Greenlee

A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID hosted winners at their headquarters with an all-expenses paid trip and signature VIP treatment

RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, recently hosted their fifth annual RIDGID Experience trip, a VIP event that invites select members of the skilled trades to gather for fun, camaraderie and hands-on experiences. The event also serves as a “thank you” to the trades for the role they play in building and maintaining our country’s infrastructure.

The contest, which draws entries from tradespeople across the country, concludes with RIDGID treating nine guests to a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to RIDGID headquarters. The highlight of the visit is a factory tour that invites each guest to build their own iconic RIDGID customized pipe wrench. Guests also received a sneak peek at the latest RIDGID tool innovations and provided their opinions on product that is currently in development. Evening events included treating the guests to a preview of the company’s 100 Year Anniversary celebration plans, set for 2023. Guests also had the opportunity to network with guests of Greenlee® Experience, a similar contest hosted by professional tools brand Greenlee. The two concurrent events created a full-scale celebration of the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades.

“The excitement around RIDGID Experience, both by trade professionals and the RIDGID team, has grown each year. After every contest our team is always impressed by the pride and commitment each guest has for their profession,” said Becky Brotherton, director of engagement marketing, RIDGID for Emerson. “It’s a privilege to be able to thank each of them for their dedication and hard work with this VIP experience.”

This year’s guests were equally enthusiastic about the trip, with one guest calling it the “bucket list” trip of a lifetime.

“My favorite part was meeting the people behind the brand because that’s what makes the brand,” said Armando Ramos, a service plumber in Phoenix, Arizona. “Now that I think of RIDGID I think of family. Thanks for the opportunity!”

“I can’t say enough about how amazing the past few days were. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to the RIDGID Experience 2022 and meet so many fantastic people, check out the headquarters and go on some pretty awesome outings. I’m over the moon and still just can’t believe that I got to do this,” said Mary-Anne Bowcott, owner of Westcom Plumbing and Gas in Sooke, British Columbia.

Individuals in the RIDGID Experience Group included (in photo L-R):

• Tyler Dale – Seaside, California
• Armando Ramos – Phoenix, Arizona
• John Snyder – Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
• Derek Newton – Kirland Lake, Ontario
• Colton Henkowski – Denver, Colorado
• Mary-Anne Bowcott – Sooke, British Columbia
• George DeJesus – Stanhope, New Jersey
• Alan Carlson – Wheaton, Illinois
• Christopher Armstrong – Ulster Park, New York

Details on the 2023 RIDGID Experience Contest will be announced early next year.

Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.

Independent testing shows new Greenlee^® PVC Cutter reduces operator hand force and that mechanical and electrical contractors will appreciate the simplistic design that delivers straight, burr free cuts.

Greenlee Textron Inc., is expanding its PVC cutter offering with the new 1 5/8-inch O.D. PVC Cutter. Its comfortable rubber grips and shorter handle span reduce the required handle force for easy ergonomic cutting of PVC.

“Professional contractors are getting a premium PVC cutter that is durable, functional and safer to use,” says Dale Speggen, product manager at Greenlee. “Having low handle force not only means the new PVC Cutter reduces hand strain, but it allows for more cuts per day, which can increase user productivity.”

Third-party testing performed by Materials Engineering, Inc. shows the new Greenlee 1 5/8-inch cutter requires less operator handle force than competitive 1-5/8-inch O.D. PVC cutter models made by Klein Tools^® (21.9 percent less force), Ridgid^® (36 percent less force), and Lenox^® (69 percent less force) when cutting 1-5/8″ O.D. schedule 40 PVC. See how the Greenlee 1 5/8-inch O.D. PVC Cutter compares to other cutters on the market at Greenlee.com/PVCCutter.

A right-angled jaw and a corrosion resistant blade are designed to achieve burr-free, clean, straight cuts with every use. The new Greenlee 1 5/8-inch O.D. PVC Cutter is also designed for the easiest quick-blade replacement on the market, allowing the user to efficiently change blades without using tools or loose parts. The new locking mechanism feature located at the top of the tool is designed to prevent unintentional locking while in use. A unique compact storage process gives operators the ability to store the PVC Cutter with the blade fully open or closed without the risk of having an exposed blade.

The new Greenlee 1 5/8-inch O.D. PVC Cutter (catalog number 864QR) is now available for purchase. Professionals can see the new PVC Cutter in action at Greenlee.com/PVCCutter. To schedule a demonstration or purchase the tool, contractors should locate the nearest dealer by visiting Greenlee.com/where-to-buy.

Mechanical Hub’s Eric Aune has exclusive interview with Greenlee Textron’s President and CEO, Jason Butchko at the 2018 AHR Expo. They discuss tools in marketplace and focus of Greenlee to create products for the mechanical tradesperson.