PHCP and PVF Technology & Operations - Articles

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Commercial Market Outlook: Retrofit Projects Lead the Way

Commercial market trends, labor challenges, retrofit demand, and what to prepare for

May 25, 2026

As commercial building owners continue to navigate economic uncertainty, labor shortages and changing customer demands, retrofit and renovation work is becoming a key opportunity across the plumbing market. In this article, learn where the commercial market is headed and how manufacturers, wholesalers, and contractors can adapt.

Why Day-To-Day Firefighting Douses Distributors’ Profit

A shift to order-level visibility and process discipline can help distributors eliminate margin leaks and regain control of performance.

Michael Biwer

May 4, 2026

Ask a distributor to describe their day-to-day, and there’s an excellent chance that they’ll use the term “fighting fires.” It makes sense that this term has become so popular – the work sounds urgent and important, even heroic.

Guest Column | Savanna True

AI at work: Hide or thrive?

As automation handles routine tasks, creativity, critical thinking and ethical leadership will define the most valuable employees.

Savanna True

April 29, 2026

By learning to use AI wisely in our daily work, prioritizing ethical use, and nurturing essential human skills, we’ll not only get more done and spark innovation, but ultimately build a more effective and rewarding future for ourselves and our organizations.

ASA News

How fast AI has changed since last year

April 27, 2026

One of the clearest ways to understand what has changed since last year’s Applied AI for Distributors event is this: some of the things that were being discussed as next are now showing up as current.

ASA News

How distributors are winning with business intelligence

Advanced data tools are helping wholesalers forecast demand, optimize pricing, and improve performance across every level of the business.

April 22, 2026

Strong business intelligence (BI) data has become a competitive necessity for distributors operating in increasingly complex and fast-moving markets.

Marketing Matters | Alicia Branham

AI Is Moving Faster Than Your Security Policies

Artificial intelligence gives companies power to grow, but not without risk.

Alicia Branham

April 17, 2026

AI is evolving faster than the policies, security systems, and safeguards designed to manage it. The smartest companies won’t ignore AI, they also won’t hand over the keys to their business until the technology proves it can be trusted with them.

The hidden gaps in your sales cycle

Fix the front end: Why most sales problems are really process problems.

Brian Gardner

April 13, 2026

Someone must own sales excellence. Someone must act as CEO for CRM. That person should be a respected sales leader with the autonomy to make critical decisions for the company. Their role goes beyond platform selection and configuration. They are responsible for driving adoption, setting standards, training, coaching and continuous improvement.

The State of AI in Distribution

Why speed, not scale, will define the next era of PHCP-PVF; steps distributors can take now.

Natalie Forster

April 8, 2026

According to recent research from McKinsey & Company, AI adoption has surged over the past two years, with a growing share of organizations reporting measurable impact on revenue, cost reduction and customer engagement.

Preparing for the Silver Tsunami: A high‑level exit strategy guide for business owners

What business owners need to know about exit strategy, valuation drivers and ownership transition.

Brad Williams

April 6, 2026

Roughly 12 million U.S. businesses are owned by Baby Boomers, and with about 10,000 Americans reaching retirement age every day, the pace of ownership transitions is accelerating quickly.

Computer chip labeled 'AI' on a circuit board, illuminated by a cool blue glow, highlighting circuit pathways and components.

Canals introduces end-to-end operating AI for distributors

New capabilities eliminate manual data entry and matching across Accounts Receivable, PO-to-Receipt Tracking, and Inquiry Handling with unrivaled speed and accuracy.

April 2, 2026

The expanded capabilities empower teams across Sales, Customer Service, Accounting, Purchasing, and Receiving to save time and get customers what they need sooner, leading to greater customer loyalty and sales at any scale.