PHCC, ASA Convention to Retain 'Network' Theme

For its 2006 convention, PHCC NA said in March that it will continue with the "networking" theme initiated with the inaugural "Network" event that took place in September, 2005. Hosting both the PHCC and the American Supply Association conventions, the Network '06 event will be held in Chicago Sept. 28-30 at the same time as the ISH North America Show. Check out the Calendar of Events in upcoming issues for more information, or visit www.network06.org

Alsons, Falcon Waterfree Win ADEX Design Awards

Falcon Waterfree Technologies of Grand Rapids said its new waterfree urinals have been recognized with a 2006 ADEX Platinum Award for product design of furniture, fixtures and finishes marketed to the design trade. And Alsons Corp.'s shower products took home gold, silver and platinum awards in the Architectural Product Design category competition. Alson's 7-Spray Shower Head took a Platinum Award, which is the highest level of ADEX recognition, while its In2ition hand shower/shower head and its 7-spray hand shower took Gold and Silver Awards, respectively. Falcon's F4000 and F5000 urinals received the Platinum Award in the Commercial Bath category. The products were selected by a panel of independent judges from approximately two thousand new products from around the world.

Remote Dynamics Joins QSC As an Industry Partner

Remote Dynamics, Inc., a Richardson, Texas-based provider of mobile resource management products for commercial fleets, said Mar. 7 it has joined the Quality Service Contractors as an Industry Partner.

Under the program, both QSC's 225 members and PHCC's 3,700 member firms will be eligible to equip their service fleets with Remote Dynamics' REDIview Web-based mobile resource management solutions for short-haul metro fleets at preferential special membership terms and pricing.

"QSC's mission is to provide the quality service contractor with training, technology, and professional development, resulting in superior client service and satisfaction," said QSC executive director Charlie Wallace. "Understanding the service timeliness and costs associated with completing the ticket via REDIview will enable our members to offer the quality of service associated with QSC's mission statement."

REDIview Fleet uses GPS technology to provide fleet operators with detailed, real-time vehicle information such as speed, direction, idle time, arrival and departure verification, fuel efficiency, and ignition on/off.

A.O. Smith Adds Western Reps

A. O. Smith of Ashland City, Tenn., has added X-Cel Sales as a manufacturer's representative for its line of commercial and residential water heaters. The agency will serve Colorado, Wyoming and Southwestern Nebraska in addition to Arizona and Clark County, Nev. The company said contractors and wholesalers in the above regions should contact Shawn Marley at X-Cel Sales by phone at (602) 43-4466 or by e-mail at shawnmarley@xcelsales.net.

Ridge Tool Opens New DC

Ridge Tool Company, a manufacturer of hand and power tools based in of Elyria, Ohio, has debuted a new 125,000 square foot North American distribution center in Cambridge, Ohio. The new distribution facility's aim is to enhance Ridge Tool's logistics capabilities and business practices to better serve its customers. Ridge Tool is a subsidiary of St. Louis, Missouri-based Emerson.

Hacker Industries Offers Training

Hacker Industries, Inc., of Newport Beach, Calif., a supplier of gypsum floor underlayments commonly used in the radiant heating market, is offering a new series of training seminars for its licensed applicators. The 2-day training seminars will focus on the company's True-Screed and Dyna-Screed cementitious leveling underlayments. The company's underlayment specialists, technicians and outside experts will provide professional instruction regarding preparation techniques and installation guidelines for the new hydraulic cement-based floor underlayments. Other topics include step-by-step methods for successfully preparing slabs before installation, industry terminology, estimating and sales. For details about becoming a Licensed Applicator, contact Hacker Industries, Inc. at (800) 642-3455 or e-mail at info@hackerindustries.com.

Taco Announces Second Price Increase

Cranston, RI, March 2, 2006 - Taco, Inc. a manufacturer of pumps, valves, tanks, accessories and smart controls for use in residential and commercial hydronic applications, has announced a price increase on all of its residential circulators The price increase, averaging 4 percent and effective Mar. 15, involves all Taco "00" circulators, including priority zoning, IFC, LoadMatch,?and radiant application circulators. The company said the price hikes are in response to rising commodity prices, especially for bronze, copper and steel. Earlier this year Taco, Inc. announced price increases ranging between 2.5 and 5 percent on its commercial products line.

Service Roundtable Provides eLearning

The Service Roundtable of Grapevine, Texas, has announced the immediate availability of business-focused e-Learning for Service Roundtable members. The Service Roundtable training library consists of more than 250 online courses, in addition to courses delivered on CD's, VHS tapes, and books. The courses cover a wide range of material, including business management, finance, sales, human resources, legal, personal development, basic PC skills, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Office. Point your browser to www.serviceroundtable.com for more information.

