Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has announced the opening of its new plastic pipe manufacturing plant in Cedar City, Utah. The new plant boasts the most modern equipment available, from high output extrusion lines and compounding equipment to energy efficient lighting and chilled water systems. The plant will manufacture PVC and ABS, and FlowGuard Gold CPVC CTS pipe for domestic water applications.

The 92-year-old Frank E. Irish Co., Indianapolis, closed suddenly when National City Bank called a $5 million loan and padlocked the contractor's doors, the Indianapolis Star newspaper reported. The contractor reportedly fell prey to the nationwide credit crunch and rising commodity prices. The plumbing and HVAC contractor was in the midst of a $34 million contract at the Indianapolis Colts' new Lucas Oil Stadium, but was expected to lose $4 million on the job because of rising copper prices. The closing idled 180 workers. Irish CEO Patrick Dooley said the bank had changed the types of inventory that could be used as collateral.

RIDGID announced the grand prize winner of its 2008 “Press for Success” promotion, celebrating the launch of the RP 330 B pressing tool. The winner is Gregg Hall of Columbus, Ohio, who received a $2,500 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods. In addition to the grand prize, RIDGID also held a monthly drawing that awarded prizes for first, second and third place winners, who received $250, $100 and $50 gift cards, respectively.

The year 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the Thomas J. Dyer Company, one of the Midwest's leading mechanical contracting companies. Dyer provides plumbing, HVAC, process piping, design build, engineering, fabrication, and maintenance services for customers in Cincinnati, Lexington, and Dayton.

EMCOR Group recently announced that its Marelich Mechanical subsidiary has received a contract for an expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Marelich Mechanical, which helped construct both the plumbing and mechanical systems for the original building 15 years ago, will assist in adding to and extending the top floor of the existing structure. The new addition will open up the top gallery of the building into a bridge extension and Sculpture Garden.

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded 12 programs its inaugural Excellence in Green Building Curriculum Recognition Awards and Incentive Grants. The awards and grants program is a central component of USGBC's commitment to identify and disseminate innovative green build curricula to educators across the country. They recognize pre-K through college-level curricula that advance the green building ideals of transforming how buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.