& Q A Manufacturer Kessler Sales and Distribution offers JW lineup additions Question: What’s new in the JW lineup for 2015? Kessler: JW Sweat wrot copper solder fittings have been successfully marketed in the United States for the better part of the last 25 years. New in 2015 to the JW offering will be a complete and comprehensive line of JW Press fittings from 1/2-in. to 4-in. diameter. With an offering of more than 300 configurations, you’ll be sure to find the fittings to meet your needs with JW Press. The line includes elbows, couplings, reducers, tees, reducing tees, threaded adapters, unions, caps and flanges. Approved applications include potable water, hydronic heating (w/ glycol), chilled water, compressed air (200 psi max.), nonmedical gases (140 psi max.), lowpressure steam (15 psi max.) and vacuum (24.5in. Mercury max. at 68° F). Question: Is there any resistance in the market to an imported copper press line? Kessler: Absolutely not! The industry leader in press is manufactured in Europe and the domestic manufacturers of copper press do not produce all the fittings in their line in the United States. Some of the fittings are produced for them in such countries as Spain, Poland and China and are private-labeled for them. The JW Press line is manufactured in South Korea and is therefore recognized as a “domestic equivalent.” Question: Why is a product produced in South Korea considered a “domestic equivalent?” Kessler: The JW Press, JW Sweat and JW Cleaned & Bagged fittings are recognized as “domestic equivalents” based on South Korea’s WTO status and the 2012 Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) between South Korea and the U.S. Additionally, the entire JW line is “1933 Buy America Act” compliant and it meets the “Buy America Provisions” in Section 1604 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This means they can be used on federal and state projects, including Department of 56 SUPPLYHOUSE TIMES MARCH 2015 Defense work. They are eligible for use on any “Buy America” job. Question: Does the JW Press line offer any features and benefits we should know about? Kessler: On the 1/2-in. to 2-in. diameter size range we incorporate an EPDM O-ring with a circumferential leak track. This makes identifying an improper press much easier because it provides multiple leak paths as evidence. The really exciting advancements are to be found on the 2 1/2-in. to 4-in. size range where we incorporate Dura-Seal Technology, which includes a patented bidirectional grip ring to provide enhanced mechanical performance. The existing technology in the market is most definitely good, but if better is possible, then why settle for good? Additionally, the JW Press line uses the same press tool and “v” profile jaw sets as the industry leader across the entire size range. This means your contractor customers do not need to invest in any additional tooling to use the JW Press line. Question: What approvals and certifications does JW Press have and what is the warranty on the product? Kessler: JW Press has received the appropriate approvals and/or certifications from NSF International, UPC/IPC by IAPMO, CSA International, CRN and Massachusetts approval. JW Press carries a 50-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Question: Is there any supporting documentation available for review? Kessler: For documentation that demonstrates the JW offering is Buy America compliant, please visit: www.ksdusa.com/JWBuyAmerica. For documentation that demonstrates the enhanced mechanical performance of the JW Press line with Dura-Seal Technology, please visit: www.ksdusa.com/JWbeatsViega.
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