Rinnai

Kiley will head operations and continue to drive excellence and manufacturing expansion in North America 

Rinnai America Corporation, manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America, announced Shelley Kiley has joined the organization as its Vice President of Operations. Kiley’s extensive knowledge, will help Rinnai continue to grow and expand manufacturing capabilities in North America, including overseeing the completion of its new manufacturing plant in Griffin, Ga. In addition, Kiley has assumed responsibility over all functional areas in manufacturing, supply chain, distribution and logistics.

“I am very excited to join Rinnai America and look forward to leading the operations team as we continue to drive operational excellence and expand our manufacturing capability in North America,” said Kiley. “I look forward to supporting Rinnai, delivering on our promise of Creating a Healthier Way of Living, as well as spearheading the operational initiatives that will continue to drive growth.”

Kiley has cultivated deep experience throughout a 30-year career, having most recently spent three years leading a team of 650 within the supply chain and global operation strategy teams at Larson-Juhl. Prior to that, Kiley had a distinguished 11-year tenure with Moen, Inc. where she rapidly progressed from Plant Manager to holding several executive leadership roles, including Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing, where she led 2,000 employees. The knowledge and skills that come from Kiley’s previous roles in leadership and operations, will only be an asset to Rinnai as the company continues its trajectory towards North American expansion.

“We are very excited to welcome Shelley, as she will be instrumental in the continued growth of our manufacturing footprint in the U.S.,” said Frank Windsor, President, Rinnai America Corporation. “She will be focusing on preemptive enhancements to meet needs of our customers and fostering a high-performance team, which will lead Rinnai towards achieving our expansion goals.”

With the addition of Kiley, Rinnai is continuing to demonstrate its concerted investment in its North American facilities, operations and team. Since 2017, Rinnai has introduced its new corporate headquarters in Atlanta, the opening of a state-of-the-art innovation center and is in the midst of building its first North American manufacturing facility in Griffin, Ga.

To learn more about Rinnai, visit www.rinnai.us.

Rinnai America Corporation Continues to Expand U.S. Market Leadership with Commitment to Domestic Manufacturing and Production 

Independence Day may mark the celebration of America’s birthday, but it’s also a time to celebrate and support businesses who are helping the domestic economy thrive by investing in U.S. based operations, manufacturing and increasing job opportunities. Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation based in Japan, is among those businesses, becoming the first major tankless water heater brand to have a U.S. manufacturing facility with advanced automation and precision assembly processes. 

For more than 100 years, Rinnai has developed high-quality products to heat water and homes. However, within the last few years, the company has looked towards new expansion opportunities, including investing in new markets to sustain innovation as well as operationalizing manufacturing and production to meet need. The North American market was quickly identified as one of the greatest growth vehicles for the company. 

“Our goal is to be the growth driver for Rinnai Corporation, and that’s why we’re making the investments within Rinnai America,” said Frank Windsor, President, Rinnai America Corporation. “We’re investing in domestic manufacturing as well as in our new corporate headquarters and an innovation center to drive our customers’ businesses forward while also contributing to the overall organizational growth initiative.” 

In late 2021, Rinnai is set to complete construction on its North American manufacturing facility in Griffin, Ga. Current production will be moved from the existing factory to a new 300,000 square foot plant, which will enable the company to both increase production of residential and commercial product while also bringing more than 150 jobs to the Griffin community. 

“Creating jobs is a huge part of helping the company to grow,” Windsor continued. “We can’t manufacture and produce products to meet demand without top talent. We are committed to filling these crucial roles while also helping consumers and trade professionals see the importance of purchasing and installing domestically produced products. In lockstep with this expansion, is Rinnai’s commitment to Creating a Healthier Way of Living. There’s no better way to honor that promise than to help create a healthier economy.” 

The demand for Rinnai products continues to grow, and now with the ability to manufacture its signature tankless water heaters in Griffin, Rinnai will be able to scale its U.S. operations for years to come.  

To learn more about Rinnai, visit www.rinnai.us.

