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

Throughout 2022, the focus of this column will be on strengthening your network. Don’t worry, this isn’t about cybersecurity, and you won’t need an information technology degree to make the most of these articles. We are not talking about that kind of system. Instead, we’re going to cover the basic nuts and bolts of building strong networks of people within your company and with outsiders. 

Do you want the OK news first or the bad news first? How about we try to stay somewhat positive out of the gates. ASA recently released findings from its second special compensation/benefits study that it commissioned business intelligence partner Industry Insights to conduct in the latter part of 2021.

We are now in the new year and are still being assaulted with everyone’s thoughts on what will be trending in 2022. During the last few weeks, people and companies have been enlightening us as to what they think will happen in the new year. It seems everyone is chipping in their predictions on everything from this year’s hot colors to the Dow Jones Industrials. Please, no one can consistently call the future, unless they are the source of the future, and, you know, the best decorative plumbing showrooms can be that type of source. Every product, brand and display you have added or changed is a reach into the future of decorative plumbing products in your market, and you should be damn proud of that. 

Registration is now open for Women in Industry’s ELEVATE2022 conference that takes place April 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville, Kentucky.

FabricAir honored Tulsa, Oklahoma-based DS Herron Co. with its 2021 Top Manufacturer’s Representative Performance award at the AHR Expo 2022 in Las Vegas. FabricAir National Sales Manager, Charles Justice, presented the award to Rob Dixon and Julie Dixon, DS Herron’s president and vice president, respectively, who founded the manufacturer’s representative firm in 2000.  

South West Pacific Distributors, a region of ASA, will host its annual SWPD Leadership Conference March 31-April 1 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, California.

The second and final special industry compensation study conducted by the American Supply Association and business intelligence partner Industry Insights is now available.

I was listening to James Trane the other day. He was speaking from Chicago in 1902, telling me that his system of steam heating using small pots of mercury was the best way to go. Mercury. That got me thinking about how my classmates and I used to play with mercury while our science teacher smiled as he wandered the room, watching us poke the dangerous stuff with our adolescent fingers. Life in the 1950s sure was interesting.

AD is reporting total 2021 member sales were $58.5 billion, a 30% increase from 2020, with purchases by member companies from AD supplier partners up 39% to $16.6 billion. Additionally, AD achieved a 49% increase in net distributions to its members, surpassing the $1 Billion milestone for the first time in the group’s 40-year history.