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KCC Companies Accelerates Direct-to-Market Growth, Opens Channel Partner Conversations Across North America

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Employee-owned Kentucky manufacturer cites surge of inbound interest across its integrated portfolio of commercial outdoor air systems, roof curbs and adapters, and adjacent HVAC infrastructure; expansion follows Simpsonville campus investment and partnership in next-generation thermal energy storage.

JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky., June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KCC Companies, the 100 percent employee-owned manufacturer entering its 50th year, today announced an accelerated expansion of direct commercial engagement across its integrated portfolio of commercial HVAC equipment, dehumidification and energy recovery systems, and roofing infrastructure products. The company cited a sharp increase in inbound interest from specifying engineers, mechanical contractors, and channel partners, and confirmed it is actively building out an independent partner network across North America to meet the demand.

“For 50 years, KCC has built a reputation in the specifying community for engineering depth, manufacturing precision, and the kind of accountability that comes with being employee-owned,” said Joel Strieter, President of KCC Manufacturing. “We are entering our next chapter with the conviction that our partners, and the engineers writing the specifications, want to work directly with the company that designs, tests, and builds these systems. The level of interest we are seeing this month tells us the market is ready.”

KCC Manufacturing’s commercial air management portfolio includes AHRI 920–compliant dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) delivering up to 100 percent conditioned outdoor air with the ability to maintain supply dewpoints down to 43°F, at all ambient conditions. Part-load performance is where the specification is won: the integrated seasonal moisture removal efficiency (ISMRE2) ratings that drive ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC compliance are measured across the part-load curve, and KCC’s DOAS units were proactively engineered to exceed those benchmarks. The company manufactures DX, chilled-water, and air- and water-source heat pump configurations specified into K-12 and higher education, healthcare, laboratories, data centers, multi-family residential, hospitality, and high-performance commercial buildings, alongside dehumidification and energy recovery equipment engineered for controlled environment agriculture and specialized industrial applications.

The company’s roofing infrastructure division is one of North America’s leading manufacturers of metal and conventional roof curbs, curb adapters, and roofing accessory products including stainless-steel gutters, skylights, smoke vents, roof hatches, and walkways. The division has supplied national HVAC equipment manufacturers and metal building systems leaders for nearly four decades and was awarded the Butler Lifetime Partner Award by Butler Manufacturing in 2019, the first such recognition Butler had ever issued. Together, KCC’s air management and roofing infrastructure businesses give specifying engineers, contractors, and building owners access to a single, vertically integrated source: the equipment that conditions the air, and the structural curb that anchors it to the roof.

The expansion follows a series of public investments in capability and innovation. KCC is currently on track to open a $100 million, 80-acre campus that includes a dedicated research and development operation supporting next-generation product development and 360,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Simpsonville, Kentucky. In April 2026, KCC Manufacturing announced a $2 million strategic investment in Rebound Technologies, deepening a preferred manufacturing partnership for Rebound’s IcePoint® thermal energy storage system, a technology designed to decouple cooling production from cooling demand for data centers, food processing, and district cooling applications.

“Inbound interest from across the commercial buildings market has been extraordinary,” said Cole Fisher, Vice President of Sales for KCC Manufacturing. “Specifying engineers, mechanical contractors, and rep firms are reaching out to learn how to work with us directly. We are actively in conversations with prospective representatives and distribution partners in markets across the United States and Canada, and the window to be part of this next chapter is open right now.”

KCC’s technical credibility is anchored in active leadership across the industry’s principal standards bodies. More than twenty KCC engineers participate in ASHRAE technical committees governing dedicated outdoor air systems, energy recovery, indoor air quality, and the method-of-test standards that underpin AHRI certification. Among them, Kevin Muldoon, Director of Research & Development at KCC, started and chaired ASHRAE’s Multidisciplinary Task Group for Controlled Environment Agriculture and was Vice-Chair of ASHRAE SSPC 198, the method of test underpinning AHRI 920 certification for DX-DOAS equipment. Muldoon was also a voting member of AHRI’s Applied Sector Leadership Council overseeing the DX-DOAS rating program. He currently serves on 3 Society level committees at ASHRAE: Handbook, Technical Activities Committee (Section 9 and MTG Section Head, and Region VII CTTC RVC. Within AHRI, Kevin currently chairs the DX-DOAS Certification Task Force. Other ASHRAE involvement includes: 90.1 Consultant and Vice Chair TC 8.10.

KCC will be sharing further details on its expanded commercial program with the engineering, contracting, and distribution community in the months ahead, including planned engagement around the 2027 AHR Expo and ASHRAE Winter Conference in Chicago this January. Rep firms, distributors, mechanical contractors, and specifying engineers interested in opening a direct conversation with KCC are invited to contact the Sales team at partner@kccmfg.com or 502-694-3449.

