Kele Blog

Kele, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Lesman Instrument Company

Posted on by Kele Inc

Move adds process automation for industrial customers and location in Chicago area.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. and BENSENVILLE, Ill. – Kele, Inc. today announced the acquisition of Lesman Instrument Company (Lesman). The acquisition expands Kele’s offering to include process automation products and solutions that serve the industrial market. It also strengthens Kele’s presence in the Midwest with physical locations in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas, which will accelerate service and delivery to its commercial customers across the region.

Lesman, headquartered in Bensenville, Ill. with a second location in the Butler, Wis. is an authorized distributor and manufacturers’ representative for process measurement, control instrumentation, and control valves, distributing products used to measure, analyze, control, and automate a wide range of industrial processes. Products include various temperature, pressure, level, gas detection, valves, and flow instruments from industry-leading manufacturers. Lesman president Mike DeLacluyse and his leadership team will continue in their roles, and day-to-day operations will not change.

Kele president and CEO Richard Campbell said the right partner was key for the company to strategically expand the business beyond its commercial building automation systems and HVAC core.

“Mike and team have built a fantastic business, and we are thrilled to partner with them,” said Campbell. “We look forward to working with Lesman to expand Kele’s capabilities and initial footprint in the process automation market.”

Lesman can now offer its customers a variety of services through Kele, including control panel fabrication, custom project solutions, and logistics capabilities. The company will also expand its reach through Kele’s digital and eCommerce platforms. DeLacluyse pointed to culture and core values as drivers for the decision.

“It was critical to find a partner who shared our commitment to delivering value to our suppliers and customers,” he said. “Furthermore, it was clear that Kele was a good cultural fit and committed to the success of our employees. I am very much looking forward to the growth opportunities that lie ahead.”

This marks Kele’s fourth acquisition in as many years. Kele initiated its strategic growth plan by acquiring Control Consultants, Inc. (CCI) of Weymouth, Mass. in 2017, followed by the acquisitions of MIControls, which has locations in Seattle and Portland, Ore. in 2018, and Dallas-based Temperature Control Systems in 2019.

“For the past three years, Kele has focused on getting products closer to our commercial customers through acquisitions,” said Campbell. “Successful integrations with CCI, MIControls, and TCS have paved the way in their respective regions. While our focus with Lesman is growing our capabilities and customer base, we will also be able to serve our commercial customers in the Midwest even better.”

Kele’s acquisition of Lesman was effective December 24, 2020. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP acted as legal counsel to Kele. Livingstone Partners LLC acted as financial advisor to Lesman, and Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC served as its legal counsel.

About Kele, Inc.

Kele, Inc. is a leading distributor of building automation products and controls solutions globally. Kele serves the $50+ billion building automation systems (BAS) market with more than 300 brands and 1.8 million parts in stock, including sensors, transmitters, switches, gauges, valves, actuators, relays, and more. Kele’s products can be integrated into existing buildings or new construction. Value-added services include custom panel assembly, specialized sourcing, and technical support. Strategically headquartered in America’s logistics hub, Memphis, Tenn., and with regional locations organized under the Kele Companies umbrella in Boston, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa, Kele provides building automation and industrial customers with fast and reliable services. Kele is owned by The Stephens Group of Little Rock, Ark. To learn more about Kele, visit kele.com.

About Lesman Instrument Company

Lesman Instrument Company is an authorized distributor and manufacturers’ representative for process measurement and control instrumentation. Founded in 1962, Lesman serves customers in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Eastern Iowa, Eastern Missouri, Upper Peninsula Michigan, and the western Kentucky areas. Visit lesman.com for more information.

PURO Disinfection Solutions FAQ

Posted on by Kele Inc

Kele launched a new Disinfection Solutions product category earlier this year, featuring ultraviolet (UV) sanitation lighting fixtures from PURO and Fresh-Aire UV. Both offer high-intensity UV fixtures that are highly effective against bacteria and viruses in HVAC applications. The use of UV disinfection products is new to some Kele customers. PURO provided answers to a few frequently asked questions that should help get you up to speed.

How does the PURO OV lighting disinfection system work?

PURO UV disinfecting lighting products, powered by Violet Defense™ technology, use a powerful, broad-spectrum light, including germicidal UV-C, UV-B, and anti-bacterial UV-A to optimize their germ-killing efficiency on both surfaces and airborne particles.

Specifically, UV-C has the ability to kill bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus. UV-A and UV-B light induce oxidation of proteins and lipids causing cell death.

