Expanding its global presence: Conservative manufacturer strives to be more nimble

Expanding its global presence: Conservative manufacturer strives to be more nimble

TECUMSEH - There was an unusual arrival at a Chinese air conditioner factory last fall.

A shipment of compressors - a key component of the appliance - produced in India came into the plant of Gree Electric Appliance, which is more accustomed to exporting its inexpensive goods, not receiving products from abroad.

The compressors were manufactured by the Indian subsidiary of Tecumseh Products Co., of Tecumseh. "That would be unusual," said Bill Primosch, director of international business policy for the National Association of Manufacturers. "I haven't heard of that much."

It is one way that the historically conservative firm, in Lenawee County 50 miles north of Toledo, is attempting to become more nimble.

Ceiling Fan Blades Whirl as Summer Approaches

Ceiling Fan Blades Whirl as Summer Approaches

(PRLEAP.COM) As summer approaches, many homeowners and businesses are looking for ways to beat the heat. This can include checking air conditioners, buying cold beverages, or filling up a swimming pool. Another often overlooked way to beat the heat is to use a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are an excellent complement to an air conditioning system and using ceiling fans may also generate substantial savings on cooling costs.

Ceiling Fans (http://www.ceiling-fans-ceiling-fans.com), an online resource for prospective ceiling fan buyers, offers numerous articles for people that want to use ceiling fans in their home or office. The Ceiling Fans web site offers articles on major brands like Hunter, Casablanca, Regency, Lutron, Emerson, Fanimation, Hunter, Minka Aire, Monte Carlo, Quorum, and Craftmade. These guides provide details about each manufacturer and provide an overview of their product lines.

During the spring months as the temperatures start to climb, ceiling fan installations are very popular home improvement projects. The Ceiling Fans web site offers several ceiling fan installation articles. In addition, the maintenance and care section of the web site details tips for increasing the life of fans as well as tips for dealing with repairs or malfunctions. Ceiling fan accessories are an important aspect of ceiling fans. For each style of ceiling fan, there are many blade types, lengths, lighting options, and controls available. Many of the articles on the ceiling fan web site help consumers navigate the array of accessories that are available for a ceiling fan.

There are also special types of fans that can be used to cool a room. Portable fans can move to different sections of the room. Industrial fans are often used in large warehouses and can circulate air across large areas. Outdoor ceiling fans are made for decks and patios and are often waterproof or water resistant. In addition, many ceiling fans are designed to match the decor of a room or have special lights attached to the bottom to light a table, a kitchen, or a living room. The Ceiling Fans web site offers helpful information on these topics along with many others.

York International’s college product is cool with fans

York International’s college product is cool with fans

Nothing expresses individuality quite like a college logo on an air conditioner.
At least that’s what York International is banking on for its new line of air-conditioning panels bearing college logos that it plans to launch in June or July.

The Spring Garden Township-based company signed an agreement with Atlanta-based Collegiate Licensing Co. about a month ago to brand panels on its Affinity air-conditioning series with logos from 50 schools, said Matt Peterson, vice president of sales and marketing for York International’s Unitary Products Group in Norman, Okla.

The Unitary Products Group comprises small-scale heating, ventilation and air conditioning for houses, apartments and small commercial structures.

The idea started one year ago with the introduction of air-conditioning panels in seven colors to match people’s homes. The company sold more than 12,000 of the color panels in nine months.

“Kind of the crux of the story is we went out and did the market research with the females that did the household buying,” Peterson said.

Research showed female buyers wanted air conditioners that were not only quiet and reliable but also matched the colors of their homes. The next logical step was college logos, Peterson said.

“We know that nationally men and women are college graduates and they’re passionate about their college athletics,” he said.

York International started making the college logo panels about two weeks ago at its Wichita, Kan., plant; school logos include Penn State University’s Nittany Lion and the University of Maryland’s Terrapin. Each individual school must approve the deal; thus far, about 20 schools have done so. The company has not started accepting distributors’ orders for the college logo panels.

The panels will give United Products Distributors Inc., which sells York International products outside Baltimore, an edge over its competition, said Sales Manager Richard Hicks.

“We were real interested to get them, and a lot of our customers think it’s a great idea,” Hicks said. “It gives us something different to sell versus our competitors. As far as I know, we’re the only air-conditioning company that (offers units) in colors or now with your favorite NCAA logo.”

York International has an exclusive agreement with the CLC, which bars competitors from offering air-conditioning panels with college logos, Peterson said.

Many ideas can play into people’s need to have logo-emblazoned air conditioners, said one advertising account executive.

“There’s the idea of collectibility. I think people love to collect things, and if they are a fan or alumni ... they just collect everything they can,” said Angela Wenner of York’s Campbell, Harrington & Brear advertising agency. “And who would have ever thought of an air conditioner being a collectible item?”

