Lowe’s Will Offer a Full Range of Klein Tools Products, Serving More Trades than Ever Before Lowe’s and Klein Tools, an American tool manufacturer since 1857, announced a partnership that will bring a significant presence for the iconic tool brand to the electrical and tool departments at Lowe’s. As a result, Lowe’s will offer the Read more
Industry News
Lowe’s Will Offer a Full Range of Klein Tools Products, Serving More Trades than Ever Before
Lowe’s and Klein Tools, an American tool manufacturer since 1857, announced a partnership that will bring a significant presence for the iconic tool brand to the electrical and tool departments at Lowe’s. As a result, Lowe’s will offer the widest selection of Klein Tools products anywhere in the home improvement retail channel.
Klein Tools products will be available in Lowe’s stores and on Lowes.com in the second half of 2023, with premium store placement across multiple product categories. Lowe’s initial selection of Klein Tools products will include hand tools, electrical test and measurement tools, followed by a multi-year rollout of new product innovations.
“As the number one hand tool brand among electrical and HVAC professionals, Klein Tools strengthens our Pro brand and product lineup, and delivers immediate credibility across all trades,” said Bill Boltz, Lowe’s executive vice president of merchandising. “The addition of Klein will help drive excitement and traffic among Pro customers looking for market-tested innovation from a brand they trust.”
“Klein Tools is committed to serving professionals across the trades,” said Thomas Klein Jr., Klein Tools President, and COO. “This partnership with Lowe’s enables us to serve Pros with our wide array of products, including innovative new products designed to make work on the job easier, safer and more efficient.”
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe along with Tony Stewart Racing’s Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan to Carry Rinnai Branding in 2023. Kannapolis, N.C. — Rinnai America Corporation has partnered with Tony Stewart and his racing entities in NASCAR and the NHRA to promote its line of products using his diverse motorsports portfolio. In NASCAR, fans will see the red Read more
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe along with Tony Stewart Racing’s Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan to Carry Rinnai Branding in 2023.
Kannapolis, N.C. — Rinnai America Corporation has partnered with Tony Stewart and his racing entities in NASCAR and the NHRA to promote its line of products using his diverse motorsports portfolio.
In NASCAR, fans will see the red Rinnai logo in an associate position on Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 14 Ford Mustang driven by Chase Briscoe in the NASCAR Cup Series. In the NHRA, Tony Stewart Racing drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan will carry the Rinnai logo in the Camping World Drag Racing Series, with Pruett running a full Rinnai primary sponsorship on her Top Fuel dragster in two events – the NHRA Winternationals March 30-April 2 in Pomona, California, and the NHRA Carolina Nationals Sept. 22-24 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hagan will sport a full Rinnai livery on his Funny Car in the NHRA New England Nationals June 2-4 in Epping, New Hampshire, an event the three-time champion has won four times, including in 2022.
“Our expertise in tankless water heating is unmatched, and this partnership with Tony Stewart and his NASCAR and NHRA teams allows us to tell that story in a thrilling, team-oriented environment that emulates the quality and dedication we put into our products and services,” said Frank Windsor, president, Rinnai America Corporation.
“The similarities of our business to racing are numerous especially when speed efficiency, and superior quality are keys to success. Performance is paramount, and that’s something Rinnai has always understood. It’s part of our overall commitment to our customers, and racing embodies that commitment.”
The NASCAR Cup Series encompasses a total of 39 events in its milestone 75th season, beginning with the non-points Busch Light Clash Feb. 5 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and ending with the season finale Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway. The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series includes 21 events in 2023. Its 72nd season starts with the NHRA Gatornationals March 9-12 in Gainesville, Florida, and concludes with the NHRA Finals Nov. 9-12 in Pomona.
“We’re incredibly proud to have this partnership with Rinnai because it shows the strength of our motorsports program,” Stewart said. “NASCAR and NHRA offer two very different fan experiences and combined they touch every corner of the country. Rinnai and its customers get the best of both worlds because our program allows a number of choices to promote its products and services.”
In addition to branding on racecars, Rinnai becomes the official tankless water heater of Stewart Haas Racing and Tony Stewart Racing. This designation highlights Rinnai’s brand promise of “Creating a healthier way of living®”, a mantra that is at the forefront of all the company’s efforts. By continuing to offer quality products and services to homeowners and organizations, Rinnai is aiding in providing businesses and homes with energy-efficient hot water options for cleaner and healthier living.
The announcement of the partnership comes after a series of milestone events for Rinnai America. “We opened a new manufacturing facility last year in Griffin, Georgia, that has allowed us to combat shipping delays and supply-chain challenges. In this facility, we manufacture our new RE Series™ Tankless Water Heater, the first and only non-condensing unit with a built-in pump. That product, along with our ability to manufacture in the United States, is another reason why we’ve partnered with Tony Stewart and have become the official tankless water heater of Stewart Haas Racing and Tony Stewart Racing,” Windsor said.
