April 2006 Web News

April 28, 2006

Business Briefs for the Week of April 24, 2006

• Pasadena, Calif.-based Parsons Corp. recently signed a merger agreement with Houston-based 3D/International. Subject to a shareholder vote, set for May 12, 3D/International will become a Parsons subsidiary.
• Orlando, Fla.-based Terry’s Electric, Inc. was recently awarded a $6 million contract for Osceola Count School District’s new EEE High School in Kissimmee, Fla. Turner Construction Co. is the general contractor for the 350,000-square-foot facility.
• On Sept. 22, Reno, Nev.-based Arete Power, Inc. filed a patent infringement suit against Cerritos, Calif.-based Calnetix, Inc. and its subsidiary Vycon, Inc. The lawsuit seeks damages from both Calnetix and Vycon, as well as injunctive relief preventing further infringement.

  April 27, 2006

  Prescolite offers Lutron ballasts in Architektur CFL downlights

  Spartanburg, S.C.-based Prescolite recently entered into a collaboration with Coopersburg, Pa.-based Lutron Electronics, Inc. Three Lutron dimming ballast models — Hi-lume, Compact SE, and Tu-Wire — are now available as a standard option for the Prescolite Architektur CFL family of downlights.

  The new relationship lets customers purchase or specify energy-saving fluorescent dimming ballasts and controllable fixtures from a single manufacturer.

  April 26, 2006

  Hoffman launches redesigned Web site

  Anoka, Minn.-based Hoffman recently redesigned its Web site. The redesign features streamlined navigation, enhanced search options, and a new online product catalog.

  The redesigned home page, on which products may be located by product or industry category, can be accessed at the company’s Web site.

  April 25, 2006

  Microsoft installs solar panel system

  Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft recently installed a 2,288-tile solar panel system at its Mountain View Campus in California. The system is designed to deliver maximum output when the local energy grid is under the greatest strain.

  Generating 480kW at peak capacity, the system is the largest of its kind in Silicon Valley.

  April 24, 2006

  All Tech Lighting offers free energy-reduction analysis

  Schaumburg, Ill.-based All Tech Lighting recently launched a free energy-reduction analysis tool on its Web site. The analysis provides businesses with an energy-reduction analysis to determine need and payback on investment in installing or retrofitting to energy-efficient lighting fixtures.

  The analysis includes a complete lighting survey, evaluation of alternative lighting and equipment with associated payback, and an evaluation of current electric utility rate plan along with alternative plans and estimated savings.

  April 21, 2006

  Business Briefs for the Week of April 17, 2006

• St. Louis-based Emerson Motors, recently added motor conversion capabilities to its southern California customer service center in Chino. The center now has the ability to provide conversions such as adding C and D flanges, cast iron fan guards, and space heaters to many of its in-stock products.
• Milwaukee-based Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. recently began offering a new limited warranty for all of its V technology lithium-ion batteries, extending coverage for up to 2,000 charge cycles or five years from the date of purchase/first charge. Under the new warranty, which retroactively covers all Milwaukee V28 and V18 batteries (available August 2006), users will receive an additional 1,000 charges or three years of warranty coverage that is pro-rated against the amount of use.
• Little Neck, N.Y.-based Leviton Manufacturing Co., and Monster Cable, Brisbane, Calif., recently launched a line of wireless lighting products for the residential market. IlluminEssence’s wireless radio frequency lighting control products will use Z-Wave technology to provide homeowners with programmable lighting levels that can store multiple lighting scenes and recall them at the touch of a button.

  April 20, 2006

  Ideal launches Jammin' On The Job wire connector sales promotion

  Sycamore, Ill.-based Ideal Industries, Inc. recently launched the Jammin’ On The Job sales promotion, rewarding electrical contractors with prizes just for purchasing Ideal and Buchanan wire connectors. For a limited time, contractors who buy the specified amount of connectors will receive a Bosch Power Box jobsite radio, Keg-a-Que grill, or Thermos 30-can cooler set.

  For more details, visit the Ideal Web site.

  April 19, 2006

  FuelCell Energy debuts DFC/T hybrid product

  New York-based FuelCell Energy recently debuted a DFC/T hybrid product that uses Chatsworth, Calif.-based Capstone Turbine’s 60kW MicroTurbine. The combined-cycle system will operate the microturbine with high-value heat byproduct from a 250kW Direct FuelCell (DFC) power plant.

  Following additional testing at FuelCell Energy’s Danbury plant, the fuel cell/microturbine hybrid will be installed at the Deaconess Billings Clinic in Montana where it will provide the base load power needs of the hospital.

  April 17, 2006

  Nexstar launches management and operations seminar

  White Bear Lake, Minn.-based Nexstar will offer a two-day seminar for independent electrical, heating, cooling or plumbing business owners. Money Masters, which will also include a tour of electrical contractor firm Elite Electric, will be held in the Port St. Lucie, Fla., area from June 23-24.

  For more information and to register for the seminar, visit Nexstar’s Web site.

