Supply House Times articles from January 2008

Supply House Times archives from January 2008

VAMAC Inc.(People On The Move ...)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VAMAC Inc. (Richmond, VA), a plumbing, well and septic wholesaler, named David Popek and Mark Smith as senior vice presidents. Popek most recently was vice president of human resources; Smith was vice president of...

Masco Corp.(People On The Move ...)
January 1, 2008... Masco Corp. announced that Alan Barry stepped down as president and COO, effective November 30, 2007, in connection with his previously announced retirement originally planned for 2008. CEO Timothy Wadhams, will assume the additional title of...

WaterFurnace International.(People On The Move ...)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... WaterFurnace International named Michael Albertson vice president of commercial marketing and sales. His industry experience includes more than 10 years owning and operating a contracting firm that designed and installed geothermal systems. In...

ARI, GAMA merger approved.(NEWS & information: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute)(Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association)
January 1, 2008... In a November vote the Boards of both ARI and GAMA unanimously approved a merger o f the two associations. The members of GAMA and ARI approved the merger on Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, respectively. For GAMA, the vote was 131 in favor, seven opposed;...

Danze.(First Briefing)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Danze promoted Jim Greenway to regional sales manager of its Northeast region. Greenway previously served as regional builder sales manager in the Midwest region for the company.

Jacuzzi Brands Corp.(First Briefing)
January 1, 2008... Jacuzzi Brands Corp. has named Michelle Cervantez as chief marketing officer, Jacuzzi Brands Corp., and vice president marketing, Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath. Cervantez has held vice president roles at Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and most recently...

Swanstone.(First Briefing)
January 1, 2008... Swanstone has promoted Dave King, formerly chief financial officer, to chief operating officer, effective immediately.

Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products Division.(First Briefing)
January 1, 2008... Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products Division has promoted Tony Hayes to national service director, responsible for 12 area and regional zone service managers and four training centers in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and Irvine.

Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association.(First Briefing)
January 1, 2008... The 2008 board of directors for the Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association includes: President Debbie Miller, Millers Decorative Plumbing & Hardware; President-Elect Jonathan Wood, Brasstech; Secretary Steve Weinberg, The Glassmith Shop;...

The Vent-Free Gas Products Alliance.(First Briefing)
January 1, 2008... The Vent-Free Gas Products Alliance appointed Don Denton as technical consultant. Mary S. Carson, the Alliance's program director, will continue to manage the operations and public relations activities of the alliance. Denton's responsibilities...

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI).(First Briefing)
January 1, 2008... The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) named C. David Myers, vice president of Johnson Controls, chairman for 2008. Myers said he plans to focus on effective HVACR self-regulation and replacing the installed base of...

Regionalized heating and cooling efficiency standards blocked by Senate.(NEWS & information: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
January 1, 2008... A national coalition of distributors and contractors associated with heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR), including Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), the Air Conditioning...

IDEA.(First Briefing)
January 1, 2008... IDEA, an eCommerce service provider, announced that Robert E. Gaylord, a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, was named president of the organization.

BrassCraft.(Rep Update ...)
January 1, 2008... BrassCraft has hired Hodes & Sutter (Kansas City, MO) as its sales representative in the Kansas-Western Missouri market. Hodes & Sutter specializes in the plumbing, irrigation and water well industries.

Lasco Bathware.(Rep Update ...)
January 1, 2008... Lasco Bathware has formed a partnership with Keyline Sales Inc., a manufacturing representative group. The company will be servicing Lasco's plumbing wholesale customers and showrooms across Southern California.

T&S Brass and Bronze Works.(Rep Update ...)
January 1, 2008... T&S Brass and Bronze Works has appointed Dellon Sales Co. (Albertson, NY) as the T&S Brass plumbing manufacturer representative firm for the New York metro area.

McCain Sales.(Rep Update ...)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] McCain Sales, a Huntsville, AL-based manufacturers rep firm, announced that two of its sales reps--Eric McCain and Bob Stephens--were awarded the designation Certified Professional Manufacturers' Representative after...

Ferguson.(Expansion ...)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Ferguson (Newport News, VA) opened two new locations, one in Cohasset, MN, and one in Pagosa Springs, CO. Located at 26377 Industrial Blvd., the 15,000-sq.-ft. Cohasset facility features local inventories of name-brand products in the plumbing,...

DOE's new boiler efficiency standards under fire.(NEWS & information: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
January 1, 2008... A coalition of consumer, energy and environmental organizations criticized the U.S. Department of Energy's increased energy efficiency standards for residential furnaces and boilers, saying they are "extraordinarily weak" and represent little...

