Supply House Times articles from July 2008

Supply House Times archives from July 2008

Interline Brands.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Interline Brands (Jacksonville, FL) announced that William Sanford, president and chief operating officer, will step down from those positions effective immediately. For more on this, visit www.supplyht.com and click on "Latest News."

A.O. Smith Water Products Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... A.O. Smith Water Products Co. appointed David R. Warren vice president-international and a member of the company's leadership team. Also, Ton van der Hamsvoort was named general manager of its Veldhoven, the Netherlands, operation, and...

Ferguson.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)(appointment of Jon Wallace and Hunter Shepard)(Ferguson Enterprises Inc. )(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ferguson (Newport News, VA) appointed Jon Wallace to general manager of Louisiana HVAC. He joined the company as an executive trainee after 20 years in HVAC distribution, working at Lyon Conklin. In other news,...

Blanco America.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Blanco America named Tim Maicher director of marketing, a new position. Formerly, he held various management positions with American Standard and Porcher.

Leaky pipes.(down the PIPE)(Cartoon)
July 1, 2008... YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY I CALLED YOU HERE TODAY. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Ferguson, WinWholesale continue expansion.(Industry News)
July 1, 2008... Newport News, VA-based Ferguson opened new and remodeled showrooms and a clearance center, while WinWholesale, Dayton, OH, opened three Winnelson locations and its first renewable energy company. Ferguson's new 16,000-sq.-ft. showroom in...

Cambridge-Lee honored by Affiliated Distributors.(Industry News)
July 1, 2008... Manufacturer Cambridge-Lee was named "Lineset Vendor Of The Year" at a recent meeting of the HVAC Division of Affiliated Distributors in Baltimore. Roy Weaks, senior vice president/plumbing, PVF and HVAC at A-D, and Justin Dunscomb, A-D's vice...

Leonard Valve Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Leonard Valve Co. promoted E. Niles Wilcox to president. He most recently served as vice president and general manager. His brother and outgoing president, Greg Wilcox, will continue to work as a consultant for the company.

Grundfos Pumps Corp.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Grundfos Pumps Corp. named Dennis Wierzbicki president and general manager of Grundfos U.S. Also, the company named Kirk Vigil wholesale business development manager for its Domestic Building Services division and Jes Munk Hansen North American...

WinWholesale.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)(appointments)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... WinWholesale (Dayton, OH) appointed Ron Bohannon vice president of the Eastern Region, covering 18 states; Kent Best was named an area leader for WinWholesale local companies in Kansas, Wisconsin and parts of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri; and...

Ihrie Supply.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Ihrie Supply (Wilson, NC) hired Kim Asycue as the lead showroom consultant at its new Rocky Mount, NC, showroom. She has 14 years of experience in the industry.

Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC named Andrew Love marketing coordinator in its Toronto office. Most recently, he was a product allocator for Nike's European headquarters.

HIRI.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... HIRI: The Home Improvement Research Institute appointed David Fields vice president. He will assist in home research projects, studying market trends and profiling characteristics, attitudes and buying behaviors of consumer and professional...

Industrial Controls.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Industrial Controls named Joe Loch vice president of operations. He has more than 20 years of distribution, operations and sales experience. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Elkay Manufacturing Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Elkay Manufacturing Co. promoted Leslie Clark to vice president of business excellence and named Rich Dickson managing director of international sales. Most recently, Clark was vice president of engineering of sinks...

Peerless Pump Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Peerless Pump Co. named Bob York a 3-D drafter for development projects, Kevin Stickels a design engineer, and Kristina Lawyer a mechanical engineering intern. In other news, the company hired David McClintock as the manager of its Lubbock...

Residential building permit activity regional & local market survey.(A SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES EXCLUSIVE)
July 1, 2008... Residential Building Permit Activity Regional & Local Market Survey April 2008 Residential Permits Local Markets REGION April 08 YTD...

Airgas to acquire Refron.(down the PIPE)
July 1, 2008... Refron and Airgas have signed a definitive agreement under which Airgas will acquire the assets and operations of Refron, a national reseller and distributor of refrigerants that also provides technical services and refrigerant reclamation...