Broadband UV lamps have also been shown to inhibit photo-reactivation, the process that can result in self-repair of damaging microbes. Utilizing the full spectrum of UV light (UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C) destroys the DNA, RNA, and cell wall of the pathogen, rendering it unable to reproduce.

Which viruses, bacteria, and pathogens do PURO Lighting products kill?

Independent clinical testing confirms PURO Lighting disinfection of viruses, bacteria, and fungal pathogens. PURO’s UV disinfection lights, powered by Violet DefenseTM technology, have been proven to rapidly kill up to 99.9% of Norovirus, C. diff, E. coli, Salmonella, MRSA, and C. auris. Per the EPA emerging pathogen guidelines and based on clinical testing completed, the UV lights have efficacy against Class 2 and 3 viruses, including coronaviruses, SARS, Influenza, and Ebola.

Do PURO products require assembly, or can we start using them right out of the box?

PURO’s Helo fixtures come fully assembled and are easily installable by trained electricians. There are a variety of installation methods including pendant hanging, wall, and in-ceiling mounting. The portable Sentry units come with detailed assembly instructions in the user manual for the base stands that allow Sentry units to be moved to wherever they are needed.

How long does PURO Lighting UV disinfection take?

PURO products are designed to run in 15- or 30-minute increments but can be scheduled to run multiple cycles per day depending on your specific need and disinfection rates. Kele or PURO can help you determine the right cycle for your needs.

How long does PURO Lighting UV disinfection last?

Disinfection of your space is recommended once per day, or more often, depending on the exposure and the kind of facility or area being disinfected. Refer to the user manual for more detailed information.

Kele is proud to offer PURO products in its new Disinfection Solutions line. We can work with you to find the solution you need and get the product to you ASAP. Our technical service team is also available to help you through any issue. Shop now, call your Kele sales rep, or Live Chat on kele.com.

Kele Named A 2020 Top Workplace

Posted on by Kele Inc

THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL NAMES KELE, INC. A WINNER OF THE MEMPHIS TOP WORKPLACES 2020 AWARD

Kele, Inc., has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Commercial Appeal. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

“In times of great change, it is more important than ever to maintain a connection among employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “When you give your employees a voice, you come together to navigate challenges and shape your path forward based on real-time insights into what works best for your organization. The Top Workplaces program can be that positive outcome your company can rally around in the coming months to celebrate leadership and the importance of maintaining an employee-focused culture, even during challenging times.”

“For our associates to consider us a Top Workplace in the current environment is invigorating,” said Kele CEO Richard Campbell. “It validates that our culture has been key in helping us grow exponentially these past few years and a key element that will sustain us in the future.”

Campbell also noted that 2020 has been a tough year for many companies. While Kele has experienced a few challenges, he praised teams for showing remarkable flexibility, embracing change with enthusiasm, and sticking together to keep the company moving forward.


About Energage

Energage offers a fully unified SaaS platform, plus support and professional services, to help organizations recruit and retain the right talent. As a B-Corporation founding member, Energage has committed itself to the purpose of making the world a better place to work together. Based on 14 years of culture research, the engine behind 51 Top Workplaces programs across the country, and data gathered from over 20 million employees at 60,000 organizations, Energage has isolated the 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any business and developed the tools and expertise to help organizations measure, shape and showcase their unique culture to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. For more information, please visit energage.com. Follow us on Twitter @teamenergage and Facebook and LinkedIn @energage.

COVID-19 Testing for UV Disinfection Solutions

Posted on by Kele Inc

Kele supplier Fresh-Aire UV shares results

Last month, Kele introduced a new Disinfection Solutions product category featuring ultraviolet (UV) sanitation fixtures. Kele now offers solutions from leading HVAC UV disinfection suppliers Fresh-Aire UV and PURO. Their high-intensity UV fixtures are highly effective against bacteria and viruses.

Fresh-Aire UV recently shared the results from its phase-1, third-party testing of the effectiveness of its products against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). The test includes Fresh-Airer UV’s residential, commercial, and healthcare. In the test report titled “SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization by Germicidal UV Light System from Fresh-Aire UV,” the systems delivered greater than 4-log inactivation (>99.99%) on the SARS-CoV-2 virus within 0-2 seconds of exposure to Fresh-Aire UV UVC 254nm light systems.

Inactivates >99.99% of Sars-Cov-2 within 0-2 Seconds!

