Local Bakersfield central vacuum installer, Bob Norville of California Central Vacuum regularly donates his time and effort to many worthwhile causes in our community and he came to MD asking for a central vacuum unit for Cpl Evan Morgan. This young man lost both legs and part of his eyesight in Iraq and as a “thank you” for his service and sacrifice, Homes for our Troops has built him a new home to assist him in his new challenges in life.

Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2004 strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to our country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries since September 11, 2001. It is their duty and our honor to assist severely injured Servicemen and Servicewomen and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and to coordinate the process of building a home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently.

Bob had been telling us of the great example Evan was but meeting Evan at the home last weekend energized us as we saw in him, not despair and uncertainty, but life and hope and excitement. M.D. Manufacturing, Inc. is proud to have donated a central vacuum to Corporal Evan Morgan, a hero who donated so much more for our country. Thank you all who have served in our military and the families who have supported them back home.

There are essentially three major options for pipe choices for installing a central vacuum: Plumbing Pipe (such as schedule 40 PVC), Flexible Hose, and Vacuum Tubing designed specifically for central vacuums. Herein please find the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Plumbing Pipe: This installation would include standard plumbing pipe that is used in the construction of homes for carrying waste water or even supply water. Generally it has an inside dimension (ID) of slightly greater than 2” (50 mm) and is available in 10 foot or 20 foot (3-7 meter) sections.

The advantage is that this pipe is readily available in most countries and can be found at local hardware and plumbing stores. It has a thicker wall and is generally inexpensive as it is mass-produced for various applications.

The disadvantage is that the interior of this pipe is not very critical to the manufacturing process. Generally it is assumed that it is carrying water which weight will easily push any obstructions through the pipe. The wall thickness varies greatly and the joint between the pipe and the fittings normally leaves rough transition points where stiff objects can easily lodge. Because the pipe is also fairly thick, it is normally cut with a chop-saw or hack saw and the edge of the cut normally results in a crooked and/or rough finish. This too creates a strong potential of debris getting stuck. Some retailers have offered a transition fitting for this pipe to mate with central vacuum pipe but one must always be extremely careful when transitioning from a larger pipe back down to a smaller pipe at it will increase the potential for obstructions. No known USA manufacturers of central vacuums recommend this pipe for central vacuum applications and it is not an acceptable standard for installation based upon IAPMO or ASTM F2158 standards.

Flexible Hose: This option was attempted in the early 1960’s with central vacuums and was soon abandoned as a disaster. This method employs a 2” (50mm) flexible hose in lieu of the fittings and elbows in the system. Currently this flexible hose is only used within the first few feet of VacPan locations to allow for more accurate installation capabilities. The hose currently is available in two styles; one as a vinyl material with a wire reinforcement and the other as a more rigid PVC material. Both exhibit the issues listed below.

The advantage is that the installer can reduce his inventory of fittings and the complexity of the installation process. He would simply cut short pieces of the flexible tube any time the installation requires a bend. Some installers have even proposed running the entire system in flexible hose except where one pipe intersects another to add it into the flow. The cost savings is mainly achieved by reducing the skill required for the installer to properly install the system; having a solid knowledge of proper installation techniques.

The disadvantage is that this flexible piping adds a tremendous amount of friction loss to the system. The air bounces as it passed the ridges of the pipe that are intended to flex when the hose is bent. Also in short radius turns, the propensity for a clog greatly increases as sharp pieces of debris could easily lodge in the corrugations of the flexible pipe. This pipe is often much thicker walled to allow for the absorption of the radius of the bends and thus this ledge is accentuated and the smaller diameter of the pipe further increases friction loss. This “ledge” is where debris and long objects can permanently lodge. Because of the unique structure of this pipe, it cannot be cut with a pipe cutter but rather only a saw, again creating additional opportunity for problems. All of this friction loss results in a major decrease in the useable AirWatts of the system. No known USA manufacturers of central vacuums recommend this pipe for central vacuum applications and it is not an acceptable standard for installation based upon IAPMO or ASTM F2158 standards.

Vacuum Tubing: This pipe is made specifically for the central vacuum industry and almost all manufacturers adhere to a strict guideline established by American Standard of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Ruling F2158. This standard was developed by pipe manufacturers, central vacuum manufacturers, installers, and consumers as a means to build consistency into the manner that central vacuums are installed. Most municipalities in the USA have adopted this as a part of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) and building inspectors in these regions have a right to reject any central vacuum installation that does not meet this standard or have this value stamped on the pipe and fittings. This pipe maintains a very concise wall thickness and rigidity to allow for maximum airflow through the system.

