On May 7, the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), a manufacturing-based trade association, announced the Pier 15 Exploratorium as their Project of the Year in the Building/Construction division. The project showcases 200,000 feet of Uponor North America’s Wirsbo hePEX™ crosslinked polyethylene (PEX-a) tubing for the unique radiant heating and cooling system that uses the San Francisco Bay as a heat sink/heat source. The project, designed by EHDD Architecture of San Francisco and engineered by Integral Group of Oakland, renovated a century-old building on San Francisco’s Pier 15 into the largest net-zero energy and net-zero carbon museum in the United States. The 330,000-square-foot, LEED-Gold structure is projected to be 57% more efficient than the ASHRAE 90.1 energy standard requires, thanks in part to the Uponor radiant heating and cooling system. “We are very proud to receive this recognition by our peers in the plastics pipe industry,” says Bill Gray, president, Uponor North America. “The Pier 15 Exploratorium is an excellent example of the benefits of flexible plastic pipe and how it can transform a historic building into an impressively sustainable project.”

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Beginning in May, Uponor North America will be breaking ground at its headquarters facility in Apple Valley, Minn., to add 17,500 square feet of manufacturing space to help meet forecasted growth for crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing for plumbing, fire sprinkler, and radiant heating and cooling systems. This will be the fifth expansion for the 1990-built facility, bringing the total space to 230,000 square feet, which houses the North American corporate offices, manufacturing and Uponor Academy, the company’s onsite training center. “We are projecting substantial growth for our PEX product in the commercial and residential markets for plumbing, fire sprinkler and radiant floor heating and cooling systems,” says Uponor North America President Bill Gray. “This expansion will allow us to continue our growth in the PEX marketplace and ensure we can meet current and future customer demand.”

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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On April 11, Uponor was honored as the 2013 Manufacturer of the Year in the large-company category by the Manufacturers Alliance, an association providing peer-to-peer training, education and resources which allow Midwest manufacturing companies to continuously grow, improve and stay competitive. “We are honored to receive this recognition and award and are privileged to be part of the Manufacturers Alliance where we not only share our best practices, but where we also learn from others,” said Uponor North America President Bill Gray. The event began with Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland presenting a Certificate of Commendation from Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and a video from Senator Amy Klobuchar [D-MN] sending her congratulations and support to the manufacturing community. Last year, Klobuchar visited Uponor and took a tour of the manufacturing facility as part of her “Made in America” economic tour.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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On Sunday, April 7, the first four families received keys to their homes in the St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity Eco Village project in River Falls, Wis. Among the sustainable features in the homes, including solar, geothermal and rainwater harvesting, are Uponor’s plumbing, fire sprinkler and radiant floor heating systems. “We are proud to be an anchor partner for the Eco Village project and to also have all our systems in the homes,” says Ingrid Mattsson, director of Brand Management for Uponor and a member of the company’s Sustainability Team. “Eco Village is the essence of a sustainable design that brings homes, family living and community together into one cohesive plan.”

Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Qualified manufacturing and maintenance workers are encouraged to attend Uponor’s Job Fair Open House on April 18 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the company’s facility in Apple Valley, located on 148th Street West (off Johnny Cake Ridge near 150th Street West). Attendees can meet with Uponor recruiters, supervisors and managers, and even take a tour of the facility which recently received the 2013 Manufacturer of the Year award from the Manufacturers Alliance.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor recently announced its 2013 factory training schedule that includes a new course on commercial plumbing applications. The course, which is eligible for continuing education units (CEUs), focuses on codes and standards, pipe sizing, unit piping, riser piping, distribution piping, public and service piping, and design and installation practices. The new Commercial Plumbing Applications Lab features all of Uponor’s products and systems for suspended piping, risers, in-suite and out-of-the-wall plumbing systems to showcase the benefits of the flexible, durable pipe in real-world applications. The two-day Commercial Plumbing Applications course is available six times throughout the year beginning in March. Attendees who complete the course are eligible for CEUs to meet continuing education requirements.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor is continuing its momentum in the commercial sector with its 2013 Professional Webinar Series, which includes 13 sessions on relevant topics such as Pipe Sizing Commercial PEX-a Plumbing Systems, Hydronic Distribution with PEX-a, and Radiant Cooling in High-humidity Environments. “With PEX gaining ground in commercial plumbing applications and radiant cooling continuing to stay strong as a sustainable-building practice, we are responding to the industry with this year’s webinar series courses,” says Wes Sisco, training manager at Uponor.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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NASCAR® Nationwide Series driver Jeffrey Earnhardt is looking to 2013 as a big year — continuing his sponsorship with Uponor and also going for the Rookie of the Year title. Earnhardt will be making an appearance with his race car at the Uponor booth (C5907) at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 22 and 23 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Jeffrey Earnhardt will be again teaming up with Uponor for his sixth Nationwide Series race of the season. This time, he will be driving the #08 Uponor Ford Mustang for Go Green Racing in the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 17. “It’s great to have Uponor onboard for the final Nationwide Series race of the year,” said Earnhardt. “At the Charlotte race, I met a lot of customers that use Uponor’s products. It’s always cool to learn more about your sponsors, and getting the chance to spend time with the contractors is right in my wheelhouse. I like the hardworking crowd and look forward to giving them someone to cheer for in NASCAR.”

