Mike Miazga: From the Editor

Remembering Jim LaPorte

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500

LaPorte, a revered individual in local circles and throughout our industry, died recently at the age of 89.

Remembering John H. Cook III

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The longtime owner of Baltimore, Maryland-based Northeastern Supply and father of 2019 ASA President Steve Cook died on Good Friday at the age of 85. His passing sparked an outpouring of support and memories.

Mike Miazga: Far from goodbye

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400

For the last 10 years, I have reported on the happenings throughout the PHCP supply chain involving contractors, distributors, master distributors, reps, engineers and service providers.

Mike Miazga: Spam sandwich

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Technology is a crazy thing. Think back to days gone by where the internet, smartphones and social media didn’t exist.

Mike Miazga: Sleep on it

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500

When I was younger, I used to think sleep was optional.

The Jetsons and plumbing

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

In November I had the opportunity for the second time in 2019 to hear author, columnist and small business owner Gene Marks do his thing at the ASA Central annual meeting (the former MwDA group) in Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois.

Mike Miazga: Lion Plumbing Supply keys in on its customers

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500

One of my favorite vacation stories is a trip my wife and I went on to the Florida Keys right after the birth of our daughter.

Mike Miazga: The memorable speech Gateway Supply's Chris Williams delivered

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Over the last decade I have lost count of the amount of guest speakers I have listened to at the many meetings and conventions I have attended.

Mike Miazga: Billco Corp. carries on tradition

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Addison, Illinois-based pipe fitting manufacturer Billco Corp., has some neat history behind it.

Mike Miazga: Are you changing with the times?

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400

I must admit I’m but a mere dabbler in this Amazon thing. I’ll order things here and there, almost always using my wife’s Prime account, which I’m fairly sure Amazon is now losing money on due to its frequent, hard use.

Mike Miazga: Remembering George T. Sanders' Bev Sanders

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Our industry is built on relationships.

Mike Miazga: The things you learn covering PHCP distribution!

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

As I am writing this aboard a Southwest Airlines plane, I am concluding a 10^th week in a row where I have traveled to at least one industry event.

Mike Miazga: Rememebring Bradford White's Bob Carnevale

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Mon, 13 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Bob Carnevale had a way with words.

Mike Miazga: Be aware of convention scams

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400

The old message from some allegedly distressed person in a far-flung country asking you to wire them a sum of cash to get them out of trouble. Or the one where they found some long-lost dough that has my name written on it, but first I have to send them my bank-account information.

Mike Miazga: Charlotte Pipe catches Chinese company using its intellctual property

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Identity theft seems like it’s everywhere these days.

Mike Miazga: Is your company excellent?

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500

I have a bit of a reputation (well-earned, I might add) of being a stickler for superior customer service.

Mike Miazga: Taking a look at employee theft

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500

At the tail-end of high school and through most of my college days, I worked at an at-the-time popular department store.

Tariffs up close: Got a few hundred grand laying around?

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Todd Adams, president of Lakeland, Florida-based sanitary-grade stainless steel tube, valves and fittings manufacturer Sanitube, had plenty of reasons to smile back in July 2017.

Mike Miazga: Berlin Packaging is in the EBITDA selling business

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0500

The weather isn’t the only thing changing these days.

Mike Miazga: Transportation affecting PHCP-PVF industry

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Congratulations to APR Supply and President and CEO Scott Weaver on this most-deserving honor.

Mike Miazga: Fortifying the future

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0400

One thing I love about our industry is there never is a shortage of news.

Mike Miazga: Are you a game-changer for your company?

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Some play the game. Others change how the game is played.

Mike Miazga: Wolseley Industrial and Ferguson are stewards of the industry

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 00:03:00 -0400

Business is humming along at a strong clip right now for many involved in the industrial PVF supply chain.

Erne Fittings USA has a game-changing moment

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400

One such company is Erne Fittings USA, a manufacturer of high-yield fittings with a 100-year-old history behind it via its Austria-based parent company bearing the same name.

Mike Miazga: U.S. infrastructure report card reveals poor marks

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Tue, 15 May 2018 00:00:00 -0400

The American Supply Association held its annual Legislative Fly-In on Capitol Hill in mid-April.

Mike Miazga: Winsupply's Mike Larkin shows anything is possible

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0400

After graduating high school, Larkin went to work for Masters’ Supply in Elizabethtown and then opened his own HVAC contracting company.

Mike Miazga: The plumbing industry is rapidly changing

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0500

During KBIS 2018, I attended ASA’s Showroom Managers Networking Council meeting.

Mike Miazga: Remembering F.W. Webb's John Pope

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Acquiring companies is nothing new for Northeast distribution heavyweight F.W. Webb.

So long, Bob Miodonski

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 22:07:59 -0500

Have you ever looked back at the lessons you’ve learned from mentors over the years?

So long, Bob Miodonski

mmiazga@asa.net (Mike Miazga) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked back at the lessons you’ve learned from mentors over the years?