Mechanical Hub continues with its 2023 Industry Forecast series with an exclusive interview with Caleffi North America’s president Mark Olson. Despite all of the negativity, Caleffi remains optimistic throughout all of the bumps in the road. MH: I’ve heard that the first half of 2023 might be a bit bumpy, how do you see Read more
Caleffi
Mechanical Hub continues with its 2023 Industry Forecast series with an exclusive interview with Caleffi North America’s president Mark Olson. Despite all of the negativity, Caleffi remains optimistic throughout all of the bumps in the road.
MH: I’ve heard that the first half of 2023 might be a bit bumpy, how do you see 2023 shaking out and the short-term economy in the U.S.?
OLSON: The economy is slowing; however, orders are expected to remain healthy through Q1 as building projects are completed. In Q2, we expect orders to slow to probably a little less than last year’s intake rate. A primary factor is the abrupt drop in single-family construction from the quick rise in mortgage rates. However, we anticipate continued investment in homeowner refurbishment will be offsetting—there is still healthy excess personal savings out there for people to invest in their homes. Another additional factor is wholesalers are reducing their DOS as the supply chain is catching up on availability.
In the commercial marketplace, we expect activity will remain strong throughout 2023. Building projects have alternate sources of financing not constrained by high interest rates. Residential multi-family will stay robust before slowing some around the middle of the year.
MH: What causes you concern? (Steady inflation, materials pricing, supply chain, housing starts, interest rates, foreign factors, etc.)
OLSON: We do not have much concern honestly, outside of a belligerent foreign act that triggers a deep recession. The supply chain is healing and we expect inflation will continue falling through the year.
MH: Are you seeing any signs of positivity? If so, where?
OLSON: Yes! A consensus among manufacturers is that the long-term outlook for the economy remains good. Future infrastructure spending by the government such as enhanced electrical distribution and port infrastructure investments are examples. Reshoring manufacturing back to the U.S. will drive employment opportunities with product demand to follow.
MH: Obviously, Caleffi is dependent on a global market as well. What are some indicators globally that are cause for concern and/or optimism?
The global growth of Caleffi
OLSON: OPTIMISM wins! Our global rolling 2-month order intake rate exceeds 2022’s record pace. We are investing heavily in manufacturing expansion. Availability of energy in Europe is rapidly sorting out. In addition, the shift in Europe to electrification, accelerated by the Ukraine invasion, has created opportunities for new, innovative hydronic solutions. Caleffi is eager to meet this opportunity with energy savvy hydronic products.
MH: As it relates to contractors, what is your “message” to them as it relates to your company and its line of products and services?
OLSON: We pick up the phone! Engineers, wholesalers, reps, contractors, it does not matter! Our “Ask Caleffi” Technical support team, with over 150 combined years’ of experience in the industry, is available real-time to answer calls and emails. Caleffi wants to be a business partner of choice. Contractors can count on our level of experience, expertise and our commitment to Excellence in Education to help make their job easier!
MH: What specifically does Caleffi have its sights set on in 2023? (New products, working with associations, for workforce development, etc.)
OLSON: Caleffi is kicking off the year at AHR with the 536 Series PresCalTM HP which has been recognized by the Innovation Awards judges as the 2023 INNOVATIVE PLUMBING product winner! We’ll be exhibiting in our biggest Booth ever in Atlanta, where visitors can literally look inside of our quality products.
Spoiler alert: We will be soon launching a revolutionary union sealing technology with Posi-StopTM (stay tuned!).
We are increasing investment in the professional development of our staff.
Did we mention that we are GROWING? In fact, we are nearly tripling our inventory carrying capacity in Milwaukee during the next phase of our building expansion starting later this year.
Dan Firkus (l) talks with the prez Mark Olson.
Caleffi is proud to expand its industry engagements with the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE), American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) and the Advanced Water Heating Initiative (AWHI).
MH: Any unique training opportunities for 2023?
OLSON: Watch for training opportunities facilitated by our Caleffi staff and Manufacturer’s Representatives in YOUR neighborhood, making it easy to connect and learn with in-person and LIVE virtual settings.
Gregg Tubbs (r) gives a demo to a visiting contractor.
In 2020, the heart of the latest expansion in Milwaukee was the incorporation of unique work environments that can be transformed into large spaces for training and workshop events. Caleffi will be offering Academy sessions in 2023 designed especially with the engineer and contractor in mind. Stay tuned!
