Industry News

CrewCost was built to empower small and mid-sized contractors to build confidently

CrewCost, the first affordable accounting software designed for contractors by contractors, proudly announces the launch of the company and its namesake product. Built by the founder of Esticom, a cloud-based takeoff and estimating application acquired by Procore, CrewCost’s cloud-based construction accounting software is tailored specifically for contractors to help them better understand their numbers and build confidently.

The U.S. construction industry is dominated by small and medium-sized businesses that often lack the financial management tools necessary for long-term survival. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, almost 40% of construction contractors go out of business within five years.

“With billion-dollar corporations controlling the vast majority of construction revenue, we want to help level the financial playing field for the small and medium-sized contractors who build our homes, schools, and hospitals,” said Chris Lee, CEO and founder of CrewCost. “CrewCost creates modern, easy-to-use construction accounting and financial management products accessible and affordable for contractors of all sizes.”

CrewCost is construction accounting software integrating job costing and time tracking in a simple, powerful platform. Contractors can manage and track committed costs, change orders, retainage, and progress billings. In addition, employees and subcontractors can track and submit their time on the CrewCost apps for Android and iOS. With CrewCost, contractors can see how each job impacts profits, allowing them to build confidently.

The CrewCost Story

As a former construction business owner, Chris experienced firsthand the challenges of using generic accounting software in the contracting business. He tried integrating point solutions, using spreadsheets, and hiring costly external help—a frustrating process that took valuable attention away from other parts of the business.

This experience gave him deep insights into the operational and financial challenges of running a contracting business. In 2015, he founded Esticom, a cloud-based takeoff and estimating application designed to help contractors bid and win more projects. Esticom’s success led to its acquisition by Procore Technologies in 2020.

In 2022, Chris partnered with Yancy Lassiter, a longtime Financial Controller and CFO in the construction industry, to create a better way for contractors to manage their businesses. Their shared vision inspired the idea for CrewCost.

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the six plumbing students who received top honors in the plumbing championship held June 26th and 27th in Atlanta, Ga. at the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

2024 SkillsUSA Plumbing Championship Winners.

The Plumbing Championship winners are:

• 1^st Place Secondary – Wyatt Zeleny, High School Academy – Metropolitan Community College – Omaha, Neb.
• 1^st Place Post-Secondary – James Banks, Tennessee College of Applied Tech – Jackson, Tenn.
• 2^nd Place Secondary – Charles Goede, E T Grasso Technical High School – Groton, Conn.
• 2^nd Place Post-Secondary – Migel Reyes, Texas State Technical College – Waco, Texas
• 3^rd Place Secondary – Evan Agresto, Eureka Springs High School – Eureka Springs, Ark.
• 3^rd Place Post-Secondary – Diego Gutieirez, Mountainland Technical College – Lehi, Utah

The PHCC Educational Foundation and PHCC Academy^® partner with SkillsUSA to sponsor and conduct the annual plumbing contest and provide support for the HVACR Contest. Members from the Foundation’s Plumbing Apprentice and Journeyman Training Committee serve on the SkillsUSA Plumbing Technical Committee. Committee members were on hand to set up and run the event and to assist with contest judging.

Every year, more than 6,000 students participate in the SkillsUSA Championships, the nation’s largest hands-on workforce development event. This massive set of trades competitions, which spans 1.79 million sq. ft. (equivalent to 31 football fields or 41 acres), features over 110 contests for middle school, high school, and college/post-secondary students enrolled in career and technical education programs. Among these contests are the plumbing and HVACR competitions, both of which receive support from the PHCC Educational Foundation.

“Each of these winners will be returning home with stories to share with their friends and family about their experience, spreading a positive image for our trade in their community. The boost this provides for our industry is impossible to measure but has a powerful impact that would be impossible to recreate on our own. Our mission is to grow and train the plumbing and HVACR industry workforce, and this event fits that mission perfectly,” said PHCC Educational Foundation Chairman Kevin Tindall of Tindall & Ranson Plumbing & Heating in Windsor, N.J.

