PHCP-PVF Top Stories

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Nearly three in four ASA members say their companies are already experimenting with AI, while 38 percent report they are exploring use cases, while 34 percent are piloting one or more AI tools.

Whether your team needs training on your latest CRM system, new quoting software, or how to confidently represent your company on social media — the principle is the same. People can’t perform at their best without clarity, direction, and alignment. Every process, from managing leads to creating customer-facing content, is only as strong as the training behind it.

According to the American Supply Association’s most recent sales report, industrywide wholesale trade in mid-2025 was up just over six percent year-over-year, while inventories climbed a modest 1.3%. That balance suggests something healthy — not overheated, but steady growth with wholesalers staying disciplined on stock levels. In other words, people are buying smart.

Supply House Times discussed the evolving PHCP-PVF industry with members at the 53rd AIM/R conference, focusing on rising expectations, market shifts, and the importance of strong partnerships.

Faith, stewardship, and a people-first leadership style have shaped Miller’s 45-year career at Eastern. As he prepares to serve as the American Supply Association’s 2026 president, he aims to bring that spirit to the PHCP-PVF community by encouraging members, promoting smart technology adoption, and building a stronger future together.

Supply House Times wants to know what your top-selling products were in 2025. Take a few moments to share what sold the most in each category below that applies to your company, and we will publish the results in an upcoming issue.

Most learning happens on the job, with 70% from daily work, 20% from peers, and only 10% from formal training. Programs not integrated into operations often fail, and nearly half of managers see a lack of leadership development, especially at the branch level where theory must link to daily execution.

The American Supply Association (ASA) is set to transform the plumbing, heating, cooling, and PVF industries with its Product Data Standard (PDS), launching on July 1, 2025. This initiative aims to standardize product information across the supply chain, streamlining communication from manufacturer to distributor to end user. Say goodbye to inconsistent data and hello to a new era of efficiency and clarity.

When Cheryl Merchant talks about her path from rural Michigan to the corner office at the Taco Family of Companies, she does so with the steady confidence of someone who’s spent four decades proving that perseverance and people-first leadership can build anything — from global factories to family-style company cultures.

Wool will now be added to a prestigious list of previous winners including Wally Gumm, Rick Schwartz, Joe Poehling, Joe Maiale, Randy Tice, Jeff New, Bruce Carnevale, Rick Fantham and Jim Lewis.