The advantage is that it is specifically designed to minimize the potential for clogs in the system. Its thinner wall allows for cost savings but more importantly it exactly matches the thickness of the hub of the fittings; almost creating a bob-sled run inside the pipe wherein there are no potential gaps or crevices. The thin pipe can easily be cut with a special plastic tubing cutter to obtain a precise flat surface each and every time and professional installers also use a pipe reamer to insure that the pipe-to-fitting transitions will not present any possibility of restriction. The thinner wall also bonds more easily to the fittings without the aid of any PVC primers. All currently know back up plates in the industry are designed to fit this size pipe whereas schedule 40 pipes require a special adapter. As of the date of this publication, every central vacuum manufacturer is recommending solely the use of this type of piping over any other of the options.

The disadvantage is that this pipe is not readily available at the local hardware store or plumbing supply house. Because of its limited production, the freight expense to obtain this pipe has become a major cost as part of the system. Countries where central vacuums are not manufactured require even greater costs to import the pipe as the pipe product is not even produced in their country. Some retailers have begun to suggest that the do-it-yourselfer should use one of the other options mainly because it is difficult for even the retailer to handle and work with storing the pipe. In the entire scope of the cost, an average installation may only incur a few dollars of additional cost for the correct pipe.

Conclusion: All central vacuum manufacturers recommend using the proper Vacuum Tubing for very logical reasons.

M.D. Manufacturing, Inc. has reaffirmed its commitment to the American workforce by building a brand new, state-of-the-art operations facility in Bakersfield, California.  Many US manufacturers committed to American-made goods continue to give in to the lure of low-cost labor moving production out side the United States; however, MD put action behind their beliefs in keeping quality jobs in America.

The new MD plant is double the size of the former location and offers three times the storage capacity.  The new facility houses all manufacturing, inventory, sales and support staff in one central location. A priority for investment capital was to be as efficient and eco-friendly as possible while increasing MD’s competitive edge. MD’s new technology based infrastructure is a tremendous advancement toward this goal. Other initiatives were successful as well including solar lighting designed to reduce electrical consumption and provide an open, creative atmosphere.

Brian Graves, MD’s VP of Operations spearheaded the entire transition to maximize workflow and reduce operating expenses. A pearl of Brian’s wisdom reads: “In the long run, it is always less expensive to build true quality than to overlook it. This is the most logical response to competing with low-cost alternative labor markets. We had to build on a foundation of efficiency and quality.”

MD maintained the expectation of quality throughout this entire transition. Director of Quality Mike Kretsinger is a Six Sigma Black-Belt trainer who analyzes each company procedure for minimizing potential errors and maximizing results to improve MD’s processes, workflow, and product lines.

Despite unprecedented gloom-and-doom media forecasts, MD has a commitment to sustain staffing while improving capabilities. Each employee is aware of his or her vital role to ensure an accurate and timely response to every client’s needs. The result is excellent intra-office communication, efficient order taking, and same-day shipping. Within MD’s new operations facility, the commitment for on-going research and development will remain a priority and focus.

All of the employees at MD are true central vacuum enthusiasts. Experienced professionals will get you the right product, right away, and for the right price. Accessories for any central vacuum brand, year, or model are also available.

MD has paved foundations in the industry with the first quiet central vacuum, the most extensive filtration system, the bulletproof Stealth power brush, and many other innovative products. At the recent VDTA show, MD introduced a number of brand new products: a vacuum pipe inspection camera, a compact central vacuum for RV’s, a method to easily convert all MD units to a closed bag system, a PetVac kit, and an inexpensive water-separator bucket. Creativity is a hallmark of MD’s history and the next few years should be exciting ones for MD.

Today is a monumental day in the history of MD Manufacturing, Inc.  We are now entering a new era of professionalism and growth that could have never been anticipated at any time in the past.  After 3 years of intense planning and design, we finally are moving into our brand new building. This beautiful facility has been planned around each and every need of our entire operation with as insightful of a plan as possible toward future growth.  It also makes a very bold statement that we remain intently committed to keeping jobs in the USA.

