Happy New Year! January is a great time to forecast and plan for the future – which you will see plenty of throughout this issue between our annual ASA-Supply House Times distributor roundtable, the 2024 plumbing industry outlook and our annual 2025 predictions article from The Beringer Group’s Brad Williams. We also like to look back at the previous year and see what articles you all enjoyed and engaged with the most. The following list incudes the top 10 most-read articles from 2024 based on website traffic at Supplyht.com. If you missed any of these throughout the year, take a few minutes to read what all of the bustle was about.
10. Robertson heating supply celebrates nine decades
Always getting better.
“We can always be better,” is one of the mantras of Alliance, Ohio-based Robertson Heating Supply — a fourth-generation wholesaler-distributor celebrating 90 years in business in 2024. Always striving to be better is what has driven the company to grow from its humble beginnings selling stoker furnaces out of a barn in 1934, to a now 39-location distribution powerhouse spanning five states with 377 employees.
9. Rinnai invests in empowering women
Rinnai Women’s Council dramatically boosts employee engagement.
As of 2023, women make up only 29.5% of all salespeople in the U.S. while 70.5% are men. Similarly, according to the National Association of Manufacturing (NAM), women make up about 29% of the manufacturing workforce — quite a rise from year’s past — but still a significant minority compared to men.
Rinnai America Corporation is a perfect example of a company investing in the development of its female employees. Back in 2020 after receiving less than stellar employee engagement scores from women on its annual Employee Engagement Survey, Rinnai President Frank Windsor knew something needed to change. He turned to Alexis Davis, vice president, human resources, to dig deeper to gain better insight into the experiences women were having at the company.
8. Positive outlook for 2024 despite unpredictable factors
Experts remain optimistic for election-year industry forecast; Electrification and lower interest rates to fuel growth.
Throughout 2023 the U.S. construction industry gained momentum from legislation such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Creating Helpful Incentives Produce Semiconductors Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. These acts aimed to rebuild infrastructure, prioritize clean energy initiatives and foster job creation. While high interest rates and inflation caused slowdown among some sectors, overall, companies within the PHCP-PVF industry enjoyed a successful year.
7. Five ways acquisitions are changing
How Brad Jacobs' acquisition target of Rexel may change valuations in the distribution industry.
The distribution industry is not foreign to consolidation; however, when such a high-profile player as Brad Jacobs targets an acquisition target as huge as Rexel, then the dynamics can change rather dramatically. Jacobs has been the brains behind the creation of companies like XPO Logistics and RXO by taking undervalued or underperforming businesses and shaping them into juggernauts. His most recent target is Rexel, one of the leaders in electrical supplies distribution on an international scale, and seems ready to transform the dimensions that valuations take in the distribution world.
This article looks at what this could mean in valuation metrics, strategies, and investor perceptions for the distribution industry in light of this potential acquisition.
6. 2024 Manufacturers Rep of the Year
‘Young’ rep firm, Hodes & Sutter, earns this year’s award.
“While not one our largest rep agencies, Hodes and Sutter’s impact is huge.”
This is how Randy Waldron, vice president of Liberty Pumps, describes Lenexa, Kansas-based Hodes & Sutter. “They are true partners with us, and work diligently to provide the value and support we require as a manufacturer,” he adds. “They consistently provide growth and bring value to an ever-changing selling process.”
Comments like this are what earned Hodes & Sutter Supply House Times’ 2024 Rep of the Year award.
5. Meet 10 Influential PHCP-PVF Women
Celebrating Women’s History Month, Supply House Times is highlighting 10 influential women who are leading the industry to great success.
Although it has a reputation for being a male-dominated industry, the PHCP-PVF supply chain is full of impactful women. Celebrating Women’s History Month, Supply House Times is highlighting 10 influential women who are leading the industry to great success.
Each woman below shares the most rewarding part of their PHCP-PVF career thus far and shares some advice on how to better support and empower women in our industry.
4. 2024 Supply House of the Year: Lehman Pipe & Supply
Family business makes strategic partnership to achieve long-term growth and remain independent.
Over its 78 year in business, Miami, Florida-based Lehman Pipe & Supply has shifted from “working for a sense of security, to working for a sense of purpose,” as CEO Josh Aberman puts it. From a hardware store supplier built from the ground up in 1946 by Julian and Betty Lehman, to an international distribution powerhouse covering 13 vertical markets, Lehman Pipe & Supply is no stranger to honest, hard work.
According to owner and second-generation leader, Dennis Lehman, the company never sought out to be bigger. “We never strive to be bigger. We understand that bigger doesn’t make you better, but being better, could make you bigger,” he says. “We have always focused on being the best at what we do while adhering to the highest level of integrity.”
3. Emerging trends in industrial distribution
Omnichannel trends driving change in customer buying habits; technology continues to drive consolidation.
he industrial distribution sector is a vital component of the global economy, serving as a bridge between manufacturers and the end users of various products and equipment. This sector encompasses businesses that specialize in sourcing, storing, and selling industrial products, ranging from machinery and equipment parts to safety and maintenance supplies. This sector, a critical cog in the global supply chain, has been shaped by a confluence of technological advancements, evolving market dynamics, and shifting consumer behaviors. As we look toward the future, several key trends are emerging that promise to redefine the landscape of industrial distribution. These trends, driven by digital innovation, changing business models, and a heightened focus on efficiency and customer experience, are setting the stage for a new era in this sector.
2. 2024 Next Gen All-Stars: Top 20 Under 40 PHCP-PVF Professionals
Third annual class of industry standouts are recognized.
From distribution pros and showroom managers to inside and outside sales reps, manufacturer marketing managers and more, our industry is slam packed with individuals deserving recognition for their commitment. Each year, Supply House Times and Plumbing & Mechanical take nominations to honors those deserving individuals who make up the PHCP-PVF industry’s “Next Generation.”
In addition to sharing their background, proudest moments and what motivates them to succeed, the Next Gen All Stars share some fun facts people may not expect. This year, the list includes musicians, Disney fanatics, outdoor enthusiasts and home chefs. Take a moment and click through the profiles below to learn more about the people who are setting up our industry to be great for decades to come.
1. 2024 Premier 150 Distributors List
Sales trends show PHCP-PVF revenue decrease for first time in three years.
The 2024 Premier 150 Distributor Survey results — which are based on fiscal year-end 2023 revenue — are the first in three years to show any decrease in overall sales amongst participating PHCP-PVF wholesaler-distributors. In both 2021 and 2022, 100% of survey takers reported an increase in total sales. In 2023 that number dropped to 66% meaning 25% of companies had a decrease in sales while 9% reported that sales remained the same.
This drop doesn’t mean things are looking gloomy for PHCP-PVF distributors; it means sales numbers are leveling off as the market comes off two highly inflated, post-COVID years.
