In The News
- Feb
- 17
Posted on February 17, 2012 by John OReilly
On Feb. 14, more than 60 pre-engineering students from Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minn., visited the Uponor North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn., to learn about new innovations in radiant heating and cooling, as well as plumbing and fire sprinkler systems, using crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing.
The students’ visit was in conjunction with a push to encourage more science and technology education in Minnesota schools. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who visited Uponor on Jan. 11 to promote business innovation, also spoke in an online column about the importance of technical schools and the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) network in Minnesota.
To download the full press release and several hi-res images, please visit…
http://uponor.oreilly-depalma.com/2012/sibley-students-visit-us.shtml
- Feb
- 16
Posted on February 16, 2012 by John OReilly
Uponor has named Bill Gray president of Uponor North America, effective Feb. 15, 2012. He is also a member of the Uponor Group executive committee.
Gray has served as the vice president for UNA Sales since June 2011, where he was responsible for the leadership of all Uponor North American sales efforts in the United States and Canada. Previously, he was general manager for Uponor Ltd. in Canada for three years where he oversaw all Canadian operations, including sales, marketing, demand management and technical and customer service.
To download the full press release and a hi-res image, please visit…
http://uponor.oreilly-depalma.com/2012/bill-gray-president-us.shtml
- Feb
- 13
Posted on February 13, 2012 by Joel Williams
My deck is aching for a little spring cleaning. Every time I walk our dog, I see the discoloration and grime from the mold growth and mildew that result from the lack of a southern exposure. Our newest client, Wet & Forget, has a solution tailor-made for millions of homeowners like me.

The environmentally gentle, scrub-free exterior stain remover safely and gently removes unsightly moss, mold, mildew and algae stains on siding, roofs, decks, concrete and any outdoor surface imaginable. Check out this amazing before and after images from this composite deck – all without harmful bleach or back-breaking power washing. The beauty of this non-caustic, non-acidic, bleach-free cleaner is no scrubbing, no rinsing, no elbow grease.
Simply apply with a pump garden sprayer, then sit back and let Mother Nature do the rest. Results can be seen within days for those less contaminated areas and over several months for more distressed areas.
This product delivers on the “maintenance free” promise of composite decking materials. Spring cleaning, here I come.
- Feb
- 2
Posted on February 2, 2012 by Joel Williams
Uponor has expanded its reach into Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean with Victory Management Solutions, Inc. VMS will rep Uponor radiant heating and cooling, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems for commercial and residential applications.
“With this new partnership, we’re well positioned to educate a new market that has very little exposure to PEX products and systems,” says Bill Gray, vice president, Uponor Sales. “VMS is well known for supporting project work and will help us pursue opportunities that are ideal for our radiant heating and cooling, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems.”
- Jan
- 27
Posted on January 27, 2012 by Joel Williams
Uponor North America has named Charlie Harte as general manager of Canada. Reporting to Bill Gray, vice president, Uponor Sales, Harte will be responsible for the sales and marketing leadership of the Uponor Canadian business, ensuring that sales targets and customer satisfaction levels are met.
“The Canadian market is extremely important to Uponor North America; we need a leader who will balance the unique needs of the market with the operational requirements of a global company,” Gray says. “After an extensive search, Charlie Harte is the perfect candidate, with the skills, experience and vision to lead the Canadian team to the next level.”
A results-oriented sales and marketing professional with a strong record of achievement in Canada and the U.S., Harte has a progressive history of sales and marketing success. He is a seasoned veteran in the home and commercial building markets, with 20 years of sales and marketing experience. Most recently, Harte was director of The Home Depot field sales, recruiting and new-business development with Techtronic Industries Canada, Inc.
Harte will be based in Uponor’s Mississauga, Ontario, office. He is a graduate of the University of Glamorgan with a degree in Marketing and Finance as well as a marketing management certificate from York University.
- Jan
- 25
Posted on January 25, 2012 by Joel Williams
The potential efficiencies of water boosting systems from Grundfos are highlighted in the January cover story of Plumbing Mechanical Engineer, which profiles one apartment building’s jaw-dropping energy savings achieved through variable speed pump technology.
In fact, talk about putting your money where your mouth is– this project’s contractor was so confident in the potential energy savings that he paid for the new system himself — all in an effort to convince building management to invest in the efficient technology.
The gamble paid off in spades.
An independent project audit vindicated the daring claim by documenting a 90 percent energy savings over a one-week period in September 2010, and a 26-month payback period.
Moreover, the drop in power consumption translates to an annual utility cost reduction of nearly $18,160. Total project savings are estimated at $275,000 over the average 15-year pump lifespan. Despite removing 70 HP from this system, the computerized control, demand-based performance of the new pumping station averages just 30 percent capacity.
![Grundfos-CS-Parkview-0079[1]](http://www.oreilly-depalma.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Grundfos-CS-Parkview-00791.jpg)
- Jan
- 20
Posted on January 20, 2012 by Nora DePalma
Bath & Kitchen Pro covered the recent appointment of Jay D. Gould as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Standard Brands. Before joining American Standard, Gould was President of the Home & Family Group of Newell Rubbermaid. Taking an innovative, consumer-driven approach to building demand, he significantly increased revenues for the company’s Levolor, Calphalon, Rubbermaid and Graco brands throughout the economic downturn.
“We are excited to have Jay take the helm of American Standard,” said Tom Taylor, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “He brings tremendous experience in enhancing companies’ leading market positions and creating value by leading with a focus on growth, innovation and brand development.”
The complete press release on Gould’s appointment can also be viewed in the American Standard online pressroom.
- Dec
- 28
Posted on December 28, 2011 by Joel Williams

Editors at This Old House Magazine selected two Uponor products for their “Best New Building Products Tools for Pros” 2011 annual compilation. Of the 14 “professional grade” tools highlighted, editors were impressed with Uponor’s Self-Contained Radiant-Heat System or Radiant Ready 30E Radiant mechanical room in-a-box launched earlier this year. TOH editors also gave high marks to a new cordless PEX expander tool from Milwaukee Tools, rating it a “must have.” The compact tool offers an extremely fast, precise way to make watertight connections in Uponor ProPEX tubing. Plus, it’s really cool to see in action. Kudos to Uponor engineering.
- Dec
- 5
Posted on December 5, 2011 by Joel Williams
A growing number of owners and managers of commercial and institutional properties have embraced steamtherapy for its health and wellness benefits. Learn more about the guidelines for proper equipment selection in this byline article from Mr. Steam that is featured in this month’s Construction Canada magazine.
Bart Gorelik, regional sales director for Mr. Steam, explains that commercial steam rooms are a relatively straightforward affair, “but only if one avoids two major pitfalls — improper generator sizing before the room is constructed and improper maintenance once it is finished.”
- Nov
- 21
Posted on November 21, 2011 by Joel Williams
In honor of World Toilet Day (11/19), National Public Radio’s Science Friday explored the surprising lack of access to sanitation faced by nearly 2.6 billion people — nearly one-third of the world’s population — as well as how engineers are making toilets more water efficient. Panelists included Jim McHale, vice president of engineering at American Standard, as well as several experts on global sanitation issues and civil engineering. Listen to the complete program here or watch a video.