In the January issue of Supply House Times, read about the first ASA Roundtable of the year and, where ASA is looking to go in 2014. A famous coach is lined up to speak at this year's NetworkASA, KBIS and IBS are planning big things for 2014 and a new editor joins our team! Also read about the latest products and news for the distribution industry.
Now more than ever, legislative and regulatory decisions play a major role in the way PHCP and PVF distributors conduct business. A blue-chip panel of distributors had plenty to say about that and many other hot-button topics during an exclusive roundtable interview conducted by Supply House Times and the American Supply Association during NetworkASA 2013 at the Renaissance Marriott DC Downtown Hotel in Washington.
Construction activity will increase as the need to attract young people to the trades grows. Last month, Supply House Times interviewed Viega LLC CEO and President Dave Garlow at his office in Wichita, Kan., on issues facing the plumbing-and-heating industry.
In many parts of the U.S., the summer of 2013 was a banner season for solar energy collection. Many solar thermal systems, especially those in the over-baked western part of the country, undoubtedly collected enough heat that they reached the upper temperature limit of the storage tank and had to dump excess heat.
If the preshow buzz is any indication, the co-locating of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the International Builders’ Show already is a smash hit. The two major industry trade shows go under the same roof for the first time Feb. 4-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of what is being billed as Design & Construction Week.
After walking the Greenbuild 2013 exhibitor hall Nov. 20-21 it became evident that major manufacturers did not pack as many new products or technologies for the Philadelphia incarnation of the premier sustainable building trade show.
In school, we were taught how to organize our belongings and create different ways to keep everything neat and clean. Despite this exhaustive teaching in our elementary schools, more of us forget about that either in our business or personal lives. If you look at my desk in the middle of the week you’d think a hurricane roared through. I’ve always believed there is a method to my madness, but there isn’t anything like the feeling of a freshly cleaned desk.
I trust everybody had a fun and safe holiday season. I know some folks north of the border certainly enjoyed theirs thanks to some outstanding customer service. Canadian airline WestJet had a virtual Santa ask passengers at airports in Toronto and Hamilton what they wanted for Christmas. Once those planes took off, WestJet employees went on a shopping spree and delivered the specific presents to those same passengers when they arrived at baggage claim in Calgary.
The emphasis on technology making our lives easier started with the convenience of the pay-at-the-pump credit-card service. Little did I expect that the timesaver of not having to walk into the store clerk‘s line to pay for gas (imagine the impulse purchasing revenue they’ve lost) would be overshadowed by cellphones and Internet technology that would change our lives!
I have been involved with numerous CEOs and presidents in a variety of capacities from being a personal executive coach to sitting on the board of directors to being a consultant on specific leadership and sales projects. In fact, I have walked in those executive shoes myself.
The distribution industry is reliant on the people who receive, pick, pack and ship the goods that we deliver to our customers. Our profitability depends on their productivity. Industry is investing in equipment, software and processes to drive productivity, but the best investment is the continuing health and safety of its workers.
More and more, industry buzz indicates American manufacturing is trending in a positive direction. Pardon the cliché, but where’s the beef? The “Made in America” label is significant for manufacturers, distributors, designers and end-users. Products made in America almost always guarantee quality workmanship backed by manufacturers operating on U.S. soil.
If you needed a tool that would best describe an HVAC technician or his company, it would be his manifold and gauges. Other than hand tools, that’s the one most technicians carry. So, it would be unusual to think of a tech going on a “preventive maintenance” or “tune-up” call without connecting this device.
What an honor and a privilege it is to have been asked to serve as 2014 http://www.asa.net ASA president. My father, Herb Strong Jr., served as ASA president in 1996 and I am very proud to follow his lead. I also am very proud to take ASA into 2014 after two consecutive years of net membership growth, a milestone we previously had not reached in decades.
This column often delves deep into all aspects of the United States’ energy revolution as it carves a path to practical independence in the next decade. But we seem to have been relatively isolated by other analysts who ignore the massive upward climb in refined derivative exports, which surged past 3 million barrels a day in 2013. That output is expected to reach an incredible 5 million barrels a day by the end of the decade.
I’ve always been a numbers kind of guy! I liked math when I was in school and learned very early on how powerful numbers can be in helping run a business. The more ways you can analyze your business, the more successful your business will be. STOP! Don’t move onto the next article just because numbers aren’t your thing. At least give me an opportunity to explain why I strongly believe you should incorporate numbers into the management of your showroom.
This goes back a bunch of years, but the horror remains as raw and smelly now as if did then, and I can’t blame the airlines. It was the alphabet’s fault. Before we get to that, let’s talk a bit about your body. If you’re sitting while reading me, this means you are currently alive.
The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis is the winner of the 2013 Cintas Best Restroom Contest.
January 16, 2014
The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis is the winner of the 2013 Cintas Best Restroom Contest. Formerly known at the University Theater, the Varsity Theater was one of the last vaudeville houses in the city and hosted everything from minstrel shows to comedians to screenings of early silent films.
Jimmy Johnson to speak at the A. O. Smith Future Trends Luncheon.
January 16, 2014
The American Supply Association recently announced two-time Super Bowl-champion coach and current “Fox NFL Sunday” studio analyst Jimmy Johnson will be a speaker at the A. O. Smith Future Trends Luncheon as part of NetworkASA 2014 to be held Sept. 9-11 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
The American Institute of Architects has approved the 10-week online course “Mastering Hydronic System Design
January 16, 2014
The American Institute of Architects has approved the 10-week online course “Mastering Hydronic System Design” for 26HSW Learning Units. AIA members need 18 learning units per year, 12 of which must be on Health, Safety and Welfare topics.
It’s like the sign in certain bars announcing, “Free Beer Tomorrow.” Almost as whimsically, economists keep predicting a strong recovery in the last half of the coming year.
Deacon Industrial Supply recently hosted more than 400 customers and suppliers at its 50th anniversary customer appreciation celebration.
January 16, 2014
Deacon Industrial Supply recently hosted more than 400 customers and suppliers at its 50th anniversary customer appreciation celebration in Valley Forge, Pa. Deacon’s 50-year timeline exhibit was displayed by decade for all guests to interact with and walk through.
This year is poised to be another bruising battle for control of the House and Senate. Historically, the president’s party loses seats in midterm elections. Unless something drastic occurs, that is likely to be the case once again.
“Fox NFL Sunday” studio analyst Jimmy Johnson will speak at the A.O. Smith Future Trends Luncheon.
January 16, 2014
Coming off a very successful NetworkASA 2013 – One Industry, One Voice, One Future in Washington, D.C., this past October, ASA has already started planning for the 2014 event to be held at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Sept. 9-11.
ASA leadership moves into new year with strong momentum.
January 16, 2014
ASA moves into 2014 coming off a year that was one of its strongest ever. ASA reached net membership growth for the second consecutive year in 2013, a milestone that hadn’t previously been reached in decades.