Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- American Standard. American Standard provides the style and performance that fit perfectly in your customers’ lives. With options ranging from exquisite luxury to everyday style for the budget-conscious, American Standard’s exclusive technologies and innovative designs deliver ingenuity, quality and efficiency. American Standard is, quite simply, style that works better.
Visit www.americanstandard-us.com/waterefficiency for further information.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.
American Standard promotes water conservation
American Standard has launched two online tools that promote water conservation by personalizing the experience for users. The new Water Savings Calculator and the Rebate Locator, found at www.americanstandard-us.com/waterefficiency, also help educate people about the benefits of water and energy conservation.
The Water Savings Calculator is an interactive online tool that allows users to estimate how many gallons of water, and how many dollars, they can save by converting to various water-efficient fixtures and faucets. Designed with several categories of pre-estimated usage, this calculator is adaptable to users ranging from hospitality to healthcare, retail to corporate and multi-family to residential. For even more accurate calculations, it also allows for adjustment of flow rates. The Rebate Locator on the website provides a current listing of water conservation rebates available throughout the United States. The Rebate Locator will be updated regularly as new local and regional incentives become available around the country.
HD Supply Scottsdale showroom celebrates grand re-opening
HD Supply Plumbing/HVAC announced the grand re-opening of its newly renovated Kitchen & Bath Collection showroom in Scottsdale, Ariz., located at 8355 E. Butherus Drive, Suite 7. The showroom recently hosted a Hawaiian luau-style customer and community event at the renovated facility.
The 4,500-square-foot showroom gives homeowners, interior designers and general contractors access to full-size kitchens that showcase the newest sinks and faucets and to seven full bathrooms with the latest finishes and styles, including showers that incorporate lighting and sophisticated preset temperature controls.
"I am thrilled about the transformation of the facility," said HD Supply Plumbing/HVAC regional vice president Paul Tuff. "By renovating this showroom, we are able to offer our customers more than 150 new kitchen and bath products and to showcase the latest design elements. The new showroom will help our customers eliminate the additional design step, helping to complete a new project faster and more efficiently."
McJunkin Red Man names new CEO, announces IPO
On September 10, McJunkin Red Man announced that Andrew Lane was named chief executive officer, effective immediately. The Board also announced that current CEO Craig Ketchum would serve as Chairman of the Board of McJunkin Red Man Holding Corporation and that H.B. Wehrle III would remain as Chairman of the Board of PVF Holdings LLC.
Andrew Lane was chief operating officer of the Halliburton Company from 2004 to 2007, where he was responsible for the overall operational performance of Halliburton. With over 50,000 employees globally, Halliburton is a leader in providing various products and services to the energy industry for the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties worldwide and generated revenues in 2007 in excess of $15 billion. Prior to his COO role, between 1985 and 2004 Lane held a variety of leadership roles within Halliburton, including CEO of Kellogg Brown & Root, CEO of Landmark Graphics and senior vice president-global operations.
In other news, in mid-August McJunkin Red Man filed for a $750 million IPO that would see the public own roughly 35% of the PVF distributor, according to a filing with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission. McJunkin Red Man will list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MRC."
PVF Holdings LLC is the selling stockholder and proceeds from the sale of common stock are solely for the account of PVF Holdings LLC, which intends to distribute the net proceeds of this offering, after giving effect to the underwriting discount, to its members. These include certain members of its board of directors and senior management team and various of their affiliates. In addition, affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co., which owns a majority interest in PVF Holdings LLC, will receive a significant portion of the proceeds, according to the documents.
The company described its business strategy in the documents as follows: "Our goal is to become the largest global distributor of PVF and related products to the energy and industrials sectors. We intend to grow our business by leveraging our existing position as the largest North American distributor of PVF products and services to the energy industry based on sales. Our strategy is focused on pursuing growth by increasing organic market share and growing our business with current customers, expanding into new geographies and end markets, further penetrating the Canadian Oil Sands and downstream sector, pursuing selective strategic acquisitions and investments, increasing recurring revenues through integrated supply, MRO and project contracts, and continuing to increase our operational efficiency."
National Sales opens new Ill. Location
Illinois facilities and contractors now have easier access to pipe, valves, fittings and HVAC equipment and parts with the opening of the new National Sales Company store in Edwardsville, Il. This is the third location for the 63-year-old distributor that is headquartered in St. Louis and currently operates locations both in St. Louis City and O'Fallon, Mo.
National Sales Company opened its doors in Illinois with an official ribbon cutting ceremony attended by customers, union officials, local dignitaries and employees on August 7. Guests were able to tour the facility, which features the latest in warehouse technology. The Edwardsville location will offer the same core services and products that are available throughout the National Sales Company network. Additional services available from National Sales Company include a knuckle boom crane truck, job site storage, storeroom management, and emergency on call and delivery.
New Products
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Selectronic flush valves |
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ChemDrain CPVC chemical waste drainage system System now includes 8-inch pipe and fittings and a variety of drains. The new 8- inch fitting items include 1/4 bends, 1/8th bends, 1/16th bends, sanitary tees, wyes, combination wyes, reducing wyes, couplings, bushings and cleanout adapters. Floor drains in a number of sizes and configurations also have been added. ChemDrain System offers a safe, durable and economical alternative for the disposal of a wide range of chemicals in institutional, academic and commercial laboratories. Carlotte Pipe and Foundry. |
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Circulator replacement sizing slide chart An updated, complementary slide chart for commercial circulator system design and pump selection has been released. The slide chart will now include the new high efficiency MAGNA variable speed circulator. This easy-to-use tool allows users to design heating/cooling systems and select pumps for replacement opportunities. Grundfos. |
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Strong Arm Support System Designed to solve problems and shortcomings with securing stub outs. Many contractors are familiar with damaged stub outs caused primarily by sheet rock installation. Strong Arm with Lock Block system works with any type of cts stub out; it lets the installer determine where the stub out should be and prevents the stub out from moving. Strong Arm with metal bend supports is specifically designed for stubbing out of the wall with pex. This is a rigid system with a metal bend support that swivels 360 degrees and will not crack. Sioux Chief. |
Movers & Shakers
The board of directors of City Pipe & Supply Corp. announced the appointment of Brett Lossin as president. Former president Bob Glast will serve as chairman of the company. The board also announced that Bennie Cleveland will serve as sales manager, Steve Wimberley as vice president - operations and Leslie Jones as vice president - finance. |
First Supply promoted Stacie Weaver to the nearly created role of operations manager for the Southeastern Wisconsin facilities. Weaver began at First Supply in 2004 and has held positions as counter sales representative and branch supervisor of the West Bend and Brookfield facilities. She has more than 10 years of industry experience. In this new position, Weaver will evaluate, supervise and implement objectives for more efficiency and profitability for the eight Southeastern Wisconsin locations of First Supply. |
J.C Whitlam Manufacturing Company made the following appointments: Mike Buck was promoted to vice president-sales and a member of the company's leadership team. Buck will be responsible for U.S. national sales for the Whitlam specialty chemicals and Plumb-Pro Tools divisions. He will also continue to work directly with sales representatives in the southern U.S. market. Steve Muhleman was hired as Northern regional sales manager and a member of the company's leadership team. The Northern region includes 18 states throughout the U.S. Muhleman will work directly with Whitlam/Plumb-Pro's family of manufacturers' representatives marketing their products to wholesale distributors. |