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor, Inc., a leading supplier of plumbing, fire sprinkler and radiant heating and cooling systems for residential and commercial spaces worldwide, has filed suit against Missouri-based Sioux Chief Manufacturing Company in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 8,146,225. The patent generally relates to Uponor’s pioneering invention of the ProPEX® Rings with a leading-edge chamfer and integral stop edge.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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To continue its momentum in the commercial plumbing and heating markets, Uponor is introducing PEX-a Pipe Support and two additional Engineered Polymer (EP) Multi-port Tees to its offering. PEX-a Pipe Support is a steel channel that provides continuous support of crosslinked polyethylene (PEX-a) tubing in suspended piping applications, including both commercial plumbing and hydronic heating distribution systems. The new EP Multi-port Tees are ideal for parallel piping in multi-family and hospitality applications. “We are continuing to see growth in the commercial plumbing marketplace and are answering the need for products that make it faster, easier and more efficient to install PEX-a piping systems,” says Jayson Drake, director, Plumbing and Fire Safety, at Uponor.br />

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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On Friday, Oct. 12, Jeffrey Earnhardt will be racing the #39 Uponor Ford Mustang for Go Green Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Earnhardt will be racing in his fifth Nationwide race of the season and looks forward to competing in his hometown. “It’s always nice when family and friends can get to the track and be part of the day,” said Earnhardt. “We’ve had to choose which races to run this season so I could preserve my rookie status for 2013, and we’re glad that our sponsor Uponor chose Charlotte.”

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor recently received the 2012 Efficiency Partner Award by Minneapolis, Minn.-based Xcel Energy® for its outstanding efforts in curbing electric consumption in manufacturing operations. The Efficiency Partner Award honors those who participate in Xcel Energy efficiency programs to lower their energy costs and reduce their impact on the environment. “We were accepted into Xcel’s Process Efficiency Program in 2011 and made significant reductions to our electric consumption over the past year, reducing it by 1.8 million kilowatt hours,” says Dan Hughes, Uponor Real Estate and Development Manager. “In addition to the significant energy-cost savings to Uponor, this level of reduction benefits the environment by eliminating the equivalent greenhouse-gas emissions of 243 passenger vehicles per year.”

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor Training Manager Wes Sisco and Customer Trainer Steve Swanson were recently invited to speak about crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) systems at an all-girls technology camp at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minn., from July 30 through Aug. 3. TXT 2012 (short for Teens eXperiencing Technical education) offers interactive workshops focusing on areas of business, design, transportation, industrial, science, health and technology.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor was recently named runner-up Manufacturer of the Year for mid-size companies in Minnesota by the Manufacturers Alliance, an association providing peer-to-peer training, education and resources that allow Midwest manufacturing companies to continuously grow, improve and stay competitive. In addition to the recognition, Uponor was also asked to be one of two companies on the Manufacturers Alliance Tour of Excellence on July 31, 2012, to showcase its outstanding accomplishments in operational improvements.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor was recently named one of Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Top Workplaces for 2012. The evaluation for the Top Workplaces program was based upon feedback from a survey given to all employees earlier in the year. This was Uponor’s first year of participation. “I know that I speak for all us when I say that we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as one of the top workplaces,” says Jon Mendel, vice president, Human Resources at Uponor. “A great workplace begins with great employees and Uponor North America employees are second to none.”

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Professionals looking to expand their knowledge in radiant heating and cooling, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems can now receive continuing education units (CEUs) when attending Uponor Academy training courses. “Uponor has a strong history of education and being on the cutting edge of technology,” says Wes Sisco, training manager at Uponor Academy. “By offering CEUs with our Uponor Academy courses, professionals are now able to learn new skills and technologies that can help them expand their offerings to customers along with meeting their continuing education requirements.”