WinWholesale's WinAir and Noland Co. to distribute Nordyne's NuTone Heating & Cooling Products.(NEWS & information: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
January 1, 2008... Nordyne, a subsidiary of privately held Nortek Inc., a n d WinWhole-sale (Day ton, OH) announced the introduction of the NuTone Heating and Cooling Products line to the HVAC marketplace exclusively through Noland Co. (Newport News, VA) branches...

WinWholesale Inc.(Expansion ...)
January 1, 2008... WinWholesale Inc. (Dayton, OH) has opened Orlando Winnelson Co. in Orlando, FL, to serve contractors in Brevard, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties. The locally owned and operated company includes a warehouse, display area and sales...

ProSource Plumbing Supply.(Expansion ...)
January 1, 2008... ProSource Plumbing Supply (Greenville, SC) opened its fourth location at 629 Market Street in Hendersonville, NC, in December. A luxury plumbing showroom will open at this location in early 2008.

Cregger Co.(Expansion ...)
January 1, 2008... Cregger Co. (West Columbia, SC) opened a new location in Valdosta, GA. The 30,000-sq.-ft. branch is located at 1653 Clay Road and will distribute both plumbing and HVAC products.

The Rheem Manufacturing Co. Replacement Parts Department.(Expansion ...)
January 1, 2008... The Rheem Manufacturing Co. Replacement Parts Department announced that Rheem distributor Design Air opened its newest PROSTOCK store in Kimberly, WI, with a 63,000-sq.-ft. warehouse and a 1,500-sq.-ft. showroom. Also, Rheem distributor Gemaire...

The Portland Group.(Expansion ...)
January 1, 2008... The Portland Group (North Billerica, MA) announced its newest branch at 660 Lincoln Street in Worcester, MA, which offers plumbing, heating and HVAC products.

Industry dealer Pro-Build Holdings has agreed to purchase "substantially all of the assets" of the Lumber & Building Materials business of HD Supply.(Acquisitions ...)
January 1, 2008... Industry dealer Pro-Build Holdings has agreed to purchase "substantially all of the assets" of the Lumber & Building Materials business of HD Supply, further segmenting the supplier.

The Grundfos Group.(Acquisitions ...)
January 1, 2008... The Grundfos Group, based in Denmark, acquired Peerless Pump Co., a U.S. manufacturer of pumps and fire protection systems, effective Dec. 1. With more than 400 employees and annual sales of $110 million, Peerless is Grundfos' largest...

Grundfos Pumps Corp.(Awards ...)
January 1, 2008... Grundfos Pumps Corp. Group Chairman Niels Due Jensen was awarded the Equipment Design Award from the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) for the company's SmartFlo SQ and SQE pump systems.

Boshart hosts sales meetings.(NEWS & information: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
January 1, 2008... Boshart Industries held its 2007 U.S. Sa les Meetings Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Nashville, TN, to train and educate its sales reps on products and the latest development s at the company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

SWA's Profit Enhancement Institute meets in February.(NEWS & information: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)(Southern Whole saler's Association )(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The Southern Whole saler's Association is hosting the Profit Enhancement Institute, an intensive three-day seminar designed for owners /principals, branch managers and mid- & upper-level managers in the wholesale/distribution industry. It will...

Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE.(Awards ...)
January 1, 2008... Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE was named one of the Best Places to Work in San Diego County for the year 2007.

Sonia America.(Awards ...)
January 1, 2008... Sonia America presented its first Jose Maria Ferrer Beltran Outstanding Achievement Award to Jody Rosenberg, the company's national sales manager.

APR Supply Co.(Awards ...)
January 1, 2008... APR Supply Co. (Lebanon, PA) said it was honored with a Top 50 Fastest Growing Company award by The Central Penn Business Journal, which recognized businesses that made significant contributions to the growth, strength and success of the...

Vortens.(Green News ...)
January 1, 2008... Vortens announced that five of its high-efficiency toilets completed certification testing through IAPMO Research and Testing Inc., an independent testing facility, and now qualify for WaterSense water efficiency designation from the U.S. EPA.

Johnson Controls.(Green News ...)
January 1, 2008... Johnson Controls has pledged to reduce its total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions intensity per dollar of revenue by 30% from 2002 to 2012 by instituting energy-efficiency solutions in the company's U.S. plants and facilities, processes and fleet....

Chicago Faucets.(Green News ...)
January 1, 2008... Chicago Faucets announced its membership into the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Department of Energy (DOE).(Green News ...)
January 1, 2008... The Department of Energy (DOE) announced the successful one-year operation of the first-generation "Super Boiler," developed by the Gas Technology Institute, which can deliver 94% thermal efficiency while producing fewer emissions than...