California Faucets Opens Florida Warehouse

California Faucets of Huntington Beach, Calif., recently opened a new warehouse in Lake Park, Fla., that will stock rough valves, extensions, cartridges and common repair parts for its line of decorative faucets, trim and accessories. Dolphin Marketing Group, the newly appointed sales representative in the state for California Faucets, will operate the warehouse. California Faucets operates similar warehouses in Texas and New Jersey. The entire product line, as well as dealer locations, can be viewed on the company's website at www.calfaucets.com.

Service magic, a provider of online marketing services for residential contractors and home service professionals in the United States, said it is expanding its services into Canada. Canadian home service professionals and residential contractors will now have access to a targeted online marketing service that creates a way for them to have broad Internet exposure and reach the increasing number of homeowners utilizing the Internet to find local home service professionals. "We are excited to expand our operations into Canada to provide residential contactors with an online tool that will increase their revenue and profits by connecting them with the growing number of homeowners going online to find local home service professionals," said Michael Beaudoin, co-CEO and co-founder of ServiceMagic.

Elkay Opens New Utah Facility

"Elkay West," a 106,000 square foot facility in Ogden, Utah, opened its doors recently. The new plant, which replaces the company's former 40,000 square foot plant, will serve as a regional distribution center for some of the company's product lines while providing manufacturing for its stainless steel single and double-basin sinks. "The near-tripling of space for our production lines will improve our lead time, while providing a more comfortable work environment for our staff," said Elkay West plant manager Bruce Campbell.

Sonia Announces Design Competition for Sales Staff

Sonia America, Inc., a manufacturer storage solutions and bath accessories in Sunrise, Fla., has rolled out its, "You know what you should do..." furniture design competition, a nationwide "call for entry" to all Sonia dealers to submit their own Sonia furniture design. The winning designer will receive a trip to Valencia, Spain to witness the design's engineering and production by Sonia. The designer may also participate in the naming of the piece, which will be featured at K/BIS 2007. The competition runs from Jan. 1 to Jun. 15. For more information, please call 888-SONIAUS or visit www.sonia-sa.com.

In-Sink-Erator Sends Dallas Plumber to Pro Bowl

Rick Gatto at the Pro Bowl

In-Sink-Erator concluded its Pro Circle Pro Bowl Sweepstakes by sending the Big Winner, D.R. "Rick" Gatto, of Liberty Plumbing in Dallas, to Honolulu Feb. 12 to watch the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl game. Plumbing contractors who applied and became a certified Pro Circle member between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, 2005 were automatically entered into the Pro Circle sweepstakes. In addition, ten first prize winners were awarded an official NFL football, personalized with their name and favorite NFL team. These Pro Circle winners were Tommy Newton (Rapidan Plumbing, Inc., Fredericksburg, Va.), Charles Mitchel (Mitchel Plumbing Co., Tacoma), David Skarphol (Manning Mechanical, Inc., Fargo, N.D.), Steven Heidler (Heidler, Inc., Annapolis), Dean Jones (Sarver Plumbing, Inc., Arcanum, Ohio), Andrew Farley (Andrew G. Farley Plumbing & Heating, Albrightsville, Pa.), Troy Geer (A. Geer Plumbing, Barberton, Ohio), Frank Dufek (Dufek, Inc., Kenilworth, N.J.), W.B. Maples (Cove Plumbing, Inc., Copperas, Texas), and William Lane (Superior Plumbing, Inc., Dedham, Mass.)

Stat-O-Matic

Even as more people are working in Hawaii, fewer are getting sick or hurt on the job. Hawaii's rate of nonfatal work-related injuries or illnesses fell from 6.2 per 100 workers in 2000 to 4.9 in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number is close to the national average of 4.8. Among the Hawaii jobs with the highest rates of illness or injury are truck drivers and warehouse workers (11.8 cases per 100 workers); heavy construction (10.3); airline workers (9.8) and plumbing and air conditioning contractors (9.6). The lowest rates are in retail sales, banking and finance and various white-collar professions. The statistics include only those cases of illness or injury specifically related to work.

CSLB’s Hall Passes

The California Contractors State License Board vice chairman John C. Hall has died. Hall was first appointed to the CSLB as a public member in 2000 by then-Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg. Hall served as chair of the Legislative Committee and Enforcement Committee. In 2004 he was elected board secretary; in 2005 he was elected vice chair. Hall also served as the business manager for the Plumbers Union Local 78 in Los Angeles for more than 11 years. A memorial service was held on Mar. 1 in Los Angeles. Donations can be made on Hall's behalf at Shriner's Hospital for Children in Los Angeles or Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles.