NIBCO Acquires Matco-Norca
The board of directors of Professional NIBCO has acquired Matco-Norca LLC. “This acquisition supports our strategic long-range goal of growth through acquisition, expanding our market reach and providing customers with access to a broader portfolio of products,” said NIBCO Chairman Rex Martin. “This is an extraordinary time in NIBCO’s evolving history.”
Matco-Norca is the leading supplier of globally sourced, code-compliant plumbing and PVF products for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications. It is one of the largest independent sourcing companies for fittings, pipe nipples, valves and plumbing specialties to wholesalers serving contractors and municipalities throughout the United States.
Matco-Norca will continue to operate as a separately as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NIBCO Inc. and its leadership team will remain in place. There will be no change to a distributor’s current relationship with Matco-Norca and purchases should continue to be made through the Matco-Norca sales representatives.
For more information, visit matco-norca.com or nibco.com.
A. O. Smith to Expand Lebanon Facility for New Product Development Center
A. O. Smith Corp., a leader in water heating and water treatment, has announced plans for a new Product Development Center at its Lebanon, Tennessee, location. In the next six months, construction will begin at the existing Lochinvar campus to include a state-of-the-art engineering facility where next-gen water heating and boiler technologies will be developed. The company will also be expanding the Lebanon manufacturing facility to support future production lines, including space for new decarbonization products.
The new center will bring together the company’s North America Water Heating commercial engineering, platform electronics, product support and product management functions with Lochinvar engineering and product management.
“Co-locating these teams in one central location with collaborative working space will enable us to not only leverage synergies between engineering teams but also enhance knowledge sharing to support future product innovation,” said Kevin Wheeler, chairman, president & CEO.
With plans to start this summer, construction of the expanded facility will take approximately 20 months to complete. Its projected cost of $30 million represents a significant investment in talent and resources to create an environment where innovation is the focus.
When fully operational, it’s anticipated that the Product Development Center will house more than 150 employees.
For more information, visit aosmith.com.
Infiltrator Announces Expansion of Advanced Molding Facility
Infiltrator Water Technologies, a leading manufacturer of products for the decentralized water and wastewater industries, recently announced the expansion of Infiltrator Water Technologies’ Advanced Molding Facility in Winchester, Kentucky. The total investment in the facility is now more than $140 million.
The Advanced Molding Facility expands Infiltrator’s presence within the Winchester Industrial Park in Winchester, Kentucky, where Infiltrator has manufactured products since the early 1990s. The expanded Advanced Molding Facility features 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space plus 14,000 square feet of office space. This site also includes 400,000 square feet of outdoor distribution and storage space.
The expanded facility adds 13 new molding machines ranging in size from 450 tons to 16,000 tons allowing Infiltrator to expand the production capacity of the Infiltrator septic chambers by over seven million added units. Production of Infiltrator’s new CM-Series septic tank also takes place within this expanded facility and triples the production capacity of Infiltrator one-thousand-gallon septic tanks.
For more information, visit infiltratorwater.com/about.
Vitraglas® Lining Now Featuring Microban®
Bradford White Water Heaters is proud to announce that its proprietary tank lining, Vitraglas®, is now infused with Microban®, a built-in antimicrobial technology. No other water heater in the United States or Canada offers this feature and it is included at no additional cost.
Vitraglas® tank lining with Microban® is now a standard feature on tank-type water heaters from Bradford White. Vitraglas® prolongs the life of the water heater by protecting it from the corrosive effects of water. Microban® provides additional protection by helping to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface of the tank liner.
The silver-based additive is developed and provided by Microban®, a trusted brand and leader in antimicrobial technologies since 1984. Their technologies can be found in thousands of consumer and industrial products around the world, including a variety of plumbing fixtures and household appliances.
This innovation is a direct outcome of the ongoing research and development efforts done by Bradford White in response to various market, technology, regulatory and environmental trends, in this case everchanging water quality.
For more information, visit bradfordwhitecorporation.com.
Add a Hose Connection to an Appliance or the End of Any Line
The new Pro-Pal® Add-A-Drain™ is a step-saving lead-free dezincification brass valve that makes it easy to install a capped hose connection to an appliance or the end of any line. Available in your choice of threaded, sweat or press connections, in sizes 1/2” through 1 1/2”. An alternative to traditional boiler drains, the Add-A-Drain features a straight design and a compact, quarter-turn handle for more convenient service access. Its integrated full-port ball valve simplifies future service. Customize your installation with compatible G-Union fittings and accessories.
For more information, visit nibco.com.
T&S Releases LakeCrest Aesthetic Metering Faucet
T&S Brass and Bronze Works, a leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures, recently released the new aesthetic LakeCrest Metering Faucet, the BP-0723.
The LakeCrest Metering Faucet combines T&S’ time-tested classic product with a new and improved design and an aesthetically pleasing look.
The BP-0723 is a push-button, single-temperature, single-hole faucet with a polished chrome finish. It features a vandal-resistant concealed aerator and sleek tapered body and can be paired with the T&S universal forged deck plates 013433-40 or 013434-40.
For more information, visit tsbrass.com/p/self-closing-metering-faucets/BP-0723.
QuickDrain Expands Use of 100%-Recycled PET Material
QuickDrain, part of L.R. Brands, an Oatey® innovation, has expanded its use of sustainable Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), incorporating the material into its innovative WallDrain linear drain system. All QuickDrain shower systems now include the sustainable material, which is composed of 100%-recycled plastic bottles and is fully recyclable.
WallDrain, a unique linear drain system that is built into the wall instead of the floor surface, will continue to deliver the same excellent engineering and performance users have come to expect, while incorporating the many benefits of PET into the construction of its vertical installation panel and furring strips. A strong yet lightweight, economical and shatterproof material, PET is also extremely easy to cut and very sturdy when drilled into joists. The unique material does not degrade over time and performs under even the toughest conditions at 145 pounds per square inch.
“At QuickDrain, we have seen time and time again the exceptional performance that PET delivers in our shower systems, and we are pleased to be able to add it to WallDrain,” said Marlee Gannon, director of wholesale product and channel for QuickDrain. “By expanding of our use of PET, we’re making it easier than ever for contractors and end users to elevate their shower design, while also continuing to build on our commitment to sustainability.”
For more information, visit lrbrands.com.