Uponor Inc.(Web Sites ...)
January 1, 2008... Uponor Inc. announced a makeover of its Web site, www.uponor-usa.com, to make it a comprehensive and in-depth learning resource on Uponor's four primary business sectors: radiant heating and cooling, plumbing, fire safety and commercial...

Seneca Plumbing & Heating Supply Co.(Industry News ...)
January 1, 2008... Seneca Plumbing & Heating Supply Co. (Buffalo, NY) celebrated 75 years in business with a dinner reception attended by the Mayor of Buffalo Byron Brown, City Councilman Brian Davis and County Legislator Daniel Kuzub. Also among the 175 guests...

Emerson Climate Technologies.(Industry News ...)
January 1, 2008... Emerson Climate Technologies announced results from its contractor and distributor survey, which showed that though 100% of those surveyed said they are aware of the 2010 phaseout of new R-22 equipment, only 13% reported that they are...

Activant Solutions Inc.(Technology News ...)
January 1, 2008... Activant Solutions Inc., an enterprise software provider, and Strategic Pricing Associates, a provider of pricing algorithms for wholesale distributors, have entered into an exclusive relationship.

Ihrie Supply Co.(Counter Days ...)
January 1, 2008... Ihrie Supply Co. (Wilson, NC) hosted a lunch and learn counter day for employees and customers to learn more about Rheem tankless water heaters.

Murray Supply Co.(Counter Days ...)
January 1, 2008... Murray Supply Co. (Winston-Salem, NC) held a counter day sponsored by BrassCraft in December. In November, Murray Supply Co. hosted a counter day at its Charlotte, NC, location sponsored by Hubbard Enterprises/ HOLDRITE.

PACE Supply Corp.(Partnerships ...)
January 1, 2008... PACE Supply Corp., Santa Rosa, CA, hosted its fourth Field Marketing Summit in Santa Rosa, attended by 59 Affiliated Distributors suppliers, one non-AD supplier, PACE sales teams and management from each of the plumbing wholesaler's branch...

Mueller Water Products Inc.(PVF Appointments)
January 1, 2008... Mueller Water Products Inc. announced that Dale Smith will continue as CEO of Mueller Co. until the end of its fiscal year 2008. The company had previously announced his retirement was scheduled for December 2007. As part of a transition plan,...

Northwest Pipe Co.(PVF Appointments)
January 1, 2008... Northwest Pipe Co. announced that Gary Stokes, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Water Transmission Group, has assumed the new role of senior vice president, Water Transmission Group. He will replace Charles Koenig, senior vice...

PolyPipe Inc.(PVF Appointments)
January 1, 2008... PolyPipe Inc., a polyethylene pipe maker, announced that Jim Moore joined the company as CEO. Moore came from Nomaco Industries, a manufacturer of engineered polymer foam extrusions used in the pipe insulation and bedding markets. PolyPipe's...

IPD proves big draw at Network '07.(NEWS & information: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)(Industrial Piping Division )(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... ASA's Industrial Piping Division was buoyed by attendance from some 220 individuals from IPD companie s at Network '07, held in Anaheim, CA, last Oct . 24-27. Those attendees represented 70% of the IPD membership. A large selection of IPD...

PVF Roundtable features Dr. Barry Lawrence.(NEWS & information: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)(Discussion)
January 1, 2008... The next meeting of Houston's PVF Roundtable on Feb. 19, 2008, will highlight featured speaker Dr. Barry Lawrence, one of the leaders of the Texas A&M Industrial Distribution program. Register by contacting PVF Roundtable Secretary Don Caffee...

U.S. Steel challenges ITC's Mexico decision.(NEWS & information: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
January 1, 2008... United States Steel Corp. announced its intention to challenge a recent determination by the U.S. International Trade Commission that revocation of an antidumping duty order on large-diameter welded line pipe from Mexico would not be likely to...

North American Pharmaceutical & Biotech.(Industrial Hotspots)
January 1, 2008... North American Pharmaceutical & Biotech: Industrial Information Resources predicts a 45% increase in investments by Pharmaceutical & Biotech Industry in 2008, with $21 billion to be spread over 537 projects to begin construction this year....

Industrial Manufacturing.(Industrial Hotspots)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Industrial Manufacturing: Projected capital and maintenance spending numbers entering 2008 are almost identical to those seen at the beginning of 2007. Industrial Info is tracking more than 900 projects with a combined investment total of $41.8...