The testing was conducted by California-based Innovative Bioanalysis a CAP-, CLIA-, and AABB-certified laboratory. The test was designed to model exposure time comparative to inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the moving airstream within the HVAC or ventilation system. Products tested were the Fresh-Aire UV ADSTM (duct-mounted airborne disinfection) for commercial and healthcare applications, Blue-Tube XLTM (HVAC coil and airborne disinfection) for commercial and healthcare applications, and APCO-XTM (HVAC coil and airborne disinfection with VOC/odor reduction) for both residential and commercial applications. Phase-2 testing is currently underway.

“Fresh-Aire UV has been manufacturing proprietary germicidal UV systems for 20 years, and with everything we know about the SARS-CoV-2 virus combined with our testing experience, we were confident our systems would be very effective at inactivating the virus.” according to Aaron Engel, Vice-President of Business Development at Fresh-Aire UV. “We now have independent verification of the successful inactivation of the SARS COVID-19 virus and an even better understanding of how well our disinfection systems perform within the HVAC system, ductwork, and on surfaces.”

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fresh-Aire UV has been providing UV system recommendations for residential, educational, commercial, and healthcare facilities. Fresh-Aire UV systems were also used in the FDA-sponsored testing of UVC’s ability to disinfect and extend the life of N95 masks as published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

Kele is proud to offer Fresh-Aire UV products in its new Disinfection Solutions line. The phase-1 test results further validate its inclusion. Kele has inventory in stock and is ready to work with you to find the solution you need and get product to you ASAP. Our technical service team is also available to help you through any issue. Shop now, call your Kele sales rep, or Live Chat on kele.com.

Monitor CO2 to Keep Buildings Safe and Operational This Season

Posted on by Kele Inc

Monitoring carbon dioxide (CO2) is not a new concept for building automation and HVAC contractors. However, this task has entered the spotlight for a new reason: COVID-19. CO2 levels may be a relevant indicator of the potential presence of virial particles in the air.

With concerns about COVID-19 steadily continuing to grow, especially as we enter the holiday season, many customers continue to face the challenge of how to minimize the spread before it can wreak havoc in their buildings. Balancing safety and health with cost-effective solutions can sometimes feel impossible from your customer’s perspective. But as a contractor, being able to deliver both is paramount. CO2 monitoring is one important, and accessible, step.

In fact, a Virginia gym owner did just that. She prioritized safety and health for the members of her gym by working closely with one of her members who is a professor of civil and environmental engineering. Since the owner built the gym herself, she had all the engineering and HVAC documents to outfit her entire space following AHSRAE’s safety precautions.

She found out her hard work paid off after a trainer tested positive for COVID-19 and potentially exposed 50 athletes. Because of her precautions, not a single athlete contracted the virus. So, what did she do? She followed ASHRAE guidelines and calculated how much fresh air via ventilation was needed based on the building’s CO2 detector readings. She increased the amount of ventilation in her gym and kept strict watch over the CO2 sensors/detectors.

This goes to show just how important it is to have effective ventilation and CO2 sensors. Gauging occupancy is important in keeping your customers and their buildings safe and able to operate. It also lets your customer adjust their ventilation needs based on occupancy and therefore save money when occupancy levels coincide with lower levels of fresh air being needed.

An investment on the front end, while sometimes expensive, can help save money in the long run and help keep safety and health first. Two solid options are the Kele brand KCD Series and KCO2 Series. The KCD Series is great for a tight budget and has analog output only, whereas the KCO2 Series is a tad higher end due to its optional relay output, which is used in standalone applications where there may not be an automation system. The onboard relay is what opens or closes the damper (as opposed to the automation system).

Kele can help you regardless of your or your customer’s budget, and we offer a wide variety of high-performing CO2 sensors from several trusted brands in addition to the KDC or KCO2 if they don’t fit your needs. Call our sales team or technical service representatives today or browse our CO2 category on kele.com. (You can even chat with us via our Live Chat.) Kele can get you the parts necessary to help your customers keep their buildings safe and operational.

 

 

Bringing in More Outside Air in Cold Weather Months

Posted on by Kele Inc

Between battling summer temperatures and COVID-19 concerns, HVAC systems have been running full throttle for months on end now. Many customers began bringing in more outside air to combat germs and keep fresh air prevalent in buildings. (We discussed how outside air is critical for your building in August. With temperatures falling and more and more customers facing colder conditions, it’s time to fully embrace the heating season, and give your customers’ systems the TLC they need, and consider how more outside air may affect your plan.

Typically, heating air takes place by air blowing across a heat exchanger and therefore gaining heat. It is then funneled through a system of ducts and distributed throughout the system. This means that the colder it is outside, the harder the system is going to work to heat the air that it is drawing from. So, what does this mean for outside air (OSA) intake?

