General News

Sioux Chief continues to expand product lines as they announce intention to construct new headquarters facility at CenterPoint complex.

Sioux Chief Manufacturing, makers of Rough-In plumbing copper and plastic supply fittings, PEX tubing, drainage fixtures and support hangers; has announced its intentions to construct a new headquarters facility in Kansas City, Missouri.Sioux Chief’s singular factory and headquarters is currently located in the Kansas City suburb of Peculiar, Missouri.

The new manufacturing facility will be located in the NW corner of the CenterPoint complex in south Kansas City, formerly the site of Richards Gebaur Air Force Base.

Company overview – Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co., Inc. was founded in August of 1957 by the late Martin E. “Ed” Ismert, Jr., and began its operations, fabricating a single product line in a rented 3,000 square foot, third floor of the Double I Supply Company, a Kansas City, Kansas, plumbing wholesaler. In 1967, Sioux Chief relocated to Kansas City, Missouri and in 1970, moved to Grandview, Missouri, where it operated from 1970 until 1983, growing its line to two basic products and its employee base to 18.That year, the corporation purchased its own 22,500 sq. ft. building, located just south of Peculiar, Missouri, where it operates today in a 378,000 square foot plant, warehouse and office complex today we produce more than 100 different lines of product….comprising more than 7,000 different items.

Their Supply, Drainage and Support lines include many product and processing innovations the company has developed over the years. Sioux Chief Mfg. currently holds more than 30 U.S. Patents. Sioux Chief invests itself in technology, certifications, processes, inspections and evaluations on the front end so that they can hand the very best American made plumbing products to their customers on the front line, helping them to be successful.

As Sioux Chief looks to continue to expand, a focus has been placed on developing a long term real estate strategy. Their current site would allow for some expansion but could not accommodate the current need for 600,000 square feet, or the anticipated growth needs projected to one day be in excess of 1,000,000 square feet. The CenterPoint Intermodal site delivers both the space projection and promises a smoother transition, being relatively close to their existing campus. When Sioux Chief receives all the necessary approvals to proceed with this project, it will eventually relocate all of its corporate headquarters along with the majority of its manufacturing and distribution operations to Kansas City, Missouri. Plans include expanding its World-Class extrusion operation at its current location near Peculiar, as well as adding complementary operations there.

For more information on Sioux Chief Manufacturing, or its line of products, go to www.siouxchief.com.

When 20 of the nation’s top plumbing apprentices competed for the title of “The Nation’s Best” during PHCC’s annual Plumbing & HVAC Apprentice Contests, the contestants, each sponsored by an industry manufacturer, were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Leading water heater manufacturer A. O.Smith sponsored the first place winner, James Peterson, an apprentice with John J. Maurer, Inc.,of Cataumet, Mass.

“I’ve been in this industry for over 40 years and the level of talent that James possesses issomething you don’t come across often,” said John Maurer, owner of John J. Maurer, Inc. “This is a kid who attends night school so he can work a full-time job during the day, and still manages to finish first in his class.”

The competition featured hands-on tasks that consisted of installing both the plumbing rough and finish for a full bathroom, including setting of the water closet, lavatory and trimming out the shower.

Six industry professionals observed the competitors, judging them on accuracy of measurement,neatness, quality of workmanship, accuracy of plan interpretation, written instruction, andfinally, a pressure test.

“This is a challenging competition that serves as a great reflection of each contestant’s dedicationto knowledge and growth within the industry,” said Maurer. “You really have to be familiar withday-to-day, on-the-job training, and the benefit of participating in something like the PHCCApprentice Contest is seeing how you measure up against your peers and competitors.”

In addition to walking away with a vast amount of new tools, which were donated by theindustry’s leading manufacturers, Peterson was also awarded two trophies and $1,000 in prizemoney.

“Everyone at A. O. Smith is extremely proud of James and the hard work he put forth to preparefor this competition,” said David Chisolm, A. O. Smith’s vice president of marketing. “A. O.Smith is committed to ensuring that our contractor partners have the tools and training they need to be successful on any job.”

Somerton, Arizona will provide free plumbing repairs and perform other water conservation modifications in the homes of low-income seniors under a program aimed at reducing their water bills.The city next month will begin accepting applications for participation for the program, in which the city also will do basic plumbing inspections, replace toilets and other fixtures with more efficient models, and put in desert plants that need less water.The program is the first of its kind offered in the city, and the service will be free to those who qualify.

“Typically, it can be harder for older people to note if there are leaks,” said Samuel Palacios, the city’s public works director, “or their homes are real old and the (plumbing) fixtures aren’t efficient. Also, they typically are the people whose incomes won’t let them make those repairs. This program is intended for them.”The program, he added, will be funded entirely by the city, and will include such services as inspections of all plumbing fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen, inspection of yard watering systems to determine if they need repairs or should be replaced. The program also pays for materials.

To qualify, people must be 62 or older, meet low-income guidelines and live in their own homes inside the city limits.”In this city, there are a lot of homes of older people with low incomes, and there are a lot of old homes, particularly on the streets to the north and south of Main Street,” Palacios said. “We hope the water conservation program will help reduce their monthly water bills.”The city will publicize the program and review applications to select a list of participants in March and April, Palacios said.

The plumbing inspections and repairs are scheduled to begin in May.

Source: Somerton to offer plumbing aid to low-income elderly – Yuma Sun: News