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

Supporting the installation of cured-in-place lining to reconstruct sections of deteriorated sewer pipe, subcontractor Airy’s safely plugs lines and bypasses 14,000 feet of 60-inch sewer line using Cherne Muni-Ball pipe plugs.

IMARK Plumbing and Luxury Products Group held its summer invitational in Marco Island, Florida in late July. This was the group’s second in-person event since the onset of the pandemic. Members and suppliers gathered at the JW Marriot Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa for group updates, industry insights and networking. During the event, IMARK Group’s Vice President of PVF Scott Bardreau announced the launch of three new verticals for its members: PVF, irrigation and waterworks.

Milwaukee Valve celebrated the ceremonial first cut of steel for the newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Doris Miller (CVN 81). The ceremonial cut took place at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, the location of the ship’s construction, but parts of the ship are being manufactured at the Milwaukee Valve bronze foundry and manufacturing facility in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin.

Deacon Industrial Supply Co. announced the promotion of Nicole Pompa as the organizations controller/HR manager.

The industrial PVF sector is facing a set of challenges that market experts describe as “the perfect storm.” Top concerns among pros in the industrial sector include commodity price increases, tariffs and trade disruption, freight inflation, fleet shortages and — of course — the ongoing lack of skilled labor.

On July 7, the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee passed AB 100 (with author’s amendments) unanimously, a bill that regulates the manufacture and sale of endpoint fixtures that conform to the NSF 61 2020 standard. ASA, along with its coalition partners, has obtained a compromise on the bill.

Core & Main announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pacific Pipe Company, based in Hawaii. The acquisition would mark Core & Main’s 14th transaction since becoming an independent company in August 2017.

AD’s PHCP Business Unit hosted its 2021 AD PCHP Spring Network Meeting in a virtual format, welcoming about 160 independent distributor members from its U.S.-based Plumbing, PVF, HVAC and AD Decorative Brands divisions.

During a webinar in late May, Dr. Kuehl gave his mid-year economic review, focusing on five key issues distributors should be monitoring: Inflation, consumer behavior, “normal” business, the global economy and market reaction.