Industry News

State, local dignitaries honor project that will protect the city from natural flooding disasters

A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, will host a celebration on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m. CDT, marking the completion of a nearly 7,000-foot earthen berm, flood gates and pumping
stations surrounding the A. O. Smith Ashland City manufacturing plant, the city’s water treatment facility and the Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation substation. The 20-month project is the culmination of a 12-year collaboration among the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Cheatham County, town of Ashland City and A. O. Smith.

Local government officials, along with the Company’s leadership team, will gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of a portion of the road that has been closed for more than a year and runs adjacent to the A.O. Smith plant. Tennessee Deputy Governor Butch Eley; Ashland City Mayor J. T. Smith; and Stan Settles, representing Senator Bill Hagerty’s office, will be in attendance.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to witness the progress and completion of this project,” said Mayor Smith. “It was truly a team effort and one that would not be possible without the commitment of A. O. Smith. These improvements will help keep our local businesses, residents and homes safe from future flooding disasters.”

In May 2010, a record 13.57 inches of rain fell in a 36-hour period over Middle Tennessee, causing the Cumberland River to crest 52 feet. Roughly 1,700 feet east of the river’s banks, A. O. Smith’s Ashland City plant was inundated, shutting down operations for four weeks and costing the Company $66 million to fully recover. The project will ensure Ashland City, its water treatment facility, the local power utility’s substation, and A. O. Smith operations will be safe from the next 500-year flood.

The $16.6 million project was funded by a combination of public and private entities. “This project is a prime example of one of our company’s values in action – ‘A. O. Smith will be a good citizen’ – working to protect the people who live and work in the city we’ve called home since 1961,” said Dave Warren, president and general manager of the Company’s North America Water Heating business, headquartered in Ashland City. “This project was vital to the community and our long-term sustainability in this town.”

Caleffi North America, Inc., a leader in state-of-the-art engineered solutions for hydronic and plumbing systems and committed to providing Excellence in Education, is proud to introduce the 31st edition of idronics™:  Fundamentals of Pressure Reducing Valves.  This newest edition builds a technical foundation for selecting, installing and servicing pressure reducing valves.  Readers will learn how, when and why to design specific pressure reducing assemblies.

Caleffi also provides an interactive experience for the journal, optimizing access for mobile, tablets and desktop devices.  The content is fully searchable and is complimented with video and resource links.  The interactive edition can be found at idronics.caleffi.com.

A formal Coffee with Caleffi™ webinar, an online technical training series, discussed the issue and was presented on Thursday, Jul. 21.  John Siegenthaler, P.E. and Kevin Freidt, Caleffi director of product management, hosted the discussion.  An archived version is available on .

Not familiar with idronics?  The complimentary journal is provided semi-annually and is intended for industry professionals to aid them in system design, component application and selection.  Subscribers to the journal will receive a hard copy of the new edition in August.

For further information, please contact us at (414) 238-2360.

Irving, Texas and Springfield, Ill. — The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will advance the benefits that both organizations provide to the geothermal exchange industry.  David Fink, president, PPI and Jeff Hammond, executive director IGSHPA, made the joint announcement virtually from their respective headquarters.

The purpose of the geothermal heat pump industry is to promote a sustainable and decarbonized future across the globe through the adoption of geothermal as the cleanest, most efficient heating and cooling technology.

Established in 1950, PPI is the non-profit North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry and its members through research, education, technical expertise, and advocacy.  Founded in 1987, IGSHPA is a non-profit, member-driven organization established to advance ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology on local, state, national, and international levels.

“For more than 70 years, PPI and our members have focused on the development of plastic pipes and fittings which are the vital connection to the earth and bodies of water for geothermal exchange systems,” Fink stated.  “We have always sought ways to work with other like-minded groups to amplify the benefits to the industry.  Our work with IGSHPA has been highly rewarding, and we are looking forward to doing even more.”

“This is a very exciting time in the ground source heat pump industry,” said Hammond. “In 2020, IGSHPA became an independent non-profit, no longer part of Oklahoma State University.  We see utilities, building owners, governments, and many others recognizing that ground source (geothermal) systems are the best technical solution for reducing energy costs and carbon emissions for heating and cooling buildings.  The geothermal industry needs sound technical leadership and guidance and IGSHPA is striving to meet those needs.  The collaboration with PPI couldn’t have come at a better time.”

