Viwinco, Inc. Installs Air Conditioning on Factory Floor

Viwinco, a licensed CertainTeed fabricator of vinyl windows, commits to its employees' by installing air conditioning plant-wide.

At Viwinco, Inc., the goal is to maintain a "leading edge" in shop floor technology. Now, Viwinco is also blazing trails in shop floor comfort with the installation of four, 60-ton package air-conditioning units.

Not only will these units run during the dog days of summer, but they'll also be operating during the rest of the year to facilitate air exchange and movement throughout the shop.

Viwinco, a licensed fabricator of CertainTeed (R) vinyl windows and patio doors operates from a 140,000 ft2 facility in Morgantown, PA. "We thought having 15 loading docks would help move air through the building," says Viwinco president David Barnes. "But since the docks are always full with trucks being loaded, we can't seem to get the air moving the way we want."

Barnes notes that the air exchange capabilities of the new system will enhance the workplace by providing fresh, cool air in the summer and fresh, warm air during the rest of the year.

Air conditioning a manufacturing facility is no easy task, especially given Viwinco's open floor plan and fluctuating temperature zones. To facilitate the installation and minimize cost, Viwinco chose a fabric ductwork called DuctSox(R), a practical alternative to traditional air conditioning ductwork.

Ductsox(R) provide three distinct advantages:
*They're made of fabric similar to Gore-Tex(R); they can be hung anywhere and can be reconfigured to meet the needs of the changing shop floor.
*The holes in the fabric for air distribution are engineered to push air uniformly throughout the plant.
*Fabric ductwork eliminates the cost of fabricating metal ductwork, which would have proved cost prohibitive for Viwinco, Inc.

Viwinco, Inc. contracted with Triangle Heating and Air Conditioning, Brownstown, PA, for installation.

Viwinco's General Manager Mike Duncan is pleased with the results. So pleased, in fact, that he's contracted with Triangle to connect the company's gas heating system to the DuctSox(R) to gain maximum benefit form the installation year-round.

(color digital photos available).

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