Supply House Times articles from April 2004

Supply House Times archives from April 2004

Showroom executive values Darlington columns.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Hank Darlington's recent columns have been exceptionally well done, even as I compare them to the high bar he has set for himself. Thanks to the staff of SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES for all their hard work publishing very valuable reading. Sam Rose...

Clearing the air on air cleaners.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Thank you to Jim Wheeler (SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES, "The Ionic Breeze: Their Success, Our Failure," page 54) for stepping up and telling the truth. These machines do not work properly for several reasons. Jim Wheeler is totally correct in saying that...

Ferguson.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Ferguson (Newport News, Va.) appointed Jimmy Cross to vice president/ southern region. Cross was trainee of the year in 1982-83 and also has held various positions, the most recent being president/general manager of the Orlando, Fla. branch....

Wiseway Supply.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Wiseway Supply (Florence, Ky.) named Jeff Howard purchasing director. He joined the wholesale firm after several years of working in corporate managerial positions.

Affiliated Distributors.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Affiliated Distributors appointed Mary Ellen Heisey director of divisional operations. This new department will provide support to the A-D divisional vice presidents and cooperate with other departments to help manage incentive rebates.

Alumax.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Alumax named Kent Estes national sales manager; Bobby Thompson, marketing/national accounts manager; and John C. Anderson sales rep. Estes had been western region sales manager since 1995. Thompson, a 17-year company veteran, has held positions...

Kohler, American Standard join ISH North America.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Kohler Co. and American Standard have agreed to exhibit--for the first time--at this year's ISH North America trade show in Boston, Oct. 14-16. The ISH NA Web site lists each company as an exhibitor with respective booth numbers. American...

Judgment for Truebro in suit vs. Plumberex.(News)(Plumberex Specialty Products Inc.)
April 1, 2004... Truebro Inc. won its patent infringement and false advertising lawsuit against Plumberex Specialty Products Inc. on March 9. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Swartwood III, of the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, awarded Truebro $2.1 million...

Residential building permit activity regional & local market survey.(A Supply House Times Exclusive)(Illustration)
April 1, 2004... A SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES Exclusive Residential Building Permit Activity Regional & Local Market Survey January 2004 Residential Permits Region Jan. 04 YTD 04 +/- vs. 03 WEST...

First Supply.(Expansion ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... First Supply (Madison, Wis.) plans to open an 11,900-sq.-ft. facility in West Bend, Wis., in May. It initially will employ three people and will service the greater northern Milwaukee market. This is the wholesaler's 14th location.

Ferguson.(Expansion ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Ferguson (Newport News, Va.) opened a satellite of its Johnson City, Tenn., operation in Greenville, Tenn., at 50 Marley Dr. It is managed by Dusty Weathers and serves the plumbing, PVF, industrial, underground and HVAC markets. In other...

Noland Co.(Financial News ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Noland Co. (Newport News, Va.) reported its net income for the year 2003 was $12.4 million, up 30% from 2002, while sales of $471.8 million were down 3% from the prior year. Air conditioning sales rose 10%. Plumbing sales declined by 5%,...

Colonial Commercial Corp.(Financial News ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Colonial Commercial Corp. (Levittown, N.Y.) reported net income of $325,659 for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003, and $437,394 for the nine months, vs. $142,393 and a loss of $95,001 for the same periods in 2002. Sales were $11,321,632...

Basco.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Basco named Tom Vezdos to the newly created position of vice president/strategic development. Prior to joining Basco, Vezdos served as a partner and project manager at Midwest Manufacturing Solutions and worked in engineering and operations...

KWC Faucets U.S.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... KWC Faucets U.S. promoted Kelly Johnson to marketing services manager and Sherry Foster to customer service and technical manager. Johnson had been assistant to the CEO. Foster, who had been customer service Johnson manager, Moore, product...

BLANCO America.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... BLANCO America named James Haeger southeastern regional sales manager. He is based in Orlando, Fla., and has extensive decorative plumbing experience.

Villeroy & Boch.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Villeroy & Boch named Mark Nover general manager of its new Bathroom, Kitchen and 51e division. Most recently he was vice president/wholesale sales at American Standard. The company has consolidated its sanitary ware products with its ceramic...

IW Industries.(Financial News ...)(decorative plumbing fixtures manufacturer and importer)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... IW Industries, a privately owned manufacturer and importer of decorative plumbing fixtures including Concinnity and Barand brand faucets, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, as reported by Newsday.com.

Cregger Co. opens showroom.(Bath & Kitchen)(plumbing, waterworks, water systems and industrial works wholesaler)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Cregger Co., Columbia, S.C., has opened a high-end decorative bath and kitchen gallery under the name, Design On Tap, at 2048 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. in Charleston, S.C. The showroom will offer builders, architects, interior designers and their...

More luxury homes sold in 2003.(Bath & Kitchen)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp. reported that its affiliates sold 13,816 luxury homes priced above $1 million in 2003, a 24% increase vs. 2002. Sales of luxury homes rose 23%, the company said. The 2003 Coldwell Banker Luxury Home Sales...

Hansgrohe.(Bath & Kitchen)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Hansgrohe is displaying new Axor brassware designed by Philippe Starck with new bath fixtures and furniture Starck designed for Duravit at the Milan Furniture Fair April 14-19. Axor and Doravit products were also featured in a presentation, "10...

Elkay.(Special Recognition ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Elkay said its stainless steel undermount sinks and European-inspired faucets are being featured in a new kitchen vignette in the Design Resource Center at the Merchandise Mart's LuxeHome[TM] kitchen and bath design center in Chicago. The...

Delta Faucet Co.(Special Recognition ...)(Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design award)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Delta Faucet Co. received the 2003 GOOD DESIGN[TM] award for its Saxony[TM] pull-out spray from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. A model of the Saxony will be exhibited April 3 through June 14 at the Chicago Athenaeum...

Eljer.(Special Recognition ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Eljer has introduced the 89-pound Gibralter[TM] bathtub made of Enduro-CAST[TM], light enough to be carried by one man. The new tub retains heat 22% longer than the average, has a 39-gallon capacity with a larger bathing area, and features...

MTI Whirlpools.(Now Available ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... MTI Whirlpools began providing lifetime warranty coverage from defects in materials or workmanship on more than 70 models of its soaking, whirlpool and thermo air massage baths effective Jan. 1. The new lifetime limited warranty includes the...

Basco.(Now Available ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Basco now includes an 8-1/2 by 11 inch color master photograph of the entire bill of materials--hinges, vinyl, hardware and paperwork--with each Celesta luxury glass enclosure unit. The image also includes the work order used to fabricate the...

Astracast.(Now Available ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Astracast is introducing its stone composite sinks in the United States. Its ROK[TM] line of granite sinks is made from 70% silica stone and 30% acrylic for a textured feeling, while its Quartz line, made of 65% silica quartz and 35% acrylic,...

Danze.(Now Available ...)(additions to Sonora Collection)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Danze has added two contemporary faucets with seamless pull-down spouts to its Sonora Collection. They are available with single- or two-handle controls in a choice of three finishes.

ThermaSol.(Now Available ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ThermaSol offers a Pro Series steam generator designed for plumbing professionals and for sale only to the trade. Special features include a 230-volt plug-in power cord and an integral drain pan.

Sloan FLUSHMATE[R].(Now Available ...)(pressure assist toilet operating system)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Sloan FLUSHMATE[R] now offers the Intelli-Flush[TM] retrofit for its pressure-assist units to enable touchless, sensor operation. It is backed by a three-year warranty and operates with an alkaline battery. A manual FLUSHMATE can be converted...

PVF industry reels from soaring commodity prices.(Pipe-Valves-Fittings)
April 1, 2004... "I've seen nothing like it since the 1970s," commented Alan Lipp, executive vice president of Merit Brass about the furious metals price run-up that hit the industry starting late last year and continuing without letup as this article is...

John Malloy.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... John Malloy has assumed the role of CEO of Victaulic Co. as of March 1 following the retirement of Joseph Trachtenberg, who retired after 30 years with the company. Trachtenberg continues to serve as chairman of the board. Malloy has spent...

Specified Fittings Inc.(acquisitions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Specified Fittings Inc. of Bellingham WA, has acquired the production assets of New Plastics Inc. of Lemont, IL. The acquisition more than doubles Specified's production capacity.

