See Healthcare and Power Products by PG LifeLink at Electric 
West Show
Contractors, engineers to see latest solutions February 21-23
Electrical contractors and hospital engineers can see the latest in healthcare and power products from PG LifeLink during the Electric West Show February 21-23, in Long Beach, California. Patient Service Consoles, Isolated Power Systems, Raceway Laboratory and Office Systems and other products will be on display.
Hospital engineers will have the opportunity to examine PG LifeLink products that protect the health of medical professionals and patients, including Patient Service Consoles and Isolated Power Systems. Patient Service Consoles provide safe and convenient access to receptacles, medical gas outlets, nurse call units, and other electrical and mechanical devices needed for patient care. The consoles allow hospitals to address a variety of patient care needs in a single wall mounted system.
Isolated Power Systems provide electrical fault protection required in “wet” operating room settings and protect against a first fault to ground while continuing to supply power to vital medical equipment.
Guests to the booth can also view products for offices, conference venues, laboratories and other general settings. PG LifeLink’s line of Raceway Systems allow entire facilities to be quickly and easily connected to electrical, data and communications lines. Pre-cut and pre-wired power strips and poles, service pedestals, and power meters can be configured to any job specifications with surface and rack mount options.
For more information, visit www.pglifelink.com or www.electricshow.com/west/.
Stuart C. Irby Co. Acquires Burmeister Electric Supply & High Voltage Testing Laboratories (HVTL)
Stuart C. Irby Co. acquisition expands utility presence in the Midwest
Stuart C. Irby Co., a subsidiary of Sonepar USA, recently signed an agreement to acquire Burmeister Electric Company of Minneapolis, MN and High Voltage Testing Laboratories (HVTL) of Fargo, ND effective January 1, 2007.
Burmeister was established in 1919 to serve utility companies in the Upper Midwest. While the initial focus of the company was the supply and service of metering products, the company has grown through the years, both in its product offering and territory, and now serves over 700 utility accounts in eight mid-western states.
Burmeister is a full line stocking distributor and manufacturers’ agent offering quality products to the electric utilities for their transmission and distribution requirements. Their goal is to add value to the sale by offering local inventory, engineering support, product differentiation, and supply side management programs to assist customers in cost reduction solutions.
HVTL is a fully certified testing laboratory offering high voltage testing services and sales of PPE (personal protective equipment) safety products, used by electric utility lineman and field service personnel in the contractor and industrial markets.
Michael C. Wigton, president of Irby, says, “The people of Burmeister and HVTL have built a very strong business and earned an excellent reputation in our industry. They have developed very strategic and stable relationships with key industry suppliers that create tremendous value for their customers and their company. Burmeister is recognized by a number of manufacturers for their innovative sales approach to multiple markets and have been awarded the agency role in various territories.”
“The employees of Burmeister Electrical Group, the distribution & transmission segment of Burmeister Electric, will continue to operate under the Burmeister name as a division of Irby. HVTL will transition to operate under the name Irby High Voltage Testing Laboratories to take advantage of the Irby name recognition in the industrial and contractor markets. Lonny Thimjon will continue in his role as President of both divisions. He and his management team have done a tremendous job in guiding the growth of Burmeister and HVTL and we look forward to their continued leadership.”
Lonny Thimjon, president of Burmeister, states, “Our Company prides itself on providing exceptional value, customer service, technical support and innovative logistics solutions to our customers. Both Irby and Burmeister have over 80 years of history serving our respective markets. Our companies are very similar in that we have built our businesses based on commitments to customer service and integrity. The decision to become part of Irby will help us expand our service capabilities and geography to ensure we offer the greatest value to our customers. The people of Burmeister/HVTL look forward to the new opportunities that will be created as a result of the combination of our businesses.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Irby will acquire all four of the Burmeister/HVTL locations; two in Minnesota, one in Iowa, and one in North Dakota. Additional terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.
