OCTOBER 2009 VOL 64, NO. 10 Our ASA and HARDI Conventions issue! News of Plumbing • Heating • Cooling • Industrial Piping Distribution Survey: Mfrs. predict better economy in 2010 WEstPort, Conn. — according to a recent survey of more than 1,000 manufacturers, 70% of the respon- dents said that they expect the econ- omy to be stronger in the first quarter of 2010. this bodes well for the 2010 aHr Expo® in orlando this January as nearly 72% of respondents pre- (Turn to Manufacturer... page 109.) Zoeller launches new website, brand initiative louisVillE, Ky. — Zoeller Company has launched a new website for the corporation and the four brands in the Zoeller family of Water solutions. the new site is organized, easy to Coburn Supply Co. celebrated its 75th anniversary at the Marriott New Orleans with more than 1,700 employees, navigate and utilizes a cohesive tem- vendors, vendor representatives and special guests. Here, executive vice president A.J. Maloney checks out a surprise plate reinforcing the relationship be- gift to the company from State Water Heater Company — a fully restored 1934 Ford V-8 Stake Bed Truck similar tween the different brands. the site to Coburn’s first delivery vehicle. Read more about Coburn Supply and its anniversary celebration on page 4. (Turn to New website... page 63.) A new solution for customers Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE acquires Presealed Systems’ Hydro Flame line Vista, Calif. — Hubbard Enter prises con- and plumbing industry. and yet, many to develop new revenue streams for whole- tinues a long tradition of valuing, driving wholesalers have found it difficult to reap sale plumbing distributors. and recognizing innovation through its re- large-scale revenues in meeting a basic in- Hubbard Enterprises is ideally poised to cent acquisition of the entire Presealed dustry need. all too often, according to leverage a network of stellar relationships systems Hydro flame product line. the Hubbard Enterprises, makeshift fire-water- with contractors, engineers, architects and patented Hydro flame is a premier cast-in- smoke stopping methods have resulted in developers in order to deliver a truly revo- place water, smoke and fire stop system. stocking concerns for wholesalers and in- lutionary product line to the wholesale cus- Costly damage from smoke, fire and stallation issues for contractors. the Hydro tomer. Educating sales channels to the water penetration has made stopping solu- flame stopping system is a truly integrated existence of this new product category tions an obvious necessity for the building fire-water-smoke stop system that is cur- plays to Hubbard Enter prises’ core rently available for distri- strengths. HoldritE Hydro flame will bution. the introduction of give rise to an entirely new class of whole- the entire HoldritE Hydro sale revenue streams based on the pioneer- flame product line repre- ing nature of the stopping systems — and sents a unique opportunity (Turn to Hydro Flame... page 63.) Gate Add Comps2-1:Layout 1 6/26/2009 8:50 AM Page 1 What can your supplier do... to maintain your service levels... lower your inventory... increase your turns... ...generate more profits? Gate Add Comps2-1:Layout 1 6/26/2009 8:50 AM Page 2 Free up cash. Maximize your ROI. Gain a competitive edge. It's all about performanceTM 4 • INDUSTRY NEWS •THE WHOLESALER® — OCTOBER 2009 plumbing products as well as heating Coburn Supply celebrates 75th anniversary and air conditioning equipment, refrig- eration, electrical, pipe, builder prod- BEaUmONT, TExas — Coburn supply years; Jack Reidy with 52 years; and valued vendors, and the support and ucts and waterworks supplies. Coburn Company spent a weekend recently Clodile Romero, general manager loyalty of our customers,” they said. supply is headquartered in Beaumont, “Cooking Up some Fun” and cele- and vice president of Coburn’s Lake On sunday morning, a country Texas, and has branch offices, ware- brating its 75th anniversary at the breakfast was served by the Coburn’s houses and showrooms in 40 cities in marriott New Orleans august 28-30. management team to all guests prior Texas, Louisiana, mississippi and Ten- Every employee of Coburn’s 49 loca- to their departure. nessee. Central distribution Centers in tions in four states was invited. more The weekend event not only Texas, Louisiana and mississippi en- than 1,700 employees, vendors, ven- marked the company’s 75 years of op- able the company to make daily deliv- dor representatives and special guests eration but also celebrated the hard eries to their branch locations to attended the event. work and goals met during a nine- provide fast and efficient service. To kick off the celebration, month promotion that was supported Coburn’s customers include pro- Coburn’s hosted a welcome reception by many of Coburn supply Com- fessionals in the fields of plumbing, on Friday at the hotel with refresh- Albert J. Coburn established Coburn pany’s vendors. diamond sponsors heating and air conditioning, me- ments and New Orleans Lucky dogs. Supply Company in 1934; this truck included ads, american standard, chanical, waterworks and general musical entertainment was provided touted its ‘quality plumbing’ and ‘gas Jado, porcher, Nordyne, Hancor, contractors as well as home builders, by Ruffin Rodrigue, a Coburn’s em- and electric appliances.’ Ruud Heating & Cooling, and state city and state offices, and institutions. ployee, and Ruff n’ Ready. Water Heaters. The platinum sponsor Coburn’s showroom locations fea- On saturday morning, an awards Charles region, celebrating 55 years of the event was Elkay. ture displays of a variety of quality ceremony was held. Over 200 awards with the company. as a surprise anniversary gift, plumbing products and accessories for were given in various categories of The New Orleans preservation state Water Heater Company pre- the kitchen and bath. The key to achievement. The top award winners Band led guests to the banquet on sented Coburn’s a fully restored 1934 Coburn’s 75 years of success is based for 15% growth in all business cate- saturday evening. after dinner, Ford V-8 stake Bed Truck similar to on a line of quality products and the gories went to five stores: Bossier music and dancing were provided by the company’s first delivery vehicle. ability to meet the customers’ needs in City, La.; Beaumont, Texas; New Orleans’ own deacon John and Established in 1934 by the late al- a friendly and timely manner. Friendswood, Texas; Galveston, the ivories. bert J. Coburn, Coburn supply Com- For more information, visit Texas; and Galveston, Texas-aC. Coburn’s president don maloney pany is a major wholesale supplier of www.coburns.com. also on saturday, members of and executive vice president a.J. Coburn’s silver Club — employees maloney spoke at the dinner, pointing and retirees with 25 years or more of with pride to accomplishments dur- service to the company — were hon- ing the company’s many decades in Chicago Tube & Iron opens Metals ored at a luncheon. special notice business. “Coburn supply Company went to George soileau, vice presi- inc. is able to celebrate 75 years be- Distribution & Fabrication Center dent and general manager of cause of our dedicated and commit- Coburn’s Lafayette region with 45 ted employees, the assistance of our DDI System’s inform software can uncover profit opportunities saNdy HOOk, CONN. — Every busi- low-up task. With inform’s superior ness has overlooked opportunity for credit hold management system, the FONd dU LaC, Wis. — Chicago ing the new construction in Fond profits. ddi system’s inform software right people are immediately alerted Tube & iron Company officially re- du Lac together with equipment, uncovers these opportunities in work- of issues. located its Wisconsin division from inventories and other balance flow efficiencies, customer pricing • dead stock and slow-moving in- milwaukee to a newly constructed sheet commitments. improvements, elimination of clerical ventory — inform’s dynamic report- 117,000-square-foot metals distri- The new facility was designed and tasks and more. ing capabilities allow a business to bution service center in Fond du constructed by msi General Corpor - inform’s remarkably integrated soft- identify and take action on sluggish Lac, Wis. The new facility employs ation of Oconomowoc, Wis., with ware is designed to improve nearly inventory based on highly defined approximately 30 warehouse and project management provided by ipm every aspect of a distribution business. sales history analysis. office workers who support the Company inc. of Burr Ridge, ill. Hundreds of pHCp, HVaC, electrical and • streamline workflow and reduce company’s customers throughout The service center is located on industrial distributors are benefitting cler ical tasks — Eliminate pre- the state of Wisconsin. 13 acres in the new Fox Ridge in- from inform’s industry-specific fea- printed and multi-part forms with “Especially during these difficult dustrial park adjacent to Highway tures and realizing a stronger bottom ddi’s paperless workflow. Electronic times for the metals industry and the U.s. 41, at the south end of Fond du line within the first year. signature capture eliminates proof of manufacturing sector, this new in- Lac. Chicago Tube & iron Com- among the ways that distributors delivery hassles and filing, saving vestment underscores our long-term pany is the first business to con- can uncover lost profits include: thousands of dollars annually. and growing commitment to the struct and commence business • Free up cash with more accurate The system delivers a highly tuned Wisconsin industrial market,” said operations at Fox Ridge. purchasing — automated calculations market-specific solution that distrib- donald R. mcNeeley, president and Founded in 1914, Chicago Tube & based on current demand provide bet- utors can deploy successfully within chief operating officer. “Our new iron Company is headquartered in ter techniques for inventory forecast- weeks.