RIDGID experience

Once-in-a-lifetime VIP trip lets trade professionals go behind-the-scenes at RIDGID

RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, recently hosted their seventh RIDGID Experience, an annual celebration of the skilled trades held at RIDGID headquarters in Elyria, Ohio. Each year, the brand’s signature event rewards select members of the trades with an all expenses-paid, three-day VIP trip that features hands-on experiences, fun and camaraderie.

“The enthusiasm for RIDGID Experience continues to grow and this year’s trip was more epic than the last,” said Maddie Suvak, engagement marketing manager, RIDGID for Emerson. “It’s often described as ‘the hottest ticket in plumbing,’ and we loved hosting lifechanging experiences for attendees, who joined us from across the United States and Canada.”

Pat Finley from Indiana described the trip as: “The best three days I could ask for. Friends and memories for a lifetime.” Herb Lisone from California, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Loved every moment! Great brand, great people, great team! Definitely felt the love, run it back!!!”

Participants included:

• Nick Parlet, Webster, NY
• Pat Finley, Frankton, IN
• Germaine Nelson, Bowie, MD
• David Williams, New Braunfels, TX
• Philip Juliano, Boynton Beach, FL
• Laura Giudice, Mississauga, ON, Canada
• Herb Lisone, Sylmar, CA
• David Waldon, Ogden, KS
• Mike Caruso, Moreland Hills, OH

A highlight of the event was a factory tour that invited each guest to build their own iconic RIDGID customized pipe wrench. Guests also received a sneak peek at the latest RIDGID tools in development and provided feedback and insights. They also had the opportunity to network with attendees of Greenlee® Experience, a similar contest hosted by professional tools brand Greenlee. The two concurrent events created a full-scale celebration of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades.

“Our team looks forward to the RIDGID Experience every year, and that’s especially true for our manufacturing team,” said Suvak. “There’s something special about having the people who use our tools get to shake the hands of the people who made them.”

Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.

RIDGID®, Greenlee® and Klauke® are trademarks of Emerson or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.

RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, announced their participation in the WWETT Show, Jan. 25 – 27, in Indianapolis. This year’s in-booth experience will include demos of their latest underground and pressing technology solutions, the opportunity to network with other pros during an exclusive show meetup and the first chance to enter to win a spot at the 2024 RIDGID Experience.

“RIDGID is taking cleaning, inspecting and patching to the next level and our team can’t wait to meet with the plumbers and drain cleaning professionals at WWETT to share our latest solutions,” said Jeff Albertini, marketing director, plumbing and mechanical, RIDGID. “We also can’t wait to host an exclusive in-booth meet up for industry pros to connect with each other and to offer the possibility of winning a new K9-204+ FlexShaft Machine.”

RIDGID invited tradespeople to stop by the RIDGID booth to experience their innovative drain cleaning, inspection, pipe rehabilitation, and pressing tools, including these latest solutions:

• NEW: FlexShaft® KM-1004 Milling Machine – This new innovative milling machine provides heavy-duty milling and a wall-to-wall clean on 1 ¼ to 4-inch pipe up to 80 feet with unmatched efficiency. With cordless freedom, plug-in capability, first ever cable counter, and best-in-class durability, the FlexShaft KM-1004 Milling Machine allows users to adapt to tough jobsite conditions and makes in-field serviceability effortless.
• NEW: K9-204+ FlexShaft Machine – This upgraded version of the K9-204 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine has latches around the perimeter to provide easy access to the inside of the machine, an improved cable clamp for increased cable protection, and on-board hex key storage. The K9-204+ can be used on 2 to 4-inch pipe and includes 70 feet of 5/16-inch cable. A full range of chain knockers and accessories are available.
• RIDGID Pipe Patching System – An all-inclusive, start-to-finish solution for faster and simpler trenchless repairs, the Pipe Patching System is the most versatile system on the market, offering more types of repairs with less materials and equipment. Featuring a durable fiberglass patch, it is ideal for repairing small sections of damaged pipe in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
• SeeSnake® Mini Pro Inspection Camera with TruSense Technology – The first reel of its kind to provide digital self-leveling without mechanical rotation, the small, yet rugged Mini Pro is designed to inspect up to 200 feet of 1 ½ to 8-inch pipe with its mid-flex push cable that can navigate hard 90-degree bends. Its innovative 25 mm digital self-leveling camera head always keeps the in-pipe image upright and, when
  paired with a TruSense enabled monitor, the Mini Pro delivers the industry’s best in-pipe image with superior clarity, detail and fewer blown-out areas and sections of the pipe that are too dark to see.
• K-4310 FXP™ Drum Machine – The K-4310 features an industry-first cable counter that provides real-time, in-pipe cable distance in 3 to 10-inch lines for faster locating and diagnostics. Ideal for residential and commercial plumbing and drain cleaning projects, its powerful brushless DC motor spins at 230 RPM allowing you to tackle tough jobs with less required maintenance. The battery-powered K-4310 is also the newest addition to the FXP Technology Platform, delivering cordless freedom and powerful performance.

