Newsletter - January, 2007

View the PDF (1,080 Kb)

In this Issue

• A Letter from the President
• Product Spotlights
  • Shamrock Pipe Tools
  • United Rotary Brush
  • Minuteman Powerboss
• Meet the Team: Troy Pritchard
• Meet the Team: Bud Sutherland
• About Flow Meter Testing

January's Letter From the President

As I write this letter, it’s hard to believe that seven months have passed since my partner and I invested into what is now Owen Equipment Company. I hope you agree that we have made some significantly positive changes. As we progress into the year 2007, my promise to you is that we will continue to work and invest to make Owen Equipment your preferred and trusted supplier for all the products we have selected to represent.

In looking back, the year 2006 marked this company’s first ever Demo Days. I want to extend my thanks to everyone who attended, as well as our manufacturers who helped support the endeavor. We had over 300 customer representatives at the events in Pasco, Portland and Kent, with well over one-million dollars worth of equipment and accessories on display. Feedback indicated that everyone in attendance learned about us and our products. Nozzle school sessions were a big hit with great attendance levels in recognition that training in the proper use of nozzles improves efficiency and safety of sewer cleaner projects and prolongs the life of sewer cleaning equipment. “Brushology” schools were also a crowd-pleaser; attendees came away with the ability to weigh price against product life and how to put the two together to benefit their operations.

For me, the best part about Demo days was getting to meet so many of you! Again, thank you for being there with us.

The year 2007 is sure to bring some notable changes in our Industry. One change is already upon us: the new emissions standards that went into effect January 1st. These standards will influence many decisions about the products we purchase and utilize. Our sales force has become well versed in the new emissions standards and we are ready, willing and able to help you as you work to conform to these new standards.

From the previews I’ve heard, Federal Signal’s Annual Dealer Meeting at the end of January will represent the unveiling of some new products from Vactor and Elgin. Most of these products will be introduced globally at the Pumper Show in Nashville in early February. We’re not exhibiting at the Pumper Show, but we will have several Owen representatives in attendance and if you’d like to set up a meeting, please let us know.

Another exciting product development is coming on the replacement Gutter Broom side of our product lines. In today’s world, every manufacturer should be looking to find ways to build products that reduce their products’ impact on our environment. United Rotary Brush, after having conducted extensive research and development in steel production, has just released a Gutter Broom that features a revolutionary new cold-rolled steel technology which promises to increase the life of the broom, at the same time lowering the cost of the product. Please see inside more details about what URB is calling the “Blue Steel” line of gutter brooms. When you are buying replacement brushes and brooms from Owen Equipment, you can be assured you are buying the best. We are building a reputation on quality; we will not represent a cheaper brush of lower quality just to make a sale. What you can be assured of is we will have quality brushes in stock when your need arises. If you are shopping for quantity discounts contact either Troy or Bud and we will work with you on volume discounts.

As we move forward into 2007, we will continue to invest not only in our products but, more importantly, in our people. I believe that offering the very best products manufactured today is just the first step. Just as important is providing service and support for those products we sell.

On the service side, we have added four mechanics to our team. We are in an ongoing training program to ensure we have the most knowledgeable service and support team in the Industry so that, without question, you can buy with confidence knowing that every dollar you invest with Owen Equipment will be backed by service you can count on and trust.

On the inventory stocking side, we have moved Richard Venneman into a position of inventory control. Richard’s focus will be on optimizing our parts inventory to fulfill your on-time parts requirements. This will allow our long term Product support experts Mike Silvey & Leon Haines to be available at all times to help you with all parts & supply needs.

If you attended Demo-Days, you no doubt met our two new Outside Product Support Specialists: Bud Sutherland and Troy Pritchard, both of whom have been working hard to reach out to you to make sure we are fulfilling your needs beyond your expectations.

Thanks to all of you who have given me your comments and feedback, your input has been very important in helping us improve Owen Equipment Company. I hope you feel we are on the right track; our team is working hard every day to improve the way we do business and take care of our customers.

If you ever have any issues or suggestions, please feel free to call me at 503-704-2151 or send me an e-mail at erose@owenequipment.com. The best information I can ever receive is from a customer! I am looking forward to many more years of learning this product and working with the GREAT TEAM at OWEN EQUIPMENT to build a first class Environmental Sales, Service & Supply Company!

Product Spotlight: Shamrock Pipe Tools (back to top)

Ultimate Penetrator
Available Sizes: 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”. The nozzle is inserted for various flow needs. Being inserted, the nozzle is very efficient providing a cohesive, laminar jet stream. This nozzle is a 12º nozzle which gives you the best of both worlds, having tremendous thrust and still being able to cover up to about a 10” pipe. In addition, this nozzle will help minimize the dreadful problem of blowing toilets (please consult salesperson for tricks on how to minimize toilet blowing). Last but not least, use The Ultimate Penetrator in a storm line to help break up the stratified material in a pipe before you use a large raking nozzle. This will allow you to rake material out of a pipe more efficiently. The Ultimate Penetrator is made of heat treated steel and is designed to run without a skid.

Cobia
Available Sizes: 3/4” and 1”. The nozzle is inserted for various flow needs. Being inserted, the nozzle is very efficient providing a cohesive, laminar jet stream. This nozzle has alternating degree jets of 15º and 20º. Having ten jets, The Cobia nozzle covers the pipe very well with a working range covering between 10”-24” pipes. This nozzle is a flushing nozzle on steroids; it’s so efficient, it is important to remember to “step clean” so you don’t bury the nozzle. The Cobia nozzle is heat treated and designed to run without a skid.