And… don’t worry! The industry can count on the continuation of Caleffi’s commitment to Excellence in Education including idronicsTM, a complimentary design journal for hydronic and plumbing pros, with its just released 32nd edition: Troubleshooting Hydronic Systems.
Bob ‘Hot Rod’ Rohr during the wildly popular Coffee with Caleffi.
Coffee with CaleffiTM, a popular monthly webinar series that features our trainers and industry guest speakers, continues into its 14th year.
Our Ask Caleffi team hosts an engaging podcast series intended for contractors tasked with solving tricky system problems and are looking for answers!
Three Keys to Hydronic System Protection Maintaining the health of water-based fluids circulating within hydronic systems is paramount in protecting components and maximizing efficiency. Proper air, dirt and magnetic separation are three keys for optimal system performance. Designers and installers might hang their hats on using high-performance separators, however, best practices for hydronic systems may Read more
Three Keys to Hydronic System Protection
Maintaining the health of water-based fluids circulating within hydronic systems is paramount in protecting components and maximizing efficiency. Proper air, dirt and magnetic separation are three keys for optimal system performance. Designers and installers might hang their hats on using high-performance separators, however, best practices for hydronic systems may call for a more complex approach.
Rest assured! Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, Cody Mack and Max Rohr will cover the basics of these devices and then treat our audience to a lively debate.
You’ll learn:
→ What is the difference between baseline and high-performance air, dirt and magnetic separation?
→ Why do I still have an air issue?
→ What is the best method for replacing fluid that leaves a system?
→ Shop Talk Showdown: Do you leave the AutoFill on? Yes or no?
Don’t know “Hot Rod“? A 2020-2022 Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence honoree, he travels from sea to shining sea for Caleffi North America, sharing his 40+ years’ of experience as a plumbing, radiant heat and renewable energy contractor. He is a regular contributor to industry magazines where Hot Rod brings his rubber-to-the-road experiences to life.
Cody has 20 years’ experience as installation contractor, service technician, application engineer and serves as national training manager for Caleffi. Our audience will appreciate his thoughtful yet humorous content delivery combined with his practical, common sense product approach.
Max is Caleffi education and industry engagement manager leading interactions with trade associations, committees, industry initiatives and collaborative manufacturer partners. He has 20+ years of work experience in installation, distribution, manufacturers’ representative and manufacturing roles. Max is a self-described “energy nerd.”
Coffee with Caleffi technical training webinars are free and intended for contractors, engineers, designers and wholesalers. By submitting your webinar registration, you are consenting to email communications to keep you up-to-date on industry news.
It’s easy to join us! Simply register today.
A Certificate of Attendance is emailed to attendees following the webinar equivalent to 1.0 PDH for continuing education. Please verify with your state/province for fulfillment compliance.
Caleffi North America, Inc., a leader in state-of-the-art engineered solutions for hydronic and plumbing systems and committed to providing Excellence in Education, is proud to introduce the 31st edition of idronics™: Fundamentals of Pressure Reducing Valves. This newest edition builds a technical foundation for selecting, installing and servicing pressure reducing valves. Readers will learn how, when Read more
Caleffi North America, Inc., a leader in state-of-the-art engineered solutions for hydronic and plumbing systems and committed to providing Excellence in Education, is proud to introduce the 31st edition of idronics™: Fundamentals of Pressure Reducing Valves. This newest edition builds a technical foundation for selecting, installing and servicing pressure reducing valves. Readers will learn how, when and why to design specific pressure reducing assemblies.
Caleffi also provides an interactive experience for the journal, optimizing access for mobile, tablets and desktop devices. The content is fully searchable and is complimented with video and resource links. The interactive edition can be found at idronics.caleffi.com.
A formal Coffee with Caleffi™ webinar, an online technical training series, discussed the issue and was presented on Thursday, Jul. 21. John Siegenthaler, P.E. and Kevin Freidt, Caleffi director of product management, hosted the discussion. An archived version is available on .
Not familiar with idronics? The complimentary journal is provided semi-annually and is intended for industry professionals to aid them in system design, component application and selection. Subscribers to the journal will receive a hard copy of the new edition in August.
For further information, please contact us at (414) 238-2360.
