Newsletter:  November 2004 a "It's a strong website with a lot of useful information and it's very user friendly. – Mary Van Veen of LeDuc & Dexter's Residential Department, commenting on the Kohler website. "If you plan to buy a new boiler I think they're the only way to go." – Tom Schefer, LeDuc & Dexter Hydronic Manager, referring to Munchkin Boilers. "He said everyone has room to grow and get to the next level." – Steve Garner, LeDuc & Dexter Warehouse Manager, talking about Jim Rohn.

The Kohler Connection	RESIDENTIAL

Kohler Kitchen and Bath is the largest supplier for plumbing fixtures and faucets in the residential work performed by LeDuc & Dexter. With a wide range of styles, materials and colors Kohler has managed to cover the housing market from apartments to exclusive custom homes.

Kohler sink photo from product number search (5877-4) also includes specs and links to colors and options on Kohler product web page. (click image to enlarge)

LeDuc & Dexter has just begun work with Pinnacle Homes on Bel Terreno, a 16-house project on the exclusive east side of Sonoma near Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, with homes ranging to over 3,000 square feet. "It's an all Kohler subdivision says Jim Kempers, Residential Manager for LeDuc & Dexter, "homeowners will have the opportunity to make changes and upgrade the fixtures, they have a lot of options. These homes will sell fast, everyone wants to live in Sonoma." The Kohler product options can be found on the Kohler website, an important resource for homeowners and contractors. LeDuc & Dexter uses the website to retrieve information on sinks, tubs, faucets, toilets and other plumbing products.

Mary Van Veen, of LeDuc & Dexter's Residential Department uses the Kohler website daily in her work.

Mary Van Veen, a member of Jim Kemper's residential staff at LeDuc & Dexter finds the Kohler website invaluable, "It's a strong website with a lot of useful information and it's very user friendly. I use it extensively, several times a day." When a user of the Kohler website completes a simple registration form they are then able to use "My Kohler Folder", in which you can save and sort fixtures and faucets by their style and/or the room they go in. The website also provides product numbers and specifications for installation.

With a project like Bel Terreno by Pinnacle Homes, which has all Kohler fixtures and faucets, the Kohler website will receive a good amount of hits from the homebuyers and LeDuc & Dexter's residential department.

Boiler Season	HYDRONICS

"Every year at this time the phone is ringing for boiler repairs," says Tom Schefer, Hydronics Manager at LeDuc & Dexter, "We'll get these calls through February or March – that's the boiler season – and we take care of boiler repairs as soon as we can."

Munchkin boiler room in a large custom home with hydronic floor heating. (click image to enlarge)

Schefer recently got a call from Sonoma Acres, a retirement home that had their boiler go down. "In a situation like that we feel it's critical to get their heat back as quickly as possible – they have a lot of elderly people who were getting cold." LeDuc & Dexter's Hydronic Department also recently repaired a boiler at Bear Flag Republic Brewing Company, which is used to heat brewing kettles.

Tom and Laurie Schefer, of LeDuc & Dexter's Hydronic Department are busy with boiler service and repairs now that it's boiler season.

Schefer recommends replacing an old or inefficient boiler with a new Munchkin Boiler for residential or commercial applications. "I really like the Munchkin – it's been refined over the past few years so that it's really simple for the installer and the homeowner, who has hydronic floor heating. It's highly efficient and easy to use."

The Munchkin Super Stor Boiler has a 96% fuel to heat efficiency rating as compared to 80% for a conventional boiler. The Munchkin can be powered by natural gas or propane, which also adds to its energy saving value. Although the cost of the Munchkin can be around $1,500 more than a conventional boiler for a 2,000 to 3,000 square foot home, Schefer estimates a monthly savings of $40 to $50 for homeowner with the Munchkin. Munchkin Boilers have a diagnostic system and default code for the user. Schefer can also connect a phone line to the Munchkin's computer grid to monitor its operation, which be logged for up to 4 days, and receive the information at a computer in his office. From the remote connection he can adjust or reprogram the boiler or if a part is needed a technician can pull it from the warehouse and have it ahead of time for the service call, which also saves time and money. "Munchkin Boilers might need to be serviced every 5 or 10 years," says Schefer, " If you plan to buy a new boiler I think they're the only way to go."

The Memorable Jim Rohn	THE COMPANY

Good motivational speakers can excite and inspire their audience to a fever pitch. The euphoric event can seem like a life changing event while it's taking place. But one of the criticisms of these gurus of hope and positive messages is that after you leave the seminar the revelations start to fade. Some say that after a few days most of the ideas are forgotten. This isn't the case with Jim Rohn. A group of LeDuc & Dexter personnel attended "The Challenge To Succeed", a seminar by Jim Rohn, presented in Rohnert Park on September 22nd. Tom LeDuc, President & CEO of LeDuc & Dexter, organized the group's attendance. A month later the group had poignant thoughts on what Jim Rohn had shared with them:

A group of LeDuc & Dexter personnel attended a 4-hour seminar given by Jim Rohn in Rohnert Park on September 22, 2004.

Tom LeDuc President & CEO of LeDuc & Dexter, Inc.	"This man (Rohn) captivates the audience. He's like your Dad or Grandfather sitting there giving you a basic, simple message on how to be successful. I listen to Tony Robbins tapes and it sounds like he (Robbins) got a lot of his ideas from Jim Rohn."
Art Dexter Vice President & COO of LeDuc & Dexter, Inc.	"He was really great – and he used his humor to make his points. He also said things like 'Don't miss anything, go see everything'. 'A ship doesn't sail on yesterday's wind' and 'direction determines destination'."
Tom Schefer LeDuc & Dexter Hydronics Manager	"He told us how he made his money and how he got people to do things to help him. He'd make a point and I'd think, 'that's what I need to do.' It was real exciting – he's a great speaker."
Kevin Delong LeDuc & Dexter Residential Superintendent and Safety Director	"He was very entertaining. He had a pretty simple message – If you live your life right, treat people right, stay centered and spiritual, you'll have a good life."
Steve Garner LeDuc & Dexter Warehouse Manager	"He was very motivational. He said everyone has room to grow and get to the next level. He talked about making your work more interesting by making it a challenge and having goals, even for the simple things you do every day. It was a real eye-opener. I'm going to buy one of his books."
Jon Schutz Super Service Plumbing Manager	"I've been to a lot of seminars and what I liked about him (Rohn) was that he focused on you as an individual, not as a manager or customer service person. I bought his book, 'The Richest Man in Babylon'."

Jim Rohn will be speaking on "The Challenge To Succeed" in Oakland on December 14^th and it wouldn't be surprising to find more people from LeDuc & Dexter in attendance.