While competitors have announced that they are shutting their manufacturing facilities in the United States, MD has pledged an even deeper commitment to their employees.  Through the recent recession MD has not laid off a single employee and do not intend to change that fact.  They have also committed large resources to obtain new manufacturing equipment to move even more jobs in-house. 

The new facility is centered around a theme of cleanliness.  “We build vacuum cleaners so our factory should display that we believe things should be clean,” states Brian Graves, Operations Manager and project manager for the new building.  And the building was also designed with energy savings implementation throughout.  Skylights in both the warehouse and offices reduce daily consumption.  The UPB lighting system allows constant control of lighting to dim or eliminate lighting in areas not being occupied.  Six sixteen foot giant ceiling fans reduce the needs for expensive cooling systems, and all the latest insulation measures will reduce operating electricity consumption.

This new facility will allow MD to better serve our loyal clients with more efficient order picking and processing and broader product offerings. It will also allow MD to better serve the high-end of the central vacuum market that realizes that quality products can actually cost less if they are manufactured properly the first time!

MD Manufacturing would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of clients that have purchased their products over the past five decades.  Without your loyal support we would not be enjoying today!

So don’t be surprised if we do not answer the phones or e-mails from 3:30 PST Wednesday April 1^st through 7:00 Monday morning April 6^th as we are preparing for our next significant growth curve.

M.D. Manufacturing boldly announced at the recent VDTA Show in Las Vegas that they refuse to participate in the current recession!  It’s one thing to make such a statement, it’s another to live it out.  By the looks of the constant crowd of dealers around the booth you had to figure something different was happening there. 

Show participants have always anticipated that MD would be always presenting new ideas to the industry and this year proved consistent.  Of greatest interest was their new Vacuum Pipe Inspection Camera System.  This very cool suitcase kit contains a 60 foot fiber optic black & white camera system that can be inserted into the piping system to detect clogs, breaks, or any other abnormality in the pipes.  Its infrared lighting illuminates the pipe crystal-clear on the accompanying video screen reducing tons of hours of potential research work.  Simply remove an inlet and start the inspection.  It even contains a battery back-up system when power is not available on the job site.  MD plans an exciting launch of this product for a dealer cost of $499.

Additionally MD displayed a new PetVac kit that allow you to vacuum and groom dogs or cats with an awesome new tool but its fifteen foot hose contains a bleeder valve at the opposite end to keep from disturbing the animal near you.  And they also had a new inexpensive plastic separator bucket system.  Most homeowners rarely need to pick up water but what a convenience when it is needed.  Rather than retailing at over $150, this slick unit will be sold for less than $50.

MD also displayed a new hand-held electric beater brush that will fit right on the end of any electric hose.  No more loud air-driven tools; this one is great for staircases, couches or the interior of your car.  Speaking of small places, MD also displayed their new “MDU” unit for small central vacuum applications.  Measuring in at less that one cubic foot, this quiet, powerful central vacuum can fit inside cabinets, or will work ideal for RV and boat applications.  It’s new Allerex filtration system will also capture an amazing percentage of micro-particles.  MD hopes to introduce this to the market also in the next few months.

The Central Vacuum Track of seminars also showed no sign of the recession;  More than 50 dealers faithfully sat through hours of training including creative marketing techniques, installation helps, existing home installation, central vacuum technical theory and a comprehensive course on service.  Reaction of the participants indicated that this was a highlight of the entire show.

Its unfortunate if you missed the convention but let this be a catalyst to insure that you make a concerted effort to be a part of the show next year.  Overcoming a shifting economy can be far easier with a plan of action different than your historic direction.  We must constantly be making these adjustments or our business will simply be just like the other guy down the street.  So join MD in avoiding this so-called recession!  

While the major markets of the world are experiencing tremendous turmoil; especially in the construction sector, many smaller nations are finding this as an excellent time to welcome new products and construction amenities.

Hernan Guembas, President of Aspiratek S.A.C of Miraflores, Peru recently found out how excited his new market was for central vacuums.  Hernan entered an M.D. Manufacturing Central Vacuum unit into Peru’s recent Trade Show contest for the Most Innovative Product of the Year.  “Peru’s interest in central vacuums is phenomenal,” said Hernan, “Architects, builders and homeowners all were thrilled with the concept of healthy cleaning.”

Peru’s annual EXCON 2008, the country’s largest construction trade show, is organized by CAPECO, the Peruvian Chamber for Construction in Peru and attracted more than 50,000 visitors this year.  Hernan, a newer dealer of M.D. Manufacturing products knew the product would sell itself in a market which is quickly adapting to North American appliances.

