Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Billtrust. Billtrust provides outsource billing services to the distribution industry. They were just named to the prestigious INC 500 list of the fastest growing private companies in America. Billtrust saves distributors over 35% versus the cost of doing billing themselves. Their services span across the bill delivery and payment process and include expertise in areas like Bill Design, Bill Delivery, Bill Payment, and Bill Archiving. They deliver bills for distributors via U.S. mail, email, fax or web (EIPP), depending on the preference of the contractor (bill recipient).
Instead of managing the bill delivery process in-house or using a mail house, distributors use Billtrust for both the cost/productivity savings and improved service to their customers. They simply transfer the files to Billtrust electronically and the bills are processed and sent by U.S. mail or electronically. Billtrust is compatible with just about any accounting package.
Distributors are not just turning to Billtrust for the efficiency and cost savings but also for the convenience and productivity Billtrust’s services provide to their customers. With the explosive growth of electronic bill delivery, contractors can get their invoices faster meaning they can do their own billing out faster. Additionally, with electronic delivery, contractors can stay organized. One of the largest benefits for contractors is Billtrust’s EasyImport™ feature, which lets them download invoicing data directly into their accounting packages such as QuickBooks®.
Leading distributors including Johnstone Supply, Keller Supply, Etna Supply, Consolidated Supply, Harry Cooper and many others use Billtrust’s services for the delivery of their invoices.
For more information visit www.billtrust.com.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.
New Research for Distributors on Invoicing Practices.
Learn How To Improve Productivity and Cash Flow
Industry experts David Gordon, Channel Marketing Group, and Allen Ray, Allen Ray Associates, have joined together on a research study designed to better understand the invoicing challenges faced by Contractors and Distributors in the Wholesale Distribution market. The study is being sponsored by Billtrust. The study was fielded in June and July of 2007 among hundreds of contractors and distributors through both surveys and one on one interviews. The goal of the research is to help distributors understand the invoicing needs of their customer base. Today, distributors face many issues in this area including timing of getting paid (DSO), payment accuracy and management of disputes.
David Gordon and Allen Ray will present the results to the industry via a free online webinar offered on September 27 and October 11. The webinar will identify what contractors are saying about the invoicing process, discuss changes they would like, and specific actions distributors can take to improve their profits and cash flow.
“Distributors are looking for ways to strengthen their relationship with customers, improve productivity, reduce costs, and get paid faster. The process of invoicing between a distributor and contractor can affect all of these areas and distributor invoicing can change from a cost-center to a benefit to the organization”, said David Gordon, of the Channel Marketing Group.
Allen Ray, president of Allen Ray Associates added, “It is important to offer new services to capture increased market share, as well as retain existing customers. Research has shown that the more you are "linked" to your customer, the greater your account penetration, customer retention and profitability! And with margins tightening, everyone needs to re-look at their processes to improve productivity.”
Click here to register for the complimentary webinar.
Viega facility recognized as a model for sustainable design
The New England chapter of the International Interior Design Association (iida) has awarded the architectural firm of Spagnolo Gisness & Associates Inc. the 2007 Interior Design Award in the sustainable category for their design of Viega’s North American Educational Facility.
Project nominations were judged by architects and members of the New York chapter of the iida. A total of 51 projects were judged, and 10 winners were announced.
Recognizing SG&A’s innovative use of Viega green building product materials in the interior as a sales and training tool and the consideration of efficiency and environmentally friendly building materials, the judges deemed this project worthy of recognition.
Colored concrete was chosen to enhance the heat transfer capability of the Viega radiant/cooling system buried in the concrete slab. This enables the facility to maintain a consistent temperature year-round. The radiant system also provides a more healthful, cleaner and quieter space and provides 30% energy use savings compared to a forced air system. Designed with Viega, utilizing Viega’s expertise in the field of plumbing and radiant heating and incorporating Viega products into the environment, the Viega Educational Facility is a sustainable and environmentally responsible learning space.
All nominated projects were displayed at the awards gala held at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Along with Viega, architect Spagnolo Gisness & Associates, construction manager J Calnan & Associates Inc. and furniture vendor Boston Light Source and Office Environments received recognition for their work on the project.
For more information, call 800/774-5237 or visit www.viega-na.com.
First Supply celebrates grand opening of new Gerhards Showroom
First Supply has announced that Gerhards Showroom celebrated its grand opening on June 26, at their new location at 3595 North 127th Street in Brookfield. This registered Kohler Showroom occupies nearly 3,000 square feet and offers a wide variety of fixtures, baths and whirlpools. More than 100 customers stopped by to take a look and to learn more about First Supply and Gerhards.
“The working displays in the showroom allow our clients to visualize the benefits of installing these products in their homes,” said Stacie Weaver, branch supervisor. “Our goal is to identify with our customers’ busy lifestyles and show them alternatives to make their lives more functional and relaxed.”
For details, visit www.1supply.com.
Banner Plumbing Supply opens new facility
Banner Plumbing Supply Co. Inc., has moved its North Shore business into a state-of-the-art building that houses Banner sales offices, a warehouse that meets and exceeds the needs of customers, and a luxury showroom. The more than 100,000-square-foot building is located at 1020 E. Lake Cook Road in Buffalo Grove.
