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.
The Granite Group, a leading supplier of plumbing, heating, cooling, piping, water systems and energy products in the Northeast, has announced it has finalized the acquisition of United Plumbing Supply (UPS).
Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, UPS consists of one wholesale branch located at 377 Cottage Street and a decorative plumbing showroom called, “The Bath & Kitchen Gallery,” located at 1060 Memorial Avenue in West Springfield. Effective April 1, 2022, both locations began operating under The Granite Group umbrella.
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.
Wolseley Industrial Group announced it has officially changed its name to Ferguson Industrial. The business has been operating as part of Ferguson for the last 15 years, but kept Ferguson’s parent company former namesake, Wolseley, until now.
Oatey Co. announced that Battersby Danielson Azbell (BDA) is now Oatey’s manufacturer representative in Indiana.
Founded in 1986 on the Westside of Indianapolis, BDA now operates out of Fishers, Indiana, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Bob Danielson and President Joe Azbell.
Duravit USA has engaged New York-based agency, Dellon Sales, to represent the brand in strategic territories within the northeastern market. Dellon will expand Duravit’s presence across New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. As a plumbing industry leader since 1949, Dellon and its team of knowledgeable professionals is poised to achieve aggressive sales goals and expand brand awareness for Duravit.
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.