Supply House Times articles from August 2006

Supply House Times archives from August 2006

ASA, HARDI and NAW fight LIFO repeal.(American Supply Association)(Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International)(National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors)(last in, first out)
August 1, 2006... The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) and its LIFO Coalition, the American Supply Association (ASA) and the Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) are asserting their support of the...

Midland Metal Mfg. Co.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
August 1, 2006... Midland Metal Mfg. Co. announced a new catalog almost double the size of its previous version, available this month. The family-owned company has expanded its product offering and committed to a bigger, broader PEX line in response to customer...

Wolseley plc.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Wolseley plc: Charlie Banks (center), group CEO, rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange July 5. Banks, who retired July 31, rang the bell to commemorate Wolseley's fifth anniversary on the NYSE and to mark five years as CEO of...

Obituaries.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)(Obituary)
August 1, 2006... * John R. Lindahl Sr., 84, co-founder and former chairman and CEO of State Industries, Ashland City, TN, died July 5. He was born in 1922 in Malvern, AR. His family later relocated to Nashville, where his father, H.W. Lindahl Sr., started an...

Residential building permit activity regional & local market survey.(A Supply House Times Exclusive)(Chart)(Survey)
August 1, 2006... A SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES Exclusive Residential Building Permit Activity Regional & Local Market Survey MAY 2006 Region Residential Permits Local Markets ...

Wiseway Supply.(opening celebration of the new branch)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Wiseway Supply (Florence, KY) hosted a grand opening celebration for its Loveland, OH, branch, now located at 433 Wards Corner Rd. The 19,400-sq.-ft. building includes a 12,000-sq.-ft. showroom, 7,400-sq.-ft. warehouse and 23,800 sq. ft. of...

California lead Bill passes House, but confusion reigns.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
August 1, 2006... California Assembly Bill 1953, which calls for the reduction of lead content in plumbing pipe, fittings and fixtures to no more than 0.25%, passed the state House by one vote on May 31. The current law allows up to 8% lead for pipe and fittings...

Security Supply Corp.(Kim Willey promoted to vice president of operations and purchasing)(Brian Fowler promoted to vice president of sales and marketing)(Kevin Williams promoted to vice president of technology)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Security Supply Corp. (Selkirk, NY) elected Kim Willey, director of purchasing, to vice president of operations and purchasing. Kevin Williams, formerly manager of information systems, was promoted to vice president of technology. Brian Fowler,...

Showrooms are breaking out all over.(NEWS: BATH & KITCHEN)
August 1, 2006... Builders Plumbing and Heating Supply has remodeled its five showrooms in Ann Arbor, Midland, Traverse City, Grand Rapids and Lansing, MI. The 50-year-old wholesale distributor opened new Kohler[R] showrooms in the five Michigan locations,...

Neoperl[R].
August 1, 2006... NEOPERL[R] has introduced counter display deals. Choices include the Perlator[R] Deal 22P for OEM-quality faucet aerators in standard flow; Deal 15P for a water-conserving low-flow faucet aerator; or Deal 36W or 36C for the Vario[R] kitchen...

Sloan Valve Co.(BATH & KITCHEN PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Sloan Valve Co. introduced its Optima[R] Lino[TM] faucet, the latest in its line of sensor-operated, water-saving plumbing fixtures. It has double infrared sensors and microprocessor-based logic. The chrome-plated die-cast metal faucets,...

Danze.(BATH & KITCHEN PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Danze has expanded its Victorian-inspired Opulence collection with a deck-mount pot filler for the kitchen. It is installed on the counter surface and plumbed from below with a cold water line. It can be installed on island-mounted stoves as...

DECOLAV.(BATH & KITCHEN PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... DECOLAV unveiled its 2650 console lavatory with a sleek, v-shaped pedestal. Shown here, the lavatory includes a tempered glass countertop; semi-recessed glass vessel; cut-out wooden drawer and an open glass shelf. Circle 205 ...

Harrington[R] Brass Works.(BATH & KITCHEN PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Harrington[R] Brass Works introduced the Capri collection. The Capri widespread lavatory faucet is available as a widespread, single-hole lavatory faucet or vessel faucet, as well as tub and shower systems. It is offered in polished chrome,...

Murray Supply Co.(BATH & KITCHEN PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Murray Supply Co. (Winston Salem, NC) held a "Lunch and Learn" session, led by Paul Greenough from Decorative Sales (pictured) on Sigma Designer Faucetry products. Customers and sales associates learned how to properly install Sigma faucets....