Hilti North America, a global leader providing innovative tools, technology, software, and services to the commercial construction industry announced today that in 2023 more than 30 new cordless tools will be added to its already robust portfolio of more than 70 existing Nuron battery-powered tools. And, at the upcoming World of Concrete in Las Vegas, customers Read more
Hilti North America, a global leader providing innovative tools, technology, software, and services to the commercial construction industry announced today that in 2023 more than 30 new cordless tools will be added to its already robust portfolio of more than 70 existing Nuron battery-powered tools. And, at the upcoming World of Concrete in Las Vegas, customers will have the opportunity to get hands-on with more than a dozen of these new Nuron tools.
DSH 700-22 Rear handle cordless cut-off saw
With a multitude of tools that span across a variety of trades, Hilti extends solutions for applications in formwork, pipe hanging and metal cutting. The latest Nuron innovations make a compelling argument for flipping tool cribs to fully cordless, leaving the hassle of fumes and generators behind with the DSH 700-22 Rear handle cordless cut-off saw, the NCV 10-22 Ultimate concrete vibrator, the NCV 4-22 Pencil concrete vibrator; and the SB 6-22 Wide mouth cordless band saw.
The DSH 700-22 virtually eliminates the need for gas powered cut-off saws on the job. The NCV 10-22 improves safety to concrete placement applications through removing the fuel and fumes associated with traditional gas-powered backpack concrete vibrators. The NCV 4-22 helps enable operators to vibrate concrete in the hardest to reach parts of the concrete pour with its narrow head and more than enough power to finish the job. The SB 6-22’s wide mouth band saw has a deep cutting capacity of 5″ and a two-handed cutting experience for optimal safety.
“Transitioning from gas or corded to the Nuron all-on-one cordless platform with Hilti reduces tool crib complexity, without compromising on performance,” said Mike McGowan, Region Head and CEO of Hilti North America. “And Nuron continues to enable businesses to make informed decisions using real-time jobsite data obtained from its cloud-connected, intelligent cordless tools and batteries.”
SB 6-22 Wide mouth cordless band saw
Nuron tools help improve productivity with versatile 22V Li-ion batteries delivering optimum power-to-weight ratio for most drilling, driving, and cutting jobs. Nuron’s new electronics provide insights on battery and tool use and empowering proactive tool crib optimization. Nuron provides upgraded durability and cordless battery performance monitoring with a built-in battery health tester, sealed electronics, shock absorbers and reinforced housing to better protect against the toughest jobsite conditions.
Hilti diamond and carbide blades and drill bits are designed specifically for Hilti Nuron cordless tools to increase system performance or extend the life of the power tool accessories. When Nuron tools and accessories are combined, they enable jobsites to work faster, harder, and more efficiently to stay on schedule and budget.
For more information on Hilti at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, visit hilti.com/WOC.
Innovative industry leaders collaborate to provide essential skills and insights that drive efficiency and productivity XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, announces a new partnership with Interplay Learning, the leading provider of online and VR training for the essential skilled trades. The partnership combines Interplay Learning’s immersive turnkey learning platform, which helps field service Read more
Innovative industry leaders collaborate to provide essential skills and insights that drive efficiency and productivity
XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, announces a new partnership with Interplay Learning, the leading provider of online and VR training for the essential skilled trades.
The partnership combines Interplay Learning’s immersive turnkey learning platform, which helps field service technicians acquire and deepen essential skills, with XOi’s suite of AI-powered data collection and analysis solutions. Together, the two solutions accelerate the time it takes to train technicians for the field and provide essential resources to support superior performance and customer service from jobsites.
“The natural and powerful extension of the Interplay Learning platform to the XOi solution positions companies to succeed and also moves our industry forward,” said Interplay Learning CEO Doug Donovan. “Interplay Learning helps techs acquire and deepen foundational knowledge, while XOi delivers the resources that techs need in the field to better serve customers and communicate with the office. Both solutions work anytime and anywhere — convenient for techs and essential for great customer service. Interplay Learning helps techs gain skills faster and reduce ‘time to truck,’ while XOi serves as the essential resource for communications and customer service for those techs once they are out in the field.”
Interplay Learning, the leading provider of online and VR training for the essential skilled trades, has expanded and upgraded its commercial HVAC catalog, enabling commercial HVAC firms and mechanical contractors to reduce training costs and accelerate ramp-up times for their apprentices and technicians.
XOi’s growing suite of cloud-based solutions offers the premier data-cataloging and analytics functionality for field service, giving teams a range of tools for increasing efficiency, accuracy and accountability. Powered by XOi’s standardized workflows, job documentation capabilities, and training and enablement solutions, teams can build deep and easily accessible institutional knowledge bases that support real-time decision-making and data-based continuity. Service teams can apply these extensive data-science capabilities to analyze those foundational elements and strategically respond to evolving data trends and forecasts.
