Industry News

Active military personnel, veterans and first responders receive free admission to the fair with their families on Aug. 18 Peterman Brothers, a leading HVAC and plumbing company serving the Greater Indianapolis area, is honoring the sacrifice of active and former military personnel and first responders at the Indiana State Fair on Friday, Aug. 18. First Read more

Active military personnel, veterans and first responders receive free admission to the fair with their families on Aug. 18

Peterman Brothers, a leading HVAC and plumbing company serving the Greater Indianapolis area, is honoring the sacrifice of active and former military personnel and first responders at the Indiana State Fair on Friday, Aug. 18.

First responders and current and former members of the military who present valid ID at the gate will be admitted free with their families on Military and First Responders’ Day, sponsored by Peterman Brothers.

“We want to pay tribute to the people who put their lives on the line to protect us and preserve our freedoms,” said Chad Peterman, president of Peterman Brothers. “The Indiana State Fair is a great event that represents the deep values we share in the Indianapolis area. That makes it a great occasion for us to express our gratitude to the neighbors who lay it all on the line and let them know how much we care and appreciate what they do.”

In addition to Military and First Responders’ Day, Peterman Brothers will have a booth at the fair through Aug. 20. Attendees can stop by to register to win prizes or find out more about the company.

The Indiana State Fair takes place through Aug. 20. For more information about the fair, please visit www.indianastatefair.com.

Peterman Brothers is available to help with any plumbing or cooling needs. For more information, call (260) 201-3070 or visit www.petermanhvac.com.

Leading provider of technician-first smart technology for field service among the fastest-growing companies in America with three-year revenue growth of 238 percent Inc. revealed today that XOi, the leading provider of technician-first smart technology for commercial and residential field service companies, ranks 2,313 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private Read more

Leading provider of technician-first smart technology for field service among the fastest-growing companies in America with three-year revenue growth of 238 percent

Inc. revealed today that XOi, the leading provider of technician-first smart technology for commercial and residential field service companies, ranks 2,313 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment — its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other household name brands gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“This honor reflects our mission to transform the future of field service with artificial intelligence and deep analytics,” said Aaron Salow, CEO and founder of XOi. “The industries we serve have traditionally been underserved by technology. At XOi, we’re committed to equipping contractors and their teams with digital solutions they need as the service ecosystem rapidly evolves.”

The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years.

“Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “To make the Inc. 5000 — with the fast growth that requires — is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.”

XOi provides field service contractors and their teams a suite of premium tools for managing and leveraging data from current jobs as well as historical projects, including powerful data collection, virtual support and mentoring, and real, actionable insights. XOi users report, on average, a 20% reduction in the amount of time it takes to complete tasks, an additional $1.4 million in new replacement and preventive maintenance contract revenue, and a 40% reduction in second truck rolls.

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, Aug. 23.

For more information about XOi, visit https://xoi.io.

Frontline associates providing essential supplies and support as Lowe’s offers critical relief to affected communities Lowe’s announced it will donate $1 million to continue to support relief and recovery efforts across Maui after deadly wildfires caused catastrophic destruction to homes and businesses on the island. The donation will assist Lowe’s disaster relief partners including the Read more

Lowe’s announced it will donate $1 million to continue to support relief and recovery efforts across Maui after deadly wildfires caused catastrophic destruction to homes and businesses on the island. The donation will assist Lowe’s disaster relief partners including the American Red Cross and Lowe’s nonprofit Pro customers, helping these organizations provide food, emergency shelter, relief supplies and comfort to those affected by the wildfires.

“The scope of the devastation in Maui is heartbreaking. We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to the people of Hawaii who have lost loved ones, have been displaced and all who have been impacted by this tragedy, including our associates,” said Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s chairman and CEO. “We are grateful for the tireless efforts of first responders and community members who have been on the ground helping since last week, and we will continue standing by them and our frontline associate to support the recovery of our neighbors, friends and family on the island.”

