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Industry News
Trane Named America’s Most Trusted HVAC Brand
DAVIDSON, N.C. — Trane has once again been named America’s Most Trusted HVAC brand by Lifestory Research for the seventh year in a row since 2015. The 2021 ranking is based on a survey conducted of 6,453 U.S. based consumers, who shared real opinions about a wide range of brands and products across various categories.
By winning the No. 1 trust rating, Trane now has the distinction of being recognized as the most reliable HVAC solution to fit American’s indoor comfort needs.
Lifestory’s evaluation process is rigorous and thorough, with consumers detailing why they trust specific brands. Trust is calculated via the Lifestory Research Net Trust Quotient in which a score of 100 is average for all brands included in the study.
>> trane.com/residential.
HVACR Industry Loses Pioneer Turner Collins
MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — It is with great sadness that HVAC Excellence announces the passing of Turner Collins, one of the founding fathers of HVACR programmatic accreditation.
Collins, a veteran of the Vietnam War, served as a paratrooper in the 82nd airborne division, an elite infantry division of the army that specializes in parachute assault operations. Upon returning home, he embarked on a 40-year career in the HVACR industry.
As he mastered his craft, he was recruited to become an HVACR instructor, where he spent thirty-years as senior HVACR instructor with what is now the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Jacksboro, Tenn. It is in this role where Turner left his mark on the HVACR industry.
In the late 1990s the Tennessee Board of Regents mandated that their technological programs obtain programmatic accreditation, but quickly realized that no such process was in place for HVACR programs.
Two educational leaders in the state of Tennessee, Turner Collins, and his immediate supervisor Coy Gibson, were tasked with identifying an organization that could establish national standards, and accreditation guidelines for HVACR educational programs. As a result, HVAC Excellence assembled a team of subject matter experts, including Collins and Gibson, to collaborate and develop such standards.
>> escogroup.org.hvac
RLS Launches New Online Training Portal
SHELBINA, Mo. — RLS LLC, manufacturer of the first press-to-connect fittings for the HVACR industry, has launched its new RLS Certified Installer online training program. The new training portal walks HVAC/R contractors through the step-by-step process of making reliable, permanent copper tube connections using RLS press technology.
“We’re very excited to offer this comprehensive new training program for users of RLS press fittings,” said Paul Schubert, president of RLS. “The new portal explains our patented press technology, how and why it works so well, and the steps required for proper installation.”
Users must pass a series of quizzes as they work through each section of the training program, as well as a final test after completing the entire course. After passing the final test, a customized certificate of completion can be downloaded.
>> training.rapidlockingsystem.com
Superior Boiler’s Wright Named Chair of ABMA
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Doug Wright, CEO of Superior Boiler, has been named chair of the American Boiler Manufacturers Association. Wright will serve a two-year term in the role.
“In 2020, effective organizations pivoted quickly to respond to the innumerable changes inflicted by COVID-19,” Wright said. “ABMA did this ably, helping its members manage the impacts of the pandemic. Despite the unprecedented challenges, ABMA remains as strong as ever.”
With ABMA staff, Wright will be involved in developing BOILER 2022 –ABMA Boiler Conference & Expo, a two-day trade show and educational event that is the first of its kind.
Scheduled April 11-13, 2022, the event will share the latest boiler technology advances and educate on all facets of the boiler room. It is part of a strategic initiative for ABMA that shifts the focus to the end users of boiler products.
>> superiorboiler.com.
HARDI Reports 3.6 Percent Revenue increase in November
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) released its monthly TRENDS report, showing the average sales performance by HARDI distributors was an increase of 3.6 percent during November 2020.
The average annual sales growth for the 12 months through November 2020 is 3.2 percent.
“This month was warmer than normal and warmer than November 2019 in six of our seven economic regions,” said Brian Loftus, HARDI market research & benchmarking analyst. “November is an important month for annual furnace sales, and the weather was not helping demand.”
The Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), a measure of how quickly customers pay their bills, is now at 44 days.
“The normal DSO for January is 48 days,” Loftus said. “It is increasing from the summer lows consistent with the normal annual pattern. One of many things that was unique about this year is how low DSO was this summer due to the unusually high share of cash transactions.”
>> hardinet.org
Hunter Industrial Launches Lifetime Warranty
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hunter Industrial Fans debuts a lifetime warranty policy for all of its HVLS industrial fan lines. Hunter Industrial is the only HVLS fan company to offer a lifetime warranty policy on all of its HVLS products.
The new lifetime warranty policy is effective January 1, 2021, and allows customers to work directly with Hunter Industrial on a return, repair or replacement.
“Our products are reliable, built-to-last and top-of-the-line,” said Mark D’Agostino, senior vice president and general manager of Hunter Industrial. “Our priority is to provide innovative and quality products to our customers, and this new lifetime warranty is proof that we stand behind our fans.”
Hunter Industrial specializes in various industrial and commercial fans for industries including automotive, manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, food and beverage, agriculture and fitness.
