A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID employs 16 fathers and their children RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, celebrated Father’s Day by creating a tribute video recognizing how the work fathers do can inspire their children’s career choices. The inspiration behind the video came from RIDGID’s own workforce: currently sixteen RIDGID Read more
Industry News

A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID employs 16 fathers and their children
RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, celebrated Father’s Day by creating a tribute video recognizing how the work fathers do can inspire their children’s career choices. The inspiration behind the video came from RIDGID’s own workforce: currently sixteen RIDGID employees are considered “legacies” – meaning they have dads that worked for the company’s manufacturing team before them. These “RIDGID Dads” and now their children build RIDGID tools in Elyria, OH, that are used by skilled trade professionals across the country, many by family-owned companies that also include fathers and their children.
“When we ask trade professionals how they got into the industry, learning from their fathers is a common response,” said Becky Brotherton, director of engagement marketing, RIDGID for Emerson. “Passing along their skills to the next generation is a legacy that lasts, not only in their children, but also in the infrastructure built and maintained through their challenging careers. Father’s Day seemed like the ideal time to celebrate the legacy that we see regularly on jobsites and in our manufacturing team.”
The video, shared last week on RIDGID social channels and viewed more than 2,000 times, features Russell and Josh Halstead, co-owners of Valu-Rooter® in Elyria, OH, and Jose and Bryan Gonzalez, RIDGID employees.
“I remember him having this determination and hard work to get the job done, but to do it right the first time,” said Josh Halstead, of his dad. “I started working in high school to make some money, but coming out of school I became more interested in this line of work. I wanted to be the best that I could be. I’ve always had the goal of being the best plumber. I want people to hear our name and think of quality.”

“The number of generations, including fathers and their children, working at our company is a unique aspect of our team,” said Danielle Hart, director of human resources, RIDGID for Emerson. “It’s a distinction that we’re proud of and one that we think contributes to a positive work environment.”
View the video on RIDGID social channels, including Instagram – @ridgidtools – and Facebook – @RIDGIDTools.
RIDGID has released Father’s Day videos the last several years, each a tribute to dads in the trades and the influence they have on their children. Previous videos can also be viewed on their YouTube channel.

Originally instated in 2018, the Try Rinnai Tour is back to visit PROs across the U.S. with educational and training opportunities on new Rinnai products Rinnai America Corporation, a manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America, has revived its Try Rinnai Tour, a US and Canada road show that Read more
Originally instated in 2018, the Try Rinnai Tour is back to visit PROs across the U.S. with educational and training opportunities on new Rinnai products
Rinnai America Corporation, a manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America, has revived its Try Rinnai Tour, a US and Canada road show that connects Rinnai team members with PROs for training and education opportunities. From May through October, Rinnai’s sales team will share the latest technologies with trade professionals, educating them on the benefits of working with and installing Rinnai products to increase profit and grow their business.

“We understand the labor shortage in our country and the difficulty that many PROs have in leaving their market for training and learning about new technologies,” said David Federico, Senior Marketing Director, North America. “With the Try Rinnai Tour, we want to make their jobs easy, so we are taking our products and trainings straight to them.”
The tour was created to help alleviate a PROs’ busy schedule, by bringing training events via van straight to their neighborhoods. Throughout the tour’s duration, it’s estimated 500 local events could take place, allowing Rinnai to potentially interact with up to 20,000 installers. The seven branded vans will be found at distribution locations across the U.S. and Canada, where many PROs already pick up products and supplies. Additionally, the vans are leveraged at contractor locations and other local venues.
The sales team will focus their education and training opportunities on two new product launches for 2022: The RSC Condensing Tankless Water Heater and the RE Series, the first non-condensing water heater to include a built-in recirculation pump. The tour will also detail the new Smart-Circ™ Intelligent Recirculation™ technology, available in both products, which offers many consumer benefits and even an easier installation experience for the PRO.
Rinnai’s brand promise of Creating a healthier way of living is at the forefront of all the company’s efforts. By continuing to educate and train PROs on the latest tankless technologies, Rinnai is aiding in providing homes and commercial buildings with energy-efficient hot water options for cleaner and healthier living.

