March 2006 - Plumbing & HVAC

Faucets & FixturesTherapeutic bathQuebec-based manufacturer MAAXoffers its Pearl hydrotherapy baths,Essence, Designer and Classic Series,with the company’s True Whirlpool system.It features venturi jets that move 30gpm. The Invigor Perimeter Air Tub hasup to 70 air apertures along bath sidesand bottom. ThermaZone thermaltherapy – a heat element that warms thetub surface where neck and shouldersrest – is available as an option.Chromatherapy underwater LED lightsin bather-selected colours offer the finalcustom touch.MAAX Ltd. Circle no. 348Touchless faucetsTripoint electronic faucets by Kohlerrely on distance,not light,to trigger waterflow for consistent,accurateperformance.They featuremodern design with above-deck electronicsand valves for easy servicing.There is a lav model with a temperatureadjustment lever on the side. (It can bepre-set if required).Kohler Canada Circle no. 349Bath faucetsWaterHill faucets by Moen, part of theShowHouseCollection, featurea traditionalcurving spout.They are availablein singlehandledesign orin two-handlewidespread orcentreset lav models. The line also includesRoman Tub faucets with a rotating andlocking spout and a hand shower.Available finishes include chrome,brushed nickel and wrought iron.Moen Inc. Circle no. 350Luxury fittingsSymmons’ Elements designer bathroomfittings feature styles and designs originallycreated forluxury resorts,condominiumsand hotels bynoted architectsand designers.This exclusivesignature collectionis now availableto NorthAmerican plumbingmarkets.Symmons Industries Circle no. 351Pedestal faucetsThe Sloan SF Series electronic infraredsensor-activated pedestal faucets run offRapid growthTub and shower manufacturer expands to keep paceBy Simon BlakeA small group of Canadian contractorsand wholesalers received an eyefulduring a recent visit to a U.S. tub andshower manufacturer.A unique moulding materialcombined with state-of-the-art manufacturingprocedures have made theSterling Plumbing (a division ofKohler Co., Kohler, Wisconsin) plantin Huntsville, Alabama the largestmanufacturer of tubs and showers inNorth America. The facility has tripledin size over the past five years, reportedproduction superintendent JerryTaylor. Today it is more easily measuredin acres than square feet and issplit about 50/50 between manufacturingand warehousing.The Canadian group flew from Toronto Nov. 29 with NickRinaldi, Kohler Emco account representative for EasternCanada. Southern Ontario plumbing contractors Tony Muto(Marli Mechanical Contractors Ltd., Woodbridge, Ont., PatVitullo (Vitullo Plumbing, Concord) and Massimo Arduini(Elitrex Plumbing Ltd., Concord, Ont.) joined Emco Ontariovice president and general manager Adrien Pilon andVaughn branch manager Jerry Munroe for the journey.The Sterling plant uses a sheet moulding compoundcalled Vikrell to make tubs and showers. Fibres andresin are combined to form a flexible mat that is placedin huge moulds, weighing up to 80,000 lbs., and mouldedat pressures between 1,500 to 1,800 tons at 350degrees Fahrenheit. Moulding machines, some toweringthree storeys high, press the material into its finishedshape while applying heat to cure the Vikrell.The process is similar to metal stamping in an automotiveplant. This results in the rapid manufacturing of tubs andshowers that are lightweight and consistent in thickness andcolor. A small amount of flash – less than one percent waste– is trimmed and holes are drilled. Robots do this on thenewest machines.a five-volt DCplug-in transformerwithbattery backup,or battery only.They feature a0.5 gpm or 1.9litre/min. flow aerator with a belowdeckmixing valve for tempered wateror a Bak-Chek tee fitting for hot/coldwater mixing.R.G. Dobbin Sales Ltd. Circle no. 352Sink collectionThe Astracast stainless steel sinkcollection by Eljer features 18/19gauge steel with the highest chromiumand nickel content, European styling,in lightand mediumbrushed finishes,includesthe Esattosink groupwith zeroradiuscorners, with depths two to teninches in self-rimming and undermountstyles.Astracast Div. Eljer Circle no. 353In the Sterling plant showroom are, from left: Jerry Munroe, Nick Rinaldi,Tony Muto, Adrien Pilon, Pat Vitullo, Massimo Arduini, and Jerry Taylor.Lighted sinkAn over-sized stainless steel island sink,for a kitchen island or secondary preparea, features anintegral centredfaucet pedestal,with a strainer asthe base of thefaucet. It is sized38" x 28" x 7-1/2" and is available with a lighting kit,an Elkay innovation.Elkay Canada Circle no. 354Kitchen/Prep/Bar faucetsThe Felicity Kitchen Collection fromMoen’s ShowHouse program has amodern look in its faceted archingspout and basewhich can beaffixed on the leftor right side, inone-handle designswith a sidespray in kitchenand prep/bar models,with finishes in chrome, Lifeshinestainless steel and oil-rubbed bronze.Moen Inc. Circle no. 355The end product is strong – something Adruini put tothe test with a good stiff kick to the skirting on one ofthe tubs. If damage does occur, it is easily repairedbecause Vikrell is consistent in colour throughout.The use of robots in manufacturing isn’t new and, infact, those in the Sterling plant are “off-the-shelf” items,reported plant manager John Kyle. “Anybody can buy arobot and bolt it to the ground. The fixturing (and programming)is what’s key.” Despite the robotics, the workforcehas actually increased due to the substantialincrease in production.Since Kohler bought the plant in 1987, it has tripledthe number of presses and has plans for additionalpresses in the future.Tubs and showers are manufactured as they areordered, noted Taylor. All engineering and design is donein house. Efficient manufacturing, warehousing and shippingprocesses have reduced the time that the Sterlingplant can turn around a large order from a wholesaler toseven days or less, he added. “We’ve been doing this for33 years and have learned an awful lot...”More information on Sterling products and distributionis available at www.sterlingplumbing.com.Drench shower, eyewashThis barrier-free drench shower andeyewash station from Bradley features afully-recessed shower handle activatedby pushingdown. Waterflow exceeds20 gpm at 30psi, with aneyewash flowof 0.4 gpm at30 psi. Theone-piece cabinetis flushmountedandfeatures a wide-access service panel.Bradley Corp. Circle no. 356Shower door organizerStor-ganize bypass shower doors fromSterling feature an integrated storage systemwith five or six modular removableand easy-to-clean plastic shelves, all withgrates to remove water, and two removablehooks within each storage column.Models are available for five-foot bathsor bath-showers in two widths and for a60-inch shower-only space.Sterling Div. Kohler Circle no. 357www.plumbingandhvac.ca February/March 2006 – Plumbing & HVAC Product News 33