Ridge Tool Expands Innovative RAPIDGRIP TM Wrench Product Line With Three New Sizes Ridge Tool Company has recently added three new sizes to expand its RAPIDGRIP TM wrench product line. The RAPIDGRIP wrench is an innovative, heavy-duty, self-adjusting pipe wrench that is designed for one-handed operation with a rapid ratcheting action. The company has added a 10", 14" and 18" size to replace its original 12" offering. The wrench’s spring-loaded hook jaw design quickly adjusts to any size work piece and its aggressive, patented tooth design ensures a secure grip. A unique thumb trigger allows users easy application and removal from the work piece. The wrench’s V-groove hook design enables the ratcheting action to be performed quickly and effortlessly. Faster and More Efficient Unlike traditional pipe wrenches, there is no need to tighten an adjustment nut with the RAPIDGRIP wrench, making it faster and more efficient than standard wrenches. “The overwhelming response we received after launching the 12 RAPIDGRIP wrench led us to develop RAPIDGRIP in other sizes,” said David Schramm, product manager, hand tools, at Ridge Tool. The RAPIDGRIP wrench can be used on any type of pipe. The 10" model has a jaw capacity of 1-1/2"; the 14" model has a jaw capacity of 2"; and the 18" model has a jaw capacity of 2-1/2". Constructed of a forged steel jaw and a cast handle for durability and strength, the RAPIDGRIP wrench is backed by a lifetime warranty from Ridge Tool Company. Ridge Tool – Leading the Way in Product Innovation The innovative RAPIDGRIP wrench is just one example of Ridge Tool’s innovative spirit. The company has been manufacturing and selling quality tools to the pipeworking and contracting industry since 1923 when it was founded in North Ridgeville, Ohio to manufacture a revolutionary style of heavy-duty pipe wrench. Since then, Ridge Tool has developed into the largest supplier of tools to the professional pipeworking and allied industries in the world. As time passed, the company continued to expand its product line to include many other tools for the pipeworking industry. By 1943, growth was such that the company had to move its headquarters to a larger facility in Elyria, Ohio where it is located today. 10"14"18" Ridge Tool manufactures over 300 different tools in more than 4,000 models and sizes ranging from the original RIDGID pipe wrench to hand threaders, pipe cutters, threading machines, power drives, and tubing tools of many different types and sizes. Ridge Tool also designs, develops and manufactures a large and comprehensive range of pipe and drain cleaning equipment, from hand-held tools to sectional machines, water jetters, and the latest diagnostic tools that use electronic cameras to examine drains for blockages and damage of all types. Ridge Tool products are now sold in over 140 countries and a key part of the company’s marketing strategy is the positioning of its manufacturing and warehousing operations throughout the world. For example, Ridge Tool has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Ireland, Brazil, Germany and China. These facilities are complemented by representatives, sales offices, and warehousing throughout the world, including North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, India, Australia and the Pacific Rim. For additional information on RIDGID RAPIDGRIP wrenches, please contact Ridge Tool Company, 400 Clark Street, Elyria, OH 44036 U.S.A. Or, call toll free: 1-800-769-7743. www.ridgid.com Circle Number 148 for More Info tekmar tekmar moves into new facilities The new tekmar building features ground source heating/cooling. most efficient means of heating with the roof structure overhangs and shades electricity is through ground source office windows from direct sunlight. In In the spring of 2003, tekmar Control plifies tekmar’s commitment to working together with the environment. ing heat, rather than by converting indirect daylight, but minimal solar heat pumps. Heat pumps work by mov- the manufacturing area of the building, Systems moved into its newest facility. This facility is approximately chemical energy to heat through combustion—as heating load, is provided through 60,000 square feet and is located on 10 Geothermal heat occurs in a furnace or boil- north-facing windows. The flat roof can acres in the city of Vernon, British The main source of heating and cooling er. In heating mode, the heat pump also be flooded with water to create a Columbia, Canada. for the building are geothermal heat extracts heat from the water in the large evaporative cooling system. The property allows for expansion of pumps. During construction, a heat ground source field and distributes the Since most electricity used for lighting the building as the company continues to pump field and a storm water field were heat to the building through the radiant ends up as heat and part of the cool- grow. This new facility houses the installed under the parking lot of the floor system and air ducts. ing load, each office has three levels of Research and Development, Administration, building. These fields play a key role in In the cooling mode, the process is efficient lighting. In practice, it is the Production and Sales and the operation of the heating and cool- reversed. Heat is extracted by the heat lower lighting levels that are normally Marketing departments of the company. ing system of the building. pump from the air in the building, and used by tekmar’s employees. The new building is located near several Hydroelectricity is the primary ener- dumped into the ground source field. The on-site rain water disposal and residential areas and is designed to gy source for the tekmar building. The Natural gas fired boilers supplement ground source fields are under the park- fit in with the surrounds. Special attention the heat pumps during peak loads, and ing lot. The storm water field percolates was paid to the landscaping in Natural gas-fired boilers supplement provide heat for snow melting. Heat is the water through the ground source order to enhance the overall look of the the heat pumps. distributed throughout the building by field. By keeping the soil moist, transfer area. Several employees either bike or an efficient and comfortable radiant of heat into the surrounding soil and walk to work on a regular basis. floor heating system. This system can efficiency of the heat pump is improved. In order to develop quality solutions also provide some cooling. Storage of rainwater on the flat roof for today’s <strong>HVAC</strong> control applications, Cooling and ventilation air for each allows water to be added to the storm tekmar has always had local <strong>HVAC</strong> systems room has a high efficiency filter system water field at a slow rate after a storm (applications) in which to test and and variable speed fans for reduced event instead of all at once during the refine its product developments. The energy consumption. The building has storm. Vegetated swales collect and filter latest test site is the new tekmar facility three types of air distribution systems: runoff from the parking lot before it which incorporates many features that variable air volume (VAV) with hydronic enters the storm water field. allow development of products for reheat, dual duct VAV, and constant Lastly, the rainwater replenishes the energy efficiency, reliability, ease of volume displacement. aquifer and creek as it did before the installation and servicing. It also exem- In order to reduce the cooling load, building was constructed. Circle Number 149 for More Information 46 <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News – March/April <strong>2004</strong> www.plumbingandhvac.ca
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