Viega ProPress ® at Westin Hotel in Panama The Republic of Panama, specifically its capital, Panama City, officially received the first 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 efficiently. With Viega ProPress, installers can make secure connections in less than seven seconds on sizes from 1 / 2" to 4" with no solder, no flame and no heavy equipment. Years of experience, which can sometimes be difficult 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, “first 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, first with the design support and then with the supply and supervision of the job. “ ”