Articles by Natalie Forster

According to university officials, the underground heating loop which supplies heat and domestic hot water to large portions of campus, developed a significant leak that was initially losing roughly 6,000 gallons of water per day. As temperatures dropped, pressure in the system rose, and the loss rate increased, raising the risk of widespread system failure. University leadership determined that delaying repairs until the end of the semester was no longer safe.

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.

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.

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.