Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Bradford White Corporation. Bradford White Corporation is a full line manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial products for water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage applications. The company is headquartered in Ambler, PA and has manufacturing facilities in Middleville, MI, Niles, MI and Rochester, NH.
Bradford White was recently ranked highest among water heater and boiler manufacturers in satisfying subcontractors, according to the J.D. Power and Associates/McGraw-Hill Construction 2006 HVAC and Water Heater/Boiler Subcontractor Satisfaction Study released recently. Bradford White ranks highest among water heater/boiler manufacturers, with the highest ratings in four factors: warranty and repair; ordering process; credit/billing and product. This is a positive reflection on the importance Bradford White is placing on satisfying their customers.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.
Caroma receives EPA WaterSense certification on toilets
Caroma has announced that 20 of its 30-plus dual flush toilets for the North American market have been certified to carry the epa’s new WaterSense label. This label ensures that a toilet uses 20% less water than the currently mandated 1.6-gpf toilets and is a quality product that has also met rigorous testing requirements for performance. Caroma is continually working with the WaterSense approval board to make sure that all the toilets it manufactures are approved. The remaining toilets are expected to be certified by late summer.
A Caroma dual flush toilet can save a household as much as 30,000 gallons of water a year. WaterSense is sponsored by the epa and is designed to protect the water supply by promoting water-efficient products and services. Much like Energy Star has become a symbol for energy efficiency through its labeling program, it is expected that WaterSense will encourage water-conservation behaviors and provide assurance to consumers that they are buying an efficient and high-performing product. An independent third party does the testing for WaterSense certification.
To learn more, visit www.caromausa.com or www.epa.gov/watersense.
First Supply continues to add facilities
First Supply, a premier Midwest wholesale distributor, announced the opening of a new location in Platteville, Wis. Located at 685 Eastside Road, the new facility opened its doors Monday, July 9, with service hours Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
Terry Dittman will serve as branch manager. He will report directly to Jason Cullum, general manager of the Dubuque facility.
First Supply LLC is a regional wholesale distributor with 25 locations in the upper Midwest. Founded in 1897, First Supply, employing over 500 people, is a family-owned, single source provider of plumbing, heating, cooling, municipal, waterworks, fluid handling, builder and industrial supplies.
Northeastern Supply holds grand opening
Northeastern Supply Inc., one of the Mid-Atlantic’s fastest-growing businesses, held a grand opening celebration at its new Middletown location on June 13. The Middletown branch moved to its new location this past January.
Thirty vendor booths were set up to give customers the opportunity to speak with representatives from numerous manufacturers and to check out the latest products. All enjoyed a complimentary lunch of filet mignon and steamed shrimp. Wesley Troyer of Eastern Shore Plumbing walked away with $500 cash from a raffle held by Northeastern.
For additional information, visit www.northeastern.com
United Pipe opens new branch locations
United Pipe & Supply Inc., which has served contractors in the Pacific Northwest for more than 50 years, continues to expand their branch locations to help better serve their customers. Opening new facilities located in closer proximity to customers allows the customer less down time when picking up parts and makes those last minute stops more convenient and cost effective.
On July 1, the company opened its seventh Idaho location in Pocatello. They have been servicing Idaho customers from their six other Idaho locations for several years.
United Pipe also opened two new locations in Oregon on April 2. A new Puget Sound, Wash., branch opened in Marysville that will primarily focus on waterworks contractors. A new HVAC facility in Clackamas, Ore., will serve heating and air conditioning contractors in the Portland Metro area.
New Products
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Protection for IT systems ‘Watchdog helps distributors fend off Internet threats and ensure networks are always up and running. Each Watchdog installation begins with a thorough analysis of a distributor’s network operations to define optimal network configurations and determine appropriate security measures. Network security specialists install the necessary hardware and software. Watchdog automates all security functions. Shipped with an anti-virus suite that updates its definitions automatically; all of a distributor’s networked computers share the same protection. Also provides a full line of anti-intrusion services, including spyware protection and a continuously monitored and updated firewall. Activant Solutions. |
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PEX connection system The SharkBite connection system now includes pex tubing. Combined with labor-saving SharkBite Push-Fittings and valves, it creates a whole-house connection system. With no connection tools required, it’s the fastest, easiest way from meter to fixtures -- ideal for plumbing, hydronic and radiant systems in both residential and commercial applications. Available in 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 1" sizes. Cash Acme. |
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High-performance water heaters The High Performance Series provide incredible hot water delivery from a space saving, convenient package. When tested to the industry standard residential First Hour Delivery procedure, the 25-gallon model (GX2-25S) can provide 155 gallons and the 55-gallon model (GX1-55S) will deliver 200 gallons. The High Performance Series combines four design technologies to achieve its amazing performance. The first is incredibly high BTU/Hr. inputs. The inputs on the High Performance Series are 78,000 BTU/hr for the GX2-25S and 80,000 BTU/Hr. for the GX1-55S. Bradford White Corp. |
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Inspection camera The Ridgid SeeSnake micro inspection camera allows users to view anything that lies in a hard-to-reach, obstructed or tight space. Professional-grade adjustable tool offers attachable accessories that provide even more options for tradespeople, including the ability to look around corners; retrieve objects such as lost tools; and pick up small metal items with a powerful magnetic tip. High-resolution camera head sits at the tip of a waterproof, flexible, three-foot cable. Users manually control the cable and camera, which relays images back to a 2.5" color LCD screen attached to a comfortable pistol-grip handle. Ridge Tool Company. |
Movers & Shakers
Bryan Mullett was promoted to vice president-operations of Bradley Corp. He had been director of operations-restroom fixtures products. Mullett will now manage operations for both the company’s accessories and fixtures divisions, overseeing production and safety standards and championing the company’s commitment to total quality management. |
Mike Sipek was named chief operating officer of Bradley Corp. He will focus on day-to-day operational management and overall strategic direction, including manufacturing, engineering, customer service, marketing, sales and product development. Most recently, he served five years as president and ceo of Western Industries. Prior to that, he held numerous positions at Rexnord Corporation in Milwaukee during a tenure that began in 1975. Sipek will assume the leadership of the company when current ceo, Bill Andersen, retires later this year. |
Terry Teach is the new vice president/business unit director-residential for Grundfos Pumps in the U.S. His new area of responsibility includes the company’s successful line of residential hot water circulators as well as Grundfos core technologies and its growing presence in constant pressure in the water systems markets. Teach has more than 29 years of sales and marketing experience and has served in various management roles. He joined Grundfos in October of 2005 as Central regional sales manager. |