AIM/R readies for October conference
Aliso Viejo, Calif. — The 39th Annual Association of Independent Manufacturers/Representatives Conference, “The Future’s So Bright,” will be held at the Sandestin Resort in Destin, Fla., from October 10-14.
Among the key focus areas of this year’s conference will be:
• Industry Economic Trends
• Business Operations
• Sales Skills
• Networking.
The conference features Alan Beaulieu, senior economist for the Institute of Trend Research presenting “See the Future before Your Competition Does,” Larry Oxenham on ‘Asset Protection’, and ‘Managing Human Resource Issues’ by Michael Bass.
Other educational sessions will include:
• Mergers and Conflicts
• The Training Paradigm Shift
• Managing the Manufacturer Relationship
• Why Are You Always Calling Me About Price?
• Did You Forget About My Features and Benefits?
• There will also be a panel discussion on enhancing rep relationships and much more.
The AIM/R Annual Conference has long been recognized as one of the signature networking events available to independent manufacturers’ representatives and manufacturers. This year, along with the normal networking opportunities, AIM/R will have a Rep Café.
This is the ultimate networking opportunity. For a complete conference agenda and additional information on AIM/R, visit www.aimr.net.
AIM/R — with its new tagline “The Place Reps Come To Succeed” — is an association of independent manufacturers representatives and manufacturers dedicated to promoting the professional sales representative function in the plumbing, HVAC/R, Kitchen and Bath, waterworks industries.
A. O. Smith donates to Habitat
Milwaukee — A. O. Smith Corporation has donated 40 natural gas residential water heaters to Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity.
The water heater donation is in conjunction with a three-year, $6.8 million grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build 100 houses in the City of Milwaukee. The grant equals approximately half the cost of building the homes; Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is required to match the grant dollar-for-dollar with either monetary gifts or in-kind donations of materials.
Last year, A. O. Smith donated 30 water heaters for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity homes. In addition, the company has donated smaller quantities of water heaters for Habitat projects in Washington and Ozaukee Counties.
“We are pleased to be in a position to support the good work that Habitat for Humanity is doing in the Greater Milwaukee area,” Ajita G. Rajendra, president of A. O. Smith Water Products Company, said. “Our company has been a long-time partner with Habitat, and this is the fourth consecutive year we have donated products to this worthy organization. In addition, a number of our employees have volunteered with Habitat over the last several years.”
The first 20 of the Promax® 40-gallon water heaters are scheduled for delivery to Habitat’s Milwaukee offices this week; the second shipment of 20 water heaters will arrive in August.
F.W. Webb opens new ‘green’ facility in SE Conn.
Bedford, Mass. — F.W. Webb Co.’s newly constructed “green” facility in Waterford, Conn., covers a nearly 70,000-square-foot parcel off Vauxhall Street Extension overlooking Interstate 95. The facility includes a 43,000-square-foot warehouse, administrative space, a bath center featuring plumbing-related products for the home, and a supply store specifically catering to the trade.
This marks F.W. Webb’s first major footprint in southeastern Connecticut.
Brian Domanico, the general manager of the F.W. Webb complex in Waterford and an 18-year company veteran, says the firm is excited about its new prospects locally. “There’s going to be a fairly new customer base to establish here,” said Domanico. “And there’s plenty of room for growth. The convenience to (interstate) 95 is huge, and you can’t beat this location.”
He said the company recently took notice of this region’s potential and scouted out a site that would be easily accessible — which is why the Waterford complex is so close to the busy I-95 and isn’t far from Interstate 395.
The bath center and the counter space, are geared toward the trade, a mainstay of F.W. Webb’s business. “We’re big believers in supporting the trades,” said Domanico.
The entire complex was built with energy-efficient systems to be more environmentally friendly and to save on energy bills. Domanico estimates the new complex could save up to $60,000 annually on its fuel-related bills because of the various energy-saving measures put in place during its construction. The building has an array of solar panels on the roof, and one of those panels is used for its hot water needs. It also employs a geothermal unit for heating and cooling. The various instrumentation used to run and monitor the geothermal system is in full view in its warehouse, designed to be used as a teaching tool for those contractors who might be interested in installing such systems.
The family owned F.W. Webb is one of the Norttheast’s largest regional distributors of plumbing, heating and air conditioning, refrigeration, LP gas, instrumentation and pumps, and industrial and biopharmaceutical piping supplies.
F.W. Webb employs about 1,500, and its 70+ branches throughout New England and New York are served by a 408,000-square-foot distribution center in Amherst, N.H.
HOLDRITE completes facilities expansion
Vista, Calif. — As of presstime, HOLDRITE®, a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1982, was scheduled to have completed their facilities expansion project in mid-July.
“The new locations will allow the business to better leverage the HOLDRITE brand,” said Michelle Hubbard, founder and owner of HOLDRITE, “while helping us to continue to provide superior service throughout North America and increasing our business square footage by 20%.”
The HOLDRITE expansion project includes expanding from one building in Southern California, to three new facilities throughout the country. The executive team, consisting of Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, Engineering and Accounting, will move to a new office location in San Diego. Operations and Distribution will now operate out of two factories — one in La Vergne, Tenn., and the second in Las Vegas.
Chip O’Neil, director of business development for HOLDRITE, noted, “The business enthusiastically looks forward to implementing our current and future growth plans, as well as continuing to successfully partner with various communities and industry affiliates in 2011 and beyond.”
For over 29 years, HOLDRITE has been a market leader in pipe support and alignment bracket systems. The focus of “Converting Makeshift Methods into Engineered Solutions” has led to innovative industry product lines, including PexRite®, LockRite™, Stout Bracket®, Quick Strap®, Quick Stand™ and HydroFlame™.
West-Fair Winair Co. opens in Conn.
Dayton, Ohio — WinWholesale Inc. has opened West-Fair Winair Co. in Stamford Conn., to serve Westchester County, N.Y., and southern Fairfield County in Connecticut with a complete line of HVACR products.
West-Fair Winair Co., like all Win-branded companies, has shared ownership between the company president, other stockholders and WinWholesale; but all decision making is done at the local level. Wayne Billingham is president of West-Fair Winair and also Shelton Winair in Shelton, Conn.
The new company carries a full line of products that include American Standard, Hart & Cooley, Fujitsu and other brands.
“Wayne Billingham is just an excellent wholesaler who runs a very successful company in Shelton. We know West-Fair Winair Co. will do a great job serving customers in its New York and Connecticut market area,” said Monte Salsman, WinWholesale chief operating officer.
WinWholesale consists of more than 450 local Win companies in 44 states and more than 70 Noland locations, mainly in the Southeast. Noland is a wholly-owned subsidiary.