All Posts By

Frank Mueller

Photo Shoot at punker LLC

Posted on 5. April 2016

We were all excited to hear the news that we were going to have the opportunity to participate in a professional photo shoot. We realized immediately that this was a great chance to show the punker Hickory facility and the amazing team we have here.

From the beginning Frederike Walter (punker’s marketing manager from Eckernförde) had worked relentlessly on making the new punker-usa.com website perfect and decided that it couldn’t be perfect without showcasing the people that make it all happen and where it takes place. Frederike and I looked into finding a local photographer that specializes in manufacturing and industrial photography. I met with 3 photographers from our area and decided on Michael LoBiondo.

Preparation for the photo shoot began immediately after securing the photographers. Our first task was to decide on what type of shots we needed. We wanted to stay consistent with our punker brand and “mimic” some shots from the punker image brochure.

As an example…

The combined group shot

This shot included the following employees:

Annette Whitmire – Cross Flow
Ryan Kilkelly – Managing Director
Adam Harrelson – Welder / Backward Curved wheels
Keith Franklin – Welding / Backward Curved wheels
Jennifer Branch – Production Supervisor / Logistics / Cross Flow
Keith Searcy – Maintenance

We also decided to try and re-create shots like the sales meeting, quality discussions, machine operators, hand welding along with a couple of others. We did not want it to be exactly the same but we tried to stay with the same concept. The final plan for our total shot list ended up having 15 different staged actions/areas. From team shots, meetings, shipping, to production.

Frederike was helping by providing input on the shots and making sure that we had everything we needed to have a successful photo shoot (polos, t-shirts, sweatshirts etc.). Frederike also noted the importance of keeping this photo shoot authentic, which was greatly appreciated by our employees. – Long beards and all 🙂

ISO certification group picture

PHL is a small group of people and since we are so small, we tried to give everyone who wanted to participate the option to do so. Some people were definitely more nervous than others and some did opt out. But we managed to capture all but one (Neil Fullwood – Quality Team – He was off that day) in our ISO Certification Group Picture. This was also Frank Mueller’s 1^st day at PHL – Perfect Timing! (this was all in the plan 😉 ).
The day we had all anticipated had arrived and we were off! The photographers arrived around 8:00am and we began with the picture above as our first shot of the day. Group shots and meeting shots were done first. The photographers, their assistant and the make-up stylist made sure that we were standing or sitting perfectly, looking where we needed to look and that not a hair was out of place.

There was a lot of laughter on this day since none of us had ever had someone chasing us around with a powder puff and hairspray. I think our faces were also sore from holding a smile for so long.

After all of the meeting shots and group shots had been completed, a quick lunch was brought in and we were all back at it. It was on to the “action shots”. The action shots included: shipping & receiving, manual welding, robotic welding, balancing and the Cross Flow operators.

Some of my favorite shots of the day are the robot welding, balancing and the Cross Flow shot. It was very interesting for us to see how many times the lights needed to be moved to get it “just perfect”, I think we thought it was a little ridiculous until we saw all of the different proofs and realized what a big difference the “perfect lighting” makes.

The photo shoot ended around 4:45pm. For all involved it was a very interesting day. I was very tired but very pleased with all of the support I received from the team. The Management, Quality and Sales group picture has already come to great use as we printed it and sent it to our customers in their Christmas cards.

I am very pleased with the web site. I think having the local team on the site will greatly benefit punker LLC while letting our customers and potential customers see the faces of their suppliers as well as offering a sneak-peak into our facility.

It was a great job done by all!

Some additional comments from the team include:

“The photo shoot was a great experience. I think it went very well and was pleased with the website. I am looking forward to seeing more pictures on future publications.”

John Barefoot, Shipping (fork lift shot)

“I was nervous about the photo shoot at the beginning, I didn’t know that I would be in it as much as I was. The photographers were very nice and gave me clear direction so I just kept on working as if they weren’t there. I think everyone was amused with the hair and make-up, it’s not often that you experience that at work. Over all it was a nice experience and I am happy with the way it turned out.”

