Industry News

Atlanta—Celebrating a century of excellence, innovation, and ingenuity, Rheem®, a leader in the water heating and HVAC/R industry, with manufacturing facilities in 88 countries, will showcase the culmination of 100 years of engineering at the 2025 AHR Expo. Rheem’s family of 50 global brands — including Rheem Heating & Cooling, Rheem Water Heating, Eemax®, Friedrich®, HTPG®, IBC™, Nordyne®, and Raypak® — will present Read more

Atlanta—Celebrating a century of excellence, innovation, and ingenuity, Rheem®, a leader in the water heating and HVAC/R industry, with manufacturing facilities in 88 countries, will showcase the culmination of 100 years of engineering at the 2025 AHR Expo. Rheem’s family of 50 global brands — including Rheem Heating & CoolingRheem Water HeatingEemax®, Friedrich®, HTPG®, IBC™Nordyne®, and Raypak® — will present a range of dependable, cutting-edge, and environmentally friendly product options designed for commercial and residential use. 

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Rheem CEO Chris Peel, joined by the company’s customers, partners, and employees, kicked off this major milestone event. As hundreds of attendees rallied together to toast to 100 years, Peel unveiled Rheem’s newly launched brand evolution, “Engineered for Life.” Synonymous with remarkable, reliable, and resilient products designed for everyday life, the branding update reflects Rheem’s 100-year legacy. With more than 500 active patents, in addition to revolutionary products, Rheem is known for a century of strong, meaningful collaboration with customers and partners.

Stop by the RIDGID booth to try out their latest drain cleaning, diagnostic, and pressing solutions ELYRIA, OHIO – February 11, 2025 – RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, announced their participation in the WWETT Show, Feb. 18-20, in Indianapolis. This year’s in-booth experience will include demos of a new game-changing handheld cordless drain Read more

Stop by the RIDGID booth to try out their latest drain cleaning, diagnostic, and pressing solutions

ELYRIA, OHIO – February 11, 2025 – RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, announced their participation in the WWETT Show, Feb. 18-20, in Indianapolis. This year’s in-booth experience will include demos of a new game-changing handheld cordless drain cleaner, along with their latest underground technology and pressing solutions, an exclusive show meetup for industry pros with the chance to win one of three RIDGID tools, and the first chance to enter to win a spot at the 2025 RIDGID Experience.

WWETT, RIDGID, plumbing, plumbing tools, social media meet-up, RIDGID Experience, Emerson, HVAC, plumber, WWETT Show“WWETT will be the first place to experience our new K-46 Cordless SinkSnake™, a handheld drain cleaner that features an industry-first integrated, multi-position kickstand that alleviates the challenges of working under cramped vanities and in tubs,” said Jeff Albertini, product management director, underground technologies and licensing, RIDGID. “It’s been designed to significantly improve ergonomics when drain cleaning in sinks, tubs, vanities, and showers and our team is excited to be able to share it with those attending WWETT.”

Along with the K-46, RIDGID invites tradespeople to stop by the RIDGID booth (#2605) to experience their other drain cleaning, inspection, pipe rehabilitation, and pressing tools, including these latest solutions:

o NEW SeeSnake® microDRAIN APX CSx Via™ System This kit features the SeeSnake microDRAIN APX, an inspection camera ideal for small pipes and tight turns with a flexible push cable and compact camera head to navigate small-diameter pipes, p-traps, and narrow bends where other systems struggle. Equipped with TruSense® technology and auto-image rotation, this inspection camera provides bright, clear images with real-time angle and orientation feedback. Paired with the CSx Via, the system offers a flexible, bring-your-own-screen solution to stream, capture, and share inspection images.

o FlexShaft® KM-1004 Milling Machine – This innovative hybrid milling machine provides heavy-duty milling and a wall-to-wall clean on 1 ¼ to 4-inch pipe up to 80 feet with unmatched efficiency. With cordless freedom, plug-in capability, first ever FlexShaft cable counter, and best-in-class durability, the FlexShaft KM-1004 Milling Machine allows users to adapt to tough jobsite conditions and makes in-field serviceability effortless.

