Supply House Times articles from February 2008

Supply House Times archives from February 2008

Three wholesalers expand operations.(NEWS & information)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Distributors WinWholesale, Barnet t and R.E. Michel have announced recent expansion of their businesses. Dayton, OH-based WinWholesale opened the Tampa Winnelson Co., its first in the Tampa Bay area, serving...

Wiseway Supply.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... * Wiseway Supply (Florence, KY) announced that Ed Jung has joined the company as director of branch operations.

Blue Hawk Distribution.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... * BLUE HAWK Distribution (Phoenix, AZ), a member-owned purchasing cooperative of independent HVACR distributors, announced the promotion of Colleen Leppert to vice president. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Western Suppliers Association.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... * Western Suppliers Association announced that Don Robertson, former owner and president of Steam & Plumbing Service Corp. (San Francisco) and a 30-year industry veteran, is its new executive director.

Hart & Cooley Inc.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Hart & Cooley Inc. appointed Jerry Kirkland vice president of operations.

Matco-Norca.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... * Matco-Norca has announced that Lynn A. McVay, formerly of Watts Water Technologies, has joined the company as its new president. In conjunction with McVay's appointment, Dov Matz, formerly president, will become chairman of the board and CEO...

Mincron aquired by BSG.(NEWS & information)
February 1, 2008... Mincron SBC Corp., a supplier of distribution and warehouse software solutions, was acquired by Briarcliff Solutions Group LLC (BSG), an owner and operator of businesses that provide software solutions in the supply chain. Mincron will...

Obituary.(NEWS & information)(Jay W. Fidler)(Obituary)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Jay W. Fidler, former president and chairman of Hercules Chemical Co., died Oct. 31, 2007. He joined the company in 1946, became national sales manager in 1956 and was appointed its president in 1962. In 1998, following the sale of the company...

Grant/Madison Supply celebrates 75 years.(NEWS & information)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] North Brunswick, NJ-based Grant/ Madison Supply held a 75th anniversary show for customers, employees and vendors in late September. Pictured, Grant /Madison employees dressed in matching #75 red jerseys for the fall...

Residential building permit activity regional & local market survey.(A Supply House Times Exclusive)
February 1, 2008... A SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES Exclusive Residential Building Permit Activity Regional & Local Market Survey NOVEMBER 2007 Region Residential Permits Nov. 07 ...

Dealers meet to kick off York-US air partnership.(NEWS & information)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More than 500 York dealers, managers and executives, as well as US Airconditioning Distributors representatives, gathered in Las Vegas Oct. 25-26 to kick off a new partnership between the two organizations. US...

Watts Water Technologies.(People On The Move ...)(Stephen Callahan)(Paul Green )(Gisela Martinez )(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Watts Water Technologies named Stephen Callahan national market manager for its new line of OneFlow anti-scale systems. Callahan most recently was cofounder and president of PureTech Waters of America. Also, Paul Green has re-joined Watts as...

Danfoss A/S.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... Danfoss A/S, the Denmark-based parent company of Danfoss Inc. (U.S. and Canada), has announced several changes following the retirement of Hans Kirk, executive vice president and chief development officer. Kjeld Staerk is now president of...

Distributor reports success with camouflage promotion.(NEWS & information)
February 1, 2008... Bruce-Rogers, a distributor of plumbing, heating and air conditioning products based in Fort Smith, AR, surpassed last year's gross sales for the same period by more than $450,000 and increased gross profit by more than $100,000 vs. last year's...

New Nashville showroom acts like home show.(NEWS & information)
February 1, 2008... SelectionCenter.com, which bills itself as "Your Home Show Headquarters," has opened a showroom at 2960 Sidco Drive in Nashville. It offers lighting, flooring, window treatments, cabinets, counter surfaces, plumbing, hardware and appliances...

Emerson Climate Technologies.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... Emerson Climate Technologies announced several appointments within its White-Rodgers division, including Steve Carey, director of product management; Geoff Godwin, vice president of marketing; Ron Miles, vice president of aftermarket sales;...

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. promoted John Roberts, national sales manager, to the position of vice president domestic sales, and Charles White, marketing manager, was promoted to vice president marketing. Mario Stan, marketing analyst, will perform a...

BrassCraft.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... BrassCraft hired Jeff Jollay as vice president of marketing and product development. Most recently Jollay was vice president, sales and consumer marketing for HON office furniture.

VAI (Vormittag Associates Inc.).(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... VAI (Vormittag Associates Inc.) has named Robert Romano senior sales executive. Romano has more than 27 years of sales experience with IBM.

Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products Division.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products Division named Randy Seright, area manager for the Western zone; Scott Ansley, area manager for Michigan and northern Ohio; Tom McSorley, area manager for the Southern zone, focusing on Florida; and...

