Supply House Times

Late last year, LIXIL made headlines when it announced the acquisition of Basco, a U.S.-based shower door manufacturing company. The acquisition represents an important step in LIXIL’s growth strategy in the Americas region, the company said. Recently at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke had a chance to sit down with Trey Northrup, leader of LIXIL Americas, to discuss the company’s outlook following the acquisition, the current labor shortage, and the pitfalls of sanitation access and LIXIL’s LPP program, a global initiative aimed at tackling America’s sanitation challenges through public and private sector partnerships.

Tips for boosting your online brand

Is it easy to find your company online?

Amy Zucchi-Justice

May 9, 2023

4 Comments

We have all heard of Google and likely search it daily for many things…but are you using it to attract and maintain business? If your customers can’t find you online, they may wind up taking their business elsewhere. Today’s customer realizes that time is money and e-commerce trumps phoning in orders. Separately, if potential customers don’t know you exist, or can’t easily contact you, then growing your business becomes considerably harder. One of the top reasons people get frustrated with a brand is when they are unable to locate a phone number or email to get in touch.

Finding your niche

75 year-old Industrial Valco ‘Speedability’ and marketing efforts make company stand out in PVF distribution game.

Natalie Forster

May 4, 2023

4 Comments

Any business hoping to stand out in a competitive marketplace needs to find the one or two things it can do better than everyone else. Now celebrating 75 years in business, Industrial Valco has spent the last decade perfecting the craft it is known for – delivery speed and inventory availability - while honing in on a unique niche in the commercial and industrial PVF distribution worlds – marketing and branding.

ASA Women in Industry Division breaks more records

More than 320 PHCP-PVF women leaders gather in Charleston for annual ELEVATE conference.; first-time attendees share key takeaways.

Natalie Forster

May 3, 2023

Stephanie Porter-Bodziach

With each passing year that the American Supply Association (ASA) Women in Industry Division holds it’s ELEVATE conference, it becomes more and more evident than the strength and representation of women in the PHCP-PVF supply chain is growing — much like the division itself.

Stephanie Porter Bodziach: Five ways to fuel your creativity

Creativity isn’t only for the marketers.

May 8, 2023

5 Comments

In writing this column month after month, I recognize that while marketing insights and tips are helpful for many, a handful of folks don’t have the desire (or the time) to join in on their business’ marketing efforts. With this in mind, I wanted to think and “write outside the box” to focus on a topic applicable and relevant to all industry professionals and marketers alike. This topic is CREATIVITY.

pipe steam systems with pneumatic control valves and condensate pumps

Dan Holohan: Still learning

Always make room to learn from your betters.

Dan Holohan

May 6, 2023

"Our problem is that five out of hundreds of univentilator coils freeze up on a regular basis. They are part of two pipe steam systems with pneumatic control valves and condensate pumps. The F&T traps have been replaced and the coils are grading down to the returns. The traps on some are two feet or so below the coil outlet. The boiler pressure on all buildings runs between 4 psi and 8 psi and the boiler shuts down at night until the coldest room in the building requires heat. If the outside temperature falls below -15 C the boiler stays on pressure. Do you have any ideas on how to solve this problem?"

Katie Poehling Seymour: Hold the ladder for someone

ASA’s Women in Industry Division continues to move our industry forward

Katie Poehling Seymour

May 8, 2023

While I’m not the first woman to be president of the American Supply Association, I am the first woman with the honor of attending the ASA Women in Industry ELEVATE conference as the ASA president —being the first woman to hold the role since the founding of the group in 2014.

Eye on Safety: Steps to take for fall prevention

Ladder safety at work

Greg Holbrock

May 9, 2023

In this article we are going to discuss ladder safety. However, before touching on using ladders themselves, first we must ensure the housekeeping of the area in which the work will be conducted is maintained in adequate form — as with any on-the-job-project.

Jeff Valles: Your AI is ready

It’s time to chat with your digital showroom consultant.

