American Standard has been honored with a Patents for Humanity award from the U.S. Commerce Department’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for inventing the hygienic SaTo toilet pan technology. Launched in 2012, the Patents for Humanity program recognizes individual and organizational patent holders who have developed innovative and sustainable solutions that address global Read more
General News
American Standard has been honored with a Patents for Humanity award from the U.S. Commerce Department’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for inventing the hygienic SaTo toilet pan technology.
Launched in 2012, the Patents for Humanity program recognizes individual and organizational patent holders who have developed innovative and sustainable solutions that address global humanitarian challenges.
American Standard invented the SaTo (derived from Safe Toilet) sanitary toilet pan in 2013 to help reduce disease transmission and improve sanitation facilities and quality of life in Bangladesh.
“American Standard is truly honored to receive the prestigious Patents for Humanity award for our life-saving SaTo toilet pan,” said Steve Delarge, acting CEO of American Standard. “Our team was driven to develop the SaTo pan by the staggering statistics that 2.5 billion people in the world lack access to adequate sanitation facilities and every day 2,000 children die from diseases caused by this lack of proper sanitation.”
The SaTo toilet pan uses ingeniously simple mechanical and water seals with a trap-door mechanism to close off pit latrines from the open air, thereby preventing flying insects from spreading pathogens from contact with human waste. The Company’s engineering team that designed the SaTo pan consisted of Jim McHale, Ph.D., Daigo Ishiyama, and Greg Gatarz.
American Standard also launched the Flush for Good campaign in 2013, with the goal of increasing awareness of the global sanitation crisis and improving the quality of life in developing countries. This program donated one SaTo pan for every Champion toilet sold in North America in 2013 and 2014. The Company aims to donate 1.2 million SaTo hygienic toilet pans for installation in homes and schools in developing nations around the world through 2017, reaching an estimated 5.5 million people with life improving sanitation.
American Standard has partnered with NGO’s BRAC, WaterAid, UNICEF, Save the Children, Water for People, Food for the Poor and Plumbers Without Borders to distribute the SaTo pans to countries throughout the world in need of safe plumbing solutions. More than 700,000 SaTo latrine pans have been distributed in Bangladesh, Uganda, Haiti, Malawi, and the Philippines through year-end 2014.
“This latrine pan technology is simple ingenuity that goes beyond corporate sustainability to the sustainability of life”, said Maria Chiclana, senior vice president and general counsel at American Standard, who has orchestrated the filings for the SaTo pan’s patent protection in the U.S. and other regions.
“We are very proud of our ongoing commitment to address this critical global sanitation issue through sustainable design solutions. It aligns with our vision of raising the standard of living for all people, everywhere. Sanitation is truly the most vital prerequisite for health and quality of life,” concluded Delarge.
Chris Larys has joined Geberit as the new Central Region Sales/National Builder Manager. Based out of the Des Plaines, Illinois Office, Larys will oversee client accounts, product training and business development initiatives within the central U.S. region. He will be responsible for developing Geberit’s relationship with regional and national builders. With the housing market poised Read more
Chris Larys has joined Geberit as the new Central Region Sales/National Builder Manager. Based out of the Des Plaines, Illinois Office, Larys will oversee client accounts, product training and business development initiatives within the central U.S. region. He will be responsible for developing Geberit’s relationship with regional and national builders. With the housing market poised for continued improvement, the Geberit concealed tank and carrier is a natural enhancement for builders to offer their customers.
“Chris’ wealth of experience and industry knowledge have already made him a key addition to the Geberit family,” said Patrick Kimener, Senior Vice President of Sales for Geberit North America. “We view his appointment as a sign of our commitment to being the leading company in our industry. I’m confident that he will play a key role in providing and implementing high quality solutions for our clients.”
Larys has 15 years of experience in increasingly responsible sales management roles at several companies. Most recently from Mannington Mills Inc. in Salem, New Jersey, he developed and maintained national and regional accounts over a 15 state area. Larys also held multiple positions at Kohler Company in Kohler, Wisconsin, demonstrating strong leadership in the plumbing sector. He is also well versed in builder business plans, builder issues, concerns, and generating ideas and competitive information. Larys holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Central Michigan University.
