The Granite Group has promoted Chris Ploss from chief operating officer (COO) to president and Amir Rosenthal from chief financial officer (CFO) to COO. The promotions come as the company lays the foundation for its strategic growth plan.

Ferguson and Explore the Trades, a nonprofit organization with a mission to recruit individuals to the plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical trades, have partnered to introduce the skilled trades to a new generation. The two organizations came together to create Explore The Trades Skills Lab Built by Ferguson — a program that will provide support to career and technical education high schools across the U.S., as they establish new plumbing and HVAC career pathways. 

Berner International, a  U.S. manufacturer of air curtains, announced manufacturer representatives SRS Enterprises of Middletown, New Jersey and S & J Equipment Co. of Westfield, Ind., received the company's Rep of the Year award for 2020 in the buy/resell and commission reps categories, respectively. 

Employees from Munch’s Supply, a Midwest-based HVAC distributor, participated in the virtual St. Jude’s Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer on Sept. 25. 

Eastern Industrial Supplies announced that its 2021 Eastern Cares Charity Classic was a phenomenal success. All of the net proceeds from the tournament – $71,381.42 – were donated to Teleios Ministry and will be used to house, educate and support the children in the care of the Daily Bread Life Children’s Home in Tanzania.

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

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC) announced that A. O. Smith is the newest PHCC Corporate Partner. During this year’s PHCCCONNECT2021 conference, Oct. 20-22, in Kansas City, Missouri, A. O. Smith will sponsor the QSC Community Corner, a hub where service and repair contractor members can meet and connect with peers.

A. O. Smith donated 24 tankless water heaters valued at over $25,000 to House of Hope Village, a community of highly efficient tiny homes which will provide temporary, dignified transitional housing to community members in need. 

There’s no better way for distributors, manufacturers and reps to strengthen relationships than to gather together and discuss the most hard-hitting topics facing the PHCP-PVF supply chain today. In August, ASA’s Emerging Leaders’ division annual conference, EMERGE, did just that, providing both scheduled and free-time networking opportunities for the under-40 crowd.

Family business takes on a new meaning when you walk into Addison, Illinois-based Porter Pipe & Supply. Visitors, longtime customers and brand-new team members alike say they feel a welcoming, family-like energy throughout the company’s locations — no matter which of its five branches you’re in.