A former star middle linebacker for the University of Toledo, which progressed to the Marion Mayhem indoor professional football team, and then to an All-American middle linebacker for a semi-pro football team for nearly 10 years, Shawn Ziegler has now turned to boxing. After some time had passed after his football career, he started working Read more
PVF
A former star middle linebacker for the University of Toledo, which progressed to the Marion Mayhem indoor professional football team, and then to an All-American middle linebacker for a semi-pro football team for nearly 10 years, Shawn Ziegler has now turned to boxing. After some time had passed after his football career, he started working out and getting back into shape, when his buddy messaged him and asked if I wanted to try out boxing, Being the competitor that he is, Ziegler said yes. He’s had three fights so far and, you guessed it, he’s undefeated.
Ziegler is uncertain if he’ll fight again, but he’s not closing the door entirely. It’s tough to get in the ring at the age of 40, says Ziegler, especially after playing football for so many years. “I’m a 40-year-old living in 60-year-old body, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve enjoyed every moment of my athletic career,” says Ziegler.
For the past five years, Ziegler has been the mechanical piping field supervisor for Accurate Mechanical, Inc., Lancaster, Ohio, which includes dabbling in mechanical piping and equipment installation—boilers, chillers, air handlers, cooling towers and VRF systems. “My crew and I can do it all,” says Ziegler.
From the Jump
Ziegler has always been a part of the trades, as long as he can remember. “My grandfather and my father were both involved in the trades; my father was a brick, block and stone mason, so I was introduced to the labor force at the ripe old age of five. I can remember tagging along with dad on side jobs and him putting me to work mixing mortar,” recalls Ziegler.
From an early age, Ziegler’s grandfather and father taught him what it meant to work for the things you want in life. “They shaped me into a man, and I didn’t even realize they were doing so,” says Ziegler.
As a young adult, Ziegler worked a few different trades after his college football career ended. He worked in concrete, masonry, and demolition before, what he says, “stumbled upon plumbing.”
“I was laid off from my demolition job where I was making I measly $10 an hour so I talked to a buddy who was in a plumbing apprenticeship and he said the company was looking for new apprentices. So, I signed up, and the rest is history,” says Ziegler.
That history was defined by his journey into plumbing and pipefitting nearly 16 years ago. “Within those 16 years I’ve worked my way through the trenches and into a good role as the field supervisor where I over see a crew of 10 pipefitters,” says Ziegler.
He began as a plumbing apprentice in 2008 and graduated from the Association of Plumbing and Hydronic Contractors (APHC) apprenticeship program in Central Ohio in 2012 near the top of his class. Although, Ziegler says he found out quickly he enjoyed working in the HVAC industry more than the plumbing industry. “I started my HVAC career in 2010 after only two years plumbing. I’ve always been a bigger and stronger guy than most of my co-workers, so I was always put on the jobs where heavier lifting was required. Now I’m in a position near the top of my trade,” says Ziegler.
As a pipefitter, Ziegler’s No. 1 tool will always be a RIDGID pipe wrench. But with the magnitude of some of his jobs—a lot of big commercial, industrial work—Ziegler uses a wide variety of tools, including grooving machines, big hydraulic cutters, thread machines, and his crew uses a lot of rigging tools to set their equipment into place. “Most companies hire sub-contractors to move and set their HVAC equipment, not us we pride ourselves in the fact that we can do a job from start to finish,” says Ziegler.
Ziegler currently is taking college classes to get his business management degree, in hopes to continue his climb to the top of his career.
Paying Homage
Ziegler does want to send a shout out to a few great men that helped develop him into the professional that he is today. The first nod goes to an old man named Dave Boehringer. He was a senior piping foreman that Ziegler worked with for nearly 10 years. “He may be one of the smartest and hardest working men I’ve ever known. Dave taught me what hard work and dedication was all about. He had a way to reach out and pull the young apprentices in, and he was great teacher of the trade. I was blessed to have a foreman like him in my early years,” says Ziegler.
The next gentleman is Andy Jacobs. He took a chance on a young man that didn’t know which direction was up at the time. Jacobs hired Ziegler, just as he was stepping away from plumbing, as a journeyman pipefitter at a company named Engineering Excellence, a service-based company that specializes in HVAC retrofits. “I learned a lot during my eight years there. I have worked with Andy off and on for nearly 10 years, maybe more. And to this day, he is one of my best buddies,” says Ziegler.
The Younger Generation
Yet, Ziegler sees himself as a role model for people looking to get into the pipefitting trade. He regularly attends career days and talks to the younger generation. He also coached high school football for many years, helping several of his young athletes get into the trades.
“The best thing we can do to attract the youth to the trades is treat them the right way. Remember that they are young and learning something new. Make them feel as if they are wanted and appreciated. That goes along way,” says Ziegler.
In addition, Ziegler’s message to the younger generation trying to get into the trades is to stick with it no matter what. “Times will get tough, the pay sucks starting out, but if you do your best and apply yourself in everything you do, it will all work out in the end. The best thing they can do is listen to those above you,” says Ziegler.
