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.
First Supply breaks ground for new facility
First Supply recently broke ground for their new wholesale plumbing supply distribution facility in the Platteville Industrial Park. This brand new 10,500-square- foot building will provide increased convenience and service for local contractors and communities. Initially, three full-time employees will call the facility home when it is completed in late June 2007; this facility will be First Supply’s 24th.
"This new facility will dramatically improve our ability to provide superior access and service to our customers in southwestern Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois. We’re a family owned and operated company and have been in business since 1897. We’re excited about the opportunities provided by the City of Platteville and the surrounding communities.” said Dave Prahler, vice president of First Supply LLC.
George Krueger, executive director of the Platteville Area Industrial Development Corp., added, “It’s a great day for the Platteville Industrial Park. First Supply is the first business on the southernmost part of the Industrial Park. The new four-lane and our economic development strategies are bearing fruit for Platteville.”
The ground breaking ceremony was held on April 10, 2007 and was attended by
Jason Cullum, GM of the First Supply Dubuque facility (the Platteville location will be under his direction); David Prahler, VP First Supply; Eileen Nickels, Platteville City Council president pro-tem; George Krueger, executive director of the Platteville Area Industrial Development Corporation; Phil Garthwaite, State Representative of the 49th District; and Terry Vaassen, PAIDC Board president.
2007 Wholesale Distribution Economic Reports available for download
The NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence recently announced that the completely revised and updated 2007 Wholesale Distribution Economic Reports are now available for immediate download as PDF files. To order, go to www.naw.org/wder or call 202/872-0885. Quantity discounts apply when ordering two or more Reports.
The 2007 Wholesale Distribution Economic Reports -- created and written by Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., President of Pembroke Consulting -- supply a wealth of detailed channel benchmarking data, including revenue and employment growth trends, the number and size distribution of companies, gross margins, wages, and many other operating statistics. Each individual Report includes economic analyses of one of the 19 major wholesale distribution sectors in an immediate and easy-to-read downloadable format. This way, you can download only the Reports that are most relevant to your business. As an added bonus, each Report includes the “Wholesale Distribution Industry Overview,” a summary comparison of the 19 sectors. You will gain all this knowledge quickly since each Report is less than two-dozen information-packed pages that are downloaded immediately to your desktop as a PDF file.
Prier Products acquires Mansfield Brass Division
On March 27, Prier Products Inc. closed on its purchase of Mansfield's Brass division. This is an excellent opportunity for Prier Products Inc., as well as Prier’s customers. For Prier, the purchase fits nicely since a significant portion of Prier’s existing business is the Wall Hydrant category. Prier is adding the Mansfield’s Frostproof Hydrants, Plumbing Brass, Brass Ballcocks and valve business to their already extensive offering of Wall Hydrants, Angle Sill Faucets, Drainage Products and Gas Log Lighter Equipment.
The additional product lines are now available through Prier to previous Mansfield customers, as well as existing Prier customers.
“The real winner is the customers of both companies, their (Mansfield) Brass business will now be manufactured by Prier, an area where Prier excels.” said Joe E. Poskin, president of Prier Products. Additionally, customers will realize additional profit opportunities with Prier’s inventory saving features and unparalleled customer service.
State Water Heaters Honors Virginia Tech with Racing Sponsorship
The No. 4 State Water Heaters Chevrolet Impala underwent a slight transformation for the April 21 Nextel Cup race at the Phoenix International Raceway. State Water Heaters and Ward Burton sported a large Virginia Tech logo on the hood and smaller decals on each side of the car for the weekend’s practice sessions, qualifying laps and race in Phoenix.
State’s racing team, Morgan-McClure Motorsports, is the only NASCAR team headquartered in Virginia. Morgan-McClure’s facility in Abingdon is about one hour away from the Virginia Tech campus, located in Blacksburg.
Ward Burton expressed his sadness over the events at Virginia Tech: “I have lived in Virginia all my life, and Virginia Tech has always been a big part of this state. I am surrounded by people who are either graduates of Virginia Tech or have children who attend the school. This is not just a community or state tragedy, it’s a national one. I am saddened by the events earlier this week at Virginia Tech, but Virginia Tech, its students, their colleagues, employees and the whole state of Virginia will rally around this institution.
“I’m really proud that State Water Heaters and Morgan-McClure have allowed this race team to show their support by putting the “VT” on the race car,” continued Burton. “Virginia Tech will rise above this tragedy, and this is our way, for the time being, to help them and show our support.”
Morgan-McClure president Larry McClure said, “Being the only Virginia-based NASCAR Nextel Cup team and having Ward Burton, a Virginia native as our driver, we felt it important to show our support for VT as they try to recover from this horrible tragedy.”
New Products
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Single Handle Lavatory Faucet The Single Handle Lavatory Faucet (#D221145) provides a popular functional and styling option to the popular South Sea Collection, which already showcases centerset, mini-widespread, widespread and deck-mounted vessel filler faucet options, as well as a complete line of matching bath accessories. All products within the collection are available in Brushed Nickel and Distressed Bronze finishes. Danze. |
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Thermostatic tempering device The new Max Line ASSE 1070 Thermostatic Tempering device is a cost-efficient solution for controlling and limiting water temperature to fittings for fixtures such as sinks, lavatories or bathtubs. It is a perfect complement to this manufacturer’s new Elements Line of luxury bathroom fittings, and features the latest in thermostatic element technology with a wide range of temperature settings. The device is a necessity for all general uses and applications where the temperature of generated hot water must be tempered and controlled before distribution. Water must completely pass over the thermal motor before discharge, ensuring that delivery temperature will be maintained even with water flow far below the rated capacity. Symmons Industries. |
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Jetted bath A new edition the Zen bathtub line is the 3260 model, which is equipped with the new Fifth Avenue Edition option comprised of 12 rotating jets (back and foot jets), 8 side jets as well as a 13.5 Amp pump. A total of 20 perfectly square jets accentuate the Zen character for a peaceful living space. The Zen tub is minimalist in design and is equipped with an integral apron for a contemporary finished look. With its compact measurements (32” x 60”), this model makes the bathroom appear more spacious. Neptune. |
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Elegant faucets The Positano line of faucets provides the style and elegance to enhance any kitchen and bathroom decor. Positano faucets were designed with quality workmanship and a keen sense of style, while striving to maintain a competitive cost. Ceramic cartridges, solid brass handles and brass waterways compliment their distinctive styling with functional, consistent performance. Matco-Norca. |
Movers & Shakers
Bradford White recently announced the promotion of R. Bruce Carnevale to the position of vice president - Sales and Marketing. Additionally, Frederick D. Vattimo has been promoted to the new position of director - Corporate Advertising. |
Uponor North America recently announced that Aaron Smith has been appointed senior manager of commercial sales. Smith will be responsible for developing, implementing and managing the business plan for key commercial accounts, with an additional emphasis on architects, engineers and the hospitality market. |
Watts Water Technologies, Inc. announced that Rick Ferguson has been promoted to national sales manager-Backflow Products. Ferguson will be responsible for overseeing the sales of both the Watts and Ames Fire & Waterworks product lines. He will be based out of the sales office in Sacramento, Calif. |
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Taco, Inc. has announced that radiant heating training expert John Barba
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Basco Shower Enclosures announced that Jason DeBruer