Supply House Times articles from March 2007

Supply House Times archives from March 2007

Dutch manufacturer buys Lasco Fittings.(BREAKING NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Aalberts Industries N.V. has reached agreement with Tomkins Industries to acquire 100% of the shares of Lasco Fittings. Subject to the usual considerations, the deal was expected to close by March 1. No purchase price was announced. Lasco,...

The Home Depot reconsiders HD supply.(NEWS)
March 1, 2007... The Home Depot's board said that it will consider selling its HD Supply division, spinning it off to investors or even establishing a separate IPO for the unit. Frank Blake, the new chairman/CEO, has expressed his intent to focus more on...

Murray Supply.(NEWS)(Branch of the Year Award for 2006)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Murray Supply (Winston-Salem, NC) honored associates from its Hickory branch with the Branch of the Year Award for 2006. Pictured (L to R): associate Jeff Setzer; Dennis Hefner, branch manager; Nathan Carter, associate; Charlie Murray,...

Obituaries.(NEWS)(Edward J. Godett, owner and president of Joseph H. Young Co.)(Floyd J. Catterlin, owner and president of City Supply)(Obituary)
March 1, 2007... Floyd J. Catterlin, 80, retired president/ owner of City Supply, Michigan City, IN, died Feb. 2. He served as president of Central Wholesalers Association in 1987/88 and also as a director of the American Supply Association. He was Sergeant...

Urgent: Premier 150 surveys due now.(NEWS)
March 1, 2007... PHCP wholesalers, please return your survey form as soon as possible to Lydia White at whitel@clearseasresearch.com, or call: 248-786-1628 or mail to: Lydia White, Clear Seas Research/BNP Media, 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI...

Matco-Norco no hub pipe.(NEWS)
March 1, 2007... Matco-Norca introduced imported soil pipe and fittings. The company says its soil pipe products conform to the requirements contained in ASTM A888 and have been third-party tested, a requirement contained in both the International Plumbing Code...

MANA.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... MANA: The Manufacturers' Agents National Association appointed Bryan Colrud Shirley as president/CEO. He succeeds Joe Miller, who retired from MANA in 2006. Previously, Shirley was president/ CEO of Colrud-Lowery, a manufacturers representative...

Ferguson.(People On The Move ...)(promotions)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Ferguson (Newport News, VA) announced the following promotions: Scott Russell, formerly manager of sourcing--HVAC, to director of sourcing; Pat McNally, branch manager of Van Nuys, CA, since 2004, to general manager for the California Bay Area...

Wiseway Supply.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Wiseway Supply (Florence, KY) hired Tom Egbers as MRO business development manager. Also, the wholesaler hired Wayne Hoffman to work in outside plumbing sales, focusing on the commercial plumbing market. Hoffman previously worked for Hughes...

Cotton & Welsh.(NEWS)(rep of the year)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Cotton & Welsh, Atlanta, GA, was named rep of the year by Crane Plumbing. This was announced by Dick Klaess, wholesale national sales manager, at Crane's annual sales meeting in Chicago. Pictured (L to R): Gary Bauer and Don Hallford, both...

Ferguson/J.D. Daddario.(NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Ferguson/J.D. Daddario marked the grand opening of its plumbing and electrical supply Mega Xpress store in South Yarmouth, MA, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and in-store celebration. The 11,000-sq.-ft. self-service store on Route 28 caters to...

The Part Works.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... The Part Works (Seattle), a regional plumbing parts wholesaler, announced that Katie Parris, daughter of company founders Rick and Sandy Johnson, has joined the family business as manager of marketing and information systems. For more...

Hercules Chemical Co.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Hercules Chemical Co. promoted Wayne Merrifield to director of technology. Formerly he was quality control/quality assurance manager and the company's ISO management representative.

Titeflex Corp.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Titeflex Corp. appointed Craig A. Barry as director of marketing for its Gastite division. Previously, he was director of marketing at LENOX.

The Keeney Manufacturing Co.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... The Keeney Manufacturing Co. appointed Karen Condren regional sales manager. Formerly she was manager of sales/marketing services.

Uponor North America.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Uponor North America hired Jeffrey R. Davis as vice president of sales and a member of its senior management committee. His experience includes stints at Leatherman Tool Group and the Kohler Co. In other news, Uponor named Mary Beth...

FlowGuard Gold[R] Pipe and Fittings.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... FlowGuard Gold[R] Pipe and Fittings hired Johnny Dupre as piping systems consultant for the South region, serving Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and Memphis, TN. Dupre has 14 years of experience in the plumbing industry....

