Supply House Times articles from April 2008

Supply House Times archives from April 2008

Insightful editorial.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... I have been a rep in Chicagoland for nearly 30 years. I read Jim Olsztynski's October 2007 editorial ("Checkers Turns To Chess," page 80) and I must say I have never read a more insightful description of today's supply chain issues. I carry a...

Thanks for help.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... Congratulations to Supply House Times for 50 years of service to the industry. I rely on your magazine for up-to-the-minute news on our evolving business climate and I thank you for that. I consider myself a young man in the business but I have...

Plumbing pro chocks up triple play with general camera, drain cleaner and cable.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Toilets in an expensive new West Coast home should have worked--immediately. But after a few flushes, the master bath line backed up. Attempts to clear it repeatedly failed. The construction company planned to...

My 50 favorite things about Supply House Times.(FROM THE PUBLISHER)(Editorial)
April 1, 2008... It is rewarding beyond words to preside as Publisher over this Golden Anniversary edition of Supply House Times, a magazine I have been affiliated with for 19 years. Inside you will find an editorial package of incomparable scope and value,...

A peek inside the new American Standard: an interview with Don Devine, President/CEO, American Standard Brands.(Interview)(Company overview)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It has been a momentous couple of)Tears for the company with the most illustrious name in American plumbing history. Last year the company's bath and kitchen segment--and name--was acquired by the private equity firm...

Distributors: make US strainer your "number one number two guy".(Company overview)
April 1, 2008... US Strainer was established in 2005. Our purpose is to provide strainers to any distributor who requires a reliable delivery of quality strainers from America's leading strainer manufacturer at a reasonable price. We do this from our warehouse...

Rheem Manufacturing Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rheem Manufacturing Co. appointed JR Jones president and chief executive officer, succeeding I.S. Farwell. Farwell will serve as Special Advisor to the company for the remainder of 2008. Jones was named corporate...

Western Supliers Association.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... Western Suppliers Association (WSA) named Don Robertson executive director of WSA. He brings 30+ years of experience as previous owner of Steam & .Plumbing Service Corp., which he sold to American International Supply Inc. (Oakland, CA) in...

Progress Supply.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... Progress Supply (Cincinnati, OH), a refrigeration, air conditioning and controls wholesaler, has named Greg Schnelle sales manager.

ASA.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... ASA promoted Amy Black to executive director. She will serve as deputy chief of staff and assume organizational oversight, while continuing her work in member recruitment and retention and her ongoing management of the industrial Supply...

Expansion continues for some wholesalers.(Industry News)
April 1, 2008... Newport News, VA-based Ferguson opened a 35,000-sq.-ft. facility in Indianapolis March 3 that features an 8-acre pipe yard and a large inventory of HDPE pipe and fittings, as well as fabrication capabilities and fusion machine rentals and...

Leaky pipes.(down the PIPE)(Cartoon)
April 1, 2008... All fixed... I put coffee in the tank, and now the handle jiggles itself!... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Wholesaler S.W. Anderson Sales, Farmingdale, NY, presented Metal-Fab with the American Purchasing Society's 2007 Excellent Supplier Award during the AHR Expo in January.(down the PIPE)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Wholesaler S.W. Anderson Sales, Farmingdale, NY, presented Metal-Fab with the American Purchasing Society's 2007 Excellent Supplier Award during the AHR Expo in January. Pictured (L to R): Rick Liebowitz,...

JM Eagle's EverPEX[TM]: the smart business choice.
April 1, 2008... JM Eagle * proudly introduces EverPEX[TM] Cross-linked Polyethylene pipe. JM Eagle's EverPEX is easy to install, inexpensive, energy saving and environmentally friendly. Extremely flexible, corrosion- and burst-resistant, EverPEX can also...

Speakman Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... Speakman Co. announced that Tom Stoddard, age 96, has retired after 80 years of working for the company but will continue to serve on its board.

Elkay Manufacturing Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... Elkay Manufacturing Co.'s Walter E. Reilly, corporate vice president and chief human resources officer, planned to retire from Elkay in March 2008. Reilly's role at Elkay included activities such as labor and employee relations, organization...

