Ferguson announced the additions of Samantha “Sammie” Long as chief human resources officer and Michael Sajor as chief information officer. Both roles provide global oversight of IT and HR teams in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Long most recently served as senior vice president and CHRO for Kellogg, while Sajor most recently was senior vice president and global CIO for Apollo Education Group.

Baltimore-based Northeastern Supply recently named Jen Tarr corporate credit manager where she will facilitate the transition as current Credit Manager Lori Everson moves toward retirement. Tarr recently enjoyed an eight-year run as R.E. Michel’s director of credit.

JCR Distributors, a master distributor of luxury plumbing and hardware products, promoted Brad Sledge to vice president and general manager. Sledge also now holds a board of directors seat for the Dallas-based ESOP-owned company. Sledge is one of the original employees who developed JCR over the last two-and-a-half decades, COO Erin Bittner noted.

Western Specialty Contractors promoted Jon Carden to branch manager of its San Francisco branch office. Carden previously was superintendent of the branch.

The National Association of Manufacturers announced the following hirings: Michael O’Brien (senior director of advocacy initiatives), Kris Koenen (senior director of public advocacy), Todd Shelton (regional public affairs director for Ohio and Pennsylvania), Elizabeth Van Holt (regional public affairs director for Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin), Josh Ward (regional public affairs director for North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia) and Michael Shapiro (director of strategic communications).

Uponor North America has been named the 2018 Minnesota Manufacturer of the Year in the large-company category by the Manufacturers Alliance. This is the first time in the association’s history it has honored a company twice. Uponor North America President Bill Gray noted the Apple Valley, Minnesota-based company is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the completion of its 10th expansion on its Apple Valley campus and the opening of a new plant in Hutchinson this summer.

Viega recently announced a major growth initiative by breaking ground for a new manufacturing facility and plans for a master-distribution facility. Sitting on 127 acres, Viega’s new and approximate 204,000-square-foot facility in McPherson, Kansas, will be primarily dedicated to manufacturing Viega’s ProPress copper product line. The company also is in the initial planning stages of moving its Atlanta-based master-distribution center that houses its metal products to a master-distribution center that will break ground in McPherson in late 2018. Viega will maintain a smaller, satellite distribution center in Atlanta.

AIV, a Houston-based, global wholesale distributor of valves and actuators for the oil and gas, power-generation, chemical, petrochemical, refining, pulp and paper and water-treatment industries, has acquired Zenith Supply. Founded in 1946, Pennsylvania-based Zenith Supply is a master distributor of Velan valves and specializes in pressure-seal valves.

Red Dot Design Awards presented LIXIL with 21 honors this year. The awards, which celebrate exceptional design performance, recognized six of the company’s product brands: INAX, GROHE, American Standard, LIXIL, DXV and SATO. The winning entries feature designs for all lifestyles, intuitive functionality and innovative technology that make better homes a reality for people everywhere, Red Dot Design noted.

Johnson Controls acquired the assets of Triatek, a manufacturer of airflow solutions for critical environments across the globe. Johnson Controls added to its offering a range of HVAC airflow control systems that help healthcare and other critical research facilities reduce the spread of airborne contaminants and chemicals.