Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Caroma, leaders in high efficiency dual flush toilets (HETs) and urinals (HEUs). New Caroma Smart Technology* provides significant water savings, averaging 0.9 gallons/flush, saving up to 44% compared to 1.6 gpf and 74% compared to 3.5 gpf toilets. The Smart technology is also used in the recently introduced waterless and 1 pint urinals. All Caroma toilets have a large trapway, virtually eliminating blockages. With 41 WaterSense labeled toilets, Caroma provides exceptional performance while conserving valuable water resources. www.caromausa.com
Visit www.caromausa.com today for more information.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.
CEE launches water heater industry coalition
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) is a nonprofit, public benefits corporation that promotes the manufacture and purchase of energy-efficient products and services. CEE recently announced the formation of the Coalition for ENERGY STAR(r) Water Heaters. Water heaters that qualify for the ENERGY STAR label were introduced to the market on January 1, 2009.
The Coalition, a special project of CEE, is comprised of industry associations, utility providers and leading water heater manufacturers.
Through consistent messaging by industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, utilities, retailers, environmental groups and government agencies, CEE and the Coalition for ENERGY STAR Water Heaters aim to encourage the support of increased development and use of ENERGY STAR residential water heaters by the industry's supply chain and consumers.
TeleNotes releases Document Share
Telenotes new Document Share feature allows users to upload and save any type of document to an account in their TeleNotes database. These documents can then be accessed by other users within the company via the internet. This new feature allows field sales representatives or field service technicians to have access to important documents, specifications, quotes, bids or other files in a central location.
The TeleNotes Sales Productivity System is a web-based, full feature database system designed for companies with outside sales representatives and field service technicians to act as a full time personal administrative assistant and contact management solution. The unique system allows sales reps and service techs to remain in the field, interacting with prospects and customers, instead of sitting in the office doing data entry or administrative reports.
TeleNotes can be reached at www.telenotes.net or at 866/835-3668.
USE Bath Fixtures acquires Lifetime Brands division
The Fashion Bath Plumbing Wholesale Division of Lifetime Brands Inc. has been acquired by family-owned, privately held USE Bath Fixtures LLC. USE is a wholesaler supplier-partner with many purchasing companies, specialty stores, home improvement retailers, bath/lighting showrooms and is specified and placed at most hospitality venues.
The USE management team relocated from Long Island, N.Y., to Peachtree City, Ga. The distribution center, logistics, supply-chain and operations were relocated from York, Pa., to a much larger 85,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Davenport, Iowa. USE also has a location in the Los Angeles area.
Cold climate distributors feel impact from weather
In its monthly targeted and regional economic news for distribution strategies (TRENDS) report, Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International announced that national HVACR distributor sales for the month of December 2008 were (at median) just -0.3% below December 2007.
The HARDI Central region posted the best sales gain at +7.0%, with Canada not far behind at +5.2%. The Great Lakes region failed to benefit from the onset of winter and experienced a -3.7% sales decline from December last year.
The Southwestern region reported the poorest performance, with a sales decline of -13.7% at median. The West, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions experienced sales declines when compared to the same month last year. Median days sales outstanding (DSO) stood at 46.85, down almost two days from November 2008.
New Products
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High efficiency dual flush toilets |
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Valve lines verify diferential pressure/temperature Optiflo™ Pressure Independent Control Valve and Circuit Setter® ultraset™ Valve feature integrated pressure/temperature ports to easily verify differential pressure and temperatures. Optiflo (right) combines an externally adjustable automatic balance valve and a full modulating control valve to provide full modulating control with 100% valve authority. Bell & Gossett. |
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Hybrid heating system The Hybrid Heat™ dual fuel system is a fuel-saving alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems that combine a gas furnace with a heat pump, rather than an air conditioner. The heat pump works as an air conditioner in hot weather, but reverses the process and helps heat the home when cold weather arrives. Rather than burning fuel to generate heat, the heat pump moves heat without a flame, making it a more efficient method of heating a home. Carrier Corporation. |
Movers & Shakers
Jim Fuller of Coburn Supply Company was named chairman of the ASA Warehouse & Operations Council. Fuller is a vice president at Coburn and a key member of their executive management team.
Chicago Tube and Iron Company welcomed Steve Olson to their Wisconsin division as outside sales representative for the southwestern Wisconsin territory. Olson has more than 10 years experience in the tool steel market, working in inside sales, outside sales and the warehouse. Most recently, he spent three years as the manager of a tool steel distributor warehouse.
Nancy Leo was named national accounts manager for Moisture Control Services (MCS), a division of Munters AB. Leo, who has nearly 30 years experience in the field of property loss restoration, will be responsible for directing MCS's marketing and sales initiatives, with a focus on the disaster recovery market. |