Industry News Navien Celebrates 1 Million Condensing Units Sold On January 4, Navien an eco-conscious company focused on energy-saving and efficient condensing products, reached the milestone of selling 1 million condensing units. “The energy savings of 1 million condensing units operating in North America since 2009 vs. non-condensing units sold by other manufacturers, would be roughly equivalent to planting 645,000,000 trees,” said Eric Moffroid, vice president, Sales & Marketing, Navien. The company’s core products are tankless water heaters, combi-boilers and boilers sold exclusively through wholesale distribution. Navien held a celebration of its accomplishment on January 25 for all employees. Joon Kee Hong, CEO and president of KD Navien worldwide, referenced the company’s NPE Series tankless water heaters and NCB combo-boiler series in his remarks: ”Despite the level of competition, as well as being a product that was unfamiliar to the market due to its no previously existing market sector, Navien America successfully broke down these barriers with the great support from all of the customers and partners in America.” Xplore, a local California “hip hop” martial arts group, concluded the evening with a performance using the flags of South Korea and North America.
Left to right: Heung-Rak Sohn; Martha Pugeda, Navien’s longest American employee; Scott Lee, NA CEO; Eric Moffroid, vice president, Sales & Marketing; Joon Kee Hong, CEO Worldwide; Jaeyong Lee, Head of Global Business.
State Water Heaters back with Daytona 500 Winner Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing in 2018 State Water Heaters has expanded its partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2018 with the team’s No. 41 car driven by 2017 Daytona 500 winner Kurt Busch sporting the State Water Heaters black and orange paint scheme in two races. State Water Heaters will serve as the primary sponsor of Busch’s No. 41 Ford Fusion for the Federated Auto Parts 400 on September 22 at Richmond Raceway and the AAA Texas 500 on November 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. The company will also serve as an associate sponsor throughout the 2018 season with the State Water Heaters logo appearing in a major associate location on the car and on the chest of Busch’s fire suit each week. “The plumbing contractors, wholesalers, and builders who work with State Water Heaters take pride in seeing our brand on race days, and it’s exciting for us to help connect them to the action,” said Jeff Storie, director of marketing for State. This year will mark State Water Heaters’ sixth year partnering with Stewart-Haas 22 Southern PHC | southernphc.com
Racing, co-owned by three-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Haas Automation founder Gene Haas. It’s State Water Heaters’ fifth year with Busch, the 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion. State Water Heaters has been an active racing sponsor since 2006.
A. O. Smith to Close Renton Commercial Water Heater Plant A. O. Smith Corporation will discontinue manufacturing at its Renton, Wash., commercial water heater plant effective June 15. The 101,000-square-foot Renton plant manufactures commercial gas and electric specialty water heaters, hot water storage tanks, electric boilers, and skid-mounted systems. The facility employs approximately 55 people. The company will transfer production of commercial electric water heaters and storage tanks and boilers to its McBee, S.C., and Lebanon, Tenn., plants. Over time, the customer service function will be consolidated into the company’s existing customer care facility in Ashland City, Tenn. Employees will be offered severance benefits, and the company will fully fund the facility’s two pension plans.