A 2024 SkillsUSA Plumbing Championship competitor.

Technical committee members for this year’s event included:

• Robert Hahn, Technical Chair, HoHoKus School of Trades, Paterson, N.J. (plumbing)
• Dale Powell, Project Manager, PHCC Educational Foundation, Gettysburg, Pa. (plumbing)
• Angela Collins, PHCC Educational Foundation, Falls Church, Va. (plumbing)
• J. Daniel “Danny” Crigler, III, L & D Coates Inc., Aroda, Va. (plumbing)
• Jim Fusco, Granite State Trade School, Raymond, N.H. (plumbing)
• Roman Grier, Viega, LLC, Broomfield, Colo. (plumbing)
• Victor Hatcher, Tyler Pipe and Coupling, Tyler, Texas (plumbing)
• Harold Moret, Copper Development Association, McLean, Va. (plumbing)
• John Mullen, International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Ontario, Calif. (plumbing)
• Larry Shoemaker, Deluxe Plumbing & Heating, Bethlehem, Pa. (plumbing)
• Dave Svoboda, PHCC of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev. (plumbing)
• Jeff Voss, Jeff’s Plumbing and Repair, Boone, N.C. (plumbing)
• James Walls, Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, Garland, Texas (plumbing)
• Jamie Simpson, Schaal Heating & Cooling, Des Moines, Iowa (HVACR)
• Warren Lupson, Lupson and Associates, LLC, Silver Spring, Md. (HVACR)

The plumbing competition was made possible by the following generous industry sponsors: AB&I Foundry*; American Supply Association; Bradford White*; Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI)*; Copper Development Association, Inc.*; Home Depot Pro; International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)*; Tyler Pipe & Coupling*; Rheem*; and Zoeller Pump Company*; with additional support from event sponsors: Delta Faucet Company; and MOEN. Those marked with an asterisk also sponsored a new Train the Trainer session conducted at the event.

Prizes, materials, and on-site support was provided by: AB&I Foundry; Tyler Pipe & Coupling; Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI); Charlotte Pipe & Foundry; Copper Development Association (CDA); International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); Kohler Company; Milwaukee Tool Company; Oatey; PHCC Educational Foundation; PHCC Academy^®; Sioux Chief Manufacturing; and United Association Local 72 in Atlanta.

Zoning and control solutions from Airzone turn HVAC units from any leading manufacturer into a smart device

Airzone Control, a leader in HVAC zoning and smart control solutions, is partnering with SmartThings, Samsung’s global connected living platform, to integrate Airzone HVAC control and zoning solutions into the SmartThings ecosystem. This collaboration will make it possible to connect HVAC units from any leading manufacturer to SmartThings, bringing new levels of simplicity, control, and efficiency to smart homes.

HVAC is one of the most energy-hungry systems in the home. For consumers looking to leverage the SmartThings platform to control their energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint, monitoring HVAC usage in the home is essential. Airzone offers a line of after-market control devices that connect directly to the HVAC unit, instantly turning it into a smart device.

Airzone Now Works with SmartThings

Airzone’s Aidoo HVAC controller works with every leading Inverter/VRF brand, including Samsung, Mitsubishi, Daikin, and more. As part of the partnership between SmartThings and Airzone, three Aidoo HVAC control products are now Works with SmartThings certified:

• Aidoo Pro – a flagship control device that allows integration between the latest Inverter, VRF, mini-split, and multi-split HVAC units and third-party IoT devices, including smart thermostats and home automation systems.
• Aidoo Wi-Fi – a control device that enables voice- or app-based HVAC control of Inverter/VRF units. If consumers want to use the original manufacturer’s thermostat but still connect to SmartThings, Aidoo Wi-Fi is all they need.
• Aidoo Pro Fancoil – an Aidoo control device enabling app-based control of legacy fancoil units (available only in the EU).

