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Sorry James Brown, but this is no longer a “Man’s World.” Today, women work in just about every field and industry, proving they can do just about anything a man can do. U.S. Census statistics show more and more women have been entering previously considered male-dominated industries, including construction.

However, though women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, only 2.1% are plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics as of January 2022.

When Al Pekelney started selling Bock Water Heaters out of the back of his car while driving around New Jersey and New York in 1947, he likely wasn’t aware it was the start of what would become a 75-year-old company now representing 23 product lines.

Each month, as a free member benefit, ASA publishes the ASA Commodities Report, which provides updates and analysis on nine metals and plastics categories — all written by members of ASA’s Industrial Piping Division. 

ASA is pleased to announce an educational partnership with The Commonwealth Group (TCG) buying group to provide access to ASA University training at a special price for all TCG distributor members. 

In the here and now, end-users want and need more information than ever. Although the information has changed — it is now slick, lean and coming at warp-speed — one thing remains the same: It is still being delivered to people’s doorsteps. It is being delivered to LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, because most consumers have moved to this neighborhood: Social media.

Supply House Times did a quick spot check with a few valve manufacturers to get their take on the commercial/industrial landscape heading into the new year and beyond.

In terms of trends, Rick Wentzell, marketing division executive at Bonomi North America, says designers, engineers and industrial end-users are now looking to ensure the valves they order are chemically correct.

The latest people news within the PHCP-PVF industry and supply chain.

When a company doubles in size every five years, you know it’s doing something right. At least this is true for Lebanon, Pennsylvania-based APR Supply Co., as it’s celebrating this exponential growth as well as 100 years in business under three generations of family leadership.

Given today’s rapidly changing business environment, strengthening your company’s ability to compete requires you to think about your businesses like never before.

The environment requires new levels of strategic vision and a growth mindset that prioritizes strategic planning and investment. We are all challenged every day to stay relevant and enhance our ability to compete, and this is true now more than ever.

There’s an undeniable sense of entrepreneurship that flows throughout the independent distribution industry. PVF master distributor Wayland Industries is a prime example, with 103 years of history behind it; for four generations now, members of the Kurstin family have started master distribution companies within the PVF sector.