Rotator
Available Sizes: 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”. The nozzle is inserted for various flow needs. Being inserted, the nozzle is very efficient providing a cohesive, laminar jet stream. This rotator is available with forward, side and rear pointing jets to meet various cleaning needs. This is a high RPM, low maintenance rotator. Simply apply some WD-40 to the nozzle, give it a spin and throw it in your truck. Operating The Rotator nozzle on a skid will center the nozzle in the pipe for maximum efficiency. This nozzle gives excellent performance in pipes ranging from 6” to 24”.

Product Spotlight: United Rotary Brush (back to top)

Blue Steel will change the way you think about cold rolled wire …

We’ll admit it – it’s unconventional. But it’s true. Thanks to revolutionary new technology, United Rotary Brush’s Blue Steel™ patented, cold rolled wire delivers the same durability and long broom life you’d expect to find only in oil tempered wire. In fact, in tensile strength tests, Blue Steel proved to be more than 20% stronger than oil tempered wire.

Proven, powerful performance. You can’t argue with the facts. After nearly two years of rigorous testing, we’ve established that Blue Steel delivers the same – if not better – performance as oil tempered wire. In study after study, it stands up to the toughest stressors and comes out on top. Talk about heated competition …

Superior quality at superior value. Purchasing brooms based on cost doesn’t usually equal “cost-effective.” Blue Steel’s patented, cold rolled process is holding this conventional wisdom to the fire. The innovative manufacturing process used to produce Blue Steel is so efficient, we really can deliver superior performance in the cold rolled price range.

Easy on the environment. Although it’s merciless on the competition, Blue Steel is surprisingly gentle on Mother Nature. Because it’s manufactured without oil tempering, Blue Steel is a more environmentally friendly product. Plus, there are no harmful by-products to leach into surrounding water supplies and soil.

Want to learn more about the technology behind Blue Steel? United Rotary Brush has prepared an informative white paper to give you the full story. We’ll send it to you at no cost! To order your FREE copy today, call 800-992-3656; or download it here (275 kb PDF)

Product Spotlight: Minuteman PowerBoss (back to top)

As a full service dealer of PowerBoss, we can help you with sales, parts, service and training. Our machines include Sweepers, Scrubbers, Sweeper-Scrubbers and Automatic Scrubbers. Our machines will help conquer your toughest cleaning needs in your warehouse as well as your outdoor surfaces.

For a limited time, take advantage of 10% down financing with six equal payments - NO INTEREST - on a new PowerBoss (on approved credit). Offer ends March 1, 2007.

Call today to schedule a PowerBoss demonstration! Or, visit our booth (# 714 ) at the Northwest Facilities Expo at the Oregon Convention Center, May 16th & 17th.

Meet the Team: Troy Pritchard (back to top)

Troy Pritchard
Born in: Saint Louis, MO
Oregonian Since 2000
Graduated from: University of Missouri
Joined Owen Team: Oct. 2006
Troy earned a double major in History and Secondary Education from the University of Missouri. After college, he worked his way up the ladder at Panasonic to District Sales Manager in the copier division. Troy transferred to the Northwest with Panasonic in 2000, but his desire to stay in the Northwest caused his resignation from the copier industry so he could travel less and enjoy his new home in the Great Northwest.

Troy’s experience in the copier industry taught him the value and importance of service-after-the-sale. Owen Equipment benefits from his long history of building and maintaining strong customer relationships.

In his off-time, Troy loves family time, watching football (with apologies to Seahawk fans, he still roots for the Rams) and following Cardinal baseball. Hobbies include playing guitar and trying to stay fit.

I’m happy to be in an industry and a company with ‘real people.’ It’s going to be a challenging, yet rewarding, experience learning this business and I look forward to working with the customers I am meeting now well into the future”

Meet the Team: Bud Sutherland (back to top)

Bud Sutherland
Born in: Mount Vernon, WA
Graduated from: Concrete High School & Griffin Business College
Joined Owen Team: Sept. 2006
Bud’s career has included a variety of positions from property management to local and international foundry sales. Before joining the Owen team, Bud worked as an Outside Sales Representative for a local powder coating company. The common theme in his career has been “Customer Service is Priority One.”

Family keeps Bud busy during his “free” time. He and his wife of 18 years are the proud parents of three, two sons 16 and 11, and a daughter 12. Bud enjoys coaching youth sports in the Issaquah area where he has resided since 1993. Other interests include traveling, golfing and fishing.

Since joining the Owen Equipment team in September, Bud has been working hard to learn the ins and outs of this Environmental Services Industry. He has also been out in the field creating new, and rekindling old, relationships.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Owen Equipment team, I feel fortunate to be involved with an organization that has the same belief that strong customer relationships are key. I’m enjoying the face-to-face interaction I get with my customers and the satisfaction when helping them to achieve their goals.”

Flow Meter Testing and Nozzle Evaluation

Function: To evaluate the performance of the water system of the machine, referenced against the OEM specifications. In addition, to evaluate the characteristics and performance of the jetting tools in relationship to the performance capabilities of the water system.

Benefit: Testing your equipment will allow operators to understand in a comprehensive manner, the relationship between RPM, GPM and PSI.

Call Troy Pritchard (Oregon) or Bud Sutherland (Washington) for a FREE on-site flow meter test. We will identify and characterize the jetting tools you have. We will evaluate your jetting tools to see if they are working with your machine for maximum efficiency. Our goal is to help educate your crew so you can operate in a safe and efficient manner.