o SeeSnake Mini Pro Inspection Camera with TruSense Technology – The first reel of its kind to provide digital self-leveling without mechanical rotation to maximize uptime, the small, yet rugged Mini Pro is designed to inspect up to 200 feet of 1 ½ to 8-inch pipe with its mid-flex push cable that can navigate hard 90-degree bends. Its innovative 25 mm digital self-leveling camera head always keeps the in-pipe image upright and, when paired with a TruSenseenabled monitor, the Mini Pro delivers the industry’s best in-pipe image with superior clarity, detail and fewer blown-out areas and sections of the pipe that are too dark to see.

o K-4310 FXP™ Drum Machine – The K-4310 features an industry-first cable counter that provides real-time, in-pipe cable distance in 3 to 10-inch lines for faster locating and diagnostics. Ideal for residential and commercial plumbing and drain cleaning projects, its powerful brushless DC motor spins at 230 RPM allowing you to tackle tough jobs with less required maintenance. The battery-powered K-4310 is also the newest addition to the FXP Technology Platform, delivering cordless freedom and powerful performance.

Other RIDGID drain cleaning, diagnostic, and press tools will also be available for demo including sectional machines, drum machines, jetters, SeeSnake® camera systems and locators.

Along with product demos, RIDGID is hosting a booth meetup on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. where industry pros will have the chance to win a K-46 SinkSnake™, K9-204+ FlexShaft® Drain Cleaning Machine or microDRAIN APX and Via Kit. Additionally, the first day of the show will kick off the RIDGID Experience 2025 and the RIDGID WWETT booth will be the first opportunity for attendees to enter for their chance to win a spot on the eighth annual, all-expenses-paid trip to RIDGID headquarters. Throughout the show, attendees can also scan their badge to enter to win one of three K9-102+ FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines.

Home service veteran and branding expert brings years of marketing experience to executive team Lufkin, Texas—Lemon Seed Marketing, a leading branding and marketing agency for the home service industry, announces the election of founder and marketing strategist Crystal Williams to the executive board of Women in HVACR. Williams will serve as secretary in 2025. Crystal Williams, home service Read more

Home service veteran and branding expert brings years of marketing experience to executive team

Lufkin, Texas—Lemon Seed Marketing, a leading branding and marketing agency for the home service industry, announces the election of founder and marketing strategist Crystal Williams to the executive board of Women in HVACR. Williams will serve as secretary in 2025.

Crystal Williams, home service veteran, branding expert, and founder of Lemon Seed Marketing, brings years of marketing expertise to the Women in HVACR board of directors as their newly elected secretary.

“Serving on the Women in HVACR board has connected me with numerous women who represent the future of our industry,” Williams said. “I look forward to further supporting their mission and growth in this new role. It’s energizing for me to offer my time and services in a new way to help other women working in the trades succeed.”

The executive board of directors is a subset of the larger governing board. Together they guide Women in HVACR in support of their mission to empower and promote the growing number of women entering the trades. Other women elected to the 2025 executive board include Kristen Gallup, president; Jane Sidebottom, vice president; and Angela Miller, treasurer.

“Crystal has been a valued member of Women in HVACR for five years, so we know the important perspective she brings to our executive board,” said Amy O’Grady, executive director of Women in HVACR. “Her extensive experience working in the home service industry, first at her family’s HVAC business and later through Lemon Seed Marketing, has prepared her well to help guide our organization forward in 2025.”

Williams entered the industry in 2011, working for her family’s HVAC business in Diboll, Texas. She helped her brother grow McWilliams & Son Heating and Air Conditioning as their marketing director until she recognized the opportunity to provide services for the larger HVAC industry. From its back-office beginnings as Apex Marketing Firm, Williams expanded her business into Lemon Seed Marketing, a specialized brand strategy agency with new partner Emily Fleniken in 2020. When Williams was invited to join the Women in HVACR board in 2023, she embraced the opportunity to get more involved in serving her professional community.

