Industry News

The 2012 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, to be held at McCormick Place in Chicago April 24-26, has officially opened show registration. KBIS continues to gain momentum as an ever-increasing number of industry leaders across a wide variety of categories, including cabinetry, appliances and plumbing, sign-on to share their hottest new innovations. With more than 300 exhibitors to date, the KBIS 2012 show will include cutting edge uses of technology and new ways to more easily navigate the show while connecting a diverse audience of both familiar faces and newcomers.

This year, KBIS will group new resources from high-interest product categories into special pavilions to help exhibitors and attendees, ranging from dealers, designers, builders and remodelers to retailers and other industry professionals, to more efficiently navigate the show and meet with the companies and suppliers they want to target. Product pavilions will include categories such as appliances, decorative hardware, appliance, cabinetry, natural stone and tile, sourcing and international (Italy, Taiwan).

KBIS is the largest kitchen and bath industry show in the world, attracting more than 20,000 buyers from 70 countries and 500 media outlets. KBIS was recently honored by Trade Show Executive magazine as a “Gold 100 Award” winner as it was ranked one of the top 100 largest U.S. shows in 2010. With more than 13,000 trade shows held each year, KBIS ranks in at number 52, joining an elite group that have managed to prosper in a difficult economic environment. Trade Show Executive magazine compiles rankings based on total net square feet, exhibiting companies and attendance.

KBIS plans to continue to grow the show by featuring special events, entertainment, dynamic networking opportunities and educational sessions tailored to specific groups of attendees and exhibitors, allowing them to connect with buyers and influencers in their field. According to Jim Scott, managing director of the show, “KBIS 2012 will provide its exhibitor partners with new, highly targeted avenues to leverage growth and increase return on investment, which is an invaluable opportunity in today’s economic state.”

Early registration ensures first choice of official host hotels and access to exclusive discounted rates. To register as an exhibitor or attendee, or to learn more about the innovations coming to this year’s show, visit www.kbis.com.

AHR Expo show management announced that the 2012 exposition and conference has established a new all-time attendance record with nearly 40,000 registered visitors for the recently concluded event at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Together with exhibitor personnel and other attendees, more than 57,000 HVACR professionals participated in the world’s largest HVACR event January 23-25.

Based on preliminary registration numbers, the 2012 Show will easily surpass the previous record of 38,534 visitors established at the 2008 Show in New York City. As reported earlier, this year’s Show was also the largest AHR Expo in the illustrious 82-year history of the event at nearly 430,000 square feet, making it almost 5% bigger than the 2006 Chicago Show.

“We are delighted that we have established new all-time records for both the size of the event and the best visitor attendance,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Company, which produces and manages the AHR Expo. “We hope this is an indication that the economy is on the upswing and will continue to improve.”

Stevens also attributed the new records to the many new energy-efficient technologies and products in the marketplace, as well as pent-up demand for new equipment.

A total of 1,968 exhibitors from 35 countries showcased their products and technologies, nearly tying the record of 1,989 companies that exhibited at the 2006 Chicago Show. In addition to the thousands of new products and technologies exhibited on the Show floor, more than 100 education sessions were offered by ASHRAE and many other leading industry associations.

Watts Water Technologies has signed a definitive agreement to acquire tekmar Control Systems in a share purchase transaction. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the month.

Srinivas K. Bagepalli, Watts Water Technologies president of North America, noted, “tekmar is a designer and manufacturer of proprietary control solutions for heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications. Its products are designed to add value to any building by improving the efficiency, reliability, comfort and quality of indoor living. tekmar has pioneered technologies that advance the capabilities of HVAC systems and provides superior customer support and training.

“We are very pleased with the anticipated acquisition of tekmar. tekmar provides energy saving control solutions for a wide range of hydronic (water based) systems which we believe will complement our existing product offering.”

tekmar Control Systems had annual revenues in 2011 of approximately $11 million.

Watts Water Technologies is a leader in manufacturing innovative products to control the efficiency, safety and quality of water within residential, commercial and institutional applications.

CMC Supply, a Roanoke, Va.-based company, announced the acquisition of Rocky
Mount Supply Company, with branches in Rocky Mount and Bedford, Va. The
transaction was completed, December 29.

Rocky Mount Supply Company was founded in 1978 and is a supplier of plumbing,
water systems, electrical, lighting, and appliances to the home building, plumbing and electrical contractors.