Sonia.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... Sonia has recruited David Crossley as Southwestern regional sales manager. Crossley has worked for both Phylrich and Duravit.

The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) named John Hasemann operations director. For the past 10 years, Hasemann worked at the American Hardware Manufacturers Association.

Air Purchases Inc.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... Air Purchases Inc. (Burlington, MA), a wholesale distributor of Trane and other HVAC product lines, has appointed Ray Klinger, formerly of The Trane Co., as territory manager covering New Hampshire and Vermont.

Utility.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... UTILITY hired Jack Feldheim as national sales manager. He previously served as the regional director of sales for Bearings Ltd.

Peerless Pump Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
April 1, 2008... Peerless Pump Co. appointed Mike Cates as vice president of operations and Dr. Andrew Warrington as vice president of international business development. Bob Langton was promoted to director, North American sales. Peerless was acquired by the...

Murray Supply Co.(down the PIPE)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Murray Supply Co. (Winston-Salem, NC) honored Walt Murray, who founded the company in 1963 with his father, Craig V. Murray Sr., at a company-wide recognition dinner in February. After 44 years in the...

Obituaries.(down the PIPE)(Obituary)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lothar "Lo" Kartanos, 65, passed away unexpectedly Feb. 25. He had served as vice president of industrial sales in the corporate office of wholesaler F.W. Webb, Bedford, MA, for 24 years. Memorial donations may be...

Residential building permit activity regional & local market survey January 2008.(A SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES EXCLUSIVE)
April 1, 2008... Residential Building Permit Activity Regional & Local Market Survey January 2008 Residential Permits Local Markets REGION vs. 07 ...

RIDGID Innovations: set the standard for professionals.
April 1, 2008... RIDGID[R] continues to release professional tools and equipment that set the standard for innovation and quality. Two tools that stand out this year are the RIDGID[R] SeeSnake[R] micro[TM] Inspection Camera and the RIDGID[R] RP 330 Press Tool....

Peerless Pump Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Peerless Pump Co. has acquired Flometrico of Burlington, Ontario.

Elkay Plumbing Products Division.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2008... Elkay Plumbing Products Division completed the sale of its Elkay Canada Ltd. operations to Novanni Stainless Inc., a newly formed company owned by Oakville Stamping and Bending Ltd. and Supreme Metal Products Inc.

First Supply.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... First Supply (Madison, WI) recently rewarded nearly 500 customers, vendors and employees with a two-week trip to Honolulu, HI, as part of its 2007 World of Opportunity program.

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association (PHCC) will hold a National Plumbing Industry Week rally May 1, 2008, in Washington, D.C. as part of its 125th anniversary. Officials from the American Supply Association and the...

Masco Corp.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Masco Corp. President and CEO Timothy Wadhams and Executive Vice President and COO Donald DeMarie presented a financial outlook for the company at an institutional investors conference in March.

Industry members celebrate anniversaries.(down the PIPE)
April 1, 2008... Wiseway Supply, based in Florence, KY, kicked off festivities for its 35th year in business by sponsoring a contest, "35 to Overdrive." The wholesaler awarded a 2007 Ford Mustang to winner TJ Dyer Co. of Cincinnati, OH. For more information,...

Bath & Kitchen Pro.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Visit www.bathandkitchenpro.com, which complements Bath & Kitchen Pro, the new publication that reaches an audience of 50,000+ bath-and-kitchen installers, distributors with showrooms and designers in plumbing, tile...

Chicago Faucets.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Chicago Faucets released a new DVD that provides in-depth information on the company's manufacturing process and features an overview of its history.

Lasso Bathware.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Lasso Bathware now offers the Builder Services program.

Rheem Manufacturing Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Rheem Manufacturing Co. announced a new sponsorship with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) to be the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet driven by KHI CEO and co-owner, and 2007 Daytona 500 Champion, Kevin Harvick.

Lochinvar.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Lochinvar invites VIP contractors to submit information and pictures of their recent KNIGHT heating boiler installations for a chance to win a $250 gift card as part of its VIP Contractor Program. Visit www.lochinvar.com/vip for details.