Annette Whitmire, Cross Flow

“I think the photo shoot went really good” Jessica asked, “Were you nervous?” Keith replied, “Yes, I was really nervous at first about the makeup and my beard. She tried to trim it but I got a little fidgety and she stopped, then it was all good.”

Keith Franklin, Welding / Balancing (balancing shot, quality with Michael Greene shot)

From the Idea to the Booth – 2016 AHR Show Orlando

Posted on 22. March 2016

When exhibiting at trade shows, companies always present their best side. Exhibition stands are supposed to appear effortlessly inviting, professional and innovative. In the months leading up to AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida, I came to find out just how much strategic thought and hard work goes into actualizing a successful presentation.

Coming up with a concept

The 2016 AHR Show in Orlando had the target to relaunch our HVAC wheel series to the market. The decision was made early on that there was a need for a new marketing concept, especially for the American market.

In the end of November 2015, the punker LLC team had the first brain storm meeting to discuss new ideas for the show. Members of the team included Ryan Kilkelly (Managing Director), Michael Greene (Quality Management), Jessica Owens (Inside Sales) and myself, Frank Mueller.

An abundance of ideas were laid out on the table but only two made it out of the meeting. It was decided that we need one display stand to proudly announce that Hickory manufactures in the USA and another to showcase the R63D-HVAC wheel and include technical information.

The display stands we had used in the past weren’t useful for this goal. It was decided to redesign the booth and purchase new display stands.

The different ideas of the “Made in the USA” campaign ranged from an American flag made using backward curved and cross flow wheels to powder coated wheels in the traditional US colors; red, white and blue. Ultimately, it was decided that three R63D-HVAC wheels were to be coated in these colors, which also happen to be punker’s standard corporate colors.

The concept for the HVAC display was simple, the R63D-HVAC and the new D light wheel were positioned in the center of the display while side panels included technical information from our brochure.

The Sales team at punker LLC then began the search for a company to create our vision. We found a local company nearby and began the process.

In previous years, punker has rented all equipment for the booth. This year, the decision was made to purchase all of the items. This move is sure to save punker from costly rental fees in the future.

In addition to support from the entire punker LLC team, we also received a tremendous amount of support and assistance from Frederike Walter from the Marketing Department in Eckernforde. Ms. Walter assisted in everything from the space rental, booth design, literature, wheels – you name it and she helped with it.

Planning the idea to the booth consumed a minimum of three months. A lot of planning went into turning our vision into reality and finally seeing our material waiting at our booth. There were plenty of days leading up to the show that “show planning” turned into a full time job for Jessica.

The AHR Expo 2016

The Expo took place from January 25^th – January 27^th. It is the largest show for the HVAC industry in the US. Exhibitors included many of our competitors and also many customers, too. This was truly a great opportunity to meet with our customers and especially for me to be able to introduce myself as the “New Area Sales Manager” of the Americas.

In my opinion, out of 42,396 visitors and 17,978 exhibitors, it was clear that the following three topics stood out amongst the rest:

Energy Efficiency
American Made Products “Made in the USA”
Plastic Wheels

To our surprise, many of our competitors presented plastic wheels and expect to see a great market for them in the future. However, this is not our opinion. We will watch this closely as only time will tell.

In general, the show was well attended from potential customers around the world. Not only did we have visits from many US customers, but other countries as well, such as: Israel, Egypt, Saudi-Arabia, India, Mexico, Brazil, Canada and China were also represented.

Many visitors to our booth were interested in our HVAC product line, focused on the potential for energy efficiency. Energy efficiency will begin to make a strong impact on the sale decision following the continued efforts of the DOE’s bill for efficiency.

To see more pictures from 2016 AHR Expo in Orlando, visit the SmugMug gallery.

