Plotkin Bros. Supply (Glassport, Pa.) has signed a letter of intent to join USFlow, the industrial-PVF distribution firm formed in December by the merger of three other wholesalers: The Bertsch Co. (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Mutual Manufacturing (Cincinnati) and Piping & Equipment (Conyers, Ga.). The deal is expected to close in late June or early July.

Harvey Feldman, president of Plotkin Bros., expects a smooth integration into USFlow.

"I've known the other companies for years; we've been Embassy members with them and worked with them there," he said. "This is a good way to compete against Ferguson, Hughes, and McJunkin and maintain our independence."

The fact that USFlow's founding members are all primarily industrial-PVF distributors was also appealing, he said. Plotkin's present management team will stay with the company after its merger into US Flow, Feldman said.

Plotkin Bros. was a founding member of Supply America, another organization created by the proposed merger of PHCP companies. That venture failed last year after it was unable to get the necessary financing because of decreased interest on Wall Street in IPOs in the PHCP industry

With the addition of Plotkin Bros., total sales revenues for USFlow will exceed $350 million.