Symmons.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Symmons offers the new Sereno[R] single-handle lavatory faucet featuring Symmetrix[R] technology. It features ceramic control components, aerator, single-hole mount and metal construction and is available in polished chrome, Radiance[R] satin...

MNG Designer Hardware.(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
August 1, 2006... MNG Designer Hardware introduced its Striped series of knobs and pulls in a range of shapes, sizes and finishes. The line includes a clapper or bailhinged pull inspired by mission-style furniture, and mount and bin pulls that feature round and...

Longley Supply Co.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Longley Supply Co. hired Angela Maglione as showroom manager for its Wilmington location. She is a member of the Cape Fear Home Builders Association. Longley operates nine locations in North Carolina.

Tasman Sinkware North America.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Tasman Sinkware North America named Joseph Pletka eastern regional manager for Oliveri sinks, covering Maine to Florida. He formerly was southeast regional business development manager for American Standard, and territory manager for central...

The Fuller House.(Relocation ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The Fuller House (Apex, NC), a division of Murray Supply, recently moved its kitchen and bath showroom from Kildaire Farms Rd. in Cary, NC, to a new building located at 3453 Apex Peakway in Norris Park, Apex, NC. This 4,400sq.-ft, showroom,...

Western States Sales.(Rep Update ...)
August 1, 2006... Western States Sales, with offices in Seattle and Portland, will represent the Oliveri line of kitchen sinks in the states of Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Tasman Sinkware is the Australian-based manufacturer of Oiiveri brand sinks.

Falcon Waterfree Technologies.(Information, Reading Matter ...)
August 1, 2006... Falcon Waterfree Technologies has a new DVD that demonstrates how waterfree urinals work and why they are hygienic, safe, and economical. It also provides step-by-step instructions for the installation and maintenance of waterfree urinals. The...

Lasco Bathware.(Information, Reading Matter ...)
August 1, 2006... Lasco Bathware is offering a White Paper detailing its initiatives to meet new air pollution standards and the challenges faced by manufacturers of reinforced plastic composites now required to capture and control 95% of styrene emissions. For...

American Standard.(Information, Reading Matter ...)
August 1, 2006... American Standard has written a book for and about bathrooms, "Behind the Bathroom Door," a free 20-page consumer booklet that includes advice on how to design a trendy bathroom, facts about Americans' bathroom habits and a bathroom history...

Moen.(Award ...)
August 1, 2006... Moen said its Home Care[R] by Moen[R] flow control handheld shower won the 2006 Product Innovation for Consumer Safety Award from the Home Safety Council (HSC). The handheld shower has a flow control "pause" button and was designed to make...

Oceania Baths.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Oceania Baths' Sakura bathtub won the award for excellence in the "new products--plumbing fixtures and valves" category at the Montreal International Design Show. Designed for people who expect to live independently in their own homes, it...

HomePortfolio.(Partnerships ...)
August 1, 2006... HomePortfolio, a consumer Internet company with a database of premium home design products, announced partnership agreements with Supply New England, Attleboro, MA; Torrington Supply Co., Waterbury, CT; and Pace Supply Co., Santa Rosa, CA....

The Home Depot[R].(Partnerships ...)
August 1, 2006... The Home Depot[R] is now selling advertising on its Web site, www.homedepot.com, to select vendor partners. Moen Inc. is one of the vendor partners that has signed up to advertise on the Web site, according to The Home Depot. When consumers...

Tenaris to buy Maverick Tube.(NEWS: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
August 1, 2006... Global seamless pipe producer Tenaris S.A. will acquire Maverick Tube Corp. for $65 per share in cash, it was jointly announced by the two companies. The transaction is valued at $3.185 billion (all prices in U.S. dollars), including Maverick's...

Kelly Pipe expands to Houston, Chicago.(new facility opened)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Kelly Pipe Co. has opened new facilities in Houston and Chicago. headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, CA, Kelly operates 11 branches plus 16 stocking locations for industrial PVF. The new 14-acre Houston operation is located at 1711 Skinner...

Flowserve Corp.
August 1, 2006... Flowserve Corp. has acquired HydroTechnik Olomouc, s.r.o., a privately held mechanical seal manufacturer based in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

ITT Industries.
August 1, 2006... ITT Industries has acquired the EB. Leopold Co. Based in Zelienople, PA, Leopold produces clarification and gravity filtration technology for municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment facilities.

