Industrial Controls adds Warren Controls’ product line
Industrial Controls Distributors llc, a leading distributor of hvac controls, process instrumentation and industrial automated valves, announced that they have added Warren Controls to their already-extensive valve offering.
Industrial Controls feels that Warren Controls fulfills the need in the marketplace for competitively priced valves that are available for quick delivery. Warren Controls is a full-line valve manufacturer known for dependable, rugged, precision control valves and accessories.
Larry Boyd, Industrial Controls regional sales vice president, said, “Warren Controls’ complete line of globe and rotary control valves with excellent delivery and factory technical support is a great addition. With today’s global supplier issues of extended deliveries, it is refreshing to have a domestic manufacturer that can deliver a high-quality control valve within a few weeks.”
To learn more, e-mail moreinfo@icdmail.com or visit www.industrialcontrolsonline.com.
Intuit Eclipse user conference unites 700 attendees
in pursuit of working and succeeding together
Intuit Eclipse, a leading provider of business management solutions for the wholesale distribution industry, recently held its 2006 user conference at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. For four days, more than 700 of the company’s users, employees, key vendors and prospective customers met for seminars, group discussions, software demonstrations, networking events and consulting sessions -- all focused on the theme Working Together, Succeeding Together.
It was the 11th time since 1994 that users of the Eclipse distribution management system gathered to share information, thoughts and ideas. The first user conference, held in Newark, N.J., lasted just one day and was attended by some 40 people.
“Although a lot has changed since that first conference, there’s one important thing that remains the same,” noted company general manager David Merenbach. “That is our commitment -- and our customers’ commitment -- to working together to achieve a common goal. And because together we’re stronger than any one of us can be individually, we can succeed together, whether success means growth, profitability or simply a greater understanding of our business.”
Teaching new subjects and recognizing old friends
Today there are more than 40,000 Eclipse users throughout North America; nearly 600 of them -- representing more than 230 companies -- attended this year’s conference. They had 41 opportunities to participate in 26 different training classes, including 11 that were being taught for the first time. In addition, the conference offered attendees multiple chances to network with peers, including a welcome reception, a golf tournament and industry-focused luncheons sponsored by the Intuit Eclipse users group, the User Friendly Organization.
The opening session included special recognition of the 80 companies that have been Eclipse customers for 11 or more years, and the 22 companies marking their 10th year as customers. During the last two and-a-half days of the conference, users had the opportunity to take part in 20-minute one-on-one consulting sessions with Intuit Eclipse customer support specialists. More than 120 users took advantage of the chance to get on-the-spot answers to their specific questions.
The conference also featured a Product Expo, where Intuit Eclipse was joined by a host of vendors and business partners in providing product demonstrations and information.
For members of the Intuit Eclipse team, one of the highlights of the event came on the last day, when users participated in a series of “Voice of the Customer” sessions. These focus-group-style meetings allowed the company to gain firsthand insights into the thoughts and concerns of its customers.
“The one thing that came across loud and clear at this conference was the passion that we and our customers share for the product,” explained Jody Perry, Intuit Eclipse director of product management. “These sessions gave us a chance to show that we’re really listening to what our customers want and need from us, which is what the conference is all about.”
More information can be found at www.eclipse.intuit.com.
BrassCraft to expand Texas plant
According to a recent report in the Dallas Business Journal, BrassCraft Manufacturing Co. plans to expands its 153,000-square-foot plant in suburban Lancaster by at least 79,000 square feet.
The plant expansion, estimated at $13 million, will enable BrassCraft to hire 125 additional employees at the facility. The plant currently employs about 340. Sharon Rothwell, vice president-corporate affairs for BrassCraft parent Masco Corp., told the Dallas Business Journal that the expansion is being done to boost production for new products being introduced and developed.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2007, with new production beginning by the end of the year.
In addition, Steve Filipowicz, executive director of Lancaster Economic Develop Corp., was cited by the article as saying that BrassCraft has proposed a potential $12-million second expansion phase, which would entail an additional 25,000 square feet and 125 jobs.
BrassCraft received local financial incentives for the expansion. According to the Dallas Business Journal, the Lancaster Economic Development Corp. is giving BrassCraft $500,000 in cash, payable after the initial expansion is completed and certified for occupancy. BrassCraft was also extended $1.4 million in property tax abatements, including 70% for 10 years and 50% for five additional years.
Filipowicz was quoted in the article as saying, “They are our largest manufacturing employer in town and that’s one of the reasons we were as competitive as we were.”
BrassCraft has had a presence in Lancaster for more than 30 years.
Noland opens new branches in Carolinas
Noland Company, a leading plumbing and heating and air conditioning distributor, opened branch operations in Morehead City, N.C., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., in mid-December. The new branches provide contractors with delivery service five days a week in addition to counter sales and pickup.
“The new Morehead City and Myrtle Beach branches are good examples of how Noland continues expanding operations in the Southeast to help contractors succeed in meeting their customers’ plumbing and heating and air conditioning needs,” said Jean Preston, Noland Company chief operating officer.
Each branch employs three people and has a large inventory warehouse and a sales counter for use by contractors involved in new construction, remodeling and replacement work. Myrtle Beach serves hvac contractors, while Morehead City serves hvac and plumbing contractors.
With the Morehead City and Myrtle Beach branches opening, Noland, headquartered in Newport News, Va., operates 108 branches in 13 states.
Noland Company Noland Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of WinWholesale Inc. In addition to Noland, WinWholesale consists of a collection of more than 440 wholesaling corporations in which WinWholesale is an equity partner. Collectively, WinWholesale refers to itself as “The Win Group of Companies.” In the group are companies engaged in business-to-business wholesale distribution of plumbing and heating, industrial pvf, hvac, electrical, electronics, industrial and commercial fastening hardware, waterworks supplies, and pumps.