Creative Touch Interiors.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Creative Touch Interiors named John Tisera vice president of national account sales; Andrew Liebert, vice president of sales; and Steve Spade, vice president of marketing and business development. CTI is an HD Supply business that provides...

Basco.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Basco hired Cindy Goodwin as vice president of sales for wholesale plumbing. Most recently she was national sales manager at Alsons Corp.

WaterFurnace International.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... WaterFurnace International said it has accepted the retirement notice of President/CEO Bruce Ritchey, to take effect May 31, 2009. Ritchey will remain in place until his successor is named and will continue with the company beyond that to...

Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products Division.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products Division has promoted Eugenia Copeland to senior director of strategy and planning and named Dale Fields director of national accounts, and Allan Dziwoki to senior director, business services.

Bell & Gossett.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bell & Gossett's Little Red Schoolhouse in Morton Grove, IL, appointed Larry Konopacz manager of training and education. He succeeds Roy Ahlgren, who retired in March 2008.

Rinnai.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Rinnai promoted Ervin Cash to the new position of corporate vice president of global marketing and product management. Previously, Cash served as executive vice president of Rinnai America.

Security Supply Celebrates 75th anniversary.(down the PIPE)
July 1, 2008... Selkirk, NY-based wholesaler Security Supply celebrated its 75th anniversary at a gathering of more than 600 customers, manufacturers, employees and retirees in Saratoga Springs, NY, April 24. Both Keith Bennett, president, and Brian Fowler,...

Slant/Fin honored by Supply New England.(down the PIPE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Slant/Fin Corp. was named Manufacturer of the Year by Supply New England, Attleboro, MA. Slant/Fin National Sales Manager Bob Flanagan accepts the Manufacturer of the Year Award from David Corcoran, president of...

Obituary.(down the PIPE)(Obituary)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Carroll Joseph "Kit" Haas II, 63, former president of Colonial Engineering, Portage, MI, died unexpectedly June 19 at his home. After earning his doctorate in engineering at the University of Michigan School of Engineering, he lectured there...

Southern Pipe & Supply's Marty Davidson honored.(down the PIPE)
July 1, 2008... Meridian, MS-based wholesaler Southern Pipe & Supply announced that its chairman and owner, Marty Davidson, was inducted into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame. The company opened its 100th branch and is celebrating 70 years in business...

Goodman Global.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Goodman Global named David L. Swift president/CEO and a member of its board. Formerly, he was president of Whirlpool North America. Retiring President/CEO Chuck Carroll will remain as non-executive chairman.

AW-Lake Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... AW-Lake Co. named Curt Foreman director of sales & marketing and Chris Husson director of engineering & operations.

Bacharach.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bacharach hired Tim Bass as its new director of marketing. The company manufactures gas analysis, leak detection, refrigerant monitoring and recovery products. Bass will also oversee the customer service and repair...

Sloan Valve Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
July 1, 2008... Sloan Valve Co. appointed Patrick Daly northeast regional sales manager. His duties will include presiding over Sloan's Eastern distribution center. He succeeds Bill Madison, who recently was promoted to national sales manager. ...

Wm. F. Meyer Co. receives award.(down the PIPE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Bill Meyer, president of Aurora, IL-based wholesaler Win. E Meyer Co., received ThermaSol's first "Exclusive Distributor Award" from National Sales Manager Jim Van Landingham at a recent customer appreciation show. Heather Williams, ThermaSol...

Supply New England honors Rep firm W.P. Haney.(down the PIPE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] W.P. Haney Co. (South Easton, MA) was awarded the Manufacturer Rep Agency of Year Award by Supply New England (Attleboro, MA). David Corcoran, president of Supply New England, presented the award to Michael Haney,...

Coburn Supply opens PROSTOCK store.(down the PIPE)
July 1, 2008... Ruud Distributor Coburn Supply, based in Beaumont, TX, has opened a new PROSTOCK store in Houma, LA. The wholesaler operates five other PROSTOCK stores in Louisiana and Texas. The grand opening drew contractors from across the region. Vendors...

