A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID employs 16 fathers and their children RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, celebrated Father’s Day by creating a tribute video recognizing how the work fathers do can inspire their children’s career choices. The inspiration behind the video came from RIDGID’s own workforce: currently sixteen RIDGID Read more
RIDGID
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID employs 16 fathers and their children
RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, celebrated Father’s Day by creating a tribute video recognizing how the work fathers do can inspire their children’s career choices. The inspiration behind the video came from RIDGID’s own workforce: currently sixteen RIDGID employees are considered “legacies” – meaning they have dads that worked for the company’s manufacturing team before them. These “RIDGID Dads” and now their children build RIDGID tools in Elyria, OH, that are used by skilled trade professionals across the country, many by family-owned companies that also include fathers and their children.
“When we ask trade professionals how they got into the industry, learning from their fathers is a common response,” said Becky Brotherton, director of engagement marketing, RIDGID for Emerson. “Passing along their skills to the next generation is a legacy that lasts, not only in their children, but also in the infrastructure built and maintained through their challenging careers. Father’s Day seemed like the ideal time to celebrate the legacy that we see regularly on jobsites and in our manufacturing team.”
The video, shared last week on RIDGID social channels and viewed more than 2,000 times, features Russell and Josh Halstead, co-owners of Valu-Rooter® in Elyria, OH, and Jose and Bryan Gonzalez, RIDGID employees.
“I remember him having this determination and hard work to get the job done, but to do it right the first time,” said Josh Halstead, of his dad. “I started working in high school to make some money, but coming out of school I became more interested in this line of work. I wanted to be the best that I could be. I’ve always had the goal of being the best plumber. I want people to hear our name and think of quality.”
“The number of generations, including fathers and their children, working at our company is a unique aspect of our team,” said Danielle Hart, director of human resources, RIDGID for Emerson. “It’s a distinction that we’re proud of and one that we think contributes to a positive work environment.”
View the video on RIDGID social channels, including Instagram – @ridgidtools – and Facebook – @RIDGIDTools.
RIDGID has released Father’s Day videos the last several years, each a tribute to dads in the trades and the influence they have on their children. Previous videos can also be viewed on their YouTube channel.
Elyria, Ohio—RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its second annual “We Love STEM Day” in June for 38 students in grades three through eight. The event was designed to support local schools and engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It also helped RIDGID demonstrate the role these vital subjects Read more
Elyria, Ohio—RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its second annual “We Love STEM Day” in June for 38 students in grades three through eight. The event was designed to support local schools and engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It also helped RIDGID demonstrate the role these vital subjects play in manufacturing.
“It was wonderful to see the energy and excitement the students had for learning — and to hear their questions about manufacturing and the way STEM is used in the work we do,” said Rose Hitchens, event chair, “We Love STEM Day” and chapter lead, RIDGID Women’s Impact Network for Emerson. “Engaging students at an early age in STEM education helps to encourage a love of learning in these subjects. It also helps foster the next generation of creators, innovators and inventors.”
Students participated in a variety of hands-on activities that strengthened their problem-solving skills, including building a flashlight and testing different methods of creating a strong and lightweight pasta tower.
RIDGID is a proud supporter of local programs and education-based initiatives throughout Lorain County, including Elyria school makerspaces that reinforce STEM learning. The company also partners with current and future trade professionals and regularly invests and donates products. For years, its leaders have served on industry boards to help strengthen the trades.
RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, invites attendees to stop by their booth as they celebrate more than 25 years as the leader in diagnostics at the show by offering attendees the chance to win a Limited Edition SeeSnake Camera Reel RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, announced their participation in Read more
RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, invites attendees to stop by their booth as they celebrate more than 25 years as the leader in diagnostics at the show by offering attendees the chance to win a Limited Edition SeeSnake Camera Reel
RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, announced their participation in the WWETT Show, Feb. 21 – 24, in Indianapolis. Their product team will be providing hands-on demos of their latest drain cleaning and inspection tools, including the new SeeSnake® microReel™ APX™ designed to optimize inspections.
Engineered with a lightweight, compact profile for easy portability, the microReel APX features bright LED lights and auto image flip, ensuring clear, upright images. Paired with TruSense® technology, this tool delivers the industry’s best in-pipe image and RIDGID invites tradespeople to stop by the RIDGID booth (#1141) to be one of the first to experience it. The product launch coincides with a milestone for the brand as they celebrate over 25 years in diagnostics.
“The RIDGID SeeSnake microReel APX continues to deliver on our promise to help plumbers find, see and pinpoint problem areas in-pipe. It is our latest camera reel to offer TruSense technology, so plumbers have the enhanced data capabilities they need to see and diagnose issues,” said Laura Wolverton, marketing director, underground technologies, RIDGID for Emerson. “WWETT will be a great opportunity for plumbers to test out this new tool’s durability and imaging and see the product firsthand.”
Additional RIDGID tools available for demo during WWETT include: FlexShaft® Drain Cleaning Machines, sectional machines, drum machines, jetters, SeeSnake camera systems, locators and pressing tools. Greenlee®, also a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, will be joining RIDGID in-booth to showcase select tools, including Knockouts, GSB Series Step Bits, Carbide-Tipped Hole Cutters and the G1 Versi-Tugger™.
