Supply House Times articles from March 2006

Supply House Times archives from March 2006

Active Plumbing Supply.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... Active Plumbing Supply (Painesville, OH) was awarded the Outstanding Business of the Year Award by he Painesville Area Chamber of Commerce in January. Chuck Rathburn, president of Active, accepted the award. Pictured, left to right: Bob...

Southern Wholesalers Association.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... Southern Wholesalers Association will host its 78th annual convention June 25-27 at the Hilton Head Marriott Beach and Golf Resort in Hilton Head, SC. The business program will include a conference booth program, general session and a keynote...

Acquisition update.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... Industry consolidation continues, among both wholesalers and manufacturers. Here are some of the recent transactions announced: Wolseley plc Wolseley plc (Reading, England) said its Ferguson subsidiary, based in Newport News, VA,...

First Supply.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... First Supply (Madison, WI) held a Pump Show at its Eau Claire, WI, facility in February. A seminar on code updates was presented by Leroy Janske, State of Wisconsin wastewater specialist. Other seminars covered water conditioning, submersible...

Attn: wholesalers, reps.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... RE: Innovative Thinking Conference: Hiring-Training--Retention June 12-13 at the Emerald Pointe Resort in Lake Lanier Island, GA (about 45 minutes from Atlanta). One of the biggest problems facing many of your customers is a manpower...

Obituaries.(Alan J. Campbell)(Patrick (Pat) DeRouen)(Obituary)
March 1, 2006... >> Alan J. Campbell, 56, president/CEO of the Florida Society of Association Executives, died of a heart attack Feb. 3 in Tallahassee, FL. Before that, he was executive director of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association. He also was an...

Residential building permit activity regional & local market survey.(A Supply House Times Exclusive)(Table)
March 1, 2006... A SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES Exclusive Residential Building Permit Activity Regional & Local Market Survey DECEMBER 2005 Region Residential Permits Local Markets ...

Omni Corporate Services Ltd.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... Omni Corporate Services Ltd. is a member-owned group purchasing and marketing organization in the plumbing and heating industry. Its annual "spring" meeting is held every January. This year, in honor of the group's 25th anniversary, Omni met...

A.O. Smith Water Products.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)(appointment of Ronald E. Massa)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A.O. Smith Water Products President Ajita Rajendra met with customers and media during the 2006 AHR Expo in Chicago. Rajendra succeeded Ronald E. Massa, who had been president of Water Products since 1999. In January 2005 Massa was appointed to...

Ferguson.(People On The Move ...)(Henry Wood appointed at Ferguson Enterprises Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Ferguson (Newport News, VA) promoted Henry Wood to national business manager of lighting and fireplaces for the Residential Business Group. He joined the wholesaler in 1994 as a sales/management trainee and since then has served as branch...

Robinson Supply Co.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2006... Robinson Supply Co. (Fall River, MA) named Fred W. Straight Jr. store manager for its Plainville, MA, location. He has 22 years of experience in the plumbing and heating business. The 52-year-old wholesale firm operates six locations in three...

First Supply LLC.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2006... First Supply LLC (Madison, WI) named Mark Kindschi, SPHR, as human resources manager. He has more than 12 years of human resources experience. Founded in 1897, First Supply operates 16 locations in the upper Midwest.

NAW.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2006... NAW: The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors announced its newly elected officers include C.S. "Chip" Hornsby, most recently chief executive of Wolseley North America (Newport News, VA) and effective Aug. 1, CEO of parent company...

Keeney Manufacturing.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2006... Keeney Manufacturing named Alan Monat senior project manager. He had been a merchant for plumbing and electrical and worked on special projects at The Home Depot.

Lenox[R].(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2006... LENOX[R] promoted Craig Vogel to vice president of sales for the industrial market and Jim Welch, vice president of sales for the commercial selling market. Vogel has been with the company more than 20 years. Welch will be responsible for the...

Bradford White Corp.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2006... Bradford White Corp. appointed Dennis J. Travisano to the new position of director, business development. In a 25-year career with Jacuzzi[R] Whirlpool Bath, he served as national builder manager and most recently, vice president/wholesale for...

Keeney Manufacturing.(Acquisitions, Expansion ...)
March 1, 2006... Keeney Manufacturing opened a 40,000-sq.-ft, manufacturing and distribution facility in Jiangmen, China.

WQA Aquatech USA.(Events ...)
March 1, 2006... WQA Acuatech USA will highlight the latest technological developments in reverse osmosis, microfiltration, UV disinfection, ozone and ion exchange. The convention encompasses the household, commercial and industrial markets. More than 5,000...