  April 14, 2006

  Business Briefs for the Week of April 10, 2006

• Herndon, Va.-based Primary Integration recently purchased Encorp’s, Ft. Collins, Colo., distributed-energy business through an asset acquisition. Encorp’s sales, marketing, and product-development staff will move to a new facility in Fort Collins, Colo., in mid-April.
• Sycamore, Ill.-based Ideal Industries, Inc. recently expanded its test and measurement division by acquiring Casella Measurement Ltd., Bedford, United Kingdom. There are no plans for restructuring either company at this time.
• Grainger recently presented Rosemont, Ill-based Advance with its Partners in Performance Supplier Award for 2005. Grainger's Partners in Performance Award recognizes suppliers who achieve excellence in several categories, including responsiveness, information integrity, on-time shipping, and order fulfillment.

  April 12, 2006

  NECA and NACMA join forces for new standard

  NECA recently launched NECA/NACMA 120-2006, “Standard for Installing Armored Cable (Type AC) and Metal-Clad Cable (Type MC) (ANSI),” a joint effort between NECA and the National Armored Cable Manufacturers Association (NACMA). The standard covers the installation of Type AC cable and Type MC cables, which are used for electrical wiring for residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies.

  The standard, which also includes information on fittings and other accessories necessary for a quality installation of these cable systems, is available in a downloadable pdf format by visiting NECA’s Web site and clicking on "Wiring Methods."

  April 11, 2006

  BatteryCorp offers end-to-end emergency backup power audit program for wireless carriers

  Las Vegas-based BatteryCorp recently launched an end-to-end, single-source site audit for backup battery systems for cell towers. The Sensible and Sound Emergency Power Audit program was designed to provide carriers with a detailed analysis of their backup power units and to deliver critical information about site conditions, current power status, and DC power load requirements for each audited location.

  The program also enables carriers to determine if the present site configuration can provide the level and duration of backup desired in emergency outage situations.

  April 10, 2006

  EGSA honors members

  Several members of Boca Raton, Fla.-based Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA) were singled out at the recent EGSA Spring Convention in Sarasota, Fla. Individuals were recognized for outstanding contributions to EGSA and the entire on-site power industry.

  Michael Pope of Süd-Chemie was given the William Timmler Award, Steve Stoyanac of Silex Innovations, Inc. received the Leroy H. Carpenter Award, Dennis Roundtree, On-Site Power Inc., was presented with the James Wright Educator Award, and 2005 EGSA President Ray Kacvinsky received a plaque and portrait.

  April 7, 2006

  Business Briefs for the Week of April 3, 2006

• Springfield, Mo.-based SMC Electric Supply will relocate to a larger facility in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The company expects that the new warehouse and showroom will allow it to expand product inventory and also accommodate a regional distribution center.
• Conyers, Ga.-based Lithonia Lighting’s Consumer Products Group was recently named 2006 Energy Star Partner of the Year. This honor is awarded to Energy Start partners that excelled at developing and promoting Energy Star-qualified products, as well as educating consumers about the environmental benefits of using energy-efficient products.
• On April 3, Carrollton, Ga.-based Southwire Co. completed its acquisition of Cable Tech's wire and cable assets. These assets include Cable Tech's plant in Stouffville, Ontario, which manufactures wire and cable products used in the residential and commercial construction and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) markets.

  April 6, 2006

  Grainger honors Schneider Electric North American Operating Division

  Palatine, Ill.-based Schneider Electric North American Operating Division was recently presented with Chicago-based Grainger's Partners in Performance Supplier Award for 2005 at Grainger’s Partners in Performance Supplier Conference held March 9 in Itasca, Ill. Grainger presents the award annually to a group of suppliers for outstanding performance throughout the year.

  Grainger's Partners in Performance Award recognizes suppliers who achieve excellence in several categories, including responsiveness, information integrity, on-time shipping and order fulfillment.

  April 5, 2006

  Progress Lighting launches new line of residential LED products

  Spartanburg, S.C.-based Progress Lighting has teamed with Permlight Products to launch a complete line of LED residential lighting products under the name of HI-EFTM by summer 2006. The line will exceed the standards outlined in CA Title 24 and comply with Title 22 CA Household Hazardous Waste Disposal laws.

  Permlight's LED technology will serve as the core of the new product line.

  April 4, 2006

  NEMA/BIS launches economic outlook service

  Rosslyn, Va.-based National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Business Information Services (NEMA/BIS) recently made available its Electroindustry Economic Outlook Service, a subscription-based analysis of the electroindustry. Content for the service is drawn from a wealth of data sources, including numerous U.S. government and international data agencies.

  The service costs $699 for a year of unlimited access or $249 for a one-time download.

  April 3, 2006

  VYCON installs flywheel energy storage system in health-care facility

  Cerritos, Calif.-based VYCON, Inc. recently partnered with Virtua Health, N.J., to install a VDC140 flywheel energy storage system in the facility’s data center. Performance of the system is monitored remotely from VYCON’s offices in California.

  Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) detect loss of utility power and command the onsite generator sets to start automatically during power outages.