Top contractor learning and networking event heads to Tucson, Arizona in January 2023 Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, will host two jam-packed days of impactful keynote talks, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and more for top contractors in the industry at SPARK 2023 Jan. 11-14 in Tucson, Arizona. “SPARK Read more
Top contractor learning and networking event heads to Tucson, Arizona in January 2023
Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, will host two jam-packed days of impactful keynote talks, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and more for top contractors in the industry at SPARK 2023 Jan. 11-14 in Tucson, Arizona.
“SPARK 2023 is a powerful opportunity for contractors to cultivate new ideas, learn to communicate with younger generations, and collaborate with their peers,” said Bruce Wiseman, president and owner of BDR. “Based on the success of the first SPARK event in San Antonio earlier this year, we’re confident that we’ve developed a unique program that inspires and empowers the leaders in our industry.”
At SPARK, contractors will be presented with opportunities to build significant industry connections and learn key areas of focus for their business in the current economic climate.
The event is headlined by keynote sessions from experts in leadership and team member engagement. Clint Pulver, professional drummer turned employee retention expert, will kick off the event with an electrifying opening presentation. Lt. Col. Waldo “The Wingman” Waldman, executive coach and author of the New York Times bestseller “Never Fly Solo,” will deliver a powerful closing keynote.
SPARK 2023 also features time to enjoy activities in Tucson, a golf tournament, and great food and drinks – all in a uniquely Southwest setting. Held at the El Conquistador Tucson, guests will get to experience the colors, textures, and awe-inspiring views of the Sonoran Desert.
The inaugural SPARK event in San Antonio hosted representatives from 95 home service businesses with a combined annual revenue of $500 million.
For more information, including registration options and a preliminary agenda, visit https://www.bdrco.com/spark/.
Elyria, Ohio—RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its second annual “We Love STEM Day” in June for 38 students in grades three through eight. The event was designed to support local schools and engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It also helped RIDGID demonstrate the role these vital subjects Read more

Elyria, Ohio—RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its second annual “We Love STEM Day” in June for 38 students in grades three through eight. The event was designed to support local schools and engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It also helped RIDGID demonstrate the role these vital subjects play in manufacturing.
“It was wonderful to see the energy and excitement the students had for learning — and to hear their questions about manufacturing and the way STEM is used in the work we do,” said Rose Hitchens, event chair, “We Love STEM Day” and chapter lead, RIDGID Women’s Impact Network for Emerson. “Engaging students at an early age in STEM education helps to encourage a love of learning in these subjects. It also helps foster the next generation of creators, innovators and inventors.”
Students participated in a variety of hands-on activities that strengthened their problem-solving skills, including building a flashlight and testing different methods of creating a strong and lightweight pasta tower.
RIDGID is a proud supporter of local programs and education-based initiatives throughout Lorain County, including Elyria school makerspaces that reinforce STEM learning. The company also partners with current and future trade professionals and regularly invests and donates products. For years, its leaders have served on industry boards to help strengthen the trades.

Three of the leading trade shows will take place at the same time in 2023, furthering the offering of what attendees can see next year. The National Hardware Show® (NHS), NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS) will take place during Design & Construction Week®, which will be held Read more
Three of the leading trade shows will take place at the same time in 2023, furthering the offering of what attendees can see next year. The National Hardware Show® (NHS), NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS) will take place during Design & Construction Week®, which will be held in Las Vegas, Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

“We are absolutely thrilled that the National Hardware Show (NHS) will be in Las Vegas during the same time that Design & Construction Week takes place,” said NAHB CEO Jerry Howard. “NHS creates synergy with the International Builders’ Show and NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Show. Co-locating NHS with IBS and KBIS will allow attendees to explore additional products and opportunities to grow their businesses and maintain a competitive edge in the market.”
“We think having the National Hardware Show co-locate with us in Las Vegas next year is a great opportunity to expand Design & Construction Week,” said Bill Darcy, CEO for the National Kitchen & Bath Association. “It gives Design & Construction Week attendees more products and services to experience during their three days at the show. It’s also a great way for all three associations to better serve their respective members as we look to the future.”
“Our customers benefit from more value and opportunity during their time in Las Vegas by aligning with two other industry leading events. NHS, IBS and KBIS events have complementary product offerings that will broaden buying and selling opportunities,” said Beth Casson, National Hardware Show® Event Vice President. “NHS is the destination for uncovering trends, and sourcing new products and suppliers. By hosting the show earlier in the year, this gives buyers an opportunity to kick off the year with discovery and connection, while allowing more time for critical decisions before big buying events.”
Learn more about each of shows: