Supply Chain Partner of the Month: RADIANT PANEL ASSOCIATION (RPA)

Established: 1994

Maxxon Corp. (Infloor), Vanguard Plastics and Watts Heatway formed the Radiant Panel Association as a non-profit trade association. The roots of the organization can be traced back to an earlier organization known as the Hydronic Radiant Heating Association, formed in 1987, which became the Radiant Division of the Hydronics Institute in 1991.

Membership

Manufacturers, distributors, designers, dealers and installers of radiant panel heating and cooling systems and components.

The board of directors has 12 members, including at least one representative from each of the membership categories (primary supplier, associate supplier, wholesale distributor, contractor dealer, trade associate). The executive director manages the day-to-day affairs.

Mission Statement

“The vision of the Radiant Panel Association is to provide superior leadership to the radiant industry through comprehensive education while fostering the awareness of radiant comfort and innovative technology.”

Notable Achievements

Uniting a very fragmented, young industry and the establishment of industry-wide guidelines for design and installation.

Publications: Radiant Living, an industry magazine, dedicated to featuring members and their radiant projects. The Radiant Flooring Guide, created to educate the consumers, builders, architects and the flooring industry on how to make good choices for the most efficient and esthetically pleasing radiant floors.

Education: Radiant Outfitters courses, Radiant Basics, Radiant Precision and Radiant Architecture. The bar is also being raised with the RPA Certification program.

Current Priority Projects

To ensure access to proper training and current information to those actively involved in the radiant industry.

To provide educational opportunities for those electing to enter the radiant market.

To educate the trades and the public to the benefits of radiant heating and encourage the use of trained RPA members. This includes programs available in a classroom format or as a home study course, and also venues such as regional RadFests and national conferences that offer technical seminars, discussions, networking and products.

A Word With…Larry Drake, executive director of RPA

When asked what's in store for 2006, Larry Drake said, “We are looking forward to a successful ISH-NA show. As you know, RPA is in partnership with Messe Frankfurt, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), American Supply Association (ASA), Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) and now, IAPMO to put on this growing trade show. We are involved in establishing the seminars and will have our Radiant House on the floor conducting demonstrations. We also have our Annual Conference in conjunction with ISH-NA where we will have focused seminars and RPA specific programs.”

Plans for next year also include making certification exams more accessible and introducing live, interactive, online schools. “With online classes, the convenience and economy should encourage many more individuals to take advantage of the RPA's Radiant Outfitters education opportunities.”

Consumers will also be invited to visit a new Web site at www.WarmHomeOwners.com, where questions will be answered from RPA-selected experts.