McElroy recently dove head first into the world of social networking. Why, you ask?

Simply put, a growing business should always look for and consider new ways to reach out to customers. McElroy has chosen three networks that provide opportunities as an extension of our customer service, for continued growth of the pipe fusion message, and the ability to network with our industry better than ever before.

We invite you to follow us on these three networks, in order to provide improved dissemination of information and increased opportunities for your business endeavors through our small, but growing, social pipeline. Here is some of our insight into how we plan to use social networking:

Founded in 2005, YouTube has grown to such an extent that in any random minute of the day, 10 hours of video are being uploaded. The demographics, or general audience that frequent the site, cover a very broad age range from 18 to 55 and is evenly divided between men and women. Slightly more than half of all users go to YouTube once a week or more. Approximately half of the 18 to 34 year-old audience share videos often with friends and colleagues.

Since people are becoming more acclimated to sharing information and videos in the YouTube format, it only makes sense that the pipe fusion process be properly documented online. McElroy is leading the charge with videos that cover butt fusion, saddle fusion, successful job site stories, and even The Adventures of Cecil and Jeb.

We encourage you to use and share these videos as your own marketing tool, whether it is for a municipality on the fence regarding HDPE use or someone just entering the pipe fusion world.

Watch us at www.mcelroy.com/youtube


Originally starting as a way to connect on college campuses, Facebook has morphed into the ultimate networking site that accounts for 17.9 percent of all time spent online. Also, Facebook continues to grow – at a rate of 1 million new users weekly.

By using Facebook, you can let your friends, family, and colleagues know when you have an event, upload new pictures, and even post videos. If you thought videos were just for YouTube, that’s not the case – 260,000 videos are uploaded daily on Facebook.

With the versatility to post notes, announce special events, and engage an audience, McElroy plans on using Facebook in coordination with traveling Road Show stops, new product introductions, and to give you the best information and news on pipe fusion.

Currently, 45 million niche markets have a presence on Facebook – you can now add pipe fusion to that total.

Become a fan at www.mcelroy.com/facebook

Ever send out a text message? Ever send one out to multiple recipients at once?

Twitter gives you the power to craft a 140 character message that can serve several purposes, including sending a link to an article, a photo, or reply to a message directed at you. Think of it as an advanced form of text messaging, except you choose when to accept the messages.

Several corporations have taken to Twitter to provide information, humorous anecdotes, and in some cases, customer service to their patrons. Twitter also provides a platform for McElroy and others to ask questions and receive great feedback, as well as offer breaking product news.

With a 1,450 percent increase in users from June 2008 to June 2009, Twitter is quickly growing and offers many opportunities for networking and gaining knowledge about HDPE and fusion.

Follow us at www.mcelroy.com/twitter.

The latest batch of products that we’ve been “teasing” on Facebook and Twitter is being fine tuned and will be available very soon. Here is a first look at some of the new introductions:

• The new 1LC (shown in top graphic) is a redesigned model of the popular MiniMc and has fusion capability on pipes sizes from ½” CTS to 1” IPS (16mm – 34mm). The 1LC is designed with the popular locking cam feature of the 2LC.
• New Socket Fusion Kits allow you to order socket tooling kits designed to meet the needs of particular markets, including geothermal, irrigation, or natural gas. The kits have heater adapters and tooling common for each market, without requiring you to order “a la carte.”
• Fusion technicians in the plumbing and sewer markets will be happy to see the 26 PitBull®. Designed for pipe sizes often used in sewer and water industries, the 26 is modeled much like our popular 14 PitBull and fits the McElroy Manual Fusion Stand.
• Last year, we introduced hand-pump fusion machines to much acclaim. The 28 HP has been added to a rolling chassis to create the Rolling 28 HP, which features an electric, pivoting facer.
• The DynaMc™ EP (Electric Pump) is the next series in the DynaMc line. The electric pump is essentially an HPU with the standard carriage manifold block and comes in 120 and 240 volt models.
• The new DynaMc Sidewall 28 EP, a one-jaw with tailstock fusion unit, is powered by the EP. The design is much more compact and easier to handle than the combination carriage.
• For the longest time, fusion technicians have come up with creative solutions in order to perform vertical fusions. With the new Vertical Fusion Machine, those problems are now solved. The heater and facer both pivot, with proper counterbalancing designed into the machine.
• When we introduced hydraulic clamping for 412 and 618 machines last year, many asked why 500 machines weren’t included. Don’t worry – they are – with a new TracStar 500 Hydraulic Clamping kit with an adjustable stroke for adjusting hi/low.
• The MegaMc family now includes a productivity tool – the MegaMc Pipe Stand. Designed for 36” to 65” pipe, the MegaMc Pipe Stand has a self-contained, gasoline-powered HPU and can adjust laterally and vertically to align the pipe with the fusion machine.

Remember, you can find out the latest news on all of these new products on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, on www.mcelroy.com, and at ICUEE 2009. Look to the right for our new section titled "Recent Posts" to review the most recent updates.

Sincerely,

Tyler Henning

P.S. – Do you have an interesting job site that you would like to share? McElroy is always looking for fusion job sites where HDPE is being used and fused to solve an infrastructure problem. Contact Tyler Henning, public relations specialist at (918) 831-9286 or by email at thenning@mcelroy.com