“CMC and Rocky Mount Supply both started in 1978 and competed for over 34 years with mutual respect for each other. We share the same business philosophy of building organizations known for superb customer service, a reputation for fairness, and outstanding employee knowledge,” said CMC Supply president Steve Chisholm.

Rocky Mount and Bedford Supply will continue to operate under their existing names and will be led by their current employees.

Buddy Brooks, president of Rocky Mount Supply said, “This will provide opportunities for our employees to continue working in a familiar environment with a well established, respected company. CMC’s management wants to continue to operate Rocky Mount Supply with as little change as possible. This acquisition strengthens everyone involved.”

CMC Supply has additional locations in Christiansburg, Va., Macon, Ga., and
Spartanburg, S.C.

Although the Obama administration just rejected the construction of the Keystone pipeline, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has told Fox News that he plans to present a new proposed route for the pipeline well before Election Day.

“I fully expect we could get it done certainly in the early September, August time frame,” the governor told Fox News on Thursday. “I would send the letter back to the President of the United States saying we approve it and if he were decisive, he could turn around and approve it shortly thereafter, well before the November election.”

In announcing its decision to deny the pipeline permit, The White House blamed Republicans for forcing a decision in a tightened time frame. Congressional Republicans had attached a provision to last year’s short-term payroll tax cut extension — effectively requiring a presidential decision on Keystone in 60 days, a time frame administration officials warned would not be sufficient.

During the process, administration officials also cited the concerns of Nebraska officials, including Heineman, in justifying their handling of the issue. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, in reviewing the history of the dispute Wednesday, said “concerns were raised about the environmental impacts on the air and water quality in Nebraska.”

Despite that, some Nebraska officials were not in agreement with the President’s decision to reject the pipeline permit: “Right now, I think they’re looking for a convenient excuse to get it beyond the election. Let’s do what’s right for the country. Let’s put America back to work,” Heineman told Fox News.

Nebraska lawmakers had earlier raised concern about the impact the initial pipeline route, which runs from Canada to Texas, would have on an important and vast underground water source in Nebraska. In November, the governor signed a bill that would pay for a new state-run environmental study of a new route that TransCanada agreed to pursue.

But Heineman denies any suggestion that the federal government needs lots of time to review his state’s new study. He said the project had gotten initial approval from the State Department for the earlier route, before the department backed off when environmentalists voiced objections.

Heineman also questioned why the administration said there wasn’t enough time to review the permit at the federal level — since the state and the company have already agreed to reroute the pipeline through a less sensitive area. “So again, the State Department had already approved the route that was much more environmentally sensitive, and so in my view, he should have said ‘yes’ to allow this to move forward. There’s so much at stake for this country,” he told Fox News.

According to Heineman, Nebraska will complete the new study by late summer, and sees no reason for further delay. “I would send a letter to the Department of State saying in Nebraska, we approve,” he commented. “At that stage, all they’ve got to then say it’s in the national interest. And again, I think you could say that today. They’ve been at this for three years.”

TransCanada has already announced that it will seek a new permit at the federal level.

According to early reports from Fox News, the State Department has decided to reject the Keystone XL pipeline, suggesting that 60 days is inadequate time to do the required environmental impact assessment on the path of the coveted pipeline.

“The Department does not have sufficient time to obtain the information necessary to assess whether the project, in its current state, is in the national interest,” the State Department said in a statement.

For three years, the State Department has been reviewing the initial proposal to run a pipeline from Canada down to Texas through a sensitive Nebraska aquifer — authority it has because of the transnational path the route takes. The pipeline had been through several other federal, state and local approvals, but the department backed away from signing off on the plan last year after environmentalists complained.

But, according to a report from CNN, the pipeline may not be dead. The State Department memo said “the Department’s denial of the permit application does not preclude any subsequent permit application or applications for similar projects.”

The 1700-mile long pipeline expansion would carry crude oil from Canada’s oil sands to the U.S. Gulf Coast. Supporters — including the builder TransCanada (TRP), the oil industry, some unions and many in the Republican party — say it’s vital in creating jobs and would lessen U.S. dependence on oil imported from volatile regions.

On the other hand, opponents say they fear the pipeline might leak, and that it will lock the U.S. into a particularly dirty form of crude that might ultimately end up being exported anyway.

Canada’s prime minister has warned if the U.S. can’t get on board, his country will look to team with China. “Unfortunately Prime Minister Harper of Canada just this week said because of the volatile indecisiveness on the part of this president, that they feel they are being held hostage and they will take their energy elsewhere specifically to Asia and China,” Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, told Fox News Radio.

