March 2006 Web News

Mar 1, 2006 8:00 AM

March 31, 2006

Business Briefs for the Week of March 27, 2006

Laurel, Miss.-based Howard Industries Inc. recently announced merged its ballast and lighting fixture divisions into one — Howard Lighting Products. The company credits providing customers with a one-stop-shop as the driving force for the change.

Little Neck, N.Y.-based Leviton Manufacturing Company recently created the Wiring Device Strategic Business Unit (SBU). SBU will concentrate its resources to design, develop, market, and sell a range of wiring device products, including basic switches and receptacles to GFCIs and designer-style Decora and Acenti products.

On March 1, Fluor Corp., Aliso Viejo, Calif., announced that it will begin construction of a 200MW coal-fired power plant in Nevada for Newmont Mining Corp. Value to Fluor for this work is $400 million.

San Diego, Calif.-based Sempra Generation, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, has agreed to sell its energy services group to Honeywell Building Solutions. Sempra Generation’s energy services group provides energy-performance contracting for federal, state, and local government facilities, hospitals and health-care facilities, colleges and universities, and other commercial entities.

March 30, 2006

All-Tech Lighting posts energy-savings calculator

Schaumburg, Ill.-based All Tech Lighting recently posted an online energy-savings calculator. The free device allows users to compare the energy consumption of their current lighting with more energy-efficient replacements.

The calculator is available on All Tech Lighting's Web site at www.alltechlighting.com.

March 29, 2006

Grainger plans April launch of 2006 catalog

Chicago-based Grainger, distributor of facilities maintenance supplies, recently announced it plans to launch its 2006 catalog on April 3. Added to the catalog will be more than 39,000 products.

The new products featured in the catalog include fasteners such as screws, bolts and nuts and additional products in categories including electrical, cleaning, material handling, plumbing, and ventilation.

March 28, 2006

OrionSolar completes development of a second-generation photovoltaic solar energy cell

Jerusalem-based OrionSolar Photovoltaics recently completed development of a second-generation photovoltaic solar energy cell. The company also announced the receipt of $1 million Series B financing from its sole institutional investor, New York-based 21Ventures LLC.

OrionSolar plans to use this upfunding to finance its marketing initiatives and to develop the pilot production and manufacturing program for the new energy cell.

March 24, 2006

Business Briefs for the Week of March 20, 2006

At its recent Expo in Chicago, Electricians’ Success International (ESI) revealed a comprehensive program to help contractors find qualified employees. Blue Chip Recruiting, a program the company hopes will simplify the hiring process for contractors, includes unconventional recruiting methods, such as radio ads and direct mail campaigns.

Affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners, Boston, recently purchased 60% of the common stock of MYR Group from FirstEnergy Corp. Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based MYR is a provider of electric transmission and distribution, construction, and maintenance services for commercial and industrial construction.

On March 6, Norwood, Mass.-based Network Service Management, an electrical, lighting, and sign maintenance service provider, announced that it changed its name to Network Electrical Services aka Network. The company will continue to provide customers with the same services.

Howard Industries, Laurel, Miss., recently merged its ballast and lighting fixture divisions into one division — Howard Lighting Products. Customers will now be able to purchase ballasts and lighting products on the same purchase order.

March 23, 2006

GE initiates lighting retrofit

Over the next two years, Cleveland-based GE Industrial will implement a lighting retroft in 148 manufacturing plants and warehouses worldwide. Based on extensive energy-savings analysis conducted at 65 of the 148 facilities, the retrofit will allow each location, on an average annualized basis, to reduce energy consumption by 1.4 million KwH and realize approximately $86,000 in energy-cost savings.

Estimates for the completed retrofit include reducing energy consumption by 210.5 million KwH and saving $12.8 million in energy costs, annually, when compared with the older lighting.

March 22, 2006

ESI honors Hall of Fame companies

St. Louis-based Electricians’ Success International (ESI) inducted the 2005 class of the Home Services Hall of Fame at its recent Expo in Chicago. Winners were announced in four categories: Training Company of the Year — Mr. Electric, Camp Springs, Md.; Market Dominance Company of the Year — Candlelight Electric, Denver, Colo.; Service Company of the Year — Master Electrical Services, Ogden, Utah; and Business Professional of the Year — Captain Electric, American Fork, Utah.

This was the first year for residential electrical contractors to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.

March 21, 2006

Graybar opens new location in Washington

St. Louis-based Graybar, distributor of electrical and communications products, has opened a 56,000 square-foot distribution facility in Kent, Wash. The facility stocks more than 8,000 SKUs of electrical and communications products.

With the opening of the Kent distribution facility, Graybar now has four locations serving the Seattle metro region.

March 20, 2006

IDEAL announces winner of "Twice The Muscle, Twice The Power" sweepstakes

Sycamore, Ill.-based IDEAL recently awarded Dave Peterson, owner of D.C. Peterson Electric Inc., Lynnwood, Wash., with the restored and customized IDEAL 1969 Dodge Charger. Peterson buys the majority of his IDEAL wire connectors from Stoneway Electric Supply.

The IDEAL “Twice The Muscle, Twice The Power” sweepstakes promoted the company’s Wire-Nut, Wing-Nut, Twister, and Buchanan B-CAP wire connectors.

March 17, 2006

Business Briefs for the Week of March 13

Solar Night Industries Inc. (SNI), St. Louis-based manufacturer and distributor of solar products, recently announced plans to begin offering additional solar lighting and energy generation solutions to the worldwide marketplace, including products currently in development or in the test phase of manufacturing. Future products coming from SNI will include portable power supplies, home and energy power grid solutions, consumer outdoor/indoor products, portable 110V plugs, and solar sporting solutions

Massillon, Ohio-based 3-D Service Ltd., a firm that specializes in the repair and maintenance of electro-mechanical industrial equipment, recently expanded its long-standing partnership with Baldor Electric Company, Fort Smith, Ark. 3-D Service has formed a separate Generator Division devoted to the sales, rental, parts, and service of Baldor generators as well as portable Ingersoll Rand units.

