Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- DDI System. DDI System’s inform 2008 is an innovative Windows ERP system for PHCP, HVACR, PVF and Waterworks distributors. Inform's highly configurable workflow and functionality meets two important criteria: industry specific performance, and outstanding value. Inform 2008 handles your company's needs for order fulfillment, inventory management, business and financial reporting, as well as next-generation Supply Chain Integration, Customer Relationship Management, and Business Intelligence performance analytics.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.
Atlas Plumbing Supply reduces internal costs and gains productivity using DDI System's inform 2008 distribution management software. They recently converted their company from a well-known software provider to industry focused DDI System. Their goal was to reduce internal on-going costs and gain service and productivity. "We are already reaping the benefits of streamlining operations" says Mark Wolf, Vice President, Atlas Plumbing Supply, Detroit, MI. "Efficiency has improved 40% since adopting DDI System, turning quotes into purchase orders and the emailing/faxing options are saving us many hours worth of work." Atlas uses DDI System to do A/R tracking which Mark says, "Has easily saved us 10 hours per week." Importantly, Mark is pleased with the ability to move easily in and out of multiple windows and the user-friendly look up capabilities. He goes on to say, "The DDI staff even listens and takes suggestions on additions to its system then quickly puts them into their upgrades that are free to clients."Atlas Plumbing Supply is one of the many DDI System customers using inform 2008 to run their business operations.
To learn more or to get an online demo call 1-877-599-4334 or visit www.ddisys.com.
Merger planned between major plumbing manufacturers
American Standard America, Crane Plumbing LLC and Eljer Inc. have announced their intent to merge. The merger closing is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2008, and integration of the companies' operations is expected to occur within a 12- to 24-month period.
Once the merger is complete, Donald C. Devine, president and CEO of American Standard America, will lead the new company. Kevin Oak, CEO of Crane Plumbing, will become COO and Jim Harris, CEO of Eljer, will be part of the integration steering committee. The new organization will have operations in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, and its headquarters will be in Piscataway, N.J.
While leaders of all three companies are excited about the opportunity and have formed integration teams and plans for the merger, the three companies will continue to conduct business as usual and operate as independent companies until the closing.
American Standard America, Crane Plumbing and Eljer are affiliated portfolio companies of Sun Capital Partners Inc., a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies. Bain Capital Partners, Inc. is a minority partner in American Standard America and will remain a minority partner in the new consolidated entity.
First Supply adds fifth Minnesota location
First Supply announced the opening of a new location, Suite 18 at 601 Lakeview Point in New Brighton, Minn. The major lines available at this location are Armstrong, Magic Pak and Wirsbo.
Mark Stern will serve as branch manager and will report directly to Bob Beranek, general manager of the Rochester, Minn. facility. Service hours at New Brighton are 7:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 651/636-1240.
R.E. Michel purchases HVAC wholesale distributor
R.E. Michel Company has purchased the significant assets of Atlas Supply Company. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Atlas has additional sales locations in Ft. Wayne and South Bend, Ind.
"Atlas Supply is well established in the Indiana HVAC community, and we are enthusiastic about the opportunities this association presents," said president Doc Michel. "We have a 72-year history of superior customer service that we are anxious to demonstrate to the contractors in these markets."
The privately held R.E. Michel Company operates more than 200 sales locations in 22 states. They will do business as Atlas Supply, an affiliate of R.E. Michel Co. Inc. from the three new locations.
For more information, visit www.remichel.com.
New Products
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Sanitary hand shower The SaniShower hand shower with SANIGUARD antimicrobial technology is designed for use in hospitals and other residential care facilities. SANIGUARD is a cost-effective, inorganic antimicrobial treatment that utilizes a silver ion-based technology to retard the growth of bacteria and odor-causing molds and mildews on treated surfaces; lasts for the expected life of the product. Gentle spray pattern is ideal for use in burn wards; has an eco-friendly 2.0-gpm water consumption rate. Component Hardware Group |
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Eco-friendly shower system Freehander shower system combines a showerhead and body spray into one unit. Incorporates them onto a pivoting arm that pivots 180 degrees, while the showerheads each rotate 360 degrees. Outer showerhead features 3 spray settings including "eco-water conserving." For times when the user may not need the body spray function, the inner showerhead includes an "off" setting for water conservation. For a simple retrofit, a mounting kit allows installation directly to an existing shower arm. Grohe |
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Water-efficient toilet The Prestigio 4 dual flush pressure-assisted toilet only uses 1.1 gpf - this is more than 30% less water than the actual requirement and at least 70% less water for those installed before 1992. When the toilet is flushed, the pressure of the stored compressed air reinforces the normal gravity flow, requiring less water to clear the bowl. Pressure-assisted toilets experience less clogging thanks to their powerful thrust. Model qualifies buyers for most water conservation rebates. Mansfield Plumbing |
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Anti-scale system OneFlow prevents scale by transforming dissolved hardness minerals into harmless, inactive microscopic crystal particles. These particles make their way through plumbing systems without latching on to pipes, fixtures, valves or heating elements. OneFlow is not a water softener; it is a scale control technology designed to protect complete plumbing systems or individual components from the negative effects of water hardness. Uses environmentally friendly technology requiring virtually no maintenance, no backwashing, no salt and no electricity. Available in cartridge and tank-style housings for commercial applications on both cold and hot water lines. Offered in many connection sizes to meet flow rates from 0.5 to 450 gpm or more. Watts Regulator Company |
Movers & Shakers
Caroma appointed Rose Swanson business development manager for the Southeastern U.S. She will develop sales and distributions strategies to expand Caroma's position in bathroom products and to capitalize on the trend towards green and environmentally friendly products. Swanson will be working on go-to-market activities for new products and developing Caroma's presence in existing and new markets. She has more than 30 years of experience, most recently as district sales manager at TOTO USA. |
Fluidmaster named Mark Rhoades to the new position of chief marketing officer. Rhoades will lead sales, marketing, product management, engineering, R&D and quality teams. Rhoades has held senior marketing, sales and executive management roles, with more than 20 years of applicable experience in new business development, product and channel management, OEM partnerships and sales and marketing. Most recently, he was president of SitOnIt Inc. |
Grand Hall appointed two new regional managers to be in charge of the Eternal hybrid water heating division. The pair will report directly to Fred Hoffmann, Eternal's national sales manager and will assist in covering the continental U.S. Dan Millard has more than 15 years of experience in the gas appliance industry, including four years with Rinnai America Corp. and 10 years at Heatilator Inc. Millard's most recent position was in the hearth and home industry, serving as a district sales manager for CFM Corporation. A licensed plumbing journeyman, Marc Platten was most recently commercial sales manager for Moore Supply. One of his noteworthy accomplishments was growing that company's business from number four to number one in the commercial market. |