College logos also can translate into loyalty and a sense of pride when people remember their college years, and the logos sometimes provide a sense of community, linking like-minded people together, she added.

Plus, the logos are another way for people to express their individuality, Wenner said.

“It plays into people’s need to collect. They have several of a particular item, they want to keep seeking out more things that they can have that logo on,” she said. “The challenge of collecting is playing strongly into this. Whoever’s going to buy an air-conditioning panel with a college logo on it most likely has a shrine inside their home.”

The CLC has licensed 2,700 companies in the country to produce products with college and university logos, said spokesman Derek Eiler. The companies include Nike, Wilson Sporting Goods and Fossil. The colleges and universities receive a small royalty for sales of the panels.

An entire Affinity air-conditioning system costs about $5,000; the four college-logo panels, which are compatible only with Affinity models, cost between $250 and $300, Peterson said.

Depending on market research, York International is likely to extend its offering of air-conditioning panels.

“There are natural extensions into other areas, such as NASCAR,” Peterson said. “We want to make sure that it’s not just a good idea internally, but there’s a consumer demand ... for our product, and we found the college thing to be overwhelming. Extensions, such as NASCAR, will be as well.”

CREIA Addresses Air Conditioning System Concerns

CREIA Addresses Air Conditioning System Concerns

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2005--As the warmer weather season approaches throughout California, homeowners and potential homebuyers are cautioned to make sure that their central cooling systems are functioning properly and safely.

A professional home inspector is governed by standards as to the inspecting of an air conditioner. The most widely used standards of practice in California, published by the California Real Estate Inspection Association (www.CREIA.org) state the following with regard to the inspection of central cooling systems: The inspector shall identify and report on 1) cooling equipment and operation using normal user controls; 2) cooling distribution system(s) including a representative sampling of ducting, duct insulation, outlets, piping systems and valves; 3) energy source and connections; and 4) condensate drains. There are a number of other exclusions listed in these standards some of which state that the inspector is NOT required to inspect electronic filtering systems or determine uniformity, temperature, airflow or balance of cool air supply to any room determine cooling supply adequacy or distribution balance. Please refer to CREIA's Standards of Practice, which you may download from CREIA's web site for a complete list of what is and what is not included in a normal property inspection.

Turning on the unit to see that the machinery is physically active complies with industry standards; competent inspectors will make a good faith attempt to determine functionality of an air conditioning system. Some employ technical equipment for measuring the temperature and/or volume of airflow at the vents. Others simply place a hand against the register to determine that airflow is reasonably cool. However, depending on when the inspection occurred -- such as in a colder season -- it may have been difficult to know whether any cool air was flowing. Other central cooling system concerns include defective controls, inoperative emergency switches, and evidence of past malfunctions.

A profession inspector will report on the presence or absence of an air conditioner electrical disconnect switch. Air conditioner systems need to have a disconnect switch that is visible and readily accessible. The switch may be located on the inside the fixture, as stated by the air conditioning contractor. However, most air conditioning contractors express strong disapproval of internal switches on air conditioners, regardless of the code as it could result in injury (or worse) to the workman during servicing or repairs. Internal switches are extremely rare and are regarded by home inspectors as a significant "red-flag" condition. Conditions cited by home inspectors may not always prove to be truly defective, but when electrical compliance is in doubt, a wise inspector will always err on the side of safety.

A very important aspect of air conditioning system maintenance is the air filter. Be aware that there is no established time requisite for the scheduling of air filter changes. Filters should be changed when they begin to become dusty, and this can happen sooner or later, depending on a number of variables. Check filters periodically to become familiar with the needs of a particular system. Routine maintenance is strongly recommended. Air filters that are sorely neglected may accumulate thick dust layers for periods of several years and reduce efficiency of the system and cause damage.

To locate a qualified inspector near you, call CREIA at (800) 388-8443, or visit their website at www.CREIA.org. Since 1976, CREIA, a non-profit voluntary membership organization has been providing education, training, and support services to the real estate inspection industry and to the public. Inspectors must adhere to CREIA's Code of Ethics and follow the Standards of Practice developed by the association. These Standards of Practice have been recognized by the State of California, and are considered the source for home inspector Standard of Care by the real estate and legal communities.

CREIA requires its members to successfully pass a comprehensive written examination of property systems and complete 30 hours of continuing education each year. Members can accumulate credits through various sources of education including monthly chapter meetings, conferences, and other approved activities. CREIA keeps records to ensure that members are complying with the requirements. Educational topics cover a variety of technical subjects including updates and advances affecting the profession of real estate inspection. CREIA is dedicated to consumer protection and education.