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 2009 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 2009 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.

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DDI System Provides Interactive Web Demo For PHCP and HVAC/R Distributors: Webinar - Thursday, June 25, 11:00AM EST

 

Drive More Sales, Drive Efficiency, Drive Success with Inform, DDI’s innovative distribution management software. Inform will improve nearly every aspect of your business including integrated CRM to help you drive new sales and strengthen existing customers.

 

Join other progressive distributors for this web demonstration of inform features and highlights. Find out more about inform's exclusive price import capabilities, streamlined Special Pricing Allowances and rebate reporting. See inform's advanced Lot Billing and showroom functionality.

 

To register go to www.seeinform.com or call 1-877-599-4334.

 

Dakota Supply Group moves to new N.D. facility

 

Dakota Supply Group (DSG) has wrapped up work on its new building in Williston, N.D. This recently completed, 15,000-square-foot location is fully operational, serving the Williston area with a large inventory of high-quality products for the HVAC, plumbing and electrical industries. It will also stock utility and filtration products.

 

DSG is one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing distributors of state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical, communication, utility, automation, waterworks, metering technology and filtration products. The company has 17 locations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. DSG has been in business since 1898 and is headquartered in Fargo, N.D.

 

Lute Supply reveals new HQ plans

 

Lute Supply senior VP Brian Hancock said the company has outgrown its current headquarters in Portsmouth, Ohio, that serves branches in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana. Lute has operated two wholesale locations in Portsmouth and will be combining them into one at the new facility during phase one of the project. Phase two will be the renovation and relocation of the company’s headquarters and corporate offices.

 

The new location will be more than 96,000 square feet of buy-it-yourself homeowner products, professional sales/service counters, showrooms, offices and warehouse space.

 

Lute Supply plans to incorporate a “green” approach to design, construction and operations at the new location. A geothermal heating and cooling system and many other energy conserving technologies are planned. New customer convenience traffic and parking patterns to facilitate additional traffic are being developed. In addition, four new shipping/receiving docks and two customer loading areas are planned for the facility.

 

"We expect to be making the initial transition from our current locations to this facility as early as August,” said Jason Lute, president and chief operating officer. “Phase II of our plans will begin later this year and into 2010.”

 

Ferguson opens new showroom in Evansville, Ind.

 

Ferguson opened a new showroom in Evansville, Ind. This 6,500-square-foot showroom will provide customers with superior merchandise and outstanding service. Ferguson’s showrooms are designed with homeowners, plumbers, builders, remodelers and designers in mind and offer a vast selection of plumbing, appliances, lighting, shower doors and accessories from today’s most recognized manufacturers.

 

“Our new showroom is the area’s only location with professional service and appliance, lighting, and plumbing displays,” said manager Andy Cook. “The Ferguson showroom acts as an extension of our builder/remodeler’s business and provides a beautiful venue for customers to see products and envision them in their homes.”

 

Highly trained consultants are available to help customers create a personalized, custom look in their home. Appointments are recommended and can be scheduled by calling the showroom at 812-473-1721.

 

Acadia system now offered through HVAC Distributors Inc.

 

Energy-minded homeowners and businesses throughout Pennsylvania now have easier access to the Acadia: Combined Heating and Cooling System from Hallowell International with the new distribution partnership with HVAC Distributors Inc. The Acadia is a revolutionary new green technology used for residential heating and cooling. It provides a significant cost savings to the consumer by outperforming conventional fossil fuel-based heating systems, such as natural gas, by up to 300%.

 

In response to local contractor requests for the Acadia system, HVAC Distributors reached out to Hallowell as a green partner. The partnership has allowed the wholesaler to round out their selection of green products for the residential and light commercial marketplace, while providing Hallowell with an expanded network of training facilities and customer support across Pennsylvania.

 

"The Acadia combined heating and cooling system is a welcome addition to our green offerings. It gives contractors the ability to offer their customers an energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuel systems," said Dave McIlwaine, president of HVAC Distributors Inc.

 

To learn more, visit www.HallowellInternational.com.

New Products

Waterless urinal www.acorneng.com This company is preserving natural resources by using eco-friendly materials to meet the endless demands of the market. Their waterless urinal is designed to combine attractive looks, vandal resistance and versatility. Constructed of 95% recycled stainless steel material, the urinal requires no water and has a removable strainer. Options include ada rim height, black matte, white gloss or other custom powder coat finishes. Acorn Engineering.

Hands-free bottle filler www.hawsco.com HydrationStation is a hands-free sensor-operated bottle filler that operates when a bottle is placed under the antimicrobially protected dispenser and stops automatically for a drip-free fill. It hooks up to a municipal water line, and advanced filtration technology polishes tap water into pure, refreshing drinking water that is on par with bottled water. Has already been introduced at several universities and received wide approval as a substitute for drinking fountains, or as an addition to existing drinking fountains. Haws Corp.

Firestop sealant www.herchem.com Plumbers Firestop Sealant is now available in 5-gal pails besides the standard 10-oz cartridges. Latex-based intumescent sealant provides up to a 3-hr fire rating and expands up to 10 times to block flame propagation. Excellent smoke seal for firestop applications in small commercial or grouped residential construction. Superb acoustical performance reduces noise transmission. Water based, water-resistant when cured; won’t separate or shrink when dry. Flexible, non-sagging, low odor, paintable. Hercules.

Fire safety www.plumberex.com Handy-Shield maxx offers advanced fire safety at no additional cost. Made with superior pvc insulation material that meets astm E-84 25 Flame & 450 smoke testing, complying with ibc standards. Universal fit design for brass and plastic P-traps including fitting 11/2" Sch. 40 traps and a new longer tailpiece design. Reduces skus. Superior high gloss-finished soft flexible material is the answer to those twisting & looping water supply connectors; Velcro fasteners insures a quick and easy installation saving time and labor. Plumberex Specialty Products Inc.

Movers & Shakers

Greg Kurtz joined Enertech Manufacturing LLC as residential sales manager. In this newly created role, Kurtz will be responsible for identifying and pursuing strategic growth opportunities for Enertech. He will lead the residential sales team in establishing long-term strategic goals, as well as working with existing customers to promote the brands to its network of dealers and mechanical contractors. Kurtz most recently served as a district sales manager of residential products for the Eastern Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic sales region with ClimateMaster.   Mincron named veteran sales performer John MacBride director of client development. "John has worked with some of the largest wholesale distribution companies in the U.S. and Canada, focusing on strategic business development,” said Jeffrey Allen, Mincron VP-sales and marketing. “He has a broad knowledge of customers’ needs – lending a decided advantage to companies searching for ways to increase profits and grow in this economic climate.”   MacBride is rejoining Mincron after a five-year departure, during which time he was one of the top-performing salesmen for Activant/Eclipse. He has extensive experience in ERP solutions for the wholesale trade, retail showrooms and warehouse automation. First Supply promoted Michael Miller, Mike Broadway and Kevin Burke. Vice president-sales Miller joined First Supply in 1989 as a customer service consultant and in 1994 became the customer service manager. In 1995, he advanced to assistant general manager for the Madison facility and in 2000 was promoted to general manager for the Madison, Janesville and Rockford facilities.   Vice president-purchasing Broadway has been with the company since 2001 and has over 20 years of experience in the distribution industry. He has held numerous positions including sales manager, branch general manager, purchasing/inventory control manager and director – materials management.   General manager Burke began at First Supply in 2004 and has over 15 years of industry experience. He has held the positions of customer service manager, branch manager of the Rockford facility and operations manager. Burke will be responsible for the day -to-day operations for all the Madison, Janesville and Rockford locations.