Thermogenics Acquires Plains Mechanical Services

AURORA, Ontario, Canada — Thermogenics Inc., a full asset life cycle solution provider for commercial and industrial boilers, acquired Sioux City, Iowa-based Plains Mechanical Services.

Founded in 1994 by Jeff Reinders, Plains is a full-service boiler company providing sales; service installation; and repair of boilers, pressure vessels, piping systems, and industrial combustion applications.

"Our partnership with Plains enables Thermogenics to extend its North American service and boiler solutions reach to better serve our food and beverage, health care, and manufacturing customers in the north central region,” said Ross Garland, CEO, Thermogenics. “Under John Quade's leadership, we see excellent opportunities for continued growth and enhanced customer service."

HEAPY Promotes Four New Principals

DAYTON, Ohio — HEAPY has promoted four new principals in 2023 to join the ranks of firm ownership in recognition of their technical expertise as well as their significant contributions to the firm’s colleagues, clients, and community.

The four being promoted are Heather Richmund, national business development director; Matt Downing, building optimization operations manager; Brian Uhlenhake, P.E. HFDP, LEED AP BD+C, project manager; and Stephanie Drenten Ferro, building optimization project manager.

“We are thrilled to elevate these deserving colleagues, who epitomize hard work, dedication, and creativity,” said Mark Brumfield, CEO, HEAPY. “I look forward to seeing how they will help shape our future in the years to come.”

ASHRAE Issues Classroom IAQ Guidance

ATLANTA — New guidance, created by industry experts, was recently finalized to give educators, administrators, and school district leadership step-by-step ways to improve the indoor air quality in their facilities.

The guide — “Design Guidance for Educational Facilities: Prioritization for Advanced Indoor Air Quality” — offers a checklist as well as prerequisite and optional tasks in order of importance for school district or school leadership, so they can sit down with design engineers and a qualified contractor to discuss what is needed. Designed to be useful and simple, the free document empowers educators with the knowledge and connections to improve the indoor air quality in their facilities.

The guidance was created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Technical Committee 9.7 – Educational Facilities Working Group.

“The guide gives schools a tool to help them determine their risk. It helps to identify the problem and allows them to make educated choices,” said Chris, Ruch, working group member and director of education for the National Energy Management Institute. “An engineer can give clients a plan based on physical verifications of existing HVAC infrastructure instead of assumptions.”

Daikin Acquires Alliance Air Products

MINNEAPOLIS — Daikan Applied acquired Alliance Air Products, the San Diego-based maker of custom air-handling equipment. Alliance Air’s engineering and technology expertise adds to the Daikin portfolio of high-efficiency equipment and services for data center cooling, and other mission-critical and custom applications.

Data center construction, in particular, is expected to grow at a high rate through 2028 and beyond, accelerating the demand for cooling solutions with an emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability. The combined capabilities of Daikin and Alliance Air address these industry requirements, including chiller-to-computer room air-handler (CRAH) systems that help mitigate a data center’s environmental impact. These systems provide an ideal balance of energy and water conservation.

“Alliance Air has differentiated itself for its manufacturing acumen, creative designs, and nimble work and delivery,” said Jeff Drees, president and CEO of Daikin Applied. “While this acquisition does, indeed, uniquely diversify and strengthen our portfolio, the true advantage is to our customers, especially those with hyper-scale and colocation data centers. The integration with the Alliance Air team will be rapid and seamless so we can bring these benefits to our customers quickly.”

NV5 Acquires Gaudet Associates Inc.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — NV5 Global Inc. has acquired Gaudet Associates Inc., a provider of owner representation services in South Florida. Gaudet Associates has worked on behalf of owners to oversee new facility development and renovations in Florida for 35 years. The acquisition was made with a combination of cash and stock and will be immediately accretive to earnings.

Gaudet Associates operates out of its headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida, and specializes in owner representation services for the hospitality industry, high-rise buildings, and government facilities. Gaudet owner representatives coordinate the activities of all parties during the planning and construction of facilities, including program management, contract administration, change order reviews, cost estimates, value engineering, environmental assessments, and quality assurance.

“With the fastest growing population in the nation and recent growth in tourism, Florida building owners are turning to owner representatives for construction and renovation oversight to meet the needs of Florida’s residents and visitors,” said Dickerson Wright, CEO of NV5. “Gaudet Associates has been serving the Florida market for over three decades, and we look forward to the contributions that it will bring to our existing owner representation group in the state.”

Building Controls and Solutions Acquires Minvalco

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — Building Controls and Solutions (BCS) has acquired Minvalco, a provider of building automation systems and components based in Minneapolis. Minvalco will bring control system capabilities to the BCS team in Minnesota and Wisconsin, providing broader coverage and enhanced service to customers across the United States. This acquisition continues the execution of BCS's strategy to grow its position in the North American building automation market.

"Joining Building Controls and Solutions will ensure Minvalco continues our industry-leading distribution capabilities and deliver the highest quality and best value our customers have come to know since our inception in 1965," said Minvalco general manager Dan Sinn.

Headquartered in Dallas, with branch locations across Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Arizona, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and now Minnesota, Building Controls and Solutions helps companies create intelligent work environments, maximize environmental efficiencies, and leverage technology to optimize building effectiveness, security, and safety.

"We are excited to partner with Dan Sinn at Minvalco to combine two highly skilled building automation and controls teams,” said BCS CEO Eric Chernik. “Our value starts with high-quality products from global brands enhanced by solutions and local in-market technical expertise that brings value-added services to our commercial building customers every day. Our combination with Minvalco continues our quest in our march across North America, adding new branches in the Midwest.”