Valvelinked launches online valve search service
Philadelphia — Valvelinked Inc. launched its new valve search service that connects valve buyers to sellers, enabling sales to occur in a fraction of what is often considered the norm. The service was created to address delays that sometimes occur in the selling cycle and, was designed to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for product to be delivered to the end customer.
“Valvelinked.com is the direct result of what I was seeing in the valve business — endless frustration on the part of both buyers and sellers. Buyers can’t find the products they need and sellers end up with inventory on their shelves that is not moving,” said Nancy Harner, Valvelinked.com CEO, “What’s even better about Valvelinked.com is that all geographic boundaries are eliminated and connections are immediately made anywhere in the world. Sellers maintain total control of their inventory and final sale of their products.”
Valvelinked.com functions as a search tool similar to other online sales sites, but is more complex than a search engine. Valvelinked.com consolidates thousands of available products of inventories from throughout the world in one location.
“This is something special,” said John Turano of ABB Power Group. “ I have one location to find what I need quickly and efficiently; no more e-mail strings and endless phone calls, this will be a great time savings to me and my associates.”
The valve industry has dramatically changed in the past decade with the implementation of “Just in Time” and “Made to Order” practices.
Bill Persuitte, owner PCI Controls, commented, “I think the idea is genius and could change the entire valve industry once it takes hold.”
Valvelinked.com is a service provider to the commercial and industrial valve product markets. In designing this site it was very important not to be affiliated with any one manufacturer, or any one reselling entity. Valvelinked is intended to be a clear extension of the users’ businesses. All inventory posted on this site is landed — meaning immediately available for purchase. The online site is designed to allow sellers to post products they want to sell at any price they choose to sell the product for. This gives the seller control over not only specific margins, but also product brands that they choose to post. The Valvelinked system allows the seller tremendous flexibility, and the possibility of choosing who they sell the product to. This allows the seller to control product margins at the same time increase inventory turns.
Visit www.valvelinked.com.
Meier Supply opens Mitsubishi-approved training center
Johnson City, N.Y. — Meier Supply Company Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its Mitsubishi Approved Training Center (MATC) in late 2010. The state-of-the-art training facility, located at the company’s Buffalo branch, 1684 Walden Avenue, is one of only six such training centers in the nation.
The newly designed room is part of Meier University and has more than 1,600 square feet of dedicated space, with the latest Mitsubishi HVAC equipment on display, including VFRZ technology, and fully functioning City Multi and M & P series systems. All training seminars are conducted by Mitsubishi certified engineers and trainers and are held on a regular basis. The Meier Minute, an electronic newsletter, provides customers with up-to-date training schedules.
Meier Supply Company’s commitment to the ongoing professional training of HVAC/R industry personnel led them to found Meier University in 2008 and to establish regional training centers in New York and Pennsylvania. The addition of the MATC further strengthens Meier Supply’s commitment to offering the very best technical training in the industry. The company also employs its own in-house Mitsubishi Certified Trainer.
Visit www.meiersupply.com.
Lochinvar expands warehouse
Lebanon, Tenn. — Lochinvar Corporation has completed the expansion of its finished product warehouse facility at company headquarters in Lebanon, Tenn. With the continued growth of Lochinvar’s residential boiler business and the extension of its product offering to include commercial solar thermal products among other new water heater and boiler introductions, this expansion is a strategic step towards ensuring that demand is met and growth is maximized. The expansion adds a total of 23,000 square feet to the Lebanon Distribution Center.
“Despite the recent and ongoing economic conditions, our continued investments in research and development have proven successful with the introduction of many new products and the implementation of our Solar Thermal Heating initiative,” said Lochinvar president Bill Vallett. “We’re confident that as the economic recovery gains momentum, we will be in a prime position to see significant growth in both sales and market share.”
Lochinvar Corporation is a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency water heaters, boilers, pool heaters and storage tanks. Based in Lebanon, Tenn., with facilities in Detroit, Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, Pompano Beach and Dallas, Lochinvar stocks all products in all locations.
Visit www.Lochinvar.com.
American Standard employees take USGBC training
Piscataway, N.J.— American Standard Brands employees voluntarily took a green building professional preparation course to better understand what makes a building green. This educational program was conducted by the New Jersey chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and is the LEED® certification preparatory class taken by architects, engineers, developers and other commercial users of American Standard plumbing products.
In partnership with the N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the training was funded by a grant awarded by the federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to help USGBC-NJ chapter members obtain LEED credentials, providing them with a competitive edge when vying for green-oriented work.
