Grenada, Miss. — Milwaukee Tool has, once again, expanded their presence in the United States with the opening of their newest manufacturing facility located in Grenada County, Mississippi. The new location will employ more than 800 people, marks Milwaukee’s eighth location in Mississippi, and is the company’s largest manufacturing facility in the United States to Read more
HVAC
Grenada, Miss. — Milwaukee Tool has, once again, expanded their presence in the United States with the opening of their newest manufacturing facility located in Grenada County, Mississippi. The new location will employ more than 800 people, marks Milwaukee’s eighth location in Mississippi, and is the company’s largest manufacturing facility in the United States to date.
“Our rapid growth continues to accelerate, and this new facility in Grenada plays a crucial role in maintaining our trajectory of excellence in serving our distributor and user partners,” said Scott Griswold, Group President of the Professional Accessories Business Unit at Milwaukee Tool. “This success is the direct result of recruiting some of the best talent around the nation, especially in the state of Mississippi. Our strong people and our unique culture are unlike anything else in the industry.”
Milwaukee Tool invested more than $60 million into the more than 500,000-square-foot facility. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and manufacturing capabilities, the Grenada location will initially produce Milwaukee’s robust line of accessories, including their legendary SAWZALL® Blades, and will expand into additional product lines over time.
Milwaukee Tool, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, has seen remarkable double-digit growth every year for more than a decade. With a workforce of over 10,000 in the U.S. alone, the company has expanded its footprint both domestically and globally, driven by this consistent growth. In Mississippi, Milwaukee Tool has invested more than $250 million over the last five years and employs more than 4,000 people.
Malco Tools, one of the nation’s top manufacturers of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction industries, today announced that its new 7-in-1 C-RHEX® Flip Bit has earned a 2024 Pro Tool Innovation Award (PTIA) in the “Specialty Driver Bits” category. Now in its 12th year, the Pro Tool Innovation Awards evaluate hundreds of cutting-edge tools from across a wide variety Read more
Malco Tools, one of the nation’s top manufacturers of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction industries, today announced that its new 7-in-1 C-RHEX® Flip Bit has earned a 2024 Pro Tool Innovation Award (PTIA) in the “Specialty Driver Bits” category.
Now in its 12th year, the Pro Tool Innovation Awards evaluate hundreds of cutting-edge tools from across a wide variety of industries and manufacturers. This year, over 100 different manufacturers and brands submitted nearly 400 products in dozens of categories for a chance to take home a 2024 Pro Tool Innovation Award.
The awarded products were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including contractors, construction business owners, tradespeople and media professionals. Winners stood out for their innovative features, superior power delivery, revolutionary ergonomics, technological advancements, improvements in jobsite safety or exceptional value.
Malco’s 7-in-1 C-RHEX® Flip Bit Series, which come in three integrated driver head options — #2 Phillips (MTP2), #2 Robertson (MTS2) and T25 Star (MTT25), was recognized for its combination of quality and performance. Each model comes with six easy-to-clean C-RHEX® reversible and stackable hex driver sizes (¼” & 5/16”, 11/32” & 3/8”, 7/16” & 1/2”) that stay tight on the shaft during work and while moving around the job site. The driver heads are impact-rated and compatible with any driver.
With seven essential functions all built right into its compact size, the 7-in-1 Flip Bit is a whole toolkit built for on-the-go trade professionals. Its cleanable, reversible and stackable features ensure hassle-free maintenance, compact size and long-lasting performance.
“It’s an honor to earn the Pro Tool Innovation Award for our new 7-in-1 C-RHEX® Flip Bit,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing at Malco. “We designed this tool with precision and durability in mind, making Malco the top choice for superior quality and fastening performance on the job site.”
“This marks our 12th year of hosting the PTIA Awards, and each year we witness an increasing level of innovation from both large and small companies,” said PTIA executive director Clint DeBoer. “Every Pro Tool Innovation Award celebrates a product developed by passionate people who, like us, believe the standard we’re used to is no longer good enough.”
For more information about Malco Tools and the 7-in-1 C-RHEX® Flip Bit, visit www.malcotools.com/malco-7-in-1-c-rhex-flip-bit-series.
Students will pursue careers in the HVAC & Energy Industry Fourteen students have recently graduated from the PPATEC HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 13, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements Read more
Students will pursue careers in the HVAC & Energy Industry
Fourteen students have recently graduated from the PPATEC HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 13, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements as well as acknowledging their exciting new career choice.
The September 2024 HVAC & Energy Professional Program graduates included Anthony Morales (Pottsville, Schuylkill County), Christopher Falbo (Shippensburg, Cumberland County), Devon Spadt (Palmerton, Carbon County), Dominic Cruz (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Dywan Blanding (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Jaionne Miller (Lemoyne, Cumberland County), Josh Shore (Dover, York County), Juan Harris (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Man Singh Magar (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Marquan Whiting (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Michael Mooney (New Oxford, Adams County), Pupsa Kafle (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Tate Petrides (Aspers, Adams County), Walker Martin (East Earl, Lancaster County). Six of the fourteen graduates were $3,000 recipients of the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation.