Great Lakes Region.(Industrial Hotspots)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Great Lakes Region: This region hosts all forms of manufacturing, from power generation to ethanol production to oil refining to automobile assembly. As a result of that diversity, 2008 appears to be yet another year of grandiose industrial...

Northeast Region.(Industrial Hotspots)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Northeast Region: This region encompassing New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware is forecast to complete construction on 100 facilities throughout this year. This amounts to a gain of 7% over 2007 with 93 plants. Collectively, the...

Tyco Flow Control to expand Italian valve plant.(NEWS & information: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
January 1, 2008... Tyco Flow Control announced a four-phase plan to expand its Vanessa valve plant in Lugagnano Val d'Arda, Italy. When completed (target date Feb. 2009), the expansion will grow the facility from 30,000 to 50,000 sq. meters. Vanessa valves are...

Emerson, Westinghouse extend nuke agreement.(NEWS & information: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
January 1, 2008... Westinghouse Electric and Emerson Process Management announced a 10-year extension to an existing agreement in which Emerson will provide key technology for automat ion of nuclear power plants that utilize the important Westinghouse AP1000...

China upgrades steel pipe technology.(NEWS & information: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
January 1, 2008... A $54 million upgrade started in November by China's Ziyang steel pipe plant will increase annual output to 150,000 tons and reach "a nationally advanced level" of product quality, according to Industrial Information Resources. According to...

Penn Machine Works gets ISO 9001.(NEWS & information: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)
January 1, 2008... Pennsylvania Machine Works Inc. successfully completed the ISO 9001 certification process with Lloyd's of London. The ISO Certificate is available for downloading from the company's Web site at www.pennusa.com. The certification covers al l...

Quality is free.(ADAMS ON PVF Supply)(Joan S. Adams )
January 1, 2008... More than 30 years ago, Philip Crosby wrote an astounding book called, "Quality is Free." In it he defined quality in terms that lay people could actually understand. Perhaps the one drawback of "Quality is Free" is that it was such an easy...

Hybrid water heating.(Product Preview)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 The Eternal GU32 is a hybrid water heating system that uses patented counter-flow design and two-pass heat exchanger technology. It maintains an 86% thermal efficiency rating with consistent pressure. This clean...

Mini electric water heaters.(Product Preview)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 The SHC Mini-tank electric water heater from Stiebel Eltron frees up precious space while providing plenty of hot water. Installation is quick and easy--once filled with water, simply plug into a 110-120V outlet....

Check valve.(Product Preview)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 4 Danfoss Flomatic Corp.'s new heavy-duty 12-inch Model 80DIX check valve (NPT female connection) is designed for larger submersible pumps. Features a double-guided poppet with a ductile iron body and has anti-poppet...

Combi control.(Product Preview)
January 1, 2008... 6 Hydrolevel's new Model 3150 HydroStat for oil boilers combines a universal temperature limit and low water cut-off in one control. Can be mounted on existing immersion wells for field replacement of common temperature limit controls. Features...

Overflow Gasket.(Product Preview)
January 1, 2008... 7 Ultimate Overflow Gasket is specially designed to work with old tubs, new tubs and tub liners. The Ultimate Overflow Gasket makes sure the water goes directly into the overflow without fail. While old gaskets are hard to remove and replace,...

Diverter valve/backflow preventer.(Product Preview)
January 1, 2008... 8 The BV216 from Omni Brass is a 2-outlet, 2-mode, deck-mounted diverter valve with an integral backflow preventer. Ideal for large tub applications such as whirlpools and soaker type bathtubs where the user wishes to switch between spouts,...

Dual Float Switch.(Product Preview)
January 1, 2008... 9 Pumps from Glentronics use a Dual Float Switch system that activates a back-up switch if, for some reason, the first switch fails. Dual Float Switches are also mounted within a protective cage to prevent debris or other wires from interfering...

Remote controlled water system.(Product Preview)
January 1, 2008... 10 FLO n STOP is a patented remote controlled water system that when activated will prevent water damage from leaks and floods from sources such as broken pipes, burst hoses and overflowing toilets. Just touch the "off" button at the front door...

Tips on selling your business: buyers seek acquisitions where 1 + 1 = 3.
January 1, 2008... Jon Skelly heads the distribution practice for PCE Investment Bankers in Winter Park, FL. Prior to joining PCE, he was responsible for acquisitions at Hughes Supply and HD Supply. Skelly can be reached at 407-599-4966 x 29,...

Lavatory planning tips: here are factors to consider when specifying lavatories and vessels.(National Kitchen & Bath Association)
January 1, 2008... With this issue SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES is kicking off a new year-long kitchen and bath educational series in partnership with the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Articles will be excerpted from various books in the NKBA's Professional Resource...

