Supply House Times

Incoming President Scott Robertson wants ASA members to take full advantage of available benchmarking tools.

Pennsylvania hotel installs tankless water heaters and reaps energy efficiency benefits.

Chicago-based manufacturer MIFAB leverages its expertise in multiple disciplines to best serve its customers.

ASA’s new director of codes and standards talks about the association’s push into this important part of the industry.

Three longtime industry contributors honored at ASA’s NETWORK2016 in New York City.

Minnesota-based PEX pipe manufacturer a long-time supporter of rep best practices group.

Imagine selling boilers that way. “What’s the difference between this boiler and that boiler?”

When we change our frame of reference anything is possible!

One of the things many people don’t understand is there is little or no difference between the efficiencies of resistance-style electric heaters.

I still see professionals in this industry undervaluing the asset that is your portfolio of relationships.

If the economy slows as a result of a downturn in manufacturing, PHCP, HVAC and PVF distributors should expect sales to decline.

According to OSHA, hot work is any work that involves burning, welding, using fire- or spark-producing tools or that produces a source of ignition.

My single biggest concern and frustration in this industry has been and continues to be poor business-management habits.

Of all the various aspects of renewable power, geothermal seems to have risen to the top of the heap.

This year’s UnleashWD, which saw a major uptick in ASA member companies in attendance.

Collins named CFO; Dice promoted to VP of shared services at Dayton, Ohio-based distributor.

HARDI’s TRENDS report shows average sales for HARDI distributor members increased by 19.5% in August.

Novi, Mich.-based BrassCraft Mfg. Co., celebrated its 70th anniversary on Sept. 5 with festivities at all its locations throughout the United States and Asia.

Briggs Plumbing Products announced the opening of a new West Coast distribution center.

Tyler Pipe & Coupling recently held a grand opening for its new distribution center in South Plainfield, N.J.

The final PVF Roundtable meeting of the year at the Westin Oaks at the Galleria in Houston in mid-October was highlighted by the industrial PVF networking group presenting $150,000 in scholarships to four schools involved in various supply-chain education programs.

What is your opinion on the current state of the industrial PVF industry?

Chicago Tube and Iron recently welcomed Jack Benjamin as its new business-development specialist, pipe valves and fittings, for the company’s Cleveland, Ohio division.

At its recent North American Meeting, the AD buying group honored F.W. Webb Co. for achieving its 150th year in business.

Ferguson recently announced the acquisition of Ramapo Wholesalers in an asset transaction completed in early October.

Ted began a life-long career in the family business, Reeves-Wiedeman Company, a plumbing and heating distributor founded in 1887. 

The American Supply Association recently announced it will participate in the 2018 Uniform Solar Energy and Hydronics Code code-development process.

Columbus, Ohio-based Plumbers & Factories Supplies recently ran a month-long promotion to benefit Operation Rise and Conquer.

Howie Mandel is serving as the public-relations spokesperson for American Standard’s new ActiClean self-cleaning toilet.

MORSCO Chief Operating Officer Kevin Moore died in mid-October at the age of 53 after an illness.

Change is coming.

American Fire Sprinkler Association President Steve Muncy is the recipient of the 2016 Henry S. Parmelee Award.

State Water Heaters recently was featured in an episode of the television program “Bar Rescue.”

Rheem is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its PROSTOCK program for Rheem and Ruud distributors.

Viega announced the establishment of its manufacturing apprenticeship program with the assistance of Hutchinson Community College.

HVAC/R replacement parts master distributor Neuco launched a new redesigned version of its online ordering website www.neuco.com.

Rinnai recently celebrated the sale of its 2-millionth tankless unit.

Grundfos held its fifth annual Walk for Water charitable benefit in Kansas City, Mo., and Aurora, Ill.

Find a more robust navigation menu at www.noritz.com.

DDI System recently released its Inform Version 17 that completes its fully embedded CRM tools throughout its Inform ERP software.

Bosch Thermotechnology is participating in the Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home program.

Burr OAK Tool has established a relationship with Tubex Technology Machinery located in Montreal, Canada.

Twin City Hose is stepping up its presence in the metal hose and expansion-joint industry.

Roth Industries announced the addition of Barrett Sales as a new manufacturers representative.

Geberit announced Sandy, Utah-based Franklin James Co., has assumed sales responsibility for the manufacturer’s Central region.

Pabian previously worked at NIBCO and Ward Mfg.

Matco-Norca hired Gary Skeber for the role of vice president of industrial sales.

Slant/Fin Corp. added Kevin Devine to its sales-management team as a regional sales manager.

Monica Cabrera will use her expertise in CAD software to create and maintain engineering-based drawings.

Julie Grassman worked at the company facility alongside her mother.

LIXIL Water Technology Americas appointed Albanese chief human resources officer and Benavidez vice president, public affairs

Pentair Water Purification recently welcomed Kate Bahr, Bob Marshall and Shelly Johnson to its wholesale team.

Milwaukee Tool named Summit Sales its rep agency of the year at its national sales meeting in Memphis.

Dena Mayne became the new vice president of Offerings/Marketing for Uponor North America on Sept. 30, 2016.

Hiring the finest, training to the highest standard and retaining an elite workforce can ensure the long-term viability of a company.

Trade associations, such as the American Supply Association, advocate on behalf of an entire industry.

Volunteer Led

For businesses of all sizes and industries, the most significant impacts will come from the expansion of the state’s carbon (greenhouse gas) reduction program.

Infloor snow-melt systems easily install in concrete, asphalt and under pavers to keep outdoor areas free of snow and ice.

Pioneer Industries’ Montegi Pre-Rinse faucet has two heights.

The Uponor single-zone snow-melt control is a microprocessor used to control a hydronic system to melt snow and ice more effectively.

Raychem FrostGuard is a contractor-grade preassembled heating cable available as an easy plug-n-play system.

Weil-McLain’s new AquaBalance combination has a capacity of 155,000 Btu/hr. input.

The new Steamist digital shower system provides the end user with multiple shower experiences from up to three outlets.

Luxaire introduces its LX Series 14 SEER split-system heat pumps and TCD air conditioners from Johnson Controls.

Legend’s HyperPure is the first flexible plastic hot and cold potable water tube that is 100% recyclable.

BrassCraft Safety+PLUS excess flow valves and connectors incorporate state-of-the-art technology.

American Standard’s Pintbrook urinal is the newest addition to the company’s one-pint-capable urinal offerings.

ASCO’s brass valves comply with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements for lead-free components.

Bonomi North America’s new line of automated thermoplastic ball valves are for use in plumbing, mechanical, chemical and other applications.

Watts’ Backflow Preventer Retrofit-Spool solution is a replacement for aging or inoperative backflow preventers.

Thermacell’s Bluetooth heated insoles and heat packs allow users to control the flow of heat to their feet with a smartphone via a free app.

John Guest expands the White CTS Twist and Lock fittings range to now include the 3/8” size.

Now with easily interchangeable drums, the Speedrooter XL from General Pipe Cleaners clears tough clogs in 3” to 10” lines and up to 200’.

Milwaukee Tool’s latest innovation in the cordless power-tool market is the M18 transfer pump.

Powers’ LFLM496-HTK is a mixing valve that installs on a hot-water tank to increase hot-water capacity.

Grundfos extends its SL and SE range of wastewater pumps to include medium, high and super-high hydraulic offerings.

The T-100UEG from Jomar Valve is a two-piece full-port lead-free ball valve made with dezincification-resistant brass.

Clarke Architectural now has a 66” by 32” solid-surface center-drain bathtub with a linear overflow/in-wall drain.

Dormont’s new SmartSense excess flow valve and thermal shutoff device is designed to help protect against excessive gas flows, gas-related fires and even explosions.

ASA University has updated “Domestic Well Water Pumps,” its product-knowledge course that is complete and available in both book and online formats.

Viega’s new 45-degree elbows for Viega PEX Press systems allow users to install larger tubing with Viega’s press technology.

Purge & Fill is another step-saving innovation from Webstone.

Chicago Faucets has expanded its 12-page guide for public restrooms featuring water-saving electronics and metering.

Matco-Norca’s ball-drip valves are composed of lead-free brass, making them compliant with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

Supply House Times’ Ad Index for November 2016 is as follows.