Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- DDI System . DDI System inform 2007 is a revolutionary, step-ahead software solution for PHCP, HVAC, PVF, and Waterworks distributors. With nearly 400 companies running businesses similar to yours, inform delivers a streamlined, best-practices system to help you manage every aspect of your operations. inform 2007 drives success with an intelligently priced enterprise level application that will revitalize your company’s workflow. Our full-featured solution handles orders and inventory management, provides a flexible and customizable price matrix, enhanced showroom and customer relationship management, intelligent purchasing, warehouse optimization, business and financial analysis, e-business, and many supply chain integrations.
See a demonstration of inform 2007’s profit-building tools and techniques, call us at 1-877-599-4334 or visit us on the web at www.ddisys.com.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.
Lange Plumbing upgrades from SHIMS to DDI System Inform 2007
Lange Plumbing, along with dozens of other PHCP and HVAC distributors, has adopted inform 2007 to manage their business operations. Inform 2007 is DDI System's remarkable new Windows application offering an advanced best practices approach in an easy to use interface. In just two months, Lange plumbing has achieved new operational efficiencies and can provide improved customer service. "All the information you need is available by easily switching in and out of windows screens." Says Curt Lange, owner of Lange Plumbing in Tulare, CA. DDI 's rapid results implementation and teaching team has brought Lange Supply up to speed quickly. Lange commented, "There is so much to this system that we are learning more and more each day. Plus, the people at DDI have been so responsive, any question we have is quickly addressed."
DDI System has been providing distribution software to the PHCP and HVAC industry for over 13 years. With thousands of users throughout the country, DDI's inform 2007 is an intelligently priced Windows enterprise solution that will improve nearly every aspect of your business. Visit www.ddisys.com to view an online brochure of inform 2007.
Warren Alloys opens new Florida location
Warren Alloy announced the opening of its “shipping depo” in Lakeland, Fla. The facility has 16,000 square feet of indoor storage plus a pipe yard, putting products customers need where they want them, when they want them.
Matt Patton, an 18-year PVF sales veteran, has joined the Warren Alloy team to manage the new Florida facility and to lead the outside sales effort in the Southeast market, further assisting Warren Alloy’s Houston, Charlotte and Cincinnati operations. Patton can be reached at 407/376-3600 or via e-mail at mpatton@warrenalloy.com. The new location is at 4100 South Frontage Road, Building 200, Lakeland, FL.
With an ongoing commitment to being a pure master distributor selling only to distribution, Warren Alloy’s extensive inventory is now closer than ever. Among its offerings are pipe, tubing, weld fittings, pressure fittings, flanges and nipples, along with Warren and Neway Valves.
Customers can expect the same commitment to service and on-time shipments that they have come to rely on from Warren Alloy’s Houston, Charlotte, Salt Lake City and Cincinnati locations. Warren Alloy is proud to provide 99% error-free performance, same-day shipments and an iso-9002 certified operating system.
California bill provides for higher efficiency toilets
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed into law Assembly Bill No. 715, supported by the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute, that encourages and provides for the gradual conversion to higher efficiency toilets and urinals in California.
Many existing toilets average 1.6 gallons per flush. High efficiency toilets use only 1.28 gpf or less, while high efficiency urinals use one-half gallon per flush or less. Under the new law, plumbing manufacturers have committed to have at least half of their toilet models sold in California to be high efficiency by 2010. By 2014, all toilets and urinals sold in the state will be high efficiency models. The new high efficiency toilets and urinals will use less water, helping alleviate demands on water agencies in California.
Toilet manufacturers are prepared to contribute significant effort and investment to incorporate high efficiency improvements. These engineering enhancements will deliver desirable performance to consumers while helping the state use less water.
Recognizing the technology investment required for manufacturers to meet this desire for high efficiency toilets and urinals, the legislature provided a manageable timeframe for the new standard to take effect. Also critical from PMI’s perspective was ensuring the law was sound and enforceable, as well as the necessity of avoiding a repeat of the performance problems experienced in the early days of 1.6 gpf toilets when that standard was prematurely mandated.
HARDI joins U.S. Green Building Council
The Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International has become the first trade association entirely dedicated to wholesale distribution to join the U.S. Green Building Council. The USGBC started the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification system for recognizing “green buildings.” Many HARDI members serving commercial markets have become very savvy with the LEED Certification, and the entire membership is eagerly anticipating the introduction of the LEED for Homes initiative later this year.