Maximizing Efficiency with Zoned System Control

For even greater efficiency and room-by-room temperature control, Airzone offers zoning control solutions. The Works with SmartThings-certified Webserver HUB and Webserver Cloud enables total control of sensors, thermostats, and up to 32 separate zoned HVAC units.

With the Aidoo control and Webserver zoning solutions, users can monitor and control their home’s HVAC systems from anywhere in the world using the SmartThings app. These devices also enable two-way communication between HVAC units and SmartThings automation experiences.

“Bringing HVAC into the SmartThings ecosystem will have a profound impact on smart home efficiency and experience,” said Antonio Mediato, CEO of Airzone. “Inverter/VRF HVAC units controlled by Airzone devices are up to 40% more efficient, and zoned systems can achieve 60% greater efficiency. This partnership with Samsung is going to have a measurable effect on consumers’ lives.”

“This collaboration with Airzone underscores our commitment to providing a holistic smart home experience,” said Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings U.S. “By integrating Airzone’s advanced HVAC control devices into the SmartThings ecosystem, we are setting new standards for energy efficiency and intelligent automation in homes across the globe.”

Airzone’s Works with SmartThings devices are available now. To learn more, visit partners.smartthings.com/partners/airzone. Learn more about the full line of Airzone HVAC control solutions at airzonecontrol.com.

New Retail Assortments Available Fall 2024

For over 100 years, the iconic American brand, SK Professional Tools, has been committed to manufacturing innovative and high-quality mechanics tools for American professionals. Today, SK Professional Tools is proud to continue that tradition by relaunching its 100 plus-year-old brand with special assortments, including those for independent hardware stores, discounted 50%, and available when purchased through SK Professional Tool’s sister company, Arrow Fastener, at these upcoming fall trade shows:

• ACE Hardware Fall 2024 Convention – Chicago, IL.  Aug 8-10
• True Value Fall 2024 Reunion – Orlando, FL. Sept. 9—11
• Blish-Mize Fall Customer Buying Market – Overland Park, KS. Sept. 12—14
• Wallace Hardware Fall Dealer Market – Sevierville, TN. Oct. 2 – 3
• United Hardware – Oct 9-11
• House-Hasson Hardware Fall Dealer Market – Charlotte, NC.
  Oct. 10–12
• Orgill Winter 2024 Online Buying Event – Nov. 4 – 17

Now a part of the family of companies owned by GreatStar Industrial, SK Professional Tools continues to manufacture select products for industrial and independent tool truck partners in the USA. At the same time, SK Professional Tools is now able to expand and democratize its product line to offer the highest level of quality and performance, as well as offering more affordable price points, to a broader audience by leveraging the global footprint of its parent company – GreatStar Industrial.

“For 100 years, we have been providing our customers with our top-notch tools and service,” says Christopher Woolley, Vice President Product and Brand Management, SK Professional Tools. “We are so proud of the rich history and exceptional reputation of our company.  And now, going forward, we are excited to have the dual opportunity of staying true to our roots of manufacturing products here in the U.S., while at the same time, being able to broaden our range of offerings by utilizing the wide-ranging experiences and resources of GreatStar Industrial.”

SK Professional Tools’ sister company, Arrow Fastener, has its global headquarters located in Saddle Brook, NJ, which also serves as GreatStar Industrial’s U.S. headquarters for sales, marketing, and distribution of its branded tool product portfolio. According to Justin Sumner, Vice President Sales, Arrow Fastener, “This proximity provides expanded opportunities for proven brands like SK Professional Tools to be available to the independent hardware dealer channel conveniently through the sales division at Arrow. At the fall shows, we will be offering special assortments, such as a range of drive tools, screwdrivers, pliers, and shears, curated for our customers, including independent hardware stores, with a special discount of 50% and with hot open stock deals.”