Blanco offers online lit, marketing materials
Lumberton, N.J. -- Blanco America has launched its new literature fulfillment and marketing materials web portal, Blanco Information HQ.
Blanco Information HQ is an online resource center that allows users to order and download literature and marketing materials directly from the Blanco website, www.blancoamerica.com. In addition to literature, users will have access to marketing materials such as technical information, specification sheets and corporate newsletters. The Blanco Information HQ site also makes literature and marketing materials fulfillment more efficient, with automatic order acknowledgement and the ability to track order status online from any computer at any time of day.
Visit www.blancoamerica.com and click Blanco Information HQ to request a user account.
KPS Capital Partners acquires Bristol Compressors
New York, N.Y. -- KPS Capital Partners LP announced that a newly formed affiliate, Bristol Compressors International Inc., has acquired the assets of Bristol Compressors Inc. from Johnson Controls Inc. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Bristol is a leading global manufacturer and designer of compression technology used in residential and commercial air conditioning and heat pump applications. It supplies many of the world’s leading HVAC manufacturers as well as wholesale distributors. Bristol is based in Bristol, Va., and its products are marketed and sold on six continents and more than 50 countries around the world.
Bristol’s senior management team will implement a business plan developed in partnership with KPS focused on improving manufacturing operations, productivity and supply chain management. The KPS investment will also provide Bristol with access to substantial capital to continue new product development.
David Shapiro, a managing partner of KPS, said “We are excited to be the catalyst that transforms Bristol into a thriving competitor in the rapidly changing HVAC industry. Bristol successfully developed market-leading products in its Benchmark line that will enable the company to prosper as the North American HVAC industry undergoes significant regulatory and technological changes. The company’s established franchise, highly regarded brands and commitment to customer service form a terrific base from which to grow the business both domestically and internationally.”
Rick Izor, Bristol CEO, commented, “This transaction marks the beginning of a new era for Bristol, with a new owner that has a track record of elevating good companies to achieve world-class operating performance. KPS’s manufacturing expertise and capital resources will advance Bristol’s position as a leading manufacturer and distributor of compressors. I would like to thank our customers, vendors and employees for their continued support.”
KPS Capital Partners LP is the manager of the KPS Special Situations Funds, a family of private equity funds with over $600 million of committed capital focused on constructive investing in restructurings, turnarounds and other special situations. KPS has created new companies to purchase operating assets out of bankruptcy; established stand-alone entities to operate divested assets; and recapitalized highly leveraged public and private companies. The KPS investment strategy targets companies with strong franchises that are experiencing operating and financial problems. KPS invests its capital concurrently with a turnaround plan predicated on cost reduction, capital investment, and capital availability. Typically, the KPS turnaround plan is accompanied by a financial restructuring of the company’s liabilities. The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at www.kpsfund.com.
Danfoss integrates Scroll Technologies into new
Commercial Compressors group
Baltimore -- Effective February 1, Danfoss combined its Commercial Compressors factories in Lawrenceville, Ga., and Scroll Technologies in Arkadelphia, Ark., into a single organization.
Dr. Carlos Zamudio, who is based in Arkadelphia, will head the combined U.S. Commercial Compressor organization as its general manager. Prior to this assignment, Dr. Zamudio served as the general manager of Scroll Technologies.
Randy Jacoby will move from Arkadelphia, where he served as the director of assembly operations, to Lawrenceville as director of operations. Jacoby brings to this position more than 30 years of customer-orientated manufacturing management experience. He will report to Dr. Zamudio.
The new structure supports long-term, customer-orientated, organizational and integration objectives. The organization will employ more than 1,000 people and offer solutions to a wide range of applications in the residential and commercial air-conditioning business.
Ferguson acquires Grib-Fab Corporation
Newport News, Va. -- In an asset transaction completed February 5, Ferguson acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Grif-Fab Corporation of Commerce City, Colo.