More than 20 American Standard employees participated in the on-site, eight-hour training over two evenings, learning the fundamentals of green design, construction and operations, and overall building high performance.
American Standard is a leading manufacturer of high-performance plumbing products that help meet LEED requirements and achieve the Buy America requirements of the ARRA.
Visit www.americanstandard.com.
Murray Supply supports Wounded Warrior Project
Charlotte, N.C. — Murray Supply Company’s MRO Division partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) to run a promotion on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 2010. Murray Supply honored the men and women that serve our country by donating $2,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project on Veteran’s Day.
The Wounded Warrior Project provides services and programs to troops who have been injured in recent conflicts, many of them suffering from traumatic brain injuries, amputations and severe burns.
The WWP began when several veterans and friends —moved by stories of the first wounded service members returning from Afghanistan and Iraq — took action to help others in need. This program began as a service to provide items to comfort wounded soldiers and it has grown into a complete rehabilitative effort. Thousands of wounded warriors and caregivers receive support each year through WWP programs designed to nurture the mind, body and encourage economic impact.
The WWP is wholly committed to aiding wounded heros and easing not only their initial transition to civilian life, but throughout their entire lives through combat stress recovery program, policy and government affairs, family support, benefits services, physical health and rehabilitation and multiple other programs. To learn more or to donate visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Murray Supply Company is a family owned and operated company based out of Winston-Salem, N.C. The company is engaged in the wholesale distribution of residential and commercial plumbing products, industrial and commercial piping, MRO products, as well as kitchen and bath fixtures. They have six branch locations and a showroom, all in North Carolina.
Visit www.murraysupply.com.
R.E. Michel Co. celebrates 75th anniversary
Baltimore — HVAC distributor R.E. Michel Company Inc. celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2010 hosting a series of trade shows for their customers across a generous portion of geography. Beginning in Albany, N.Y., on August 18 and winding up in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 10, tour stops included events in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Canton, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Birmingham, Ala., Orlando, Atlanta, Raleigh, N.C., and Richmond, Va.
“Each trade show was a vehicle to say thank you to our customers whose support helped us reach the diamond anniversary for our company,” said Mike Michel, vice president-marketing. “We thank the 40-plus key vendors that supported our initiative and its success with staffing at the shows and incentives that made buying at each show very profitable for our attending customers.”
R.E. Michel customers had the opportunity to attend educational and information seminars at the show, and they also could have some fun with simulated hunting and fishing contests. Door prizes were continually being raffled and one lucky couple at each show won a trip to Cancun, Mexico, with R.E. Michel.
“Obviously, I am very proud that out company is celebrating its 75th anniversary,” said president Doc Michel. “The longevity on its own is special, but the fact that we are still owned and managed by the founding family is indeed notable. We owe thanks to our loyal customers and dedicated employees, both present and past.”
A privately held company, R.E. Michel operates 224 sales locations and is ranked among the nation’s top five HVAC wholesale distributors in terms of sales revenue.
Visit www.remichel.com.
ASA members report increasing profitability, revenue growth
Chicago — American Supply Association members reported growth for the seventh consecutive month, showing a 7.9% improvement in per workday revenues during the month of November 2010, as compared to the same month in 2009 and down only 11.1% against 2008.
The plumbing, heating and PVF distributors are now ahead of last previous year-to-date by 2.0% on a per day basis. As there was one more workday in November 2010 than in 2009 and two more than 2008, the raw monthly revenues for the industry members were up 12.7% for the month vs. 2009 and down only 1.7% as compared to two years ago.
Consistent with October 2010, almost half of all distributors in November again reported reduced margins in 2010 as compared to 2009, with only about a third reporting improving margins. There is no longer a clear distinction on margin trend based upon the size of distributors.
After 20 consecutive months of declining inventories, ASA members for the second consecutive month put additional inventory on the shelves by adding 1.0% of inventory as compared to 2009 but still have reduced by 11.3% as compared to 2008.
Inventory turns are finally on the rise and are beginning to improve, as 12-month sales growth now exceeds the inventory increases. In accounts receivable, days-sales outstanding have decreased by 2.0 days versus 2009.
The trend of reduced head count has stopped after two continuous years of decline. Again, for the second consecutive month, there was a growing movement of an equal number of distributors reporting an increase in employment as those that reported reduced employment against 2009.
The PHCP industry recovery seems to be trending positive and even gaining some momentum, as most distributors continue to report improved profitability as compared to 2009, when exactly the opposite was true.
For a full report containing statistical evaluation by regions of the country, market segments and distributor size, companies should contact Chris Murin at cmurin@asa.net or 312/464-0090, ext. 204.