Noritz America.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Noritz America, a manufacturer of tankless water heaters, has joined The Make It Right Foundation to help rebuild New Orleans.

Grundfos Pumps.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Grundfos Pumps offers the pocket-sized "Hydronic Heating and Hot Water Recirc Systems Handbook," featuring insights into the proper application and installation of a broad range of hydronic and domestic hot water re-circulation system...

Trane.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Trane has announced its new Charge Assist self-charging technology for air-conditioning systems.

Monitor Products Inc.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Monitor Products Inc. has extended the warranty for the MWH series heating systems and water heaters from 10 to 12 years for the heat exchanger. For more information on these and other news stories, visit www.supplyht.com. Honeywell Power...

Honeywell Power Products.(REP UPDATE ...)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Honeywell Power Products has appointed Security Marketing Consultants Inc. (SMC), Aurora, IL, to serve customers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia...

Anchor Sales Associates Inc.(REP UPDATE ...)
April 1, 2008... Anchor Sales Associates Inc. of Warminster (Philadelphia), PA, has won Peerless Pump Co's. 2007 President's Award.

Bill Hutchinson of BWA South.(REP UPDATE ...)
April 1, 2008... Bill Hutchinson of BWA South (Hilliard, OH) was named Plumbing Rep of the Year for 2007 by Wisoway Supply (Florence, KY).

Robinson Supply.(CONTESTS, AWARDS ...)
April 1, 2008... Robinson Supply (Fall River, HA) named Jack O'Connor Employee of the Year and Mike Marino Salesman of the Year for 2007.

supplyFORCE.(CONTESTS, AWARDS ...)
April 1, 2008... supplyFORCE held its Commitment to Excellence Awards ceremony for the Electrical Supply Division, Industrial Supply Division and Pipe, Valves & Fittings Division earlier this year.

Top-down access: from Acorn Aqua.
April 1, 2008... The exclusive benefits of top-down access in the Acorn Aqua wall-mounted, stainless steel drinking fountains are advantageous to both customers and plumbers. Attaching the fountain and connecting the plumbing from the top is more efficient...

Global steel prices primed for double-digit rise.(Pipe, Valves & Fittings News)
April 1, 2008... British steel industry consulting and research firm MEPS Ltd. issued its latest steel price analysis in late February predicting double-digit hikes in global steel prices during 2008. "U.S. mills appear to be busy with delivery lead times...

Conference identifies nuclear plant challenges.(Pipe, Valves & Fittings News)(Conference notes)
April 1, 2008... A brain drain involving everyone from engineers to maintenance staff to construction labor was identified as perhaps the major challenge impacting the resurrection of nuclear energy at the DaratechPLANT 2008 Conference, held in Houston during...

United Spiral Pipe, LLC.(EXPANSIONS ...)
April 1, 2008... United Spiral Pipe, LLC, a joint venture of United States Steel Corp., POSCO and SeAH Steel Corp., broke ground for a state-of-the-art spiral welded pipe manufacturing facility. The new plant will be capable of producing 300,000 net tons of API...

Pipe-Valves Inc.(EXPANSIONS ...)
April 1, 2008... Pipe-Valves Inc. has moved to a 144,000-sq.-ft. facility at 1200 E. 5th Avenue in Columbus. The new location is three miles east of its former location. The industrial PVF distributor is celebrating its 45th anniversary.

Tyco Fire & Building Products.(EXPANSIONS ...)
April 1, 2008... Tyco Fire & Building Products has opened a Grinnell Mechanical Grooved Products warehouse in Carol Stream, IL. This location is in addition to existing warehouses in Anniston, AL; Brea, CA; Norristown, PA; and Avon, MA.

Warren Alloy Valve & Fitting Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ...)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Warren Alloy Valve & Fitting Co. announced that Leonard Fruci, formerly of Crane Energy Flow Solutions Group, has joined the company as its new president and CEO. Adam Finn, who has served as the president of the...

Legend Valve & Fitting.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ...)
April 1, 2008... Legend Valve & Fitting: Peter O'Donnell has joined Legend Valve & Fitting as central regional sales manager, and Tom Weiske as Western regional sales manager, according to Legend National Sales Manager John Kirkland. O'Donnell has 20 years of...