Grif-Fab fabricates and distributes fire suppression systems and products to contractors, principally in the Southwest. In addition to its Commerce City location, Grif-Fab operates fabrication shops in Kingman, Ariz., and Albuquerque, N.M. Grif-Fab began operations in 1973; sales volume for its fiscal year ended November 30, 2006, was $28 million.
Grif-Fab has been a market leader and has an outstanding reputation in the industry. The acquisition provides Ferguson an expanded footprint in the fire and fabrication sector within this high-growth region.
First Supply opens new branch in Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- First Supply is pleased to announce the opening of a new location in Cedar Rapids. Located at 931 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, the new facility opened its doors on March 5, with service hours Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dave Ernzen will serve as interim branch manager. He will report directly to Jason Cullum, general manager of First Supply’s Dubuque facility.
For more information, visit www.1supply.com.
Geberit Group signs North American partnership with Duravit
Des Plaines, Ill. -- The Geberit Group, a European market leader in plumbing technology, has announced a North American partnership with Duravit, a leading German-based manufacturer of sanitary ceramics, bath furniture and wellness products. These two segment leaders will combine efforts to develop the concealed installation system and wall-hung toilet market in North America.
“With this partnership, we intend to take advantage of Geberit’s strength in technology and innovation to focus on further developing our North American product offering,” said William Christensen, president of Geberit North America. “The partnership will combine Geberit’s plumbing technology know-how with Duravit’s design excellence to more aggressively pursue the North American single and multi-unit residential and hospitality markets.”
As partners, a joint training program and marketing campaign will be launched in the coming months. Also in 2007, three regional training centers in Atlanta, Chicago and New York City will be established to educate architects, designers, engineers, plumbers and showroom sales associates. Geberit North America will also establish a competence center in Chicago where North American-specific solutions will be developed and tested.
Geberit North America, a member of the Geberit Group, manufactures and markets residential in-wall carriers and drains.
For additional information, contact Geberit North America at 800/566-2100 or visit the company online at www.geberitnorthamerica.com.
The Granite Group acquires Shetucket Supply
Concord, N.H. -- The Granite Group Wholesalers LLC has announced the purchase of the assets of Shetucket Supply Corporation. The Granite Group, an 18-branch distributor of plumbing, heating and cooling products, was established in 1998 through the merger of Capitol Plumbing Supply and Central Goulet. Shetucket is a nine-branch plumbing and heating distributor based in Norwich, Conn., and has been owned and operated by the Fatone family for more than 50 years.
After the acquisition, The Granite Group will have sales of $165 million, 450 employees and locations in all New England states. Ten of the 18 locations are in New Hampshire. In addition to the corporate headquarters in Concord, there are branches in Manchester, Hooksett, Nashua, Keene, Gilford, Rochester, Portsmouth, Exeter and South Hampton, N.H. The group’s 105,000-square-foot central distribution warehouse is located in Londonderry, N.H., next to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport runway. Other locations are in Putnam, Conn.; Worcester, Leominster, and Lowell, Mass.; Burlington, Barre, and Rutland, Vt., and Portland, Maine.
The Granite Group is also the parent company of The Ultimate Bath plumbing showrooms with locations in Concord, Manchester, Rochester, Exeter and South Hampton, N.H.
HARDI joins fight to protect workers’ rights
Columbus, Ohio -- The Heating, Air-conditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) joined the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace to become one of nearly 30 other national trade associations and countless regional and state organizations to create a coalition against H.R. 800, or the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act.”
Otherwise referred to as the “Card Check” bill, H.R. 800 would amend the National Labor Relations Act that was signed into law by Franklin Roosevelt in 1935; it would enable unions to be formed and certified as negotiating bodies with signatures on union authorization cards from a majority of employees, without any secret ballot ratification.