The 70,000-square-foot warehouse welcomes clients into a comfortable waiting area where they can select and order merchandise at the custom designed counter staffed by knowledgeable and helpful Banner employees. The number of employees and terminals has been tripled to provide for greater efficiency. All picking and packing of orders is computerized, resulting in few, if any, errors. Customer service is further enhanced by the availability of refreshments to make the wait a pleasant one, should there be a wait at all. The warehouse is open from 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“One of the notable things that differentiates Banner’s warehouse from others is our ability to store all of our merchandise under one roof,” said Ray Kingos, warehouse manager. “The efficient placement of product lines and pipes allows us to fill orders faster. Time is very valuable to our clients.”
Banner has a fleet of 21 delivery trucks, eight of which are boom trucks with arms that can lift 2,500 pounds from a distance of 40 feet and can reach the second story of a building. Banner customers can assure their clients of easy problem free deliveries.
The new showroom features 38 decorative plumbing lines, 29 of which will be new to Banner. Some of the exclusive items that are new to Banner and to the industry include: the Neorest by toto; Ming vessel sinks, made by Linkasink and modeled after Ming Dynasty bowls found in the Smithsonian; internationally inspired Porcher fixtures; Sonia cabinetry and accessories, uniquely designed and fashioned in interesting woods; Hansgrohe faucets, well known for custom showering components; and Duravit fixtures, for the minimalist who enjoys sleek European design. The new showroom will be interactive, allowing visitors to see how the tubs, toilets, faucets and showers actually work.
Banner maintains the same quality of merchandise and service at their original location, 7255 Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago. “The Buffalo Grove arm of the company was strategically located to allow the two offices and warehouses to work hand in hand, with one serving the south side of Chicago and northern Indiana and the other serving the north side of the city and southern Wisconsin,” said Rick Meyer, Banner vice president.
For more information, visit www.bannerplumbing.com or call 847/520-6100.
New Products
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Drain cleaner now easier to take to the job The new heavy-duty Ridgid K-400 drain cleaner features a more portable design, allowing plumbing contractors to better navigate on the jobsite. New, fully integrated wheeled cart design allows for easy movement of the drain-cleaning machine to and from the jobsite. Cart operates much like roll-a-way suitcases, where the handle and wheels are designed into the machine. Integrated stair-climbing frame design helps contractors transport the machine up and down stairs. Built-in telescoping handle provides ease of use when moving it around a jobsite. Ridge Tool Company.
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Complete product line This company’s products are available for light commercial and design-build projects. The competitive product offering includes roof drains, floor drains, sanitary floor sinks, cleanouts, water hammer arresters, trap primers, hydrants, backwater valves and grease interceptors. The company has made it a priority to have its products available at stocking wholesalers and for contractor pick-up at its representatives’ warehouse. JRS Products.
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Wide-range pipe cement Weld On Hot ’R Cold 727 PVC plastic pipe cement is a clear, medium body, very fast-setting solvent cement specially formulated for applications over the wide range of temperatures encountered during all seasons of the year – 15 F to 110 F -- making it ideal for any weather situation. Has a 3-year shelf life and “born on” dating to ensure proper stock rotation. IPS Corporation. |
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Potable water circulators These stainless steel pumps are ideal for areas where codes dictate low-lead-content fixtures within potable water systems. Three new models include one single-speed pump and two with multi-speed operation. Available with standard union or two-bolt flange, line cord and timer configurations in 115v, as well as three with the option of 230v operation. Grundfos Pumps. |
Movers & Shakers
Weil-McLain named John Way as president. Way comes to the company from Thermal Product Solutions, a unit of spx Corporation, where he served as president. Way has also held senior executive roles at spx Contech, Kurdziel Industries and Auburn Foundry Inc. |
Dan Parr has been named vice president-acquisitions and business integration for Wolseley’s North American division. In addition to maintaining his current responsibilities with Ferguson, Parr will work with Wolseley’s North American companies to oversee acquisitions and to coordinate business integration and installation into Wolseley’s systems and processes. Parr began his career with Ferguson in 1988 as an internal auditor. He was promoted two years later to internal audit manager and transferred to Atlanta, Ga., in 1993 to become the integration manager for the company’s Hub Inc. acquisition. Parr returned to headquarters in 1995 as manager of acquisitions and installations and was promoted to director in 2003 and to vice president in 2006. |
Nicole Shillingford has joined Villeroy & Boch USA Bath, Kitchen and Tile as marketing manager. The position is newly created, and Shillingford will be responsible exclusively for the bath business segment, which includes the brand’s distinctive range of plumbing fixtures and cabinetry. Her role will be to oversee all aspects of marketing communications -- public relations, trade shows, event marketing advertising, point of sale merchandising, Internet and print literature. |
SFA Saniflo Inc. announced the retirement of Johan Bouwer as head of the company’s Canadian operations. A 20-year veteran with the company, Bouwer was president of Saniflo in Canada from1987 until 1998 and served as the company’s U.S. president from1998 until 2006. He will continue to work as a consultant at Euro Sales Inc., advising manufacturers on product certification, plumbing codes and standards, while also developing water-saving technologies. A native of The Hague in the Netherlands, Bouwer emigrated to Canada in 1976. After operating his own electrical contracting business in Edmonton, he launched Sanitary For All Ltd. (now SFA Saniflo Inc.) in Toronto in December 1987. Over the next two decades, Bouwer was instrumental in obtaining approvals for the then-unique line of macerating toilet and grey water systems from various code bodies -- first in Canada and then in the U.S., where he introduced the line in the late 1990s. He also helped develop the ANSI standard for macerating systems in the mid-1990s. |