General News

RighTime Home Services San Diego and ARS/Rescue Rooter San Diego have donated and performed free home comfort work to a veteran in need.  Both a new HVAC unit and water heater was provided to Adam Martel, a Navy veteran. Martel was identified through collaboration with ARS/Rescue Rooter and Vet’s Community Connections in San Diego as part of the national ARS Cares Program.

Martel followed the tradition of his grandfather and father and joined the military, serving eight years in the Navy. On May 19, 2009, he was involved in a helicopter accident, and he stills emotionally suffers from the loss of fellow servicemen. “I have completed three tours of service, and I have been a part of OEF (Afghanistan) and OIF (Iraq) with numerous medals, awards and citations on board the USS Nimitz. In 2007 did my re-enlistment on board the USS Arizona in Hawaii,” notes Martel. “I attempted to join the guard but was disqualified due to my PTSD. The loss was that great.”

After an honorable discharge in 2011, Martel has struggled with PTSD and, subsequently, had trouble keeping up with several home repairs. Vet’s Community Connections in San Diego identified Martel through the Wounded Warrior Project as a good candidate for the ARS Cares program.

Both RighTime Home Services of San Diego and ARS/Rescue Rooter San Diego are part of the American Residential Services (ARS) network, which is a Memphis, Tenn. based, privately-held national provider of air conditioning, heating and plumbing services. The ARS Cares program donates a HVAC system or water heater to a veteran in need by enlisting the help of local veterans’ agencies. Once a veteran in need is identified, ARS works with their local service center and ensures the installation process goes smoothly. Martel is the recipient of collaboration between the two ARS service centers.

RighTime Home Services San Diego went to Martel’s home to originally evaluate the HVAC system. However, the service team also noticed a leak in Martel’s water heater.

The team at RighTime quickly reached out to their sister service center and plumbing specialists, ARS/Rescue Rooter San Diego, to ensure that Martel had installation water heater installed as well, and at no cost. Neil Chapman, RighTime Home Services’ General Manager, says, “We are very happy to have supported Mr. Martel, and we love every opportunity to give back to our community.” In fact, RighTime Home Services had two military veterans, Rich Valle and Jeffrey Berg, working on the project for Martel, and both RighTime and ARS/Rescue Rooter San Diego were happy to donate their time and resources.

Adam Martel will now have a newly-installed HVAC unit, a new hot water heater, and several additional members to add to his veterans’ fellowship network from this ARS Cares installation. “It is a privilege to be able to serve those who have selflessly served our country,” says Chris Mellon, CMO. “We’re proud of our employees who volunteered to help with this installation, particularly the veterans that are giving back to a fellow vet. Not only are they generous but they already know the value of teamwork, communication and organization which makes them a valuable part of our team.”

ARS will be working in targeted markets alongside specific veterans’ services agencies in order to complete this project. In addition to donating HVAC and water heater equipment and installation, ARS employees across the country will be engaging in volunteer and civic opportunities geared towards veterans’ services.

Copper to replace Flint’s lead and lead-tainted galvanized iron service lines

Mayor Karen Weaver and FAST Start Coordinator Michael C. McDaniel told hundreds of participants attending the Flint Water Infrastructure Summit this week that copper pipe will be used to replace the City of Flint’s entire lead and lead-tainted galvanized iron service lines.

“We chose copper because the residents of Flint deserve a high quality engineered material that has a history of safely conveying drinking water,” Weaver said. “With copper, we know we’re getting a long-term solution.”

McDaniel said that the decision was made after a number of factors were considered, especially the longevity of the piping and the lifetime cost of the product.

“This was a very important decision that will affect many generations to come,” McDaniel said. “My team and I conducted months of research and engaged in conversation with piping experts regarding the ideal lead replacement material for superior performance.”

The City concluded that copper was the best material for the replacement pipes because it’s durable, reliable and long-lasting. Copper piping is also impermeable, so outside chemicals such as petroleum products spilled on nearby streets or insecticides and fertilizers spread on yards can’t contaminate the water system.