Facts & Figures Markets

New Energy Efficiency Standards in the USA

Posted on 11. February 2016

In my blog post “ENERGY EFFICIENCY- THE HVAC-INDUSTRY IS ENTERING NEW TERRITORY” from October 2015, I talked about developments regarding energy efficiency in the USA.
In December 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized new energy conservation standards for commercial air conditioners, heat pumps and commercial warm-air furnaces.

According to Ernest Moniz, U.S. Energy Secretary, this “marks the largest energy saving standard in history and demonstrates that America is leading the effort to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions.”
The DOE estimates the new program will save businesses up to $167 billion in energy costs over the lifetime of the equipment. Additionally, carbon monoxide discharge will be reduced by as much as 885 million metric tons over a period of thirty years.

The new directive was finalized with cooperation between the DOE and 17 stakeholder groups including industry organization, manufacturers, efficiency organizations and institutes. The new standard will be implemented in two phases:

Beginning January 1, 2018 commercial air conditioners and commercial warm air furnaces must achieve thirteen percent improvement in efficiency.
In 2023, an additional fifteen percent increase will be required.

How can punker help manufacturers of commercial air conditioning systems?

The DOE’s final ruling delivers a clear regulatory roadmap to manufacturers of commercial air conditioning systems. This will force manufacturers to rise to the challenge of optimizing their products accordingly.
As a leading developer and manufacturer of radial fan wheels, punker has been focusing its product development on energy efficiency since the European Union’s Eco-design Directive “ErP” (Energy related Products) extended its scope to air conditioning and ventilation systems in a 2009 revision.

The ErP defines minimum efficiency requirements for fans with an output range of 0.125 kw to 500 kw and took effect in two phases in 2013 and 2015. The assessment takes into account the efficiency of the entire systems, consisting of the motor, the transmission (belt drive, for example) and the fan wheel.

The fan wheel has a large impact on the overall efficiency of the fan system. This is where manufacturers of unhoused fan applications can rely on punker’s extensive knowledge and expertise. Our product portfolio offers suitable fan wheels for plug fans and plenum fans to meet the DOE’s new efficiency requirements. Our fan wheel series R63D HVAC and D light, are constructed to achieve the highest static efficiencies at optimal working points worldwide.

Here at punker, we look forward to assisting manufacturers in turning these challenges into opportunities.

Markets R&D

Energy Efficiency – The HVAC-Industry is entering New Territory

Posted on 23. October 2015

As punker’s new Area Sales Manager North, Central and South America, I travel to punker LLC on a regular basis to support my colleagues in further establishing the North American market. On my last stay at punker LLC in October, punker LLC’s Managing Director, Ryan Kilkelly, and I visited the Annual AMCA Meeting in California.

The Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) is an international, not-for-profit association of the world’s manufacturers of fans, louvers, dampers, air curtains, air flow measurement devices, ducts, acoustic attenuators and other air system components. AMCA invites its members regularly to discuss innovations and developments concerning the HVAC industry. This year’s Annual Meeting focused on the topic of energy conservation and energy efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing a new program for energy efficiency in commercial air conditioners, heat pumps and commercial warm-air furnaces which is expected to be finalized within the next couple of month. For most of the manufacturers within the HVAC sector, this programm will mean venturing into uncharted terrain.

Even though Washington has not defined any standards or regulations yet, AMCA expects that by 2019, energy effiency in the HVAC sector will have to be increased by 20%. The U.S. administration has, however, already enacted a subsidy program of 9 billion US$ for energy conserving industry applications. Manufacutrers seeking to submit products for funding will first have to get these products certified by the DOE. Standards have not been finalized for this programm, however. AMCA will represent the industry’s interests during the process of finalizing these standards.

Energy efficiency has defined product development at punker since the European Union’s Ecodesign Directive extended its scope to air conditioning and ventilation systems in a 2009 revision. With our extensive know-how and energy-efficient fan wheel series like R63D-HVAC, the DOE’s future program poses an excellent opportunity for establishing the punker brand in the US.