A steel I-beam stating “Strong Products – Strong Partnerships” welcomes guests as they enter the newly remodeled Uponor Factory Training Center set to open Feb. 16, 2010, to a host of visitors including local contractors, distributors, vendors, manufacturer reps, government officials, building industry leaders and media.

The facility, located next to the Uponor North American corporate headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn., is an 11,000-square-foot teaching and learning hub dedicated to educating professionals in the radiant, plumbing and fire sprinkler industries. Now boasting 50% more space, the revamped training center features various new improvements such as stadium seating, a second classroom, a trainee business center, sophisticated audio/visual technology, a hands-on applications lab, enhanced controls learning station, self-serve refreshment area and a new cafeteria.

"When designing the new factory training center, we kept the contractor at the forefront of our minds," says Steve Lockridge, senior product manager, Channel Marketing at Uponor. “We wanted to offer our business partners a comprehensive training experience that included knowledgeable instructors, the latest technology and hands-on opportunities.”

In addition, the training program also offers an expanded class curriculum to provide attendees with greater access to the most current, up-to-date knowledge in the industry. Taught by senior trainer, Wes Sisco, and customer trainer, Steve Swanson, the factory training courses offer attendees everything they need to know to properly design, install and troubleshoot Uponor systems and applications.

Uponor’s training program is part of a long legacy of commitment and support to the building professional. Since 1993, the program has educated more than 100,000 radiant, plumbing and fire safety professionals either at the factory or onsite via local manufacturer representatives.

“We realize the building landscape is changing with the introduction of sustainable new concepts and changes to building codes and standards,” says Sisco. “By offering new and advanced courses to navigate the contractor through existing and emerging technologies, we are making a concerted effort to support the industry professional and improve the building market.”

The 2010 expanded course offering includes the following classes:

Radiant Hydronics and Design (2 Days)
Advanced Radiant Hydronics and Design (2 Days)
Advanced Design Suite™ (1 Day)
Geothermal Design and Application (2 Days)
Climate Cŏntrol™ Network System (2½ Days)
Climate Controls (2 Days)
AquaSAFE™ Levels I and II (2 Days)
AquaSAFE Level II (1 Day)

For class details, training dates and to register online, visit www.uponor-usa.com/training.

Uponor, Inc. is a leading supplier of plumbing, fire safety and radiant heating and cooling systems for the residential and commercial building markets in the United States. Uponor, Inc. employs 380 people at its North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn. For more information, visit www.uponor-usa.com or call (800) 321-4739.

For more information about Uponor, visit the Uponor media room at uponor.oreilly-depalma.com/

For editorial assistance, contact John O’Reilly c/o O'Reilly/DePalma at (815) 469-9100; e-mail: [email protected]

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Uponor, Advanced Design Suite, Climate Cŏntrol and AquaSAFE are trademarks or registered trademarks of Uponor Corporation and Uponor, Inc.

IMAGE GALLERY

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Special guest Mary Hamann-Roland, Mayor of Apple Valley, Minn., addresses attendees. File Name: GrandOpening.tif Image Size: 6" wide x 4.287" high x 300 ppi (1800 x 1286 pixels); CMYK.

Attending magazine editors were given a hands-on tour of the new Uponor Training Center. Shown here: Uponor Senior Trainer Wes Sisco (far left) with Bob Mader of Contractor magazine (left) and John Mesenbrink of Phc News; North American Senior Channel Marketing Manager Steve Lockridge (second from right) works with Jack Sweet of Reeves Journal. File Name: ProPEX Fitting Demonstration.tif Image Size: 6" wide x 4.287" high x 300 ppi (1800 x 1286 pixels); CMYK.

To officially open the new Uponor Training Center, Uponor Executive Vice President Anders Tollsten (second from left) and Vice President - Sales Jeff Davis (far right) were joined by Apple Valley civic officials in a special tube-cutting ceremony. File Name: Ribbon Tube Cutting.tif Image Size: 6" wide x 4.287" high x 300 ppi (1800 x 1286 pixels); CMYK.

Uponor Customer Trainer Steve Swanson. File Name: Steve Swanson Customer Trainer.tif Image Size: 4.287" wide x 6" high x 300 ppi (1286 x 1800 pixels); CMYK.

Uponor Senior Trainer Wes Sisco (left) with Bob Miodonski of Plumbing & Mechanical magazine at the manifolds display within the training center. File Name: Wes Sisco Manifold Wall.tif Image Size: 6" wide x 4.287" high x 300 ppi (1800 x 1286 pixels); CMYK.

Uponor Senior Trainer Wes Sisco. File Name: UponorAquaPEX-3-inch-Assemble.tif Image Size: 4.287" wide x 6" high x 300 ppi (1286 x 1800 pixels); CMYK.

A hallway in the newly renovated Uponor Factory Training Center features bold, blue images of radiant, plumbing and fire sprinkler applications. File Name: UponorAquaPEX-3-inch-Assemble.tif Image Size: 6" wide x 4" high x 300 ppi (1800 x 1200 pixels); CMYK.

The new factory training facility features two separate classrooms so instructors can teach concurrently. File Name: TrainingCtr.tif Image Size: 6" wide x 4" high x 300 ppi (1800 x 1200 pixels); CMYK.


A self-serve refreshment and meeting area, just outside the hands-on applications lab, offers attendees a space to relax, network or socialize. File Name: KitchenTrnCtr.tif Image Size: 6" wide x 4" high x 300 ppi (1800 x 1200 pixels); CMYK.