Rooter-Man Earns Franchise Kudos
Rooter-Man, a national plumbing and drain cleaning franchise, has been ranked the No. 1 Plumbing Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine for the 8th consecutive year (2003-2010). Rooter-Man was also ranked No. 87 on the publication's Annual Franchise 500. Not one to rest on its laurels, the company added it has been named to 2nd Annual "AllBusiness AllStar Franchises" list compiled by Dun & Bradstreet's subsidiary AllBusiness.com, the ranking lists the nation's top 300 franchises. Ranked No. 132, this is the second time the company made the list.
Danfoss Wins Product Of The Year Award
Danfoss' Performer VSD, a variable speed compressor for residential use, was honored with the AHR Expo Product of the Year Award. Performer VSD was chosen from among the nine category-winners of the 2010 AHR Expo Innovation Awards, an industry-wide competition designed to promote and encourage product innovation. Danfoss won the Innovation Award in the "Green Building" category and then was selected from among the nine winners to earn the Product of the Year Award for 2010.
'Lifestyle' site for THG
THG USA, the importer of luxury bath products from the house of Tetard, Haudiquez and Grisoni (THG), has launched what is calls a, "cutting edge luxury lifestyle Web site."
The new site provides THG's consumers, industry-insiders, and sales associates with news, tips, and trends related to THG USA and the luxury bath manufacturing world, the company said.
SSi Launches New Site
Sustainable Solutions International, North American distributor of Caroma products has upgraded
its Web site to provide in-depth product details on all of its products. Designed for architects, designers and consumers, the new site can be navigated via a row of tabs located at the top of the home page. The products tab features a drop-down menu, which provides additional information about each company and product within SSi, such as fluid faucets and Caroma. The site also contains convenient information, including a complete list of showrooms worldwide that carry SSi's products.
Levi Introduces Teleseminar Program
Occasional Reeves Journal business columnist Al Levi said he has teamed up with fellow communist and industry observer, Ellen Rohr, to debut a new teleseminar program called, "Get More Calls Now." The series, which rolled out Mar. 16, which will reveal marketing "drivers" that will get your phones ringing with lots of business. Learn more
on the Web site. Grundfos Offers Online Training
"Thinking Buildings Universe" is a new Web site from Grundfos Building Services that offers contractors and engineers a complete range of information and tools on commercial pumps to help make their building projects come together more smoothly. From quick-reference terminology, theories and e-learning, to sizing tools and sustainable pumping solutions,
the Web site delivers everything specifiers and installers need to identify and size the correct technologies for their applications, the company said.
Leonard Valve Fetes H&H Reps
Leonard Valve Company announced that H & H Representatives received the company's Frederick C. Leonard Award at its recent national sales meeting. Leonard Valve president E. Niles Wilcox presented the award, which recognizes H & H as being the top sales representative organization for the past year. Chris Bankhead, vice president of H & H Representatives, accepted the award on behalf of the entire organization. H & H, based in Charlotte, N.C., has been in business since 1983.
New Web Presence for Webstone
Webstone, manufacturer of The Isolator, Isolator EXP, Pro-Connect and Pro-Pal step-saving valves, has redesigned
its Web site, making it easier to browse the company's complete line of valve solutions, find the latest product news, view specification sheets, product literature and more. Founded in 1954, Webstone's valves are used in plumbing, hydronic, radiant, solar and geothermal applications.
PPFA Seats Officers, Board Members
The Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association has elected Richard Schroeder, president of Cresline Plastic Pipe Co. Inc., to serve as its president for 2010. In other action, the association posted: Rich Houle, associate product manager, commercial plumbing for Uponor, as vice president; and Kurt Waldhauer, president of American Maplan Corp., as the association's treasurer for 2010. Additionally, three new board members have been elected for 2010: B.J. Hebert, business director for PVC Resins of Oxy Vinyls; Dan Schmierer, CEO of Viega LLC; and Leon Salter, vice president for Plastics Production of Charlotte Pipe & Foundry Co.
PMI Posts Board Member, Committee Chair
The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute has elected Fernando Fernandez to the PMI Board of Directors as a director-at-large and announced the appointment of Michael Martinez as the co-chair of the universal conformity assessment committee. Fernandez, deputy director of codes and standards for TOTO USA, will begin his appointment immediately. Fernandez also serves as a co-chair of the plumbing products committee. Martinez, manager of product compliance for Price Pfister, will begin his chairmanship with the 2010 PMI Spring Meeting. Martinez will serve with Maja Jankov of Duravit USA.
North American Technician Excellence has announced the resignation of its president, Rex Boynton, who departed Jan. 15, to pursue other opportunities. To help chart NATE's course during its next phase of growth, the organization tapped David R. Pannier to serve as interim president. Pannier served in leadership roles on numerous industry boards, including NATE’s, before retiring as president of Trane Residential Systems in 2009.
