Metropolitan Industries | Metropolitan Industries

December 20, 2012

Nicor Rebate Program helping businesses save

From left to right: DRF’s Scott Schnurr, Dominican University president Donna M. Carroll, and Nicor Gas president Beth Reese pose with the check Dominican University received through participating in the Nicor Gas Business Custom Incentive Program.

Through participating in the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, Dominican University was given the opportunity to upgrade existing heating equipment in its facilities, and save significantly in the process.

Developed to offer large businesses the opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities and save money, Dominican participated in the Nicor Gas Business Custom Incentive Program, which provides financial incentives for the installation of high-efficiency equipment not covered by the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program’s Business Rebate Program. Through the program, businesses can receive up to $500,000 on their gas-savings projects per year.

According to Nicor, incentives are paid based on energy savings beyond baseline energy performances, such as state or federal codes and standards, industry-accepted performance standards, or other baseline energy performance standards as determined by the Nicor Business Custom Incentive Program.

The current cycle of the program is available for projects installed from June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2014, or until funds are depleted. Per Nicor requirements, post-installation inspections must be conducted and final applications must be submitted to the program by June 30, 2014. Businesses seeking to participate in the program must attain pre-approval in order to become eligible.

Detailed information regarding the program can be found in the Nicor Gas Business Custom Incentive Program handbook.

Dominican began working with DRF Trusted Property Solutions of Plainfield, Ill. in 2010 when DRF observed a large amount of gas being used during the summer months. After developing an initial project design that did not qualify for the Nicor Gas Business Custom Incentive Program, nor provide the desired financial benefits, DRF turned to Metropolitan Industries to help provide a custom solution.

The final project design included three individual point of use systems customized to handle specified heating demands.

Metropolitan HVAC salesperson Matt Brickey praised the program’s ability to assist businesses seeking to conduct retro-fit upgrades progress in an expedited fashion.

“In the case of Dominican University, this program not only helped cover some of the costs of the custom equipment and installation, the gas savings realized will continue to give back for years to come,” said Brickey. “Because of the financial benefits the rebate program offers, it can help prospective customers who may be facing budget constraints get projects moving in the right direction.”

For complete information regarding this project, please visit The Chief Engineer, which profiled the project in its December issue.

For information regarding our custom HVAC solutions and how you may be eligible to save through the Nicor Gas Business Custom Incentive Program, please contact a Metropolitan representative at (800) 323-1665 or visit www.metropolitanind.com.

December 6, 2012

Test lab critical in recent pressure reducing valves seminar

Metropolitan commercial sales manager Mike Ponx instructs attendees during our recent pressure reducing valves training seminar.

In an effort to educate our business partners on the workings of pressure reducing valves, we recently hosted a training seminar on the subject, with our state-of-the-art test lab playing a decisive role in its success.

Instructed by Metropolitan commercial sales manager Mike Ponx and long-time service technician Mike Ihnat, the course was designed to provide entry-level plumbers with a basic understanding of pressure reducing valves.

“At times, contactors will request training classes on pressure reducing valves for members of their organization that are unfamiliar with the function, design and maintenance of the equipment,” said Ponx. “This class provides significant benefits for those who attend, primarily because they’re able to operate on pressure reducing valves in our test lab.”

Ponx said courses typically being with a PowerPoint presentation in a classroom-type setting. The presentation covers the sizing, installation, positioning, operation, features and benefits of pressure reducing valves. The second portion of the course takes place in our test lab, where guests are given the opportunity to service pressure reducing valves in a controlled environment.

“The fact we can offer attendees the opportunity to operate, design and repair pressure reducing valves in a safe and monitored atmosphere makes the class truly uncommon,” said Ponx. “I’m not aware of too many other venues that can facilitate moving water, setting pressures, and handling the full tear down of this type of equipment all in a supervised fashion.”

Ponx said the setting ultimately creates a sense of comfort for participants, and that the hands-on aspect of the class best prepares them for field work.

“When you’re under pressure in the field, your thought process can get lost quickly if you aren’t very familiar with pressure reducing valves,” said Ponx. “We try to keep the course setting relaxed and strictly educational. This gives guests the opportunity to work at their own pace and ask any questions when complications occur.”

Led by Metropolitan service technician Mike Ihnat, guests were given the ability to operate on pressure reducing valves in our test lab.

