RSES Journal Winter 2025, RETA-RSES

Daikin Applied Begins Laboratory Construction

RectorSeal Acquires MARS Parts T ools and accessories manufacturer, RectorSeal, has acquired MARS Parts, composed of both Global,

MARS supplies premium motors, components, and service parts for the HVAC aftermarket and leading origi nal equipment manufacturers. Global has driven innovation in the HVACR space, introducing products such as the Turbo200 Universal Capacitor and AmRad Capacitors. The Source is Motors & Armatures, Inc.

the Source, and MARS's parts and acces sories division. The acquisition broadens RectorSeal’s offering of high-performance components and further strengthens its commitment to delivering innovative technologies and reliable solutions for the professional trades.

Craig Childress Wins National HVAC Competition F or the third consecutive year, Craig

get my hands on and attended as many in-person trainings as possible. That drive to learn and grow has stayed with me ever since.” Childress said he found the diagnostics portion of the compe tition to be the greatest challenge.

D aikin Applied recently announced it will build a research and develop ment testing laboratory at its Plym outh, MN, headquarters. The team has begun phased commis sioning of nine test cells, with full facility completion and opening planned for 2027. The 71,000 sq. ft. lab will advance product innovation for data center cooling by repli cating the operating extremes of modern hyperscale environments. Four test cells will also focus on next-generation airside tech nologies to address emerging market trends and evolving customer needs. This expanded capability will further support product development across Daikin Applied’s tradi tional cooling and heat pump segments.  and for my future in the field. What I appreciate most about my career is that it’s one where I’m always learning. The manufacturers are always changing and updating the equipment, and the industry changes its regulations, so I’m continu ously learning new things every day, which is really exciting.” Reeser said the most challenging part of the competition was going up and down on the stand with the heat recovery venti lator. “Cutting the pipe and installing it was easy. It was the up-and-down that was the difficult part,” said Reeser. Reeser was followed by Kirby Hess of Flora, IN, who received a $10,000 prize, and Nathaniel Magner of Boston, VA, who placed third, for a $5,000 prize.

Childress took first place in the profes sional division of the 2025 ServiceTitan HVAC National Championships powered by Trane and American Stan dard Heating and Air

Craig Childress

Conditioning. The Massachusetts-based plumber rose above his competitors in a series of head-to-head challenging and skill-testing events in the annual competi tion, and won a $40,000 prize. Childress competed alongside nine other professionals in the final rounds of the championships, conducting diagnos tics checks and installing Trane residential equipment in an intense, fast-paced envi ronment that demonstrated their precise skills, excellent service and unparalleled knowledge in HVAC. Childress told RSES Journal he began his career in the trades as a plumber while attending a vocational high school. He then began a course in HVAC. “After a decade in plumbing, I had the chance to take an accelerated two-week HVAC training program at Ultimate Technical Academy in Arkansas. This was a unique opportunity that opened a new career path for me,” Childress said. “When I returned to the company I was working for, I was responsible for launch ing an HVAC department. There was a lot for me to learn in a short period of time. I read every HVAC book I could

“They created fully-functional Trane equipment setups for us to troubleshoot. What made it even more interesting was how they tailored the difficulty based on whether it was the professional or appren tice competitions. It was a great way to incorporate service into the finals and make the competition very well rounded,” said Childress. Alex Ivey of Ocean Springs, MS, was the runner-up in the Professional Division, and he received a $15,000 prize, followed by Scott Savidge of Pavilion, NY, who placed third and pocketed $10,000. In the apprentice division, Braden Reeser of North Platte, NE, battled against nine competitors and took first place, with a $20,000 prize. Reeser told RSES Journal he entered the HVAC industry upon graduating college in 2023. He received his train ing at Mid-plains Community College in North Platte, NE. He chose HVAC because he saw it provided long-term career opportunity. “AI is a concern for many in the work force, but HVAC needs a human element, so I felt confident going into this career 

WINTER 2025 RSES Journal 7

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