Bryant, a leading provider of high-quality heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions, is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its 120th anniversary celebration, having raised $113,000 in support to food banks affiliated with Feeding America. Through a year-long campaign of charitable donations and volunteer hours, Bryant has made a significant contribution to the fight Read more
Industry News
Bryant, a leading provider of high-quality heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions, is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its 120th anniversary celebration, having raised $113,000 in support to food banks affiliated with Feeding America. Through a year-long campaign of charitable donations and volunteer hours, Bryant has made a significant contribution to the fight against hunger, helping communities across the nation. Bryant is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
Over the course of 2024, Bryant employees, distributors, and dealers collectively raised money for Feeding America. Bryant kicked off efforts with a $50,000 donation; the rest was raised through individual contributors and 17 partners from seven states. These funds will be distributed to food banks across the country, providing critical resources to individuals and families in need. The company’s commitment to fighting food insecurity goes beyond financial support, with more than 600 volunteer hours dedicated to local food banks.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact we were able to make in our 120th year,” said Nick Arch, Vice President and General Manager, Residential HVAC Solutions, Bryant. “Exceeding our volunteering goal was a testament to the generosity and strength of the Bryant network. Our commitment to supporting Feeding America will continue to grow as we work together to ensure that no one goes hungry.”
Throughout the year, Bryant’s employees, and affiliates packed food donations, supported mobile pantries, drive-thru pantries, and other food distribution efforts, and launched a social media campaign. These efforts were aimed at providing immediate assistance while also raising long-term awareness about the issue of food insecurity.
Bryant’s support of Feeding America is part of the company’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which focuses on making a positive difference in communities where Bryant operates. Through initiatives like these, Bryant strives to leave a lasting impact on both local and national levels, demonstrating its commitment to creating a better future for all.
Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, provides millions of meals each year to people facing food insecurity. By supporting Feeding America, Bryant has directly contributed to the organization’s mission of providing food to individuals and families in need.
To learn more about Bryant’s ongoing support of Feeding America and the renewed commitment to support in 2025, visit https://www.bryant.com/en/us/about-bryant/community-involvement/.
Two award-winning Minnesota brands collaborate to advance innovative environmental stewardship solutions The Minnesota Twins and Uponor, a GF Building Flow Solutions brand with North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minnesota, today announced a multi-year partnership with a focus on enhancing and furthering the Major League Baseball club’s longstanding sustainability and community impact missions. Connecting Read more
Two award-winning Minnesota brands collaborate to advance innovative environmental stewardship solutions
The Minnesota Twins and Uponor, a GF Building Flow Solutions brand with North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minnesota, today announced a multi-year partnership with a focus on enhancing and furthering the Major League Baseball club’s longstanding sustainability and community impact missions. Connecting the expertise of Uponor, a leading global provider of sustainable and innovative flow solutions, with the Twins’ nationally lauded environmental stewardship platform, the partners will launch a new community-focused initiative: “Leading With Water. Enriching Lives. Together.” Additionally, Uponor is now the “Official Plumbing, Infrastructure and Building Solutions Partner” of the Twins and a new Cornerstone Partner for the Minnesota Twins Community Fund.
This partnership marks Uponor’s first with a professional sports organization and was supported by Oak View Group’s Global Partnerships division.
“As Minnesota’s baseball team, we have a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders and leverage our platforms to drive measurable change in our communities and beyond,” said Twins Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Sean Moore. “Minnesota’s own Uponor and the broader GF share the same commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship that is ingrained in the Twins’ ethos. We are proud that Uponor recognizes our continued operation of Target Field as ‘The Greenest Ballpark in America,’ and we are incredibly excited to partner with their globally renowned experts as, together, we push toward new and innovative solutions.”
“The shared interest in supporting our community with sustainable solutions is the driving force behind this partnership,” said John Reutter, interim president of GF Building Flow Solutions Americas. “The Minnesota Twins continue to raise the bar to deliver an outstanding ballpark experience with green measures in place. We’re excited to continue these efforts by bringing the Uponor brand into Twins Territory and underscoring the importance of leading with energy efficiency in buildings of all kinds.”
Award-winning Partners
Uponor’s first professional sports partnership aligns two like-minded, Minnesota-based, and internationally recognized sustainability leaders. TIME and Statista named Uponor one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2024, ranking 343rd out of the top 500 companies globally. Also in 2024, Uponor was named an Eco Leader by Green Builder Media for its efforts in setting a new standard for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
The Twins organization, which garnered a 2019 Leadership Award by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), was recognized in 2024 by the international membership of GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership) with 29 “GOAL Medals” for leadership, work and dedication to advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. The club’s design, construction and ongoing operation of Target Field has led to the Twins’ home ballpark becoming the first and only MLB facility to receive five separate LEED certifications and the nation’s first pro sports venue to earn three levels of LEED designations through the USGBC’s Arc platform, which uses real-time data to benchmark, measure and improve sustainability performance.
Leading With Water. Enriching Lives. Together.
Uponor, which strives to continuously pioneer sustainable water solutions for buildings, and the Twins organization, which endeavors to build a better tomorrow for all, are now working together to shape a legacy of environmental stewardship that ensures our communities and our planet flourish for generations to come.
“Leading With Water. Enriching Lives. Together.” will focus on advancing sustainability goals related to community resilience and ecosystem stewardship, promoting entrepreneurship to push the boundaries of innovation, and serving as a catalyst for positive change through community impact initiatives that empower youth.
