Supply House Times articles from September 2008

Supply House Times archives from September 2008

Bradford White Corp.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bradford White Corp. promoted Nicholas J. Giuffre to president and chief operating officer. He joined the company in 1978 and most recently was executive vice president.

Rheem Heating & Cooling.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... Rheem Heating & Cooling named Neal Cowne vice president of sales. Cowne joined Rheem in 1981. Most recently he was national director of sales. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Sloan Valve Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... Sloan Valve Co. appointed Daniel Lewis director of global sourcing. He will also oversee import and export compliance regarding the transportation of goods. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mincron Software Systems.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... Mincron Software Systems appointed Jonathan Lindle director of client services. Formerly he was Mincron's director of education services.

Viega.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... Viega announced that Dan Schmierer, who has served as CEO of Viega North America since 2000, will stay at the helm until 2012. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

MAAX.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... MAAX named Kyle Straub vice president of sales, Professional Division for North American markets. His 24 years of experience in the electrical industry include stints with General Electric, Wiremold, and most recently for Legrand North America....

Leakey pipes.(down the PIPE)(Cartoon)
September 1, 2008... EXCUSE ME, BUT I'M REALLY MORE OF AN "IDEA PERSON... " [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Asbestos claims force Hercules voluntary bankruptcy.(Industry News)
September 1, 2008... Hercules Chemical Co., a century-old manufacturer and marketer of chemical and specialty products for the commercial plumbing and heating industry, announced that, on Friday, August 22, 2008, it filed a petition for bankruptcy relief under...

Charlotte Pipe offers training.(down the PIPE)
September 1, 2008... Charlotte Pipe and Foundry hosted its first "College of Plumbing Knowledge" class for plumbing engineers in June at its new 9,000-sq.-ft. training facility in Charlotte, NC. The class offered engineers a refresher course on the basics of...

A supply house times exclusive.(down the PIPE)(Statistical table)(Report)
September 1, 2008... A SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES EXCLUSIVE Residential Building Permit Regional & Local Market Survey Activity_ JUNE 2008 Residential Permits REGION ...

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute hired David B. Calabrese to fill the newly created position of vice president, public policy. Most recently he was vice president of government relations for the Association of Home...

Superior Radiant Products Ltd.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... Superior Radiant Products Ltd. appointed Thomas Delp to national sales manager and Olga Shaposhnykova to controller.

J.C. Whitiam Manufacturing Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... J.C. Whitiam Manufacturing Co. promoted Mike Buck to vice president of sales and a member of the company's leadership team. Also, the company named Steve Muhleman northern regional sales manager, overseeing 18 states.

Underground Pipe & Valve.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... Underground Pipe & Valve (Shorewood, IL) announced the retirement of Andrew R. Beumel, who co-founded the company in 1990 and most recently had served as vice president and sales manager. He has been involved in the manufacturing and...

Emerson Climate Technologies.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... Emerson Climate Technologies promoted Bill Shockley to vice president, sales and marketing for its Flow Controls division. Formerly he was the vice president of HVAC and Appliance OEM sales for the company's White-Rodgers division. Also, Matt...

Obituary.(down the PIPE)(Obituary)
September 1, 2008... Norman Menaker, 87, who served the plumbing industry in various capacities for 60 years, died of heart failure July 26 at his home in Lawrence, NY. He was founder and president of Cobra Wire Co. in New Jersey until he sold the company in 1971....

RIDGID hosts "Roundup" for online forum members.(down the PIPE)(Conference news)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... RIDGID hosted its first annual "RIDGID Roundup" in June at its headquarters to celebrate those who have contributed to the company's online forum. Forum members toured the plant, learned about new products and met with other forum members and...

Active Plumbing hosts bikini car wash.(down the PIPE)
September 1, 2008... Active Plumbing Supply (Painesville, OH) hosted more than 75 contractors at its fourth annual "Bikini Plumbers' Van Wash" counter day Aug. 21 at its Cleveland branch. It was sponsored by Oatey, Moen, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry and Takagi....

Management transition at Sloan Valve.(down the PIPE)
September 1, 2008... Sloan Valve Co. announced that its board of directors voted Kirk Allen, James C. Allen and Graham C. Allen into the newly created Office of the President. They succeed their father, Charles S. Allen, who was president/ CEO for the past 31 years...

National Plumbing & Heating Supply Co.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... National Plumbing & Heating Supply Co. (Chicago) hosted an open house in July to honor Casey Dworzycki, who is retiring after 45 years in the plumbing industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Schmidt's Wholesale.(PEOPLE ON THE MOVE)
September 1, 2008... Schmidt's Wholesale (Monticello, NY) honored Patricia (Patty) Prezioso, who recently celebrated her 50th year of employment with the company. She started in bookkeeping and then worked on plumbing pricing, at times working alongside her father...