Ponx said the end goal of the course is to ensure all guests leave with a better understanding of pressure reducing valves and are prepared to develop solutions for the challenges associated with the equipment in everyday field work.

“At the end of the day we’re trying to establish a level of familiarity between attendees and the pressure reducing valves they will be servicing,” said Ponx. “The setup we have in our test lab is absolutely critical, simply because this is where knowledge and comfort are truly attained. We keep these courses limited to around 10 to 12 guests, which gives everyone the worthwhile experience of working on equipment.”

Ponx said he recommends all attendees return for future sessions in order to retain all topics discussed throughout the course.

As pumping systems leaders, we are committed to providing training to industry professionals. We are more than happy to schedule training for pressure reducing valves and a variety of topics for all engineers, water/wastewater operators and others interested.

For more information regarding this course or to inquire about other training programs Metropolitan offers, please contact 800-323-1665 or sales@metropolitanind.com. For additional courses we provide, please visit www.ilceu.com.

November 29, 2012

Metropolitan tackles confined space dangers

Entering a confined space for system repair is a dangerous procedure, particularly due to accumulated gases that may be hazardous. At Metropolitan, we can provide solutions to decrease the frequency of entering a confined space.

Now more than ever, municipalities are addressing the dangers of below ground pump stations to protect both entrants into confined spaces and the investment of systems themselves. The United States Department of Labor requires a permit for those seeking to enter confined spaces for system repair, accompanied by rigorous guidelines those involved with the entry must follow.

Moreover, flooding of below ground pump systems can lead to catastrophic damage of the systems themselves, often costing municipalities a great deal for repair or even replacement, and can lead to an emergency service call.

Metropolitan Industries recently renovated three below ground pump stations, giving each customer the ability to interface with the controls without entering the confined space. Another advantage of “above grade controls” is the avoidance of control system damage caused by a vault flood. Potential future projects such as submersible pump retro-fit into the existing wet well would be the next appropriate step to completely eliminate confined space entry.

City of Calumet City, Ill.

The City of Calumet City, Ill. recently came to Metropolitan for an emergency rehabilitation project following the flooding of a below ground water pump station.

“Metropolitan suspects the reservoir fill valve stuck open causing an overflow condition, thus filling the below ground pump station with water,” said Metropolitan salesperson Keith Girup. “The existing booster station was constructed many years ago when below ground systems were common. Metropolitan was able to repair and replace equipment quickly, and in the process improve the operation and energy-efficiency of the station by implementing variable frequency drives for constant pressure control.”

Another new piece of equipment included in the upgrade was a low-flow shutdown bladder storage tank.

“The new bladder tank supports the water system leak loads during low flow periods of time,” Girup said.

The system was also integrated into a city-wide SCADA system for enhanced monitoring and alarm notification. A flood switch was added to the pump room to ensure notification is provided in the event of a flood since the pumps remain in the below ground vault and are subjected to the hazards associated with such a location.

The primary advantages of the system upgrades are the reduced frequency of entering a confined space and overall protection of the equipment.

South Palos Sanitary District

Metropolitan recently completed a similar project for the South Palos Sanitary District.

“In this project, the customer decided to keep their drywell pumps below ground, but implemented above grade controls into a new prefabricated concrete building with an exposed aggregate finish,” said Girup. “The prefabricated building contains the controls, generator and a temperature control device, essentially eliminating the need to enter below ground in order to interface with the controls.”

Girup said that because the customer has decided to keep the drywell pumps below ground, it will still be necessary to go below ground to maintain the pumps. However, the frequency of confined space entry has decreased dramatically with the implementation of above ground controls.

“Safety and common sense are the reasons for upgrading to above grade systems,” said Girup. “Going into a confined space requires special procedures with two individuals, safety harnesses and gas monitoring equipment at a minimum to ensure safety. If precautions are not followed, consequences could be fatal.”

Village of Burr Ridge, Ill.

The Village of Burr Ridge, Ill. also called upon Metropolitan for a below ground lift station upgrade.

Metropolitan implemented an above ground traffic box for this particular project, placing all controls and electrical distribution equipment above ground.

“The customer has intentions to replace the existing pumps with submersible pumps, however, this project was phase one, which included the above grade controls to significantly reduce the amount of times they would need to go below ground,” said Girup. “In the previous configuration, the customer was going down into the pit quite often to monitor controls, but with our upgrade, they no longer have to do so.”