The International Stainless Steel Forum.
August 1, 2006... The International Stainless Steel Forum has announced that world stainless crude steel production in the first quarter of 2006 stood at a record 6.6 million metric tons. That was 0.3% higher than the first quarter of 2005 and 12.2% more than...

Prices for stainless cold rolled coils.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Prices for stainless cold rolled coils have increased by 29% in the USA so far this year, according to the British steel consulting firm MEPS. A large part of the increase being paid by stainless buyers is attributable to higher costs for...

Steel producers showcase Chinese subsidies.(NEWS: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
August 1, 2006... A new study sponsored by four organizations representing steel producers documents the artificial advantages fueling the unprecedented 170% growth rate of the Chinese steel industry from 2000 to 2005. The China Syndrome: How Subsidies and...

Red Man buys Bear Tubular.(NEWS: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
August 1, 2006... Red Man Pipe & Supply has acquired Bear Tubular, Inc., a PVF distributor headquartered in Marcus Hook, PA, and with a second location in Portland, ME. Headquartered in Tulsa, OK, Red Man operates 62 store facilities and 6 sales offices...

ITC researches China's impact on commodities.(International Trade Commission)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... China's stunning economic growth in recent years, particularly in the manufacturing sector, has increased the country's demand for energy and other commodities, which has affected wider global commodity markets in complex ways. The impact of...

ITC extends pipe duties.(NEWS: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
August 1, 2006... The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted in late June to continue the existing countervailing duty order on circular welded pipe and tube from Turkey; the existing antidumping duty orders on circular welded pipe and tube from Brazil,...

Industrial hot spots.(NEWS: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
August 1, 2006... The following information was gleaned from recent reports by Industrial Info Resources (www.industrialinfo.com), based in Sugar Land, TX. * More than $8 billion in industrial capital projects are planned to begin construction in the third...

A little pruning--a lot of growth: more of everything is not necessarily better.(ADAMS on PVF SUPPLY)
August 1, 2006... Over time, all companies collect more customers, products and vendors than they need. A careful sorting of each of these three groups will show you where you are making money, breaking even and even losing money. Ranking your customers...

APR Supply buys modular home supplier.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
August 1, 2006... APR Supply, Lebanon, PA, has acquired the assets of Muncy, PA-based DLM Supply. Both companies are family-run and offer equipment and supplies for the manufactured housing/mobile and modular home industry. DLM has serviced that industry for 27...

A-1 Components Corp.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A-1 Components Corp., formerly known as Watsco Components, announced a new sales policy. Purchased in 2003 by a private investors group, the company's relationship with its previous owner is strictly as a customer and not as a competitor....

Rheem Manufacturing.
August 1, 2006... Rheem Manufacturing's Air Conditioning Division announced its Rheem Team Top 10 Top Contractors for 2005. These contractors specialize in installing and servicing Rheem air conditioning and heating equipment for residential or commercial use....

Gustave A. Larson celebrates 70 years.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Pewaukee, WI-based Gustave A. Larson Co. celebrated its 70th anniversary in July. The company has been family owned and operated since Gus Larson founded it in 1936. It began as a small storefront in Madison, WI, with just two employees. Today,...

Danfoss to acquire Scroll Technologies.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
August 1, 2006... Danfoss A/S entered into an agreement to acquire Scroll Technologies, a manufacturer of scroll compressors for HVACR applications. Scroll Technologies operates a plant in Arkadelphia, AR, and has 750 employees. In 2005, the company manufactured...

ICOR introduces refrigerant tech support center.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
August 1, 2006... ICOR International Inc. has opened a new center to provide ACR service technicians with refrigerant-related diagnostic support. "There has been a sharp increase of retrofit activity in the ACR sector with many companies making the move to...

Report identifies optimal HVAC practices.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
August 1, 2006... A report from the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute (ARTI) found the mechanical components, design and installation practices, and load reduction strategies most acceptable among homeowners, builders and architects, as...

Uponor North America.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Uponor North America announced the resignation of Jim Bjork, executive vice president and a member of Uponor Corp.'s executive committee. He has served the company in a variety of management positions since he joined in 1990, and was...

Johnstone Supply.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Johnstone Supply (Portland, OR) promoted Johanna Glode to the position of vice president of organization development. She is responsible for the company's corporate human resources and national training function, as well as facilitating the...

