In Brief

Johnson Controls has announced the acquisition of The Capital Group, a mechanical services company headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The Capital Group provides mechanical services for commercial and industrial customers throughout greater Ottawa.

Franchise Times magazine named the Mr. Rooter Corporation to its 2007 Top 200 list. This list ranks the top 200 franchises based on worldwide sales. The magazine ranked the Mr. Rooter franchise system No. 165 with $300 million in worldwide sales among its 337 total franchise units in 2006. Mr. Rooter moved up 15 spots from last year's ranking.

A new Web site launched by the U.S. Green Building Council gives students, parents, teachers, school administrators, elected officials and community members a new resource in the effort to ensure a future of green schools for every child within a generation. The site, www.buildgreenschools.org, is filled with facts on the benefits and costs of green schools, including the ways green schools foster learning, decrease absenteeism from respiratory and other illnesses and reduce energy bills.

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials has joined the Green Mechanical Council as a Charter Member. IAPMO joins several other organizations as a leading member of GreenMech, including Carrier, NIBCO, Ferris State University, Legend Valve, Mechanical Contractors Association of America, ABCO Refrigeration, Watts Radiant, United Association, Floor Heat Company, Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation, Legend Hydronics, Bacharach, HVAC Excellence, and Mechanical Service Contractors of America.

After two decades of active partnership with the PHCC, InSinkErator has renewed its commitment to industry education by donating $25,000 to the 2007 PHCC Educational Foundation's “Invest in Your Future” annual giving campaign. To date, InSinkErator has donated $475,000 to the Foundation to help educate the industry's next generation of plumbing professionals.