Trade events, awards, an anniversary and grand openings are highlights this month.

Embassy Honored By Storehouse

The Storehouse of World Vision presented Embassy Group Ltd. with the Partner of the Year award at its annual Crystal Vision Awards ceremony during KBIS. Pictured (L-R): Michael E. Werner, president and CEO of Globe Union; Efrain Perez Jr., corporate relations director - kitchen & bath, The Storehouse of World Vision; Walter Gumm, president of Embassy Group Ltd.; and David Owens, vice president of corporate development at World Vision.

Also at the event, the group recognized Barbara C. Higgins, executive director of Plumbing Manufacturers International, with the Robert P. Atkins Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gerhards Showrooms Celebrate KBIS

The 10 Gerhards showrooms in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa operated by First Supply (Madison, WI) hosted their first annual post-KBIS event in May. Two different showrooms presented the show on each of five dates during the month. More than 300 industry professionals met with vendors and their representatives to view new products from companies including Delta, Elkay, InSinkErator, Kohler, MasterBrands, Moen and Robern. 

Bemis Presents Toilet Seats As Art

Bemis Manufacturing hosted an invitation-only event during KBIS at the Belaggio Hotel’s Fine Art Gallery at which it displayed new products as works of art. The company’s new products include an improved version of its NextStep Child/Adult Potty Seat with additional features; the High-Density Molded Wood toilet seat with Whisper•Close,  Easy•Clean & Change hinges and the STA-TITE Seat Fastening System; and a heavy-duty plastic toilet seat with hinge and fastening systems specifically selected for the hospitality industry.

Kohler Receives Crystal Vision Award

The Storehouse of World Vision hosted its annual Crystal Vision Awards ceremony with a luncheon during KBIS in Las Vegas, attended by 210 industry members. Kohler Co., recipient of the first Crystal Vision award 11 years ago, was honored again this year. Pictured (L-R), Michael E. Werner, president and CEO of Globe Union; David Kohler, president and chief operating officer of Kohler Co.; and Efrain Perez Jr., corporate relations director - kitchen & bath, The Storehouse of World Vision. 

Murray Supply Hosts Liberty Pump Product Demos

Winston-Salem, NC-based wholesale plumbing distributor Murray Supply Co. held a number of Liberty Pumps events at various branch locations this spring, including lunch-and-learns, counter days and product demonstrations. Pictured, Brad Pittman from Snider sets up the Liberty Pumps Omnivore Grinder for Murray Supply Co.’s counter day in Raleigh, NC.

Lyon, Conklin Hosts Trane Dealers At 150th Anniversary Party

More than 500 customers attended the 150th anniversary celebration of Lyon, Conklin & Co. (Elkridge, MD) at the Scottish Rite Temple in Baltimore, MD, in March. David Brown, general manager, presented awards to customers based on sales volume and loyalty and honored tenured associates. Brown received a Governor’s Citation in appreciation of the company’s support of the Maryland community. A custom cake was made and delivered by the “Cake Boss” company, Carlos Bakery, that featured replicas of both an original Lyon, Conklin warehouse and delivery truck and current versions of the warehouse and truck, flanking a TRANE air conditioning unit.

Lyon, Conklin, a Ferguson Enterprises company, distributes Trane and American Standard HVAC products from 23 locations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia.

Foremost Groups Opens Facility In Hobart, IN

Foremost Groups recently celebrated the grand opening of its new manufacturing and distribution center in Hobart, IN. The location includes a 50,000-sq.-ft. warehouse, distribution and manufacturing facility, and a 2,000-sq.-ft. regional showroom. Pictured at the grand opening (L-R): Jim Jankauskis, product manager, shower doors; Dave Bruce, executive vice president; John Bathurst, plant manager; Bob Kermelewicz , executive vice president (all with Foremost Groups); and Hobart Mayor Brian K. Snedecor. 

US Supply Celebrates Recovery From Fire

Employees, vendors and customers of US Supply Co. (W. Conshohocken, PA) gathered May 20 to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new Hainesport, NJ, location, which replaced another branch in that city that was destroyed in a fire in April. The event included breakfast and lunch and a “Wheel of Fortune” type contest with 18 prizes awarded. The picture shows the ribbon-cutting for the new location at 1103 Park Ave. East. 

Villeroy & Boch Partners With Grande Central Showroom

Villeroy & Boch’s ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture  Fair) after-party May 14 at the Grande Central Showroom on Bond in New York drew more than 250 people. Guests were invited to “Play With Clay” and create their interpretation of a washbasin. The grand prize was a trip for two to Mettlach, Germany, to meet with German designer Oliver Conrad and tour the Villeroy & Boch factory.  

Bradley Corp. Honored For Exports

Bradley Corp. received the Governor’s Export Achievement Award in the Larger Manufacturer business category for achieving extraordinary results in international sales and helping to contribute to Wisconsin’s ability to compete in a global market. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (left) presented the award to Steve Zingsheim, vice president, international sales, Bradley Corp., during the Wisconsin International Trade Conference in May. Bradley products are now available in 113 countries around the world.

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