Earlier this week, Obama’s own jobs council suggested that it agrees with the pipeline concept. While not specifically mentioning Keystone in a new report about improving competitiveness, the council said that when it comes to energy projects, the government needs to “expeditiously, though cautiously, move forward on projects that can support hundreds of thousands of jobs.”

“We think this all-in energy strategy can create significant economic growths and significant job creation,” said Lewis Hay, NextEra Energy CEO and a member of the president’s job council.

House Speaker John Boehner accused the president of trying to put off a politically difficult decision until after the election. “This is not good for our country,” Boehner said. “The president wants to put this off until it’s convenient for him to make a decision. … The president’s got an opportunity to create 100,000 new jobs almost immediately. The president should say yes.”

Michael Bales, 58, president and co-owner of Prier Pipe & Supply Inc., ended his valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer on January 3 and peacefully passed away at home in the loving arms of Laurie Bales, his wife of 37 years. He is also survived by children, Caryn (Jeff) Barney, Molly (Mike) Thompson and Nick (Alicia) Bales; his sister, and his six grandchildren.

Bales was a warm, generous and brave man who loved to spend time with his family at the beach, barbecuing, golfing and camping. He lived every day with a deep passion and appreciation for life and was always helping others.

As a leader, Bales had many incredible qualities. Among these were integrity and sincerity; he truly valued the relationships and friendships he created with each and every one of you. He will be missed immensely. Prier Pipe’s strength has always been in its people. Bales’ position will be filled from within the company — both Ron Splonski and Randy Bryan will be stepping into Bales’ position. With their expertise and dedication, as well as the support of the rest of Prier Pipe’s staff, the company is confident that this transition will be smooth and that they will continue to serve customers long into the future.

Bales’ funeral was held at Saint John Fisher Catholic Church in Portland on January 7. Donations in Bales’ name may be made to the Cure for Pancreatic Cancer Lustgarten Foundation at www.lustgarten.org or the St. Vincent DePaul c/o St. Cyril Parish, Wilsonville, Ore.

The Board of Directors of American Standard Brands announced the appointment of Jay D. Gould as president and CEO. “We are excited to have Jay take the helm of American Standard,” said Tom Taylor, chairman of the Board of Directors. “He brings tremendous experience in enhancing companies’ leading market positions and creating value by leading with a focus on growth, innovation and brand development.”

Gould had been president of the Home & Family Group of Newell Rubbermaid. Taking an innovative, consumer-driven approach to building demand, he significantly increased revenues for the company’s brands throughout the economic downturn. He has also held senior executive roles at The Campbell Soup Company, The Coca-Cola Company, and General Mills Inc.

Gould succeeds Don Devine, who led the successful turnaround of American Standard Brands and is leaving the company to pursue other interests. Under his leadership, the company completed the strategic mergers of American Standard, Crane Plumbing, Eljer Plumbing, Safety Tubs and Decorative Panels International. The turnaround effort resulted in sustained profitability and a new capital structure for the company. “While Don has done an outstanding job in building and repositioning the company, Jay will lead the next phase of the Company’s development, which will focus on growth,” Taylor said.

MRC Global Inc., formerly McJunkin Red Man Holding Corporation, today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission related to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined. An application will be made to list the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MRC.”

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC, but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy the securities be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy the securities described above, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. When available, a prospectus relating to the offering can be obtained from MRC, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 3100, Houston, Texas 77010, attention: Will James.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, MRC is one of the largest global distributors of pipe, valve, and fittings and related products and services to the energy industry, and supplies these products and services across each of the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. More information can be found at www.mrcpvf.com.

The latest addition to Bootz Industries is the 100,000+ square foot distribution center at 1600 First Avenue, Evansville, IN 47710. This recent acquisition received the 2011 Community Improvement of the Year award for its dedication to Keep Evansville Beautiful. The new DC provides the space and shipping infrastructure to meet the demand of the porcelain-on-steel market.

Communication between sales and the shipping department is essential; all orders and delivery dates are discussed during a daily face-to-face meeting at the facility. The Bootz DC is held at a higher standard to routinely maintain their 100% fill rate, expediting orders daily upon request. Products are scheduled to arrive on the customer’s designated delivery date whether it is 48 hours or later.

The DC is only part of an on-going re-investment and growth program for the future of Bootz Industries. Teamwork is paramount to their success; all management and associates work together in an effort to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Visit www.Bootz.com.