Winnelson opens 3rd ND location
Dayton, Ohio — WinWholesale Inc. opened Minot Winnelson Co., its third location in North Dakota, to provide plumbing contractors with a complete line of equipment, parts and accessories. Bob Rodgers, president of the new distribution company, also opened Fargo Winnelson in September 2010.
The third Winnelson location is in Grand Forks.
WinWholesale is the majority shareholder in each of the local companies and is one of the largest distributors in the U.S. Minot Winnelson will serve customers in the Minot area as well as those located north to Canada, south to Bismarck and west to Montana.
“Bob returned to his home state to open in Fargo and now to his hometown to introduce Winnelson, its personalized service, expertise and high-quality products to the Minot area,” said Monte Salsman, WinWholesale chief operating officer. “With oil exploration and production driving a large part of the North Dakota economy, Bob saw the opportunity to expand our brand across the state to meet the needs he discovered during his market research.”
Minot Winnelson’s product lines include American Standard, A.O. Smith, Moen, Delta and InSinkErator, among others.
Georg Fischer acquires Harvel Plastics
Easton, Pa. — Georg Fischer has agreed to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Harvel Plastics Inc. in Easton, Pa., for about $50 million in cash. The company is a leading supplier in the North American market of polyvinyl (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinyl (CPVC) pipes for industrial applications.
The top-quality products of Harvel are mainly used in water treatment and chemical processes. Closing of the acquisition is anticipated for the beginning of 2012. Harvel Plastics Inc., a subsidiary of the Detrex Corporation of Southfield, Mich., was founded in 1964 as a pioneer in the manufacture of PVC and CPVC pipes. The company generates sales of more than 460 million and employs 148 people. Its production sites are located in Easton, Pa., and Bakersfield, Calif.
The product ranges of Harvel and GF Piping Systems are fully complementary and will allow the combined entity to offer a comprehensive package of pipes, fittings, valves, sensors and instrumentation to all its industrial piping systems customers. In addition, the plant locations of Harvel in Pennsylvania and California, together with Georg Fischer’s Arkansas facility will allow for a much better logistical coverage of the U.S. territory.
Morrison Supply acquired by Advent
Boston – Advent International, the global private equity firm, has closed a significant majority investment in Morrison Supply Company, one of the largest distributors of plumbing and HVAC supplies in the U.S. Morrison Supply will utilize Advent’s strong expertise in the industrial sector to expand its presence in the $60-billion U.S. plumbing and HVAC supply market and enhance its leadership position in the Southwestern U.S.
Advent Operating Partner Chip Hornsby will join the company as CEO and will lead Morrison in the next phase of its expansion. Hornsby is the former CEO of Wolseley plc, the largest building products distributor in the world with over $20 billion in global sales. Commenting on the transaction, Hornsby noted, “Morrison’s core strength is the quality of its people. And we believe this transaction will be very positive for our employees, as the company’s expansion should lead to new and exciting opportunities for our people and their families. Equally, our vendor partners and customers stand to gain from our growth and financial strength.”
Scott Sangalli, Morrison’s former CEO and principal owner for the past 25 years, will continue as an investor in the company.
Sangalli commented, “With Advent’s support, Chip’s leadership and our great people, Morrison Supply has a rock-solid foundation upon which to build its existing business and continue to provide industry leading service to our customers. Morrison will also be in a position to acquire businesses and broaden its footprint. After weathering the historic construction downturn, we can now look forward to a period of expansion.”
Darrell Hawkins and Charlie Allen will continue in their roles as president and CFO, respectively. Additionally, they will remain investors in the company and deeply committed to its ongoing success and expansion.
Advent Operating Partner Wes Clark will join the company as non-executive chairman. Clark is the former president and COO of W.W. Grainger, a leading $8-billion distributor of industrial maintenance and repair supplies. He also served as CEO of Morton Salt, the largest U.S. producer and distributor of sodium derivatives.
Advent has been an active investor in building products, distribution and construction supply for over 20 years, and has invested in more than 20 companies in these sectors. In its most recent transaction in the space, Advent acquired Bradco Supply in 2008 and subsequently merged it with ABC Supply in 2010 to create the largest U.S. distributor of roofing supplies and complementary exterior building materials.
“Scott Sangalli and the rest of the team at Morrison have established a powerful franchise in the Southwest, and we are excited to build on their strong position,” said Stephen Hoffmeister, managing director at Advent. “We will support the company’s growth with our capital, resources and sector experience.”
Keidel Supply opens new showroom
Cincinnati — Keidel Supply, one of Greater Cincinnati’s premier plumbing, cabinetry, lighting and appliance distributors, has opened a new 15,000-square-foot showroom at the corner of Paddock Road and Tennessee Avenue. All product groups are represented in the showroom and, as of summer 2011, the plumbing sales counter and warehouse also relocated to the Paddock Hills site.
“It’s no secret that the Cincinnati Building Products Industry has been very turbulent the past few years,” CEO Mike Barton said. “During these times of uncertainty, Keidel has seized the opportunity to upgrade facilities, increase employment and expand product offering through the acquisition of Mason-based Central Light. In addition to our new lighting department, all positions from our Kenwood and Norwood branches have relocated to the new facility.”
This new showroom is a dramatic change from Keidel’s well-known Norwood and Kenwood locations, but not everything has changed. With a century of expertise under its belt, Keidel will provide the same quality service it has for years, with the added convenience of a single location. As one of Cincinnati’s premier plumbing wholesalers, a counter sales/will-call area attached to the Paddock Hills showroom brings plumbers and contractors the benefits of a centrally-located distribution point.
Located just south of the Norwood Lateral, the newest Keidel showroom offers the products and services Cincinnatians have trusted for 100 years. It also highlights Keidel’s commitment to innovation and design through several exciting features, including interactive kitchen and bathroom displays, functional faucets, iPad-activated showerheads, digitally-controlled shower environments and a bathroom suite dedicated to aging-in-place.
Keidel Supply encourages all Cincinnati-area homeowners and contractors to stop by the new showroom.
Northeastern recognized by chamber of commerce
Baltimore — Recognized for its devotion to the community, its customers, its employees and the environment, Northeastern Supply was rewarded for its actions by the Harford Chamber of Commerce Award Committee with the 2011 Harford Award. Northeastern received the Industrial Award for their three facilities located in Harford County, Md.
From its humble beginnings 66 years ago, Northeastern has become one of the Mid-Atlantic’s fastest-growing plumbing, HVAC and water systems distribution businesses and was honored for its history, its continual caring and its position for the future.
Now with 32 branches in five states, Northeastern was praised for its growth, which includes its new state-of-the art central distribution center (CDC) in Aberdeen, Md. In a promotional video produced by the Harford Chamber of Commerce, they acknowledge that “It is the attention to the needs of its customers that distinguishes Northeastern from its competition; all of its sophisticated, cutting-edge resources are designed to meet some very basic customer needs.”
Northeastern has also maintained its commitment to the environment. Steve Coppage, Northeastern vice president-business development, said, “We offer products that save water and electricity. We offer solar products, tankless water heaters and high-efficiency air conditioners that save on electricity and create less of a carbon footprint in the environment. Now we are challenged with new laws; we have to provide lead-free products, make that happen in thousands of products in 32 locations and roll it out properly.”
With deep roots in Harford County, Northeastern sends out the message that they are here to stay; that is a main reason they chose to keep their CDC in Harford County.
Northeastern president and CEO Steve Cook said, “Though we serve the entire Mid-Atlantic, we recognize that our roots are here, and we support many local charities.”