About KCC Companies: KCC Companies is a 100 percent employee-owned company founded March 1977 by current CEO, Al Fiorini, and headquartered in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. With more than 1,000 employees and approximately 800,000 square feet of manufacturing space across four facilities in Jeffersontown and Simpsonville, KCC offers a vertically integrated portfolio for the commercial buildings market: dedicated outdoor air systems and air handling equipment, roof curbs, curb adapters, and roofing accessory dehumidification and energy recovery solutions for controlled environment agriculture and specialized industrial applications. KCC has been an ESOP since 2008 and is ranked #13 among Louisville’s largest private companies. Learn more at kccmfg.com.

Media Contact:
Becky McClellan
KCC Companies
beckym@kccmfg.com• 502.493.5768

Curran Ethridge
Circuitry Media
curran@circuitrymedia.com 706.495.4100

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SOURCE KCC Manufacturing

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Wulcea Elevates Consumer Trust in Heated Apparel Through Multi-National Safety Certifications and Rigorous Technical Testing

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NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As smart heated clothing gains broader adoption, consumers are paying closer attention to the safety and reliability of the technology behind these products. Wulcea, a brand specializing in graphene-powered heated apparel, combines its flexible GrapheneNano™ heating technology with documented safety compliance and durability testing for its heating components and battery systems.

“Trust in smart heated apparel goes beyond warmth—it comes down to confidence in battery safety and heating element reliability,” said John C, Founder of Wulcea. “Our goal is to give users peace of mind through certified technical standards.”

Advanced Graphene Heating Elements Supported by Global Standards

At the core of Wulcea’s thermal architecture is its GrapheneNano™ heating technology. Engineered to eliminate garment stiffness, Wulcea integrates flexible graphene elements that deliver balanced warmth across key upper-body zones while preserving natural garment drape and full freedom of movement.

Wulcea supports its heating components with applicable compliance documentation for major markets. These include CE and FCC compliance documentation addressing relevant electrical and electromagnetic compatibility requirements, as well as PSE compliance for applicable products in Japan. RoHS compliance further addresses restrictions on specified hazardous substances in applicable electrical and electronic components.

Multi-Certified Battery System for Dependable Power

To power its heating elements, Wulcea pairs its heated apparel with rechargeable battery systems designed for convenient everyday use. Featuring a compact design and housed in dedicated interior pockets, the batteries provide portable power while maintaining a streamlined garment profile and comfortable fit.

Wulcea backs its battery options with comprehensive third-party accreditations. UL certification demonstrates that the battery system has been evaluated against recognized power bank safety requirements, covering key areas such as overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, and thermal safety. The battery systems are also supported by applicable CE and FCC compliance documentation, addressing relevant regulatory requirements for electrical and electromagnetic compatibility.

For daily handling and travel, RoHS compliance validates that the battery system meets stringent global standards for material safety. The battery models have also undergone applicable UN 38.3 testing, supporting compliance with international requirements for lithium battery transportation.

Real-World Durability and Practical Usability

Component compliance forms Wulcea’s foundation, but reliability is defined by real-world performance. Built for high-flex endurance, Wulcea’s flexible graphene heating elements are tested through 10,000 active flexing cycles to maintain steady thermal output through repeated bending and everyday body movement.

Everyday convenience is equally essential. Built for hassle-free care, Wulcea’s heating elements withstand 100 machine-wash cycles under standard care guidelines, maintaining internal conductivity and structural stability under repeated laundering.

Integrated NTC temperature sensors provide thermal monitoring and are designed to stop heating if temperatures exceed 131°F (55°C). Combined with runtime of up to 10 hours on the low setting and a discreet interior control button, these features support practical everyday use in cold-weather conditions.

Aligning Technical Standards with Everyday Warmth

By combining graphene-based heating technology with documented battery safety compliance and durability testing, Wulcea continues to focus on the technical foundations of dependable heated apparel. This approach reflects the brand’s emphasis on bringing together safety considerations, practical functionality, and everyday comfort for cold-weather use.

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SOURCE Wulcea

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NIDS Co., Ltd. Confirms CES 2027 Participation, Pursues Expansion of Global Supply Chain for Environmental Sensors

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Company introduced optical and gas sensors at SEDEX and is strengthening its composite sensor business for robotics, home appliances, automotive, and smart building applications

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Environmental sensor manufacturer NIDS Co., Ltd. has confirmed its participation in CES 2027 and is moving to expand its global business-to-business (B2B) supply chain. Building on its experience supplying sensors to domestic and international home appliance and automotive companies, the company aims to secure overseas customers and extend its applications into smart building HVAC and robotics.

NIDS recently participated in the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association’s Sensor Pavilion at SEDEX 2026, held at COEX in Seoul, where it introduced its next-generation sensor modules. The company said the exhibition allowed it to raise awareness of its technology among domestic home appliance and electronic component industry professionals and to lay the groundwork for collaboration in the sensor field.

The company will use CES 2027 as its next stage. NIDS plans to firm up discussions on sensor module supply with global home appliance makers, HVAC specialists, and robotics companies. It aims to extend the industry contacts gained at the domestic exhibition overseas and to convert product introductions into actual supply opportunities.