Irby, headquartered in Jackson, MS, operates 54 branches in sixteen states and is one of the largest regional distributors in the United States. The employees of Irby serve customers in four major market segments – industrial, contractor, commercial and utility – with innovative products and services.
Sonepar is a privately owned company with headquarters located in Paris, France. With operations in 29 countries across four continents, the group’s 25,000 employees and 1,330 branches will generate 2006 sales exceeding $12.0 billion.
For more information, visit www.irby.com or www.sonepar-usa.com.
Aspire RF™ by Cooper Wiring Devices Named Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Award Honoree 
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA ®) recently announced Cooper Wiring Devices as an International CES Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree, in the category of Integrated Home Systems, for ASPIRE RF ™ wireless control products at the International CES New York Press Preview.
Products considered for this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the trade press to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting-edge consumer electronics products.
Cooper Wiring Devices’ ASPIRE RF products incorporate Z-Wave’s highly versatile and dependable two-way RF (radio frequency) based technology to connect over 200 devices in a single network. ASPIRE RF products work as a “mesh network,” providing the ultimate reliability and performance in home control. By allowing each device to act as a repeater it ensures that every command is carried out. And each ASPIRE RF product offers complete interoperability with other manufacturer’s Z-Wave products.
Using the same aesthetic design as the award-winning, contemporary-styled ASPIRE™ Design System line of decorator wiring devices, ASPIRE RF includes the ASPIRE signature curve motif and contrasting matte and low-gloss finishes. The series comes in
three two-toned color combinations (Desert Sand, White Satin and Silver Granite) and offers builders, remodelers, architects and designers the most innovative residential upgrade in three decades. Cooper Wiring Devices’ ASPIRE RF line of wireless home control applications includes switches, receptacles, dimmers, scene controller, remote controls, accessories and screwless wall plates.
“We are all very proud of this honor,” said Jason Sherrill, product manager, Cooper Wiring Devices. “This award acknowledges the emphasis we place on customer-focused product design. By responding to the demands of the end-user, we are developing the next generation of innovative products to meet the homeowners’ wireless lighting control needs.”
As a widely renowned consumer technology awards program that began in 1989, the prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards recognize achievements in product design and engineering. It is sponsored by CEA, the producer of the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of American (IDSA), the voice of industrial design, committed to advancing the profession through education, information, community and advocacy.
Innovations honoree products are also featured on www.CESweb.org/Innovations, where you can see a list of product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, designer, description, photo and URL. Or, for more information, visit
www.cooperwiringdevices.com/AspireRF.
Ferraz Shawmut Appoints New VP of OEM Sales and VP of Business Development
Ferraz Shawmut announced two significant changes in its sales and marketing team. Mark Taylor has joined the company as its new Vice President of OEM Sales, and Dean Cousins assumes the newly created position of Vice President of Business Development.
Taylor will be responsible for all of Ferraz Shawmut’s OEM sales operations. Educated in the United Kingdom, Taylor holds degrees from West Bromwich College of Commerce & Technology, Aston University and Birmingham University. Mark and his family currently reside in Baldwinville, Mass.
Cousins, a Ferraz Shawmut employee for more than 23 years, will assist the company in defining and executing its new external and internal growth strategies. Additionally, Cousins will continue his responsibility for the sales and marketing of Ferraz Shawmut’s Traction, High Power Switch, and over voltage protection and system products.
“Mark is a seasoned sales management professional with nearly 20 years of experience, and we’re proud to have him on our team,” said Ken Hooper, senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Additionally, Dean has demonstrated his commitment to Ferraz Shawmut through strong sales and marketing leadership, and we couldn’t think of a better person to manage this new business development position.”
For more information, visit www.ferrazshawmut.com.
