MECHANICAL SUPPLY NEWS

MANUFACTURERS • DISTRIBUTORS • WHOLESALERS

Marcus Albrecht, CEO, Bock (left) and Kristian Strand, president, Danfoss commercial compressors.

DANFOSS GROWING COMPRESSOR BUSINESS THROUGH ACQUISITION Danfoss announced its intent to acquire German-based compressor manufacturer BOCK, a leader in developing compressors for the natural refrigerant CO2 since 1993.

With the acquisition, Danfoss adds a portfolio of semi-hermetic compressors for natural refrigerants such as CO2 and other low-GWP refrigerants to its line-up of oil-free centrifugal compressors, inverter-scroll, reciprocating and screw compressors, and condensing units.

“The CO2 market in North America is expected to grow at a rate of 45% over the next four years,” said Luis Tovar, sales development manager for commercial compressors for Danfoss North America, “The Bock portfolio together with other CO2 products developed by Danfoss will help to support this transition in the food retail market.”

In addition, the U.S.-based Alliance to Save Energy recently presented Danfoss with the Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency Award for the company’s efforts to create solutions that decarbonize through energy efficiency.

Technologies such as oil-free and variable-speed compressors, hybrid fuel systems and heat recovery technologies are all recognized for efficiency. In addition, Danfoss has pledged to be carbonneutral in its global operations by 2030, and in March 2022 the company reached its 2030 target of doubling the productivity in its factories globally – nine years ahead of time. danfoss.com

DISTRIBUTION

>> Wolseley Canada opened a new branch at 1315 Industrial Rd., West Kelowna, B.C., a 17,000-sq. ft. facility offering plumbing and fire protection products, with HVAC products to be added over time. wolseleyexpress.com

>> Centrotherm Eco Systems has announced that Air Solutions Inc. of Cambridge, Ont. is now representing both InnoFlue polypropylene vent systems and its Air Excellent air management systems in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. airsolutions.ca centrotherm.us.com >> Hydronitech is now representing Braeburn products including thermostats and other controls in eastern Canada covering Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. hydronitech.ca braeburnonline.com

>> Stelpro and Nedco have reached an agreement that will see Stelpro products become available across Canada from national electric products distributor, Nedco. Stelpro has been a supplier to Nedco in Quebec for more than 20 years, and as of September the two companies decided to expand their partnership nationwide. stelpro.com nedco.ca

NOBLE HOSTS FALL TRADESHOW EVENT IN TORONTO Attracting HVAC and plumbing professionals from across the GTA and beyond, wholesaler Noble held its annual fall trade show on Thursday, October 13th at the Universal Eventspace in Vaughan, just north of Toronto.

The event included some 85 exhibitors and five free seminars. noble.ca

Scholarship award presented to Kim Leboeuf (centre), from Jacinthe Nichols, R&D coordinator at Dettson Industries (left) and Louis Beaulieu, CEO of Ouellet Group.

OUELLET CANADA AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP Ouellet Canada awarded Kim Leboeuf, a student at Université de Sherbrooke, a scholarship offered through a partnership with Electro-Federation Canada.

For the last four years, Ouellet has contributed to this scholarship program, which aims to support a university or college student with their education and help them fulfill their career goals. A cheque for $3,500 was given to Leboeuf on October 27 at Dettson Industries (a Ouellet company) in Sherbrooke, Québec. ouellet.com

EMERSON SELLING MAJORITY INTEREST IN HVAC/R BUSINESS Emerson, is selling a majority stake in its Climate Technologies business to private equity fund Blackstone in a transaction valuing the HVAC/R business segment at US$14 billion.

The standalone Climate Technologies business includes multiple brands including Copeland compressors, WhiteRodgers, Sensi, Vilter, and Dixell Electronics among a portfolio of products and services representing approximately US$5 billion in revenue.

Emerson will receive US$9.5 billion and retain 45% ownership of the Climate Technologies business, which will be structured as a joint venture between Emerson and Blackstone, until its potential sale or IPO.

Going forward, Emerson is transitioning into a global automation company with software and technology solutions for manufacturing and processing industries.

Earlier this year Emerson sold its InSinkErator business to Whirlpool Corp. emerson.com MASTER ACQUIRES FORTRESS GROUP The Master Group, the national wholesaler with 68 branches and five distribution centres across Canada and into the U.S., has expanded its reach across Southwestern Ontario with the acquisition of Waterloo-based Fortress Group.

Established in 1984, Fortress specializes in wholesale distribution of HVAC/R products for residential and light commercial applications. In addition to Waterloo, the wholesaler operates branches in Guelph, Hamilton, London and Cambridge.

The acquisition provides a new area of coverage for Master in Waterloo, Guelph and London, while the locations in Hamilton and Cambridge will extend the company’s reach in those markets. master.ca

Brian Morgan, current president of AIM/R CANADIAN AT HELM OF AIM/R Brian Morgan, principal of The Morgan Group, has become the first Canadian to be president of the Association of Independent Manufacturers’/Representatives (AIM/R), a North American trade association of independent sales representatives in the plumbing, HVAC/R and related industries. Morgan took the helm at AIM/R’s mid-October annual convention held in Colorado where the association celebrated its 50th anniversary. aimr.net

NEXT SUPPLY SCORES AGAIN Once again Next Plumbing and Hydronics Supply delivered at the annual Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer tournament, this year raising over $454,000 for the charity event that took place on Saturday October 1. Overall the fund raiser collected $2.6 million in support of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. The event has raised $27.5m in 11 years.

Next participated with 25 teams and over 300 people, representing company staff, over 22 vendors/manufacturers, many customers and several supplier partners as well as friends and family. The Next teams were elibible to play with five celebrities this year, including: Jeremy Roenick, Al Iafrate, Brad May, Nick Kypreos, and Anna Licht.

“We believe in being integral to our customers, coworkers and community” says Michael Storfer, CEO, “and events like this are the perfect opportunity to engage employees, foster teamwork, have a ton of fun - and be able to give back to this vital cause that has impacted so many”. roadhockeytoconquercancer.ca nextsupply.ca RECTORSEAL ACQUIRES THREE NEW PRODUCT LINES RectorSeal has added Cover Guard lineset covers, AC Guard HVAC condenser protection cages and Falcon Stainless flexible water and gas connectors to its family of brands.

The lineset covers provide adjustable support from two to four inches with snap-on covers to accommodate multiple linesets and condensate drains.

Constructed of steel, the AC Guard cages provide a physical and visual deterrent for residential and commercial condensing units. And Falcon Stainless provides corrugated stainless steel and flexible water and gas connectors. rectorseal.com