The following students will be entering the workforce immediately upon graduation:
- Anthony Morales (accepted a position with Rick’s Refrigeration & Heating, Inc. prior to graduation)
- Devon Spadt (enrolled as an employee of RF Ohl while attending the program)
- Dominic Cruz (accepted a position with Home Climates prior to graduation)
- Dywan Blanding (accepted a position with HL Bowman prior to graduation)
- Juan Harris (accepted a position with Suburban Propane prior to graduation)
- Michael Mooney (accepted a position with Suburban Propane prior to graduation)
- Tate Petrides (accepted a position with Zimmerman Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning prior to graduation)
- Walker Martin (accepted a position with Kauffman Gas prior to graduation)
PPATEC, an arm of the PA Petroleum Association (PPA), offers leading hands-on technical training solutions for the HVAC and energy industry. The PPA is a not-for-profit trade association representing 450+ energy stakeholders. PPATEC is a postsecondary entry-level career training institution licensed by the State Board of Private Licensing Schools and is approved by the VA to accept GI Bill® benefits.
In 2022, PPATEC launched its HVAC & Energy Professional Program, a 10-week, hands-on curriculum tailored to provide the skills needed to secure a job in the HVAC and energy industry. Since then, graduates of the program have routinely enjoyed multiple employment offers, often graduating on a Friday and going into a new career the following Monday.
According to Ted Harris, PPATEC’s Executive Vice President, there is a state-wide shortage of more than 2,000 HVAC and energy technicians — jobs with an average annual salary well above $50,000. PPATEC created its entry-level training program to help PPA members fill that pressing need. “We’re glad to play a role in preparing these — and other — young men and women for family sustaining careers in an in-demand field,” says Harris.
Candidates have multiple opportunities for financial support. Veterans can use GI Bill® benefits to defray the cost of the program. PPATEC also routinely offers scholarships to candidates. In addition, PPA members have an opportunity to sponsor a candidate entering the program. To learn more about PPATEC’s program, visit https://ppatec.com/.
https://vimeo.com/1011041888 Welcome back to our weekly update. Today is Friday, September 20 2024 and here’s what’s happening in the plumbing, mechanical and HVAC world. In this edition, we talk ServiceTitan Elite Trades Championship Series, what’s happening in Washington DC these days, and NEXSTAR Network’s Super Meeting Read more
Welcome back to our weekly update. Today is Friday, September 20 2024 and here’s what’s happening in the plumbing, mechanical and HVAC world. In this edition, we talk ServiceTitan Elite Trades Championship Series, what’s happening in Washington DC these days, and NEXSTAR Network’s Super Meeting.
The Refrigerant Detection System Calculator is built into the Ducted Systems Solutions app, allowing contractors to easily and quickly determine if residential or commercial HVAC projects require a Refrigerant Detection System The Ducted Systems Solutions app is a centralized resource to find equipment information, including step-by-step installation guides and videos for commercial rooftop units and Read more
- The Refrigerant Detection System Calculator is built into the Ducted Systems Solutions app, allowing contractors to easily and quickly determine if residential or commercial HVAC projects require a Refrigerant Detection System
- The Ducted Systems Solutions app is a centralized resource to find equipment information, including step-by-step installation guides and videos for commercial rooftop units and residential HVAC equipment
Johnson Controls Residential & Light Commercial has announced the launch of its Refrigerant Detection System (RDS) Calculator within the Ducted Systems Solutions (DS Solutions) mobile app. A first for the residential and light commercial HVAC industry, this innovative calculator is designed to help users determine the need for refrigerant detection systems based on specific conditions such as space dimensions and the amount of refrigerant being used.
This calculator is part of Johnson Controls’ broader initiative to transition to more environmentally sustainable refrigerants, like R-454B, which has a lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to traditional refrigerants. The calculator is also designed to assist contractors and distributors with simple step-by-step installation instructions if they determine a RDS is needed.
“The transition to low-GWP refrigerants has been complex, as building codes that reference safety standards vary from state-to-state,” said Chris Forth, vice president of regulatory, codes and environmental affairs, Johnson Controls. “Our goal is to make the transition as seamless and confusion-free as possible for contractors and distributors so they can focus less on calculations and conversions, and more on providing efficient, safe and compliant installations. Our user-friendly calculator gives straightforward recommendations in just a few, simple steps.”
Available within the company’s DS Solutions App and product selection tools, the patent-pending RDS Calculator prompts users to answer a few questions about the job, such as refrigerant volume, supply air discharge height, total area being conditioned and potential zone impact. Once submitted, the calculator provides an immediate report summary and indicates if an RDS is recommended to ensure the application is compliant with current standards (UL/CSA-60335-2-40, 1). The report will also flag additional mitigation details, including whether additional exhaust air is required in the conditioned space, and provides a rationale report so contractors can easily act on the results.
A year of research went into the development of the RDS Calculator, including close collaboration with safety agencies to confirm compliance with current standards. The calculator is being launched alongside the shipment of the company’s newly updated A2L portfolio of residential and light commercial ducted HVAC products.
To comply with safety standards and ensure customer safety, new R-454B equipment can be equipped with a factory-installed refrigerant detection system engineered to detect refrigerant concentrations as determined by the safety standards and building code requirements. If a leak is detected, the RDS activates an alarm sequence and automatically shuts down equipment compressors, de-energizes attached ignition sources and activates airflow circulation to prevent the refrigerant from reaching its lower flammability limit.
Launched in 2022, the no-cost DS Solutions App provides contractors with instant access to commercial and residential equipment information such as installation guides, parts list, start-up sheets, warranty information and training videos to help streamline installation, troubleshooting and maintenance processes. This digital resource was designed to help enhance contractor efficiency by reducing the need for physical manuals and paper assets that can be time-consuming to navigate and sort through while on the job site.
The DS Solutions App is available for Android and iOS and can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/ds-solutions-app.