Your customers may think that OSA intake changes as seasons come and go but they need to know that it doesn’t. However, conditions do. In most of the country, unless you live in a climate with a constant temperature, your customers enjoy a brief reprieve as seasons change where they are able to open windows, which equates to free economizing. All the air being brought in via the OSA dampers is just right to meet the customer’s needs. Now that it needs to be heated though, it may be more cost-effective for, say, a customer in Atlanta rather than a customer located in Fargo.

So, it’s critical to make sure that each part of the system is running without fail and that any necessary repairs or retrofits be done sooner than later if you want to stay ahead of winter weather. You want to help keep costs down and retrofits minimal so that heating season doesn’t turn into a huge cost year after year for those who are already paying more to heat their air. As always, it’s important to inspect the following components before Old Man Winter gets here:

A few specific parts you may want to have on hand are 12-25-ft. averaging sensors, 12-ft.+ low limit switches, capillary clips to go with both, and don’t forget the new UV disinfection solutions Kele now offers.

Don’t hesitate to run a system/maintenance check to make sure that everything is running as it should! With the increased intake of OSA and colder conditions, preventative maintenance is a must. Advise your customers to be proactive rather than reactive because no one wants to be without heat when Jack Frost is nipping at their nose. Your customers’ systems need to be in tip-top shape to fight off colder temperatures and the adjustment that all systems go through when seasonal change hits.

Kele is here for all your HVAC needs to get you and your customers through this winter season. Call us or use our live chat today and get what you need to succeed and keep that winter weather at bay.

UV Disinfection in HVAC

Posted on by Kele Inc

Germs. Tiny little microorganisms that wreak so much havoc in your customers’ buildings when left unchecked. Now, more than ever, your customers are faced with keeping surfaces and areas safe thorough cleaning. But that leads to the question of how to clean and disinfect things that aren’t easily reached, such as the rarely seen inside of HVAC systems.

Disinfection is termed as being a process that eliminates all or a majority of pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects. The sense of urgency in keeping buildings—i.e. hospitals, restaurants, warehouses, schools/universities, etc., germ and virus-free, may be the biggest day-to-day headache all of your customers are currently facing.

Ultraviolet disinfection, to be exact, is how the industry is making strides in the current climate. So, let’s break down how it works in regard to HVAC and how easy it can be for you to implement so that your customers see the value. Ultraviolet germicidal radiation is mainly used to sterilize equipment and has actually been used to treat water since as far back as 1909. UV disinfection doesn’t truly kill microorganisms but through exposure to the radiation, renders them inactive through sterilization.

This ultraviolet radiation will kill a variety of harmful organic buildup in an HVAC system’s ducts and coils. By purifying the air or coils as the microorganisms pass by, you’re able to target specific areas and keep system additions and/or retrofits minimal, which makes every project as cost-efficient as possible. Coil Sanitizing Lights or Air Sanitizing Lights are two options and typically have a low installation cost. They fit in seamlessly with other system aspects and add another level of protection for those that are within said system’s vicinity.

By partnering with Kele, we make it easy for you to meet your customers’ needs. Kele now offers innovative UV disinfectant products from Fresh-Aire UV and Puro that can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses when used at the recommended spacing and runtimes. And with our tech service team—setup and troubleshooting has never been easier to work through. We’re here to help!

Chat with a sales rep. today through our live chat on kele.com or by phone so that we can get you the parts you’ll need to knock it out of the park on your next project.

Maintain Correct Humidity Levels No Matter What

Posted on by Kele Inc

Being based in Memphis, Tenn., where the humidity feels lethal, Kele knows firsthand how important it is to not only conduct checks on your equipment but to also install the best parts to monitor your systems. Sometimes, you need to increase humidity (something you don’t typically hear in the South). When you mix too much or, yes, too little humidity into the equation, things get dicey. Keeping humidity at bay can be difficult and maintaining a good amount even more so, but when you have the right parts to know where your system and environment stand, the difficulty lessens.

Duct humidity sensors are a system’s best friend when regulating humidity. A hygrometer, or humidity sensor, measures, senses, and reports both air temperatures and moisture. It can be the difference between an HVAC system that is bogged down by too much moisture and one that is operating at peak performance. Most of us are familiar with the negative impact of too much humidity—uncomfortable work environment, equipment failure, etc.

Too little humidity can not only affect the health of your system, but also the building’s and possibly yours! It’s all about finding the happy medium and giving your system enough moisture to thrive while also starving it just enough to keep numerous risks at bay. You’ll have less dust and bacteria build-up, less dryness in the air, better energy efficiency, and a reduction in fire hazards due to a combination of less static electricity, dust, and dryness. These are all things that don’t necessarily run through our minds on a daily basis but make an incredible impact when they show themselves.