American Standard.(TECHNOLOGY, ONLINE TOOLS ...)(www.americanstandard-us.com)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... American Standard launched online tools designed to help conserve water. The new interactive Water Savings Calculator at www.americanstandard-us.com/waterefficiency allows users to estimate how many gallons of water and how many dollars they...

Rheem Heating & Cooling.(TECHNOLOGY, ONLINE TOOLS ...)(Business training software)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Rheem Heating & Cooling introduced Total Access Training, an online multimedia training component that includes several pre-existing courses for Rheem and Ruud contractors and technicians that address seasonal climate issues and environmentally...

Component Hardware Group.(TECHNOLOGY, ONLINE TOOLS ...)
September 1, 2008... Component Hardware Group, a manufacturer of plumbing and hardware products, has consolidated three previous corporate Web sites--componenthardware.com, saniguard-online.com and encorefaucets.com--into one new site: www.chgusa.com.

Swanstone targets commercial sales.(down the PIPE)(Company overview)
September 1, 2008... Although Swanstone won't abandon the residential market, 2008 marks a new era in which the company will more actively pursue commercial markets and provide expanded services to its customers. Stephen P. Anderson, president/CEO, and Jonathan...

American Supply Association.(TECHNOLOGY, ONLINE TOOLS ...)
September 1, 2008... The American Supply Association said it will exclusively recommend Activant Solutions' technology solutions and services to its members and also will recommend Activant as its preferred VAN services provider. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Conbraco Industries.(TECHNOLOGY, ONLINE TOOLS ...)
September 1, 2008... Conbraco Industries, parent company of Apollo Valves, has launched a new Web site--www.apollovalves.com--that provides easy access to tech sheets, submittal sheets, manuals, catalogs, CAD drawings, mill test report data and even high resolution...

Hubspan.(TECHNOLOGY, ONLINE TOOLS ...)
September 1, 2008... Hubspan released a case study regarding the deployment of its on-demand integration platform by HD Supply Facilities Maintenance to drive rapid business process integration and end-to-end visibility across the HD Supply Facilities Maintenance...

Conbraco Industries and Taco Inc. have both joined the Green Mechanical Council.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 1, 2008... Conbraco Industries and Taco Inc. have both joined the Green Mechanical Council. Dalh Brothers Canada Ltd. introduced a 25-year warranty on its "Mini-Ball" valve, "dahl-in-one" emergency valve kit, fitting, hanger and strap, test cap, and...

Prier Products.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 1, 2008... Prier Products appointed Jim Benton & Associates, based in Pelham, AL, as its exclusive representative for the Alabama and Florida Panhandle region.

Hart & Cooley.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 1, 2008... Hart & Cooley's Commercial Products Group awarded certificates for successful completion of training in welding to 13 employees. The hands-on training programs were conducted over three months in its Bensenville, IL, plant by a former president...

Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 1, 2008... The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute said it would relocate to new headquarters at 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 500, Arlington, VA 222013001 on Sept. 8. Staff telephone numbers, email addresses...

A.O. Smith Water Products Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 1, 2008... A.O. Smith Water Products Co, awarded $2,000 to apply toward higher education pursuits to each of the 10 finalists in its Professional Contractor Association scholarship program.

A.I. McDermott Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Whitewater ATU)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The A.I. McDermott Co, (Oshkosh, WI) said it will serve as an authorized distributor of the tankless line of gas water heaters offered by Noritz America in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Northern Illinois. In other news, the wholesaler said...

Noland Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 1, 2008... Noland Co, (Dayton, OH) and NuTone Heating and Cooling Products, the exclusive new HVAC line offered by Noland and the WinWholesale Group of Companies, awarded HVAC dealer Cudd Heating and Air Conditioning (Chester, SC) the grand prize of a...

Thermadyne Industries.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 1, 2008... Thermadyne Industries, a supplier of cutting and welding products, honored Cee Kay Supply (St. Louis, MO), one of its leading distributors, on Cee Kay's 60th anniversary. Cee Kay was presented with an abstract sculpture created by a local...

Viega.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Fall Hydronics Seminar)(Conference news)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Viega will host a Fall Hydronics Seminar with John Siegenthaler on Oct. 14 and 15 at its educational facility in Nashua, NH. The company will kick off the event with an authentic New England-style clam bake on the afternoon of Oct. 14. From 8...

Ferguson.(EXPANSION/ACQUISITIONS ...)
September 1, 2008... Ferguson (Newport News, VA) opened a 10,000-sq.-ft. showroom in Colorado Springs, CO, and a 6,500-sq.-ft. showroom in Chicago.

HD Supply White Cap.(EXPANSION/ACQUISITIONS ...)
September 1, 2008... HD Supply White Cap announced the grand re-opening of its newly renovated 38,000-sq.-ft. facility at 3135 Hanson St., Fort Myers, FL, in July. It is now an open warehouse, giving customers access to more than 2,000 products and also features a...