One of the key components of the MOU is technical development, where PPI and IGSHPA agree to foster technical cooperation by providing opportunities to participate in and comment on proposed standards, guidelines, policies, and position statements on technical subjects, encouraging members in each organization to collaborate on technical committees and task forces, and establishing liaison representatives to key technical committees.

Recognizing the important role that research plays in accelerating the transformation to a more sustainable built environment, PPI and IGSHPA also agree to identify and collaborate in the development of projects related to the design and construction of efficient and long-lasting piping systems for geothermal applications.  They will also promote research in areas where results will add to the body of knowledge in conservating natural resources, increasing energy efficiencies and sustainability.

“PPI has enjoyed a close relationship with IGSHPA for a number of years,” stated Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division (BCD).  “IGSHPA’s scope of work related to geothermal exchange systems is very much in line with PPI’s scope of work.  Since becoming a member of IGSHPA in 2008, I have benefitted from the resources made available to their members and have seen how PPI’s input specifically related to plastic piping materials can assist IGSHPA members.  Several PPI member firms are also members of IGSHPA.”

Part of PPI’s mission is to educate the geothermal industry about correct usage of plastic piping materials HDPE, PEX, PE-RT, and PP.  “It is important that geothermal engineers have access to accurate information about these pipe materials. There are ideal applications for each of these materials, when utilized correctly,” MacNevin said.  “The MOU with IGSHPA will help to accelerate our goal to deliver accurate and thorough information about these systems, so that the best pipe material can be selected for each application.”

MacNevin said that within his division, the Geothermal Steering Committee focuses on specific industry-related issues.  “This group is dedicated just to the geothermal industry that includes helping to update standards and codes.  Plus, it publishes documents about the use of plastic piping systems for geothermal applications, and serves as a technical resource for geothermal system designers, with regards to plastic piping technologies.”

Other areas addressed in the MOU include advocacy and publications.  In addition to the recent MOU, each organization maintains official membership in the other.

“This Memorandum is certainly very exciting,” MacNevin said.  “It clearly defines our goals, outlines the initiatives, and sums up the strong support structure of why and how we have forged this agreement.  The collaborative work of IGSHPA and PPI members, based on their years of experience and knowledge, is intended to benefit the geothermal community and, ultimately, the public.”

“The wealth of knowledge contained in both of our organizations is second to none,” Hammond said.  “So, we are looking forward to expanding our relationship with PPI to help increase the technical knowledge of the industry.”.

Additional information can be found at https://plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction or at www.IGSHPA.org/

Scholarships awarded to children, grandchildren and employees of Carrier and Bryant distributors and contractors nationwide

Carrier and Bryant have announced the recipients of this year’s Carrier & Bryant Distributors’ Education Foundation scholarships. Recipients will receive funding for their post-secondary or vocational program during the 2022-2023 school year. Carrier and Bryant are part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.

Established in 1981 the Carrier & Bryant Distributors’ Education Foundation was created to commemorate the late William A. Blees for his many years of service as an advisor to Carrier and Bryant distributors. Since inception, the foundation has awarded scholarships to over 400 students. Today, the foundation continues to serve the children, grandchildren and employees of distributors and contractors while also honoring the industry’s founder, Willis Carrier.

Willis Carrier attended Cornell University on a full, four-year merit scholarship. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, became a successful inventor and businessperson, and, in 1902, invented the founding principles of modern air conditioning. Willis Carrier was a consummate scientist and an educator who attended college on scholarship, just as our recipients will in his honor.

“The Carrier & Bryant Distributors’ Education Foundation scholarships are a special way for us to say ‘thank you’ to our contractors and distributors for their expertise and support,” said Justin Keppy, President, NA Residential & Light Commercial HVAC, Carrier. “This year’s outstanding scholarship recipients embody all of the values and characteristics we look for in future leaders, and we’re proud to support their educational endeavors just as Willis Carrier was supported in his.”

Scholarships from the foundation are available to children, grandchildren and employees of Carrier and Bryant distributors and contractors and their employees throughout the U.S. Students are awarded the scholarship based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, demonstrated leadership potential, and personal motivation. A short essay about the candidates’ educational and career aspirations is required during the application process. There were 119 total applicants from 27 states for this year’s scholarships.

The 2022 Carrier & Bryant Distributors’ Education Foundation scholarship recipients include:

For more information about Carrier or Bryant, please visit https://www.carrier.com/residential/en/us/ or www.bryant.com.