Thu, Feb 27, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6255693841565296736?source=evite1 Coffee with Caleffi™ Complimentary Technical Training Webinar Plumbing Codes and Certificates: Safety Essentials Technical Content Level: Fundamentals Join us for the first Coffee with Caleffi of the year, featuring Chris DeMarco, Regional Field Manager for IAPMO in the Mid-Atlantic region. In this Read more

Thu, Feb 27, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST

Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6255693841565296736?source=evite1

Coffee with Caleffi™ Complimentary Technical Training Webinar

Plumbing Codes and Certificates: Safety Essentials
Technical Content Level: Fundamentals
Coffee with Caleffi—Plumbing Codes and Certificates: Safety Essentials, hydronics, plumbing, HVAC, coffee with Caleffi
Join us for the first Coffee with Caleffi of the year, featuring Chris DeMarco, Regional Field Manager for IAPMO in the Mid-Atlantic region. In this webinar, Chris will explore the critical role of codes, standards, and third-party certification in the plumbing and mechanical industry and why they are essential for safety, quality, and compliance. Participants will gain insights into:
→ How do codes ensure safety and quality?
What does an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) do?
Why is third-party certification important?
→ How can professionals influence code development?
→ What are common code violation myths?
With more than eight years of experience at IAPMO, Chris began in Business Development, assisting manufacturers in navigating the complexities of Third-Party Certification. As Regional Manager for IAPMO’s Field Services, he fosters the adoption of IAPMO and ASSE Codes and Standards across his region while collaborating with industry partners, trade organizations, and various stakeholders. This session is an invaluable opportunity for anyone involved in plumbing and mechanical systems to understand the regulatory landscape that ensures safety, quality, and compliance.
Coffee with Caleffi technical training webinars are free and intended for contractors, designers and wholesalers. By submitting your webinar registration, you are consenting to email communications to keep you up-to-date on industry news. A Certificate of Attendance is emailed to attendees following the webinar for continuing education consideration.

Prizes include a 2025 Can Am Defender, a Traeger Grill and Malco Shopping Sprees Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, today announced its 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes. Entrants have a chance at prizes including a 2025 Can Am Defender, a Traeger Read more

Prizes include a 2025 Can Am Defender, a Traeger Grill and Malco Shopping Sprees

Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, today announced its 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes. Entrants have a chance at prizes including a 2025 Can Am Defender, a Traeger Grill and Omaha Steaks gift card, Malco $500 and $250 shopping sprees, as well as Malco’s Limited Edition Camouflage Andy™ Snips and C-RHEX® Cleanable, Reversible Hex Drivers.

“We are excited to celebrate Malco’s 75th anniversary with a sweepstakes that marks the legacy and longevity of our company and community,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing at The Malco Group. “Our dedication to producing innovative, dependable and high-performance hand tools for the past 75 years has positioned us as a leading innovator and manufacturer in the industry. This sweepstakes is a great way to honor that legacy and provide trade professionals a chance to win outstanding prizes.”

Entrants can purchase* any new Malco tool from Feb. 3-April 3, 2025, and register the tool on Malco’s Sweepstakes website for a chance to win. There is a limit of one entry per day, up to 10 entries per person for the entire sweepstakes.

Malco’s 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes offers a range of prizes including:

  • Grand Prize: 2025 Can-Am Defender with Flip Windshield – Hard Coated ($19,000 retail value)
  • 1st Prize: Traeger Grill Ironwood 650 + $500 Omaha Steaks Gift Card
  • 2nd Prize: $500 Malco Shopping Sprees (3 winners)
  • 3rd Prize: $250 Malco Shopping Sprees (5 winners)
  • Malco tools (350 winners)

The sweepstakes kicks off a year of celebration around Malco’s 75th  anniversary. The company was founded in 1950 when Mark W. Keymer invented and manufactured a pipe crimper for installing sheet metal ductwork used in forced air heating systems. Today, Malco Tools offers hundreds of other innovative HVAC and building trade products.

Please visit www.malcosweepstakes.com for official rules and regulations and an alternate method of entry.

For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com.

*NO PURCH. NEC. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S./D.C., 18+. Void where prohibited. Begins 2/3/25 and ends 4/3/25. Subject to Rules incl. alternate methods of entry: https://tinyurl.com/ywehb9uc. Sponsor: The Malco Group dba as MalcoTools, Inc.