Industry News

A new slate of BDR University courses provides professional development opportunities for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC professionals

Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, has announced new specialized BDR University (BDRU) courses, including unique opportunities for home service contractors to bolster their business acumen and leadership skills.

“Our spring BDR University courses are designed to provide timely content that translates directly into business growth,” said Matt MacArthur, sr. vice president of training at BDR. “Our professional trainers share actionable insights into a range of topics affecting the home service industry, creating ways for businesses to add real value to their team and positively impact the bottom line.”

BDRU’s upcoming slate of live virtual training options for business owners and managers, installers, sales teams, technicians, and dispatchers include:

• Residential Maintenance (April 3-4) will show home service professionals how to increase their year-round revenues, building reliable customer bases through regular maintenance programs and hedging against seasonal slumps.
• Labor Management for Retail Installations (April 9-10) will provide contractors with strategies to optimize retail installation projects, focusing on core concepts such as job staging, “pack out” truck stock, and in-home customer interactions.
• Leading a Management Team (April 24) is one of BDR’s signature power-up training classes, helping home service leaders discover the secrets of effective delegation and managing high-performance management teams.
• QuickBooks® for Contractors (May 7-8) walks business owners and bookkeepers through the popular QuickBooks® accounting software and how they can use it to generate accurate and timely financial reports, which are critical to making informed business decisions.

Registration for these and other spring courses is now open. Enrollment through the BDRU+ training program provides industry-leading training options that fit into any company’s yearly training budget.

For more information about BDR, visit http://www.bdrco.com.

Durable, waterproof, high-visibility workwear now in stock

Working outside is never a walk in the park. When spring weather turns from snow to rain and temperatures bounce between hot and cold, it gets even worse. That’s why contractors, landscapers, and trade professionals turn to RefrigiWear for durable, waterproof workwear to keep them safe, comfortable and dry through unpredictable spring weather.

Best known for inventing the original minus-50 freezer suit in 1954, RefrigiWear offers the world’s largest selection of insulated and weather-ready personal protective equipment (PPE) for people working in the extreme cold of ice cream freezers, refrigerated food processing facilities, and subzero cold storage warehouses.

“People who work outdoors in unpredictable and uncomfortable conditions are now discovering what their cold chain counterparts have known for more than 70 years: that RefrigiWear workwear, boots, and gloves are the most durable, comfortable and weather-ready gear you can get,” says Leigh Stadelmeier, Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer and Vice President of Outdoor Sales at RefrigiWear.

Lightweight, waterproof PPE is a must-have for people working outdoors in the spring, explains Stadelmeier.

RefrigiWear products such as the 3-in1 Rainwear Jacket, available in black or high-visibility lime, deliver flexible, all-day, all-weather protection. The heavy-duty outer shell is waterproof, and the hood rolls handily into the collar when not in use. When the weather turns cool, zip in the inner quilted jacket for extra warmth, comfort, and protection.

That’s not the only RefrigiWear gear that pulls double-duty this spring.

The HiVis Reversible Softshell Vest easily works a split shift with a high-visibility side for on-the-job safety and a reversible solid black side for off-the-clock style. The high-visibility side is available in orange or lime and includes silver reflective tape to meet both ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 – Type R, Class 2 and CSA Z96 – Class 2, Level 2 standards.

For people wading across muddy job sites, RefrigiWear delivers a range of lightweight, waterproof work shoes.

Stadelmeier says the RefrigiWear customers working with concrete or operating pressure washers prefer the uninsulated and chemical-resistant EnduraMax™ Processing Boot. Built with a 16” pull-on upper, ASTM steel safety toe and a non-slip outsole with a CSA puncture-resistant plate for protection, this boot keeps moisture and overspray away the feet.

Contractors and HVAC technicians prefer the lightly insulated Black Widow™ Boot, available in both men’s and women’s sizes, with its VitaComfort moisture-management and shock absorption insoles, ASTM composite safety toe and durable Vibram® outsole for working in wet spring weather.

For more information about weather-ready workwear, PPE and safety gear for spring, please visit pro.refrigiwear.com or call 800-645-3744.

Bryant, a leading provider of high-quality heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions, is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its 120th anniversary celebration, having raised $113,000 in support to food banks affiliated with Feeding America. Through a year-long campaign of charitable donations and volunteer hours, Bryant has made a significant contribution to the fight against hunger, helping communities across the nation. Bryant is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.

Over the course of 2024, Bryant employees, distributors, and dealers collectively raised money for Feeding America. Bryant kicked off efforts with a $50,000 donation; the rest was raised through individual contributors and 17 partners from seven states. These funds will be distributed to food banks across the country, providing critical resources to individuals and families in need. The company’s commitment to fighting food insecurity goes beyond financial support, with more than 600 volunteer hours dedicated to local food banks.

“We are incredibly proud of the impact we were able to make in our 120th year,” said Nick Arch, Vice President and General Manager, Residential HVAC Solutions, Bryant. “Exceeding our volunteering goal was a testament to the generosity and strength of the Bryant network. Our commitment to supporting Feeding America will continue to grow as we work together to ensure that no one goes hungry.”

Throughout the year, Bryant’s employees, and affiliates packed food donations, supported mobile pantries, drive-thru pantries, and other food distribution efforts, and launched a social media campaign. These efforts were aimed at providing immediate assistance while also raising long-term awareness about the issue of food insecurity.

Bryant’s support of Feeding America is part of the company’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which focuses on making a positive difference in communities where Bryant operates. Through initiatives like these, Bryant strives to leave a lasting impact on both local and national levels, demonstrating its commitment to creating a better future for all.

Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, provides millions of meals each year to people facing food insecurity. By supporting Feeding America, Bryant has directly contributed to the organization’s mission of providing food to individuals and families in need.

To learn more about Bryant’s ongoing support of Feeding America and the renewed commitment to support in 2025, visit https://www.bryant.com/en/us/about-bryant/community-involvement/.

Two award-winning Minnesota brands collaborate to advance innovative environmental stewardship solutions     

The Minnesota Twins and Uponor, a GF Building Flow Solutions brand with North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minnesota, today announced a multi-year partnership with a focus on enhancing and furthering the Major League Baseball club’s longstanding sustainability and community impact missions. Connecting the expertise of Uponor, a leading global provider of sustainable and innovative flow solutions, with the Twins’ nationally lauded environmental stewardship platform, the partners will launch a new community-focused initiative: “Leading With Water. Enriching Lives. Together.” Additionally, Uponor is now the “Official Plumbing, Infrastructure and Building Solutions Partner” of the Twins and a new Cornerstone Partner for the Minnesota Twins Community Fund.

This partnership marks Uponor’s first with a professional sports organization and was supported by Oak View Group’s Global Partnerships division.

“As Minnesota’s baseball team, we have a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders and leverage our platforms to drive measurable change in our communities and beyond,” said Twins Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Sean Moore. “Minnesota’s own Uponor and the broader GF share the same commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship that is ingrained in the Twins’ ethos. We are proud that Uponor recognizes our continued operation of Target Field as ‘The Greenest Ballpark in America,’ and we are incredibly excited to partner with their globally renowned experts as, together, we push toward new and innovative solutions.”

“The shared interest in supporting our community with sustainable solutions is the driving force behind this partnership,” said John Reutter, interim president of GF Building Flow Solutions Americas. “The Minnesota Twins continue to raise the bar to deliver an outstanding ballpark experience with green measures in place. We’re excited to continue these efforts by bringing the Uponor brand into Twins Territory and underscoring the importance of leading with energy efficiency in buildings of all kinds.”

Award-winning Partners

Uponor’s first professional sports partnership aligns two like-minded, Minnesota-based, and internationally recognized sustainability leaders. TIME and Statista named Uponor one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2024, ranking 343rd out of the top 500 companies globally. Also in 2024, Uponor was named an Eco Leader by Green Builder Media for its efforts in setting a new standard for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

The Twins organization, which garnered a 2019 Leadership Award by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), was recognized in 2024 by the international membership of GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership) with 29 “GOAL Medals” for leadership, work and dedication to advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. The club’s design, construction and ongoing operation of Target Field has led to the Twins’ home ballpark becoming the first and only MLB facility to receive five separate LEED certifications and the nation’s first pro sports venue to earn three levels of LEED designations through the USGBC’s Arc platform, which uses real-time data to benchmark, measure and improve sustainability performance.

Leading With Water. Enriching Lives. Together.

Uponor, which strives to continuously pioneer sustainable water solutions for buildings, and the Twins organization, which endeavors to build a better tomorrow for all, are now working together to shape a legacy of environmental stewardship that ensures our communities and our planet flourish for generations to come.

“Leading With Water. Enriching Lives. Together.” will focus on advancing sustainability goals related to community resilience and ecosystem stewardship, promoting entrepreneurship to push the boundaries of innovation, and serving as a catalyst for positive change through community impact initiatives that empower youth.

Official Uponor Partnership Designations

Uponor’s innovative hePEX^® radiant heating system has delivered heat to the home dugout bench at Target Field since 2010; now, as part of the company’s initial professional sports collaboration, Uponor is the “Official Plumbing, Infrastructure and Building Solutions Partner” of the Minnesota Twins.

Additionally, Uponor is a Minnesota Twins Community Fund Cornerstone Partner, joining Target, U.S. Bank, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, and Nike. The Minnesota Twins Community Fund, which in 2024 was named a Project Play Champion by the Aspen Institute, enriches local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins.