I-CON has introduced its new Pro Line, a comprehensive suite of advanced technologies designed to improve water efficiency, enhance security, and reduce operating costs in correctional facilities. The new lineup includes intelligent software, robust controllers, and durable sensors built to withstand the demanding conditions of correctional environments. At the core of the Pro Line is Read more
Industry News
I-CON has introduced its new Pro Line, a comprehensive suite of advanced technologies designed to improve water efficiency, enhance security, and reduce operating costs in correctional facilities. The new lineup includes intelligent software, robust controllers, and durable sensors built to withstand the demanding conditions of correctional environments.
At the core of the Pro Line is ENVISAGE® Pro, I-CON’s most advanced water management software to date. The system offers complete control over inmate water usage with real-time pressure and temperature monitoring, detailed reporting, and an intuitive scheduling system. Remote access capabilities enable facility managers to monitor and operate systems from virtually any location, while flexible wired or wireless connectivity supports diverse infrastructure needs.
The Pro Line also features NEXUS® Pro Controllers, designed to operate as stand-alone systems that manage fixture runtimes, lockouts, and settings. Housed in watertight locking cases with conformal-coated components for added protection, the controllers incorporate multi-colored LED indicators for clear status updates. Their support for both wired and wireless networks allows seamless integration into existing systems.
Lastly, the TruTOUCH® Pro LED Sensor indicates a variety of controller statuses for user feedback and diagnostics. Built with durable stainless steel and no moving parts, the sensor delivers long-term performance and proven functionality across more than one million activations. Its remote installation capability—up to 60 feet—provides flexibility in system design.
The Pro Line represents a significant advancement in correctional water management, offering facilities a reliable and innovative solution to optimize performance and reduce maintenance costs.
For more information, visit i-con.com.
Thousands of Pro Partners™ from around the world gathered for innovative industry learning and networking while celebrating 100 years of Rheem® Rheem®, a leader in the HVAC/R and water heating industry, celebrating a century of excellence, and Ruud®, a part of Rheem’s family of 50 global brands, marked a major milestone, hosting the largest Pro Read more
Thousands of Pro Partners™ from around the world gathered for innovative industry learning and networking while celebrating 100 years of Rheem®
Rheem®, a leader in the HVAC/R and water heating industry, celebrating a century of excellence, and Ruud®, a part of Rheem’s family of 50 global brands, marked a major milestone, hosting the largest Pro Partner™ International Conference to-date. The event rallied thousands of key partners, with attendees present from around the globe, to embrace the future of HVAC and water heating with the theme “Next Starts Now.” Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas played host from March 31 to April 3.
The conference featured insightful business learning sessions with industry leaders and recognized experts. Presenters included national TV personality, Chip Wade, an in-demand designer and craftsman, and a number one best-selling author, Ryan Leak, who provided invaluable financial training for contractors and business owners. Additionally, Rheem unveiled an exclusive documentary at the conference that chronicled the manufacturing giant’s journey and evolution over the last 100 years.
“Industry partners from across the globe came together to share new product and service innovations, gain actionable business insights and explore opportunities for growth,” said Mike Branson, president, Global Air, Rheem. “As Rheem celebrates its historic 100th anniversary, the strength of our flagship Pro Partner event is a testament to a century of building industry partnerships. The conference had a dynamic energy and excitement about the incredible opportunities ahead.”
This year’s conference was an action-packed event, as it was the first-ever Pro Partner gathering to combine heating, cooling and water heating professionals, highlighting product innovations with a strong focus on cutting-edge developments in heat pump technology. Rheem showcased its Pro Partner Heating and Cooling program as well as the newly transformed Pro Partner Plumbing offering through a variety of educational sessions. With a packed agenda, attendees enjoyed educational sessions, high-level entertainment and immersive networking opportunities. They were also empowered with insights and strategies for success, all aimed at helping their businesses thrive in 2025 and beyond.
“Relationships have been at the foundation of our business for the last 100 years and remain key to Rheem’s and our partners’ success,” said Rich Bendure, president, Water Heating Division, Rheem. “By teaming with our Air Division in our first combined event, we were honored to celebrate our centennial anniversary with thousands of contractors, plumbers, and distribution partners. This incredible experience allowed us to share an empowering vision for our Pro Partners by offering them the broadest array of products, tools and support in Plumbing and HVAC while listening deeply to their feedback. It represents our commitment to investing in the industry’s present and future, because we believe that true success comes from working together.”
For more information on Rheem, visit www.rheem.com and to learn more about Rheem’s centennial celebration, visit www.rheem.com/100.
For additional information on Ruud, visit www.ruud.com.