State Water Heaters.(NEWS)
March 1, 2007... State Water Heaters, the 2007 primary sponsor of the Morgan-McClure Motorsports No. 4 Chevy, has launched www.stateracing.com to provide up-to-the-minute race information about its race team. State signed an agreement with driver Ward Burton...

Visit our Web site.(NEWS)
March 1, 2007... Please visit www.supplyht.com and browse through our ever-expanding site. We have added some features including frequent news updates and have modified our registration policy. We would still appreciate your registering for free on our Web...

Water-Right.(NEWS)
March 1, 2007... Water-Right, a manufacturer of water treatment equipment sold through water treatment professionals, added a two-hour sales and marketing breakout session to its three-day dealer training school. Pictured, Water-Right sales representative Ted...

CSST lawsuit settled.(NEWS)(Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing)(Brief article)(Case overview)
March 1, 2007... The lawsuit claiming that CSST was not thick enough to prevent damage to itself in the event of a lightning strike and that it posed an unreasonable risk of fire was settled for $29 million. Defendants Omega flex, Parker Hannifin, Titeflex...

Rheem Manufacturing Co.(NEWS)
March 1, 2007... Rheem Manufacturing Co. is sponsoring the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) No. 29 car for the 36-race NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. As the major associate sponsor, Rheem will be featured prominently on the lower rear quarter panels of RCR's...

Chicago Faucet.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Chicago Faucet hired Art Petracco as director of market development. His industry experience includes stints as director of project commercial sales at Grohe America; national project sales manager for Dornbracht USA; and U.S. market...

Masco Corp.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Masco Corp. named Jerry Volas the group president of plumbing and heating products. He succeeds John Wills who has resigned but will continue to assist the company in a consulting capacity.

Elkay Manufacturing Co.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Elkay Manufacturing Co.'s Plumbing Products Division announced the hiring of three new channel managers: Marilyn Morgan as retail marketing manager, Mark Hird as marketing manager for the wholesale residential segment and Rod Magnuson as...

Symmons.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Symmons named Jeff Reilly vice president of marketing.

Forte Buying Group.(Buying Group News ...)
March 1, 2007... Forte Buying Group announced that Hansgrohe and Sonia America are its newest preferred vendors. The group represents more than 150 independent showrooms in North America.

PremierDPH.(Buying Group News ...)
March 1, 2007... PremierDPH, a decorative plumbing and hardware buying group, will hold its spring conference April 13-14 at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport in Herndon, VA. Keynote speaker Hank Darlington, Supply House Times' showroom columnist, will...

The Geberit Group and Duravit partner for training and marketing.(NEWS: BATH & KITCHEN)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The Geberit Group and Duravit said they will combine Geberit's plumbing technology with Duravit's design in a partnership to develop the market for concealed installation system technology in the North American single and multi-unit residential...

Murray Supply Co.(NEWS: BATH & KITCHEN)
March 1, 2007... Murray Supply Co. (Winston-Salem, NC) hosted the February American Society of Interior Designers meeting at The Fuller House showroom located in Apex, NC. Showroom consultants Cyndi Fuller, Nikki Gambella and Lacy Oliver led the session,...

Masco reports loss, cuts jobs.(NEWS: BATH & KITCHEN)(Financial report)
March 1, 2007... Masco reported a loss for its fourth quarter and will cut 8,000 U.S. jobs as a result of the steep decline in the nation's housing market. The company lost $187 million for the quarter compared with a profit of $173 million in the fourth...

Amerec.(Correction/Clarification ...)(Correction notice)
March 1, 2007... Amerec: The January 2007 B.I.G. directory issue of SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES listed the Amerec trade name as owned by Accurate Industries Steambath and Sauna Products. We have since been informed that the trade name Amerec is owned by Saunatec Inc.,...

Neoperl.(Product News ...)
March 1, 2007... Neoperl said its Careguard[R] combines hygienic features for faucet attachments with built-in AgION[TM] anti-microbial protection, laminar stream (non-aerated) and screenless construction (no wire-mesh screen prone to lime build-up). Circle 200...

