Fast Forward Franchise players – Looking to own a business or expand an existing one? Franchising may be the answer By Bill O’Leary, EA Associate Editor
Conventions – Returning to the Lone Star State: Things to see—both mainstream and offbeat—while visiting San Antonio for the EASA Convention By Joseph S. Hoff, EA Associate Editor, and Bill O’Leary, EA Associate Editor

EASA product development specialists Matt Newport, left, and Craig Whitworth work on graphics and other design elements for the EASA booth that will be in the exhibition hall.—Photo by Randy Joslin, EASA
Conventions EASA Preview – what to expect at the Texas convention in June

Chicago convention showcases the future in factory automation and robotics —Electrical Apparatus photo by Bill O’Leary
Conventions Automate 2015 – Convention showcases the future of factory automation and robotics By Bill O’Leary, EA Associate Editor

Horner Industrial’s new expansion can be seen through the doorway in the upper left corner of this view of the original motor shop. —Electrical Apparatus photo by Kevin Jones
Service Companies Model motor shop expansion – How Indianapolis company Horner Electric used all the resources at its command for a state-of-the-art expansion By Kevin Jones, EA Senior Editor
Power Systems Confused about grounding? You’re not alone: A storm of misconceptions about the phenomenon persists With trilingual summary (read an online summary) By Richard L. Nailen, P.E., EA Engineering Editor
Accounting Preventing financial fraud – Like it or not, theft by employees is something you need to protect your company against By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Contributing Editor
OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels delivering his address to the All Hands meeting. —U.S. Dept. of Labor photo
Safety and Health Reflecting on the year 2014 – OSHA administrator assesses last year’s activities and ushers in a new year By Joseph S. Hoff, EA Associate Editor
Scroll down for more content from December’s Departments and ColumnsDepartments and Columns

Natural Bridge Caverns may not be the first attraction that comes to mind when you think of San Antonio.—Natural Bridge Caverns photo
Editor’s Comment In this issue: San Antonio – an insider’s view … Spreading the news about your company … Help us in our pursuit of quality — please let us know if you discover printer errors or mailing late deliveries …Kevin Jones

Solcon USA of Cranberry Township, Pa., a manufacturer of soft starters, has moved into a new facility that allows the company to double its manufacturing and warehousing capabilities. —Solcon USA photo

KJ Electric’s new Albany, NY facility includes in-stock inventory of motors, drives, controls, and power transmission products, a motor repair facility, and general office space. —KJ Electric photo
Business Briefs In this issue: EIS, Inc., acquires Connect-Air International, Inc…. Emerson Process Management to automate a new 910-MW generating unit in Poland … Solcon USA moves into a new facility… Delta Electronics earns Taiwan ‘green’ award… Schneider CEO Jean-Pascal Tricoire receives leadership award at the Women’s Empowerment Principles event… Edited by Kevin Jones

The Electrical Apparatus Service Association of St. Louis recently named the members of
its 2015-16 executive committee, to be installed during the association’s June convention
in San Antonio. —EASA photo
Associations, societies & government activities In this issue: American National Standards Institute of Washington, D.C. announces the schedule of events for World Standards Week 2015 … American Society of Safety Engineers signs collaborative agreement with Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) … National Electrical Contractors Association hosts delegation from Japan … American Wind Energy Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association publish handbook which details state compliance with wind rules PDF version of the 184-page handbook may be downloaded at no charge at www.awea.org . Manufacturing for Growth Meeting brought together manufacturers from three industry associations— AMT–The Association for Manufacturing Technology, the National Tooling and Machining Association, and the Precision Metalforming Association… Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League reports strong response to certification plan … Edited by Kevin Jones

Oz Osborne, vice president of marketing and sales, at Hannon Electric (left) and Rick Sullivan, business programs coordinator, AEP Ohio, prepare for the EMotor Rewind Pilot Program in front of a 4,000 HP stator.
Training Briefs In this issue: AEP Ohio and Advanced Energy launch energy efficiency EMotor Rewind Pilot Program for motors – www.aepohio.com. … Isola Group issues new educational video series on laminates – www.isola-group.com/TES … National Fire Protection Association provides Certified Electrical Safety Worker (CESW) professional credential – www.nfpa.org … Hydraulic Institute enters Dubai training partnership with Ambeone DMCC/Marketways Arabia training institute… Edited by Bill O’Leary

While the perceived fire and health hazards of smart meters have drawn most attention, the civil liberties issue cannot be ignored. —Illustration copyright Lightspring / Shutterstock
Smart Grid Is Big Brother spying on your energy usage? Civil liberties concerns regarding the Smart Grid even if exaggerated, cannot be ignored. By Richard L. Nailen, P.E., EA Engineering Editor

Pump manufacturer Zoeller Co.’s Louisville facility. The addition will house a training center, a hands-on lab, and a facility for research and development. In addition to the 6,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art training space, the research and development department will occupy about 5,000 square feet. —Zoeller Co. photo
Pumps In this issue: Georgia pump maker GIW Industries, Inc. wins county-wide award… John Crane of Chicago signs new agreement to upgrade Kuwait refineries… Metso Corp.opens new valve service center in Querétaro, Mexico… By the EA Staff