Other RIDGID drain cleaning, diagnostic, and press tools will also be available for demo including sectional machines, drum machines, jetters, SeeSnake® camera systems and locators.

Along with product demos, RIDGID had several other booth experiences, including hosting a booth meetup where they will gave away a K9-204+ FlexShaft Machine. Additionally, the first day of the show kicked off the RIDGID Experience 2024 and the RIDGID WWETT booth was the first opportunity for attendees to enter for their chance to win a spot on the seventh annual, all-expenses-paid trip to RIDGID headquarters. Throughout the show, attendees scanned their badge to enter to win one of three K9-102 FlexShaft Machines.

RIDGID also took their social followers to WWETT virtually on their social channels and with drain cleaning professionals Evan Berns (@re.plumb) and Nick Parlet (@plumbingsk8r) who will shared their WWETT show experience on their social media channels too.

To learn more about RIDGID purpose-built tools they had at WWETT, contact your local distributor or visit RIDGID.com.

A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID hosted winners at their headquarters with an all-expenses paid trip and signature VIP treatment

RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, recently hosted their fifth annual RIDGID Experience trip, a VIP event that invites select members of the skilled trades to gather for fun, camaraderie and hands-on experiences. The event also serves as a “thank you” to the trades for the role they play in building and maintaining our country’s infrastructure.

The contest, which draws entries from tradespeople across the country, concludes with RIDGID treating nine guests to a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to RIDGID headquarters. The highlight of the visit is a factory tour that invites each guest to build their own iconic RIDGID customized pipe wrench. Guests also received a sneak peek at the latest RIDGID tool innovations and provided their opinions on product that is currently in development. Evening events included treating the guests to a preview of the company’s 100 Year Anniversary celebration plans, set for 2023. Guests also had the opportunity to network with guests of Greenlee® Experience, a similar contest hosted by professional tools brand Greenlee. The two concurrent events created a full-scale celebration of the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades.

“The excitement around RIDGID Experience, both by trade professionals and the RIDGID team, has grown each year. After every contest our team is always impressed by the pride and commitment each guest has for their profession,” said Becky Brotherton, director of engagement marketing, RIDGID for Emerson. “It’s a privilege to be able to thank each of them for their dedication and hard work with this VIP experience.”

This year’s guests were equally enthusiastic about the trip, with one guest calling it the “bucket list” trip of a lifetime.

“My favorite part was meeting the people behind the brand because that’s what makes the brand,” said Armando Ramos, a service plumber in Phoenix, Arizona. “Now that I think of RIDGID I think of family. Thanks for the opportunity!”

“I can’t say enough about how amazing the past few days were. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to the RIDGID Experience 2022 and meet so many fantastic people, check out the headquarters and go on some pretty awesome outings. I’m over the moon and still just can’t believe that I got to do this,” said Mary-Anne Bowcott, owner of Westcom Plumbing and Gas in Sooke, British Columbia.

Individuals in the RIDGID Experience Group included (in photo L-R):

• Tyler Dale – Seaside, California
• Armando Ramos – Phoenix, Arizona
• John Snyder – Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
• Derek Newton – Kirland Lake, Ontario
• Colton Henkowski – Denver, Colorado
• Mary-Anne Bowcott – Sooke, British Columbia
• George DeJesus – Stanhope, New Jersey
• Alan Carlson – Wheaton, Illinois
• Christopher Armstrong – Ulster Park, New York

Details on the 2023 RIDGID Experience Contest will be announced early next year.

Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.