User’s Conference Hit:
Two Monitors, 15 Open Windows
Estimating productivity is the key selling point stressed by McCormick Systems in presentations and literature. A new vista on speeding estimates opened for electrical contractors and estimators attending the company’s recent 2006 User’s Conference.
Thanks to the estimating software’s flexibility, users discovered they could boost productivity with the use of two monitors on an individual working estimate. Contractors and estimators experimented – and found they could have 15 discrete estimate windows open at the same time across two screens.
“Having all those windows open greatly increased their estimating productivity,” said President Todd McCormick. “The response from our customers was so enthusiastic that we think two monitors will probably be the standard from now on.”
McCormick’s 24 th annual User’s Conference, held March 8-11 in Tempe, Ariz., featured two full days of sessions, an on-site computer “lab” with more than 20 work stations, extended lab time, pre-event training, and accompanying social events.
About McCormick Systems
Privately owned McCormick Systems, of Chandler, AZ, is the nation’s leader in software used for electrical estimating and project management. The company’s products enable contractors to produce consistent, profitable estimates for electrical and voice-data-video work.
For more information: www.mccormicksys.com.
Robert Luebbering New Vice President, Sales at PG LifeLink
Leading isolated power products manufacturer PG LifeLink (PGLL) is pleased to announce that Robert Luebbering has joined the company as its new Vice President, Sales.
As Vice President, Sales, Luebbering works with customers and the PGLL sales team to provide isolated power and patient safety products and services that meet market needs and exceed customer expectations.
Luebbering’s previous experience includes serving as Sales Manager at Ronan Engineering Measurements Division, where he was responsible for all sales functions and personnel. In this position, he managed key accounts that included multi-national manufacturers and OEMs. He also worked as a Technical Sales Manager at environmental test chambers manufacturer Cincinnati Sub-Zero.
Luebbering holds an Associate of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Cincinnati Technical College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology Manufacturing from Northern Kentucky University.
“I am excited to be a part of the PG LifeLink team because of the enthusiasm of my coworkers and their commitment to solve the customer’s requirements with the best possible product,” Luebbering said.
For more information on PG LifeLink, visit www.pglifelink.com .
Schneider Electric North American Operating Division Recognized As Outstanding Supplier By Grainger
The Schneider Electric North American Operating Division was presented with Grainger’s prestigious Partners in Performance Supplier Award for 2005 at its Partners in Performance Supplier Conference held March 9, 2006, in Itasca, Ill. Grainger presents the award annually to a select group of suppliers for outstanding performance throughout the year.
“We are honored to be recognized by Grainger as a partner in performance,” said Dave Petratis, president and CEO of Schneider Electric’s North American Operating Division. “Our Schneider Electric business philosophy and commitment to excellence mirrors that of Grainger, and we look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership. Last year proves we raised the bar on performance and we hope to do that in 2006 as well.”
Grainger’s Partners in Performance Award recognizes suppliers who achieve excellence in several categories, including responsiveness, information integrity, on-time shipping and order fulfillment. Grainger suppliers receive ratings throughout the year for their performance in each of these categories. Approximately 2 percent of Grainger’s 1,200 suppliers receive this award each year.
“Grainger is proud to present Schneider Electric’s North American Operating Division with the 2005 Partners in Performance Award,” said Michael Pulick, Grainger’s vice president of product management. “We value our relationship with Schneider Electric and want to recognize suppliers who have demonstrated superior performance and are true role models within their industry. As a company, we look forward to continuing to work together and to drive profitable growth for both companies.”
Grainger has recognized its top suppliers for the past 20 years. Formerly called the CFQ1 award, the recognition was changed to Partners in Performance to more accurately reflect the relationship between Grainger and its suppliers.
For more information, please http://www.us.schneider-electric.comCooper Lighting Donates Products to ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
Cooper Lighting recently donated lighting fixtures to ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to accommodate a 5,000 square-foot home in Dewey, OK for the episode which aired March 12 th.
Cooper Lighting’s donation consisted of 150 HALO All-Pro 6” recessed downlight lighting fixtures, including 143 black baffle trims and seven eyeball trims.