CSI University.(Events ...)
March 1, 2006... CSI University is a day-long leadership program scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, held prior to The CSI Show & Convention, at the MGM Grand conference center in Las Vegas. For information, visit www.thecsishow.com and click on "CSI University...

Charles Villyard of OK! Sales.(Rep Update)
March 1, 2006... Charles Villyard of OK! Sales in Moore, OK, retired in January after 50 years in the plumbing industry, according to his son, Sam Villyard. He started with Amoco in the late 1960s selling plastic pipe and fittings. He was rep to Cash Acme for...

State Water Heaters named Great Lakes Agency.(Rep Update)
March 1, 2006... State Water Heaters named Great Lakes Agency of Grand Blanc, MI, as manufacturers rep for its commercial and residential water heaters in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Contact Mike Ostrowski at 810-600-0659 or via e-mail at...

A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. celebrates 150th anniversary.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... A.Y. McDonald started his own plumbing business in Dubuque, Iowa, in 856, and it has remained there under his family's continuous ownership and management for 150 years. Today the company employs more than 375 people. The company...

The Home Depot[R].(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... The Home Depot[R] said its diluted earnings per share for the 2005 fiscal year share were up 20.4% to $2.72 on net earnings of $5.8 billion. Sales for the fiscal year were $81.5 billion, up 11.5% vs. fiscal 2004. Comparable store sales for the...

Patterson-Case Associates an independent manufacturers rep firm that covered Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia, has merged with BWA South Co., a manufacturers rep firm that covers the same territory.(Rep Update)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Patterson-Case Associates an independent manufacturers rep firm that covered Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia, has merged with BWA South Co., a manufacturers rep firm that covers the same territory. BWA South was founded...

IPS Corp.(Product News ...)
March 1, 2006... IPS Corp. introduced the Single Shot[TM] insulating suspension clamp. It offers a preloaded nail, which cuts installation time, and can be used anywhere that standard insulating suspension clamps are used, through a stud or hanging below a...

Watts Regulator Co.(Product News ...)
March 1, 2006... Watts Regulator Co. now offers three new lines of water pressure reducing valves: the N45B, N45BEZ and N55B series. Available in sizes from 1/2 inch to 2 inches. They are available with either single or double union thread, solder, PEX or CPVC...

Economic forecast optimistic at NAW's 2006 Executive Summit.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... The economic forecast for 2006 indicates strong investment and capital spending; new plant equipment; strong consumption spending and growth in exports, according to Dr. Stephen Happel, professor of economics, W.P. Carey School of Business at...

Wholesale distributors are attractive investment to financial community.(NEWS: Companies ... associations ... people ... government ... trends)
March 1, 2006... In 1999-2000 there were fewer than three dozen financial buyers with a strong stated interest in wholesale distribution; now that number exceeds 80, representing billions of capital willing to be invested in this sector, according to lames...

Bradley celebrates 85 years.(NEWS: BATCH & KITCHEN)(Bradley Corp.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Bradley Corp. was founded by Howard A. Mullett in 1921 after he and several partners bought the rights to the washfountain from inventor Harry Bradley of the Allen-Bradley Corp. According to the company, Bradley created the group handwashing...

Villeroy & Boch acquires St. Thomas Creations' parent.(Grupo Industrial Saltillo S.A. de C.V.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... German ceramics company Villeroy & Boch AG has purchased the sanitary ware business from Grupo Industrial Saltillo, one of Mexico's leading industrial corporations, including three factories that produce St. Thomas Creations and Vitromex. This...

In-Sink Erator.(NEWS: BATCH & KITCHEN)
March 1, 2006... In-Sink-Erator and the National Association of Home Builders Women's Council honored outstanding members with scholarships and awards as part of the 50th annual Spikette Awards Reception Jan. 11 at the NAHB International Builders Show in...

ThermaSol offers nationwide promotion for licensed plumbing professionals.(NEWS: BATCH & KITCHEN)
March 1, 2006... S team bath manufacturer ThermaSol launched a national promotion in January that will continue through Dec. 25, in which it will do 12 monthly drawings for a Fast Start Pocket Bike. Only licensed plumbing professionals can enter the contest...

Hansgrohe.(appointments)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Hansgrohe announced Russ A. Wheeler is the new president of Hansgrohe-North America, the company's largest subsidiary. He succeeds Chris Marshall, who was promoted in August 2005 within the Masco Corp. Wheeler served as vice president of...