ECR International.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... ECR International hired Kevin Pheney, formerly with Lochinvar Corp., as district sales manager for the greater Chicago area. He also will oversee the company's independent reps in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Blanco America.(People On The Move ...)
February 1, 2008... Blanco America named Rich DeFeo director of finance.

Blue Angel Pumps and Engineered Pumps announced new rep agencies.(Rep Update ...)
February 1, 2008... Blue Angel Pumps and Engineered Pumps announced new rep agencies: David Gooding Inc. (DGI) for New England; Lowder Sales for Ohio; MidAtlantic Sales for Virginia; Evans and Associates for Georgia; and Seamon and Associates for Kentucky and...

Anvil International.(Rep Update ...)(Anvil International formed partnership with Midwest Spec)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Anvil International has formed a partnership with Midwest Spec, which has two regional sales offices in Cincinnati and North Jackson, OH. The rep firm will cover northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, northeast West Virginia, and the northern...

Burnham Hydronics.(Rep Update ...)
February 1, 2008... Burnham Hydronics named N.H. Yates & Co. its manufacturers rep for Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware, southeast Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

Midland Metal.(Rep Update ...)
February 1, 2008... Midland Metal appointed Bulls-I Sales of Leawood, KS, as its manufacturers rep for Kansas and western Missouri.

Antidumping duties imposed on China welded pipe.(PVF)
February 1, 2008... The Commerce Department will impose antidumping duties on China circular welded steel pipe exports at an average rate of 25.67%. Individual company margins range from zero to 51.34%. These antidumping duties are in addition to the antisubsidy...

Smith-Cooper buys fine stainless.(PVF)
February 1, 2008... Smith-Cooper International (SCI) acquired Fine Stainless Piping Products of Paramount, CA. Founder and namesake Arnie Fine will stay on as vice president of national sales for what is now the Stainless Div. of SCI. Fine is a veteran of more...

Zurn to buy GA Industries.(PVF)(Zurn Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Rexnord LLC announced that its affiliate, Zurn Industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the stock of GA Industries, Inc., which includes the Rodney Hunt Co., for a cash purchase price of $76 millon. Based in Cranberry, PA,...

Industrial spending seen rising 5.5% in '08.(PVF)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Industrial Info Resources is forecasting a 5.55% increase in total investment value (TIV) for North American industrial projects in 2008 when compared with 2007. The forecast is based on research identifying thousands of projects scheduled to...

CE Franklin adds to oil field empire.(PVF)
February 1, 2008... CE Franklin Ltd. has acquired JEN Supply Inc., which operates four oil field equipment supply stores in east-central Alberta. Based in Calgary, CE Franklin supplies PVF and other oil field supplies to energy industries in Canada from 42...

Rheem Manufacturing Co. Replacement Parts Department.(Expansion ...)
February 1, 2008... The Rheem Manufacturing Co. Replacement Parts Department said that Ruud distributor Global HVAC Distributors opened its newest PROSTOCK store in Orange, CA, including a 20,000-sq.-ft. warehouse and a 1,500-sq.-ft. showroom. [ILLUSTRATION...

DECOLAV.(Awards ...)
February 1, 2008... DECOLAV received a Merit Award at Interior Design magazine's 2007 "Best of Year" awards for its Cityview vanity.

Alliance to Save Energy.(Green News ...)
February 1, 2008... The Alliance to Save Energy announced that the 2008 Stars of Energy Efficiency Award nominations are now available online at www.ase.org/nom.

Chicago Faucets.(Green News ...)
February 1, 2008... Chicago Faucets, a member of the Geberit Group, said its Milwaukee, WI-based Starline foundry was honored by the city of Milwaukee for exemplary implementation of environmental conservation regulations.

Kohler Co.(Green News ...)
February 1, 2008... Kohler Co. joined the new Alliance for Water Efficiency as a charter sponsor.

Watts Water Technologies.(Green News ...)
February 1, 2008... Watts Water Technologies has become a member of the United States Green Building Council.

IAPMO R&T.(Green News ...)
February 1, 2008... IAPMO R&T recognized NEOPERL as the first manufacturer to be independently certified to meet the U.S. EPA WaterSense criteria for lavatory faucets.

National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers.(Green News ...)
February 1, 2008... The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers will hold its 55th Annual Convention and Trade Show May 18-22, 2008, at the new Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. Two of the featured speakers on "green" at the convention...

Hallowell International.(Green News ...)
February 1, 2008... Hallowell International's Acadia all-electric combined heating and cooling system was awarded Most Innovative Product for 2008 in the HVAC and Refrigeration marketplace at the 2008 AHR Expo.

Johnson Controls.(Training ...)
February 1, 2008... Johnson Controls will conduct a Zoning and Direct Digital Controls, Residential and Light Commercial Applications Train the Trainer program at the 2008 National HVAC Educators and Trainers Conference, Imperial Palace Hotel, Las Vegas, March...

Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.(Training ...)
February 1, 2008... The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute will join industry organizations and equipment manufacturers in hosting the 13th Annual HVACR and Plumbing Instructor Workshop, March 5-7, 2008, at the National Conference Center in...

Tyco Fire & Building Products.(Training ...)
February 1, 2008... Tyco Fire & Building Products has become certified as an Authorized Provider of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). For details, visit www.tyco-fire.com.

Combustion Analysis Train the Trainer program.(Training ...)
February 1, 2008... The Combustion Analysis Train the Trainer program, March 17-18 in Las Vegas, will teach industry trainers and educators about Combustion Analysis, the measurement of a combustion system's flue gases to determine the completeness (efficiency) of...

American IAQ Council.(Training ...)
February 1, 2008... The American IAQ Council approved a new certification exam for its Indoor Air Quality Manager program for building, property and facilities managers and others involved in policies regarding indoor air quality.

Murray Supply Co.(Industry News ...)
February 1, 2008... Murray Supply Co. (Winston-Salem, NC) held a BrassCraft Pig Pickin' at the Apex branch on Dec. 12, 2007. Robert Stokley from Pro-Marketing demonstrated several commercial and residential products from BrassCraft.

Trane.(Industry News ...)
February 1, 2008... Trane announced that its 210 Parts Centers across North America will now be called Trane HVAC Parts & Supply.

Activant Solutions.(Industry News ...)
February 1, 2008... Activant Solutions plans to host its annual Summit conference in New Orleans this March. Also, it has released Activant Eclipse Mobile Advanced.

EMS hires Canada head.(PVF)
February 1, 2008... EMS Group, a Houston-based provider of operations and maintenance services to the energy industry, announced that Milo "Budd" Melvin has been appointed as director of EMS Canada. EMS recently acquired K&D Oilfield Services to expand its...

Victaulic to open new Calif. DC.(PVF)
February 1, 2008... Victaulic announced plans to open a distribution center in Redlands, CA, by February 2008. The new 75,390-sq.-ft. facility will serve as a primary distribution point for Victaulic products and tools. It will replace an existing 41,000-sq.-ft....

Cameron gets $190 million Venezuelan oil contract.(PVF)
February 1, 2008... Cameron has been awarded a contract worth more than $190 million to provide subsea equipment and services to Petroleos De Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), the Venezuelan national oil company. Under the contract, Cameron will provide 10 subsea Christmas...

Georg Fischer acquires Central Plastics.(PVF)
February 1, 2008... Switzerland's Georg Fischer Corp. (GF) announced it is acquiring Central Plastics Co. of Shawnee, OK. Family-owned Central Plastics is a North America market leader in utility piping systems with annual sales of around $80 million. It will...

The odd logic of pre-set goals and missed opportunities. Why does success encourage us to stop and failure encourage us to press on when it should really be the other way around?(ADAMS on PVF Supply)
February 1, 2008... It is very hard to "study" our behavior vis-a-vis most anything. We are too busy doing things to step back and watch how we do it--and of course, we aren't exactly objective when we attempt anything like self-examination. That's why reading...

A piping primer.(FORUM PVF)
February 1, 2008... What is the best piping system? There are as many correct answers as there are types of piping systems. Basic factors that determine which system is the best for your facility start with the cost. The initial cost is not always the deciding...

ADA-compliant hand sink.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Advance Tabco's new model 7-PS-41 ADA-compliant hand sink includes an AC/DC-operated hands-free faucet, front-loading paper towel dispenser and a deck mounted soap dispenser. It is made with a rugged 16-gauge skirt...

Water and gas connection kits.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 Dormont Manufacturing introduces a family of tankless water heater water and gas connection kits that provide installers with all of the components needed to easily and economically install gas or electric tankless...

Halcyon multi-zone line.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 Fujitsu General America Inc. offers 41 combinations to achieve greater "mix-and-match" flexibility for its Halcyon line of R410A inverter multi-zone air conditioners and heat pump line. Its new Halcyon multi-zone...

Tankless water heater valve kit.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 4 The tankless water heater valve kit from Jomar contains two forged brass valves, each with a single, 3-way style ball. Each valve has quarter-turn operation, standard port with color-coded hot and cold lever...

Sillcock with PEX and Wirsbo connections.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 5 The 1/2-inch sillcock with PEX and Wirsbo connections from Raven Products features a 1/4-turn and a stainless lever handle with a vinyl cover. The valve has a packing nut and features a rough chrome finish. The...

Hand dryers.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... 6 Stiebel Eltron Galaxy hand dryers consist of rugged construction, no-touch operation, fast-drying power and quiet, trouble-free operation. An infrared sensor turns the unit on as you place hands underneath it, and shuts it off when hands are...