Geberit North America is part of the Geberit Group, a European market leader and global provider of sanitary technology. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, Geberit North America provides concealed tank and carrier systems for wall-hung and floor-mounted toilets and fixtures. Geberit systems improve the look of any bathroom by hiding the unsightly toilet tank. Replacing a standard tank and toilet with the Geberit system results in more usable space, improved hygiene and better accessibility. The unique dual-flush valve saves water and is practically maintenance free. Monolith is Geberit’s newest product – a unique alternative to the traditional floor-mounted toilet and tank. Geberit also offers cable-controlled bath waste and overflows in a variety of designer finishes. Critical working parts are outside the waterway, ensuring years of trouble-free operation. As European market leader, the Geberit Group is a global provider in the area of plumbing technology with sales of CHF 2.4 billion and about 6,300 employees in 41 countries worldwide.
For additional information, contact Geberit North America at 2100 South Clearwater Drive, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, or call 800-566-2100. You can also visit Geberit North America at geberit.us.
Liberty Pumps, a manufacturer of sump, sewage and wastewater pumps is undergoing a major expansion of its facilities in Bergen, New York. The construction, which doubles the size of the current facility, will occur in three phases over the course of 2015. In total, the expansion will add over 123,000 sq. ft. to the corporate Read more
Liberty Pumps, a manufacturer of sump, sewage and wastewater pumps is undergoing a major expansion of its facilities in Bergen, New York.
The construction, which doubles the size of the current facility, will occur in three phases over the course of 2015. In total, the expansion will add over 123,000 sq. ft. to the corporate operation in upstate New York.
Phase one, already under way and nearing completion, is 81,600 sq. ft. of additional manufacturing area. The added space will allow for new manufacturing cells, increased warehouse area for component inventory and expanded machining operations. A new powder coat line is also planned as part of this expansion. Phase two, scheduled for completion in May, increases the research and engineering lab, service area and features a new lunchroom facility for its members. The 14,200 sq. ft. lab expansion allows for the addition of new equipment required for Liberty’s recent qualification as a CSA test facility. The area also features an additional 20,000 gallon test pit designed to support Liberty’s expanding product line.
Phase three – a 23,000 sq. ft. sales/marketing wing and product training center is slated to begin construction in April with a target completion date of August. The new wing features an 80 seat multi- purpose room, product display area for hands-on product training and demonstrations, as well as additional offices, a historical product display and visitors lounge.
States Randall Waldron, V.P. of Sales & Marketing, “As our products continue to advance technically, we realize product knowledge is critical – not only to our sales team, but for those that use and install our products on a daily basis. The new product training center will allow us to better share this knowledge in a way that provides a great experience as well.”
DAYTON, Ohio, April 1, 2015 – WinWholesale Inc., one of the largest distributors in the nation, has selected Milwaukee Electric Tool as its 2014 tools Vendor of the Year. “WinWholesale continues to grow tool sales thanks to the exceptional support of Milwaukee Electric Tool,” said Jack Johnston, WinWholesale president. “Their quality products are matched by Read more
DAYTON, Ohio, April 1, 2015 – WinWholesale Inc., one of the largest distributors in the nation, has selected Milwaukee Electric Tool as its 2014 tools Vendor of the Year. “WinWholesale continues to grow tool sales thanks to the exceptional support of Milwaukee Electric Tool,” said Jack Johnston, WinWholesale president. “Their quality products are matched by their excellent customer support. Milwaukee Electric Tool earned our highest ranking among the suppliers in the tool category.” WinWholesale also announced other Vendor of the Year Awards in the plumbing, industrial, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical, water works, and hydronic categories.
DAYTON, Ohio, April 1, 2015 – WinWholesale Inc., one of the largest distributors in the nation, has selected A. O. Smith as its 2014 plumbing Vendor of the Year. A. O. Smith supplies products to WinWholesale local companies representing the Winnelson, Winsupply and Noland Company brands. “WinWholesale has a long and successful partnership with A Read more
DAYTON, Ohio, April 1, 2015 – WinWholesale Inc., one of the largest distributors in the nation, has selected A. O. Smith as its 2014 plumbing Vendor of the Year. A. O. Smith supplies products to WinWholesale local companies representing the Winnelson, Winsupply and Noland Company brands. “WinWholesale has a long and successful partnership with A. O. Smith Water Products,” said Jack Johnston, WinWholesale president. “They support our growth efforts with great products, great programs and great people. A.O. Smith has earned our highest ranking among many excellent vendor partners.” WinWholesale also announced other Vendor of the Year Awards in the industrial, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical, water works, pump, hydronic and tools categories.