2021 September

Evaluating forklift safety in your warehouse

Prevent injuries with proper knowledge and training.

September 8, 2021

Forklifts, a type of powered industrial truck, are versatile pieces of equipment that can be adapted for many lifting and transporting tasks. But do you know who is operating a forklift at your business, and are they following workplace safety rules?

American Plumber Stories

New docuseries from Pfister tells story of American plumbers across the country, breaking stigma surrounding skilled trades.

Natalie Forster

Nicole Krawcke

September 10, 2021

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What do street drag racing, stock car racing, a senior basketball team and kite-surfing have in common? They're all hobbies of professional plumbers. Pretty cool, right? Pfister certainly thinks so, as the bath and kitchen manufacturer has launched a new docuseries featuring the lives of plumbers throughout the U.S.

Case study: Chicago municipal rehabilitation and pipeline project

Jake Shevik

September 8, 2021

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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.

Plumbing gets smarter

Smart plumbing trend rises, connected products no longer just for luxury.

Natalie Forster

September 9, 2021

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The willingness to splurge, along with society's cornerstone focus on wellness, shows that these smart plumbing products are becoming the norm, rather than luxury upgrades.

Strength in numbers: The value of the rep relationship

Ahead of AIM/R's 49th annual conference, A. O. Smith execs and reps discuss evolving role of manufacturers’ reps and why AIM/R is vital to success.

Natalie Forster

September 2, 2021

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Ahead of AIM/R's 49th annual conference, A. O. Smith execs and reps discuss evolving role of manufacturers’ reps and why AIM/R is vital to success.

Supply House Times profile: IMARK Group's Scott Bardreau

IMARK Group Vice President, PVF discusses group's three new verticals and hot-button PVF topics.

Natalie Forster

September 3, 2021

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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.

Chris Fasano: Givers and takers

Advocate and invest to protect the future of our industry.

Chris Fasano

September 14, 2021

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Joining a national association and adding your name to those that give of their company to build a stronger industry and stronger future is not life-threatening by any means. No one is shooting at us and our lives aren’t at risk.

September Supply House Times Movers and Shakers

September 13, 2021

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

Natalie Forster: Work from home culture

Culture remains important to your next gen pool of recruits.

Natalie Forster

August 30, 2021

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We’ve all discussed work from home in terms of productivity, and how some employees want to stay working at home, others are itching to get back into the office, and many companies have adopted a hybrid approach. But I hadn’t thought too much about how company culture can be affected in this new work from home world.

Jeff Valles: The missing marketing story

Amazon still cannot deliver a toilet.

Jeff Valles

September 10, 2021

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As the dotcom recession slipped into our rear-view mirror, who was to know that Amazon would mature into the place to buy almost anything.

Apply 3 rules from Judith Honesty to ace your next crucial conversation

Prepare for the difficult conversations between vendors and wholesalers.

Amy Souders

August 30, 2021

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Think about the most difficult conversations that vendors and wholesalers can have as we work together to drive profitable growth. Don’t you wish you had an antidote to make those difficult conversations easier – and more successful?

Mike Miazga: Remembering Sioux Chief’s Mike Stallings

Mike Miazga

August 25, 2021

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This industry lends itself to a fair share of folks having the title of road warrior — it’s part of the deal, whether making sales calls, visiting existing customers or going to events.

Dan Holohan: Troubleshooting the cuckoo's nest

Help your contractor customers be well-rounded in heating systems.

Dan Holohan

August 30, 2021

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The steam seminar was to be in North Carolina, which was strange enough, that being the state where most folks only know how to say, “Heat pump, please.” It was also going to be sparsely attended. Oh, and the location was a nasty, windowless, brick-walled basement room in what used to be a hospital, but was now an office building. I immediately looked around for Jack Nicholson and Nurse Ratched. Welcome to the cuckoo’s nest.

Uponor sells its share in the joint venture Phyn

August 17, 2021

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Phyn was founded in 2016 as a joint venture between Uponor and Belkin, with both owning 50% of the company.

Equipment Controls Co. uses ASA PROJECT TALENT free careers recruitment platform to hire new employee

September 3, 2021

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When ASA member distributor Equipment Controls Co. was looking to hire a new warehouse associate, it turned to the association’s PROJECT TALENT careers recruitment platform for assistance.

Fire hazard assessment and prevention in the workplace

Nate Oland

September 3, 2021

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All fires need three elements to burn: Fuel, oxygen and a source of ignition. Consider those factors when evaluating your workplace — is it at risk for a potential fire? There are many types of fire hazards to keep in mind, and they can all result in devastating losses if not properly identified.

Ferguson celebrates National Clean Energy Week by releasing images of solar array

Photos reveal the company’s first owned renewable energy on distribution network.

August 18, 2021

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Ferguson purchased and installed a solar array for our Perris, California Distribution Center. This rooftop system will be the first instance of owned renewable energy on our distribution network and is expected to offset 1,305 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Milwaukee Valve celebrates first cut of steel for Aircraft Carrier Doris Miller

August 26, 2021

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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.

AD six month financial results show record numbers

August 2, 2021

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AD reported its member sales in the first six months of 2021 were $28.1 billion, an increase of 30% across its 13 divisions and three countries. Same-store sales were up 17%. Purchases by member companies from AD supplier partners were up 34%. Net distributions to its members were up 37%.

Core & Main signs agreement to acquire Pacific Pipe

July 13, 2021

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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.

ASA positions on International Fire Code survive public comment period

Jim Kendzel

August 26, 2021

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ASA, in cooperation with other organizations such as HARDI and AHRI, has worked diligently to ensure that proposed revisions to the International Fire Code (IFC) address the safe storage of low greenhouse gas refrigerants (A2Ls).

DSG to open twelfth Minnesota facility

August 17, 2021

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Dakota Supply Group (DSG) announced plans to open a new branch in Rogers, Minnesota in December. It will be DSG’s twelfth location in Minnesota and its 44th across six states. The new facility is located in the Gateway North Business Park at 6035 Queens Ave NE, just north of Rogers along Highway 101.