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.
Salem Plumbing Supply opens new facility
Salem Plumbing Supply - Designer Bath has opened a second store, a new trade location at 105 Rear Maplewood Avenue in Gloucester, Mass. The new facility is geared toward plumbers and contractors to provide convenience for the busy and growing Cape Ann market.
Featuring a trade counter and warehouse, the new 10,000-square-foot facility will have all the same trade brands available as in the Beverly, Mass., store.
In addition to products, staff at the new outlet will also be familiar. Long-time industry veterans will be on hand at the Gloucester location including Michael Frontiera, manager; Paul St. Pierre, assistant manager; Keith Tyler, warehouse manager; and Kevin Costigan, warehouse and driver.
“Salem Plumbing is known for having knowledgeable experts on staff,” said Frontiera. “Our customers, no matter which operation they visit, will be assured they can get the same quality service they have come to expect.”
The new Gloucester center will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information call 800/649-BATH or visit www.designerbath.com.
Cregger Co. opens new S.C. showroom, N.C. branch
Cregger Company opened its latest Design On Tap offsite decorative plumbing showroom in Murrells Inlet, S.C., with much fanfare in August. The highlight of the festivities was a cocktail reception attended by more than 200 local home builders, plumbing contractors, interior designers and architects.
The new Murrells Inlet location is Cregger Company’s fourth Design On Tap offsite showroom, and is located directly on Hwy 17 Bypass, the major artery along South Carolina’s Grand Strand.
The 3,200-square-foot showroom features 18 functioning shower and rain heads, two working steam showers, and a large working kitchen faucet display. A free-standing fully functional glass enclosure from Sculptured Homes includes steam bath, body sprays, rain head, personal shower, stereo speakers and fiber optic lighting. In addition to a large number of bath furniture pieces, the showroom showcases farmhouse and undermount sinks set in granite, concrete, and wood. Toto’s fully-automated Neorest water closets are available for clients to try in the public restrooms.
In addition, Cregger Company celebrated the move of its Greensboro, N.C., branch into a 74,000-square-foot facility in July with a Customer Appreciation Counter Day. Customers were treated to a Bar-B-Q lunch, t-shirts and product samples. Key vendors were on-hand to educate customers on new industry innovations.
The move was prompted by Cregger Company’s rapid expansion in the area. In addition to a large self-service counter, the branch also boasts nine dock doors in the warehouse.
Colonial Commercial acquires S&A Supply
Colonial Commercial Corp. completed the acquisition of the assets and certain liabilities of s&a Supply Inc., a distributor of plumbing, heating, and electrical fixtures and supplies. From its three locations in Great Barrington, Pittsfield and North Adams, Mass., S&A serves markets in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Vermont. S&A has about 50 employees. Its sales for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 were $15.1 million.
Colonial distributes HVAC equipment, parts and accessories, climate control systems, and plumbing and electrical supplies to HVAC contractors, primarily in the New York metropolitan area through its Universal Supply Group Inc., American/Universal Supply Inc., The RAL Supply Group, Inc., and S&A Supply Inc. subsidiaries. These contractors purchase and install equipment and systems for residential, commercial and industrial users. The company provides control system design, custom control panel fabrication, technical field support, in-house training and climate control consultation for engineers and installers. It is a leader in the design of direct digital control systems, and systems that control multi-location facilities through the internet.
The company also distributes home appliances to dealer groups and appliance stores through its Goldman Universal division. Additionally, the company offers water filtration systems, parts and accessories and other products through its e-commerce store, www.procontractorstore.com, operated by RAL.
With headquarters in New Jersey, Colonial Commercial and its affiliates operate out of seven locations in New Jersey; nine in New York and one in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.colonialcomm.com.
New Products
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Showerhead These showerheads use new technology to help homeowners create their ideal shower experience. Five new single-setting showerheads offer new shapes to envelop the user with powerful sprays. The 8" double-plated styling of the 350 and 360 showerheads is clean and striking; channels water for maximum force and coverage. The slim profiles of the 6" 300, 310 and 315 showerheads appeal to homeowners with a more minimalist design aesthetic who still want to drench themselves in a luxurious, invigorating spray. Danze. |
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Wet rotor circulators Four new pumps have been added to the VersaFlo line of multi-speed wet rotor circulators. The new sizes dramatically improve the line’s retrofit and replacement capabilities. Shorter flange-to-flange pump length, matching flanges, make the pumps an easy drop-in replacement without pipe modifications. Water surrounds the rotor to cool and lubricate the shaft and bearings. Needs no cooling fan — often a source of noise and vibration that can transmit through building pipework. Seal-free, needs no lubricants or coupler replacements; also self-venting. Grundfos Pumps. |
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Steam head and controls Two new controls and an updated steam head are available. The TC-150 and TC-125 controls are similar to the TC-135 and TC-110 models, respectively, offering a square, sleek contemporary look. Latest technology incorporates a blue digital readout. The Even Steam Dispersal Steam Head matches the TC-150 control with a thin, square design and a lower profile. 360-degree steam dispersion eliminates the need for a separate steam diffuser. Also features a well to facilitate use of aromatherapy oils. Steamist. |
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Air and dirt separators Brochure outlines the full product line of 4900 Series Separators for micro-bubble air and dirt removal. Units come in standard and high-velocity models in air and air/dirt versions, and can be equipped with removable or non-removable covers. Integral pall ring technology — stainless steel rings enclosed within a basket inside the separator vessel separate air micro bubbles and coalescence out sand, dirt and rust within a hydronic system. Solids sift to the bottom of the tank, where they can be removed through a blowdown valve. Taco Inc. |
Movers & Shakers
Blanco America named Marc Nover its new president. Nover succeeds Chuck Burhans, who is retiring after heading the company since 1996. Nover’s 20-year career in the decorative plumbing industry has included senior management roles with American Standard and Villeroy & Boch usa’s Bath, Kitchen and Tile division. |
Ferguson promoted Kevin Murphy to chief operating officer, responsible for profit and loss and working capital initiatives at all levels of the organization. Murphy joined Ferguson through the Midwest Pipe and Supply acquisition as an operations manager in 1999. |
Johnstone Supply Inc. hired two new regional managers. Linda Scott is Southeast regional account manager and Scott Rosendahl is Northwest regional account manager. They will serve as the primary contacts for owners in those regions, and will identify and implement localized products, pricing, tools and services. |
Viessmann Manufacturing Company (U.S.) Inc. appointed Richard Corcoran general manager. He will be responsible for all aspects of operations, including sales and distribution, marketing, customer service and internal operations. He brings 20 years of experience in the North American plumbing and heating industry to this position, most recently as OEM sales manager-HVAC for the Grundfos Pump Corporation. Corcoran succeeds Edwin Nordstrom, who retired earlier in the year after 16 years with the company. |