Affiliated Distributors Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg sees a bright future for the Pennsylvania-based buying group.
And he’s taken steps to ensure the group’s long-term viability. Weisberg’s annual keynote address at the AD PHCP North American Meeting at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., provided AD affiliate members and supplier partners a revealing look inside the company’s operations, including plans for succession complete with a specific purchase price.
“We have to make sure this company has contingencies in place, planned or unplanned,” he said to a record crowd of more than 800 attendees. “The things we are doing are to ensure AD is strong in the future and here to stay and here to support our members.”
Weisberg celebrates 30 years with AD
Weisberg, who also revealed AD has enjoyed double-digit growth in 26 of the last 30 years, said AD is focusing on a number of initiatives over the next three to five years, including accelerated growth, development of e-content and globalization.
Weisberg is celebrating 30 years on the job at AD. “I’m proud of the growth we have achieved,” he said. “We’ve grown like we have because our great members and supplier partners have come together. Everybody here does their part to make sure we succeed in our collective enterprise.”
In addition to Weisberg’s annual keynote address, AD presented its 2013 Spirit of Independence Awards during its usual dinner event.
2013 Spirit of Independence Awards
Thomas Somerville Chairman of the Board Mike McInerney was the recipient of the prestigious AD MVP honor. McInerney was a longtime AD board member who was instrumental in the company’s behind-the-scenes successes, specifically concerning financial matters.
“Mike has leadership abilities in spades,” Weisberg told the audience. “He did an amazing job within the AD board. If there was one person I could always count on to tell me the truth no matter how unpopular it might be, it was Mike. He served on our board for 12 years. He’s the best board member we’ve ever had.”
McInerney related a humorous story about his first time playing golf with Weisberg and a joke AD Senior Vice President, Plumbing Division, Roy Weeks played on him.
“Roy said if you want to get to know Bill better he loves tips on golf,” he said. “I might have lasted one board meeting because of that, but Bill played well that day. Bill Weisberg is an extremely smart and driven guy. This is a tribute to Bill and to everybody at AD. I’m going to put this award up on my mantle right next to a picture of Roy Weeks that has a dart in it.”
LaCrosse, Wis.-based First Supply was the winner of the 2013 Plumbing Affiliate of the Year honor, while Columbia Pipe & Supply was the winner of the 2013 PVF Affiliate of the Year. Gerber/Danze was the winner of the Giving Back Award for its efforts in raising money for the Denver Children’s Hospital via a three-day, 200-mile biking event.
Other 2013 Spirit of Independence award-winners included:
Best Annual Planning Process: Eastern Industrial Supply Inc.
Supplier of the Year Marketing Excellence: Get The Lead Out Plumbing Consortium
PVF Conversion of the Year: M & M Supply / Kelly Pipe
PVF Supplier of the Year: GF Piping Systems
HVAC Conversion of the Year: American Metals Supply / Heating & Cooling Products
HVAC Supplier of the Year: Berry Plastics Corp.
HVAC Affiliate of the Year: Behler-Young Co.
Plumbing Best Conversion: Texas Plumbing Supply / Matco-Norca
Plumbing Supplier of the Year: Charlotte Pipe
Supply House Times’ Young Execs Top 20 recognized
AD also recognized eight of its members who appeared on the Supply House Times Young Execs 20 list that spotlighted up-and-coming executives in the industry. AD presented the young executives with special trophies to commemorate the achievement.
For more on the AD North American meeting, read the December issue of Supply House Times and check out our video section for upcoming video interviews from the event with Weisberg and AD Vice President of PHCP and PVF Gary Jackson.
