On Apr 11, we issued an updated research report on Pentair plc PNR, a diversified industrial manufacturing company that provides products, services and solutions for water and other fluids, thermal management and equipment protection.Pentair projects 2016 earnings per share in the range of $4.05–$4.25, which reflects a 5% increase from $3.94 in 2015. The company guided 2016 sales at approximately $6.6 billion. Sales will be up approximately 2% on a reported basis and down 2–3% on a core sales basis.However, Pentair’s first-quarter 2016 earnings guidance is in the range of 70 cents to 72 cents, a decline of 7% year over year on an adjusted basis. Revenues are projected at around $1.6 billion, up 7–8% on a reported basis and up approximately 1% on a core basis year over year.Pentair closed the $1.8 billion acquisition of electrical and fastening products maker ERICO Global Company in the third quarter of 2015 and the integration is underway. The deal is expected to be accretive to Pentair’s 2016 earnings by more than 40 cents per share. The acquisition will strengthen Pentair's business by broadening its product offering.Meanwhile, Pentair continues to aggressively manage its cost structure and drive productivity. The company is also investing in its high-performing Technical Solutions and Water Quality Systems segments where it sees strategic organic and inorganic growth opportunities.Growth in Pentair’s second largest vertical, residential/ commercial, remains healthy driven by continued strength in the North American residential replacement market and the ongoing commercial construction recovery. The Food & Beverage segment that accounts for 10% of Pentair’s sales is projected to grow mainly driven by strength in beverage and food services markets, further share gains and customer penetration.However, Pentair expects its businesses serving the energy and industrial markets to face continued challenges in 2016. Moreover, in the Valve & Control segment, core orders declined 15% in the fourth quarter, consistent with the double-digit rate of decline the business experienced throughout the year. Backlog was down 4%. The company does not expect orders to improve in the first quarter of 2016 owing to the global economic uncertainty and customers’ re-evaluation of planned projects. The company foresees orders to be down as much as 5% in 2016.Stocks to ConsiderPentair currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the industrial products sector include John Bean Technologies Corporation JBT, Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. PPSI and Emerson Electric Co. EMR. While John Bean Technologies Corporation and Pioneer Power Solutions sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Emerson Electric carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report EMERSON ELEC CO (EMR): Free Stock Analysis Report JOHN BEAN TECH (JBT): Free Stock Analysis Report PENTAIR PLC (PNR): Free Stock Analysis Report PIONEER PWR SOL (PPSI): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.