Radiant Panel Association stresses green issues At REX.(down the PIPE)(REX trade show )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Nearly 1,000 attendees attended the three-day REX trade show in Schaumburg, IL, in August. The "RPA Green Team," led by John Sigenthaler and Robert Bean, addressed the theme of "green heat" A life-size cutout of the two men in superhero garb...

Murray Supply's Liberty Pumps counter day.(down the PIPE)
September 1, 2008... Murray Supply Co. (Winston-Salem, NC) held a Liberty Pumps counter day at its Winston-Salem branch in June. David Hawthorne and Phillip Ayers from Snider Inc. demonstrated the Omnivore grinder by placing various materials, such as jeans, in the...

McJunkin Red Man files for IPO with SEC.(Pipe, Valves & Fittings News)
September 1, 2008... McJunkin Red Man Holding Corp., with offices in Tulsa, OK, and Charleston, WV, filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Aug. 19 in which it announced an initial public offering of all of the shares of...

China is set to overtake the U.S.(BITS AND PIECES PVF)(United States)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... China is set to overtake the U.S. as the leading manufacturing nation by 2009, or perhaps not until 2016-2017, depending upon the measurements used. This projection by the U.S.-based global business consulting firm Global Insight would mark the...

Georg Fischer Piping Systems.(BITS AND PIECES PVF)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Georg Fischer Piping Systems announced that F.W. Webb Co. (Bedford, MA) has been selected to distribute COOL-FIT ABS and COOL-FIT ABS Plus for cooling and refrigeration product in New England. GF Piping Systems is a global supplier of fusion...

Anvil works with ISAT.(down the PIPE)(International Seismic Application Technology)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Anvil International says that its working alliance with ISAT (International Seismic Application Technology) meets the needs of recently adopted requirements issued by the International Building Code (IBC) as they relate to enhanced seismic...

Color ISH North America green: green will be the color of choice during ISH North America, Oct. 1-3, Atlanta, as the industry's hottest topic wraps around educational seminars and other events throughout the show's three-day run.
September 1, 2008... GREEN SEMINARS ISH North America attendees have several options to hear about the latest in green-building technologies and renewable energy in a series of seminars beginning the first day of the show. Well-known Plumbing & Mechanical...

Three crucial components of sales.(PVF TALK)
September 1, 2008... Companies often train their salespeople in all the techniques to "close the deal" and frequently skip over the hard work that needs to get done upfront before the salesman goes a calling. There are three pieces of this advance work that needs...

Floor troughs.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Advance Tabco's 14 gauge, 304 stainless steel floor troughs are available with either 14ga stainless steel or fiberglass grating. This subway-style grating is constructed from 3/16-inch by 1-inch bars and is spaced...

Backflow preventers.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Apollo Valve's 4A Series backflow preventers feature a "captured spring" check module that can make service easier and result in a more compact design, allowing them to fit under smaller enclosures. The series...

Plastic piping system.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The piping product formerly known as Aquatherm Fusiotherm is now called Aquatherm Greenpipe. It is fully recyclable and uses a simple heat fusion connection to eliminate toxic materials, glues and resins, and open...

Chemical waste drainage system.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has added a number of new items to its ChemDrain CPVC Chemical Waste Drain System, including 8-inch pipe and fittings and a variety of drains. The new 8-inch fitting items include 1/4...

FL-series effluent pumps.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Liberty has expanded its effluent pump line to include larger 1 hp, 1.5 hp and 2 hp models. The new pumps feature maximum head capabilities of more than 130 feet and flows to 130 GPM. A dual-sized discharge features...

Copper tubing cutter.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... Milwaukee Electric now offers the M12 Copper Tubing Cutter with a 12V Lithium-ion battery and ultra-efficient gearing that can perform more than 200 cuts on a single charge. A close quarter rotating head cuts installed copper tubing with as...

Pipe restoration system.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... "PROMOTEC," the patented Swiss pipe restoration system, is being introduced in the United States. It uses wet, pulsating aluminum oxide to completely clean the interior of old water pipe and causes no damage to thin or worn pipe. This system...

Odorless toilet.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... The VIP Odorless Toilet from Smith Innovations features a whisper-quiet, patented odor-removal system, which immediately removes odorous air from under the user and redirects it into the waste pipe. A simple lift of the toilet handle activates...

Professional-grade pressing machine.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... Stanley VIRAX, a division of the Stanley Industrial Tools Group, introduced an innovative professional-grade pressing machine: the M20+ cordless pressing machine. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Engineered for commercial, industrial and...

[10] Radiant PEX tubing.(PRODUCT PREVIEW)
September 1, 2008... Watts Radiant offers RadiantPEX+, which has a new outer layer that will add several features to help in installation. Easier to pull through joists, it also protects the oxygen barrier against moisture and jobsite abuse. RadiantPEX+ has less...