Official Uponor Partnership Designations
Uponor’s innovative hePEX® radiant heating system has delivered heat to the home dugout bench at Target Field since 2010; now, as part of the company’s initial professional sports collaboration, Uponor is the “Official Plumbing, Infrastructure and Building Solutions Partner” of the Minnesota Twins.
Additionally, Uponor is a Minnesota Twins Community Fund Cornerstone Partner, joining Target, U.S. Bank, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, and Nike. The Minnesota Twins Community Fund, which in 2024 was named a Project Play Champion by the Aspen Institute, enriches local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins.
Scholarship recipients span the country and represent the future of the plumbing, electrical and HVAC professions Housecall Pro, the go-to software platform for over 45,000 home service companies, has announced the winners of its 2025 Trade Academy Scholarship program. A total of 50 winners were selected from trade schools and programs across the United States Read more
Scholarship recipients span the country and represent the future of the plumbing, electrical and HVAC professions
Housecall Pro, the go-to software platform for over 45,000 home service companies, has announced the winners of its 2025 Trade Academy Scholarship program. A total of 50 winners were selected from trade schools and programs across the United States, including students pursuing vocational training in the plumbing, electrical and HVAC fields.
“The skilled trades provide essential services to home and business owners across the country. To ensure continued access to those services, it’s vital to invest in the next generation of tradespeople,” said Roland Ligtenberg, Housecall Pro co-founder and SVP of Innovation. “Education in the skilled trades is not only important for bridging the skills gap but also for empowering students to pursue meaningful careers that make a positive impact in people’s lives.”
Since 2021, Housecall Pro has awarded more than a quarter million dollars in total scholarships, increasing the number of recipients year after year. The scholarships are provided in tandem with WD-40 — in its fourth year as a scholarship partner — and SupplyHouse, which is in its second year as a partner.
Recipients of the scholarship are all enrolled in vocational training for the spring semester. Each receives:
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- A $2,500 financial scholarship to their trade school or program, with $50K contributed by WD-40® and $25K contributed by SupplyHouse
- A Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit contributed provided by SupplyHouse
- Housecall Pro one-year Essentials membership
This is the first year in which HouseCall Pro has reached 50 total scholarships awarded, demonstrating a growing investment in the future of the skilled trades. It also marks the first time the Trade Academy Scholarship program, historically focused on the HVAC field, has expanded its pool of recipients to include students in the plumbing and electrical trades.
“The goal of the Trade Academy Scholarship program is to make a real difference in the lives of aspiring tradespeople, equipping them for lasting success in their training and ultimately in their careers,” Ligtenberg said. “We are thrilled to be empowering students spanning multiple essential trades.”
This year’s scholarship recipients include students from vocational schools and programs across the country spanning multiple generations. However, many qualify as members of Gen Z — further demonstrating that the Trade Academy Scholarship program is committed to the future of the trades.
“We’re seeing more and more evidence of Gen Z looking to the trades as a meaningful career path. Their commitment to mastering best-in-class digital tools suggests a real desire to make the trades more efficient and more accessible,” said Ligtenberg.
The scholarship program is just one example of the company’s investment in the future of skilled trade education. The Housecall Pro for Education program partners with trade schools across the country to equip students with the tools, technology and mentorship opportunities needed to jumpstart their careers. By integrating Housecall Pro into trade school curriculums, students gain real-world experience before they even enter the workforce.
For more information about Housecall Pro, visit housecallpro.com/.
Company recognized for its commitment to robust ethics, compliance and governance programs A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces today it has been recognized as a 2025 World’s Most Ethical Company by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. A Read more
Company recognized for its commitment to robust ethics, compliance and governance programs
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces today it has been recognized as a 2025 World’s Most Ethical Company by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.
A. O. Smith has been recognized two years in a row and is one of only 12 honorees in the industrial manufacturing category. In 2025, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 19 countries and 44 industries.
“At A. O. Smith, ethics is the foundation of everything we do,” said Kevin Wheeler, chairman and chief executive officer. “Being named one of the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies is a testament to our team’s dedication to doing business the right way and living our values every day.”
The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, which requires companies to provide 240+ different proof points on practices that support robust ethics and compliance; governance; a culture of ethics; environmental and social impact; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by a panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year’s group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organizations across industries and from around the world.
“Congratulations to A. O. Smith for achieving recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, chief strategy officer and executive chair, Ethisphere. “Behind this honor is a true dedication and a commitment to advancing business integrity. This approach is good for business — employees and other stakeholders value companies that prioritize the kinds of practices we measure with our process.”
To view the full list of this year’s honorees, please visit the World’s Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.
Watts has announced the grand prize winner of its 150th Anniversary Sweepstakes: Dave Plasschaert, an engineer from the Chicago area. Dave has won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Boston, MA. His winning entry was earned through participation in the Watts Works Learning Program, which includes Lunch & Learns, in-person training at Watts Learning Centers Read more
Watts has announced the grand prize winner of its 150th Anniversary Sweepstakes: Dave Plasschaert, an engineer from the Chicago area. Dave has won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Boston, MA.
His winning entry was earned through participation in the Watts Works Learning Program, which includes Lunch & Learns, in-person training at Watts Learning Centers and eLearning via Watts Works Online. His dedication to expanding his professional knowledge not only strengthened his expertise, but also secured him this exciting prize.
While the 150th Anniversary Sweepstakes has concluded, Watts remains committed to supporting industry professionals through its ongoing Learn & Earn program. Participants can continue earning tokens and tickets by learning about Watts’ differentiated products and solutions. Tokens can be redeemed for a variety of free lifestyle merchandise, while tickets provide entry into various sweepstakes held throughout the year.
For more details on upcoming sweepstakes and learning opportunities, visit watts.com/learnandwin.