- Home
- Digital Edition
- What's Online!
- Green Products Spotlight
- The Wholesaler Radio
- Between Us Video Blog
- On the Road
- Industry White Papers
- Industry Videos
- Industry Links
- Newsletter Archives
- Archives
- Calendar of Events
- Advertiser Information
- Advertiser Testimonies
- Classifieds
- Sister Publications
- Contact Us
Activant integrates UPS with Prophet 21 software
Activant Solutions Inc. announced certified ups Express integration for Activant Prophet 21. This powerful functionality seamlessly coordinates order entry and shipping, streamlining a distributor’s shipping procedures by eliminating the need to implement a third-party shipping solution or to navigate between modules to enter order and shipping information.
The integration between ups and Prophet 21 helps distributors improve customer service by providing value-added benefits such as tracking numbers and pre-printed labels. It also reduces the time it takes to process an order, so customers receive their material more quickly.
For additional information, visit www.activant.com.
Bacharach acquired by private equity firm
PNC Equity Partners II L.P., a private equity fund managed by an affiliate of the PNC Financial Services Group Inc., announced the acquisitions of Bacharach Inc. and Bacharach of Canada Inc.
Founded in 1909, Bacharach is a leading designer and manufacturer of equipment used in the detection and measurement of gases and liquids and the recovery of refrigerants. The company’s products include instruments that detect, measure and record combustion and environmental gases, temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and other air quality/safety parameters.
Bacharach, headquartered in New Kensington, Pa., sells its products worldwide to a variety of customers, including HVAC distributors, OEMs and utilities.
“Bacharach fits squarely into PNC Equity Partners’ philosophy of investing in important companies operating in ‘micro markets’,” said Wali Bacdayan, partner with PNC Equity Partners. “The company is a clear leader in its competitive segments and its products carry a strong brand name that customers associate with accuracy, reliability and durability. We are excited about the company’s prospects for future growth.”
Added Dan Strafalace, Bacharach Inc. president, “We look forward to working with PNC Equity Partners as we position the company for its next phase of growth. PNC Equity Partners has an impressive track record of growing middle market companies like ours. The expertise and resources they bring to Bacharach will be assets to our growth plans, both in the U.S. and abroad.”
Based in Pittsburgh, PNC Equity Partners (www.pncequity.com) specializes in making private equity investments in leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and large minority financings of middle market companies. The group focuses on equity investment in companies with enterprise values between $25 million and $125 million.
EPA expands NSF scope in WaterSense program
NSF will now provide testing and certification of high-efficiency lavatory faucets for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, a program launched to encourage water conservation by identifying and promoting water-efficient products. According to the EPA, installing WaterSense-certified lavatory sink faucets or faucet accessories could save approximately $650 million in energy costs and more than 60 billion gallons of water each year.
Earlier this year, NSF received approval to test and certify high-efficiency toilets within the WaterSense program. The labeling program helps consumers identify high-performance, water-efficient toilets and lavatory faucets and accessories that can reduce water use in the home and help preserve water resources. As an EPA-licensed certification body, NSF has now been approved to certify high-efficiency toilets as well as lavatory faucets to the WaterSense specification. NSF may help plumbing manufacturers obtain the WaterSense label for their products. The certification process consists of product testing to ensure that high-efficiency lavatory faucets (public and private restrooms) consume no more than 1.5 gallons per minute while successfully meeting all performance requirements.
While it is important to limit the maximum flow, it is also important to prescribe a minimum flow to ensure customer satisfaction. To accommodate this, a minimum flow rate of 0.8 at 20 psi is also required. Additional testing requirements can be found at www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/faucet_suppstat508.pdf. Certified products will be included on an EPA product registry and will bear the WaterSense label. In addition to authorizing the use of the label and providing the artwork, NSF will list all of its certified products at www.NSF.org.
Ongoing annual inspections will ensure continued compliance. Future plans to expand the WaterSense program may include requirements for showerheads, irrigation control equipment and other commercial equipment.
Ferguson expanded its showroom in Tulsa, Okla., and concluded renovation on September 1, 2007, allowing customers to choose from an enhanced selection of high-end products.
Located at 6525 E. 42nd Street in Tulsa, the 6,500-square-foot showroom is more than four times its original size and features a first-class gallery offering plumbing, door hardware, lighting and appliances. Previously, the location carried plumbing products only.
Ferguson’s showrooms are designed with plumbers, builders, remodelers and designers in mind and offer a vast selection of products from today’s most recognized manufacturers.
“We are excited to open this first-class facility and support the future growth of Tulsa’s downtown area through programs such as ‘Vision 2025’,” said Charles Tracy, manager for the Tulsa location. “We look forward to broadening our offering to create a true one-stop-shopping experience to contractors and homeowners in this market.”
Consultations are encouraged and can be scheduled by calling the showroom at 918/628-1500.