“At XOi, we’re committed to supporting technicians in the field so they do their jobs accurately and effectively,” said Aaron Salow, founder and CEO of XOi. “Interplay Learning’s proven training platform helps get new techs up to speed quickly and keeps experienced techs up to date so they can deliver premium service and performance, allowing contractors to focus on their mission and drive growth.”
Interplay Learning’s award-winning online and VR training for the essential skilled trades is scalable and more effective than traditional training methods. By leveraging its immersive learning platform, SkillMill, Interplay Learning users are able to train and practice hands-on learning from any device or in virtual reality, resulting in highly trained employees who are job-ready in weeks, not years.
For more information about Interplay Learning, visit https://www.interplaylearning.com.
For more information about XOi, visit https://xoi.io.
Fieldpiece to Present $25K in Scholarship Funds to Support Rising Stars in the HVACR Industry Fieldpiece Instruments, a leader in tool and test instruments for HVACR professionals for over 30 years, is pleased to announce the second annual #MasteroftheTrade Scholarship. Fieldpiece partnered with SkillsUSA to administer the distribution of more than $25,000 in 2023 scholarship Read more
Fieldpiece to Present $25K in Scholarship Funds to Support Rising Stars in the HVACR Industry
Fieldpiece Instruments, a leader in tool and test instruments for HVACR professionals for over 30 years, is pleased to announce the second annual #MasteroftheTrade Scholarship. Fieldpiece partnered with SkillsUSA to administer the distribution of more than $25,000 in 2023 scholarship opportunities designed to give back to the HVACR industry it proudly serves. The #MasteroftheTrade Scholarship will support 13 SkillsUSA students studying HVACR in their junior or senior year of high school, or as college or postsecondary students, granting them funds to continue their education in a college or postsecondary HVACR technology program. Seven $2,500 criteria-based postsecondary education scholarships will go to SkillsUSA HVAC students and a total of $10,000 in scholarships will go to the six gold, silver and bronze medal-winning high school and college/postsecondary students who top the leader-boards of the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC).
“As a sincere advocate for the HVACR community, Fieldpiece strives to support both new and seasoned professionals in the HVACR industry,” said Tony Gonzalez, technical training manager at Fieldpiece Instruments. “Our commitment goes beyond simply designing and developing HVACR tools that enhance the way techs work. Fieldpiece is devoted to the future of the industry and is proud to help ensure young up-and-coming professionals are well-equipped with tools, knowledge and resources to support their future success. Whether supporting techs through free online training resources like Fieldpiece University, an online platform designed to keep industry professionals at the top of their game; or supporting the path to an HVACR career with scholarships like #MasteroftheTrade, we want to see our community thrive!”
Through this continued scholarship offering, Fieldpiece Instruments also sheds light on the shortage of trained labor in the HVACR industry. With more than 110,000 unfilled HVAC technician jobs, Fieldpiece hopes to help spread the word about the positive career opportunities the industry offers.
“There is a critical need for more HVACR technicians,” said Chelle Travis, executive director at SkillsUSA. “We sincerely thank Fieldpiece Instruments for supporting SkillsUSA and our nation’s future workforce. We are rolling up our sleeves every day to support career and technical education as we forge meaningful partnerships with industry. Working together with Fieldpiece Instruments, we can help close the skills gap.”
To apply for the seven #MasteroftheTrade Scholarships, applicants must be SkillsUSA members enrolled in its HVACR or general construction programs who plan to study HVACR at the college or postsecondary level in the class of 2023-24 (high school seniors) or 2024-25 school year (high school juniors). The scholarship application must include a resume and either an essay (300 words or fewer) or a video (1-3 minutes) answering the question: “Why have you chosen a career in HVACR?” The scholarship opened on Dec. 1 and applications must be submitted by April 1, 2023. Scholarship recipients will be announced on May 16, 2023.
Scholarships will be awarded based on the merit of the application including the essay or video and the proficiency of the SkillsUSA Framework skills demonstrated in the application materials. To receive the funds, scholarship recipients must provide an acceptance letter from their postsecondary education program or their first semester tuition invoice. The funds will be distributed directly to the school.
The SkillsUSA Championships is the nation’s largest workforce development event for middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students enrolled in public career and technical education programs. The contests are planned by representatives of labor and management and are designed to test the skills needed for successful entry-level performance in given occupational fields. Safety practices and procedures — an area of concern to labor and management alike — are part of each contestant’s score. SkillsUSA represents 130 different occupational areas and adds contests to the SkillsUSA Championships each year to meet the demands of new or expanding careers. In 2023, the SkillsUSA Championships will feature more than 6,000 competitors in 110 hands-on skill and leadership contests. Each contestant is a state gold medalist.
Visit www.fieldpiece.com/Scholarship for more information.