From the desk of ND's editor.

Schramm to Host Geothermal Training Course

Drilling rig manufacturer Schramm Inc. will sponsor and host the IGSPHA Drillers Training Course PLUS on Nov. 16-18 at the Schramm factory, located in West Chester, Pa. Course instructor Todd Giddings, an IGSPHA accredited trainer, will explain geothermal drilling opportunities, and help attendees better understand how to enter or grow in the geothermal industry, get geothermal jobs, and make money drilling geothermal boreholes. By taking this enhanced three-day course and passing the open-book exam, attendees will become IGSPHA Accredited Vertical Loop Installers.

Seating is limited. To register, call Todd at 814-238-5927 or Schramm at 610-696-2500. Interested parties may also visit www.toddgiddings.com or www.schramminc.com for additional details.

Geothermal Regulation Surveyed

Four national organizations committed to ground water protection have agreed to conduct a comprehensive survey of states’ regulation of geothermal heating and cooling systems.

The survey, to be completed in early 2010, is underwritten by the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, Ground Water Protection Council, International Ground Source Heat Pump Association and the National Ground Water Association.

Nationally, installations of geothermal heat pump systems are estimated by the federal government to have increased more than 33 percent in each of the last two years. “With more and more boreholes being drilled to accommodate the increased demand for geothermal heating and cooling systems comes greater potential for ground water contamination,” says NGWA executive director Kevin McCray. “To help ensure a vibrant geothermal heating and cooling industry, groundwater must be protected. It is important, then, to understand how states are protecting ground water while allowing this technology.”

Pump Upgrade Program

On Oct. 1, Grundfos Pumps Corp. launched an aggressive initiative to replace old, low-efficiency pumps with new, higher-efficiency pumps, providing optimized pump performance, as well as energy and operating cost savings. The Upgrade Program, which is designed to enhance business in the short-run, will afford users the opportunity to purchase a higher-efficiency pump at a discounted price, and replace lower-performing pumps.  “The program is not limited to only replacing other manufacturers’ pumps,” says market development manager Edward Smiley. “Older Grundfos models in some of the categories will qualify as well, providing widespread benefit to the marketplace. We are offering an unprecedented incentive to upgrade old technology to new, while at the same time improving the customer’s use of energy.” The program will remain in effect through Dec. 16. Additional information is available through authorized Grundfos distributors and sales staff.

Amthor International Named to the 2009 Inc. 5000

Amthor International has been named to the 2009 Inc. 5000. The Inc. 5000, published annually by Inc. Magazine, celebrates the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. This is the second year in a row that Amthor has been named to this prestigious list.

“This achievement puts Amthor in rarefied company: The elite group they have now joined has, over the years, included companies such as Microsoft, Timberland, Intuit, Jamba Juice, Oracle and UnderArmour,” states Jane Berentson, editor-in-chief of Inc. Magazine. “In fact, many of today’s most successful U.S. companies received their first national recognition when they appeared on the Inc. list.”

Amthor International is a leading manufacturer of truck-mounted tanks, and distributes them worldwide from its manufacturing facility in Gretna, Va.

“Being named to the Inc. 5000 is an incredible honor,” says Brian Amthor, vice president of marketing. “We have been able to accomplish this two years in a row through the hard work of our employees, our management team and the Amthor family. We thank everyone for their dedication and effort as we continue to grow and succeed.”

Upcoming Events

A few important industry events on the horizon (check out www.thedriller.com for a complete listing):

Nov. 5-7 – California Groundwater Association convention in Reno, Nev., 707-578-4408; www.groundh2o.org.

Nov. 11-13 – Eastern Water Quality Association conference in Lancaster, Pa., 888-450-2409.

Nov. 12 – Indiana Ground Water Association convention in Kokomo, Ind., 317-889-2382; www.indianagroundwater.org.

Nov. 12 – Ohio Water Well Association convention in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 888-294-0084; www.ohiowaterwell.org.

Dec. 10-13 – National Ground Water Association convention in New Orleans, 800-551-7379; www.ngwa.org.

SJE-Rhombus Tabs McDonald

SJE-Rhombus, a leading glo-bal water and wastewater control manufacturer with locations in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Suz-hou, China, announces the addition of Greg McDonald, whoserves as SJE’s international sales director.

You can contact McDonald directly by phone at 218-847-1317, or via e-mail at greg.mcdonald@sjerhombus.com.