Optimal plumbing system design combines best practices on both sides of the flange. Designing, installing and maintaining perfect loops ensures that we deliver superior comfort, energy efficiency and reliability to our customers. Cody Mack and Max Rohr welcome Grundfos industry expert Becky Henderson from The Perfect Loop training series to discuss domestic hot water recirculation systems during this extended edition of Coffee with Caleffi™. The Read more
Optimal plumbing system design combines best practices on both sides of the flange. Designing, installing and maintaining perfect loops ensures that we deliver superior comfort, energy efficiency and reliability to our customers. Cody Mack and Max Rohr welcome Grundfos industry expert Becky Henderson from The Perfect Loop training series to discuss domestic hot water recirculation systems during this extended edition of Coffee with Caleffi™.
The Perfect Loop is a hands-on and complimentary contractor training series that combines both companies’ expertise in sustainable plumbing and hydronic technologies. In this special edition of Coffee with Caleffi, we are proud to offer the series in a convenient, virtual fashion.
You’ll learn:
→ Sizing basics: GPM, pipe sizing, friction loss
→ Balancing basics: Valve choices and commissioning
→ Mixing basics: Valve choices and piping
→ Preventing recirculation creep
→ Cross connections
→ Maintenance: Tips and Tricks
Becky is Grundfos lead key account manager and is responsible for seven rep agencies covering 13 states. She enjoys running, motorcycle riding and spending time with her daughter in her free time. Becky has the innate ability to make learning fun and engaging.
Cody has nearly 20 years’ experience as installation contractor, service technician, application engineer, training manager and now product manager for Caleffi. Our audience will appreciate his thoughtful yet humorous content delivery combined with his practical, common sense product approach.
Max is Caleffi education and industry engagement manager leading interactions with trade associations, committees, industry initiatives and collaborative manufacturer partners. Max – a self-described “energy nerd” – has 20+ years of work experience in installation, distribution, manufacturers’ representative and manufacturing roles. Max is a self-described “energy nerd.”
Coffee with Caleffi technical training webinars are free and intended forcontractors, engineers, designers and wholesalers. By submitting your webinar registration, you are consenting to email communications to keep you up-to-date on industry news.
It’s easy to join us! Simply register today.
A Certificate of Attendance is emailed to attendees following the webinar equivalent to 1.5 PDH for continuing education. Please verify with your state/province for fulfillment compliance.
Twenty years ago, Caleffi S.p.A. (Fontaneto d’Agogna, Italy) began an exciting adventure, opening its North American headquarters in Franklin, Wisc. The company soon established wide acceptance of its high quality products in the U.S. and Canadian plumbing and hydronic marketplaces. With investment in people, innovative products, creative branding and state-of-the-art facilities, the company has enjoyed Read more
Twenty years ago, Caleffi S.p.A. (Fontaneto d’Agogna, Italy) began an exciting adventure, opening its North American headquarters in Franklin, Wisc. The company soon established wide acceptance of its high quality products in the U.S. and Canadian plumbing and hydronic marketplaces. With investment in people, innovative products, creative branding and state-of-the-art facilities, the company has enjoyed increasing demand and rapid growth. To honor this milestone, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson has proclaimed Thursday, May 19, 2022 to be CALEFFI DAY throughout the City of Milwaukee.
In 2007 Caleffi North America built a new 35,000 sq. ft. facility in the Menomonee Valley to house its main offices, technical laboratory, warehousing and assembly operations. Twelve years later, an additional 8,300 sq. ft. was added to the building, doubling the office space and assembly area. This latest expansion was awarded Top Projects of 2020 by The Daily Reporter, a news source for commercial construction projects in Wisconsin. The creation of appealing work spaces with the ability to easily transform a space into a training venue is a testimony to Caleffi’s commitment to industry education including complimentary resources such as hybrid training opportunities, the popular idronics™ journal series, and Coffee with Caleffi™ – a first of its kind webinar series.
“Caleffi’s core values remain steadfast: commitment, passion, innovation and love for the local community. We will leverage our reputation built these first 20 years to continue expanding our family of customers and employees,” said General Director, Mark Olson.
We welcome our industry partners, employees and neighbors to join us in raising a toast on CALEFFI DAY to celebrate with us our anniversary and the unveiling of our new Training Center while enjoying a tour, a taste of Italy and refreshments:
WHEN: Thursday, May 19, 2022 | 3:00 – 7:00 PM
WHERE: 3883 West Milwaukee Road | Milwaukee
A ceremony will be held featuring Mark Olson, Special Guests from our Italian H.Q. and the Milwaukee Mayor’s office at 5:00 PM. Thank you for your RSVP to sharon.alexander@caleffi.com.