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Plumbing and Heating Wholesale (PHW) announced the acquisition of Sioux City, Iowa-based industrial supplier Wigman Co. Wigman will initially continue to operate in their current location under the same name, plans will be made in the future to identify a new home for Wigman Co. and the industrial team.

Rinnai America announced its soon-to-be-completed North American facility located in Griffin, Georgia. Rinnai is investing in product development for tankless water heaters, boilers, wall furnaces and more on US soil. Alongside business development, Rinnai will also play a role in the local economy by fulfilling 150 positions by early 2022. 

As I’ve been back out attending in person events this Fall, I’ve noticed the conversation surrounding what we’re doing as an industry to bridge the labor gap and recruit more talent has a common theme.

The American Supply Association’s Fred V. Keenan Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor that can be given to a member of our industry’s national trade association.

Hot water has been around since man first harnessed the power of fire, but when at elevated temperatures it is dangerous and even deadly. 

A highlight of its recent North American Meeting, the 2021 AD PHCP Business Unit Spirit of Independence Awards ceremony celebrated members and supplier partners in all three divisions who excelled in sales performance, marketing excellence, employee engagement, leadership and giving back. 

Although lack of available product and labor are ongoing factors within the residential plumbing sector, there is certainly no lack of opportunity. According to the 2021 North American Plumbing Fixtures Market Report, compiled by Grand View Research, the plumbing fixture market ended 2020 with a $22.4 billion value and it is expected to grow at a rate of 7.5 percent from 2021 to 2028. 

The word “essential” has taken on a bit of a new meaning since the onset of 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic. When talking about how business behaved throughout the ups and downs of the past 20 months, many mention how thankful they were to be an essential business, and how this title allowed doors to remain open and business to continue.

Steve Rossi, director of government affairs at ASA, along with more than 1,800 engaged ASA members, are largely to thank for that.

Heading into his year as ASA President, CEO of New England PHCP distribution giant The Granite Group, Bill Condron, plans to continue the upward trajectory that both ASA and his company are on.

Condron began his career in the industry stocking shelves in the warehouse of the family business. While he never intended to join the industry, his plans changed as he worked his way up through the company over the past 20 years.

The American Supply Association recently published the first of two special industry compensation studies. The first study, which focuses on driver and warehouse worker compensation levels, plus also dives into inside and outside sales positions and showroom sales personnel, covers the time period of June 1 through Aug. 31, 2021.