The latest people news within the PHCP-PVF industry and supply chain.

Founded in 1990, VEP provides a patented shield product designed for all types of piping, as well as seismic applications, and has built its reputation on providing responsive customer service and innovative product design.  

I can’t believe that is has been nearly 10 years since Joe Poehling of First Supply flew out to visit me at our offices in New Hampshire to pitch me on the value of getting active in ASA. Joe was ASA president at the time, and I always looked up to him as an industry leader and great business person. Little did I know that meeting would eventually lead me to taking over as the 53rd president of ASA.  Guess I should have known that Joe is way too good of a salesman! 

On Dec. 16, the U.S. Department of Energy officially reversed weakened showerhead standards adopted under the previous administration. Since 1994, showerheads have been limited to a 2.5-gallon-per-minute (gpm) standard, and in 2013 this requirement was amended to ensure the 2.5-gpm standard applies to fixtures with more than one showerhead. The rules adopted in 2020 allowed each individual showerhead to meet the 2.5-gpm standard (for example, a fixture with three showerheads could use 7.5 gpm), while also exempting body sprays from the standard.

The nasty secret that we decorative plumbing folks hold close to our vest is that only a handful of architects, designers, builders and maybe a homeowner or two have the ability to completely design, procure and build the bathroom that they envision. 

After 56 years of significant expansion and growth, the Abeling family has transitioned 100% of the company’s total ownership to all the employees of the company through a qualified retirement plan known as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (or ESOP). All eligible employees will be granted shares of Company stock each year, at no cost, allowing them to earn ownership over time through their service to the company and accumulate tax-deferred retirement wealth. Consumers Pipe & Supply Co. joins a group of elite 100% employee-owned companies across the U.S.  

Within the American Supply Association, the Emerging Leaders division offers up-and-coming professionals in the industry the ability to network with their peers from around the country as well as educational benefits to help them grow in their careers. Considered the leaders of tomorrow, it is paramount to the success of the industry that this group grow and continue to cultivate the skills learned from participating in Emerging Leaders.

In 1992, I self-published a thick book I called, "The Lost Art of Steam Heating." I did this because I could not get a publisher interested in something that few, if any, contractors had installed since the 1930s. I thought it would do well in New York City, where there are still plenty of steam-heated buildings, but to my delight, we sold tens of thousands of copies everywhere, and even in Hawaii. Go figure.

In October, Coburn’s honored General Manager Bill Geyser who retired after 46 years of service with the company. With Bill's retirement and with the continued growth of Coburn's, the company has made changes to its personnel and leadership in the Southwest Louisiana and Texas markets, taking effect immediately.