VAI conference focuses on streamlined distribution: Vormittag Associates Inc. (VAI) discussed the release of an update to its S2K software with 3.7.6 and revealed plans to release S2K 5.0 in 2008 at its 2007 User Conference.(VAI User Conference)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VAI's new S2K 3.7.6 offers an enhanced suggested purchasing application, which improves the consolidated purchasing capabilities of the software and streamlines distribution capabilities, according to Larry Murphy,...

Jay W. Fidler: 1922-2007.
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We lost our long term friend and leader, Jay W. Fidler, on October 31, 2007. He was 85 years old, and died of complications from a fall. From humble origins in Brooklyn, New York, Jay was awarded a scholarship to...

Letter from the ASA president.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2008... Dear Industry Colleagues, Happy 2008! I always enjoy the start of a new year because it's like starting over, but getting to keep all the wisdom that you've acquired from the previous year's experiences--how great is that? The...

The year ahead with ASA: a strong legacy... your partner in profitability ... the voice of the ASA leadership sets strong course for 2008.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
January 1, 2008... ASA members can look forward to many enhancements to current programs and the development of new initiatives over the next twelve months. EDUCATION The ASA Education Foundation Trustees have outlined an aggressive plan of action to...

ASA opposes regional standards in energy bill: issue now moves to department of energy.(Washington Update)
January 1, 2008... ASA's Government Affairs Committee has been actively involved in monitoring the progress of regional efficiency standards proposed by members of Congress, including issuing legislative alerts in recent months encouraging ASA members to write to...

ASA launches new website.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ...)(Website overview)
January 1, 2008... Early this month, ASA launched a newly designed, state-of-the-art website designed to bring all of ASA's programs and services together in one location. The result is an intuitive site that is informative for the industry and better serves the...

Comfort[TM]Seats brand toilet seats now available exclusively through Jones Stephens corporation.(Product of the Month)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Comfort[TM]Seats, the well-respected line of quality toilet seats for commercial and residential markets, is now an exclusive Jones Stephens branded product. "We're very excited to add Comfort[TM] Seats to the over...

Trade name listings.(2008 B.I.G. BOOK: Brand Information Guide)
January 1, 2008... "NOUVEAU" GOURMET[R]--Elkay "Reps" Pipe Extractors--The Walton Co. 204/304 Series--Parker Fluid Control Division A.O. Smith--A.O. Smith Electrical Products ABI[R]--AB&I Foundry Acclaim[R] Baths--Sterling--a Kohler Co. ...

Manufacturers alphabetical listings.(Directory)
January 1, 2008... 1-800-Plumbing Inc. P.O. Box 8025, Surprise, AZ 85374 (800) 758-6298 Fax: (623) 584-2751 sales@800plumbing.com www.800plumbing.com Alan D. Cline, Pres./C.E.O. 1-800-PLUMBING is a simple and cost effective tool to help attract and retain...

Product listings.
January 1, 2008... Access Panels Acorn Engineering Co. Benjamin Manufacturing Co. Dallas Specialty & Manufacturing Co. Diversified Plastics Industries LLC * Fluidmaster Inc. Hercules Chemical Co. Inc. * Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., Div. of Smith Industries...

Master distributors.
January 1, 2008... HVAC Aerospace Tube & Pipe 9165 Olema Ave., Hesperia, CA 92345 (760) 956-8000 (760) 956-8000 Web: www.aerospacetubeandpipe.com Contact: Betty Knight, Owner STATUS: HVAC, Hydronics, Industrial PVF, Plumbing Other...

... And I thought I knew something about merchandising: Part III: the showroom's exterior, lighting, signage, displays, accessories and colors are all part of the merchandising package used to win customers.(DARLINGTON ON SHOWROOMS)(Column)
January 1, 2008... This is the third and last article on showroom merchandising. While doing research on this topic I have discovered how much I did not know--and it has become apparent that among both wholesalers and independent showroom operators, many do not...

HVAC minimum efficiencies--how high can they go? There are still some improvements on HVAC systems that can be made to reduce condenser sizes and further increase operating efficiencies.(WHEELER ON HVACR)
January 1, 2008... Recently a representative of our industry (the current president of the Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Institute or ARI) spoke before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, explaining that any further legislation to require...

50 years & counting: our Golden Anniversary is a time for looking ahead more than behind.(EDITORIAL)
January 1, 2008... The first edition of Supply House Times was published in March 1958, with a provocative cover story titled, "The Rape of the N.O. Nelson Co." It told of a distinguished plumbing supply organization dating to 1876 being driven to bankruptcy by a...