What does Ziegler like the most about his work? The biggest reward Ziegler’s gotten while on a job is someone from another trade complimenting him on his craftsmanship, telling him that something I installed is the best they’ve seen; however, the most challenging things he faces now are completing job on schedule with limited manpower. “I have a great crew, but I would love to be able to clone the guys I have now and double my crew,” says Ziegler.
Work/Life Balance
Ziegler says that it is very important to balance work and life, but often times that’s hard to do. “This may be a better question for my wife,” says Ziegler. His spare time is spent reading—Stephen King novels are his favorite—and helping his wife take care of their 5-acre hobby farm where they raise rabbits, and chickens, ducks, and his five Great Pyrenees dogs that they have rescued over the years. “We are a busy family. I work, go to school, help on the farm, and help raise our two disabled children. So, time is a tough thing to find sometimes,” says Ziegler.
And, Ziegler tries to keep in the best shape as he can. “Working out and staying in shape helps the mind and body tremendously,” says Ziegler. “I struggle sometimes to stay motivated, but when I’m working out it delivers a peace of mind. It’s always nice to be in some sort of shape while working as a pipefitter. We do a ton of heavy lifting while we are installing.”
At the end of the day, it’s that balance that helps him enjoy the good life. “When I wake up in the morning, I always tell myself that today is going to be a great day. No matter what challenges may lay ahead of me. I’m truly blessed to work in a trade that I enjoy. I think I actually enjoyed it more when I was physically doing the work in the field, but I love to be able to teach and help my apprentices grow into productive tradesmen.”
Industry leaders deliver comprehensive distribution of AI-based water management, protection and risk mitigation solutions throughout the U.S. WINT Water Intelligence, a global leader in cutting-edge water management and leak-prevention solutions, announces a strategic collaboration with Ferguson, the largest value-added distributor of plumbing supplies, PVF, waterworks, and fire and fabrication products in the United States. WINT’s solutions Read more
Industry leaders deliver comprehensive distribution of AI-based water management, protection and risk mitigation solutions throughout the U.S.
WINT Water Intelligence, a global leader in cutting-edge water management and leak-prevention solutions, announces a strategic collaboration with Ferguson, the largest value-added distributor of plumbing supplies, PVF, waterworks, and fire and fabrication products in the United States. WINT’s solutions are now available to Ferguson’s extensive distribution network, offering a broader selection of advanced technologies that complement Ferguson’s existing commercial building solutions.
“We are thrilled to team up with Ferguson, a true leader in the plumbing and HVAC industries,” said Alon Geva, WINT’s CEO. “This strengthens WINT’s distribution channels with more capabilities while also allowing us to concentrate on elevating and further developing our innovative software solutions. Together, we aim to set new standards in water management and leak detection.”
Moving forward, Ferguson will now offer WINT’s advanced water management solutions to its customers and manage the distribution of WINT’s systems throughout the United States. The relationship will take the industry standard to the next level when it comes to accurate water consumption monitoring, water damage prevention, water waste reduction and promoting water sustainability across the board, while positioning each company at the forefront of water management.
“As the importance of preventing leaks and water damage grows, we recognize the need to provide our customers with the most advanced and reliable solutions available,” said Trey Horne, Ferguson outside sales representative. “Working with WINT ensures our customers have full access to top technology to help safeguard their properties and minimize the impact of water-related issues, all while driving the path toward better sustainable water management together.”
WINT systems installed in buildings report to reduce water consumption and its associated carbon emissions by 20%-25%. Moreover, a recent study by Munich Re, the world’s largest global reinsurer, found that construction jobsites protected by WINT dramatically reduce the impact of water leak damage; sites where WINT was installed were found to submit 73% fewer insurance claims and resulted in 90% less payouts when compared with sites not protected by WINT.
WINT equips contractors, developers and property management teams with holistic solution for managing water throughout the lifecycle of a building, from construction to operation. It is used globally by customers including Suffolk Construction, HP, PepsiCo, the Empire State Building, as well as many other leading enterprises, general contractors (GCs) and facility owners.
The WINT platform includes portfolio-wide water monitoring and analysis, leak mitigation with real-time detection and auto shut-off; unparalleled anomaly detection and analytics powered by advanced AI algorithms; and comes with an enterprise-grade management for operation in large and mid-sized facilities. Green buildings deploying WINT can add multiple credits to their overall LEED sustainability score to increase their overall ranking.
To explore how you can benefit from the Ferguson and WINT collaboration,click here.
Elkhart, Indiana-based NIBCO Inc. celebrated in style this week as esteemed guests were invited to dinner, drinks and dancing in what was a wedding reception-like ceremony that included a multi-piece band. The following day, invitees were treated the ribbon cutting of the new Rex Martin NIBCO Interactive Museum, and took the tour. The museum offers Read more
Elkhart, Indiana-based NIBCO Inc. celebrated in style this week as esteemed guests were invited to dinner, drinks and dancing in what was a wedding reception-like ceremony that included a multi-piece band. The following day, invitees were treated the ribbon cutting of the new Rex Martin NIBCO Interactive Museum, and took the tour.