Decolav[R].(People On The Move)
March 1, 2006... DECOLAV[R] appointed Karin Klein to strategic account manager--The Home Depot. Klein is joining the company from The Home Depot, where she served in the plumbing, HVAC and storage and organization categories.

Murray Supply Co.(customers shown around company's plant)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Murray (Charlotte, NC) took a group of sales associates and customers, including Alan Honeycutt, branch manager in Apex, NC, and showroom sales associates Cyndi Fuller and Allison Atkins from The Fuller House, to the Lasco Bathware plant in...

Falcon Waterfree Technologies.(awards)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Falcon Waterfree Technologies said its F4000 and F5000 waterfree urinals have been recognized with a 2006 ADEX Platinum Award in the commercial bath category. They were selected by a panel of independent judges from about 2,000 new products...

EZ-FLO International.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... EZ-FLO International introduced the Elegance faucet line, constructed of solid brass and featuring ceramic disk technology. The faucets are available in chrome, brushed nickel or bronze finish. Visit www.ez-flo.net or call 800-486-5256 for more...

Sloan Valve Co.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Sloan Valve Co. introduced QuickTop[TM] QT-Series single-lever manual faucets. Each faucet comes ready for installation with wrenches, stainless steel hoses and mounting hardware. The faucets feature a single ADA-compliant fingertip control...

China spurs talk Of global steel glut.(NEWS: Pipe ... valves ... fittings)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... China's crude steel production last year approached 350 million tons and the country's share of world total output rose from just over 26% in 2004 to almost 31% in 2005, according to MEPS International Steel Review (www. meps.co.uk). "Its own...

Mueller buys two companies, closes Pratt plant.(Mueller Water Products )
March 1, 2006... Walter Industries Inc. announced on Jan. 31 that its Mueller Water Products subsidiary purchased the operating assets of CCNE, LLC for approximately $8.8 million. Based in Vernon, CT, CCNE is a privately-held contract producer and distributor...

Lincoln Supply LLC.
March 1, 2006... Lincoln Supply LLC is a new PVF member of supplyFORCE. The company is a third-generation, family-owned wholesale distributor serving the New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas since 1932. Larry Thiel is the president, 609-396-5544.

Red Man Pipe & Supply.
March 1, 2006... Red Man Pipe & Supply received a special "Outstanding Effort" Award from Kerr-McGee in recognition of the company's extraordinary support during the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005.

McJunkin Corp.
March 1, 2006... McJunkin Corp. announced that it has selected enterprise data solutions provider Silver Creek Systems to improve its product data quality and usability for customers across many industries. The objective will be to enhance McJunkin's Corporate...

IPSCO reports 2005 record sales and earnings.(NEWS: PVF)
March 1, 2006... IPSCO Inc. announced record net income in 2005 of $585.8 million, compared to $454.9 million in 2004. The increased earnings are primarily attributable to higher average selling prices, increased margins across most product lines, and a...

Victaulic.
March 1, 2006... Victaulic released its new general product catalog, G-103. It has been redesigned to provide technical and dimensional data for all non-fire protection products.

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector.
March 1, 2006... Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in January for the 32nd consecutive month, according to the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business.

Maverick Tube Corp.
March 1, 2006... Maverick Tube Corp. reported 2005 sales increased to $1.8 billion from $I.3 billion the prior year, including results from the acquisition of South America's Tubos del Caribe. Net income for the year dropped by $21.5 million to $172.3 million.

IPSCO.
March 1, 2006... IPSCO has received a commitment from Enbridge reserving IPSCO's large diameter pipe mills for two major pipeline projects. The order for approximately 166,000 tons of spiral-welded pipe will begin production in the second half of 2006. IPSCO...

The story behind nominal pipe size.(Pascal Iron Works )(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A question was put to the PM Engineer (PME) staff (one of SUPPLY House TIME'S sister magazines) asking how nominal pipe size came to be. Here is the answer provided by PME Editorial Director Julius Ballanco. The person directly responsible...

Industrial manufacturing spending on the rise in 2006.(industrial manufacturing projects)
March 1, 2006... North American spending for the industrial manufacturing industry almost doubled in 2005, when compared to 2004, according to Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources Inc. Houston, TX). IIR projects 2006 spending to continue to...

Change is good: the PVF the outside world is very insular-ideas from are readily dismissed.(ADAMS on PVF Supply)
March 1, 2006... The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Boil this famous statement down and what it really says is, "You must change." I recently started working for a new client, one that has...

Danfoss.(appointments)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Danfoss named John Gaylen president, sales and marketing for North American Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning. He will be responsible for continuing the division's strategic growth in this region. Gaylen joined Danfoss in 2001 as business...