J. H. Larson Co.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... J. H. Larson Co. (Plymouth, MN) named Kenneth Stehlik branch manager at its St. Paul, MN, HVAC branch. Steven Nelson was named corporate HVAC project manager.

Taco.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Taco named William Leuschen the new central commercial regional manager for the Midwest. He will be responsible for commercial/industrial business development, working with commercial reps and OEMs.

RRR Industrial Sales.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... In other news, the company announced RRR Industrial Sales, Dallas, will sell its residential products in Oklahoma. RRR also sells Taco's residential products in North Texas. Hydronic Systems will continue to sell Taco commercial products.

Noland expands in North Carolina.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
August 1, 2006... Noland Co. opened two new branches in Asheville and High Point, NC. The Newport News, VA-based firm now has a total of 18 locations in the state. Both locations stock a variety of residential and commercial heating and air conditioning...

Fernco.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
August 1, 2006... Storm Drain System is designed to drain excess water quickly from driveways, garages, pool and patio areas and walkways. It is also engineered for strength and ease of installation. For more information call 1-800-521-1283. Circle 201 ...

Advance Tabco.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
August 1, 2006... Undermount sink bowls are available in a wide selection for commercial and residential use. Choose from a complete line of bar sinks, "Farmer Sinks" and the largest kitchen sink in the industry: 28 inches by 20 inches by 12 inches, the company...

Activant.(Award ...)
August 1, 2006... Activant awarded Contractors Pipe and Supply (Farmington Hills, MI) the first annual Activant-WIT and Co. Technology Partner of the Year Award. The wholesaler of plumbing fixtures and supplies received the award for its forward-thinking...

Onset Computer Corp.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Onset Computer Corp., a supplier of battery-powered data loggers, named Gregg Daly director of sales. He recently served as the company's sales manager.

ProLogis hails voice recognition over RFID.(NEWS: TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2006... ProLogis, a global provider of distribution facilities and services, released a report hailing voice-recognition (VR) technology, not radio-frequency identification (RFID), as the most important technological breakthrough for distribution...

Johnson Controls acquires Berg.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
August 1, 2006... Johnson Controls, a supplier of building efficiency, power solutions and interior experience, acquired Berg Inc., a mechanical services company based in Shreveport, LA. Specific terms were not disclosed. Berg provides HVAC and plumbing...

The Home Depot[R].(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... The Home Depot[R] announced that Tom Taylor, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing, has decided to leave the company at the end of the year. Taylor will continue to lead the company's merchandising and marketing initiatives...

Cash Acme.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Cash Acme named Les Engelmann national backflow director. After joining Ames Co. in 1978 and becoming involved in product design, he developed the industry's first epoxy-coated fabricated steel detector check valve in 1980, and the first...

Bradford White.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Bradford White promoted Robert G. McKenney to district sales manager. He has served as product analyst and assistant regional sales manager during his five years with the company.

Heat Transfer Products.(People On The Move ...)
August 1, 2006... Heat Transfer Products named David R. Martin president, effective July 10. He reports to CEO David B. Davis. Martin spent the past 16 years with the Water Heating Division of Rheem Manufacturing Co. For the past four years he was vice...

Wolseley.(Acquisition ...)
August 1, 2006... Wolseley (Reading, England) signed an agreement to acquire DT Group (formerly known as Danske Traelast), a distributor of building materials, from CVC Capital Partners. DT Group has 16 wholesale outlets, 175 builders' merchants and 65 DIY...

SupplyFORCE.(New Members ...)
August 1, 2006... supplyFORCE announced that Hagerty Industrial Supply (Peoria, IL) is a new ISD, PVF, Safety and Fasteners Member, and Orr Safety Corp. (Louisville, KY) is a new Safety Member, both effective July 19. For more information, visit...

The Nexstar Legacy Foundation.(Scholarship ...)
August 1, 2006... The Nexstar Legacy Foundation will award the first Frank J. Blau Jr. scholarships in October. Applications can be downloaded from the Web site: www.nexstarfoundation.org.

Vanguard.(Product ...)
August 1, 2006... Vanguard now offers newly designed, flexible mounting brackets on its MANABLOC PEX manifold to speed installation, relieve unnecessary stress on the system and eliminate the need for a quarter-inch spacer for flush mount applications. ...

Supply House Times.(Awards ...)
August 1, 2006... SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES Editor Jim Olsztynski won a 2006 APEX Award for feature writing (Wholesaler of the Year, Castle Supply) and the entire staff was honored for its news writing (coverage of Hurricane Katrina).

