|
|
 |
|
|
|
PVF Marketplace In For Some Bumps & Bruises
The latest commodity reports compiled by the ASA Industrial Piping Div. shows softness in pricing for most product categories in the foreseeable future. "Pricing and availability of carbon steel welding fittings and flanges will remain under pressure for the
remainder of the year and through 2009," said Weldbend's Stephen Letko in addressing a session of the PVF Roundtable held at the ASA Convention in Atlanta last month.
Letko also drew attention to a movement toward more domestic producers of pipe and fittings caused by several factors. One was the bankruptcy of a major offshore supplier of raw and finished forgings "causing the industry to look to domestic resources versus depending on the uncertainties of the offshore suppliers." He also cited higher costs of overseas production, including the rising cost of transportation stemming from a shortage of container ships and rising fuel prices. Quality concerns are also an issue, according to Letko.
Letko's full remarks and the ASA-IPD Commodity Reports can be viewed on the website of Houston's Piping & Equipment Inc.
Finally, here's an interesting overview of this year's abrupt slowdown in steel markets. |
|
|
|
Windustrial Opens In Seattle
WinWholesale Inc.,
one of the nation's largest wholesale distributors, has opened Seattle Windustrial in Kent, WA. Mike Baker is president of Seattle Windustrial. He joined WinWholesale in 1996 and previously was president of Portland Windustrial in Oregon and Elko Windustrial in Nevada. There are more than 470 local Win companies in 44 states and nearly 100 Noland locations, mainly in the Southeast. Noland is a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Baker Sales Celebrates 30 Years
Baker Sales Inc.
, a steel pipe wholesaler based in Slidell, LA, will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with the grand opening of a new office and warehouse in Slidell on Dec. 5. "The devastation brought on by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustave brought many hardships to our company and our employees, However, the recovery and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast area has provided an opportunity for us to grow and expand our business," commented President Robert Baker.
Marmon/Keystone About To Open In Sioux Falls
Construction is nearing completion on Marmon/Keystone's newest expansion project in Sioux Falls, SD, according to Norman Gottschalk, Jr., Marmon/Keystone president. The 62,000 sq. ft. warehouse/office complex, situated on seven acres of land, will be fully operational by early December.
Victaulic Opens Great Lakes Branch
Victaulic announced the opening of its Great Lakes Branch in Aurora, IL. The new 62,000 sq. ft. facility consolidates two previous regional Victaulic locations in Detroit and Chicago. The new location features an additional 25,000 square feet as compared to the Detroit and Chicago branches combined.
HD Supply Mobilizes For Community Action Day
HD Supply
said that more than 2,000 of its U.S. associates volunteered in their local communities on Saturday, Nov. 8 in its first company-wide community action day. On their day off, HD Supply associates, their families and friends worked together on a variety of local projects in 65 different locations throughout the country. They collaborated with a variety of charitable and civic organizations ranging from the Salvation Army, Harvest for Hope, Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity and more.
Review Underway For Chinese Malleable Fittings
The U.S. International Trade Commission has instituted its mandatory five-year review of the antidumping duty order on imports of
malleable cast iron pipe fittings from China. Interested parties are requested to respond to the ITC by Dec. 23, 2008. For further information contact: Mary Messer (202-205-3193), Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
Green Mechanical Council Welcomes Supply House Times
BNP Media Co., publisher of
Plumbing & Mechanical, PM Engineer and
Supply House Times, has joined the Green Mechanical Council as a media member.
The three magazines reach a combined circulation of 106,560 contractors, engineers, wholesalers and manufacturers reps. The mission of the Green Mechanical Council is to educate contractors, field technicians, and industry leaders about creating and maintaining environmentally sound residential and commercial mechanical systems. |
DDI To Host Live Online Demo Dec. 16
DDI
invites PVF distributors to a live online demonstration of its Inform 2008 system on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 11:00 a.m. EST. Coverage will include Inform's exclusive price import capabilities, streamlining Special Pricing Allowances and rebate reporting, plus Inform's advanced Lot Billing functionality. To learn more call 1-877-599-4334 or visit
www.ddisys.com.
|
|
|
|
|
| AEC Store's FEATURED Product
Intro to Pipe, Valves & Fittings
This course provides employees new to the PVF/plumbing industry with an overview of piping products, fittings and valves. It includes definitions of common industry terms, descriptions of basic types of plumbing systems and explanations of specifications for pipe, valves and fittings. $134.00 CLICK HERE
to order.