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor is pleased to announce that the vast majority of its ProPEX® engineered polymer (EP) fittings, lead-free (LF) brass sweat and threaded adapters, and larger-diameter Uponor AquaPEX® tubing (all up to 2") are now listed to UL 1821 and ULC/ORD-C199P for use in AquaSAFE™ Residential Multipurpose Fire Sprinkler Systems. This new listing allows more design options and material cost savings for AquaSAFE systems and also provides the most comprehensive offering of fittings and crosslinked polyethylene (PEX-a) tubing for multipurpose fire sprinkler systems from a single manufacturer.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Director, Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Brent Noonan has accepted the position of vice president of U.S. Sales for Uponor, effective May 21, 2012. Noonan has served as Uponor’s South regional sales director since 2010, where he was responsible for providing leadership for the profitable growth of the heating, plumbing and fire sprinkler businesses in the southern U.S. market. Brent’s strong leadership abilities, his knowledge of our systems and history of providing creative solutions along with his drive and desire to succeed are great assets to Uponor.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Sr. Manager, Advertising/Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Devin Abellon, business development manager for Uponor Engineering Services, was recently named a Distinguished Lecturer for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). As a Distinguished Lecturer, Abellon joins a select group of 71 professionals worldwide that provide ASHRAE chapters, student branches and other organizations with lecturers on relevant subjects of interest to ASHRAE members and guests. In July 2011, his course “Embedded Tube Radiant Systems to Maximize LEED® Points” was approved for one continuing education hour by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The course teaches how in-slab hydronic radiant systems can be used as part of an energy-efficient design solution to maximize Energy and Atmosphere credits for LEED certification.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Sr. Manager, Advertising/Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Eric Skare, product manager of Fire Safety at Uponor, was recently accepted to the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) Standards Technical Panel (STP) for 1821, the standard for safety on Thermoplastic Sprinkler Pipe and Fittings for Fire Protection Service. The STP serves as the consensus body to review and vote on proposals to UL standards prior to publication. “Eric’s acceptance onto this important panel further establishes Uponor’s support of, and contribution to, the fire protection industry,” says Jayson Drake, senior product manager of Plumbing and Fire Safety at Uponor.br />

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Sr. Manager, Advertising/Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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On Feb. 14, more than 60 pre-engineering students from Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minn., visited the Uponor North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn., to learn about new innovations in radiant heating and cooling, as well as plumbing and fire sprinkler systems, using crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing. The students’ visit was in conjunction with a push to encourage more science and technology education in Minnesota schools. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who visited Uponor on Jan. 11 to promote business innovation, also spoke in an online column about the importance of technical schools and the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) network in Minnesota.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Sr. Manager, Advertising/Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Effective January 2012, Uponor has expanded its reach into Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean with Victory Management Solutions, Inc. (VMS). VMS will rep Uponor radiant heating and cooling, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems for commercial and residential applications. “With this new partnership, we’re well positioned to educate a new market that has very little exposure to PEX products and systems,” says Bill Gray, vice president, Uponor Sales. “VMS is well known for supporting project work and will help us pursue opportunities that are ideal for our radiant heating and cooling, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems.”

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Sr. Manager, Advertising/Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor has named Bill Gray as vice president of Sales for Uponor North America, effective June 6, 2011. For the past three years as general manager for Uponor Ltd. in Canada, Gray was responsible for the leadership of all Uponor Canadian operations, including sales, marketing, demand management and technical and customer service. In his expanded role, he will lead all Uponor North American sales efforts in the United States and Canada, as well as continue to oversee Canadian operations.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Sr. Manager, Advertising/Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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Uponor announces its factory training schedule for the first quarter of the year along with a new Professional Webinar Series, which includes 13 sessions on relevant topics such as Radiant Cooling Application and Design; Commercial Plumbing with PEX; Updates in the Residential Fire Sprinkler Industry; and Efficiencies with Ecoflex® Pre-insulated Pipe Systems. “We are looking to take our training to the next level this year by offering new opportunities in webinars with radiant cooling, Ecoflex and commercial plumbing with PEX, while still keeping true to our roots with our factory training program for professionals,” says Wes Sisco, training manager at Uponor.

Contact: Ingrid Mattsson
Sr. Manager, Advertising/Brand Management
(800) 321-4739, ext. 4249
ingrid.mattsson@uponor.com

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