The Speakman Co.(Product News ...)
March 1, 2007... The Speakman Co. introduced a component shower system for ADA-compliant rooms and facilities that includes a combination handheld/ mounted showerhead and combination slide bar and grab bar. Circle [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

MTI Whirlpool.(Product News ...)
March 1, 2007... MTI Whirlpool displayed its shower in the NEXTGEN house at the International Builders Show in Orlando in February. Circle 201 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Blanco America.(Rep Update ...)
March 1, 2007... Blanco America named Focus Sales LLC, Middlesex, NJ, as its sales representative for New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Sonia America.(Rep Update ...)
March 1, 2007... Sonia America presented an award to Joel Doliner, president of The Doliner Group, a manufacturers rep firm based in Florida, for achieving $1 million in Sonia product sales for his territory. Pictured (L to R): Jody Rosenberg, national sales...

Maumee supply.(Expansion ...)
March 1, 2007... Maumee Supply (Perrysburg, OH) opened a 7,000-sq.-ft. Kohler Premier showroom under the name Waterhouse Bath & Kitchen Studio by expanding and renovating a former Kohler Bath House showroom. Dion Wilson is the showroom manager.

The Kohler Co.(Expansion ...)
March 1, 2007... The Kohler Co. said it plans to open a retail store in Glenview, Ill., this summer. It will share space with Canac[R], a Kohler Co. business that offers semi-custom kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.

SFA Saniflo.(Advertising ...)
March 1, 2007... SFA Saniflo launched its first-ever television advertising campaign in the United States, titled "Small Space, Smart Solutions," targeting eight key metropolitan markets in the Northeast, from Feb. 26 through April 15.

KWC America.(Financial News ...)
March 1, 2007... KWC America said its sales have increased for three consecutive years, from 2004 to 2007.

EPA adds bathroom faucets to WaterSense program.(NEWS: BATH & KITCHEN)
March 1, 2007... The EPA released a draft specification, to be effective July 1, establishing the criteria for high-efficiency bathroom sink faucets that are a third lower than current federal standards as part of its new voluntary WaterSense program. In...

Who will buy American Standard's Bath & Kitchen Division.(NEWS: BATH & KITCHEN)
March 1, 2007... At the time of this writing speculation continued on who would buy the $2.4 billion (2006 sales) bath-and-kitchen business of American Standard. Candidates ranged from the Chinese to Home Depot to American, European and Asian plumbing...

JMC to acquire Sharon Tube.(NEWS: PVF)
March 1, 2007... Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group announced that John Maneely Co. (JMC), the parent company of Wheatland Tube and Atlas Tube, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sharon Tube. Sharon Tube will be integrated into the Wheatland...

Stainless prices peak, carbon steel moderates.(NEWS: PVF)
March 1, 2007... Carbon steel prices in North America declined by a small amount on average in January, according to the British metals tracking firm MEPS. "Oversupply continues to be a problem in the flat products segment. Lower scrap costs kept long products...

IPSCO to boost capacity; sets sales, profit records.(NEWS: PVF)
March 1, 2007... IPSCO Inc. announced the construction of an oil country tubular goods (OCTG) heat treat facility adjacent to its Blytheville, AR, pipe mill. The new facility will produce heat-treated OCTG in 2-3/8-inch through 5-1/2-inch diameters. Commercial...

Mueller Water Products acquires pipe fabricator.(NEWS: PVF)(Fast Fabricators Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Mueller Water Products has acquired the assets of Fast Fabricators Inc. (Bloomfield, CT), one of the largest independently-owned fabricators of ductile iron pipe serving the water and wastewater treatment plant market in the United States. The...

J-M, PW Eagle to merge.(NEWS: PVF)
March 1, 2007... J-M Manufacturing Co. and PW Eagle Inc., manufacturers of plastic pipe, fittings and tubing products, announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which J-M will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of PW Eagle...

Slight decline seen for 2007 industrial spending.(Industrial Hotpots)
March 1, 2007... According to Industrial Info Resources' (Sugar Land, TX) Project Spending Index, North America industrial project spending experienced 15.3% growth in 2006 when compared to 2005, increasing from 5,450 projects valued at $144 billion in 2005 to...

Central States buys controls distributor.(Industrial Hotspots)
March 1, 2007... Central States Group (Omaha, NE) has acquired Mueller Sales Corp. of New Hope, MN, including offices in Brookfield, WI, and Cedar Rapids, IA. Mueller, an instrumentation and controls distributor founded in 1946, will complement Central States'...

The International Stainless Steel Forum.
March 1, 2007... The International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) has launched an advertising campaign jointly with the Nickel Institute to inform the public that stainless steel is one of the world's most recycled materials and that it is recycled more than...

The Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports.
March 1, 2007... The Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports, a nonprofit organization for U.S. pipe and tube producers, approved a resolution calling on Congress to oppose extending Trade Promotion Authority unless the Bush Administration initiates Section 421...

