RLS LLC, US-based manufacturer of the RLS Rapid Locking System line of flame-free press fittings for the HVAC and refrigeration industries, is pleased to announce that Ian Robertson has joined the company as Director of Sales for the company’s new operation in Australia. With an extensive background in the HVAC/R industry, Ian brings a wealth Read more
Berkshire Hathaway
RLS LLC, US-based manufacturer of the RLS Rapid Locking System line of flame-free press fittings for the HVAC and refrigeration industries, is pleased to announce that Ian Robertson has joined the company as Director of Sales for the company’s new operation in Australia.
With an extensive background in the HVAC/R industry, Ian brings a wealth of experience to RLS, having served recently as Vice President Sales for Daikin Industries North America. Previously, Robertson was a senior consultant for global markets with Daikin, serving on the strategic planning and business development team that launched the company into the North American market. He started his HVAC career as an applications engineer in 1980.
“We’re very happy to have such an experienced industry veteran on our global team,” said Paul Schubert, President of RLS. “Ian is an excellent choice to serve our distributor partners in Australia and New Zealand and to continue to increase the adoption of RLS technology in the region.”
Originally launched in 2015 under the ZoomLock® brand, RLS flame-free press fittings have been widely adopted around the world as a faster, safer and more consistent method of connecting HVAC/R copper tube, replacing the time-consuming process of manually brazing joints. Installers know to look for the letters “RLS” that are stamped into every fitting when it is pressed, assuring a reliable connection has been made.
“During my time in the US, I was able to see the launch and growth of RLS fittings, and I became convinced that they offered significant time and cost savings over the traditional brazing process, while also offering more consistent results,” Robertson said. “I saw many of my US customers adopt RLS technology then, and I now see outstanding opportunity for continued growth in Australia.”
RLS offers a wide range of fittings, including couplings, elbows, tees, reducers and more, as well as ancillary products that are compatible with RLS technology, including Y-joints, P-traps, valves, filter driers and sight glasses.
RLS is a subsidiary of Marmon Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company. For more information, visit www.rapidlockingsystem.com
RLS® LLC (“RLS”), manufacturer of the first press-to-connect fittings for the HVAC and refrigeration industries, announces the launch of their new RLS Certified Installer online training program at training.rapidlockingsystem.com. The new training portal walks HVAC/R contractors through the step-by-step process of making reliable, permanent copper tube connections using RLS press technology. “We’re very excited to Read more
RLS® LLC (“RLS”), manufacturer of the first press-to-connect fittings for the HVAC and refrigeration industries, announces the launch of their new RLS Certified Installer online training program at training.rapidlockingsystem.com. The new training portal walks HVAC/R contractors through the step-by-step process of making reliable, permanent copper tube connections using RLS press technology.
“We’re very excited to offer this comprehensive new training program for users of RLS press fittings,” said Paul Schubert, President of RLS. “The new portal explains our patented press technology, how and why it works so well, and the steps required for proper installation. Both audio descriptions and video demonstrations are used to reinforce the material and facilitate learning.”
Users must pass a series of quizzes as they work through each section of the training program, as well as a final test after completing the entire course. After passing the final test, a customized certificate of completion can be downloaded.
In conjunction with the new training program launch, RLS has also introduced a new company logo. The new design comes as the company celebrates the sixth anniversary of the introduction of its revolutionary technology to the HVAC/R market. Originally introduced in 2015 under the ZoomLock® brand through a partnership with Parker Hannifin Corporation, RLS fittings are now sold exclusively under the RLS brand.
“Now that RLS press fittings have taken on their own identity in the marketplace, we felt it was time to give our logo a new look that represents our leadership position in the industry,” said Schubert. “The logo emphasizes our patented fitting design, including the unique flared ends which make it instantly recognizable as an HVAC/R fitting, setting it apart from those used for plumbing.”
RLS designs, develops, and proudly manufactures its fittings in America, at its centrally located Missouri factory. The press fittings replace the time-consuming and demanding conventional practice of manually brazing HVAC/R copper joints. RLS fittings allow for faster, more consistent connections that reduce total installed cost while also enhancing safety, since they do not require an open flame.
RLS is a subsidiary of Marmon Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company. For more information, visit rapidlockingsystem.com or training.rapidlockingsystem.com for the new online training program.
RLS Will Now Supply Its Patented Press Fittings Exclusively Under Its Own Brand RLS® LLC (“RLS”) will no longer supply its patented press fittings to Parker Hannifin Corporation (“Parker”) for the ZoomLock™ brand. RLS is making this announcement to help avoid confusion in the marketplace as to the source and quality of fittings sold under Read more
RLS Will Now Supply Its Patented Press Fittings Exclusively Under Its Own Brand
RLS® LLC (“RLS”) will no longer supply its patented press fittings to Parker Hannifin Corporation (“Parker”) for the ZoomLock™ brand. RLS is making this announcement to help avoid confusion in the marketplace as to the source and quality of fittings sold under the ZoomLock brand going forward.
RLS is a subsidiary of Marmon Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company. RLS designs, develops, and proudly manufactures in America its patented fittings engineered for high- pressure connections in the air conditioning and refrigeration industries. By replacing the time-consuming and demanding conventional practice of manually brazing copper joints, RLS’s fittings allow for faster, more consistent connections that reduce total installed cost while enhancing safety.
RLS introduced its patented fittings in 2015 and partnered exclusively with Parker at that time. RLS has since manufactured and supplied millions of fittings for Parker’s Sporlan Division to sell under the ZoomLock brand.
However, RLS recently decided not to renew its exclusive partnership with Parker. This decision was made, in part, because RLS believes discounted pricing provided to Parker was not passed along to customers as intended. Paul Schubert, President of RLS LLC, said Parker has paid back most of the discounts at issue and RLS expects to fully recover the remaining funds.
RLS has also learned Parker plans to source fittings for its ZoomLock brand from Conex Universal Limited (“Conex”) in the United Kingdom.
RLS previously filed patent lawsuits against Conex in the United States and the United Kingdom alleging Conex infringed claims of RLS’s patents. RLS and Conex agreed to settle the lawsuits as reported here. As part of the settlement, Conex agreed, without admitting liability or infringement, that it would stop selling the design of its fitting that RLS accused of infringement in the lawsuits.
Today, RLS’s patented fittings remain the only complete range of refrigerant press fittings and are featured in the Copper Tube Handbook. They are also backed by a 10-year limited warranty and proven by millions of fittings installed.
“To be clear, RLS will no longer supply its patented, proven, and made in America product line to Parker to sell under the ZoomLock brand,” Schubert said. “To ensure end users are equipped with the high-quality product they need and have come to expect, look for RLS’s fittings under its own branding going forward. The RLS brand is your assurance of the same quality connection.”
Visit RLS’s website at www.rapidlockingsystem.com for more information on where to find and purchase RLS’s patented fittings.