Industry News

A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment products, unveils its highly-anticipated fourth quarter promotion for valued wholesale channel partners and their customers. The promotion aims to further incentivize contractors to purchase select commercial gas water heaters from participating locations.

The fourth quarter promotion begins on Oct. 16 and runs through Dec. 1, 2023. During this window, contractors will have the opportunity to receive a Pit Boss Fire Pit when they purchase any three commercial gas water heaters from participating wholesale partners, while supplies last.*

“We’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm from contractors throughout the year, and we’re excited to close out the year on a high note by giving back to our dedicated customers,” stated Jeff Storie, A. O. Smith’s marketing director. “These promotions have also allowed us to further connect with our wholesale partners, whose relationships are incredibly important to A. O. Smith. We created the promotions so that they would benefit everyone involved and we are pleased with the results so far.”

*For full promotion details and a list of participating wholesalers, visit https://hotwater.com/q4promo.

Gripple, one of the leading manufacturers of suspension solutions for construction, is celebrating the success of its UniGrip 6 Hanger System for winning a Show Stopper Award at the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association)  Show in Philadelphia.

The 2023 NECA Showstopper Awards highlight the latest products and services on the market and included more than 170 entries this year.  Attendees to the NECA show are given the chance to explore the newest products, while an expert panel of judges decides on the winners.

The UniGrip 6 Hanger, which Gripple launched at NECA, is designed to support heavier services, such as multi-tier conduit racks and large diameter mechanical pipework.    It is the only single-channel cable hanger capable of accommodating 1/4” cable and approved for an 800 lb Safe Working Load (SWL).

Sean Boyle, Product Manager at Gripple explains: “We’re very excited that our UniGrip 6 Hanger won a NECA Show Stopper award!  With almost 200 other exciting products and innovations across the NECA exhibition, it is an honor to have our UniGrip 6 chosen for this award by electrical contractors!”

Gripple’s UniGrip 6 was released in response to demand for a heavier duty cable support hanger for major construction projects, such as hospitals, data centers, stadiums, and other large  projects. The new system delivers huge contractor benefits for projects by replacing threaded rod, as well as being easy to use, lightweight, labor-saving and height-adjustable.

To meet safe working loads of 800 lbs, UniGrip 6 features a 5” long ¾” thread, designed for supporting double strut profiles with high load bearing capacity. The system is ICC and UL 2239 approved for the support of conduit.

Sean adds, “Boosted by this award, UniGrip 6 is already becoming highly sought after for major projects such as factories, data centers, hospitals, and other industrial facilities. UniGrip 6 truly offers the highest load rating capability of any cable suspension system of its type.”

The system speeds up the installation of heavy electrical conduit and containment, piping, ductwork, HVAC equipment and prefabricated modules by using galvanized steel aircraft cable and Gripple’s selection of pre-attached cable end fittings. These include     loops for  choking around structural beams and stud ends for attaching to concrete anchors.

With its compact design, contractors can fit ten x 10ft drops into one small box, significantly improving handling,  with no on-site cutting required. The high strength steel cable helps lower the buildings embodied CO₂, as part of enhancing sustainability.

First launched in 2017, Gripple’s UniGrip range has been utilized on major projects across the world and is renowned for being up to six times faster to install than traditional suspension systems.  The new UniGrip 6 can be pre-fabricated on back-to-back strut on the ground or off site, using the included nut and square washers, to reduce time spent working at heights.

Easy to use, the UniGrip range features an ergonomically designed release button which allows for simple height adjustments to be made.  This button also acts as a locking nut, to ensure the cable is locked in position for ultimate security and reassurance.  The UniGrip range also offers great flexibility with a wide variety of sizes and foot attachments to suit  various applications.

Gripple is committed to providing customers with greener solutions that reduce carbon and maximize use of recycled materials.

For more information about the Unigrip system visit: www.gripple.com

Top field service technology solution provider partners with leading cooling industry association to enhance insights and help fight labor shortage

XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, announces a new partnership with the Independent Contractors Exchange (ICE) Group, a select group of independent HVAC contractors specializing in the service and installation of applied HVAC systems.

As the premier commercial technical HVAC peer organization in North America, the ICE Group provides service excellence and innovation for applied HVAC systems including chillers, air systems, cooling towers, boilers, water systems and automation. The partnership provides ICE Group contractors with direct access to powerful field knowledge and insights through XOi’s advanced data-driven solutions.

“XOi provides the ICE Group with the leading smart tools for capturing and evaluating field data with visual documentation, job analytics, and asset insights,” said Rob Bottimore, COO of American Chiller Service. “The partnership between ICE Group and XOi helps our member companies make informed decisions, centralize our focus on service improvements, and support all skill levels of technicians on the job. I believe we will build a generational knowledge asset unseen in the industry that becomes the lasting legacy of the ICE Group.”

XOi’s powerful technology solutions empower ICE Group member technicians to:

• Share resources and automation to enhance their collective potential and overall service experience.
• Store shared historical service knowledge, with added smart features to improve accessibility and visual support for each request within their membership.
• Access educational resources and equipment information so they can make more informed decisions, bridge the skilled labor gap, and provide exceptional customer service.

“XOi’s partnership with the ICE Group is a game-changer for industry leaders in commercial cooling services,” said Aaron Salow, CEO and founder of XOi. “Equipping their members with actionable insights, a central knowledge base, and automated features empowers the group to make informed decisions, mentor new techs, and operate with a high level of efficiency. XOi has eliminated visibility barriers for disparate data sets, providing ICE Group with a competitive advantage for members to analyze service trends, capture and evaluate OEM data, and visualize diagnostic themes. This arms their teams with the ability to increase revenue opportunities while streamlining administrative processes and knowledge sharing between each member.”

