Buying group recognizes heritage as it honors members and suppliers.

Distributors, suppliers and guests listen to Affiliated Distributors CEO Bill Weisberg’s keynote address. Photos courtesy of Affiliated Distributors


Almost 800 distributors, suppliers, spouses and guests gathered Nov. 7-10 at The Rio in Las Vegas for theAffiliated Distributors’ PHCP Division’s North American Meeting. The meeting took on added significance because it marked the 30th anniversary of AD’s founding.

“This special event was held in Las Vegas to mark three decades of successfully driving accelerated growth with companies that are proven market leaders, as well as those who aspire to become market leaders,” saidRoy Weaks, senior vice president of AD’s PHCP Division. “This event gave our affiliates and suppliers an unparalleled forum in which to engage in best-practice sharing, networking and strategy-building sessions.” 

AD Chairman and CEOBill Weisbergnoted in his keynote address that although his father, David Weisberg, founded the buying and marketing group in 1981, operations actually started in 1983. The first year was devoted entirely to recruiting independent distributors to become AD members.

Roy Weaks, senior vice president of AD’s PHCP Division (left) with AD CEO Bill Weisberg. Weaks was the winner of the 2011 PHCP MVP Award. The award had never previously been given to an AD associate.

“In 1983, AD members bought a total of $50 million in product from AD suppliers,” Bill Weisberg said. “Thirty years later, our members’ combined purchases from AD suppliers in the month of September alone were more than $600 million. That means we’ve gone from $50 million a year to $20 million a day. That kind of story makes me proud to be an American!”

The event featured business meetings of AD’s Plumbing affiliates, PVF affiliates and HVAC affiliates along with conference booth appointments where distributors could strategize with suppliers. Also on the agenda were a new product exhibit, service provider expo, activities for spouses and networking receptions.

A highlight of the meeting was the Spirit of Independence Awards Dinner where AD handed out a number of awards to distributors, suppliers and staff. 

AD’s Gary Jackson (left) stands with the team from Puget Sound Pipe and Supply, the 2011 PVF Affiliate of the Year.

The winners are:
  • Plumbing Supplier of the Year: Mueller Industries;

  • Plumbing Affiliate of the Year: Wool Plumbing Supply (Sunrise, Fla.);

  • Plumbing Best Conversion to an AD Supplier: Murray Supply (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and NIBCO;

  • HVAC Supplier of the Year: Diversitech;

  • HVAC Affiliate of the Year: Peirce-Phelps Inc. (Philadelphia);

  • HVAC Best Conversion to an AD Supplier: American Metals (Springfield, Ill.) and Majestic Steel;

  • PVF Supplier of the Year: Wheatland Tube;

  • PVF Affiliate of the Year: Puget Sound Pipe & Supply (Kent, Wash.);

  • PVF Best Conversion to an AD Supplier: A&M Industrial Supply (Rahway, N.J.) and Spirax Sarco and Milwaukee Valve;

  • PHCP Best Annual Planning Process: Standard Supply (Dallas);

  • PHCP Supplier of the Year for Marketing Excellence: Elkay.


    • AD’s Justin Dunscomb (left) stands with representatives of American Metals and Majestic  Steel, which are the winners of the 2011 HVAC Best Conversion to an AD Supplier Award.

    In addition, AD recognized an affiliate for a special Legacy of Leadership Award, which was created to honor exceptional individuals and companies that have distinguished themselves with their contributions to AD’s growth and development over the last 10 years. The award was presented to First Supply of Madison, Wis.

    “First Supply, their ChairmanJoe Poehlingand their senior management team have been exceptional leaders within the AD community for many, many years,” Weaks said. “During that time, they have helped map out and define who AD is today, as well as where we are headed tomorrow.”

    Weaks himself received the 2011 MVP Award for his outstanding contributions in leading the PHCP Division. Weisberg presented the award, noting it had never been given to an AD associate.

    AD’s Gary Jackson (left) with representatives of Wheatland Tube Co., the PVF Supplier of the Year.

    Sponsors for the meeting included Matco-Norca, NIBCO and Ward Manufacturing.

    AD is comprised of more than 530 independent distributor companies with more than 3,000 locations in the United States and Canada. AD’s membership generates $20 billion in sales across six industries: electrical supplies including energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and smart grid products; industrial supplies; plumbing supplies; HVAC equipment and supplies; drywall and drywall-related products; and pipe, valves and fittings. For more information, visitwww.adhq.com.

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