Conclusion

With each upgrade, the customer not only gained capital investment protection by implementing above grade control systems to protect controls from potential below ground flooding, they also improved safety conditions by reducing the frequency of confined space entry.

Entering a confined space is a major process with strict guidelines which, if not followed, can produce fatal consequences. Metropolitan can provide both investment protection and overall safety with above ground system retro-fit solutions.

For more information, please contact Keith Girup at 800-323-1665, ext. 264 or sales@metropolitanind.com.

November 20, 2012

MetroMail™ monitoring system included in recent lift station retrofit

MetroMail™ is an economical option for customers seeking basic monitoring equipment.

Metropolitan Industries recently completed a stand-alone version of MetroMail™, the company’s very own alarm notification system. The company will receive alarm notification via text message and/ or email through the internet.

When implemented to monitor any pump or electrical system, MetroMail™ has the capability to send email alerts to notify users of equipment status or problems, and can assist customers in avoiding potential disaster when troubles arise.

“Users can configure MetroMail™ to send an email at an interval completely configurable by users out through the device’s Ethernet jack and through the Internet,” said Metropolitan Industries software engineer Joe Burza. “In other words, if you have your laptop on you or you’re carrying a device with email capability, you can receive a message that a problem with your pump has occurred instead of waiting for the water to back up and start flooding.”

MetroMail™ features eight optically isolated dry inputs accepting 10 to 30 volts of AC or DC power. The unit’s status light tells users whether the unit has power, is properly configured and is sending emails, whereas network lights indicate LAN activity and connectivity. Its onboard web server allows for the configuration of messages, addresses and other settings via any web browser.

A MetroMail™ unit was recently installed at a jail located in northwest Indiana. Metropolitan was contacted by Keough Mechanical for the project, who wished to upgrade the existing lift station due to clogged pumps reported by detention center officials.

The lift station in need of attention was responsible for all of the sanitary waste from the facility. Detained members knew of its function and would routinely disrupt the operation of the pump system by flushing items that would typically be disposed of in a garbage can.

After Metropolitan salesperson Keith Girup made a field visit with the owner and contractor to discuss the problem with the operators and evaluate the obstacles associated with the retrofit upgrade, it was determined that an impeller change would be the most suitable solution to significantly reduce and potentially eliminate the clogging issues.

While Metropolitan was helping solve the mechanical issues the facility faced, new controls with email notification were also proposed.

In order to provide this notification, Metropolitan included MetroMail™, which contacts personnel by email in the event of a lift station alarm condition. An operator interface with Internet connectivity via a cellular modem was also included.

These control features allow for quick response during an alarm condition with 24-hour supervisory ability.

MetroMail™ offers customers a cost-effective option for basic monitoring equipment when more expensive options are not practical. Its convenient size also gives customers the flexibility to monitor equipment when space is a concern.

For more information regarding MetroMail™, please contact Keith Girup at 800-323-1665, ext. 264 or sales@metropolitanind.com.

Lift Station Upgrade with Fabricated House

November 15, 2012

Major Lift Station Renovation for O’Hara Woods Includes Increased Pumping Capacity, Upgraded Controls and Prefabricated Concrete Structure

The upgrade to Romeoville, IL’s O’Hara Woods lift station was a major endeavor. Among the additions were separate generator, mechanical and control rooms housed in a prefabricated concrete structure.

Metropolitan Industries has extensive experience in the implementation and upgrade of lift stations. For over 50 years, we have provided components and even complete prefabricated lift stations as single-source systems that include all equipment required for operation.

Services such as design assistance and a 24/7 service department help ensure systems are engineered to meet the owner’s specifications in a variety of sizes. For the complete system, a station can be combined with a “MetroFab” custom-designed, prefabricated housed system. Housed systems are factory pre-piped and wired, and are shipped fully assembled for easy installation. Like a prefabricated lift station, these systems can also be customized to meet any specifications you require.

A recent example of a customer’s desire for a significant upgrade to their existing facilities is the work completed at the Romeoville, Ill. O’Hara Woods lift station.

Working with an existing duplex sanitary lift station, the village decided to make many custom upgrades to the site.

The previous configuration did not feature enough pumping capacity to keep up with the station’s increased demand.