Tankless water heater.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... 7 The T-M50, said to be Takagi's most powerful tankless water heater yet, uses two heavy-duty heat exchangers to produce up to 380,000 BTU/h. The dual system ensures that if one unit were to break down, the other would continue operating...

Water seal technology.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... 8 Delta Faucet Co.'s patent-pending DIAMOND Seal Technology is an exclusive new water delivery system that eliminates contact with potential metal contaminants such as brass, copper or lead, keeping water as pure as it entered the faucet. It...

Kitchen and bar sink.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... 9 The BLANCOPERFORMA 1-1/2-bowl sink has expanded efficiency with a full-sized bowl and a secondary half-sized bowl. It is made from 18-gauge, 304 series stainless steel and features a long-lasting satin polished finish, said to be easy to...

Best practices of master distributors: best practices are like the difference between haute cuisine and mere sustenance.(Company overview)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In this our Golden Anniversary year, Supply House Times is going to pay special attention to operational excellence at all levels of the supply chain. This starts a series of "Best Practices" articles focused not on...

Internet focus of the month--residential faucets: if you are looking for information about faucets on the Internet, you could spend hours and hours gathering information and admiring the glamour shots. Here are a few sites we found and enjoyed visiting.
February 1, 2008... www.deltafaucet.com Delta Faucet's site also showcases its ad campaign that includes "Commentary From A Sponge," which draws attention to the magnetized spray head available on some of its kitchen faucets. It's a large site with plenty of...

Letter from the ASA president.
February 1, 2008... Dear Industry Colleagues, Solutions bring opportunity. As wholesalers and manufacturers, we've all been in a position to offer our customers a solution that brings them the opportunity to grow their businesses. The American Supply...

ASA to conduct Washington Fly-In: wholesalers and manufacturers are urged to participate.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)
February 1, 2008... Recognizing that 2008 is shaping up to be an historic election year with strong potential ramifications to the industry at stake, ASA has scheduled a Fly-In for wholesalers and manufacturers of PHCP/PVF products to personally meet with...

ASA 2008 operating performance report launches this month: benchmarking can move firms from operating to excelling.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)
February 1, 2008... Simple financial benchmarking analysis can provide significant performance insights that may not otherwise be possible. Understanding financial ratio benchmarks and the positive impact of this type of analysis could mean the difference between...

ISH North America 2008 highlights green building.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)
February 1, 2008... ISH North America 2008 has addressed the PHCP industry's move toward Renewable Energies and Green-Building by including a "Renewable Energies" pavilion on the show floor. This dedicated area will provide a venue for industry manufacturers to...

ASA government affairs committee monitors plans for economic stimulus package.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)
February 1, 2008... Although economists and politicians alike do not like using the "R" word (recession), many Americans are convinced we are quickly sliding towards a recession. The home mortgage crisis, high energy costs, increasing unemployment and the falling...

ASA and EPA partner to conserve a valuable resource for future generations.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Water conservation is an important way of saving a valuable natural resource. While much of the earth's surface is covered by water, only a very small amount of the water is consumable. The American Supply Association is an advocate of...

Mid-City Supply hosts Congressional visit.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mid-City Supply and its President, Jeff New, welcomed U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly to its Elkhart, Indiana headquarters on January 14, 2008. The Congressional visit is part of American Supply Association's...

Training in turbulent times: the best time to bolster your biggest assets.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)
February 1, 2008... During the last few years of sustained economic growth companies were often "too busy" to implement new training programs. Employees often worked significant overtime, taking up the time needed for training. And besides, sales and profits were...

Promotions--attract prospects, grow sales: when showroom sales and traffic start declining, you need to spend as much or more on creative marketing.(DARLINGTON ON SHOWROOMS)
February 1, 2008... Has your showroom traffic slowed down? Have sales started to slip? This is not the time to cut back your marketing budget. When things slow down, you need to spend as much or more on marketing and you need to be more creative than ever. ...

R410A charging & metering: the use of TXVs changes the way technicians charge residential air conditioners.(WHEELER on HVACR)
February 1, 2008... One of the brights ides of the change from the HCFC R22 to the environmentally friendly HFC R410A refrigerant and the higher minimum efficiencies of air conditioners and heat pumps is that many manufacturers have gotten away from cheaper...

Counter sales: defining the role: know what customers expect from you.(JOHNSON on Distribution Management)
February 1, 2008... As a counter salesperson, when customers walk through the door, you are generally the person they are looking for. These customers want to place an order and expect you--the counter salesperson--to take care of them. Although this encounter is...

Best practices boil down to people: good people are hard to find, so treat them well when they're right under your nose.(EDITORIAL)
February 1, 2008... This month's cover story on "Best Practices Of Master Distributors" begins a year-long quest in our Golden Anniversary year to cast a spotlight on the best practices at all levels of the PHCP supply chain. This magazine's staff and contributors...