The museum offers a unique and enriching experience from a historical perspective, interactive learning, inspiration, community impact, and career opportunities. Not just a place to learn about the past, it’s a place to get excited about the future of plumbing and the opportunities it holds.
“Our decision to build the NIBCO Interactive Museum and name it after my father is a tribute to his remarkable contributions to the plumbing industry and a continuation of a legacy that began with my great-great-grandfather in 1904,” said NIBCO’s President and CEO Ashley Martin. “This ambitious project was something I wanted to complete and dedicate on NIBCO’s 120th anniversary to make it extra special. The museum is not just about preserving our history; it’s about showcasing the profound impact we’ve had on the evolution of plumbing and our philanthropic efforts within the community.”
Martin continued, “I want our NIBCO associated, our customers, local school kids to be able to come here and use this so it needed to be interactive. We also highlighted plumbing: where our products go, how they bring water to you, take waste away, but it also highlights our four manufacturing processes—plastics, copper, bronze and iron.”
The museum offers a unique and enriching experience from a historical perspective, interactive learning, inspiration, community impact, and career opportunities. Not just a place to learn about the past, it’s a place to get excited about the future of plumbing and the opportunities it holds.
Artifacts, representing various aspects of the history of plumbing, as well as the history of NIBCO, are exhibited throughout the museum, including:
- Early foundry tools
- Original crown jewels of NIBCO
- Original early fittings including the first fitting from 1927 and early valves
- Original product blueprints from the 1930s
- Items from Lee Martin’s collection
- Original printings of Ross Martin’s collection of booklets
- Philanthropic contributions
- Collectibles and promotions
The 8,845-square-foot building was completely renovated beginning in 2023. The museum portion of the space is 3,254 square feet, and additional space in the building will be used as a training area for customers, distributors, and NIBCO associates.
Aalberts integrated piping systems (IPS), a global leader in advanced integrated piping systems for the distribution and control of liquids and gasses, is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming ASPE Convention & Expo, taking place from October 18-23, 2024 in Columbus, OH. Aalberts IPS will be exhibiting at booth #1815, where attendees can Read more
Aalberts integrated piping systems (IPS), a global leader in advanced integrated piping systems for the distribution and control of liquids and gasses, is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming ASPE Convention & Expo, taking place from October 18-23, 2024 in Columbus, OH. Aalberts IPS will be exhibiting at booth #1815, where attendees can explore the company’s latest innovations, services, and product lines, designed to deliver complete, tailored piping solutions across industries.
Aalberts IPS is renowned for its mission-critical products surrounding valve and connection technology, with a legacy spanning 96 years under its “Apollo”® Valves brand. The company offers a wide range of products, including: ball valves, butterfly valves, safety relief valves, control valves, mixing valves, backflow preventers, and more. These products are engineered domestically to meet the needs of key verticals from commercial to industrial and utility markets globally.
At the ASPE Convention & Expo, Aalberts IPS’ booth will feature key information about the company’s design and field services, as well as products like the Revit plug-in among the Shurjoint and “Apollo”® product lines. Aalberts IPS provides expert advice and support for piping applications, from the initial planning stages to the final implementation of piping systems. Their unique design service ensures that every project is optimized for efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, Aalberts IPS offers a comprehensive range of field services to ensure that piping systems are installed correctly and operate efficiently. Their experienced team provides on-site support, from installation to maintenance, ensuring long-term system reliability with minimal downtime.
Booth visitors will be able to witness the Aalberts IPS Revit plug-in, a powerful tool designed to streamline the design process, allowing engineers and architects to easily integrate Aalberts IPS products into their projects. This plug-in enhances project accuracy and efficiency, ensuring things are done right the first time and minimizing costly extended lead times. The Shurjoint range of mechanical piping solutions, which will also be highlighted at the event, is known for its versatility and ease of installation. This product line is designed to offer reliable and extremely durable pipe connections for a variety of piping systems whereas the “Apollo” SmartPress® line of press fittings and valves offer quick and secure connections, reducing installation time and costs while ensuring long-term reliability.
Finding the perfect mix of glycol and water in a hydronic system doesn’t have to be hard. Guest presenter John Panasewicz will discuss the best ways to specify and maintain water-glycol blends in boilers, chillers and other heat transfer applications. This pre-heating-season webinar will clear up the confusing aspects of antifreeze for designers and installers Read more
Finding the perfect mix of glycol and water in a hydronic system doesn’t have to be hard. Guest presenter John Panasewicz will discuss the best ways to specify and maintain water-glycol blends in boilers, chillers and other heat transfer applications. This pre-heating-season webinar will clear up the confusing aspects of antifreeze for designers and installers.
→ How do you know what percentage of glycol is best for your project?
→ What is the best way to maintain system fluid?
→ What is the difference between freeze and burst?
→ How can recovered glycol be reused?
→ How do air and dirt separation affect system fluids?
John was a founding member of the ASTM D15.30 Subcommittee on Heat Transfer Fluids and will provide both technical and practical insights on this topic. He is the Director of Technology at G2 Solutions in Denver, Colorado.