“The existing 20-year-old duplex system was still functioning fine, but an upgrade was needed due to village growth and the planning for future development,” said Metropolitan salesperson Keith Girup. “To keep up with the demand, the station was upgraded to a triplex system by utilizing the existing duplex wet well and a parallel existing manhole for a simplex wet well to house the three new pumps. We also supplied three precast concrete enclosures which, when installed on the concrete pad, were made to look like one common building. The three separate rooms make up the building, and house the new lift station controls, standby generator and chemical dosing system all under a common 28-foot by 28-foot roof.”

In total, the system now has three eight-inch submersible, non-clog, explosion-proof sewage pumps each with a capacity of 2,084 GPM at 99 feet of TDH. Each pump motor is rated at 125 HP, 1750 RPM, 60 Hz, 480 volt, three-phase.

Control system upgrades were made to replace obsolete equipment not capable of operating the new horsepower and new quantity of pumps. In addition, the prefabricated concrete buildings gave the customer a more secure and attractive solution. Metropolitan supplied the three prefabricated buildings and provided a simulated “Ashlar Stone” finish as an attractive exterior design. Inside walls are painted concrete and the owner chose an aesthetically pleasing metal roof to complete the buildings.

In addition to housing the new controls, another primary benefit of the lift station upgrade was the addition of new variable frequency drives.

“All pumps are variable speed meaning they will speed up or slow down to match the influent rate,” said Girup. “This type of application only uses electrical consumption as needed, thus saving energy.”

Another upgrade included in-place standby power.

“When power loss would occur in the previous configuration, the customer needed to mobilize personnel and a portable generator unit to support the remote lift station,” said Girup. “In the new configuration, the permanent standby 400 kW, diesel-fueled generator will support all three pumps during a power failure automatically.”

An additional advantage of including a permanent generator is phase protection. If any phase of power is dropped at any time, the generator’s automatic transfer switch will recognize the power failure and supply clean power from the generator to the pumps until the full power supply is regained. Because pump motors may burn up during dropped phases, or brown outs, the permanent generator provides further investment protection to the lift station.

Chemical Room with Dosing Pump System and Tank

A chemical room, complete with a dosing pump system and tank, provides accurate feeding of treatment chemicals and will reduce the frequency of chemical replenishment.

In addition to the standby generator, a chemical dosing system was supplied to replace the existing system. The new chemical system provides accurate feeding of treatment chemicals via a dosing pump that paces the total sewage discharge flow rate and reduces the frequency of chemical replenishment by increasing the volume of the storage tank, thus reducing fees associated with chemical delivery. The implementation of a chemical tank was deemed necessary per customer specifications. The chemical is used for odor control and to start the biological process of the sewage, assisting in the treatment process.

Surveillance cameras and anti-graffiti coating were also part of the new control and SCADA system upgrades.

New equipment was needed to monitor flow and tie in the third pump. A polyurea-coated, prefabricated meter and valve vault with measurements of 16 feet in length and 8 feet in diameter was also included to connect the new simplex pump system with the existing duplex system and also includes flood-proof hatches. Flood-proof hatches were provided due to the fact the lift station is located directly next to a large pond. The hatch elevations now all exceed the 100-year flood event elevation, however, if the customer does encounter significant rainfall, the hatches are water tight and will not allow water into the wet well, valve vault or meter vault.

Lift Station Controls for Upgraded O'Hara Lift Station in Romeoville, IL

Among the many upgrades provided to the O’Hara Woods Lift Station was the addition of new lift station controls.

A number of accommodations were made for the customer while upgrades were taking place, the most important being the need to keep the station functioning during construction.

“A great deal of planning was done ahead of time to make the field installation, start-up and integration into the SCADA system seamless,” said Girup. “All of the buildings were pre-wired and all controls were programmed before arrival on-site, making the transition as efficient as possible. The prefabricated components of the project allowed the contractor to save on bypass pumping due to the expedited nature of prefabricated system installation.”

An existing control enclosure also needed to be moved to a strategic location for installation to occur simultaneously with the existing lift station still in service. The existing control box was located close to where the prefabricated buildings would be installed. The contractor and supplier made sure the entire transplant of controls remained reliable and the customer did not miss a beat in regards to system operation, data acquisition and potential alarm notification.

“The prefabricated buildings were chosen for a variety of reasons, including cost and security,” said Girup. “Alternatives such as a large steel traffic box enclosure would have been nearly as costly, but would not have provided the same level of security that the buildings provide.”

The project reflects Metropolitan’s commitment and ability to meet the customer’s needs with ease of installation and peace of mind while making a smooth transition to an upgraded system.

