Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- DDI System. DDI System is a leading provider of ERP software solutions that power the complete business needs of PHCP, HVAC, and Industrial distributors. DDI's inform software will drive efficiencies, drive sales and drive success for your business. Learn more about DDI's remarkable solution and exceptional service at a better overall price.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.
DDI’s Inform Software Uncovers Profit Opportunities - Webinar 10/14/09
Every business has overlooked opportunity for profits. DDI System’s inform distribution software uncovers these opportunities in workflow efficiencies, customer pricing improvements, elimination of clerical tasks and more.
Inform Uncovers Profits:
• Free Up Cash with More Accurate Purchasing Methods
• Pre-set Collection Features Keep the Payments Coming
• Eliminate Dead Stock and Slow Moving Inventory
• Streamline Workflow/Reduce Clerical Tasks
• And Many More Profit Finding Features
See how DDI’s inform software makes a difference in efficiency, profitability and future success. No other business system delivers such a highly tuned market specific solution, exceptional personal service, and rapid deployment methods at a better overall price. Guaranteed to immediately gain operational benefits and drive out unnecessary costs.
See a Live Demo of DDI System’s Inform Software - Wednesday, October 14th at 11:00am EST, sign up at www.seeinform.com or call 1-877-599-4334.
R.E. Michel acquires Schwartz Distributing
The R.E. Michel Company has purchased the significant assets of Schwartz Distributing, based in New Philadelphia, Ohio. In business since 1947, Schwartz is a prominent wholesale distributor of HVAC and other products to manufactured housing retail dealers and contractors serving that business segment.
"We are keenly aware that the past decade has been a trying time for sales of new manufactured housing units," said president Doc Michel. "However, the installed base is enormous and with Schwartz covering Ohio, western Pennsylvania and most of West Virginia, we see a significant opportunity for replacement and service business coupled with a predictable number of new installations. With a history of nearly 75 years of superior customer service, we are anxious to demonstrate our capabilities to a new customer base."
The privately held R.E. Michel Company now operates more than 200 sales locations in 22 states. The newly acquired operation will do business as Schwartz Distributing, an affilite of R.E. Michel Company Inc.
Wilmington Winnelson opens in North Carolina
WinWholesale, one of the nation's largest wholesale distributors, has opened Wilmington Winnelson Company in Wilmington, N.C., to provide plumbing contractors in a 60-mile radius with a complete line of equipment, parts and accessories.
Brian Daniel is president of the new company, which has shared ownership with local shareholders and WinWholesale. Daniel has been in the plumbing wholesaling business in North Carolina for 25 years in sales and management. "One of the reasons we opened Wilmington Winnelson with Brian Daniel is his total commitment to building the business based on customer service, as well as maintaining a stocked inventory of items customers want," said Monte Salsman, WinWholesale chief operating officer.
The company's product lines include American Standard, A.O. Smith, Moen, Elkay and Lasco.
WinWholesale has more than 470 local companies across the United States in addition to more than 70 Noland Company locations, mainly in the Southeast. Noland Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WinWholesale.
Baker Distributing acquires certain assets of AC&H
Baker Distributing Company LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Watsco Inc., acquired certain assets of Air Conditioning & Heating Supply (AC&H), headquartered in Sandy, Utah. Founded in 1986, AC&H operates from six locations throughout Utah and serves over 500 air conditioning and heating contractors. The company will continue to do business as Air Conditioning & Heating Supply and be managed by Floyd Siddoway and its existing management team.
Carole Poindexter, president of Baker Distributing Company LLC, commented: "We welcome Floyd Siddoway and the AC&H team of associates and customers to the Baker family. We are excited to support AC&H and build upon its market strength by offering more products at competitive prices, participation in our marketing programs and our state-of-the-art inventory management and IT systems - and most importantly, provide the capital needed to grow in the Utah market."
Established in 1945, Baker's headquarters are in Jacksonville, Fla. The company operates six distribution hubs, along with service centers throughout the U.S.
Chicago Tube & Iron opens new metals distribution & fabrication center
Chicago Tube & Iron Company officially relocated its Wisconsin Division from Milwaukee to a newly constructed 117,000-square-foot metals distribution service center in Fond du Lac, Wis. The new facility employs approximately 30 warehouse and office workers who support the company's customers throughout the state of Wisconsin.
"Especially during these difficult times for the metals industry and the manufacturing sector, this new investment underscores our long-term and growing commitment to the Wisconsin industrial market," said Donald R. McNeeley, president and chief operating officer of the company. "Our new central location and state of the art facilities will significantly enhance our ability to provide consistent, reliable service to our customers throughout Wisconsin."
The company said its total investment in the Wisconsin market now exceeds $15 million, including the new construction in Fond du Lac together with equipment, inventories and other balance sheet commitments.
Founded in 1914, Chicago Tube & Iron Company is headquartered in Romeoville, Ill., and operates over one million square feet of warehouse and processing space across the Midwest and in North Carolina. The company is a leading distributor of steel tubing, bar, pipe, valves and fittings; and fabricates pressure parts for the electric utility industry.
New Products
 |
Electronic faucet The E-Tronic™ 40 faucet has many of the same features of the popular HyTronic™ line, providing another electronic option for commercial lavatory applications. Hermetically sealed above-deck electronics for easy maintenance and long-term reliability, with a choice of a CRP2 battery or an ac adaptor. Dual beam infrared sensor has multiple modes and ranges that can be adjusted manually or remotely. Chicago Faucets, a member of the Geberit Group. |
 |
Manual drain cleaner Spin-Drive™ manual drain cleaner now features a tougher, stronger reinforced heavy-gauge tubular frame. Capacity of 50, 75 or 100 ft of 1/2" Flexicore® wire rope center cable. Lightweight; easily clears 2" to 4" drain lines. Comfortable handle turns the cage smoothly on self-aligning oilite bearings at the front and rear of the frame. Convenient carrying handle. General Pipe Cleaners, a division of General Wire Spring Company. |
 |
Twist & lock fittings Speedfit® twist & lock fittings require no tools — no sweating or crimping devices — to make leak-free, reliable pipe connections. They provide faster installation time, even in confined spaces, and are reusable many times over without compromising connection integrity. Can be used with copper, CPVC and PEX pipe. Comply with ASTM F876, ASTM F F877, CSA B137.5, ASSE 1061, ESR #1931 and NSF 14 and 61. The plastic fittings are lead-free. John Guest. |
Movers & Shakers
Green Sales Inc. announced that Tim Chicoine has joined their firm as technical sales manager. Chicoine brings over 20 years experience in the commercial/industrial PVF markets. He will be focusing on promoting and specifying their products at the engineering, contractor and end-user level. Green Sales is a premier manufacturer's representative in New England and Upstate New York serving the plumbing, heating, industrial PVF and waterworks industries.
Taco Inc. recently added a senior manager to its executive operating committee. Todd A. Facey has joined Taco as senior VP-residential sales and marketing, succeeding Bob Coons, who plans his retirement from Taco in April 2010. Facey will report directly to company president John Hazen White Jr. Facey has full sales and marketing responsibility for the residential sales and marketing efforts for Taco, the largest part of Taco's business. He spent 20 years at Robert Bosch Tool Corporation where he was VP-sales for the industrial division. Sally Remedios, manager of product compliance at Delta Faucet Company, was presented the ninth Joseph K. Seidner Award at the annual Canadian Advisory Council on Plumbing Meeting. In presenting the award, Plumbing Industry Advisory Council chair Paul McDonald of Bradford White Canada noted that the honor is bestowed on those in this industry who share their knowledge and expertise in developing safer plumbing codes and standards through Canadian |