A woman digs through rubble of a home destroyed by a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

In immediate response to the wildfires, associates from Lowe’s of Kahului in Maui assisted local police, fire department and community members with donations of water, propane, barbecue grills, popup tents, tarps and many other essential supplies to help residents. Lowe’s Emergency Command Center continues to expedite generators and additional emergency supplies to assist with immediate needs and support long-term recovery.

Lowe’s Command Center has also deployed a 20-person Emergency Response Team to Lowe’s store in Kahului to help with recovery efforts over the next two weeks. These specially trained store associates and district leaders are voluntarily leaving their home stores from Oahu and the Big Island to provide additional customer and associate support.

The company is also expanding financial assistance provided to associates through the Lowe’s Employee Relief Fund. Lowe’s is doubling the company’s match, contributing $2 for every dollar an employee donates. Additionally, Lowe’s has provided hotels for displaced store associates and meals for all associates and their families in Kahului. The store in Kahului is also hiring additional associates to support ongoing community needs and help Maui rebuild. Anyone who is interested can go to joinlowes.com to apply.

Individuals can team with Lowe’s and the American Red Cross to provide assistance by donating at Lowe’s American Red Cross Online Donation Site. Visit Lowe’s Newsroom for updates on Lowe’s relief efforts and continued community support.

Watts will be hosting a live-streamed event. Tune into the Watts social media channels on August 16th at 2 p.m. ET to discuss how connected technology is changing the landscape of backflow prevention. Coverage to include: Smart and connected backflow solutions New innovations in backflow prevention Behind-the-scenes view of production Interviews with industry professionals – and more Read more

Watts will be hosting a live-streamed event. Tune into the Watts social media channels on August 16th at 2 p.m. ET to discuss how connected technology is changing the landscape of backflow prevention.

Coverage to include:

  • Smart and connected backflow solutions
  • New innovations in backflow prevention
  • Behind-the-scenes view of production
  • Interviews with industry professionals – and more

National Backflow Prevention Day day commemorates the tragic backflow incident on the same day which occurred at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

The plumbing industry has rallied around this day to assist in recognizing and honoring backflow preventers – the professionals who ensure our available water supply is free of toxins, waste and harmful chemicals. The holiday aims to spread awareness about the importance of backflow prevention and how the technology is used.

The first backflow incident

It was the summer of 1933. Visitors traveled from points near and far to attend the World’s Fair in Chicago. A water supply was shared by two major hotels that were filled to capacity with tourists. Unaware of the dangerous cross connections in their plumbing system, the two hotels unknowingly allowed amoebic dysentery to spread prolifically throughout their rooms, contaminating the water consumed by their guests.

200 people became severely ill, and 98 of them ultimately lost their lives. This tragic story continues to be a driving factor in backflow innovation. As Watts engineers each new generation of valve, and each new connected feature, we remember that backflow prevention saves lives.

What is National Backflow Prevention Day? National Backflow Prevention Day is a day dedicated to the celebration of backflow prevention and cross-connection control. Backflow preventers are the unsung heroes of water safety as they often go unnoticed, yet play a crucial role in supplying clean and safe water all over the world. Without backflow prevention, people would face the risk of consuming water with toxins, chemicals, waste, and countless other contaminants.

Why is this day being celebrated or observed? The purpose of National Backflow Prevention Day is to acknowledge the importance of backflow prevention, educate the public on how this life-saving technology is used, and to recognize the water quality professionals responsible for installing and maintaining backflow preventers.

How should this day be celebrated or observed? Celebrate National Backflow Prevention day by participating in the following:

  • Thank your local plumber or water quality professional for their work
  • Attend official National Backflow Prevention Day virtual events
  • Locate a backflow preventer in your community, and share an image of it on social media
  • Share images of your own backflow and cross-connection installs on social media

Follow Watts on social media channels @wattswater and use #BackflowDay to engage and support the event.

RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is celebrating a major milestone this year: 100 years of designing and building innovative tools trusted on jobsites around the world and handed down from generation to generation. On Saturday, July 29, the company commemoratedthe occasion by inviting employees past and present, along with their families, to Read more