A large upgrade project such as the Romeoville O’Hara Woods job is a large undertaking for all involved not only financially, but in regards to keeping the existing system in operation while upgrades are taking place. Metropolitan’s expertise, customer service and fabrication abilities helped to ensure the best possible transition from the old existing system to a first class facility.

The new improvements include a total of three sewage pumps, and provide housing along with surveillance cameras and anti-graffiti coating for further protection.

Project engineer, Jon Zabrocki, P.E., of Robinson Engineering, LTD praised Metropolitan’s ability to supply and support all of the equipment needed for this installation.

“When you’re dealing with a project as complex as this, it’s comforting to know you’re working with a single-source provider who is willing to take on the responsibility of supplying and supporting anything you might need throughout the job,” said Zabrocki. “The end result is that the new system has exceeded our expectations and it shows what can be done when owner, contractor, supplier and engineer are all on the same page.”

Village of Romeoville, Ill. wastewater superintendent Bob Stoppenbach credited the village’s confidence in all parties involved for establishing a strong level of comfort throughout the entire rehabilitation process.

“We’ve worked with Metropolitan on many projects and knew they were very capable of delivering the quality of upgrades that we required,” said Stoppenbach. “We were very pleased at the project’s conclusion and look forward to working with them again in the future.”

For more information, please contact Keith Girup at 800-323-1665 or sales@metropolitanind.com.

November 9, 2012

New Navien tankless water heater introduced

Metropolitan will host training on the new series in early December.

As an official representative of Navien America, Metropolitan is at the forefront of innovations in tankless water heating technology.

For years we’ve supplied customers with energy-efficient Navien tankless water heaters and combination units designed to provide the premier hot water experience.

Making the Navien brand even more exciting is the introduction of the new NPE premium condensing gas tankless water heater, with new and advanced features making the unit truly the best choice in tankless.

Many of the new features are designed to reduce installation cost and time, make operation of units simple and intuitive, and provide a high-performance.

New heaters utilize existing one-half-inch gas lines, which Metropolitan salesperson Mark Brickey said makes installation of tankless water heaters easier than ever before.

“The NPE is the first tankless model that can utilize a home’s one-half-inch gas line for lengths up to 24 feet,” said Brickey. “Many tankless alternatives do not have this capability which may require the installation of any entirely new gas line. With the NPE series, units employ existing gas lines, saving customers time and cost.”

In addition to utilizing existing gas lines, NPE units come with two-inch PVC venting, a cost-effective option for installation.

“Because Navien units exhaust low gas temperatures, customers can use PVC, CPVC and Polypropylene vent systems, which can significantly reduce costs associated with installation,” said Brickey. “Systems can use two-inch venting for up to 60 feet, which often allows those installing units to apply without constructing additional holes.”

For ease of usability, a front panel command center with user-interface makes units easy to set, run diagnostics and view essential system information.

Lastly, intelligent preheating technology recognizes hot water usage patterns, adapting to your daily trends to provide hot water when needed.

“This intelligent sensing technology recognizes when users are likely to use hot water and will automatically heat water and deliver to your fixtures without any complex programming involved,” Brickey said.

As has always been the case with Navien heaters, an industry best warranty package is included with the new series. In residential applications, labor is backed for one-year, parts for five years and heat exchanger for 15 years. In commercial applications, labor is backed for one-year, parts for three years and heat exchanger for five years.

As industry leaders, we’re committed to providing training for installers to ultimately ensure end users get the most out of equipment. To show this commitment, we’ll be hosting training on December 11, 2012 for all interested in learning how to both service and install NPE units.

For more information regarding the Navien NPE series, please contact a Metropolitan representative at 800-323-1665 or sales@metropolitanind.com. To register for training, please visit www.ilceu.com.

November 1, 2012

Metropolitan teams up with LAARS®

Metropolitan customers now have access to a new line of boilers, water heaters and combination units.

Metropolitan Industries, Inc. is officially a representative of LAARS® Heating Systems Company, giving us a new line of residential and commercial boilers, water heaters and combination units.

LAARS® regional manager Van Culberson has held training at Metropolitan on separate occasions over the past month to ensure Metropolitan’s sales and service divisions are fully equipped with the information needed to maximize the partnership and best serve customers.

“This partnership will give Metropolitan access to our full line of residential and commercial products, which can be used in a variety of ways,” said Culberson. “We have units sized from 50,000 BTUs all the way up to 2.4 million BTUs that can be used in residential, commercial and industrial applications.”

