When Al Pekelney started selling Bock Water Heaters out of the back of his car while driving around New Jersey and New York in 1947, he likely wasn’t aware it was the start of what would become a 75-year-old company now representing 23 product lines.
Inflation starting to creep into numbers, inventory levels on the rise.
April 4, 2022
Respondents to ASA’s monthly sales report reported a median sales increase of 27% for February 2022 vs. the same February 2021 timeframe. These results reflect another month of robust performance compared to the same month a year ago, though compared to January 2022 totals, the median sales growth was a more modest 4.5%, reports Industry Insights, which prepares the report for ASA distributor members.
For better or for worse, elections have consequences. That has now been proven yet again, even though the federal government is experiencing some of the slimmest partisan margins in its history. With former President Trump still in the background, the Biden administration quickly set out with a wide-ranging agenda to implement its vision for America. However, much of this has been stalled with the COVID-19 pandemic still with us and its continuous viral variants, an economy expanding amid inflation and foreign policy challenges that seem to present themselves daily.
We all realize the need for a robust online offering as eCommerce continues to be a growing share of the market. However, as the group discussed and debated the topic, we realized how much more complex the situation is currently.
Steve Hocurscak has joined Watts as senior product manager, regulators and automatic control valves (ACVs). He will have overall responsibility for Watts Regulator and ACV product management, as well as for developing and executing new strategies focused on business growth.
Winsupply welcomed more than 1,800 attendees to its annual meetings and vendor showcase in Dallas, Texas. The conference was held from March 13-18 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. Vendors and Local Company Presidents attended annual meetings, president and manager meetings, vendor one-on-one meetings, a town hall with the Winsupply Leadership Team and training sessions on various topics. The vendor showcase had more than 200 exhibitors in attendance.
LeadSmart Technologies, a leader in the cloud-based CRM, channel collaboration and business intelligence market, announced a technology partnership with NetPlus Alliance (NetPlus). Headquartered in Lockport New York, NetPlus is a buying group for industrial and construction supply distributors. LeadSmart will provide its innovative Channel Cloud SaaS product solutions to NetPlus’s membership of distributors, suppliers and independent manufacturers’ representatives throughout North America.
AD associates participated in a giving back event on March 17 by supporting Cradles to Crayons, a Philadelphia-area nonprofit organization providing children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive. AD’s volunteer efforts, monetary donations and children’s item collection will support approximately 3,200 children in the Philadelphia region.
The company achieved sales growth of 29.1% and robust operating leverage led to operating profit growth of 68.3% (adjusted62.5%) in the first half of 2022.
The IMARK Plumbing preferred suppliers listed below were recognized based on the results of a member ranking process, which was determined by the suppliers’ level of involvement in the following areas: IMARK marketing, communications, and training programs, IMARK program execution and the support of IMARK members. Awards were given within each of the following categories, Marketing, Merchandising, Product and Promotion.