Improvement in reducing the carbon footprint of its tankless water heaters, boilers and direct-vent wall furnaces

Creating a healthier way of living^® is Rinnai’s brand promise, and there’s no better way to uphold it then to invest in research and improvements resulting in cleaner and more efficient energy sources. Rinnai, whose previous product inventory leveraged industry norms like propane or natural gas, tested the use of Hydrogen-Enriched Natural Gas (HENG) across its tankless water heaters, boilers and direct-vent wall furnaces. This low-carbon energy source – a combination of natural gas with hydrogen – decreases carbon intensity and improves combustion in end-use products. After thorough research and testing, Rinnai’s products have been approved for use with HENG and depending on the product can use up to 30% hydrogen. End users benefit by preserving fuel, improving the products cost efficiency and most importantly, reducing carbon dioxide emissions to better the environment.

“We want to honor our promise of Creating a healthier way of living^® by offering customers a greener energy that fosters a healthier environment,” said David Federico, Brand Director. “With our products approved for use with HENG, we can help reduce the carbon footprint of Rinnai water and space heating appliances without sacrificing quality.”

The demand for clean energy has been on the up and on for quite some time and the importance to customers continues to rise. With those user preferences in mind, HENG makes it possible to lower the carbon intensity of natural gas, delivering a cost competitive solution for protecting the environment.

For decades, hydrogen has been considered as an alternative energy carrier. According to the article “Hydrogen-Enriched Natural Gas, Bridge to an Ultra-Low Carbon World,” the concept isn’t new. Due to its small carbon footprint compared to other fuels, natural gas is playing an important part in changing the environment for the better through reducing release of other pollutants besides carbon dioxide, such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons.

“On top of environmental benefits, the cleaner burning HENG safely leverages the existing natural gas infrastructure already in place for our products,” said Federico. “So, there’s no need for product upgrades or modifications to utilize HENG. It’s a seamless transition.”

By applying already set in place infrastructure to lowering carbon dioxide emissions, HENG helps maintain high efficiency and reduces the carbon footprint of Rinnai water and space heating appliances, which is a great step towards Creating a healthier way of living^®.

To learn more about Rinnai, visit www.rinnai.us.

Providing ease, cost savings and strong performance, product offers contractors a competitive advantage 

To provide a quick and easy tank replacement solution to both contractors and end users, Rinnai America Corporation created the non-condensing Demand Duo® R-Series Commercial Hybrid Water Heating System. Its design connects easily to the existing 6” B-Vent, allowing Contractors to quickly and easily replace standard-efficiency atmospheric tanks. The end user, too, can benefit by simply upgrading to a “best of both” system, featuring part-tank and part-tankless design.

“With patented technology, the Demand Duo R-Series delivers superior, reliable performance and a longer service life,” said Dale Schmitz, Marketing Segment Manager. “Switching from traditional tanks to the consistency and efficiency of the Demand Duo R-Series is simple and benefits customers with a lower total cost of ownership.”

Sold in 80 or 119- gallon tank options, the Demand Duo R-Series eliminates the need for new vent penetrations. The pre-installed drip leg and 36” Swivel-Flex Gas Line also creates material efficiencies and reduces install time with a pre-installed electrical junction box and duplex outlet. The digital controller, which comes with the product, also allows management of building recirculation without having to purchase an additional aquastat.

“With cost advantages to the end user, as well as ease of installation, this product gives contractors a great competitive advantage,” said Schmitz. “Rinnai is going one step further and offering an aggressive promotion to encourage Rinnai PROs and installers to try the Demand Duo R-Series, earning them a $150 rebate through June 30, 2021.”

Rinnai’s R-Series originated from the Demand Duo product portfolio; the first commercial hybrid water heating product introduced by Rinnai in 2015. It was developed to compete against high-efficiency tank-type water heaters in emergency replacement situations. Due to water heating inside traditional tanks, those products are put through a higher amount of strain, and that constant heating is what ultimately causes the tank to fail, leading to costly replacements. The Demand Duo was designed to solve this problem, by putting less stress on the tank through water being heated outside the tank in the Demand Duo’s tankless unit. With this solution comes a longer product service life, a longer warranty and more economical repairs.

To continue providing solutions to end users and contractors, Rinnai expanded the product category which now includes multiple tank sizes and Btu inputs including two tankless units mounted to a 119-gallon tank, known as the Demand Duo H-Series, a condensing hybrid water heater.

“Once contractors use the Demand Duo series, they seldom go back to installing tank-type water heaters because they can offer a product that is at the same price point but offers so many more advantages,” said Schmitz. “These advantages end up benefiting both the contractor and customer, while providing reliable performance whenever hot water is needed.”

To learn more about Rinnai, visit www.rinnai.us.