As such, HARDI has immediately joined the USGBC’s committees on LEED Energy & Atmosphere, LEED Existing Buildings, LEED Homes and Government. “HARDI is very excited about joining the Green Building Council, and I believe we have much to offer as significant drivers of energy-saving systems and training to all kinds of markets,” said HARDI executive vice president and coo Donald Frendberg.
HARDI is planning how to best direct its resources and the expertise of its membership toward the USGBC, but one concern will most certainly not be a lack of participation or interest from its distributor members.
“HARDI distributors have been promoting and advancing energy efficiency for decades, but now we have political and public support for our efforts embodied best by the USGBC and their LEED initiatives,” said hardi hvac Systems & Equipment Council chair Tom Roberts of CFM Distributors in Kansas City, Mo. “We’re hoping LEED for Homes will support the total envelope approach we’ve always brought to the residential marketplace. It is exciting to see HARDI partner with other industry leaders to advance this and other valuable LEED initiatives.” The HVAC Council will be largely responsible for supplying members with the necessary technical knowledge to advance LEED’s implementation.
“We’ve already seen LEED Certification become mandatory for many commercial buildings around the country, so there is no doubt about the USGBC’S influence in the future of U.S. development,” noted Frendberg. “What really drove us to join the Green Building Council, though, was the extent to which many of our members were already involved in various LEED-Certified projects. Our members support the initiative and believe they can be instrumental in perfecting LEED both commercially and residentially.”
New Products
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Antimicrobial water cooler These water coolers have unique antimicrobial additive that inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungus, mold and mildew on key contact areas for a more sanitary environment. Ideal for schools, hospitals, health care facilities, offices and medical buildings. AlphaSan is molded into the bubbler and push pads, and mixed into the powder-coated paint on the nose. Bubblers and push pads have the word “antimicrobial” molded into them so users know the contact areas are providing protection against the spread of microorganisms. Deliver 8 gallons of chilled water per hour. OASIS. |
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No more dripping pipes Pump ‘N’ Plug stops dripping water and solder. This flexible plumber tool goes through elbows and tees. Designed to plug and stop dripping water from pipes in diameters ranging from 1/2'' to 2'' of copper or pvc. Made of a strong and durable rubber that can withstand temperatures up to 400 F. Neptune Innovations LLC. |
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Non-toxic antifreeze No-freez is the original non-toxic antifreeze heat transfer fluid. Available in a variety of concentrations. Chemically balanced, fully inhibited solutions are engineered for radiant and hydronic systems and many other uses. UTILITY. |
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Touch-free hand washing TC AutoFoam wall-mounted soap system automatically dispenses foam soap, touch-free. Ideal for high-traffic facilities that require controlled usage; no waste from overuse. Provides up to 2,750 hand washes from each 1,100-ml refill bag. “Box-less” refill pouch reduces packaging waste up to 80% over standard systems. Technical Concepts. |
Movers & Shakers
Basco Shower Enclosures named Don Gamble to the newly created position of executive vice president. Gamble will oversee Basco sales and marketing in all distribution channels. Prior to joining Basco, Gamble served in senior sales and marketing leadership roles at Whirlpool Corporation and Eljer Inc. |
First Supply promoted both Elliot Collier and Mike Hickok to the newly created positions of executive vice presidents. They will jointly share responsibility for all day-to-day operations of the company, reported directly to chairman Joe Poehling. Collier and Hickok assume the duties of Dick Adix, who will retire as coo at the end of 2007. Collier, a 20-year company veteran, has held positions as marketing manager, branch manager, vice president-sales, vice president-marketing, and will continue in his role as vice president-sales and marketing programs. |
Frank Zadrozny joined the sales team at Plastic Trends to lead the expansion of the company’s sales and marketing. Zadrozny’s career began in 1978 working for a western Pennsylvania manufacturers’ representative. He also held positions at Alflex Corp., Lamson & Sessions’ Carlon Division and usi Electric. |
Sioux Chief Mfg. Co. Inc. recently announced five new hires. Chase Wagner is the new marketing manager. Wagner was previously an account supervisor for a national marketing agency based in the Midwest. Tegan Stuart, Nick Rew and Lisa Swartz joined the sales staff. Sara Carr was hired as a customer service representative. She has experience in banking, customer service and account management. Tom Walker was appointed director of operations for Steamist. He is responsible for overseeing the company’s daily operations in an effort to increase efficiency and achieve profitability goals. |