“Essentially, well-compensated and content employees could come into work one day to learn that they now must join a new union that was formed overnight without their approval or lose their jobs. Even worse, they may come home to find union representatives at their door trying to force their hand to sign an authorization card for a union they don’t want,” said HARDI executive vice president & COO Donald Frendberg. “HVACR distribution has traditionally had very little unionization because most employees of these businesses -- many family-run -- are extremely loyal, long-tenured employees who are well-treated and feel a close connection to their employers. Competition for talent is fierce, so the market dictates fair wages and benefits, resulting in no need or desire for unionization.”
The coalition fears that, if passed, H.R. 800 would strip American workers of one of our country’s most fundamental rights, which is decision-making by secret ballot votes. Further, workers could be coerced or misled to sign authorization cards or might sign simply so they will be left alone by harassing organizers.
This proposed legislation has been fast-tracked out of the House Education and Labor Committee and could possibly reach the House floor by month’s end. HARDI is promoting the coalition’s website, www.myprivateballot.com, which provides tools for grassroots opposition to the bill, as well as testimonials, news and background information on the issue to its members. HARDI member companies and all firms supportive of the democratic rights of their employees are encouraged to contact their elected representatives and express their strong opposition to this bill.
Johnstone Supply opens new DC in Florida
Portland, Ore. -- Johnstone Supply, Inc., an industry-leading cooperative distributor of hvacr parts, supplies and equipment with 312 independently owned stores nationwide, has announced plans for a new parts distribution center at 8150 Forshee Drive in Jacksonville, Fla. Construction is underway and rapidly approaching completion, with the new facility anticipated to open and begin operations in May 2007. The new 120,000-square-foot facility will be the first in the Southeast for Johnstone Supply, joining its existing major distribution centers in Memphis, Tenn., Allentown, Pa., and at its cooperative headquarters in Portland, Ore. The new facility will service 54 Johnstone Supply stores in the Southeast, offering next-day delivery and the opportunity to stock a customized line of products reflecting the unique needs of regional and local HVACR contractors.
The Southeast distribution center is a major step in Johnstone’s national strategic distribution model. The primary goal is to meet customer demand for next-day delivery while providing value added services to support the specific needs of contractors in their regional geographic areas such as the Southeast customer market. Future plans include a keystone Southwest facility that will support a national network of regional distribution centers. This will enable Johnstone to regionally cater to every area of the country and provide optimal distribution logistics, cost efficiencies and delivery fulfillment turnaround.
With the ability to deliver products within 24 hours, a strong emphasis on order accuracy, and enhanced product lines to meet the specific regional needs of Southeast HVACR contractors, the new Florida distribution center will help to further enhance Johnstone’s reputation for superior customer service and support. Johnstone executives believe that the improved order delivery times and efficiencies will enable HVACR contractors to save time and be even more profitable in their own operations.
For more information, visit www.JohnstoneSupply.com.
Lochinvar opens distribution warehouse in Florida
Lebanon, Tenn. -- Lochinvar Corp. recently opened a new distribution warehouse in Pompano Beach, Fla. The warehouse stocks a complete line of Lochinvar water heaters, pool heaters, boilers and storage tanks. Most products are currently available for immediate pick-up or delivery.
As a result of Lochinvar’s steady growth through the years, the number of distribution warehouses throughout the country has continued to increase. In addition to the new Pompano Beach facility, stocking warehouses are also located in Nashville, Tampa, Orlando, Detroit, Dallas and Philadelphia.
“With the recent addition of the Pompano Beach warehouse, Lochinvar expects to substantially grow our business by further increasing distribution,” said Bill Vallett, Lochinvar president. “Not only does expanding our presence help us to better reach our valued customers in Florida, but it also allows the introduction of new customers to Lochinvar products.”
For additional information, visit www.Lochinvar.com.
RSC opens new sales and distribution services center
Columbus, Ohio -- Refrigeration Sales Corporation announced the move in spring 2007 of its premier sales center and distribution warehouse at 2571 Silver Drive in Columbus, Ohio. The 45,000-square-foot facility will enhance customer service and supports RSC’s number one goal: service speed.