Sea Gull Lighting Appoints Jim Finkel to Director of Business Development - Builder Sales
Sea Gull Lighting Products, LLC recently announced that Jim Finkel has been named Director of Business Development - Builder Sales. Finkel will be responsible for advancing the company's builder sales initiatives with an emphasis on total supply chain integration with its channel partners. Along with the company's existing builder sales team, his appointment to this post further layers Sea Gull Lighting's sales initiatives and fortifies its commitment to the new construction market.
"Jim has an A to Z knowledge and appreciation for the complexities involved in servicing lighting customers," says Spencer Bolgard, vice president, sales. "Jim sets the gold standard when it comes to delivering service and customer satisfaction to residential builders."
Finkel joins the industry's leading lighting supplier to the residential construction market and begins a new chapter in his 31-year lighting career. Most recently he served in a senior management capacity at Lamps Plus Centennial where he was National Sales Manager. Prior to Lamps Plus, Finkel founded Centennial Supply, Los Angeles, California where he pioneered the supply chain process with large and small home builders in the west. With a strong understanding of the industry, products, and demand forecasting, Finkel co-developed a superior software system that reduces transactional costs in the supply of lighting products to residential builders.
Finkel currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife Karen and daughter Haylee who is attending the University of Nevada, Reno.
For more information, visit www.SeaGullLighting.com.
Stahlin Installs New Precision 5 Axis CNC Machining Center 
Improving Speed and Repeatability for Their ModRightT Enclosures
Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures has recently installed a new precision 5 Axis CNC machining center improving its capabilities for its customers needing a customized or modified enclosure.
The new installation is part of Stahlin's investment to its ModRightT program. The ModRight program is designed to assist customers with special enclosure needs. It provides opportunities for customers to benefit from Stahlin's in-house capabilities for achieving accurate, cost effective enclosure modifications. Diverse choices for factory customizing of enclosures including cutouts, holes, windows, custom colors, silk screening, vents, countersinking, latches & locks and non-standard sizing are all available.
Brad Buettner, Director of Operations stated: "With the addition of this CNC, Stahlin will now be able to more efficiently meet the needs of our ModRight customers. We can offer simple or advanced value-added features, all in a time frame they desire, and exceed their expectations for quality."
The new Precision 5 Axis CNC machining center capabilities include:
- All enclosure surfaces cut in single operation for maximum repeatability;
- Dual table operations, High speed spindle and Auto tool changes for increased speed;
- Large table for precision modifications of large enclosures; and
- Ability to cut angled and 3 dimensionally contoured openings .
For more information, visit www.stahlin.com.
ConstructJob Wins NECA Showstopper Award 
ConstructJob, Accubid’s web-based project management system for contractors, has won the 2006 NECA Showstopper award. This marks the 14th time that Accubid products have been awarded this honor. ConstructJob was also honored in 2006 with the IEC's Innovative Software Product of the Year award.
ConstructJob allows contractors to create, manage, track, and share project documentation more efficiently, and communicate and collaborate with industry partners more effectively. Since ConstructJob is web-based, your project information is accessible from any location with an Internet connection.
The latest version of ConstructJob is now integrated with Accubid’s Estimating Version 7 solutions, allowing project managers to use estimating data as the starting point for the project.
For more information, visit www.accubid.com.
MGE UPS Systems Expands Power System Test Center – Invests One Million Dollars to Build the Industry's Most Powerful UPS Testing Facility
MGE UPS SYSTEMS recently announced it has invested one million dollars into expanding its Customer Test Center. The expanded facility, located at MGE's North American headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., encompasses over 25,000 square feet including 28 test bays with a total electrical capacity of 12 megawatts. The expanded test site gives MGE customers the ability to witness critical testing of their enterprise and data center power systems to assure operational functionality and interoperability of their entire power infrastructure.
"Our expanded test facility is one of the most powerful UPS test centers in the industry. With 12 megawatts of power capacity, we can provide our customers with comprehensive testing of large three-phase UPS systems as well as test for complete operability with other critical power systems such as generators, power distribution units, static transfer switches and switching cabinets,” said Christian Madelon, vice president of operations for MGE UPS Systems. "Our extensive testing gives customers peace-of-mind that their critical power systems will perform as required and assures fast and seamless installation of their large UPS systems."