Flatiron Construction’s California subsidiary, FCI Constructors, was recently awarded teh $420 million contract to build the new Mid-City/Exposition Light Rail in Los Angeles. The project is for 9.6 miles of new light rail transit line from Los Angeles to Culver City and includes 11 passenger stations, three park-and-ride lots, bicycle lanes, and one tunnel near the University of Southern California.

March 16, 2006

Fluke announces grand prize winners

Everett, Wash.-based Fluke Corporation recently announced that customer Charles Schug of Rochester, N.Y., is the grand prize winner in Fluke's Drive-A-Jeep Sweepstakes. Trey Delk of Fluke distributor Hannan Supply Co., Paducah, Ken., was drawn as the winner from among Fluke distributor sales associates participating in the promotion held in the fourth quarter of 2005.

To enter the drawing, test tool users were asked to get on the "road to rugged reliability" by demonstrating one of 12 Fluke instruments, including the Fluke 1587 Insulation Multimeter, the Fluke 971 Temperature Humidity Meter, the Fluke 434 3-Phase Power Quality Analyzer, and the Fluke Ti30 Thermal Imager.

March 15, 2006

HCM launches lifetime warranty

Manchester, N.H.-based Hitachi Cable Manchester (HCM), communications cables manufacturer, recently announced plans to offer a lifetime warranty and application assurance on all registered structured cabling projects that consist of HCM cable and an approved connectivity manufacturer. The warranty will cover both HCM cable and the connectivity, which includes jacks, patch panels, and other passive termination equipment.

The company’s open architecture program allows customers to use HCM cable in conjunction with any component compliant connectivity and receive the lifetime warranty.

March 14, 2006

Osram Sylvania awarded Sustained Excellence 2006 award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently recognized Danvers, Mass.-based Osram Sylvania with the Energy Star Sustained Excellence 2006 award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency. The award will be presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 21.

Osram Sylvania will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency by producing energy-efficient products, installing highly efficient lighting systems in its facilities, and educating the public and employees about the benefits of energy efficient products and practices.

March 13, 2006

FuelCell Energy selected to develop coal-based fuel cell system

Danbury, Conn.-based FuelCell Energy Inc. was recently selected by the U.S. Department of Energy as a prime contractor of a third project team to develop a coal-based multi-megawatt solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. The total project award, subject to negotiation of a final agreement, is approximately $85 million.

The program’s goal is to develop a SOFC system, 100MW and larger, with at least 50% overall efficiency and near-zero emissions.

March 10, 2006

Business Briefs for the Week of March 6, 2006

Paoli, Penn.-based AMETEK recently acquired Pulsar Technologies Inc., Coral Springs, Fla.-based designer and manufacturer of communications equipment for the electric utility market. Pulsar joins AMETEK as part of its Electronic Instruments Group (EIG).

St. Louis-based Graybar, distributor of electrical and communications products was recently ranked in Fortune magazine's annual "America's Most Admired Companies" list for the fifth consecutive year. The company placed third in the category "Wholesalers: Electronics and Office Equipment" within the industry listing.

New York-based Syska Hennessy Group, consulting, engineering, technology, and construction firm, recently acquired Caretsky & Associates Consulting Engineers. With offices in New York and Houston, Caretsky & Associates provides mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and commissioning services to clients in the health-care, government, academic, and architectural industries.

March 9, 2006

FOA introduces certification program for FTTx technicians

The Fiber Optic Association Inc. (FOA), Fallbrook, Calif., recently introduced a new certification program for Fiber To The Home/Premises (FTTx) technicians to be offered through the network of FOA-approved training organizations. Many of the more than 140 FOA-approved schools are expected to offer specialized training and certification based on the FOA Certified FTTx Technician (CFxT) program.

For more information, visit the FOA Web site.

March 8, 2006

2006 Siemens Automation Summit scheduled for June in Las Vegas

Atlanta-based Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. recently announced that its 2006 Siemens Automation Summit has expanded its scope to join multiple Siemens automation business units into a conference designed to bring various Siemens products and systems to end users, prospects, and partners. The new event, themed "Winning Together", will be held June 6 to 8 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

Registration and additional Summit details are available by visiting the Siemens Web site.

March 7, 2006

Jones and Bartlett expand publishing partnership with NFPA

Sudbury, Mass.-based Jones and Bartlett Publishers recently acquired a large portion of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) professional reference and textbook publishing program. Included in the acquisition are approximately 100 NFPA fire service and electrical titles, such as “Building Construction for the Fire Service” and “Stallcup Electrical Series.”

The NFPA will continue to publish codes, standards, and related handbooks.

March 2, 2006

Cooper Lighting calls for entries to SOURCE Awards

Peachtree City, Ga.-based Cooper Lighting recently released its call for entries for the annual SOURCE Awards. The competition requires the primary and predominant use of any or all of the company’s brands in installations completed within the last two years.

For more information, contact Karin Martin by phone at (630) 513-8625 or e-mail at kmartin41@aol.com.

March 1, 2006

IEC Chesapeake will provide electrical training to MOSH compliance officers

Alexandria, Va.-based IEC National recently announced that IEC Chesapeake, Md., will provide electrical training to Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) compliance officers. Under the joint endeavor, IEC Chesapeake hopes to help Maryland compliance officers identify and understand the safety violations electrical contractors face in the field.

The courses will cover basic wiring practices as well as updates on codes and violations.