Earlier this year, ASA revamped its governance structure with one of the results being many more opportunities for folks who are part of ASA-member companies to get involved in volunteer leadership.

What hasn’t changed with this exciting new structure is the important presence of the long-standing ASA special interest divisions of the association, namely the Emerging Leaders, Women in Industry, Plumbing and Industrial Piping divisions.

I’d like to zero in the Industrial Piping Division here, which is comprised of ASA member companies (distributors, manufacturers, master distributors and reps) that operate significantly or predominantly in the industrial and mechanical pipe, valves and fittings sector — a significant market segment in our industry.

ASA IPD membership offers, among other benefits, a forum to address the business and industry issues affecting your company and exclusive opportunities to interact with industrial and mechanical PVF distributors and suppliers from across the country.

Each year at ASA’s NETWORK conference (Nov. 9-11 this year in Chicago), the IPD hosts its annual breakfast where IPD members get together and network in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. This year, Miami Dolphins great Larry Csonka will be the keynote speaker at the Nov. 10 breakfast (sponsored by ASA Platinum Supplier Partner NIBCO).

Later that evening, the IPD will host a special open house, providing members with even more networking opportunities to talk with their fellow PVF channel partners.

Being a member of IPD has other significant benefits beyond simply the networking component and show of channel strength, solidarity/camaraderie.

Each month, IPD publishes the PVF Outlook e-newsletter that features the latest news, commodity reports and other market analysis that individuals doing business in the industrial and mechanical PVF supply chain need to know about. That distribution list, which reaches more than 10,000 individuals, also includes contractor and end-user customers that do business in that field.

We continue to see some pullback on orders for stainless products. Could be the end of summer uncertainty or a lead into a slowdown. Prices remain stable for weld fittings, but Indian producers seem aggressive for flange orders. The market is still wary of the recent increases in nickel that have since stabilized. Hoping for an active fall to put things back on track.

Speaking of commodities, each month ASA publishes the IPD Commodities Report, which features updates, market analysis and pricing changes on 10 categories spanning metals and thermoplastics. Unique about these reports is they are written by members of the ASA IPD, folks that are walking the walk and have boots on the ground dealing with these types of metals and plastics. To illustrate here’s a quick sample of a recent stainless product report:

“We continue to see some pullback on orders for stainless products. Could be the end of summer uncertainty or a lead into a slowdown. Prices remain stable for weld fittings, but Indian producers seem aggressive for flange orders. The market is still wary of the recent increases in nickel that have since stabilized. Hoping for an active fall to put things back on track.”

IPD also started the ASA Commodities Twitter account @ASA_Commodities that brings the latest news, pricing changes and analysis related to the industrial and mechanical PVF supply chain to further light —a great resource to cite when speaking to your customers.

Even more commodities coverage can be found in the monthly ASA Economic Update report produced by ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl and his business partner Keith Prather, highlighting commodities pricing, plus a massive Producers Price Index report covering many PVF-related categories.

While the IPD already features a robust who’s-who of industrial/mechanical PVF distributors, suppliers and reps, there is room for even more on the train.

If you company does business in the industrial-mechanical PVF supply chain and is an ASA member, but is not a member of the Industrial Piping Division, now is the time to join your channel-partner brethren in further supporting this highly important part of our great industry.

Drop me an email at mmiazga@asa.net to find out how your company can join IPD.