The Week in Review is a recap of the week — what’s trending, what’s breaking the internet on social, and what we’ve been up to. We’ll try our best to keep you up to date with the industry, social media and our travels.
• The Hub’s Eric Aune was invited to LENOX Tools in Mass. First, LENOX hosted a select group of contractors from the U.S. and Canada this week to tour the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg, Maryland where they presented the foundation with a $15,000 donation. The Hub’s Eric Aune took advantage of time with some new products LENOX is offering as well. Watch for reviews on their new carbide tooth hole saws and reciprocating saw blades soon.
Oh, and they participated in a car-cutting contest, made famous by Lee “Hackman” Breton.
• Training, Training, Training—We are constantly promoting good training throughout the industry. There is plenty out there of which to take advantage. Speaking of training, we featured Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, and the tales and tips as a traveling trainer for Caleffi.
See more here: https://mechanical-hub.com/the-traveling-trainer-tales-on-the-road-with-hot-rod-rohr/
Be sure to check back to the site next week as I talk with Bob Clark, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) program Coordinator, College of DuPage (COD), about training and education.
• Our Trade Talk — Mechanical Hub private group was busy this week posting work pics and posting thought-provoking comments. Since we are heading into the heating season full bore, I asked the group what they do to get their clients to commit to a yearly maintenance contract. Other than writing it into the initial contract, how do contractors get their clients to “buy” into annual maintenance check-ups?
— “We start sending reminder notices in April, with a “Summer Rate” discount of over $100 over our standard rates, and we mail a $25-dollar coupon good towards any tune up, if done before September 1st. We try very hard to get our tune-ups done before now.” Rocky Pavey, Rocky’s Heating Service, Fairbanks, AK.
— “Leave the gas valve turned off on your spring check 😂.” That’s one way to get their attention eventually.
Join the group and check out more great stuff on the page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1545670948828435/
• The ASPE Technical Symposium takes place this week in Pittsburgh. The Symposium features technical education sessions, which are designed to help plumbing industry professionals at all career levels learn new skills or refresh their design repertoire. Each session offers 0.15 CEUs that can be used for license and certification continuing education requirements. The Symposium also features a Product Show, which is a unique chance for attendees to get one-on-one face time with the manufacturers who make the products they specify.
Jeff Riley, COREDRON, (right) watches over a maintenance check at the Rose Hill Manor Retrofit.
• Finally, while talking with my good friend Jeff Riley, co-owner of COREDRON, a manufacturer’s rep in the DC area, he shared a story with me about a hydronics retrofit at an old historic home where John Wilkes Booth was said to have hidden out after the assassination of President Lincoln. Check out the installation here: https://hydronicshub.com/retrofitting-the-venerable-rose-hill-manor
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