UL ANNOUNCES NEW COLLABORATION WITH IAEI
UL University to begin offering two joint training programs for electrical community
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), together with the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), recently announced that it will offer two joint training programs through UL University for the electrical community. The two programs, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) Fundamentals and Neon Lighting, cost $79 each and are available online. NEC® Fundamentals is currently available at www.uluniversity.com. Registration for Neon Lighting will begin in late May.
The new training programs are open to all interested parties in the electrical community, including:
- Electrical contractors/installers;
- Electrical inspectors;
- Compliance engineers;
- Product designers;
- Architects; and
- All electrical license holders.
“ UL University is proud to expand our relationship with IAEI,” said Brad Smock, UL University general manager. “Combining the expertise of IAEI and UL University is a perfect way to bring maximum value to the electrical community and enhance UL’s mission of public safety.”
About the NEC Fundamentals Course
This course provides the student with a detailed look at the history of the NEC and the code proposal approval process, with an emphasis on how to use the NEC to locate and interpret code requirements. Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
- Identify and list historical milestones associated with the creation of the NEC;
- Apply the various steps of the NEC proposal approval process;
- Identify and list the major components of the NEC;
- Identify and list which types of installations are covered and not covered by the NEC, use the Code Arrangement diagram to locate various chapters, tables and the annex of the NEC; explain the definition of mandatory rules and permissive rules; and identify their application in code rules; and
- Locate information contained in the FPN and exceptions to perform tasks and answer questions specific to special installations.
The following courses are available and can be completed at each student’s convenience:
- National Electrical Code (NEC) Development Process
- Understanding the NEC Format
- Article 80: Administration and Enforcement
- Article 90: Introduction
- General Rules of the NEC
- Special Rules of the NEC
- Communication Systems
About the Neon Lighting Course
This course provides the student with a detailed look at the history of neon lighting and how it evolved from a turn-of-the-century art form in Paris to a modern industry in the United States and abroad. It focuses on the design, application and installation of neon systems in accordance with the NEC. Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
- Identify and list historical milestones associated with the creation of neon lighting;
- Explain how neon tubing produces light;
- List the various steps of the neon lighting tube development process;
- Identify and describe the various components required for neon sign construction, recognize the parts and components of a neon tubing installation and describe the proper installation of each according to NEC requirements; and
- Properly wire a neon sign and outline lighting system with suitable wiring methods and schemes and apply proper grounding and bonding techniques to meet the requirements of the NEC.
The following courses are available for and can be completed at each student’s convenience:
- What is Neon?
- Parts and Components of Neon Systems
- Neon Transformers and Power Supplies
- Using the Electrical Codes
- Neon Design and Installation
- Neon Inspections
“IAEI has been working cooperatively with UL from the beginning with a common interest in promoting electrical safety,” said Michael Johnston, IAEI director of education. “The two organizations have a well-established relationship and essential roles in providing education for the electrical industry and the public. Teaming up with UL to offer continuing education through distance learning is only natural and consistent with the primary mission and objectives of both organizations. IAEI is happy to contribute to the development and growth of electrical training material and considers these efforts valuable to industry and worthy of future expansion.”
To sign up for either of UL University’s new joint training programs for the electrical community, please visit www.uluniversity.com or call 888-503-5536.
Leviton Appoints Geigel Senior Product Marketing Manager for Residential Systems
Leviton is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Geigel to the position of Senior Product/Marketing Manager for Leviton Integrated Networks & Controls Residential Systems Group. Geigel brings to his new post a diverse background in marketing, engineering, product planning and development for the industrial and commercial controls industry. In his new position he will help develop and market residential systems for the Leviton Integrated Networks and Controls home networking offering.
In a career spanning over 17 years, Geigel has led strategic planning efforts, generated revenue growth, and served as a project leader and systems engineer. His experience includes marketing management positions with Eaton-Cutler Hammer and Rockwell Automation and a position as a control system engineer for Honeywell, where he received numerous awards for project management and engineering.
Geigel holds a MBA from Marquette University and a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Technology. He lives in Mukilteo, Washington with his wife and enjoys mountain biking, volunteer work and restoring automobiles.
