General Pipe Cleaners awarded manufacturers rep Ford Williams the Bob Gelman Lifetime Achievement award Jan. 20 during the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Williams, founder of AK Sales in Denver, received the award from General Pipe Cleaners National Sales Manager Andy Zelazny and Executive Vice President of Global Sales David Silverman.

Williams has represented General Pipe Cleaners, a division of General Wire Spring Co., in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and parts of Nebraska for 20 years.
“He has distinguished himself as one of the most knowledgeable sales representatives in the drain-cleaning industry,” Vice President of Marketing Marty Silverman said. “His approach was face-to-face and hands-on as he chalked up more than 1,000 counter days during his long career.”

General Pipe Cleaners named the lifetime achievement award in honor of Bob Gelman, the company’s former sales manager for 27 years before his death in 2001.

General Pipe Cleaners manufactures high-quality drain-cleaning equipment in the United States. The third-generation family-owned business is celebrating 85 years of serving drain-cleaning professionals and plumbing contractors, as well as facilities managers, the equipment rental industry and the hardware/home center market.