Along with product demos, the RIDGID brand has several other interactive booth experiences planned. Attendees can enter to win a SeeSnake 25th anniversary reel and a chance to win a FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine being given away each day during the show. The first day of the show will also kickoff entries for the brand’s popular RIDGID Experience, the annual, all-expenses-paid trip has continued to grow in popularity with tradespeople, and the RIDGID WWETT booth will be the first location for attendees to enter for their chance to win a spot.
RIDGID and Greenlee will also be taking their social followers virtually to WWETT. Follow along here: RIDGID – @ridgidtools on Instagram, @RIDGIDTools on Facebook, @RIDGIDToday on Twitter and Greenlee – @greenleetools on Instagram, @GreenleeTools on Facebook, @GreenleeTools on Twitter.
To learn more about RIDGID and Greenlee purpose-built tools, stop by their booth (#1141) during WWETT, contact your local distributor or visit RIDGID.com or Greenlee.com.
RIDGID offers full line of standard and compact press tool options RIDGID®, the leader in pressing tool technology, is bringing game-changing innovation to the skilled trades with the RP 351, its first in-line standard press tool. Engineered from the ground up to deliver reliability and efficiency, this tool operates with an advanced brushless motor requiring Read more
RIDGID offers full line of standard and compact press tool options
RIDGID®, the leader in pressing tool technology, is bringing game-changing innovation to the skilled trades with the RP 351, its first in-line standard press tool. Engineered from the ground up to deliver reliability and efficiency, this tool operates with an advanced brushless motor requiring no scheduled maintenance.
The RP 351 with SlimGrip™ handle for enhanced balance and control weighs only about eight pounds with battery. It joins the RIDGID RP 350 Press Tool, a drill grip standard press tool introduced to help professionals get more done on every job with less fatigue and no timeouts. Together, the advanced, long-running press tools are built for the most demanding situations and give professionals maximum standard press tool versatility on the job site. Both tools are ideal for making connections on carbon steel, copper, PEX and stainless-steel pipe on residential, commercial and industrial jobs.
The RP 350 and RP 351 feature an advanced brushless motor, known for maximizing tool longevity, efficiency and durability. Their 360-degree swivel is an industry-first and comes paired with brightest-in-class LED lights to let users not only access tight spaces but see them more clearly in low and no-light applications. And no scheduled maintenance means less downtime.
Both tools are also compatible with the full line of RIDGID standard series jaws and rings, including: ½ – 4-inch ProPress® for copper and stainless steel, ½ – 2-inch PureFlow® for PEX, and ½ – 2-inch MegaPress® for carbon steel. They also offer maximum versatility, pairing with the RIDGID Press Booster for 2 ½ -inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch carbon steel, StrutSlayr™ Strut Shear Head and the Press Snap™ Soil Pipe Cutter. Each tool’s 18V battery platform includes chargers for on-the-go battery charging including a 12V car charger cord that is compatible with vehicles; the unit also pairs with the RIDGID Link app to track tool usage, service needs, battery life and last known location.
All RIDGID press tools come with the RIDGID Full Lifetime Warranty.
RLS LLC, manufacturer of the Rapid Locking System line of flame-free press-to-connect fittings for HVAC and refrigeration systems, announces that Milwaukee® Tool, in partnership with RLS, has introduced RLS-compatible jaws for use with its popular M18™ FORCE LOGIC™ Press Tools. Available in sizes from 1/4″ – 1-3/8″, these new RLS ACR Press Jaws will allow Read more
RLS LLC, manufacturer of the Rapid Locking System line of flame-free press-to-connect fittings for HVAC and refrigeration systems, announces that Milwaukee® Tool, in partnership with RLS, has introduced RLS-compatible jaws for use with its popular M18™ FORCE LOGIC™ Press Tools.
Available in sizes from 1/4″ – 1-3/8″, these new RLS ACR Press Jaws will allow M18 tool users to take advantage of the time-saving and safety benefits of flame-free RLS press connections for HVAC/R, without needing to invest in a new press tool. These are the industry’s first jaws approved to press RLS fittings using 32 kN (kilonewton) tools.
In addition, the new Milwaukee jaws are also compatible with a wide range of other 32 kN tools on the market, including those from manufacturers such as RIDGID, Klauke, Viega, Dewalt, NovoPress and Rothenberger. Contractors who already own any of these tools will only need to purchase the Milwaukee jaws to begin installing RLS fittings.
Milwaukee’s RLS-compatible jaws will be sold exclusively through Milwaukee distributors. Contact Milwaukee or visit milwaukeetool.com for details. For more information on RLS press fittings, and a complete RLS Tool & Jaw Compatibility Matrix, visit rapidlockingsystem.com.
About RLS Fittings
RLS press fittings connect in 10 seconds using a battery-powered tool and jaws, replacing the time-consuming process of manually brazing HVAC/R joints. The fittings result in faster, more consistent connections that reduce total installed costs, while also increasing jobsite safety by eliminating the use of an open flame. More than 10 million RLS fittings have been successfully installed since their introduction in 2015