For more information, visit www.leviton.com.
King Manufacturing® Recognized as 2006 “O’Fallon Manufacturer of the Year”
King Innovation was announced as O’Fallon, Missouri’s “Manufacturer of the Year.” Sponsored by the City of O’Fallon and the O’Fallon Economic Progress Committee, the award was presented to Frank Vlasaty, President of King Innovation.
The O’Fallon Economic Progress Committee, which is an advisory board consisting of local businesses and residents, participated in judging each nominated company on business stability and growth, employee development, product development and sustainability, environmental health and safety, and community involvement.
The King business originally began in the 1940s by Lloyd King. In the 1980s, current CEO and Owner, Herb King, took over what his father Lloyd began and founded King Innovation. Seeking to establish further growth for the company, King Innovation relocated in 1995, becoming the first tenant of O’Fallon Corporate Centre.
King Innovation has developed tremendously since then, continuously guided by five core values: People, Customers, Integrity, Quality and Innovation. Originally focused on providing products to the irrigation industry, King Innovation has grown its innovative product portfolio to now include manufactured goods for the irrigation, electrical, gas utility, and water utility industries.
Home to a team of technicians and engineers with the primary goal to support and enhance the businesses of King Innovation, the company is working to develop and commercialize patented products. New product development is the company’s focus, having already launched 3 new products in 2006, with preparations to launch several additional products this year.
King’s wide product offering includes DryConn® Waterproof Connectors, AlumiConn™ Copper Lugs, SnapTap® Saddles, King Drains®, King Grips®, Comfort Squeeze® Ergonomic Hand Tools, and a variety of accessories. Located outside St. Louis in O’Fallon, Missouri, the King Innovation headquarters houses its R & D laboratories, manufacturing and office facilities.
Rexel Acquires Capitol Light and Supply, A Leading Distributor of Electrical and Lighting Materials and Services in the U.S.
Rexel, a worldwide distribution network of electrical supplies, recently announced the acquisition of the business of Capitol Light and Supply Company (d/b/a: CLS and Capitol Light), a leader in both the New England electrical distribution market and the national retail lighting market. The acquisition illustrates Rexel’s ongoing commitment to a dynamic growth strategy in the U.S. market and provides a significant footprint in the New England region.
The announcement follows the signature of an agreement on May 15, 2006, between Rexel and the closely-held Capitol Light and Supply Company.
Based in Hartford, Connecticut, Capitol Light and Supply Company achieved sales of approximately $234 million in 2005. With 415 employees at 22 branch locations in five states ( Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island), CLS, the electrical wholesaling business, enjoys a 15% market share in the region. Capitol Light, the company’s national retail lighting business, operates in 36 states and Canada, with distribution centers located in New Haven, Connecticut, and Fort Worth, Texas.
Capitol Light and Supply Company’s customer base comprises electrical contractors (approximately 70% of sales) and major national retail lighting accounts (approximately 30% of sales). A highly successful operation, Rexel intends to further develop the national accounts model, leverage their expertise, and expand the concept to other branches throughout the country.
The acquisition is expected to close before the end of June 2006, pending governmental approvals. Upon closing, the business of Capitol Light and Supply will operate under the trade names Rexel CLS and Rexel Capitol Light. The new names take advantage of the companies’ significant regional and national name recognition. All members of the highly successful CLS and Capitol Light management team will remain with the business to help ensure a smooth integration and continued long-term success.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Rexel, Inc., a subsidiary of the Rexel Group, is one of the largest distributors of electrical and datacom supplies in the United States. Now with over 4,500 employees, Rexel, Inc. operates close to 300 branches in 29 states. Rexel’s U.S. sales are projected to exceed $2.5 billion on an annualized basis, excluding the acquisition of Capitol Light and Supply.
“Following the acquisition announced in February of Elektro Material AG, the leading Swiss wholesale distributor of electrical supplies, the new transaction with Capitol Light and Supply Company in the U.S. underscores Rexel’s determination to pursue its selective external growth strategy, aimed at significantly strengthening its local position. Rexel’s sales volume will increase by 10% over and above our rapidly growing base, on the highly-fragmented U.S. electrical distribution market. The company is poised for growth opportunities in this country,” stated Jean-Charles Pauze, CEO of Rexel Group.
