Industry News

Showing off their latest innovation at IBS, Uponor announces the Uponor Pro Squad, an exclusive nationwide network of expertly trained plumbers and water specialists interested in leveraging the intelligent water technology of Phyn Plus, smart water assistant + shutoff, to grow their businesses.

The Uponor Pro Squad was developed to proactively promote, effectively sell and expertly install and service Phyn Plus. This new smart water monitoring system for homes automatically measures tiny changes in water pressure, 240 times per second, to identify and alert homeowners the moment a leak is detected, mitigate costly damage through automatic shut off, and diagnose potential problems in plumbing systems before they become an issue.

Licensed plumbing professionals interested in joining the Uponor Pro Squad can apply for consideration via uponorprosquad.com. Once accepted into the program, authorized installers will receive comprehensive training. Experts at Uponor and Phyn will provide ongoing plumbing and technical support to help members leverage the device’s features and benefits to grow their businesses.

“Uponor has always been a strong supporter of the trades,” says Bill Gray, president, Uponor North America. “Now, with the help of this new venture into smart home technology, plumbers can position themselves as market leaders and build their businesses, while helping to advance the plumbing industry into the digital age.”

Orlando — Although multifamily housing starts are expected to slightly moderate this year and in 2019, production levels are projected to remain stable in a range considered normal, according to experts participating in a press conference today during the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.

“For the foreseeable future, production of multifamily housing is expected to be running at a trend level where supply is meeting demand,” said NAHB Senior Economist Michael Neal.

Multifamily starts are expected to edge 2 percent lower this year to 354,000 units from a projected 360,000 total in 2017 and fall another 3 percent to 344,000 in 2019.

However, Neal noted this does not indicate weakness in this market segment. “From 1995 through 2005, multifamily starts averaged 335,000,” he said. “Construction activity during the past four years has been running above this trend, and we are seeing the market stabilizing near more normal production levels.”

Ironically, one factor contributing to the stabilization of multifamily activity is the low inventory of homes on the for-sale market. “Fewer homes for sale means that some renter households looking to own will have to rent for longer than they may anticipate,” he said.

Meanwhile, the national rental vacancy rate registered a slight uptick last year, but stands at its low mid-1990s level of 7.5 percent.

Steven E. Lawson, president of The Lawson Companies in Virginia Beach, Va., whose firm builds both affordable and market-rate housing, addressed the predicted increasing demand for affordable rentals as a growing number of households are rent burdened, meaning they are paying too much of their income in rent.

“Demand is far outstripping supply and the supply-side of the equation is constrained by Low-Income Housing Tax Credit pricing, rising construction costs and higher interest rates,” said Lawson.

While the new tax reform law has significantly lowered corporate tax rates, it has also reduced tax credit prices, said Lawson.

“Rising labor and materials costs as well as falling prices for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits have changed the landscape so that some projected affordable projects are no longer viable,” said Lawson. “Moreover, labor shortages are driving up labor costs and spreading out construction schedules.”

On the plus side, the newly enacted pro-growth tax law will mean lower tax rates for most individuals in all income groups, which will put more money into the pockets of hard-working families, including renter households.

Furthermore, NAHB successfully championed the retention of private activity bonds as part of the new tax law, which will enable the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to maintain its effectiveness as the most indispensable tool for the production of affordable housing.

Once again, Care to Ride will be using an online fundraising site to help you seek donations and to help you manage your campaign. Those donating can do so directly by credit card, relieving the burden of collecting money and submitting it to Oil Heat Cares.

A minimum pledge of $100 by all individual participants and $600 for a team is required. We encourage you to enlist the support of friends, family and co-workers, or you may pay the fee on your own. You can ride a motorcycle, bicycle, walk or run, all for a good cause—raising funds for our neighbors in need.

The Annual Care to Ride fundraiser has set a goal of $35,000. You can raise money individually or sign up as a team and share that link with your team members.
When you set up your profile, please include a photo of yourself or your team and don’t forget to share it on Facebook.

Credit cards are the simplest, but checks may be used if preferred. Checks can be made payable to Oil Heat Cares and mailed to 312 North Avenue East, Suite 5, Cranford, NJ 07016 or brought to the event on Monday, May 21, 2018.

Tucson, Ariz. — Pueblo Mechanical & Controls (“Pueblo”) announced that Huron Capital has invested in the Tucson, Arizona-based company, in partnership with management and industry veteran Dan Bueschel. Founded in 2001 by Steve Barry and Arlene Bleakney, Pueblo provides a full spectrum of HVAC replacement, retrofit and repair services primarily for facilities in education, municipal, and healthcare end markets throughout Arizona.

Bueschel is assuming the CEO role at Pueblo, partnering with Huron Capital to pursue a buy-and-build strategy in the commercial HVAC market.  Pueblo will be seeking add-on acquisition opportunities locally and in surrounding states, including Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Barry will remain a significant shareholder and continue to work at Pueblo in an active business development role.

“Arlene and I are happy to be partnering with Huron Capital and Dan Bueschel,” said Barry. “Huron Capital has extensive experience helping companies grow through acquisition, and we are excited about where Pueblo can go from here.”

“I’m excited to take on the CEO role at Pueblo,” added Bueschel.  “The Company has a history of providing great service to its customers, and I look forward to working with Huron Capital and Steve Barry to pursue the next stages of growth for Pueblo.”