Residential products include boilers, water heaters and combination heaters for indoor use.

“Some of our offerings on the residential side include our Mini-Therm gas-fired hydronic boiler and Endurance combination boiler, which are both 85 percent AFUE rated products,” said Culberson. “Another exciting item is our NeoTherm water heater, which is 95 percent efficient in operation and sized for both residential and commercial uses.”

Products such as the 95 percent efficient NeoTherm are now available from Metropolitan.

Commercial products include an assortment of boilers and water heaters for indoor and outdoor uses.

Much like residential merchandise, commercial systems are energy-efficient and sized to meet a number of challenges.

Culberson said company structure, customer service and an array of products help LAARS® distinguish itself from others within the marketplace.

“Today, customers require instantaneous solutions and at LAARS®, we can provide them,” said Culberson. “We operate in a flat company structure which ultimately allows us to service customers in an adept and timely fashion.”

Much like Metropolitan, LAARS® employs a full service department for premier reliability when issues arise.

“Our customer service is as good as, or even better than, anyone else,” said Culberson. “Our technical support, both pre and post-sale, is outstanding and we have full-time service managers that assist customers in remedying problems whenever they arise.”

Lastly, its full range of products and diverse uses give LAARS® the ability to service many needs.

“With products that range from 82 percent to 95 percent efficient and sized from 50,000 to 2.4 million BTUs, we’re able to serve a large market of customers and fill a wide range of needs,” Culberson said.

In regards to the partnership with Metropolitan, Culberson cited our company structure and personnel as primary factors as to why the joint venture makes sense for LAARS®.

“We can now develop packaged systems thanks to Metropolitan’s manufacturing abilities, which is something we’ve never had access to in the Chicagoland market,” said Culberson. “Metropolitan’s in-house service department is very beneficial to us as well. Keeping all capabilities under one roof makes servicing equipment efficient.”

Metropolitan president John Kochan Jr. believes the LAARS® line brings further diversity to Metropolitan and can allow our company to move into new markets when combined with our manufacturing, fabrication, sales and service departments.

“At Metropolitan, we’ve never been afraid to expand our horizons and we believe representing the LAARS® line can introduce us to new markets of customers,” said Kochan Jr. “The LAARS® line, combined with our manufacturing, fabrication, sales and service divisions, make us a good match.”

For more information regarding the LAARS® line please visit www.laars.com or contact a Metropolitan representative at 800-323-1665 or sales@metropolitanind.com.

October 5, 2012

Metropolitan expands HVAC division

Mike Temes (left) and Neil Vogel (right) bring new offerings to Metropolitan’s HVAC division.

In an effort to expand the capabilities of its HVAC division, Metropolitan is proud to announce the additions of Mike Temes and Neil Vogel. Mike and Neil bring over 15 years of industry experience to Metropolitan and both are experts in the heat transfer and industrial process businesses.

Metropolitan’s HVAC division specializes in products including gas-condensing boilers, high-efficiency heating systems, gas-fired boilers, modular condensing hot water systems, high-efficiency air and dirt separators, hydronic pumps and more. The additions of Temes and Vogel will help expand our product line and further enhance our HVAC offerings.

“One of our goals is to simply enrich what is already a unique and diverse HVAC division at Metropolitan,” said Temes. “Neil and I bring expertise in the applications of steam, hot water and heat transfer to further expand the division’s capabilities.”

Many products including boiler feed packages, heat transfer packages, customized heat exchangers, condensate return units specifically for steam applications, prefabricated boiler skids (hot water and steam), pre-piped PRV stations and pre-piped control valve stations are now included in Metropolitan’s HVAC product index with the additions of Vogel and Temes.

Part of our commitment at Metropolitan is providing equipment to best suit our customer’s particular applications. Customer specifications are of paramount priority and the knowledge Temes and Vogel bring to Metropolitan further extends our commitment to providing products tailored to meet customer’s needs.

“One characteristic Metropolitan is known for is providing the most practical equipment to customers designed to fulfill their needs,” said Vogel. “Mike and I are fully committed to not just supplying customers with equipment, but breaking down the project, determining what the customer is trying to accomplish and getting the right piece of equipment for the applications, whether it’s in or outside of the box.”

Adding Vogel and Temes gives Metropolitan the design skill set it can now combine with its fabrication and manufacturing capabilities, truly making it a one stop shop for your HVAC needs.