The ICE Group’s mission is to improve their people, companies, and the industry through technical support and training, sharing of best practices, and maintaining positive relationships with strategic partners in the industry. For more information, visit https://icegroup.org/.

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of our 2023 scholarships program. Fifty-seven students were selected to receive scholarship awards totaling $139,000. Applicants must be plumbing or HVAC apprentices or trade school students, or college students pursuing studies directly related to the plumbing-heating-cooling industry.

The Foundation extends our congratulations to all our winners and our thanks to the contractor donors and corporate sponsors who make these awards possible. Sponsorships are provided by A.O. Smith, Bradford White Corporation, Delta Faucet Company, InSinkErator, RIDGID, Scorpion Home Services Marketing, State Water Heaters, Sterling (a Kohler brand), SupplyHouse.com, Viega, the Texas and Massachusetts PHCC Auxiliaries, the PHCC Past National Officers, Bill Jones, and Gerry Kennedy, with additional funding from the generous donations made by PHCC contractors.

The 2024 PHCC Educational Foundation scholarship program will open for applications in January, with all submission materials due by May 1st. Information on the scholarship program can be found at https://phccfoundation.org/scholarships.

2023 PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarship Winners

• Thomas Langer of McKean, Pa. is studying Business Management at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by A.O. Smith.
• Ryan Welte of Roscoe, Ill. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Blackhawk Technical College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by A.O. Smith.
• Noah Gonzales of Beaumont, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
• Justin Hendrix of Reno, Nev. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of Nevada and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
• Nathaniel Sanchez of Allentown, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of Lehigh Valley LCTI and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
• Matthew Toohey of San Diego, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC of San Diego Academy and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
• Sarosh Ahmed of Sylvania, OH is studying Mechanical Engineering at The University of Toledo and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Cameron Barton of Amarillo, Texas is studying Construction Engineering at Texas Tech University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Todd Daskalov of Costa Mesa, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Kyle Girard of Westford, Mass. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at The Peterson School and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Lane Prindle of Navarre, Fla. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Locklin Technical College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Andrew Shields of Bryan, Texas is studying Mechanical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Grant Styers of Gastonia, N.C. is studying Business Management at NC State and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by InSinkErator.
• Matthew Dineen of Glendale, Wis. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at Waukesha County Technical School and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
• Andrew Jacobs of Cypress, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
• Eliuth Perez Gonzalez of San Jose, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
• Cameron White of Trabuco Canyon, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
• Ricardo Amezquita of Lynwood, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
• Chase Fenner of Granger, Ind. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
• Ashley Trester of New Orleans, La. is studying Business Management at Tulane University and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
• Sadiq Evans of Atlanta, Ga. is studying Mechanical Engineering at Alabama A&M and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by State Water Heaters.
• Garrett Crabb of Cameron Park, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
• Matthew Emig of Springville, Iowa is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair in the PHCC of Iowa Online Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
• Jacob Mellen of Leeds, Maine is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at Central Maine Community College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
• Tatiana Sicard of Mansfield, Mass. is studying Construction Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
• Mario Alvarado Jr. of Moreno Valley, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• Joseph Brehm of El Dorado, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• Hannah Keller of St. Petersburg, Fla. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair with PHCC of Florida and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• Anna Kurtz of Bethlehem, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC Academy and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• James Mantsch of Sacramento, Calif. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair in the Sacramento City College Mechanical Electrical Technology Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• Lamonte Wright of Murrieta, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC Academy of San Diego and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• William Broas of Oxford, Conn. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Lincoln Technical Institute and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Aubree Carr of Stanwood, Wash. is studying Business Management at George Fox University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Chase Carrico of Lakeville, Ind. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Joseph Christensen of Lathrop, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Samuel Gutierrez of Fullerton, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Erik Licona Perez of San Bernardino, Calif. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at San Joaquin Valley College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Elijah Patterson of Coxs Creek, Ky. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Erin Perez of Richmond, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair with PHCC of Alameda & Contra Costa Counties and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Helen Tallulah King of Tallahassee, Fla. is studying Business Management at University of Alabama and was awarded a $10,000 Charles Hiley Memorial Scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Anthony Cacciotti of Millstone Township, N.J. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC of New Jersey Academy and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Kadyn Campeau of New Richmond, Wis. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Chippewa Valley Technical College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Luke Ciaffaglione of Plantsville, Conn. is studying Construction Management at Central Connecticut State University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Marley Colville of Coats, N.C. is studying Business Management at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Peter Diaz of Pomona, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Aiden Divelbiss of Youngstown, Ohio is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at University of Northwestern Ohio and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Jake Dunlap of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Zachary Hulin of Huntington Beach, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Nathan Telander of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Cole Trautman of San Luis Obispo, Calif. is studying Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Cody McManus of Dedham, Mass. is studying Business Management at Williams College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC of Massachusetts Auxiliary.
• Nicholas Graves of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC of Texas Auxiliary.
• Joshua Fletcher of Knox, Ind. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
• Jason Fornito of Springfield, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC of Philadelphia Suburban Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
• Victor Pacheco of Whittier, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
• Timothy Portnoy of Vista, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Diego Academy and was awarded a $3,000 Patty Jones Memorial Scholarship sponsored by William Jones.
• Hunter Styers of Gastonia, N.C. is studying Construction Management at University of Alabama and was awarded a $3,000 Gerry Kennedy Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Gerry Kennedy.

2023 PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarships Corporate Sponsors

About PHCC Educational Foundation

The PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was founded in 1987 to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry by preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a constantly changing marketplace. Students interested in pursuing a career in the plumbing or HVACR professions are invited to visit phccfoundation.org/scholarships for information on 2024 scholarships.