Founded in 2000, NIDS develops and manufactures environmental sensors and air quality management solutions. According to the company, it has supplied more than 10 million sensors cumulatively to domestic and international companies, including Dyson, Samsung Electronics, and Hyundai Motor. Drawing on this supply track record, the company intends to showcase its precision sensing technology and mass-production capabilities to overseas customers.

Its main products include particulate matter sensors, optical gas sensors based on non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technology, composite environmental sensors, and electronic nose sensor modules. The particulate matter sensors measure PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10, while the gas sensor lineup targets carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and other gases. The electronic nose is used for detecting everyday odors, gas leaks, and fires. The company said it designs the core components required for air quality measurement in-house and has a system in place to mass-produce 5 million units annually.

The area where NIDS will expand development and supply going forward is next-generation composite sensor modules. The company has been pursuing a sensor business that responds to industry-specific demand in home appliances, automotive, and smart building HVAC, and is now concentrating its capabilities on markets such as robotics, industrial safety, and odor detection based on this technology. Building on its experience supplying individual components, NIDS plans to continue developing and supplying, on a B2B basis, modules that handle multiple types of environmental data.

The company will also highlight its sensor product lineup and its newly developed ultra-compact MEMS sensor technology at the exhibition. NIDS plans to introduce its optical and gas sensor lineup along with examples of their application in actual air quality management systems. By explaining both the measurement functions of its components and its experience operating sensors for finished-product services, the company aims to broaden the scope of partnership discussions.

NIDS explained that, because it owns its precision sensors, it can control sensor sensitivity and tune algorithms to suit the system in which they are applied. Drawing on this technical operating experience, the company plans to pursue partnerships with customers and to promote its business capabilities extending from sensor components to air quality and odor management and industrial safety management.

NIDS will also leverage its existing branch network in its overseas market development. Through its overseas bases in the United States, Japan, and China, the company plans to widen its touchpoints with buyers and seek new supply opportunities in conjunction with its CES participation. Its goal is to generate export results by combining exhibition participation with its local networks.

The company intends to keep expanding the global supply of sensor components as a core pillar of its business. Building on the supply experience accumulated in home appliances and automotive, it will broaden its partners to robotics, HVAC, and smart buildings, and respond to industry-specific air quality measurement demand through the development of next-generation modules.

“We plan to continue expanding the development and B2B supply of next-generation composite sensor modules needed across a range of industries, including home appliances, automotive, and smart building HVAC,” NIDS said.

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SOURCE NIDS Co., Ltd.

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Towards Buddha Co., Ltd. and ICP DAS Showcase iTLC Intelligent Traffic Control Solutions at APTA 2026 in Chicago

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Advancing smart intersection technologies and expanding international market opportunities through strategic collaboration

CHICAGO, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Towards Buddha Co., Ltd., an overseas distributor of the iTLC Intelligent Traffic Control System, joined its technology partner ICP DAS at APTA 2026 TRANSform & EXPO in Chicago, USA, to showcase the iTLC-9000 Series and its applications in intelligent traffic management.

The exhibition highlighted innovative traffic control technologies designed to support reliable, secure, and integrated smart intersection operations, while providing opportunities to connect with international transportation professionals and explore emerging market needs.

Innovative Traffic Control Solutions

Under the theme “Innovative Traffic Control System,” the exhibition featured the iTLC-9000 Series, highlighting four key capabilities: modular and redundant design, secure networking, traffic signal integration, and active alert systems.

These technologies are designed to support system reliability, communication security, and efficient traffic infrastructure management, addressing the evolving requirements of modern intelligent transportation systems.

As cities worldwide continue to modernize transportation infrastructure, integrated and adaptable traffic control solutions are becoming increasingly important for smart intersection development.

Strengthening International Market Connections

As an overseas distributor of iTLC solutions, Towards Buddha Co., Ltd. plays an important role in connecting traffic control technologies with international markets.

During APTA 2026, Towards Buddha Co., Ltd. and ICP DAS engaged with transportation professionals, system integrators, and industry representatives to introduce iTLC technologies, exchange industry insights, and explore potential business opportunities.

“APTA 2026 provided a valuable platform to connect with the global transportation industry,” said a representative of Towards Buddha Co., Ltd. “Together with ICP DAS, we look forward to expanding international awareness of iTLC solutions and developing new opportunities in intelligent traffic control.”

Looking Ahead

Building on its participation at APTA 2026, Towards Buddha Co., Ltd. will continue collaborating with ICP DAS to promote iTLC solutions, strengthen international partnerships, and explore new opportunities in the global intelligent transportation market.

About Towards Buddha Co., Ltd.

Towards Buddha Co., Ltd. is an overseas distributor of the iTLC Intelligent Traffic Control System, focused on international market development and connecting advanced traffic control technologies with transportation industry needs.

Media Contact

Towards Buddha Co., Ltd.
Contact: Michael Chen
Email: Towardsbuddhaincorporation@gmail.com
Website: https://www.towardsbuddha.com 

SOURCE Towards Buddha Co., Ltd.

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