First Supply.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2006... First Supply, La Crosse, WI, promoted John Thiel to HVAC department manager at the La Crosse facility. He has been an employee of the company for 11 years and will be responsible for the department's sales, promotion and daily operations.

AERCO International Inc.(appointments)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... AERCO International Inc. announced senior level promotions throughout the organization. Neil Pilaar is the director of global sales with new revenue responsibility beyond the U.S. market in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and New Zealand. He will...

2005 sets record for A/C shipments.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
March 1, 2006... For the fourth year in a row, manufacturers shipped a record number of central air conditioners and air source heat pumps in 2005, exceeding 8.6 million units, according to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI). Shipments were...

Trane.(electronic air cleaners)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Trane CleanEffects[TM] filters and cleans up to 99.98% of airborne allergens that pass through the filter. It traps particles down to 0.3 microns in size. The product works in conjunction with heating and cooling systems and can also be...

ICOR International announces rewards program.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
March 1, 2006... Beginning March 1, HVAC/R technicians can accumulate reward points for using ICOR International Inc., refrigerants: Hot Shot[R] (100 points), NU-22[R] (200 points) and One Shot[R] (300 points). "ICOR Rewards Program" logos on box tops of the...

Carrier unveils new line of 13 seer systems.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
March 1, 2006... Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp., unveiled its redesigned line of heat pumps and air conditioners at Power2006, its national dealer convention in Las Vegas. The launch coincided with the 13 SEER mandate to support its dealers...

Rep update from AHR Expo.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
March 1, 2006... Cliplight Mfg. named Southland Marketing, Conyers, GA, as its "Top Sales Agency of 2005" at this year's AHR Expo. Left to right: Linda Appler, director of sales/marketing, Cliplight Mfg., Toronto; Jim Dooley, president, Southland Marketing...

Burnham.(appointments)
March 1, 2006... Burnham promoted Jason Wiggins to commercial product assistant. His primary responsibilities include supporting Burnham Commercial sales representatives and customers with commercial cast iron products. Brent Murphy was hired as a commercial...

Denmark-based Grundfos Pumps Corp. acquired American pump manufacturer PACO Pumps from Swiss Sulzer Ltd.(Acquisitions ...)
March 1, 2006... Denmark-based Grundfos Pumps Corp. acquired American pump manufacturer PACO Pumps from Swiss Sulzer Ltd. Executives of Grundfos say that the acquisition plays a strategic role in growth plans for the American market and is expected to increase...

Weil-McLain.(Acquisitions ...)
March 1, 2006... Weil-McLain acquired Taishan Maeda Boiler Co. located in Taian, China. Taishan Maeda produces commercial boilers for the China market, exports castings to Maeda Boiler Co. in Japan and produces several other assorted iron castings. Its 2004...

Everest Software.(Partnership ...)
March 1, 2006... Everest Software (formerly iCode), a provider of business management software for small and medium size businesses (SMBs), created a partnership with Payment Processing, Inc. (PPI). The two companies say the package will improve credit card...

Provia Software.(Web Sites ...)
March 1, 2006... Provia Software, a provider of order-to-delivery supply chain execution software, recently announced that the company capped off 2005 with almost 90 customer sites going live. The go-lives were a combination of new and upgraded sites worldwide,...

J.C. Whitlam Manufacturing Co.(Web Sites ...)
March 1, 2006... J.C. Whitlam Manufacturing Co., launched its new Web site, www.whitlam-plumbpro.com. It offers expanded information covering the company's products and services, as well as access to MSDS and specification sheets. Contact information for its...

Water Cannon.(Web Sites ...)
March 1, 2006... Water Cannon, a fast-growing pressure washer supplier in the industry, has a new Web site, www.gxparts.com, which gives the opportunity to purchase hundreds of GX Series Honda engine aftermarket parts securely online. The new site also offers...

Supply chain: partner of the month.(PVF ROUNDTABLE)(Organization overview)
March 1, 2006... Established: 1992 The concept of The PVF Roundtable evolved from the efforts of Westbrook Manufacturing in 1987 to implement the quality process in its manufacturing operations. After several years of informal meetings, Sidney Westbrook...

IT 2006 speakers.
March 1, 2006... William B. Raymond. Co-Owner. Frank & Lindy Plumbing & Heating Service Co. Bill is a licensed master plumber and co-owner of Frank & Lindy Plumbing & Heating Service Co. in Peekskill NY (Westchester County). Frank & Lindy has earned the...