MGE's test facility includes 14 test bays for large three-phase systems, 11 test bays for 10 to 100kVA equipment and three test bays for power distribution units and power switches. Steady State, Dynamic, Overload and Fault testing as well as monitoring voltage current, frequency and watts are automatically performed for each system under test. "At our state-of-the-art facility, customers can easily view the equipment under test and have instant access to test data, testing procedures and results,” said Madelon.
or more information, visit www.mgeups.com/us.
Schneider Electric North American Operating Division Appoints Ralph Harris to Vice President, U.S. Sales
The Schneider Electric North American Operating Division recently announced that Ralph Harris has been promoted to vice president, U.S. sales. In this role, Harris will work with his leadership team to prepare, deploy and manage the next generation of sales performance management metrics.
“I am very proud of the progress our U.S. sales organization has made over the past four years in terms of overall leadership, sales productivity and effectiveness,” said Chris Curtis, president, Schneider Electric USA. “I believe we still have great opportunities ahead of us that will require dedicated sales leadership to ensure we continue to build our best-in-class sales operating infrastructure. We are confident in Ralph’s abilities and expertise to help us reach our goals.”
Harris has more than 15 years of experience with Schneider Electric’s North American Operating Division. He joined the company in 1991 as a regional sales manager in the Retail Products Division. Since that time, he has held numerous key leadership positions in sales, marketing and organizational development. Most recently, Harris held the position of regional vice president, Southern Region.
Prior to joining Schneider Electric, Harris served in a sales and marketing position in the Consumer Product Division for General Electric Lighting Business Group. Harris has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in marketing from the University of Georgia.
For more information, visit http://www.us.schneider-electric.com.
Leviton and AFL Telecommunications Announce Alliance to Bring Fiber-To-The Home Benefits to Homeowners
Leviton Manufacturing Company recently announced an alliance with AFL Telecommunications to bring the benefits of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) service to homeowners. The alliance supports the needs of residential developers and builders seeking to integrate Fiber-to-the-Home within the multi-family dwelling unit (MDU) and master-planned communities. The alliance focuses on supporting end-to-end solutions through a combination of Leviton’s FTTH and industry-leading, in-home technology portfolio with AFL’s FTTH network electronics and system integration expertise.
According to Michael Mattei, Leviton’s director of Fiber Business Development, “Fiber solutions have yet to be fully integrated into the home. Typically, fiber enters through the side of the house, but that is where it ends. Largely overlooked is the value of integrating it throughout the home, from the service entrance to individual jacks on the wall, to meet the home’s high-speed information, communication and entertainment needs. Leviton and AFL are the perfect partners to bring a wealth of in-home experience and product solutions together with industry-leading access network solutions and integration services. In 2006, Leviton wired several hundred thousand homes for broadband signal delivery to the den, kitchen or bedroom. The Leviton/AFL alliance provides start-to-finish service and support for the implementation of a FTTH network that encompasses both active and passive design elements,” he adds.
“AFL is pleased to partner with Leviton on FTTH solutions”, said Kent Brown, director, Access Solutions for AFL. “FTTH is a powerful community amenity that drives value for the developer, builder and resident. AFL’s relationship with Leviton connects the optical network to the in-home network and makes it easy for residential developers to implement FTTH within their communities.”
In addition to an end-to-end product portfolio, the AFL and Leviton FTTH alliance offer a variety of services, including AFL's FTTH Business Modeling and network design, Leviton's "Whole House" Integrated Networks solutions, outside plant infrastructure, network electronics and in-home, technology solutions. These services provide residential developers with a single source for successfully defining and implementing the value created by FTTH.
For more information, visit www.leviton.com or www.afltele.com.
