Buckle up for Part 2 as participants get into the nitty-gritty of technology, top threats to wholesale-distribution, plus the next-gen’s effect on the marketplace and consolidation.

AD is reporting total 2021 member sales were $58.5 billion, a 30% increase from 2020, with purchases by member companies from AD supplier partners up 39% to $16.6 billion. Additionally, AD achieved a 49% increase in net distributions to its members, surpassing the $1 Billion milestone for the first time in the group’s 40-year history. 

Respondents reported a median sales increase of 20.5% for November 2021 vs. 2020. In comparison to the previous month (December 2021 vs. November 2021), respondents reported a modest decline in sales of -2.2% (the previous monthly sales report had a 3.5% increase in the same category; November 2021 vs. October 2021).  

F.W. Webb Company announced the acquisition of Stritt & Priebe, a specialist in industrial valve supply, service and repair in Buffalo, New York, and VJ Stanley, a wholesale-distributor and manufacturers' representative of steam and hydronic products in Rochester, New York.

AD announced its member-owners elected two directors to its 2022 board of directors. AD’s newly elected director is Karla Neupert Hockley, president of Consolidated Supply Co. Tim Horsman, president & CEO of E.B. Horsman & Son was reelected by AD’s member-owners.

Edward J. Nierman, a founding partner of Canton, Massachusetts-based Independent Pipe & Supply, Canton, Massachusetts passed away on January 15, 2022, at 98 years of age. Nierman was a pioneering giant in the world of pipe, valves and fittings. A man of modest upbringing, he joined his parents in their small, used plumbing supply business. He and his brother Al expanded the business in 1950 into Independent Pipe & Supply. 

As distributors have navigated the past two years full of new challenges and unprecedented circumstances, the power and importance of learning from peers and engaging in educational resources has become more important than ever before. The American Supply Association has long provided networking and educational opportunities for its members, and its partnership with the Association Education Alliance (AEA) and involvement with the annual University of Innovative Distribution (UID) conference is one example.

ASA Chief Economist Chris Kuehl is back Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern/1 p.m. Central with his first ASA economic update webinar of the year, taking a look at the 2022 forecast. 

After 56 years of significant expansion and growth, the Abeling family has transitioned 100% of the company’s total ownership to all the employees of the company through a qualified retirement plan known as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (or ESOP). All eligible employees will be granted shares of Company stock each year, at no cost, allowing them to earn ownership over time through their service to the company and accumulate tax-deferred retirement wealth. Consumers Pipe & Supply Co. joins a group of elite 100% employee-owned companies across the U.S.  

When Supply House Times reached out to me to ask if I would consider writing a quarterly column providing readers with updates on what is happening in the world of codes and standards I jumped at the chance. So beginning with this introductory column I will begin providing you with what I hope to be valuable information on codes and standards changes impacting your business.