Cameron.
March 1, 2007... Cameron has settled a class action lawsuit filed in 2002 related to contaminated underground water near a former manufacturing facility in Houston. Cost of the settlement is approximately $9 million.

AnvilStar[TM].(New Products ...)
March 1, 2007... AnvilStar[TM], a division of Anvil[R] International, has developed a new flexible Tri-Flex Loop[R] fire protection product. The Tri-Flex Loop is designed to move independently from the building, protecting fire protection systems during story...

GF Piping.(New Products ...)
March 1, 2007... GF Piping introduced the Signet 2552 Metal Magmeter, a rugged insertion flow sensor that permits hot-tap access to the pipe stream. The 2552 can be mounted into a broad range of pipe sizes from 2 to 48 inches (DN50 to DN1200). Performance...

Sure Seal Inc.(New Products ...)
March 1, 2007... Sure Seal Inc. has been awarded the contract to supply high-performance butterfly valves to the first ethanol plant to be built in Arizona. Recently enhanced for use in all biofuel markets, Sure Seal's high-performance butterfly valves are...

Improving customer service: these days it is all about the total customer experience.(ADAMS on PVFSupply)
March 1, 2007... There's just no excuse for bad customer service. I spend about one hour a day correcting orders, chasing down return refunds, calling my insurance company for the millionth time, challenging an incorrect charge, returning merchandise that is...

Roth Industries.(Expansion ...)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Roth Industries opened a $10 million plant in Watertown, NY, located near Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and the Canadian Border. The company is said to be the first in the U.S. to manufacture double-wall tanks comprised of a polyethylene...

Danfoss.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Danfoss hired Robert Hennessy as director of wholesale sales and marketing. He formerly was director of HVACR wholesale at Invensys Controls. Prior to that he held various sales and marketing positions with General Electric.

The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI).(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) named Stephen R. Yurek president of the association. Yurek previously served as ARI's chief operating officer and general counsel. Also, Mark Menzer was named executive vice president,...

HARDI launches Hydronics and Radiant Heat Council.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)(Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) board of directors created a new Hydronics & Radiant Heat Council, which plans to bring together manufacturers and current distributors of such products to...

HVAC Excellence.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
March 1, 2007... HVAC Excellence honored Edward Sexton of Sexton Electric as its 50,000th certified technician in North America. He was honored with a plaque at the 2007 AHR Expo. Pictured (L to R): Proctor for the exam, Ace Carroll of East Coast Metal...

Taco Inc.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)
March 1, 2007... Taco Inc. dedicated a new 60,000-sq.-ft. addition to its Cranston, RI, manufacturing facility in a ceremony Feb. 16 that drew local and state politicians and included a performance by the Rhode Island Philharmonic. The most notable guest...

Thomas C. Wilson.(People On The Move ...)(appointment of Stephen Hanley )(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Thomas C. Wilson promoted Stephen Hanley to president and COO. His previous titles during his tenure at the company for the past 28+ years include vice president of sales, sales manager and regional sales manager for the southern New Jersey,...

U.S. A/C Groups, China sign anti-counterfeiting pact.
March 1, 2007... A memorandum of understanding to strengthen intellectual property rights (IPR) protection was signed between the major United States and Chinese air conditioning and refrigeration industry organizations during the 2007 AHR Expo. The MOU...

ARI and GAMA discuss joint organization.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... A recent letter from Robert Wilkins, chairman of ARI, and William S. Rafferty, chairman of GAMA, considered the possibility of a combined trade association, given that both associations combined represent more than 90% of North American HVACR...

Cliplight Mfg.(NEWS: HYDRONICS/HVACR)(Southland Marketing)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Cliplight Mfg. issued Southland Marketing, Conyers, GA, its platinum "2006 Sales Agency of the Year" award at the 2007 International AHR Expo, Jan. 30 in Dallas. Jim Dooley, president, Southland Marketing Inc., (pictured center) received...

Correction/clarification.(Correction notice)
March 1, 2007... Jim Wheeler's column, "The New Cold Climate Heat Pump," published in January 2007 SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES on page 148, described a system that has since been updated and is currently being released in the U.S. as the Hallowell All Climate Heat Pump....

Raven Products.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Raven Products appointed John Sandbek regional sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic area. His experience includes stints with Trayco of South Carolina, a plumbing specialties wholesaler based in Florence, SC, and with the MRO division of...