Conference schedule.
March 1, 2006... Sunday, June 11 5-8pm Registration 5-8pm Networking Reception with Cocktails & Hors d'Oeuvres Monday, June 12 7-7:45am Continental Breakfast/Registration 7:45-8am Welcome Address From Publishers of Plumbing & Mechanical,...

ABC + VMI = PVF profits: activity-based costing gives F.W. Webb a big edge in tapping MRO business.(Company overview)
March 1, 2006... There are two kinds of people in the business world. We all recognize Type 1 as the vaunted "people person" who parlays a winning personality into lasting business relationships. All of us also have encountered Type 2, who might be labeled the...

Five critical training needs with Hispanic employees.(Success With Hispanics)
March 1, 2006... The Hispanic workforce is unique to our contemporary business environment. As a group of people, this workforce is considered to be critical to the success of the construction industry. That being said, members of the Hispanic workforce have...

The importance of financial ratio and benchmark analysis.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)
March 1, 2006... For almost 25 years, ASA has contracted the services of Industry Insights, Inc. to conduct its annual "Operating Performance Report" survey. The OPR report offers industry wholesalers an opportunity to measure their own performance with that of...

Health care cost control, fleet management highlight NCWA convention.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)
March 1, 2006... The 2006 NCWA Regional Convention will focus on two major cost items for wholesale distributors... health insurance for employees and providing delivery service to customers. The convention will return to Maumee Bay Resort & Conference...

Ratchet-Action CopperKey quickly preps copper tubing in tight spots.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... Easily and efficiently prep copper tubing and couplings in really tight spots with the innovative, compact CopperKey[R] from General Pipe Cleaners. Forget old-fashioned abrasive cloth and clumsy wire brushes; CopperKey's patented ratchet-action...

Wax Free Toilet Seal.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... Fernco's Wax Free Toilet Seal replaces messy wax rings and flange risers, providing a clean and easy way to install a toilet. Fernco's Wax Free PVC Toilet Seal provides a positive leak proof seal and eliminates mold. * Fits 3 inch and 4...

New Gen-Eye Junior video inspection system.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... The award-winning Gen-Eye Junior[TM] video inspection system from General Pipe Cleaners is a rugged, affordable, self-contained package offering greater reel capacity, larger LCD display, and better protection from abuse in the field than...

Fits TOTO[R] replacement flappers.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... Replacement flappers are now available from Lavelle. These authorized replacement flappers are made from Lavelle's premium Chlorazone[R] material, the same material used in their best-selling Korky[R] Plus Flapper. Chlorazone is designed to...

General's new Metro-Rooter offers root-cutting power at a bargain price.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... General Pipe Cleaners' new economical Metro-Rooter[TM] is the Mini-Rooter[TM] of root cutting machines. With a capacity of 75 feet of 5/8-inch Flexicore[R] wire rope center cable, it handles roots and other tough stoppages in 3-inch through...

5301PD Power Drive.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... Reed's 5301PD Power Drive rotates the pipe while cutting, threading, or reaming operations are performed on up to 2-inch diameter pipe and conduit. Reed offers both a basic 5301PD machine with foot pedal and the 5301PD Complete including a...

The finest tankless electric water heaters available.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... Stiebel Eltron offers the finest tankless electric water heaters available. Its Tempra DHC-E outperforms bulky hot water tanks and reduces hot water pipe runs. It offers the best warranty in the industry. For more information, contact Stiebel...

Anvil introduces Klo-Shure[R] Insulation Couplings.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... Anvil offers Klo-Shure[R] Insulation Couplings in Clevis Hanger and Strut Mounted versions. The couplings are designed to reduce the cost of insulating HVAC/R copper lines for refrigeration, hot and cold water plumbing, and chilled water...

General's J-2512 Typhoon trailer jet.(Information Showcase)
March 1, 2006... The J-2512 Typhoon[TM] trailer jet from General Pipe Cleaners blows away blockages in big lines and long runs. The Typhoon delivers 12 gpm at 2,500 psi to blast lines clean of grease, sediment and debris. A 200-gallon holding tank carries...

MTI Whirlpool.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... MTI Whirlpool now offers a teak shower tray. The company pointed to the emerging style trend of adding wood accents to the bath. The handcrafted trays of Burmese teak fit all MTI shower bases and are available as a special order. The teak wood...

Graff.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Graff offers the Vintage kitchen faucet with a traditional farmhouse look. The faucet has a lever handle on the top, a long swooping spout, and a vegetable sprayer. It comes in finishes such as: polished chrome, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed...