Viega ProPress® at Westin Hotel in PanamaThe Republic of Panama, speci� cally its capital, Panama City, of� cially received the � rst Westin Hotel Resort franchise in the Central American nation’s history. The lodging industry in the Republic of Panama is growing fast and the Westin Playa Bonita isn’t the last high-class hotel that plans to open.

Empresas Bern is a prestigious and successful developer/builder of luxurious hotels in the region, as well as a recognized authority in high-rise construction. Aided by local Viega distributor Cerrud Anria, Empresas Bern chose to install Viega ProPress in the Westin Playa Bonita project.

According to project manager Cesar Broce, Engineer with Empresas Bern, the original decision to use Viega ProPress in the Westin Playa Bonita project stemmed from the system’s easy installation methods.

Viega ProPress is simple to use, which allows system installation training with the press tool to be completed quickly and ef� ciently. With Viega ProPress, installers can make secure connections in less than seven seconds on sizes from 1⁄2" to 4" with no solder, no � ame and no heavy equipment. Years of experience, which can sometimes be dif� cult to acquire in Panama, are no longer necessary to complete a quality plumbing system installation.

Viega ProPress allowed Empresas Bern to complete the installation of the plumbing and mechanical system for the Westin Playa Bonita faster than traditional pipe joining methods. Viega ProPress also provided peace of mind for the security against leaks and performance failures.

Empresas Bern reported that even though they made well over 100,000 joints with the Viega ProPress system, they did not experience a single leak.

“The tight schedule on this job made the use of Viega ProPress an excellent tool in keeping our installation targets on time,” Broce said.

Empresas Bern has been at the forefront of real estate business in Panama since 1978. As a leader in the residential, commercial and hotel industry, Empresas Bern has completed more than 125 projects with innovative technologies to match the needs of an exclusive market.

“We have received excellent support from the very beginning,” Broce said, “� rst with the design support and then with the supply and supervision of the job. Viega was very focused on supporting our personnel with both on-site and off-site training.”

CUSTOMER: Westin Resort Hotel franchise

APPLICATION: Plumbing and mechanical systems

LOCATION: Panama City, Panama

CONTRACTOR: Empresas Bern

“We have received excellent support from the very beginning, � rst with the design support and then with the supply and supervision of the job.

“design support and then with the supply and supervision of the job.”

©2014 Viega LLC

Empresas Bern installed Viega ProPress for the plumbing and mechanical systems throughout the Westin Playa Bonita Hotel. They also installed Viega ProPress for the condensate return lines on the fan coils.

“Because of the limited space available to access the lines,” Broce said, “our engineers decided on Viega ProPress because they saw the speed, simplicity and security of the system. It was installed and tested — a complete success!”

Built on the beach overlooking the mighty Paci� c Ocean and � anked by lush rainforests, the Westin Playa Bonita is near celebrated sites like the Panama Canal’s Mira� ores Locks and just a 20-minute drive from Panama City itself. The area offers many spectacular attractions, like the historical Casco Antiguo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site or the scenic Amador Causeway. Panama City also offers modern shopping centers and casinos as well as natural reserves like Punta Bruja Nature Reserve. Guests can � sh off the islands of Las Perlas and even watch whales in the Paci� c Ocean.

With 26 � oors and 610 rooms, the Westin Playa Bonita rede� nes luxury with its trademark clean air initiative. Because 92% of their guests preferred non-smoking rooms, Westin was the � rst major hotel brand to convert to a smoke-free policy. More than 125 Westin hotels are smoke free, including the new Westin Playa Bonita.

“It is our intention to continue using Viega systems on all of our projects,” Broce said. “We recommend it enthusiastically.”

Viega is the only manufacturer to offer press � ttings in multiple pipe joining materials, like copper, stainless steel, carbon steel and even polymer. Viega ProPress systems, in copper and

stainless steel, are available in the widest variety of sizes and con� gurations on the market. With three different sealing elements, Viega ProPress systems can be customized to suit nearly any application. And Viega ProPress for 316 stainless steel is also approved for lead-free applications through NSF 61-G.

“It was a very positive experience installing the Viega ProPress system,” Broce said. “We believe we’ve found a friend in Viega.”

For more information on Viega products, visit www.Viega.us, or call toll free: 800-976-9819.