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When Wilson Teachey first attended the Southern Wholesalers Association (SWA) meeting three decades ago, he was surprised by the family-like atmosphere. As a young professional at Hubbard Pipe and Supply, he discovered a welcoming culture and strong relationships within the wholesale industry that greatly impacted him.

In an industry where scale and speed can overshadow character, Thos. Somerville Co. stands out not just by what it delivers — but how it delivers it. What began in 1861 as a modest brass foundry has grown into a Mid-Atlantic plumbing, heating, and HVAC supply powerhouse. But Somerville’s real strength lies in a culture grounded in craftsmanship, relational trust, and service — principles forged in the foundry and still alive today.

Consolidation is affecting the waterworks ecosystem, with investor-owned utilities acquiring many small systems. In 2024, 79% of water utility deals involved systems with fewer than 3,000 people, and wastewater acquisitions accounted for half of Q4 activity, driven by regulatory burdens on small systems and larger companies' growth ambitions.

Throughout the 1970s-1980s there were four main industry buying groups - AD, Embassy, Omni and WIT & Co. Often referred to as “legacy buying groups,” these groups existed and operated for decades before consolidation began. Here's a quick history lesson on buying group mergers in the sector.

Once a company completes the assessment, it will receive a customized set of resources and recommendations based on those results. These will provide actionable suggestions for how to elevate training efforts and continue progressing along the Training Maturity Self-Assessment Tool pathway. 

Social media posts for jobseekers reached 2.7 million views, up 194%. Clicks to SupplyIndustryCareers.com increased to 38,000 (up 155%). Additionally, 77 ASA-member companies have activated the “Now Hiring” flag on the site.

The tour will provide a peek behind the curtain of the stocking efficiencies and abilities of Winsupply, and insight into opportunities to grow with them. After the tour, key people from Winsupply will present on their unique approach and entrepreneurial spirit, which enables local Winsupply companies to be successful in their respective markets.

It is with great pleasure that ASA will honor and present Mr. Steve Cook, CEO of Baltimore-based Northeastern Supply and Mr. Tim Milford, longtime CEO and now senior advisor at St. Louis, Missouri-based Milford Supply, with the 2025 Fred V. Keenan Lifetime Achievement Award.

Five critical steps that can safeguard your operations against the growing wave of cyberattacks targeting small-to-midsize businesses.
Teaser: Cybersecurity isn’t about paranoia, it’s about preparation. As warehouse leaders, we train on safety, efficiency, and customer service. Cybersecurity deserves the same level of attention.

The future of the PHCP-PVF industry is being shaped by a new generation of leaders making a significant impact. Each year, Supply House Times’ “Next Gen All Stars: Top 20 Under 40” list honors rising professionals in the PHCP-PVF supply chain who are driving progress and advancing their companies.