Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, announced today a strategic training partnership with PipeDreams, an innovative, tech-forward home services provider. The collaboration with Interplay will accelerate PipeDreams’ ability to acquire, integrate, and grow new partnerships by offering tech-forward training, including hands-on 3D simulations. With a focus on building meaningful trade careers, this Read more
Industry News
Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, announced today a strategic training partnership with PipeDreams, an innovative, tech-forward home services provider. The collaboration with Interplay will accelerate PipeDreams’ ability to acquire, integrate, and grow new partnerships by offering tech-forward training, including hands-on 3D simulations. With a focus on building meaningful trade careers, this partnership will empower 100+ valued technicians of all levels with the tools to rapidly hone their technical skills, elevate safety standards, and reliably serve customers across partner companies.
One of the pivotal aspects of this collaboration is PipeDreams’ vision to establish an apprenticeship program through PipeDreams University, with Interplay’s online courses at its core. The training approach will encompass 3D simulations, videos, quizzes, and hands-on learning, providing PipeDreams’ technicians with a well-rounded and engaging educational experience with pathways to industry certifications like EPA 608 and NATE.
“Our commitment to developing our service team has been a driving force throughout my journey with the company,” said Grace Underdahl, Training Program Lead at PipeDreams. “We’re creating a holistic training platform that supports development in every role, from general managers to HVAC service technicians. Interplay Learning’s technology perfectly matches our vision to be technology-forward and empower our technicians in a safe and scalable format.”
Given the growing skills shortage, PipeDreams also sees Interplay’s training as a powerful recruitment tool. By making trade careers more accessible, they can attract more technicians eager to embark on a journey of learning and growth within their local markets.
Isabel Sopoglian, Head of Business Operations at PipeDreams, underlined the significance of training on company growth, stating, “Training is a key component of attracting and retaining our employees and increasing the quality of work we deliver. We want our employees to feel our investment in them. It’s a very important aspect of our growth, and our collaboration with Interplay Learning is crucial to this strategy.”
In addition to supporting recruitment and retention efforts, Underdahl and Sopoglian anticipate Interplay’s training to enhance existing operations, equipping technicians with more effective troubleshooting skills and improving ramp time and callbacks for new technicians.
“Interplay is proud to partner with PipeDreams, a mission-aligned company leading with technological innovation and transforming how training is done in the home services industry,” said Doug Donovan, CEO of Interplay Learning. “Our shared mission is to foster successful business partnerships and empower PipeDreams’ workforce with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their careers.”
PipeDreams offers a range of residential HVAC and plumbing services through a growing partner network, including Albert Nahman Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, Wighton’s Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, Perry Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing, TNT Home Services, Clout Home Services, Ace Pelizon Plumbing, Paso Robles Heating and Air and Plumbing the Bay.
Successware, a field service management software company for the home service industry, has introduced new eBook resources for plumbing, HVAC and electrical business owners. Available now at Successware.com under “Resources,” these eBooks contain valuable insights that educate business owners on getting the most out of their business software. From case studies to questions to ask and features to consider Read more
Successware, a field service management software company for the home service industry, has introduced new eBook resources for plumbing, HVAC and electrical business owners. Available now at Successware.com under “Resources,” these eBooks contain valuable insights that educate business owners on getting the most out of their business software. From case studies to questions to ask and features to consider, they provide actionable steps that will help business owners manage and grow their business.
“Today’s leaders in the home service contractor industry have many helpful tools to assist in making day-to-day operations more streamlined and efficient, but the choices involved in running a business can become overwhelming,” said Paul Carmody, President of Successware. “By sharing these eBook resources, Successware has distilled the most common questions and concerns into roadmaps that guide these business owners in their decision-making process. Our goal is to help them improve productivity, save time and increase revenue.”
Three eBooks currently available from Successware include:
- Benefits of Running Your Business in the Cloud – more and more of today’s business owners are ditching traditional self-hosting in favor of a cloud-based platform software. This eBook shares the benefits cloud-hosted software can provide such as efficiency, productivity and security, that can lead to increased revenue.
- Increase Top-Line Revenue by Digitizing Your Business – the world of technology is constantly evolving, and it’s easy to feel left behind. This eBook helps to explain making the jump from running your business on paper to running your business in a digital environment, so businesses can grow and scale like never before. It also features a case study from one of Successware’s largest customers in California and the steps they took to digitize their business.
- How to Choose the Right Field Service Management Software – many business owners are evaluating the different solutions available to them and trying to make the best decision for their business. This eBook covers the need for field service management software, initial steps to take before reaching out to software providers and what to consider when making that all-important selection.
Successware continues to post helpful articles on these topics and more on the company’s blog and will be publishing additional eBooks in the future geared to assist HVAC, electrical and plumbing business owners with their growth and success.
The 180,000-sq.-ft. plant in Shalersville, Ohio, will break ground in November 2023 and is expected to be operational in early 2025. Broomfield, Colo. — Viega recently announced that it will build a new manufacturing facility for its ProPress® and MegaPress® products in Shalersville, Ohio, about 40 miles southeast of Cleveland. Viega LLC President and CEO Read more
The 180,000-sq.-ft. plant in Shalersville, Ohio, will break ground in November 2023 and is expected to be operational in early 2025.
Broomfield, Colo. — Viega recently announced that it will build a new manufacturing facility for its ProPress® and MegaPress® products in Shalersville, Ohio, about 40 miles southeast of Cleveland. Viega LLC President and CEO Markus Brettschneider made the announcement.
“This is an exciting time at Viega, as our growth continues to prompt the expansion of our North American footprint,” said Markus Brettschneider, CEO and President of Viega LLC. “This new facility in Ohio, along with recent investments in our existing Kansas facility, further supports our growing demand and is part of Viega’s plan to increase North American production. We look forward to expanding our presence in this part of the country to further support our customers.”
The 80-acre parcel in Shalersville and the construction of the new plant represent an investment of approximately $200 million in Ohio. Viega’s business continues to grow in the U.S., and the additional plant will help support the increased demand for Viega products. It also aligns with the company’s sustainability goals, which include reducing the carbon emissions associated with importing products by manufacturing more items in the U.S. The new facility will be completely carbon neutral from the start, supporting the company’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions for all their plants by 2035.
“The expansion of our operations into Ohio shows our commitment to creating highly skilled jobs in the U.S.,” said Marki Huston, Head of Manufacturing for Viega LLC. “Our goal is to build more sustainable manufacturing processes and continue developing tomorrow’s workforce. With production scheduled to begin in early 2025, we expect to start hiring for positions as soon as January 2024, bringing more than 68 new jobs to the area over the next few years.”
Viega recently announced investments in new equipment for its McPherson, Kansas, manufacturing and distribution facility. In addition, Viega supports its customers and partners through distribution centers in Reno, Nev. and Carlisle, Penn., with more North American expansion planned for 2024 and 2025.
Viega worked with local, regional, and state organizations, including Team NEO, JobsOhio, Portage Development Board and the Shalersville-Streetsboro Joint Economic Development District on tax credit assistance and to select the 80-acre site. “We have a great manufacturing legacy, dedicated talent pool, and future-oriented industry resources to support Viega’s new operations,” said Team NEO Chief Executive Bill Koehler. “Along with JobsOhio and our local partners, we welcome Viega to the Northeast Ohio Region. We are confident they will thrive here.”
Manufacturing and transportation projects drive gains Total construction starts rose 6% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.3 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential starts rose 40% thanks to a large pickup in manufacturing and transportation buildings. Residential and nonbuilding starts fell 1% and 14%, respectively. Year-to-date through August 2023, total Read more
Manufacturing and transportation projects drive gains
Total construction starts rose 6% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.3 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential starts rose 40% thanks to a large pickup in manufacturing and transportation buildings. Residential and nonbuilding starts fell 1% and 14%, respectively.
Year-to-date through August 2023, total construction starts were 5% below that of 2022. Residential and nonresidential starts were down 18% and 9%, respectively; however, nonbuilding starts were up 22%. For the 12 months ending August 2023, total construction starts were unchanged. Nonbuilding starts were 20% higher, and nonresidential building starts gained 6%. Conversely, on a 12-month rolling basis, residential starts posted a 17% decline overall.
“Despite the August gain, the construction sector is running uphill,” said Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network. “Fear of an imminent recession seems to have abated, which should provide a boost of confidence to the sector. However, higher interest rates, labor shortages and significantly tighter lending standards will weigh down starts in the final quarter of the year. This will persist for the foreseeable future, lasting until interest rates start to move lower.”
Nonbuilding
Nonbuilding construction starts lost ground in August, falling 14% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $380 billion. The decline follows a strong July which saw the start of a $12 billion LNG project. Nonbuilding starts increased 12% in August when excluding the utility/gas plant category, which fell 45% during the month. Miscellaneous nonbuilding starts shot 39% higher, and highway and bridge starts gained 19%. However, environmental public works starts shed 1%.
Year-to-date through August, nonbuilding starts gained 22%. Utility/gas plants rose 40%, and miscellaneous nonbuilding starts were up 33%. Highway and bridge starts gained 13%, and environmental public works rose 17%.
For the 12 months ending August 2023, total nonbuilding starts were 20% higher than that of August 2022. Utility/gas plant and miscellaneous nonbuilding starts rose 23% and 30%, respectively. Highway and bridge starts were up 17%, and environmental public works rose 18% on a 12-month rolling sum basis.
The largest nonbuilding projects to break ground in August were the $3.5 billion TransWest Transmission Project spanning Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Nevada, the $2.9 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion projects in Port Sulphur, Louisiana, and the $1.5 billion New England Clean Energy Connect Power Line in Maine.
