&
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
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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.