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During my three decades in the hydronics industry, I’ve heard terms that upon close scrutiny don’t accurately represent a concept or device. I even admit to using some of these terms myself, usually before I understood exactly what they meant, or considered what they might imply.

Birmingham, Ala.-based American Pipe & Supply Vice President of Sales Harry Hays likens his long industry career to that of a professional football player.

The Hermitage/Sharon corridor on Interstate 80 in northwestern Pennsylvania is a crossroads for the past and the future. The massive Sharon Steel mill once employed more than 10,000 people.

The recovery continues. For the second consecutive year, Supply House Times’ Premier survey reveals an increase in sales made by PCHP companies. The annual survey, conducted by Supply House Times and BNP Media Market Research, ranks the Top 125 PHCP wholesalers by their sales from the past year.

Te fact is simple: North Carolina-based plumbing wholesaler Murray Supply Co. made a strong surge in Supply House Times’ Premier 125 survey from 2011 to 2012. The explanations of this rise aren’t so simple.

After 75 years in the plumbing wholesale industry, St. Louis-based Atlas Supply could’ve just patted itself on the back. Instead, the third-generation company opened its first showroom, Immerse, and has made big strides in the St. Louis market. Partner Leigh Suffian recently talked to Supply House Times about Atlas’ history and its future with Immerse.

It is never a good sign when you check the local forecast on your phone and get this message: “This is a tornado emergency for the city of Dallas! Seek shelter now to save your life!”

Greg Reyneke has what he calls a “scary scale” to rank the level of difficulty for the jobs he works on. A recent water treatment project in Uganda received a perfect 10 on the scary scale.

From time to time, I’m asked to write about an outstanding showroom operation. I love doing these in-depth articles.

While attendance was certainly the talk of the 2012 AHR Expo held in late January at McCormick Place in Chicago, an equally great buzz was generated by the many new air-conditioning, heating, and refrigeration products and technologies on display.