Nonresidential
Nonresidential building starts gained 40% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $475 billion, largely due to a surge in manufacturing activity. Nonresidential building starts would have gained 24% when excluding these large manufacturing projects. Commercial starts rose 8% in August led by gains in parking structures and hotels, and institutional starts rose 35% with all sectors but dormitories increasing. Manufacturing starts rose 285% from July to August, fueled by two large projects. On a year-to-date basis through August, total nonresidential starts were 9% lower than that of 2022. Institutional starts gained 3%, while commercial and manufacturing starts fell 8% and 32%, respectively.
For the 12 months ending August 2023, total nonresidential building starts were 6% higher than that ending August 2022. Manufacturing starts were 2% higher. Institutional starts improved 8%, and commercial starts gained 6%.
The largest nonresidential building projects to break ground in August were the $2.5 billion John Palmour Manufacturing Center for Silicon Carbide in Siler City, North Carolina, the $2 billion VinFast electrical vehicle plant in New Hill, North Carolina, and the $1.4 billion Midfield Satellite Concourse at Los Angeles International Airport in California.
Residential
Residential building starts fell 1% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $418 billion. Single family starts gained 2%, while multifamily starts lost 5%. On a year-to-date basis through August 2023, total residential starts were down 18%. Single family starts were 21% lower, and multifamily starts were down 12%.
For the 12 months ending in August 2023, residential starts were 17% lower than in 2022. Single family starts were 23% lower, while multifamily starts were down 3% on a rolling 12-month basis.
The largest multifamily structures to break ground in August were the $530 million Hub on Campus mixed-use building in Knoxville, Tennessee, the $425 million 250 Water Street mixed-use tower in New York, New York, and the $340 million Ritz Carlton residences in North Palm Beach, Florida.
Regionally, total construction starts in August rose in the Midwest, South Atlantic and West regions, but fell in the South Central.
Watch Chief Economist Richard Branch discuss August Construction Starts here.
Propane use has increased efficiency, reduced energy costs, and improved visitor experience Ruby’s Inn takes environmental stewardship seriously, which is why the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is awarding it with an Energy for Everyone Hero Award. Located in picturesque Bryce Canyon National Park, the historic inn relies on a clean-energy that is good Read more
Propane use has increased efficiency, reduced energy costs, and improved visitor experience
Ruby’s Inn takes environmental stewardship seriously, which is why the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is awarding it with an Energy for Everyone Hero Award. Located in picturesque Bryce Canyon National Park, the historic inn relies on a clean-energy that is good for its customers and the environment—propane.
Left to Right: Brannon Morse (Kiva Energy), Karl Munford (Ruby’s Inn), Ron Harris (Ruby’s Inn), Lance Syrett (Ruby’s Inn), Jim Bunsey (PERC), Jeff Stewart (Blue Star Gas), Michael Prayoonvech (Rinnai)
Propane use at Ruby’s Inn has helped to eliminate 5,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. This is equal to greenhouse gas emissions from:
- 1,410 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.
- 771,822,585 smartphones charged.
- 795 homes’ energy use for one year.
Lance Syrett, general manager at Ruby’s Inn
“Being located next to a national park, we always think about our carbon footprint,” said Lance Syrett, Ruby’s Inn general manager. “We are confident about using propane. It’s efficient, it’s always available, and it’s a clean energy source for us to use.”
Ruby’s Inn has been serving visitors since 1916, well before the Bryce Canyon became a national park. On average, Ruby’s Inn greets as many as 4,000 guests per night. With 19 buildings, 700 hotel rooms, three restaurants, three swimming pools, and a laundry facility handling 19 tons of laundry per day, the resort’s hot water system was under a tremendous amount of strain. A few years back, customer dissatisfaction with cold showers led to financial loss for the resort to the tune of approximately $60,000 a year in guest discounts and refunds.
Ruby’s Inn fixed its hot water demand issues by removing older model open-flame boilers and replacing them with several high-efficient 199,000 Btu storage tank water heaters, and 175 propane-powered tankless water heaters from Rinnai—giving the Inn a completely revitalized system. The propane tankless water heaters also support the Inn’s environmental focus. Based on an energy and environmental analysis of different energy sources, propane tankless systems reduce carbon emissions by up to 50 percent compared with electric storage tank systems.
Jim Bunsey, director of commercial business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)
“The hospitality industry knows how important reliable water heating units are for a successful operation,” said Jim Bunsey, director of commercial business development at PERC. “Water heating represents seven percent of all energy use in commercial buildings. Six building types—lodging, healthcare, retail, education, food service, and office—represent 85 percent of all commercial building water heating energy consumption.”
“It’s important to Ruby’s Inn to use an energy source that is cost-effective, reliable and efficient,” said Syrett. “Propane fulfills those needs and it helps keep the beautiful environment clean. It just makes sense.”
Learn more about Ruby’s Inn’s commitment to the environment and how propane is used at RubysInn.com/Sustainability-Initiative. Learn more about the benefits of propane in commercial and hospitality buildings at Propane.com/for-my-business.