“The design experience Neil and Mike bring to our company is the perfect complement to our manufacturing and fabrication abilities,” said Metropolitan Industries President John Kochan Jr. “We’ve always prided ourselves on being a single source provider due to the fact it makes customer service easy and fosters a team environment in which all customer specifications are met.”

To learn more about our HVAC division and all of its capabilities, attend our Open House, where products will be on display and seminars, such as our “cutting thermal energy costs/Nicor Rebates,” will be held.

For further information, please contact 815-886-9200 or sales@metropolitanind.com.

September 28, 2012

Housed pump systems provide cost-friendly solution for municipality

One of two prefabricated housed booster systems supplied to the Village of Park Forest, Ill.

Metropolitan Industries recently supplied two prefabricated housed booster systems, along with components for a third system, to the Village of Park Forest, Ill.

The project was funded by a state grant and the station in need of repair was the village’s lime softening water treatment plant, which had been designed in the 1930s. The village was experiencing main water breaks close to the treatment plant and called upon Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers to help develop a solution. Working with Metropolitan, Baxter & Woodman determined the implementation of two prefabricated housed systems, and components for a future third system, would remedy the problem at a cost-efficient price.

“With the existing configuration the village was working with, it wasn’t able to generate the 70 pounds of pressure it needed to fill its elevated tanks,” said Metropolitan salesperson Keith Girup. “By providing our booster systems at the elevated tanks, it was able to dial the treatment plant back to around 50 pounds of pressure to reduce the risk of experiencing more main water breaks. Each of our booster systems provides the extra 20 pounds needed to fill the elevated tanks.”

Girup said that while these fixtures are ideally temporary solutions, they’ve eliminated the need for the village to make a very expensive purchase it may have not been able to finance.

“Ideally, this should be a temporary solution because water mains that are in dire shape like the ones in this particular system need to eventually be replaced,” said Girup. “However, that could be a very expensive venture and the customer decided it was financially practical to purchase more costly efficient boosters and finance the very expensive project over time. In some cases, additionally booster stations aren’t necessarily a positive, but here, they were the practical answer.”

For more information, please contact Keith Girup at 815-886-9200, ext. 264 or sales@metropolitanind.com.

September 20, 2012

Navien training seminars beneficial for all involved

Our commitment to providing training to industry professionals is one of the many reasons why Metropolitan makes an ideal business partner. By sharing our expertise with engineers, water/wastewater operators, city officials and more, those working in the field are fully prepared to best meet needs and challenges.

With this goal in mind, we recently held a Navien tankless water heaters training course at our facility. Metropolitan is the representative of Navien tankless water heaters, which are 98 percent efficient in operation. For residential applications, Navien heaters can lead to increased gas savings, save space, and provide an instant/endless supply of hot water. These features have led to increased popularity and demand of Navien heaters, making training for installers more and more pertinent.

Navien America’s David Hoskyn was on-hand to conduct training during our most recent course. Hoskyn, who has been involved in the wholesale business for nearly 20 years and has conducted Navien training throughout the Midwest for over a year, said all sides of the business benefit from training courses.

“Training is very important to Navien America since we understand the benefit to all of us, including Navien, the representatives, distributors and the contractor,” said Hoskyn. “This helps the contractor be more profitable by reducing callbacks due to misapplied or incorrectly installed products. It will also reduce service time due to a greater understanding of the components, their function and operation. Lastly, it helps everyone understand the service and warranty process, and how we as a company handle support and warranty issues.”

Hoskyn said the most recent training fostered the type of learning environment he strives for as an instructor.

“The most recent training that we held at Metropolitan was another example of a well-coordinated, well-executed class,” said Hoskyn. “The people attending the class were involved and interested in attaining a better understanding of the product. The class was not only a great mix of both installers and service technicians, but also people that have installed the product before and those who have not. This makes for a great variety of questions and comments, which helps everyone in the class, including myself.”

Overall, Hoskyn credits Metropolitan’s commitment to training as a primary reason why it makes a model partner in business for customers and suppliers.

“Metropolitan is an extremely valuable partner for Navien America,” said Hoskyn. “They understand the importance that training holds to not only our product, but all of the lines they carry. The sales and support that they provide to their customers are keys to the success we have in the market.”

For more information regarding Navien tankless water heaters or to inquire about Metropolitan trainings, please visit www.metropolitanind.com or contact 815-886-9200.