RIM Plumbing & Heating Supply opens third location.(down the PIPE)
July 1, 2008... RIM Plumbing & Heating Supply, Ossining, NY, recently announced the opening of its third location. Its new branch is in Hopewell Junction, NY. A full-service wholesaler and retailer selling plumbing, heating, air conditioning and...

Outlook for total construction remains negative for 2009.(down the PIPE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Total construction in 2008 and 2009 will be down 4% and 1% based upon large decreases in residential construction that will not be offset by gains in nonresidential and nonbuilding construction, according to FMI's Construction Outlook: Second...

Bradford White has added Dollon Sales Co. (Albertson, NY) as its manufacturers representative.(REP UPDATE ...)
July 1, 2008... Bradford White has added Dollon Sales Co. (Albertson, NY) as its manufacturers representative in the Northeast region.

Century Bathworks has hired RG Marketing Group (Glen Burnie, MD) as manufacturers representative.(REP UPDATE ...)
July 1, 2008... Century Bathworks has hired RG Marketing Group (Glen Burnie, MD) as manufacturers representative for southern New Jersey, Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania, and parts of Maryland and Virginia.

SJE-Rhombus has named Roth/Sirianni LLC (Anchorage, AK) as manufacturers representative.(REP UPDATE ...)
July 1, 2008... SJE-Rhombus has named Roth/Sirianni LLC (Anchorage, AK) as manufacturers representative for Alaska.

A.O. Smith Corp.(AWARDS ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... A.O. Smith Corp. presented the Lloyd B. Smith President's Safety Award to the 1,200 employees of its Water Products Co. plant in Johnson City, IN. The award is given to the facility that compiles the best safety record in a calendar year. ...

Heatex America received an award from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute for achieving a 100% success rate in the industry.(AWARDS ...)
July 1, 2008... Heatex America received an award from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute for achieving a 100% success rate in the industry's Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Ventilators performance certification program for the three-year...

Trane.(AWARDS ...)
July 1, 2008... Trane announced that Jim Crawford, director of regulatory affairs, was recognized with a certificate from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for his contribution to the group that was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Northeastern Supply.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Northeastern Supply (Baltimore, MD) opened a branch in Aberdeen, MD, bringing its number of branches up to 31.

Lochinvar Corp.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Lochinvar Corp. announced the grand prize winner of its VIP Contractor Showcase. Ken Tingey of Tingey Plumbing & Heating in Murray, UT, was awarded first place for his installation of the KNIGHT Heating Boiler.

Murray Supply Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Murray Supply Co. (Winston-Salem, NC) held Jay R. Smith counter days at both its Hickory, NC, branch and its Winston-Salem branch during the month of May. Pete Castine from H & H Representatives showed Jay R. Smith's commercial and residential...

Briggs Industries.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Briggs Industries is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008. The company began as a carriage/wagon/automobile body manufacturer in 1908. Under the leadership of Walter Owen Briggs Sr., Briggs Manufacturing grew into one of the largest...

Mueller Steam Specialty offers custom fabrication.(down the PIPE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Mueller Steam Specialty has introduced custom fabrication services at its fabrication department in the company's 300,000-sq.-ft. facility in St. Pauls, NC. The company has access to a variety of materials and overlays to create...

Schmidt's Wholesale.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Wholesale (Monticello, NY) hosted its first HVAC trade show, featuring 17 vendors offering HVAC-related items. Educational seminars were also offered. Customers were able to see new products, participate in training, enter contests and have...

Stanley Works.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Stanley Works plans to sell its CST/berger laser measuring business to Robert Bosch Tool for $205 million and said it intends to buy security monitoring company Sonitrol for $275 million from an investment group.

ASHRAE.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... ASHRAE's 2008 handbook volume, HVAC Systems and Equipment, features new chapters related to ultraviolet lamp systems and combustion turbine inlet cooling.

Emerson Climate Technologies.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Emerson Climate technologies presented a scholarship for the fall 2008 semester to Florida State University graduate student Maria Celeste Eberhardt to aid in her studies in Hispanic marketing.

Imago Trade Shows, a division of Imago Productions, and BNP Media will jointly launch the National Disaster Reconstruction Expo (NDRExpo) June 17-18, 2009, at the Earnest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Imago Trade Shows, a division of Imago Productions, and BNP Media will jointly launch the National Disaster Reconstruction Expo (NDRExpo) June 17-18, 2009, at the Earnest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. The new NDRExpo was...