In addition, Ferguson opened a new Tennessee facility on September 5. Located at 799 Adesa Parkway in Lenior City, the 15,000-square-foot branch features plumbing products, appliances and hvac parts and equipment, and will offer customers an added level of convenience through a robust inventory and an express counter.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to expand our territory while providing value-added services to contractors, builders, architects, designers and homeowners in this market,” said Jarett Morgan, manager for the Lenoir City location, “and to provide a convenient, one-stop-shop for all of the customers that we serve.”
Customers can contact the Lenoir City branch by calling 865-988-0086.
For additional information, visit www.ferguson.com.
First Supply customers treated to getaway
First Supply celebrated its eighth annual Fishing Getaway at Lakewoods Resort.
The getaways took place during mid-August. More than 200 pump, well and septic customers, vendors and employees attended over a two-week period. Each group enjoyed four fun-filled days of fishing, golfing and relaxing.
Prizes were awarded for the biggest catch of muskie, pike, bass and walleye, as well as for the biggest fish story. A best ball scramble had golfers hitting their way to great prizes.
Sixteen of First Supply’s vendors helped support the outing through their sponsorship.
Mark’s Plumbing Parts welcomes new president/CEO
Mark’s Plumbing Parts, a national plumbing specialty parts and mro supply distributor based in Fort Worth, held formal investiture ceremonies on September 13 for the appointment of Frank J. O’Connell as president and CEO. This position was previously held by Michael D. Gasparini, who had served since 1995 after assuming the position from John W. Gasparini Sr., who started the company in 1980.
O’Connell was formerly vice president of J.A. Sexauer U.S., Canada and Latin America.
In attendance and speaking at the ceremony were Gil V. Silva, former president of the J.A. Sexauer companies and Carmen Sbezzi, former vice president of Sexauer. Silva and Sbezzi have officially accepted positions as advisors to the board of directors of Mark’s Plumbing Parts.
In addition, Marvin L. Rubac was appointed executive vice president of Mark’s, having previously served as vice president of operations. Kevin I. Richards, also formerly from Sexauer, was named marketing manager.
Fuller House hosts ASID meeting
The Fuller House kitchen and bath showroom, with the assistance of Hansgrohe, sponsored the American Society of Interior Designers meeting on September 11 at Stonewood Grill in Raleigh. Dana Finch, the showroom manager for The Fuller House, a division of Murray Supply Company, attended the event.
Finch had the opportunity to meet with designers and discuss various capabilities of the showroom. She also distributed packets of information containing Fuller House brochures and Hansgrohe product literature to the designers.
For additional information, visit www.murraysupply.com.
Plumbing Distributors Inc. has acquired Dickerson Supply Company, a family owned plumbing supply house with locations at 1121 Huff Road in Atlanta and 4700 Atlanta Highway in Alpharetta.
The acquisition gives PDI a solid presence in downtown Atlanta, providing a branch location as well as a Premier Kohler Showroom. The Atlanta location will also provide access to commercial business and the area’s high-end remodeling market.
Established in 1973, PDI is a family owned distributor of residential and commercial plumbing and lighting products. PDI will now have eight locations throughout North Georgia. Five locations have showrooms featuring the most current fixtures and accessories.
For additional information, visit www.pdiplumbing.com.
F.W. Webb acquires division of Burns Cascade
An agreement has been reached for F.W. Webb Company to acquire the Piping Products Division of Burns Cascade Company of Syracuse, N.Y. The transaction was effective November 1, and the transition is now underway. The Division’s key inside and outside salespeople have agreed to join the F.W. Webb team in Syracuse.
Since 1866, F.W. Webb has served the contractor, institutional and industrial customers in New England and New York with plumbing, heating, HVAC, refrigeration, LP gas, fire protection, bio-PHAM and industrial/mechanical PVF products.
Ed Robicheau, general manager of the existing F.W. Webb branch located at 158 Syracase Street in Syracuse, is the key contact for customers and manufacturers affected by the change. He can be reached at er@fwwebb.com or by calling 315/476-9322. According to F.Wb. Webb, the benefits to customers will be immediate, as they become part of a 70-branch supply chain with a 408,000-square-foot distribution center, a 10-acre pipe depot, and 1,400 dedicated customer service persons with expertise and an extensive line card of MRO and OEM products and services.
For details, visit www.fwwebb.com.
IAPMO R&T to certify high-efficiency lav faucets
Concordant with the recent publication of the WaterSense High-Efficiency Lavatory Faucet Specification by the Environmental Protection Agency, IAPMO Research and Testing will provide product certification services for high-efficiency lavatory faucets under the WaterSense program.
IAPMO R&T is now accepting applications from manufacturers for certification under the new specification. Products meeting program requirements will be authorized to display the WaterSense logo, a trusted mark of compliance to the most stringent conservation standards, providing an added competitive edge in today’s growing “green” market.
In addition to the high-efficiency lavatory faucet certification program, IAPMO R&T has been certifying high-efficiency tank-type toilets under the WaterSense program since February.
For details, visit www.iapmo.org.