, appliances, and other remodeling materials, will honor remodelers during the month of March, hosting National Remodeler’s Month in all Ferguson showrooms. Locations across the country will host a variety of specialty events to showcase products and thank remodelers for their business. For those not previously affiliated with Ferguson, this is an excellent opportunity to meet the showroom staff and learn about product offerings and how Ferguson Showrooms can help their businesses. Visit the Ferguson Web site to find the showroom nearest you.

Correction:
The listing of our California PEX story in the March ptint issue’s Table of Contents (PEX & The City, Pg. 24) erroneously suggests the IPEX brand of PEX tubing had gained, “approval in California.” In fact, the listing should have read: “PEX gains approval in California.” The editors regret the typo and any confusion it may have caused.