A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment products, has launched its highly-anticipated Spring Tools promotion for valued wholesale channel partners and their customers. The promotion began on April 1 and runs through May 31, 2025. During this window, contractors will have the opportunity to receive a $25 tool credit when they Read more
A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment products, has launched its highly-anticipated Spring Tools promotion for valued wholesale channel partners and their customers.
The promotion began on April 1 and runs through May 31, 2025. During this window, contractors will have the opportunity to receive a $25 tool credit when they purchase an A. O. Smith standard gas or electric water heater and a $50 tool credit when they purchase an A. O. Smith heat pump water heater from participating wholesale partners, while supplies last.*
“Our ongoing promotions are designed to give back to our valued customers and further strengthen the important relationships we have with our wholesaler partners,” said Betsy Curran, North America Water Heating director of marketing and customer engagement. “We’ve seen great excitement around the Tools promotion in the past and we are thrilled to bring it back again in 2025”
*For full promotion details and a list of participating wholesalers, visit www.hotwater.com/spring25promo.
Navien kicked off its USA and Canada Roadshow on March 27, 2025 at Brewery X in Anaheim, California. The event showcased a suite of groundbreaking HVAC products, including the NAZ Air-to-air Heat Pump, NPF Hydro-Furnace, NAS Air Handlers, NAM Cased Coils, NAE Hydro-AC, and NWP500 Heat Pump Water Heaters. The roadshow will visit multiple locations Read more
Navien kicked off its USA and Canada Roadshow on March 27, 2025 at Brewery X in Anaheim, California. The event showcased a suite of groundbreaking HVAC products, including the NAZ Air-to-air Heat Pump, NPF Hydro-Furnace, NAS Air Handlers, NAM Cased Coils, NAE Hydro-AC, and NWP500 Heat Pump Water Heaters.
The roadshow will visit multiple locations across the United States and Canada over the next three months, providing HVAC professionals and industry leaders with an exclusive opportunity to experience Navien’s latest innovations in person. Attendees will get detailed product insights and expert guidance on integrating these cutting-edge solutions into their business offerings.
“We’re thrilled to bring our new HVAC products directly to professionals across North America,” said Jacob Ford, Vice President of Sales at Navien. “This roadshow is a unique opportunity for our customers to interact with our latest innovations and learn how they can elevate their service offerings with the extremely energy-efficient and reliable HVAC systems from Navien.”
The Anaheim event at Brewery X marks the first stop in this extensive roadshow, with several other stops in Southern California already planned and others across the US and Canada coming soon. For up-to-date information on upcoming stops, visit Navien’s official roadshow page at navieninc.com/hvac-roadshows.
New facility promotes collaboration, sustainability and innovation A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces the grand opening of its new Product Development Center (PDC) in Lebanon, Tennessee, a 60,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research and development facility on the Lochinvar campus. The new center brings together the company’s North America Read more
New facility promotes collaboration, sustainability and innovation
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces the grand opening of its new Product Development Center (PDC) in Lebanon, Tennessee, a 60,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research and development facility on the Lochinvar campus. The new center brings together the company’s North America Water Heating commercial engineering and platform electronics functions with Lochinvar engineering to support commercial product development, including heat pump water heaters. The estimated $33-million-project, which kicked off in 2023, combines a mix of new construction and existing facility renovation to create an environment of innovation and collaboration.
A grand opening celebration will be held for employees and key partners Tuesday, April 15 at the new facility, located at 300 Maddox Simpson Parkway in Lebanon. The morning event will kick off with a ribbon-cutting, followed by executive speeches and self-guided tours. Attendees will see the facility’s environmental chambers, product engineering development lab, electronics lab and other new spaces that will house more than 120 new and existing employees with room for future growth.
“This new facility enables us to advance one of our top strategic priorities – investing in innovation and expanding our product portfolio to ensure the company’s continued growth and success,” said Kevin Wheeler, chairman and CEO. “A. O. Smith remains committed to driving meaningful progress, and the work conducted at this facility will play a pivotal role in future product requirements and sustainability efforts.”
The program will feature President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Shafer, Chief Technology Officer Bob Heideman, North America Water Heating President and General Manager Steve O’Brien and Lochinvar President Darrell Schuh.
The demand for sustainable, energy-efficient products, including heat pump water heaters, will continue to increase, and at A. O. Smith, we want to ensure we have the tools, talent and capabilities to provide customers with the solutions they need when they need them.
“The PDC is a future-focused innovation hub that enables us to design heat pump water heaters and other sustainable products that are not only in demand now but will continue to be a major emphasis for us in the coming years,” said Heideman. “We’re excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, and we know from experience that a facility like this gives innovation a space to thrive.”
Media is encouraged to join the in-person event on April 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT. To confirm your attendance or schedule an executive interview, please contact Sara Bojar, external communications manager, scbojar@aosmith.com.