Formerly an old Chicago manufacturing facility, Able Distributors' new warehouse was basically bought on an old-fashioned handshake. Unfortunately for the Bleier brothers, co-owners of Able Distributors, they didn't know what they were getting into when they purchased the building in 2003. The Able central stocking warehouse can be found at 5610 Bloomingdale on Chicago's northwest side. It is a building that is roughly 60 years old and located in an area that has been “neglected due to the growing movement of manufacturing to the suburbs and overseas. But we believe the area is ripe for a comeback and we're proud to be contributing back to the community,” says Michael Bleier, co-owner and vice president.
The Water Quality Association (WQA) is an international trade organization serving the residential, commercial, industrial and small system water treatment industry. It was created in 1974 following the merger of two predecessor organizations: the Water Conditioning Association International and the Water Conditioning Foundation. The formation of WQA created a single industry voice to address rapidly growing industry challenges and opportunities for the water treatment professional.
The ASA Center for Advancing Technology (CAT) was created in 1998, by order of the ASA Board of Directors. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the association.
The Association of Independent Manufacturers'/Representatives Inc. (AIM/R) is dedicated to the use of manufacturers reps in the plumbing, HVAC/R, kitchen/bath, waterworks, irrigation and related industries.
Activant Solutions Inc. announced the completed acquisition of Activant Solutions Holdings Inc. and all its subsidiaries by funds affiliated with private equity firms Hellman & Friedman LLC, Thoma Cressey and JMI Equity from funds affiliated with HM Capital Partners LLC.
The Industrial Piping Division (IPD) is a special interest group of the American Supply Association (ASA), formed to serve a sector of the industry involved in industrial pipe, valves and fittings. The group consists of wholesale and manufacturing firms within the ASA and offers its members educational programming, industry events, as well as networking opportunities.
PMI originally began as the Plumbing Brass Institute. The scope of the organization was expanded in 1975 and the name changed to the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI). In 1998, it was reorganized around focus issues, product groups and standing committees. PMI is the voluntary, not-for-profit association for plumbing manufacturers.
The concept of The PVF Roundtable evolved from the efforts of Westbrook Manufacturing in 1987 to implement the quality process in its manufacturing operations. After several years of informal meetings, Sidney Westbrook hosted an industry-wide meeting in May of 1990, attended by more than 75 representatives from all phases of the PVF supply chain.
The American Supply Association (ASA) was officially formed in December 1969 through the merger of two groups: The Central Supply Association (CSA) and the American Institute of Supply Associations (AI). ASA is a not-for-profit national organization serving wholesale distributors and their suppliers in the plumbing, heating, cooling and industrial pipe, valves, and fittings industries.