Product launches into new markets are not easy but Hernan and his staff intended to make as grand of an early impression on the Peruvian market as possible.  For his efforts, the show rewarded him with the “Best of the Show” Award, the show’s top honor!  Although the President of Peru was hoping to present the award, it was administered by Mr. Enrique Cornejo, Minister of Housing and Mr. Lelio Balarezo Young, President of the Peruvian Chamber of Construction.

Installations in the country are far different than North American construction because of the concrete block walls rather than wood or steel frame construction.  Hernan’s company, a long-time HVAC contractor, was well versed in the proper construction techniques and has easily adapted to the demands of the design.

Congratulations to Hernan Guembes and his staff at Thermotrol / Aspiratek  for introducing Central Vacuums to Peru and having the Most Innovative Construction Product of the Year in Peru in 2008!

Picture 1 (above):
Mr. Jorge Guembes. Mr. Hernan Guembes P, Mr. Hernan Guembes F. (My Father), Mr. Alfonso Guembes, Director

Picture 2 (right):
Mr. Lelio Balarezo Young (President of the Peruvian Chamber of Construction CAPECO), Mr. Enrique Cornejo, Minister of Housing, Mr. Hernán Guembes P., Mr. Jorge Guembes, on the prizing ceremony at the inauguration of EXCON 2008.

M.D. Manufacturing has been an active part of the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association for the past 12 years and was very pleased to participate in their 2008 Convention in Denver, Co Sept 4-7th, 2008.

As always, we find a tremendous amount of companies desiring to add central vacuums to their line card of products they install. Who would not enjoy an additional $1,000 profit for a few hours work? It was also an excellent opportunity to speak with many of you in regards to the latest products offered by MD and also to receive excellent feedback on our existing products and services. I must admit that is always a joy to hear so many compliments on our staff and the great job they do insuring that the dealers receive the right products for all their needs.

MD passed out T-shirts showing a TV screen that had a film of dust on it where someone had written with their finger, “It’s time for a Central Vacuum.” This subliminal message identified the fact that portable vacuums stir up a far greater amount of dust than a central vacuum and costly electronics would last longer if the home had a central vacuum.

Many other competitive brands of central vacuums appeared at this year’s show and here were some of the highlights: Nutone showed off the Flexible Technologies hose that has a 30 foot stretch-hose contained within a 15 foot vinyl hose. An electric switch on the end, combined with suction would pull it back t the 15 foot original length. Beam had a similar hose the previous year.

Dirt Devil (Vacuflo) showed off their new Vrroom hose that was a stretch hose contained within a retractable casing that was mounted in a cabinet. Upon lifting the wand, the hose activated and you could pull it about 25 feet out of the cabinet for easy cleaning. Installers would need to put a pipe-stub in the cupboard or under a work bench and the suggested retail cost of the Vrroom was $199 plus installation. They also were still showing the Hide-a-Hose system that sucks back into the wall.

Stopping by the Electrolux / Beam booth you could get a free shot of oxygen in your lungs and they also had a new air filter system that attached to the return air intake of your HVAC system. Honneywell (a Beam-made unit), Hayden, Vacu-Maid, and Linear Air Vac were all there but did not appear to have any new products.

As usual, the MD booth was full of energy and excitement. The MD staff were showing off our new S44 and M85 units as well as the new brochures and Training DVD’s. Our CentraMop and Manta continued to be big hits as well as our Quick-Click hose. It was great to have Steve Spriet a part of the team this year because of his 18 years of experience in the industry; of course Rebecca was a great help as well and Stan Mann has risen to the occasion to represent MD as the industry leader.

We greatly appreciate the hundreds who stopped by and especially our own dealers who spent time in our booth. We trust that your time was well spent!

MD was the first central vacuum company on the internet and we will continue to dominate this media.  Our original website launch in 1996 contained over 100 pages of information and this newly launched revision has literally 1000’s of pages!  This includes nearly 9,000 product reviews and thousands of dealer & customer service reviews.  The newer look is intended to ease navigation and get you quicker to the specific information requested.  It has a greater emphasis on our wonderful national and international dealer network but it still allows real-time feedback for any of your central vacuum needs.  No, MD is not just another internet reseller. We don’t copy content from competing websites, but have organically grown this entire site from our own top-rate marketing, engineering, and installation expertise. You are currently experiencing the first Central Vacuum Website delivered on the World Wide Web. It is true. Builtinvacuum.com 1.0 was launched in 1996 as the first in the industry, and we’ve been innovating ever since. If you find any ways to enhance our website, we would love to hear from you. Thank you for the trust you have in M.D. Manufacturing, Inc.