Visit AECstore.com
to view all of our Plumbing resources or all Stephanie at 248-244-1275 with any questions. |
|
|
Tech Tip #10 by Gregg Marshall
To help you make the most of the Digital Age.
Shop 'till you drop-the motto of most wives.
Before you buy that latest tech toy, check out some of the deal websites.
If you are going to buy right now, try these:
http://www.nextag.com (price comparison site)
http://www.pricegrabber.com (another price comparison site)
http://www.google.com/products (used to be called Froogle, it's Google limited to products)
For a lot of technology, if you have a 30-60 day window to buy, it will go on sale somewhere. I've seen 500 GB external hard drives as cheap as $75 or as expensive as $200. Looking everywhere takes too much time. There are deal websites that work like community shopping groups. Everyone keeps their eyes open and posts the deals. Good ones make it to the home page. My favorite sites are:
http://www.spoofee.com
http://www.dealunion.com
They also have non-technology deals (like 31 cent Baskin Robbins ice cream cones).
Not everyone's idea of a good deal is the same so your mileage may vary. And some of the deals go away fast (I suspect they are mistakes), so if you see something interesting, don't piddle around.
Send half of all that money you save to me!
Gregg Marshall, CPMR, CSP, is president of Rep Connection Inc. He can be reached by e-mail at gmarshall@repconnection.com, or visit his LinkedIn profile at
http://www.linkedin.com/in/greggmarshall. |
|
|
What's The Industry Buzzing About?
One way to tell is to visit the website of Supply House Times
. If you scroll to the bottom of the lead page, you will find lists of the "Most E-Mailed" and "Most Popular Articles" (as measured by visitations). This gives a pretty good feel for what industry citizens regard as important.
For example, as of Tuesday, Nov. 11, these were the five "Most E-Mailed" articles accessed at the Supply House Times website and passed along.
|
|
|
|
| AEC Store's FEATURED Product
Introduction to Steel, Stainless Steel, Iron Pipe and Fittings
This course reviews the types, classifications and uses of steel, stainless steel, iron pipe and fittings. $134.00 CLICK HERE to order.
Visit AECstore.com
to view all of our Plumbing resources or all Stephanie at 248-244-1275 with any questions. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chromalox Introduces Global Flange Design
Chromalox
has introduced a new line of ANSI Flange and Circulation Heaters with a standardized design that meets all major global certifications, eliminating the need to create different products for different parts of the world. These products are designed to be mounted in pipes and vessels to efficiently and precisely heat liquids and gasses in a variety of process industries, including petrochemical, oil and gas, alternative fuels and biopharmaceuticals. |
|
|
PIPE-FLO® Professional 2009
Engineered Software Inc.
has released its newest software program, PIPE-FLO Professional 2009. Highlights include a new look, new features and improvements such as an Operating Cost Calculator, customizable FLO-Sheets and control valve Rapid Entry.
The PIPE-FLO product line is used by designers and operators to gain a clear picture of their fluid piping systems. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AEC STORE CORNER:
NOW AVAILABLE - 2009 National Plumbing & HVAC Estimator
Manhours, labor and material costs for all common plumbing and HVAC work in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. You can quickly work up a reliable estimate based on the pipe, fittings and equipment required.
Every plumbing and HVAC estimator can use the cost estimates in this practical manual. Sample estimating and bidding forms and contracts also included. Explains how to handle change orders, letters of intent, and warranties. Describes the right way to process submittals, deal with suppliers and subcontract specialty work. Retail Price: $63.25
CLICK HERE for more information.
Visit AECstore.com for all your PVF resources. For questions call Stephanie at 248/244-1275. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BNP Media
2401 W. Big Beaver Road, Ste. 700
Troy, Michigan, 48084-3333
U.S.A. |
|
Contact The Editor
PVF e-News is a twice-monthly newsletter edited by Supply House Times Editor Jim Olsztynski. Contact him with any requests, complaints, compliments or information you think worth reporting in this e-newsletter.
1050 IL Rte. 83, Suite 200
Bensenville, IL 60106
630/694-4006
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