Armacell Insulation Products.(People On The Move ...)
March 1, 2007... Armacell Insulation Products named Kartik Patel general manager. Most recently he was national sales manager.

Ferguson.(Acquisition ...)(Grif-Fab Corp.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Ferguson (Newport News, VA) acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Grif-Fab Corp., Commerce City, CO, in an asset transaction completed Feb. 5. Grif-Fab fabricates and distributes fire suppression systems and products to...

Bosch.(Acquisition ...)
March 1, 2007... Bosch has acquired all shares of FHP Manufacturing Co. from a group of investors for an undisclosed price. FHP manufactures electric water-source heat pumps for the heating and air conditioning of residential buildings and commercial premises....

First Supply.(Expansion ...)
March 1, 2007... First Supply (Madison, WI) said it would open a location in Cedar Rapids, IA, in March at 931 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dave Ernzen will serve as interim branch manager.

The Granite Group Wholesalers LLC.(Expansion ...)
March 1, 2007... The Granite Group Wholesalers LLC (Concord, NH) opened a branch at 320 Hamilton St. in Leominster, MA, its 18th location. The wholesaler distributes plumbing, heating, cooling and water supplies and carries brands including Kohler, State water...

Porter Pipe & Supply where doors are open 24/7: customers and employees get the royal treatment with open books and open doors.(INDUSTRIAL PVF)(Cover story)(Company overview)
March 1, 2007... When you've spent 30 years in the industry and visited hundreds of supply houses, not a lot of surprises are left to see in any distributor's warehouse. Porter Pipe & Supply offered one, though, that made this veteran reporter do a double take....

Omni members see commercial growth: Omni's business conditions survey shows strong commercial sales ahead but wait-and-see for new construction.(OMNI SPRING MEETING)(Survey)
March 1, 2007... Omni's member survey regarding business conditions found that 87% expect their commercial business to increase or at least stay the same for the first six months of this year, while 8% project a decrease. Commercial business was up last year...

NAW distributors cheered by long-term prospects: NAW's executive summit highlighted favorable trends, though with a speed bump looming in 2009.
March 1, 2007... Let's get the bad news out of the way first. Popular economist Alan Beaulieu of the Institute for Trend Research told the audience of multi-line distributors to brace for a "significant recession" lasting about 18 months in 2009-2010. He...

AHR Expo 2007.(Interview)
March 1, 2007... In Part I of Jim Wheeler's coverage of the show, he discusses refrigerants and plumbing and bath products. More of his observations will follow in Jim Wheeler's regular monthly HVACR columns published in Supply House Times. You can contact Jim...

Commercial faucets.(PRODUCT TREND OF THE MONTH)
March 1, 2007... Water and energy conservation are on the rise for commercial faucets and the major manufacturers agree. But recent pandemic influences and issues with cross contamination have also made their way into this product segment. So, what's the...

Industrial Piping Division leaders: 2007 Council members bullish on division's year.(NEWS: AMERICAN SUPPLY ASSOCIATION)
March 1, 2007... The American Supply Association's Industrial Piping Division (IPD) is steadily building its influence, having added a number of new wholesalers and manufacturers to its membership ranks in 2006. The now 100+ member group calls ASA's IPD "home,"...

How do your numbers stack up?(BENCHMAKING AT ITS FINEST)
March 1, 2007... For more than 24 years, the ASA Operating Performance Report (OPR) has been providing industry wholesalers with detailed statistics that enable them to gauge their own company's profitability against industry benchmarks. Each year, nearly 200...

T6 IVC center-connection radiator.(Supply House Times: Information Showcase)
March 1, 2007... The Myson T6 IVC center-connection radiator features innovative design, high-quality workmanship and high heat output. This dual panel, double convector model offers the advantage of a standard 2-inch central connection as well as the standard...

General's new Gen-Eye GL[TM] video inspection/location system.(Supply House Times: Information Showcase)
March 1, 2007... The new Gen-Eye GL[TM] video inspection system from General Pipe Cleaners now offers a self-leveling color camera and DVD recorder. The self-leveling camera automatically keeps your picture right-side up as the camera glides through the line,...

RG6HDCOMBO Roll Groover.(Supply House Times: Information Showcase)
March 1, 2007... Reed's professional grade RG6HDCOMBO Roll Groover is designed to form standard rolled grooves in steel, stainless steel and aluminum pipe, from 1-1/4 to 6 inches, in both Schedule 10 and Schedule 40 pipe. The only adjustment required is for the...