Powell Valves.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ...)
April 1, 2008... Powell Valves: David "Brandy" Cowart has assumed the responsibilities of executive vice president of The Wm. Powell Co. (Powell Valves). He will continue to be accountable for Powell's global sales and marketing growth, as well as new areas of...

A brief history of F.W. Webb.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The oldest wholesaler in New England, F.W. Webb traces its roots back to 1866 when J. VanNess Stultz formed a small brass shop in Boston, the year after the Civil War ended. In 1873, he...

36% growth starts year for North American project spending.(Pipe, Valves & Fittings News)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... According to research in January by Industrial Information Resources (www.industrialinfo.com), industrial project spending in North America grew 36.9% in January 2008 when compared with the previous January. As of that time there was $327...

NW Pipe reports record year.(Pipe, Valves & Fittings News)(Northwest Pipe Co.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Northwest Pipe Co. reported the highest annual sales and earnings in its history. Sales for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, were $382.8 million compared to $346.6 million in 2006. Net income was $20.8 million, compared to $20.0 million in 2006....

M.A. Stewart & Sons.(ACQUISITIONS ...)
April 1, 2008... M.A. Stewart & Sons, a Canadian PVF distributor based in Surrey, BC, has acquired the B.K. Thorpe Co., headquartered in Long Beach, CA, and with a branch office in Bakersfield, CA. Founded in 1970, Thorpe is an oilfield PVF and equipment...

Cameron.(ACQUISITIONS ...)
April 1, 2008... Cameron has acquired SBS Oilfield Equipment GmbH, doing business as SBS Drilling-and-Production Systems GmbH, an Austrian manufacturer of artificial lift systems. SBS designs, builds and installs in-well rod lift pumping and progressive cavity...

Flowserve Corp.(ACQUISITIONS ...)
April 1, 2008... Flowserve Corp. announced it has acquired the remaining 50% of shares needed to have full ownership interest in Niigata Worthington in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. Flowserve previously owned 50% of Niigata Worthington in a long-term joint...

Zy-Tech Global Industries.(NEWS NAMES ...)
April 1, 2008... Zy-Tech Global Industries announced that it has changed its company name to Global Flow Technologies. The name change is effective immediately as a series of new product and service offerings is being launched that demonstrate the company's...

Rotork Process Controls.(NEWS NAMES ...)
April 1, 2008... Rotork Process Controls (RPC) is the new name of the former Jordan Controls unit of Rotork Controls. RPC will be an independent group within the Controls division encompassing ex-Jordan products as well as CVA.

Tyco Flow Control.(AWARDS ...)
April 1, 2008... Tyco Flow Control's Morin Actuator facility in Pelham, AL, was approved by OSHA for Star participation in the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). Approval into VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and...

Viega's Internal Recirculation System: installed for first time in Pennsylvania Hotel.
April 1, 2008... Wichita, Kan. -- Viega's Internal Recirculation System put an innovative spin on conventional water recirculation piping and it needed a champion. It found one in contractor Brian Dwyer of Dwyer Plumbing. Always enthusiastic to embrace new...

Sloan Valve Co.(CONTESTS, AWARDS ...)
April 1, 2008... Sloan Valve Co. received Platinum-level awards in the 2008 Awards for Design Excellence (ADEX) competition for its UPPERCUT Dual-Flush Flushometer and its SJS-1750 sensor-operated foam soap dispenser.

DDI System.(TECHNOLOGY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... DDI System will broadcast a Webinar entitled, "Discover New Strategies to Improve Business Operations," April 23, 2008. For details, visit www.ddisys,com.

Vormittag Associates Inc.(TECHNOLOGY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Vormittag Associates Inc. (VAI) recently hosted a series of Webinars focusing on topics of interest to distributors. Visit http://www.vai.netibestpractice.html for details.

eXchange Plumbing Products Online LLC.(TECHNOLOGY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... eXchange Plumbing Products Online LLC has added a new Technical Forum on plumbing system design and installation for plumbing engineers, contractors and suppliers to its Web site, xppo.freeforums.org.

