Texas Plumbing Supply named full line AmStd distributor
Houston — Texas Plumbing Supply is now a full line American Standard distributor in all markets they serve. This is an important step to help make Texas Plumbing Supply a premier independent plumbing supply house in Texas.
Adding the American Standard brand will help Texas Plumbing Supply continue to focus on all five of its growth areas:
• Single family new construction
• Multi-family new construction
• Commercial plumbing
• Repair/remodel
• Government segments.
“We are seeing great opportunities in all five of these areas and most recently we were awarded the City of Houston plumbing contract, which is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract,” president Glenn Fuller noted. “This latest news shows the confidence that American Standard has in Texas Plumbing Supply and we look forward to a long relationship. Doing business in Texas allows us to take advantage of a large market that is already beginning to see signs of recovery. Our sales are already up double digit for the same period over last year. All of our employees are committed to servicing each market we focus on to make Texas Plumbing Supply the premier independent plumbing wholesaler in the great State of Texas.
Texas Plumbing Supply has three locations:
• NW Houston — manager Ray Rhodes, 14025 FM 529, Houston, TX 77041, phone 281/858-8833
• SE Houston — manager Jeremy Fuller, 7586 Morley, Houston, TX 77061, phone 713/643-0637
• Brenham — manager Larry Benker, 2240 S. Market Street, Brenham, TX 77833, phone 979/830-5544.
CRANE Energy Flow Solutions relocates HQ
The Woodlands, Texas — CRANE Energy Flow Solutions® has relocated its headquarters office to 4526 Research Forest Drive, Suite 400, The Woodlands, TX 77381. The new 20,000-square-foot space accommodates nearly 100 employees and features a dedicated area specifically for hosting internal and external training sessions.
“The relocation of our main office represents growth, and it will facilitate cooperation and efficiency internally, enabling us to better serve our customers,” said Kevin Olsen, COO of CRANE Energy Flow Solutions. “We have always valued the close proximity to the global industry that our Houston-area headquarters provided, and the new office allows us to continue to provide that benefit.”
While the ship-to address has changed, all phone numbers will remain the same.
McJunkin Red Man to acquire Curtiss-Wright valve distribution business
Houston — McJunkin Red Man Corporation (MRC) has signed an asset purchase agreement for the acquisition of the operations and assets of the legacy distribution business of the valve systems and controls (VSC) business unit of Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation.
Since 1974, VSC has specialized in providing high-quality valve and valve automation solutions to the energy and industrial markets by combining the newest technological innovations with excellent customer service. VSC’s expertise in project upstream valve automation and MRO downstream automation, in particular, will strengthen MRC’s overall valve capabilities.
Led by Lance Lorance, who will join the MRC management team, VSC’s employees are skilled engineers, technicians, sales and warehousing professionals. VSC bases its reputation of excellence by specializing in the design and assembly of custom valve automation packages with single source responsibility for electric, gear operated, hydraulic and pneumatic control applications.
“This acquisition is another step toward MRC’s providing the most complete valve solution capabilities in the industry worldwide,” said Rory Isaac, MRC executive vice president of business development. “VSC’s ability to customize valve orders to fit nearly any flow control need is a significant skill that is valued by our customers. We are very pleased to welcome Lance Lorance and the entire VSC team to MRC.”
Martz Supply participates in HGTV Green Home
Denver — Plumbing wholesaler Martz Supply Co. took part in the 2011 HGTV Green Home in Stapleton, Colo., partnering with the home’s builder, Infinity Homes Collection, and Rinnai tankless water heaters.
Martz, a full-line Rinnai distributor, managed the flow of plumbing products during construction and closely partnered with Systems Plumbing, the plumbing contractor for the Green Home.
Rinnai hosted a special “Lunch and Learn” session was held June 9, including a tour of the HGTV Green Home and training on Rinnai’s energy-efficient products. A cocktail reception was held later in the day.
Several local custom builders, as well as purchasing/product managers from many of the national builders — Pulte, Oakwood Homes, David Weekley, etc. — attended the private event. Others in attendance included decision makers from Denver Housing Authority, Adams County Housing Authority, Governors Energy Office (State of Colorado) and many contractor principals.
Those on hand from Rinnai were Charles Collison, hearth product manager, and Nina Knight, marketing services manager-USA-Rinnai. They were joined by their Colorado reps Kyle Jenson and Kevin Steinke of MJM Assoc; Bruce Kraynak and Duane Terry, principals for Systems Plumbing (the plumbing contractor for the project); and several HGTV representatives.
According to Kevin Williams, sales manager at Martz Supply, “This is such a great home and really highlights everything great about the Stapleton redevelopment project in Denver. If you missed the special on the home on HGTV, it is a brilliantly designed and decorated house with a story behind every component. It is really a fun and refreshing product!”
The Stapleton redevelopment project, developed by Forest City, has been a vital growth area for several
builders and for Denver as a whole.
“I was hoping to use this event to show builders and trade professionals the benefits and practicality of the Rinnai products and highlight this home,” Williams said. “It is a high-profile house in a celebrated community.”
In addition to its traditional wholesaling warehouse location in Denver, Martz Supply operates a 6,000-square-foot decorative showroom, Solutions Bath & Kitchen Gallery, in Arvada, Colo., that features luxury plumbing products and accessories from around the world.
Watts launches online media center
North Andover, Mass. — Watts launched its online Media Center, a resource featuring dozens of videos for professionals and consumers. Video topics range from step-by-step installation and maintenance of products to quick- tips and product information. There is also an entire section devoted to the repair of backflow prevention products.
This collection is the result of a large ongoing initiative by Watts to provide customers with a resource for education and product information about its diverse product offering. “Watts has always been active in educating our industry,” said marketing communications manager Michael Gaulin, “One of the videos we included is our vintage film Explosion Danger Lurks!, which we made in the 1930s to warn against the dangers of high pressures and temperatures in water heaters. Education was critical then, and it continues to be an important part of what we do.”
Titles available include: How to Solder Lead Free Products, Adjusting the Pre-Charge of a Thermal Expansion Tank, and How to connect PEX Pipe. Videos range from two-minute, quick-tip formats to longer six-minute videos that explore topics in more depth. There is also a selection of videos highlighting the features and benefits of new product offerings.
Visit http://videos.watts.com.