Jeff Valles

May 9, 2023

The plumbing supply industry and our showrooms, as well as many re-distribution businesses, are run ERP systems that are based on the IBM AS/400 or DOS. Both originated in the 1980s. We are an industry that looks to shave pennies to scale and limit our operational invest. We live by “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and so we have gone for a millennia. But, the possibility of having a knowledgable consultant in our pocket might just change the way we employ computers in all facets of business.

Natalie Forster: Second annual Next Gen All Stars contest

Nominate a PHCP-PVF professional under 40 to be recognized.

Natalie Forster

May 5, 2023

One thing I love about this industry is how eager and willing most individuals are to recognize peers, partners and co-workers for their outstanding work and commitment to the industry. It is evident every time one of our award stories is deployed, when we publish anniversary stories or even other news items like grand openings. People like, comment and share their congratulations for the companies recognized; it’s my favorite part of posting those types of articles online and on social media.

Trainging transformation: ECCO takes training to the next level with ASA University

May 12, 2023

Equipment Controls Company, an ASA manufacturer member based out of Norcross, Georgia, was ready to take training to the next level.

link allows access to the contractor’s smart phone camera

ASA Platinum Supplier Spotlight: Taking customer support to the field

May 15, 2023

3 Comments

For more than 80 years, A. O. Smith has been a leading global innovator of water heating solutions.

The importance of curbing cell phone use; especially behind the wheel

Patrick Cunningham

May 10, 2023

5 Comments

Everyone knows at least one person who can’t be away from their phone — even when behind the wheel.

DSG grand opening in Otsego, Minnesota

April 17, 2023

3 Comments

As part of its mission to be a people-centric, customer-obsessed, growth-focused and diversified solution provider, DSG has been serving customers in Monticello and Otsego for several years and moved from the previous Monticello location to its new location at 7505 Kadler Ave NE, Otsego, MN This is another step in DSG’s effort to bring world-class customer experience directly to this important market.

ProSource Supply acquires Morehouse-Huber Supply

April 6, 2023

4 Comments

With two locations in Orangeburg and Fairfax, South Carolina, Huber Supply has been servicing the low country of South Carolina for over 50 years.

The Granite Group continues expansion in Northern New England

April 5, 2023

The Granite Group announced the opening of its newest branch in Manchester, VT. Located in the Manchester Valley Industrial Park at 152 Manchester Valley Road, this branch will be run by long-time Granite Group team member and customer favorite Derek Potter.

ASA distributor members report strong month-to-month sales increase

However, year-over-year comparison lowest since early 2021.

May 9, 2023

Respondents to ASA’s monthly sales report reported a median sales increase of 1.7% for March 2023 vs. 2022. This represents the lowest this figure has been since February 2021. Year-to-date sales through March 2023 were up 8.9% vs. 2022.

Sharkbite push-to-connect fitting

May 6, 2023

SharkBite Max push-to-connect fittings have been re-engineered to deliver the same reliability as the company’s 1st generation fittings but with new product enhancements that provide more strength and an easier installation.

Taco ECM circulators

May 6, 2023

Taco Comfort Solutions has expanded its family of easy to use, high-efficiency ECM circulators with the addition of the 0026e.

Xylem Gasketed late and frame heat exchangers

Xylem Gasketed plate and frame heat exchangers

May 6, 2023

Xylem launched a new High-Efficiency Gasketed Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers (GPX) with the addition of advanced “X” plates.

Bryan Boilers packaged boilers

May 6, 2023

Bryan Series BE electric hot water or steam boilers are compact, completely packaged and wired units with automatic controls featuring long life Incoloy sheathed elements, the company states.

REHAU light commercial multi-port tees

May 6, 2023

REHAU announces the expansion of their EVERLOC+ compression-sleeve fitting system with nine new polymer multi-port tee options.

NIBCO gas carbon steel push fittings

May 6, 2023

NIBCO expanded its BenchPressG carbon steel fittings line to include 2" sizes to its existing product assortment, bringing press technology to fuel and gas carbon steel pipe applications.

Matco- Norca tankless water heater valve kits

May 6, 2023