Microcad Software.(TECHNOLOGY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Microcad Software has released Autokitchen 8, allowing users to create realistic 3D kitchen designs powered by the AutoCAD OEM 2008 engine.

Embassy Group Ltd.(TECHNOLOGY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Embassy Group Ltd. (Elgin, IL), a limited group of plumbing, HVAC and PVF wholesalers, has selected Activant Solutions Inc. as a new recommended Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for its members.

Engenuity Systems.(TECHNOLOGY NEWS ...)
April 1, 2008... Engenuity Systems' Tracy and Kim Markie were awarded by The Arizona Small Business Development Center with a "Success Award" which recognizes the positive impact the company has had on their community and Arizona's economy.

Bradley Corp.(down the PIPE)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ann Beier, director of Milwaukee's Office of Environment Sustainability, was the keynote speaker at the Green Manufacturing Summit hosted by Bradley Corp. and Focus on Energy, which drew 200 attendees.

50 ways to improve your business--right now.(PVF TALK)
April 1, 2008... [1] Turn off the phone for at least one half hour (better yet an hour) every day. Who can think about what they are supposed to be doing to grow the business with the phone jangling all day long? [2] Same goes for e-mail. [3] Better...

PASCO congratulates: Supply House Times.
April 1, 2008... Fifty years is a milestone for any endeavor and PASCO would like to congratulate Supply House Times for reaching that mark. As the premier outlet of information for the plumbing industry, you can be proud of the contributions you have made over...

50 best practices to improve your business: find greater success with these time-tested tips.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] By Supply House Times Staff A key element of Supply House Times' celebration of its 50th anniversary has been to examine "Best Practices" in an effort to provide insightful information that will help them grow...

Sioux Chief Manufacturing: a true American innovator.
April 1, 2008... Since 1957, Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co. has demonstrated its dedication to creative manufacturing and new product development with the ultimate goal of making plumbing installation easier, more effective, and more efficient. Sioux Chief...

50 future operations trends for the PCHP supply industry: low-tech solutions are usually better than expensive high-tech ones.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Voice directed operations (VDO), with the staff, including the counter, online with the computer regardless of the task being performed. No scanning, no monitors or displays, just a noise-canceling headset with...

Continuous improvement and customer focus are keys to industry leadership for Cambridge-Lee.
April 1, 2008... Cambridge-Lee Industries, a leading manufacturer of high quality copper tubing, has a proud history of continuous improvements and a focus on customer service that define the company's leadership position in the plumbing tube industry. ...

50 green building trends for the future: sustainable homes and buildings are the present and the future.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Supply House Times published its first issue, green was a color, not a movement. Not even Kermit the Frog was on the scene vet to tell us that being green isn't always easy. Looking ahead to the next 50...

Acorn safety's eye/face wash.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Acorn Safety's S2260-PAN-RA is a barrier-free, recessed activated, eye/ face wash with ABS plastic eye/face wash spray heads and a horizontally mounted emergency shower with a stainless steel showerhead. The eye/face...

50 years of Information Technology advances.(TECH TIPS)
April 1, 2008... The word "revolution" is appropriate to describe the way Information Technology (IT) has impacted businesses, organizations and consumers around the globe during the past 50 years. When Supply House Times was first published, few distributors...

Charlie Horton's legacy: a review of the words of wisdom from Supply House Times' unforgettable founder, Charlie Horton.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For this Golden Anniversary edition of Supply House Times, we decided to focus on the future rather than wallow in nostalgia as the best way to serve PHCP industry readers of 2008. At the same time it would be...

DDI offers inform 2008.
April 1, 2008... "I'm loving it. It is a great system, it keeps getting better and better!" Andy Whitehead Hanover Supply inform user [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With hundreds of clients running businesses similar to yours, inform 2008...

Specifying kitchen sinks.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In small kitchens (less than 150 square feet in size), it is not uncommon to have one single-bowl sink specified. Single sinks can range from 24 inches to 30 inches wide. Generally, this sink is 24 inches x 22 inches...