For more information, please visit www.rexel.com.
Rexel’s Datacom Training: 4 th Center Opens In N.C.
With the March grand opening of a new BICSI-certified Technology Training Center in Newton, N.C., Rexel now has four such centers operational in the U.S.
Newton, in Catawba County, “is already rich with technologies in manufacturing,” explained Dru Heldman, datacom area manager for Rexel. “This new resource is a great boost for economic development in Catawba and the surrounding region of North Carolina.”
A permanent site, the Newton BICSI training center includes a shell cabling infrastructure pathway with an entrance facility, Telecommunications Room racking, and main cross connect and termination equipment.
“We have a schedule of BICSI classes set for the year,” said Heldman. “We’ll add classes for fiber optics, outside plant (OSP), and residential structured cabling.”
Rexel’s other BICSI-certified datacom training centers are located in Linthicum, Maryland; Chantilly, Va.; and Denver. Colo.
All of Rexel’s nearly 300 U.S. branches carry the most frequently requested datacom parts (as well as electrical inventory), which gives the company more locations selling datacom products than any other U.S. distributor.
For more information, visit (www.rexelusa.com).
Emerson Names New President of Liebert North America
Liebert Global Services President to lead Emerson Network Power brand
Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE: EMR) and the global leader in enabling Business-Critical Continuity, recently announced that Scott Dysert has been named president of Liebert North America. Dysert spent the past three years as president of Liebert Global Services, the certified support arm for all Liebert equipment.
Prior to Liebert, Dysert, who reports to Bob Bauer, president of Liebert Worldwide and group vice president, Emerson, spent 10 years with Invensys in a number of increasingly responsible positions, including engineering, manufacturing operations and service management. Dysert is a former nuclear power officer in the U.S. Navy. He has a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from Duke University.
“Scott has gained a wide breadth of experience through his stewardship of Liebert Global Services and brings a proven record of success to his role as head of Liebert North America,” said Bauer. “His understanding of the market and the changes that are occurring in information technology will enable us to continue to deliver solutions that allow our customers to adapt to change quickly and cost-effectively. “
“I’m excited to be leading the Liebert North America organization,” said Dysert. “From my previous post as President of Liebert Global Services I can attest to the high degree of change IT, data center and network managers are dealing with today. The IT industry has historically looked to Liebert to provide the support business-critical systems demand I look forward to using my experience to ensure we continue to deliver the technologies and services that help our customers use technology more effectively””
For more information on Liebert mission-critical power and cooling technologies from Emerson Network Power, visit www.liebert.com.
Communications Supply Corporation Acquires Liberty Wire & Cable, Inc.
Communications Supply Corporation (CSC) has announced it recently completed the acquisition of Liberty Wire & Cable, Inc. ( Liberty). Liberty, based in Colorado Springs, CO, is one of the industry's leading providers of connectivity and infrastructure products to both the residential and commercial professional audio video markets. The acquisition gives CSC a strong global platform within the burgeoning residential and commercial audio, video and broadcast market segments — rounding out a complete product portfolio that supports network convergence: voice, data, security and now audio and video solutions. This transaction brings the number of CSC full service branch locations across the United States to 32. Liberty distribution centers in Colorado and North Carolina will continue to service Liberty customers globally.
Liberty , led by Andy Bergdoll, President and General Manager, will continue to operate under its current management team. Mr. Bergdoll and the Liberty management team have made a significant equity investment in CSC. "I am very bullish about the future growth opportunities for the Liberty Team as we provide their outstanding sales organization access to the CSC nationwide distribution network," explains Steve Riordan, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSC.
"Both CSC and Liberty share the same passion for providing world-class customer service while also maintaining highly spirited and entrepreneurial cultures," noted Andy Bergdoll. "Our customers will continue to be supported by the same highly motivated and customer focused team they've grown to depend on with the added national resources that CSC provides. The combination of CSC and Liberty will enhance our collective ability to expand our market share within our core segments."