The new facility’s convenient location at I-71, between Hudson Street and Weber Road, is only one of the benefits for customers. “The Columbus location is extremely accessible and convenient to customers both north and south of Columbus. This is important because a large portion of our business is customer pickup,” commented Warren Farr, president of RSC. Additionally, the new facility has five loading docks that make customer pickups fast and easy.
“We recognize that, to be successful, RSC needs to find ways of ensuring that our customers are successful. Our emphasis is on reducing the amount of time that a customer spends on non-value activities, such as ordering and picking up product. Our new distribution services facility streamlines these processes and gets our customer back to helping his or her own customers quickly and efficiently.”
Since service speed was the primary driver in designing RSC’s new Columbus facility, significant investments were made in the facility’s layout, machinery and technology. These investments and others will provide a substantial improvement in the service speed and expertise that the company can deliver to its customers. Investments include all new material storage and handling systems designed around fast product flow, as well as a state-of-the-art showroom and world-class training facilities.
Sonia expands U.S. distribution and sales facility
Sunrise, Fla. -- Sonia America Inc. announced the completion of its expanded U.S. distribution warehouse and office facility. The building’s size was increased by 75% to allow for additional inventory on hand and for increased sales and support staff. The facility, located in Sunrise, Fla., since 1997, also includes a product showroom and training center that is used for continuing education and product knowledge meetings, held on a frequent basis for Sonia’s dealers, sales representative organizations and their own staff.
“The expansion was something we planned on over a year ago,” said Jody Rosenberg, national sales manager for Sonia America. “As soon as the space directly next to our existing warehouse became available, we jumped on the opportunity. This increased square footage and additional loading dock has allowed us to re-rack our inventory to increase efficiency and has allowed us to bring in larger containers of bath vanities and furniture from Spain and to meet the needs of our expanding collection of other products.”
Sonia is a premier manufacturer of exquisite bath vanities, storage solutions and accessories made of the finest materials, including marine grade wood, fire clay, glass, brass, aluminum, stainless steel and die cast metals. As a Green manufacturer, Sonia operates under an in-depth environmental protection policy that assures products are made in a way that decreases the use of natural resources (water, energy, etc.) and hazardous chemical products. Founded in Valencia, Spain, in 1990, Sonia began U.S. distribution in 1997. Sonia is available at more than 260 dealers nationwide including six stocking distributors and sales reps in 15 territories. Visit Sonia on the web at www.sonia-sa.com or call 888/sonia-us.
Taco dedicates addition to R.I. facility
Cranston, R.I. -- Taco president and CEO John Hazen White Jr. dedicated the new 60,000-square-foot addition to the company’s 1160 Cranston Street facility in a ceremony on February 16, following a reception for employees, dignitaries and invited guests.
Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts and Cranston Mayor Michael Napolitano were in attendance and spoke at the event. Members of the Rhode Island Philharmonic performed after the dedication.
The new addition, which is used for warehousing and shipment of company products, was dedicated to White’s parents, John and Mary “Happy” White. In a program handout available at the event John White Jr. noted that “for many years, the growth and development of Taco was driven and overseen by John and Happy White.” He credited his parents with “having created a solid foundation from which we have based our growth and success” over the past 15 years.
A photo portrait of the couple, taken in the 1990s in John Hazen White’s tower office at Taco, was unveiled and will hang on a wall in the new building. An accompanying plaque cites the dedication of the new addition in their names, dated February 16, 2007.
John Hazen White Sr., who took over Taco upon the passing of his father Elwood White in 1942 and subsequently ran the company until 1997, died in March 2001. His wife Happy was very involved with Taco through the years. In 1999, they established the John and Happy White Foundation, which supports a variety of charitable, educational, social service and arts organizations in Rhode Island.
The new addition marks the first physical expansion of Taco since 1954, the year John Hazen White acquired the original building, converting what had been a former UTC trolley barn into a manufacturing operation. The land on which the new addition sits was sold to Taco by Edward Imperatore, who operated a crane service next door for many years.