In Brief
- Ferguson Enterprises will make a $10,000 matching contribution to
support the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation's
"Invest In Your Future" Annual Giving Campaign. New contributions made
to the 2005 fund-raiser will be matched by one-third using the Ferguson gift.
Proceeds of the fund-raiser benefit the Foundation and the PHCC National
Auxiliary Scholarship Program. Ferguson's matching gift complements a
matching program from In-Sink-Erator. Contribution forms are available
from the Foundation at 800/533-7694.
- The 2005 United Association/ Mechanical Contractors Association of America
Labor Relations Conference will take place Oct. 20-22 at the Westin Diplomat
Resort in Hollywood, Fla. The program examines the challenges facing the mechanical
contracting industry and the strategies that have been put in place to address
them. Register online at www.mcaa.org/ education. For more information,
contact Sean McGuire at [email protected].
- Effective Sept. 1, Chicago Faucets' facility in Des Plaines, Ill.,
ceased manufacturing operations. Some operations will be moved to company
facilities in Milwaukee and Michigan City, Ind.; others will be outsourced
to third parties. The company said it reached its decision after negotiations
for a new collective bargaining agreement with the International Association
of Machinists and Aerospace Workers were unsuccessful.
- The American and Canadian national standards for gas equipment in
commercial kitchens have been updated. The new versions of the product standard
and installation codes will enhance safety and sanitation by requiring that
"commercial-grade" moveable gas connectors (based on ANSI Z21.69/CSA 6.16)
be used for all equipment that is moved on a regular basis for cleaning or
maintenance. Many restaurants had used residential-grade connectors.
- AHR Expo 2006, Jan. 23-25 in Chicago, will include a focus on Green
Buildings featuring "green" exhibitors and conference sessions by the U.S
Green Building Council.
- Elkay has successfully implemented its first vendor managed inventory
program for water cooler and fountain products, which the company says will
further optimize supply chain performance. The pilot program was initiated
with Central Supply of Indiana.