IAPMO.(Awards ...)
August 1, 2006... IAPMO: The IAPMO Group's "Official" won a 2006 APEX Award for Publication Excellence for Most Improved Magazine. "Official" is the bimonthly publication of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

Bradley Corp.(Awards ...)
August 1, 2006... Bradley Corp. was presented with the Orion Environmental Stewardship Award. A change in plant lighting reduced the power used for lighting by 114,053 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, about 41%, and the amount Bradley spends for power for lighting...

Modern Plumbing Supply's fresh start: owner Steve Berger is following in his father's footsteps as a plumbing wholesaler with successful showrooms.(Cover story)
August 1, 2006... The New Milford, CT, bath and kitchen showroom operated by Modern Plumbing Supply started the year out right with a grand opening Jan. 2. This location combines a 5,000-sq.-ft. luxury showroom, a 5,000-sq.-ft. self-service parts counter and a...

Practicing what they preach: how Able Distributors turned a decrepit old factory into a state-of-the-art showcase of commercial hydronic heating.(Hydronic/Radiant: Heating Systems)
August 1, 2006... 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...

First 'Innovative Thinking' conference gains rave review: hiring, retention and training get examined by more than a dozen experts.
August 1, 2006... Staff Report The inaugural "Innovative Thinking" conference drew 80 participants to the lush resort of Lake Lanier islands near Atlanta last June 12-13. Few were sorry they came. Sponsored by BNP Media Co.'s Plumbing Group of...

ISH North America in Chicago: education ... products ... networking.(INDUSTRY EVENT)
August 1, 2006... ISH North America, the only North American trade show that addresses the complete supply chain for the kitchen and bath, plumbing, PVF, HVAC and hydronics industries, will hold its fourth trade show. Sept. 28-30. in McCormick Place North Hall,...

Supply chain: partner of the month.(Organization overview)
August 1, 2006... Established: 1974 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...

Plumbing & PVF distributor profitability stats: 2006 0PR now available.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
August 1, 2006... Each year, the American Supply Association publishes its Operating Performance Report of the PHCP Wholesale Distribution and PVF Distribution Industries (OPR). The OPR represents the most complete, accurate and up-to-date database of financial...

For inquisitive acquisitives.(M&A Advice and Counsel)
August 1, 2006... In his book, entitled, "The Acquisitive Distributor: Acquisitions as a Growth Strategy for Distributors" author Brent Grover presents a wealth of information of interest to anyone who is contemplating either the sale of, or purchase of, a...

As seen at K*BIS[R] Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference 2006: Part 2.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Here are more products seen at the 2006 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show held in Chicago last spring. Additional products will be featured in the September issue in Part 3 of this issues. Hansgrohe offers its newest designer collection, Axor...

Showroom gross profit margins are too low!(DARLINGTON on Showrooms)(Column)
August 1, 2006... As I indicated in last month's article, I have been working with a number of wholesalers and their showrooms in the past several months. Each of these wholesalers has recognized the tremendous potential that showrooms offer. All of them are...

The advent of higher efficiency air conditioners: wholesalers and contractors have a great story to tell on why homeowners should replace their old units.(WHEELER on HVACR)
August 1, 2006... I had a call from a marketing lady last October (I often get such calls) who wanted to pick my brain as to what would happen when our industry had to provide residential air-conditioning units with a minimum of 13-SEER efficiency. She didn't...

Ten things you wanted to know about air conditioners (but were afraid to ask).(WHEELER on HVACR)
August 1, 2006... (1) Q: What is a ton of air conditioning? A: It is the amount of cooling you would get from a one-ton block of ice if it all melted over a 24-hour period. (2) Q: How de Btus relate to tons of cooling? A. Aton of ice provides...

Hirsch Pipe & Supply Co.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
August 1, 2006... Hirsch Pipe & Supply Co. (San Juan Capistrano, CA) hosted more than 300 guests on a week-long vacation to Costa Del Sol in southern Spain in May, culminating a yearlong customer promotion. Customers earned the vacation by purchasing a specified...

10 Reasons to attend ISH North America: it's the only trade show aimed primarily at the trade channel.(EDITORIAL)
August 1, 2006... Reason #1--It's YOUR show. There's no shortage of trade shows featuring PHCP products, but you won't find another one aimed specifically at the trade channel of distribution. You won't find many interior designers, retailers, consumers and...