Clear Seas Research.(INDUSTRY NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Clear Seas Research has developed an online research panel community for the HVACR, plumbing, architecture and design, construction, roofing, surveying and mapping, geomatics, security, and site preparation industries. Panel members will...

The Green Mechanical Council announced that Viega and Zurn have joined GreenMech as founding members.(GREEN NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... The Green Mechanical Council announced that Viega and Zurn have joined GreenMech as founding members, and Wile is a new GreenMech manufacturing member.

ISH North America 2008.(GREEN NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... ISH North America 2008 (ISH NA) will offer green-focused sessions in its efficient technologies and renewable energy-focused seminar track, structured to educate professionals on the growing use of green applications within their field. Among...

Distech Controls.(GREEN NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Controls has joined 15 other promoter members to found the EnOcean Alliance, a global consortium of companies working to further develop and promote self-powered wireless monitoring and control products for sustainable buildings.

Shelton Winnelson says digital signs boost sales.(down the PIPE)
July 1, 2008... WinWholesale member Shelton Winnelson, Shelton, CT, has made digital signage a key element in its communications mix. The plumbing and heating wholesaler installed a digital signage system from StrandVision in August 2006 and says it has...

Best Sustainable Bath Award coming in 2009 from NKBA.(Industry News)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The National Kitchen & Bath Association announced it is renaming an award category in its design competition for 2009. The new "Best Sustainable Bath Award" will honor innovative approaches to water and energy savings in the bath. Formerly...

Industrial plant construction mushrooms in 2008.(Pipe, Valves & Fittings News)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Grassroots industrial plant construction in North America continues to experience explosive growth, according to Industrial Information Resources (www.industrialinfo.com). Referring to plants being constructed from the ground up with no...

Global stainless production seen as recovering.(Pipe, Valves & Fittings News)
July 1, 2008... The International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) expects that stainless steel crude steel production in 2008 will recover after the decrease in production during 2007. Based on massive and never seen before stock draws after the crash of nickel...

Northwest Pipe Co.(EXPANSIONS ...)
July 1, 2008... Northwest Pipe Co. announced plans to construct a new tubular products pipe manufacturing facility in the Houston area. The company is finalizing site location and permitting issues and expects to begin construction this summer, with operations...

Warren Alloy Valve and Fitting Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Warren Alloy Valve and Fitting Co. announced that Bob Hohos, formerly of Crane Energy Flow Solutions Group, joined the company as vice president of Warren Valve effective May 27. The 31-year industry veteran will...

Central States Group.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ...)
July 1, 2008... Central States Group has hired Ken Heinrich as its new director of operations, working out of corporate headquarters in Omaha, NE. Heinrich comes from Hewlett Packard, where he served as distribution systems manager for eight years. He will...

Eastern Industrial Supplies.(GREEN NEWS ...)
July 1, 2008... Eastern Industrial supplies, headquartered in Greenville, SC, is a key partner in a unique construction project on the Furman University campus that incorporates and promotes the best in green building practices. The Cliffs Cottage at Furman, a...

Distributors respond to Midwest flooding.(Industry News)
July 1, 2008... Midwest distributors were kept busy helping customers recover from the extensive damage caused by the flooding in mid-June. Iowa's second-largest city, Cedar Rapids, was among the hardest hit. About 1,300 city blocks flooded and 24,000 people...

When the going gets tough.(PVF TALK)
July 1, 2008... When the going gets tough, sometimes the tough can get going the wrong way. When the news keeps bringing up the dreaded "R" word and at the same time, people see their sales numbers flat-lining and their costs skyrocketing, they do all sorts of...

System contracts: add specific performance guarantees to avoid problems.(TECH TIPS)
July 1, 2008... One impact of software "aggregators" buying system providers is that price competition has decreased, so the prices paid have increased. A more ominous impact is that the contracts of the survivors now offer fewer protections to...

Water-Atomizing Fire Suppression System.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [1] ANSUL AQUASONIC Water-Atomizing Fire Suppression System is optimized for Class B fire protection. Its patented atomizer nozzle uses supersonic technology to break down water particles into trillions of smaller droplets that are uniform in...

Space Saver hand sink.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [2] Advance Tabco's "Space Saver" hand sink now comes with side splashes. The model 7-PS-56 has a 9-inch by 9-inch bowl with a space-saving 12-inch by 16-inch overall dimension. Double side splashes help contain wash water in the sink bowl...

Router guide system.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [3] The Sled is a router guide system that enables the operator to cut return bends directly into grooved radiant flooring panels. The need to calculate the required space from walls or obstacles to align difficult return panels is gone. Simply...

Tankless Water Heater Valves.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [4] The Series TWH Tankless Water Heater Valves are designed to simplify the installation, maintenance and operation of wall-hung tankless water heaters. Series TWH replaces four unions, three tees, seven nipples, two ball valves, two boiler...

Fire protection valves.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [5] NIBCO offers select high-pressure fire protection valves with a 350 PSI listing--the highest UL pressure rating on the market for these types of valves. NIBCO's linen up includes the grooved butterfly (GD6765-8N), which features a...

Frameless corner shower doors.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [6] Intuition is a new line of clear, simple and easy-to-install frameless corner shower doors, available in several different sizes in both neo-round and neo-angle shapes. It comes with pre-assembled panels and self-adjusting wall jambs. The...

Heavy Duty Pex Crimp Tool.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [7] The Dual Jaw Heavy Duty Pex Crimp Tool from Raven Products has the straight jaws and the side jaws on the tool head. The side jaws are mainly for the tight space where the tool has to be positioned vertically. It applies to F2098...

Propress CxFxC tee.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [8] The CxFxC tee is made from the highest quality bronze material and is designed primarily for transitions between copper tubing and male NPT connections. Available in various 1/2-inch to 4-inch sizes, it complements the existing 550 fittings...

Water-saving toilets.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [9] Briggs introduces a trio of high-efficiency toilets, designed to reduce water consumption. The Conserver, which enables user selection of either 1.0 or 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), achieves an average water savings of 20% compared to...

Walk-in Therapy Bath.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
July 1, 2008... [10] Jacuzzi has updated its Finestra 6036 LH Salon Walk-in Therapy Bath with a precision-engineered airtight magnetic door seal to counteract leakage. A magnetic access panel also provides easy access to the motor, piping and plumbing....

Upstarts! New supply houses continue to spring up, despite consolidation ... or because of it.(Company overview)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We all know about so many corporate identities having been wiped from the PHCP distribution slate due to consolidation. We know many people who have lost their jobs following acquisitions. There are related...

Supply chain linked at AIM/R Management Conference: downstream selling is regarded as one of the most important functions of an independent rep.(AIM/R 2008)(Conference notes)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AIM/R is an organization representing many of our industry's independent rep agencies. For years a spirited debate has taken place within the group as to whether to allow manufacturers into the group, and that was...

Spa baths.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The luxury of the spa experience is being captured in the homes of many clients seeking relaxation and pampering. The popularity of day spas and resort spas has many consumers seeking their own space for caring for...

What does F.O.B. mean? F.O.B. stands for Free On Board and indicates the price for goods including delivery at the seller's expense to a specified point.(Freight savings Tips)(Editorial)
July 1, 2008... People ask me the meaning of the term F.O.B. more so than any other freight verbiage. Many people do not even know what it stands for. In fact, recently I was at a prominent shipper in the Northeast and a high-level purchasing person actually...

Let your computer do your typing: scanners and character recognition software can convert manuals and catalogs into easily portable text files.(TECH BYTES)
July 1, 2008... I you are like most salespeople, you didn't take typing in school, so your typing is "adequate" (meaning you can find keys on the keyboard). Did you know your computer could be doing some of your typing at 500 words per minute? More and...

A salute to partners and friends.(LETTER FROM ASA PRESIDENT)
July 1, 2008... Dear Industry Colleagues, This issue of Supply House Times shines the spotlight on manufacturers. ASA is using this platform to announce its new Premier Vendor Program, (see page 125, ASA News) giving recognition to those vendors who...