Weldbend Corp.(Byron Leibfried)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Weldbend Corp. announced the retirement of Byron Leibfried, longtime director of sales. He was employed by Weldbend for about 37 years. Succeeding him as director of sales is Mary Flisk, Leibfried's longtime assistant.

National Waterworks, Inc.(PVF Financial Snapshots)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... National Waterworks, Inc., which purchased U.S. Filter Distribution Group in November 2002, reported a 10.9% increase in sales for 2003 to $1.28 billion, with net income for the year of $33.6 million, compared with a net loss of $418.7 million...

IPSCO.(PVF Financial Snapshots)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... IPSCO reported record sales of $1.3 billion in 2003, up 20% over 2002. Net income was $12.4 million compared to $20.3 million the prior year.

Flowserve Corp.(PVF Financial Snapshots)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Flowserve Corp. had 2003 sales of $2.4 billion, up 7% from the prior year, with preliminary net income of $51.2 million, compared with $49.9 million in 2002.

Pipe makers seek dumping probe.(Pipe-Valves-Fittings)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Six U.S. steel pipe manufacturers have petitioned the International Trade Commission to impose antidumping duties on producers of welded carbon steel line pipe from China, Mexico and South Korea. The petitioners include the American Steel Pipe...

YORK[R] International UPG.(Promotions ...)(heating and cooling products)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... YORK[R] International UPG is offering a spring rebate on residential heating and cooling products purchased between April 15 and June 30. The program offers a cash rebate up to $550, special financing or a to-year parts and labor extended...

Roth Industries.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Roth Industries has appointed Jochen Drewniok CEO of its North American headquarters in North Kingstown, R.I. He will also be a member of the company's board of directors in Germany. He will continue to support other branches of the Roth Group,...

Jackson Systems.(People On The Move ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Jackson Systems announced Kurt Wessling joined the company as inside sales manager and Traci-Lynne Pywell joined as office manager.

Rheem Water Heaters.(Standards ...)(National Appliance Energy Conservation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Rheem Water Heaters said it has seen a smooth transition with its redesigned residential gas and electric water heater lines that meet new energy factor, or EF, requirements. As required by the National Appliance Energy Conservation, Rheem...

NORDYNE.(Price Increase ...)(copper, steel and aluminum)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... NORDYNE said it increased its prices 3% on April 5 due to increases in material costs for copper, steel and aluminum. The increase is implemented across the company's residential, light commercial, international equipment and parts product...

Industry members withdraw from 13 SEER challenge.(Hydronics/HVACR; Carrier Corp. and the Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Institute )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Carrier Corp. and the Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Institute (ARI) withdrew support to a legal challenge of the 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for residential air conditioners and heat pumps in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of...

CMP Corp.(Hydronics/HVACR)(YORK International reports loss)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... CMP Corp., a manufacturer of compressor replacement parts, moved into its newly reconstructed building seven months after a tornado destroyed its corporate offices in Oklahoma City on May 8, 2003. The company says the new facility, which is on...

MrHVAC.com.(Easy Street Inc)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... MrHVAC.com has divided its business into two companies. Easy Street Inc. will manage its flat rate pricing, software and book publishing business, and MrHVAC.com Inc. will focus on seminars, business coaching and personal training. James R....

The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES).(Web Sites To Watch)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) has added the RSES Online Career Center to its Web site at www.rses.org. Anyone in the HVAC/R industry can post or view resumes on the site, look for available jobs and create an automated "job...

Activant solutions.(introduced Activant Eagle)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Activant Solutions released Activant Eagle[TM] designed for small-to mid-sized wholesalers to streamline order entry, inventory management, accounting and pick/pack/ship flow.

Emco Corp.(Visual Net software)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Emco Corp. (Ontario, Canada) has licensed Antarctica's Visual Net software to help analyze and manage profit margins. Visual Net features visual maps that convey details about where margin targets are not being met.

Coleman[R].(Web-based business planning tool )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Coleman[R] introduced a new Web-based business planning tool, the Coleman Business Analyzer, for its Liberties[TM] dealers. This software is a consultation tool designed to improve overall business performance. The program acts as an analytical...

Gastite introduces new tool; partners with Accubid.(Technology)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Gastite has introduced a computerized sizing tool designed to reduce the time required to lay out gas piping systems. It is an add-on for AutoCAD software. Users of the software must be familiar with the summation method of sizing and standard...

Kohler.(websites enhancements)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Kohler has new enhancements to the kitchen area of its Web site, www.kohler.com, to deliver design basics to homeowners and professionals. A Guide To Kitchen Basics section presents visitors with design tips, and a browsing feature lets users...

Taracorp Inc.( online productivity tools)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Taracorp Inc. announced the launch of two new online productivity tools at www.taracorp.com. Supplier Search will allow plumbing contractors to locate a wholesale business stocking Taracorp products in a specified zip code. Partner focus is an...

Master distribution: past, present, future.(Cutting Edge)
April 1, 2004... With all due respect to America's storied inventors and industrialists, they weren't so unique. Many of the world's greatest inventions hail from Europe or Asia, whose societies also have proven just as adept as the United States in...

From the customer's perspective: Supply House Times surveys wholesalers to find out more about the role of this member of the chain.(Master Distribution)
April 1, 2004... Those surveyed by SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES show master distributors to be an important link in all increasingly complex supply chain. More than half say they at least "occasionally" choose to patronize a master distributor even when the same goods...

Antiscald bath & shower valves.(Statistical Analysis)
April 1, 2004... Antiscald devices have been a requirement for hospitals and nursing homes for decades. However, only a small portion of residential homes utilized these types of products until an upsurge beginning around the mid-1990s. From 1982, the segment's...

Top 10 products of 2003.
April 1, 2004... Here are the top 10 products run in SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES during 2003. These products captured the most attention from our readers, according to the number of inquiries we received. For more information, please use the reader circle numbers below...

What are you looking for?(ASA News)
April 1, 2004... Recently, we asked some o/our members why they belong to ASA. We thought it was time to "refresh" our approach in the industry so that we could recruit new member companies with the best possible value proposition. What we found is that we...

Michael Beschloss to keynote.(ASA News; at American Supply Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... When ASA's Annual Meeting convenes on October 13th in Boston, the audience will be turning their rapt attention to Michael Beschloss, the best-selling author and historian. Michael Beschloss is an award-winning historian of the Presidency...

HOS rules costing you more.(ASA News)(Hours of service rules)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Department of Transportation's new Hours of Service rules went into effect on January 4th, and almost immediately, many of the large carriers started assessing detention charges. There are also issues about whether or not these detention...

What's cookin' at ASA? Improve your profit potential.(ASA News)(American Standards Association)
April 1, 2004... >From time to time, we get questions from our members about what we're working on, what's new, or what's coming down the pike. It's not uncommon to find that most members aren't familiar with even half of what ASA is involved with on their...

Linking training and improved profits.(Education Foundation Corner)
April 1, 2004... For the past few years, industry pundits have been telling us about wholesale distribution and the challenges of a mature industry. For the most part the tougher customer, the increased competition and certainly the shrinking margins appear...

A "watershed" opportunity?(Education Foundation Corner)(Water Infrastructure Network funding for drinking water and wastewaster)
April 1, 2004... On behalf of its wholesaler and manufacturer members, ASA recently joined the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN), a coalition that pushes funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. WIN's primary objective is to find federal funds...

Bathrooms in New Zealand: although all fixtures are white and all faucets are chrome bathrooms in New Zealand feature other innovations.(Darlington on Showrooms)(Column)
April 1, 2004... For the past seven weeks my wife, Carol, and I have been driving, trekking, kayaking, boating, flying and exploring the very unique and wonderful country of New Zealand. We even squeezed in a little work! I don't know if you're if you're...

New HVACR technology compressors: here are some interesting innovations in compressor technology seen at the 2004 AHR Exposition.(Wheeler on HVACR)
April 1, 2004... In last month's issue I covered some new HVAC equipment technology that I noted at this year's Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition, which was held in Anaheim, Calif., last January. I noted that there are also some interesting...

Finding quality employees being an "Employer-of-Choice" makes recruiting easier.(Hurst on Employee Management)
April 1, 2004... It's been said that trying to find quality employees is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Over the years, I've grown to believe that if properly executed, an ongoing employee recruiting plan can make the task much more manageable. I'd...

Copper Development Association said that T-DRILL Industries has become its first associate member.(Association News ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Copper Development Association said that T-DRILL Industries has become its first associate member. T-DRILL manufactures pipe and tube fabrication machinery. This marks the first change in CDA's membership structure in 40 years, according...

Plumbing Manufacturers Institute.(Association News ...)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Plumbing Manufacturers Institute reported that nearly 60 members and nonmembers from 25 plumbing manufacturers attended its second Codes and Standards Workshop in February. Of the evaluations received from attendees, 95% said they learned...

ARI standards approved by ANSI.(Hydronics/HVACR)(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute)(American National Standards Institute)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Five of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute's (ARI) national standards have been approved and recognized by the Board of Standards Review for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ARI is also working with the...

Park Supply.(Expansions ...)(new Prostock store )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Park Supply (Chicago), a member of Rheem Air Conditioning Division's HVAC wholesale distribution network, opened a new PROSTOCK store in Waukegan, Ill, at 3733 Hawthorne Ct.

Noland Co.(Expansions ...)(PROSTOCK store)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Noland Co. (Newport News, Va.), a member of Ruud Air Conditioning Division's HVAC wholesale distribution network, opened a PROSTOCK store in Franklin, Tenn. The store is located at 100 S.E. Parkway, and is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday...

Bobier Sales.(Rep Update)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Bobier Sales, based in Phoenix, celebrated its 50th anniversary April 1. The rep firm was started in 1954 by Milt Bobier and today is owned and operated by his son, Mike Bobier. The company, which sells only to wholesale distributors,...

Basco honors rep firms.(Rep Update)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The following manufacturers rep firms received awards from Basco honoring 2003 sales achievements for Basco shower doors and Celesta luxury glass enclosures: Bill Boehnlein Sales, Hudson, Wis.--Founder's Cup Dominion Marketing,...

Sales Engineers Inc.(Rep Update)(Minnesota Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Sales Engineers Inc., Eden Prairie, Minn., was named 2004 Manufacturers Rep of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors. The rep firm covers Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota. Mike Dungan is...

Harry Eklof & Associates.(Rep Update)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Harry Eklof & Associates, Landover, Md., named David Dahl an account manager with responsibility for contractors and engineers in the Richmond and Tidewater areas. Also, Macdonald Smith has joined the heating and air conditioning department...

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Las Vegas, will be the exclusive sales representative in southern California and Clark County, Nev., for SFA Saniflo.(Rep Update)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Advantage Sales & Marketing, Las Vegas, will be the exclusive sales representative in southern California and Clark County, Hey., for SFA Saniflo. Stan Patten (phone: 714-315-2368) will cover Orange County north to Paso Robles, Calif. George...

Curnayn-Starn-Hurley Sales, Brunswick, Ohio, now represents BLANCO America.(Rep Update)(Curnayn-Starn-Hurley Sales)(BLANCO America )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Curnayn-Starn-Hurley Sales, Brunswick, Ohio, now represents BLANCO America in Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

Manufacturers' Agents of Georgia, Atlanta, now represents Chicago Faucet and Geberit commercial products in Georgia.(Rep Update)(Geberit commercial products)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Manufacturers' Agents of Georgia, Atlanta, now represents Chicago Faucet and Geberit commercial products in Georgia. The rep firm can be reached at 404-351-2074.

Emerson-Swan, Liverpool, N.Y., now represents Chicago Faucet and Geberit commercial products in New York state.(Rep Update)(Geberit commercial products)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Emerson-Swan, Liverpool, N.Y., now represents Chicago Faucet and Geberit commercial products in New York state. The rep firm can be reached at 315-457-5524 or visit www.emersonswan.com.

True believers.(Editorial)(Onmi Corporate Services)(Column)
April 1, 2004... The question almost always comes up when PHCP wholesalers gather for business or social reasons: "Can the independent wholesaler survive?" Wholesalers talk about it more than the weather. Thus, it qualifies as something of a man-bites-dog...