Following the City’s determination, the copper industry banded together to help Flint acquire nearly 200,000 feet of copper piping, at a savings of approximately $1 million to the City, for the next phase of the FAST Start program, due to start in April.

“The copper industry will continue to provide technical guidance and educational resources wherever needed to ensure that copper piping is designed, installed and operated properly every step of the way,” said Andrew G. Kireta, Jr. of the Copper Development Association (CDA). “We are committed to helping America rebuild its aging water infrastructure.”

CDA exhibited at the Flint Water Infrastructure Summit and was selected as a speaker for the Water Infrastructure 101 Workshop. Kireta gave two, 20-minute presentations on “Why Copper is the Right Choice” for lead service line replacements and hosted an open forum to interact with attendees on questions related to this topic.

For more information about copper piping, visit www.copperservicelines.org.

Wilo USA, a provider of pumps and pump solutions for building services, water management, and groundwater, is pleased to announce it has under the terms of an asset deal, acquired pump manufacturers Weil Pump Co. Inc., and Scot Pump Company, as well as the component manufacturer Karak Machine Corporation. The three companies employ around 150 people and have headquarters and production facilities in Cedarburg, WI, and Fort Lauderdale, FL.

“This acquisition is a fantastic step in Wilo’s growth, and reinforces our commitment to the North American market. Weil and Scot are two strong brands that will help expand our sales channels and customer base throughout the region. The manufacturing capacity of Karak will enable us to further expand our ability to deliver high-quality products that are made in the USA,” explains Gary Mannus, President of Region Americas.

Weil specializes in manufacturing wastewater pumps and systems, and Scot concentrates on the OEM end suction pump market for the plastics, agricultural and chemical industries. Scot also has a branch in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which manufactures marine pumps for the shipbuilding industry. For several years, Karak Machine Corporation has served both Weil & Scot as a manufacturer of essential pump components.

“The synergies of values and customer care with all of the acquired companies are a natural fit with Wilo. We are looking forward to our collaboration and mutual growth,” says Tim Ruppert, President of Wilo USA.

The announcement was made during a luncheon for all employees at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, on March 6, 2017.

For more information on Wilo USA, please visit www.wilo-usa.com.

Follow us on: www.facebook.com/wilousa

Wilo USA LLC, 9550 W. Higgins Rd. #300, Rosemont, IL 60018

Phone: 888-945-6872, Fax: 888-945-6873

Email: info@wilo-usa.com, Internet: www.wilo-usa.com

AB&I Foundry, an Oakland-based company that manufactures cast iron pipe and fittings for the plumbing industry, announced that they have joined the Rev Net™ Business Sustainability Group which is part of the flagship Sustainability Circle® program.

The REV Net Sustainability Circle® program will help AB&I in the adoption of the best possible sustainability practices that include behavioral changes in a proven peer-learning model that is intended to accelerate business impact. The Rev Net™ program will help to enhance existing initiatives the company has already embarked upon while identifying new ways to reduce and recycle by-products in their manufacturing processes.

“The take away from being part of this group will be for us to create a 5-year sustainability action plan where key initiatives are identified ultimately driving efficiencies all while fostering a Green culture within the company,” said Mike Olvera, Environmental and Sustainability Manager of AB&I Foundry. Olvera continued, “AB&I is environmentally conscience and is a giant recycler – our products are made from 100-percent post-consumer scrap metal and they’re recyclable at the end of their service life.”

There are multiple benefits from being part of this program including; immediate and long-term efficiencies, new insights and ideas on how to be innovative, improved team member engagement, and the adoption of a comprehensive sustainability plan.

“The manufacturing atmosphere is changing and there are many progressive forward thinking companies like AB&I Foundry that strongly believe that the gold standard is to embrace thoughtful sustainability manufacturing practices. AB&I fits perfectly into our sustainability business model and we are excited that they have chosen to be part of our program,” explains Jenny Sant’Anna, REV VP of Operations. “Their participation in the program and development of a robust sustainability action plan confirms their strong commitment toward building an environmentally conscientious, resilient, and flourishing future for their business and their community.”

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