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Omega Flex to transition to TracPipe CounterStrike


EXTON, PA.— Omega Flex Inc., an international producer of quality engineered flexible metallic products, announced that it will transition its line of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) to its TracPipe® CounterStrike® product in the United States and Canada, effective September 1, 2011. This voluntary transition reflects the company’s continued commitment to innovation and safety by putting the best products on the market, while at the same time addressing inconsistencies in model building codes regarding bonding requirements that leave homes and other structures vulnerable to lightning damage. Introduced in 2004 and


reformulated in 2007, TracPipe CounterStrike exceeds all industry product and safety requirements and is compliant with codes in


all 50 states. The product has all of the innovative features that Omega Flex is renowned for, plus a comprehensive solution to potential lightning damage, a pioneering conductive black jacket covering the stainless steel pressure liner. The patented jacket is designed to protect against arcing from an indirect lightning strike, without the need for additional bonding. The current version of TracPipe CounterStrike has millions of feet and tens of thousands of installations in the United States, without a single documented instance of lightning damage to the product.


NATE names first sweepstakes winner


ARLINGTON, VA. — North American Technician Excellence (NATE) has selected the first winner in the “Showcase Your NATE” sweepstakes, which rewards contractors for promoting their NATE-certified technicians. Bob Johnston, owner of BNB Mechanical in Rancho Cucamonga, California, submitted the winning entry, earning his company $1,000 in local advertising and/or NATE promotional materials. After the sweepstakes kicked off in March, Johnston submitted an example of a newspaper advertisement featuring the new NATE logo. Johnston’s entry was randomly selected from the numerous submissions received from contractors throughout the country. These included brochures, vehicle signage, videos, business cards, links to company websites and other examples of how each company highlights their NATE-certified technicians. Three additional winners will be


selected throughout the remainder of the year. To enter, contractors are invited to submit descriptions and pictures of the various ways that they use NATE to build consumer confidence and attract new customers. With each submission, the contractor is entered into a regular drawing for a chance to win the $1,000 prize, which can be used towards local advertising and/or NATE promotional materials. Many entries will also be featured online, offering contractors additional exposure and recognition for their commitment to quality work.


FROM THE DESK OF... John Hazen White, Jr. Million dollar tax bill?


JOHN HAZEN WHITE, JR. President & CEO, Taco Inc.


As the Taco building ex- pansion project was just getting into motion this spring, the state of Rhode Island threw an unexpected curveball at us. The governor, facing a sizeable state deficit, proposed expanding the sales tax by broadening the goods and services subject to the tax while also adding a new 1% tax category. Like many states, little RI is cash strapped due to lowered revenues caused by the recession and the cumulative costs of generous pensions for its public employees.


When we conducted an analysis on what the new sales taxes would potentially cost our business, the amount came to a million dollars a year.


In


some areas the hits would be significant – taxing raw materials, computer services and freight, for example – and in other areas even 1% added up.


“The last thing businesses need is an imposition of new taxes”


New sales taxes on businesses small and large were a major part of what the governor was pro- posing, and this at a time when the economy is still struggling. For those of us in the HVAC industry, whether you’re a manufacturer, a distributor, or a contractor, the collapse of the housing market, es- pecially in new home construction, has been a se- rious blow, and there is not yet an end in sight. In these circumstances, the last thing that businesses need is the imposition of new taxes.


Faced with such uncertainty, I stopped the $18 million project in its tracks, just as we were plan- ning to break ground. Like many businesses in the state, I added my voice to a chorus of opposition from the business community and I did so in a big way: I took out highway billboards and bus panel ads opposing the sales tax and calling for reduced state spending and pension reform instead.


Thankfully, lawmakers got the message and repu- diated the governor’s plan almost whole. While they did impose sales tax to some new items, like over-the-counter prescription drugs, they essen- tially scuttled the business taxes. Instead they fo- cused mostly on cutting state spending, which is at the heart of the problem to begin with. And they still have to deal with the pension system.


The Taco building expansion project is back on track; we broke ground on June 3rd. The costs and scheduling consequences of holding up a project of this nature were serious enough to make me decide to get back in and move full speed ahead. Despite the adverse business climate, the project is too important to Taco’s future.


Everyone knows that manufacturing in America is a tough act these days, and taxes are a big part of that challenge. Many companies have found it easier to relocate production overseas. But that’s not for Taco. We’re proud to be Made in U.S.A. and we’ll stay that way, making our contribution to the rebirth of American manufacturing.


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