From a decrease in lung function to more bacterial and viral buildup, the risks are higher than ever when a system is not properly cared for. Maintaining a good balance with regard to humidity is not easy but when you use the right products, you’re on your way to making life easier and safer for all.

Kele offers a wide variety of duct humidity sensors but one of our favorites is the Kele KHR, KHD, and KHO Series humidity transmitters.  The Kele KHR, KHD, and KHO Series humidity transmitters are specifically designed for use in HVAC/BAS applications. These instruments measure relative humidity from 0% to 100%. The standard two-wire, 4-20 mA output provides low-cost humidity monitoring for building control. The RH transmitter is available with a thermistor or RTD temperature sensors or a 4-20 mA range-able temperature transmitter. They are available in the room, duct, and OSA mounting styles.

The Kele KHR, KHD, and KHO Series are an excellent choice to meet all of your system’s needs when combatting humidity. Contact your Kele sales rep. or live chat them today to order the Kele products you need or shop with us on kele.com.

 

Employee Spotlight: Candid Chit-Chat with Kele Veteran Candy Carpenter

Posted on by Kele Inc

Made in America: How to Affect the Industry Through Action

So many things go into effectively impacting the BAS industry. From furthering education and sharing knowledge to understanding the industry and how customer service can be a game-changer, it seems that the one thing that is shared by all is action. Kele knows that it all boils down to thousands of actions that make up the big picture when in the business of doing what is necessary to help all customers reach their goals. And that’s why Candy Carpenter is a key player for Kele.

Candy has been a Kele associate for more than 23 years. As a Shipping/Production Coordinator, she recognizes the importance of both big and small actions. In fact, that attitude is something she carried over to Kele through her previous experience as an auditor-Inspector. It taught her the importance of doing the job right the first time and valuing the time, labor, and cost-effectiveness that go into that process. That mentality is something that has only grown throughout her time at Kele.

When asked what the most important aspect of her job is, she answered, “Paying attention to details for quality purposes. Production metrics are essential.”

Like Candy, Kele knows that even the littlest of details can affect the biggest of pictures, just as the smallest BAS part can make the biggest impact on the performance of a system. With such thought and focus coming from our associates, we know that we are steadily making strides in the industry because of them. Candy is a valued member of the Kele family, and we know that her impact on us is greater than can be put into words.

Outside Air is a Critical Breath of Fresh Air for Your Building

Posted on by Kele Inc

Fresh air is a critical component to the health of HVAC systems and buildings overall. The solution to keeping fresh air circulating is ventilation systems that all have one thing in common—their fresh air is outside air. Outside air is the unsung hero in many HVAC systems in keeping your system itself clean and the population within the building safe.

With schools starting up again, more employees returning to business, and healthcare facilities still operating at high capacities, be mindful of fresh air intake!

Outside air, when added to cooling and heating systems, puts checkmarks next to two goals that every system should accomplish:

  • It increases the air quality of the building by refreshing stale or polluted air.
  • It helps to pressurize a building.

The question that comes next is typical, “What’s the cost?” Adding a fresh air inlet to a majority of systems is a relatively low cost and simple to do. For larger systems, the air will enter the system through a vent inlet, either through a sidewall or roof, that is from a clean location outside. In a smaller system, the suction side of an air handler fan is what draws in the outside air. The air then goes through a filter for air quality purposes and then travels through a duct connected to a return plenum.

A well-balanced ventilation system is designed to supply fresh air to the rooms in which occupants spend the majority of their time. In a typical ventilation system, there are two fans and two duct systems. The larger a system is, however, the more fans and ducts there are. When the system is unable to maintain top functionality, it affects the air quality of the building and the health of those inside along with the health of the system.

The EPA suggests that systems use mechanical ventilation in order to avoid pollutants in buildings and ductwork, an excess of moisture, and odor buildup. Fresh air allows for the space to cleanse itself as the air flows through and helps keep down any undesirable air from doing too much damage.

Kele knows that fresh air and the products and parts that deliver it to your HVAC system are in high demand as school and healthcare projects and retrofits, and replacements continue. We can ensure that you get what you need when you need it so that the job gets done without sacrificing health and safety. Contact Kele, chat with a sales or technical rep on kele.com, or shop now and let us help you get everything you need for your project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kele serves customers across numerous markets with products, custom panels, project services, and technical support. Learn more about how Kele can help you in these featured vertical markets.