Pastor John White worked at Bluestem Baptist Church and lived in the church parsonage with his wife Danna and five of their 10 children. In April 2005, on his 19 th wedding anniversary, John suffered a fatal heart-attack. Following his death, his widow Danna and the children had to move to make the parsonage available to the church’s new pastor. With help from members of the community and church, Danna was able to purchase two run-down trailers. The trailers do not have heat, a working kitchen, locks on the doors, or carpet, and the larger of the two trailers does not have power. The kids have been staying with friends on especially cold nights.
The cast and crew of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, along with friends and family of the White’s, began the rebuild on January 23 using various products, including Cooper Lighting’s recessed lighting fixtures. Five days later, the state-of-the-art dream home was unveiled to the White family.
“Cooper Lighting has a history of community goodwill and generous corporate citizenship,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing, Cooper Lighting. “We were pleased to participate in this project for such a well-deserved family.”
Cooper Lighting’s product was obtained through Tulsa Lighting Sales (rep. of Cooper Lighting) and distributed to Simmons Homes, the builder of the White house, through Cooper Lighting’s local distributor, Graybar Electric in Tulsa, OK. The electrician on the job was Tri-Plex Electric, also from Tulsa, OK.
“Cooper Lighting was a blessing to deal with throughout the whole process,” said Tim Harbaugh, branch manager – Tulsa, Graybar Electric. “With only a two-week advanced notice of the project, we had to rely on our strong relationships with key suppliers, such as Cooper Lighting, and get advanced commitments in order to participate. Though we already had the stock set aside for the project, Cooper Lighting was able to quickly and effectively replenish our stock so that we continue business as usual with other projects that were in action.”
“It’s great to be involved in a community goodwill project such as this,” said Greg Cook, co-owner, Tulsa Lighting Sales. “It’s truly remarkable that this amazing house was completed in just five days, but it’s not all that surprising seeing as how every organization involved worked so cooperatively.”
For more information, visit www.cooperlighting.com.
Leviton Forms Wiring Device Business Unit to Grow Market for Core Products
To help grow its wiring device business and offer increased support to its 
customers, Leviton Manufacturing Company has created a Wiring Device Strategic Business Unit (SBU). The new SBU will concentrate its resources to design, develop, market and sell the broadest range of wiring device products in the industry. Products offered through the Wiring Device business unit range from basic switches and receptacles, to GFCIs and designer - style Decora® and Acenti® products.
"The new SBU is structured to help position Leviton to execute its strategic goal of product innovation, leadership in quality and service, and meeting customers’ expectations in everything we do," said Daryoush Larizadeh, Senior Vice President of Leviton. "Under this new structure, we anticipate delivering growth in all channels of our business: Electrical Distribution, Retail and OEM."
In addition to its new Wiring Device Business Unit, Leviton also has the following business units: Commercial Voice and Data, Leviton Integrated Networks and Controls, Lighting Management Systems, Original Equipment Manufacturing Business. Leviton Manufacturing celebrates its centennial year in business this year. For more information, please visit www.leviton.com.
Rexel Adds Coretta Turner to Dallas Marketing Staff
Rexel’s Dallas headquarters staff now includes Coretta Turner, a marketing specialist with 10 years of experience in the retail and communications industry advertising/marketing.
Turner will work with electrical and datacom suppliers on co-op/marketing funds. She’ll coordinate with Rexel’s regional marketing people and marketing managers in the company’s six geographic divisions.
“Coretta’s hiring brings our marketing department back to full strength, and gives us some depth and breadth,” said John Kudlacek, vice president of marketing and purchasing.
Rexel Inc. (www.rexelusa.com) is a unit of Paris-based Rexel SA, an electrical/datacom distributor. More than 4,400 employees of Rexel’s U.S. unit work from nearly 300 branch locations in the U.S. and Bermuda. Rexel SA operates nearly 1,700 locations in 29 countries. With 21,000 employees worldwide, the company’s 2005 sales topped $8.8 billion.