“Large enough to be competitive…small enough to be personal.”

The new Hide-a-Hose system is becoming quite popular, and for good reason. It conveniently stores the hose inside of the vacuum tubing for easy access whenever the user wants to vacuum. We have written before on the issue and identified the pros and cons of the concept. Today we heard of a potential problem that can occur in the installation and a few simple warnings may avoid major headaches for you should you install these Hide-a-Hose systems.

First, if you run pipe up into an attic, you must insure that the attic remains below 147 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature above this tends to break down the viscosity of the pipe and it gets quite pliable This is true for any central vacuum system with pipes in the attic. The temptation; though, with Hide-a-hose is to run the pipes as a raceway tied up to the underside of the joists; suspended in the attic. Here the heat intensifies and thus problems can begin.

The pipe truly must be supported well for the hose to be able to easily slide in and out of the pipe. Looping it from every five feet of rafters will not make it rigid enough. The pipe, exposed to high temperatures will have a tendency to warp and sag and then fittings can come loose. You must also use quality pipe that has the ASTM 2158 approval stamped on it.

Another issue is that you should not place the Hide-a-Hose sweep 90’s too close to each other. We have heard reports that this makes it harder to suck the hose back into the walls. If you need to use fittings, you should make a “square-like” pipe design as opposed to an long oval.

Lastly, we are seeing Hide-a-Hose advocates such as HP Products recommend a high waterlift designed motor in the vacuum system used to operate the system. We certainly agree with them on this issue and would advocate our Model S4, S44, S5, M45, M85, M92, J, K, G23, and Model SV.

M.D. Manufacturing Inc. is proud to announce the addition of a number of new positions within their company as they are experiencing growth. A number of efforts are increasing their market share and industry recognition facilitating this move.

Steve Spriet, formerly US Sales Manager – Floorcare & Commercial Division for Plastiflex, has agreed to take over as the Vice President of Dealer Sales for M.D. Manufacturing.  Steve brings with him a wealth of knowledge gained from 18 years in the central vacuum industry. Many of you recognize Steve’s face as a prominent representative for the premier hose manufacturer, Plastiflex, a regular at the VDTA Trade Shows. Steve also has been working closely with M.D. Manufacturing Inc. insuring a seamless integration of their products into MD’s product line.

“Steve has always had an excellent grasp of our product and is the perfect type of representative we desire,” stated Grant Olewiler, M.D. Manufacturing’s General Manager. “We hate to loose him as a supplier but believe that our growth in the marketplace demands that we retain the best-of-the-best.”

Steve will be in charge of sales to all of MD’s dealers throughout the USA as well as developing additional dealers in areas where MD lacks adequate representation. “A truly unique opportunity, I’m excited to assist MD in partnering with clients to sell a product that I believe in and use.” says Steve Spriet. One of his unique qualities is that he has been installing MD units on the side for over five years and can adequately explain the process to prospective clients. “It is rare to fine a candidate with this rounded of a skill-set who already familiar with our product line,” states Olewiler.

Mike Kretsinger, who formerly held the position will be moving into a consultant role assisting MD in its Six Sigma and other quality control issues. He has actually taken on a new position that has been a dream of his, becoming a Youth Pastor as a local Bakersfield, CA area church. “While we are very sad to see him reduce his involvement within MD, we are extremely excited about the opportunities his new job will provide,” states Olewiler.

M.D. Manufacturing also announced the addition of Mark Weighall a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified Financial Manager to oversee their accounting department. Mark, a Bakersfield native, brings an energetic new approach to the company that should allow them to prepare for the growth they are experiencing. His experience with financial and managerial accounting in tandem with effective financial management will continue to allow MD to provide the best products and the optimum price to the dealers.

M.D. Manufacturing has been manufacturing central vacuums since 1961 under the names Silent Master, AirForce, Modern Day, AirMaster, FloMaster and Stealth. Their industry acclaimed www.builtinvacuum.com website has become the knowledge-base for the entire industry. For more information call (800) 525-2055.