Meet ASA'S new president Joe Poehling: he's the 4th generation to steer a remarkable family business.(Interview)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Like so many other distributors in this industry, Joe Poehling's work experience began with warehouse duties while a lad not yet even in high school. "One memorable hot and humid summer, I helped reseal the...

HD supply what are they up to? An in-depth interview with company's top executives.(Interview)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Supply House Times: Please bring us up-to-date on HD Supply's current status. JOE DeANGELO, CEO, HD SUPPLY: We made some changes in our portfolio but the only major change is that we sold our lumber and building...

What exactly is a green home? You can take your pick from as many as 30 regional programs, if you want to build green.
September 1, 2008... Although it's a tiny part of the overall market, green homebuilding has risen 50 percent since 2004, according to the National Association of Home Builders (www.nahb.com). According to recent McGraw-Hill Construction market research...

A new customer dynamic in wholesaling: performing a few profitable things for many customers beats activity-based transactions.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many years ago as a business student, the common mantra from my wizened professors was "you can't be all things to all people." The logic was that if you were indiscriminate in your marketing, you couldn't make money...

Placement of bath fixtures.
September 1, 2008... Where a tub is placed, it is recommended that at least a 30-inch clear space be planned along the side of it. If dressing is to occur in front of the tub, more space is needed. A 42 inch to 48-inch dressing circle will allow room for a user to...

I've been everywhere, man.(LETTER FROM AS A PRESIDENT)
September 1, 2008... Dear Industry Colleagues, After this year, Johnny Cash has nothing on me. (Sing along with me... ) I've been to D.C., Long Beach, Maumee Bay and L.A... Knoxville, Nashville, St. Pete and Palm Coast... Atlanta, Belterra, Chicago and back...

Network '08: sustainability. responsibility. profitability. the ultimate experience.(asa NEWS: the voice of the industry)
September 1, 2008... Network' 08 is just around the corner and it is an ideal time to put together a game plan for your days. Do you know which seminars you plan to attend? Have you made a list of the manufacturers or distributors you want to meet with during the...

ASA government affairs program strikes at two key issues energy tax credit and copper theft activity in play.(ASA NEWS)
September 1, 2008... Although Congress was in recess for the month of August, ASA's Government Affairs Committee was not. ASA took advantage of this time to build momentum to allow lawmakers to take immediate action upon their return to session in September. ...

Sales tax holidays on energy efficient products.(ASA NEWS)
September 1, 2008... ASA members in Georgia, Virginia and West Virginia all have upcoming state sales tax holidays on energy efficient products. This presents a great time for ASA members to maximize any sales and marketing opportunities for contractors and...

ASA introduces the second edition of Essentials of Profitable Wholesale Distribution(C).(ASA NEWS)(American Supply Association)
September 1, 2008... The second edition of the groundbreaking Essentials of Profitable Wholesale Distribution(C) certificate course is now available from the ASA Education Foundation. The new edition, at 190 pages, is almost twice the size of the original...

ASA welcomes new members!(ASA NEWS)
September 1, 2008... * Alstom Power, Inc. Chattanooga, TN * Blue Angel Pumps Harrison, OH www.blueangelpumps.com * Pacific Plumbing Supply Co. Seattle, WA www.pacificplumbing.com * Service Supply of Victoria, Inc. Victoria,...

Coming to a city near you.(ASA NEWS)(American Supply Association's training seminars)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... In conjunction with ASA regional affiliates, the ASA Education Foundation is offering one-day training seminars on its highly successful Essentials training series this fall. Through these one-day seminars, participants have the opportunity to...

Mastering the art of "selling" value: selling skills are crucial to the success of a showroom business--or any business!(SHOWROOM STRATEGIES)
September 1, 2008... In my May article this year I shared that I had written a new workbook for the American Supply Association (ASA), and had developed an eight-hour workshop that follows the book. The book and workshop are titled "The Essentials of Profitable...

The problem with A/C nominal sizes.(THE AIR SIDE)
September 1, 2008... Almost everyone knows that residential air conditioners and heat pumps come in approximately seven different sizes: 2 tons, 2-1/2 tons, 3 tons, 3-1/2 tons, 4 tons, 4-1/2 tons, and 5 tons... but do they really? No, they really don't, for those...

Phantom stock.(GET IT TOGETHER)
September 1, 2008... Phantom stock can contribute to a personal objective that is aimed at getting your executive team to think and act like equity partners. It creates a feeling of obligation toward success because owning phantom stock means they now have "skin in...

Steering the green bandwagon.(IN CLOSING)
September 1, 2008... Consumer interest is conspiring with government initiatives to spark the green building movement as the most exciting trend now touching our industry. Not a month goes by when this magazine doesn't report significant new developments involving...