Plumbing and Heating Wholesale acquires Iowa distributor

Mike Plasier, president and CEO of PHW stated: “We are excited to have the Wigman company join our team. We have long wanted to better serve the industrial market in our footprint. The addition of Dan Hartnett and his team will allow us to better serve those customers throughout our territory. We will continue to provide the high levels of service that Wigman customers have come to appreciate, and we plan to add services that will ultimately better serve the industrial community throughout the territory we serve”.

Wigman will initially continue to operate in its current location under the same name. Plans will be made in the future to identify a new home for Wigman Co. and the industrial team. The combined companies will offer a variety of product unmatched in the markets PHW serves. The acquisition closed on November 22.

The Granite Group announces two executive promotions

The Granite Group has promoted Chris Ploss from chief operating officer to president and Amir Rosenthal from chief financial officer to COO. The promotions come as the company lays the foundation for its strategic growth plan.

“The ongoing success of The Granite Group is built upon the talent and commitment of our team,” said Bill Condron, CEO of The Granite Group and incoming American Supply Association president. “Chris’s tireless work ethic, creativity and drive over three decades have made him a highly respected leader of our team. Amir, over the past several years with the company, has proven that his talent and contributions reach far beyond finance. They are tremendously valuable partners to me as we steer our business forward.”

Ploss began his career in distribution 33 years ago at Goulet Supply as a sales management trainee. Through a series of acquisitions, Ploss became part of the company known today as The Granite Group. Over the course of his industry career, Ploss has held a number of positions that collectively prepared him for the role he steps into now, including outside sales representative, branch manager, regional director, director of sales, VP of branch sales and operations and, most recently, COO. As Ploss assumes the role of company president, he is looking forward to the growth opportunities he can provide to people across The Granite Group. “At this stage of my career, helping our people take the next steps in their careers is both personally rewarding and a huge benefit to the company,” Ploss said.

Rosenthal, who joined The Granite Group in 2018 as CFO, began his career as an attorney before moving into finance. Despite holding the title of CFO for most of the last 20 years, Rosenthal’s experience is diverse in terms of the types of companies he has been involved with and the issues they faced.

“I did not come up through the traditional finance path. I believe strongly that my experiences have put me in the unique position of being able to see business challenges and solutions comprehensively and from different perspectives,” Rosenthal said. “In my new role as COO, I look forward to driving a variety of important initiatives which cut across the entire organization and are key to supporting our growth.”

The Granite Group has expanded its footprint and the scope of its business in recent years, adding numerous branches, investing heavily in its technology stack and e-commerce capabilities, and adding market disciplines such as propane equipment and supplies; well and water systems; and government and institutional sales.

The search for a CFO is underway.

Liberty Pumps hosts groundbreaking celebration for new Materials Center

Liberty Pumps hosted a groundbreaking celebration at the site of its upcoming Materials Center. State and local partners as well as Liberty employees attended the event. The 107,000-square-foot expansion will provide additional warehousing and added manufacturing space, the company noted. It is anticipated to support 30 additional jobs at the family- and employee-owned manufacturer.

“Our growth continues to be very strong and we are simply running out of space once again,” said Randall Waldron, Liberty Pumps’ vice president of sales and marketing. “This expansion will provide more efficient material storage, as well as provide additional manufacturing space to accommodate our continued strong growth. The added capacity to our facilities will put us in a position to better support our customers.”

Since opening in 1965, Liberty Pumps has become a manufacturer of sump, effluent and sewage pumps and systems for residential, commercial, municipal and industrial applications.

The project breaking ground will be the third expansion by Liberty Pumps since 2000. Upon completion, Liberty Pumps will have about 350,000 square feet of facilities at its corporate campus in Bergen, New York.

Bradford White announces expansion of For the Pro platform

Bradford White Water Heaters announced the expansion of the For the Pro platform to include a newly branded training option, For the Pro Training Academy.

The For the Pro Training Academy combines the company’s existing in-person training programs with a new, self-paced e-learning option for Bradford White’s valued contractor customers, the manufacturer explained.

“We have always been known for our commitment to hands-on training,” said Dustin Bowerman, senior director – field services for Bradford White Water Heaters. “Now, we’ve extended our training to accommodate the varied and evolving needs of our professional customers.”

Since 2012, Bradford White has trained tens of thousands of plumbing and heating technicians through live, hands-on training in the field or at the International Technical Excellence Center (iTEC) in Middleville, Michigan.  

According to Bowerman, the For the Pro Training Academy e-learning also broadens the 24-7 access that pros have to Bradford White.

“We have been providing live, 24-7 technical support through iTEC for more than a decade,” Bowerman said. “Now, our customers can also avail themselves of our training 24-7.”

The first learning path, entitled “Bradford White’s Knowledge Series,” will include topics such as venting, heat transfer principles, water heater essentials and product introductions.

“Providing world-class training is a critical part of our commitment to the professional contractor,” Bowerman said.  “It was important for us to evolve and update that commitment in terms of how we deliver our training to the current and next generation of pros.”

For more information regarding all of Bradford White Water Heaters training, please visit www.bradfordwhite.com/training.

Oatey Co. hosts career education workshop

Oatey Co., a manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, hosted a career education workshop for Northeast Ohio Girl Scouts at its Oatey University training facility in Cleveland, welcoming nearly 30 Girl Scouts to learn about careers in manufacturing and STEM.

The program was organized by Oatey’s Women’s Resource Network, an associate resource group dedicated to the professional, personal and leadership development of women. Oatey developed the event as part of the Girl Scouts’ BADGE BOSS program, which connects local professionals with Girl Scouts to share their expertise, advice and passion, while enabling the Scouts to earn a relevant Girl Scout badge.

Attendees at Oatey’s workshop, which took place in late October, gained hands-on exposure to careers across manufacturing, while also exploring their own interests and passions, Oatey explained. Key components of the two-hour workshop included:

• A personal-reflection exercise to help Scouts identify how their interests connect to real-world careers;
• A panel discussion in which Oatey associates explained their role in the development and delivery of Oatey products;
• A tour of the Oatey University training facility with hands-on demonstrations of Oatey products; and
• An interactive tower-building team competition, using Oatey Plumber’s Putty and spaghetti.

All Girl Scouts who completed the workshop qualified for their STEM Career Exploration Girl Scout badge.

“It was a privilege for Oatey to host this group of energetic Girl Scouts and share more with them about the many career paths available in STEM and manufacturing,” said Amber Deighton, co-chair of Oatey’s Women’s Resource Network and manager of Oatey University. “Our Women’s Resource Network is passionate about supporting girls and women in our communities, and we are thrilled to establish this partnership with the Girl Scouts.”

Oatey plans to host another BADGE BOSS workshop in 2022 and expand the program to other cities in which it operates, it said. For more information about Oatey University or opportunities to partner with Oatey, visit www.oatey.com or email hello@oatey.com.

Obituary: Matco-Norca cofounder Dov Matz

Matco-Norca announced the death of its cofounder Dov Matz, who passed away on Nov. 8, after a two-year battle with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Matz was 76 years old and is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and daughters, Nora, and Melissa. He is proceeded in death by his son, Michael, who worked alongside him for 20 years at Matco-Norca.

Matz cofounded Matco-Norca in 1952 and spent most of his career leading the company as it grew to the trusted and respected brand it is today. He was treasured by his employees, customers, sales reps and suppliers throughout the industry. He retired from Matco-Norca in 2018, but would often stop by to catch up and see how the business was doing.  
“The toughest thing to do with Dov was to attend an industry function,” remembered Jack McDonald, president and CEO of Matco-Norca. “Dov was so well known and respected that attending a trade show was like walking the floor with a celebrity — everyone knew him.”

Matz was an active member of the Mount Kisco Hebrew Congregation and served as president for many years.

"He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him," the company said.

RWC acquires EZ-FLO

Reliance Worldwide Corp. entered into an unconditional agreement to acquire all the issued shares of EZ-FLO International for $325 million. The business is being acquired from interests associated with EZ-FLO’s founder Saleem Lahlouh.

EZ-FLO is a manufacturer and distributor of plumbing supplies, including plumbing specialty products, appliance supply lines, flexible water connectors, gas connectors and other accessories. Established in 1980, EZ-FLO has grown rapidly by continuously expanding its product range, RWC noted. In 2000, EZ-FLO acquired the EASTMAN brand, a leading brand in large appliance connectors in the U.S. The EASTMAN brand will immediately position RWC as a leader in supporting all those who service major appliance installations, including plumbed appliances, gas, hot water and dryer venting, RWC added.

RWC explained that about half of EZ-FLO’s revenues are generated from products manufactured at its plant located within the Ningbo Free Trade Zone in China, with a further 20% sourced from exclusive third-party manufacturers in China. In the U.S., EZ-FLO has a network of seven distribution centers from which its extensive product range is distributed through 5,000 channel partner outlets.

EZ-FLO’s executive management team will remain with the business following completion.

RWC Group CEO Heath Sharp said the acquisition of EZ-FLO aligns with RWC’s growth strategy, and will enhance the company’s market position.

“The acquisition of EZ-FLO is strongly aligned with RWC’s strategy of adding complementary products that broaden the depth of solutions offered to end users and expand our market presence in aligned sectors," he said. "Together, we manufacture some of the most trusted brands in the industry, including SharkBite, HoldRite, John Guest, Speedfit, and Cash Acme. With EZ-FLO and EASTMAN, the No. 1 brand in the U.S. appliance connector market, we will be positioned as a leader in supporting all those who service major appliance installations.

“The combination of EZ-FLO’s product portfolio, manufacturing and sourcing capabilities, distribution footprint, customer service, performance track record and future growth prospects makes it an important and attractive addition to RWC," Sharp continued. "We will be seeking to leverage our extensive channel partner network in North America to expand the distribution footprint for EZ-FLO, while at the same time benefiting from EZ-FLO’s strong relationships with retail merchants and OEM customers.

“Customers will benefit from more top-quality products and trusted brands, enhanced fulfillment capabilities and improved service, thanks to a more extensive national warehouse footprint," Sharp added. "Our combined supply chain capabilities will help ensure products are available where and when our customers need them, strengthening customer service across every channel. Our ‘first-time-right’ performance commitment provides end users with products they can count on, protecting customers’ hard-won reputations.”

Completion, subject to customary conditions, is expected to occur this month.

PRIER Products earns sustainability award

PRIER Products was honored with a sustainability award for its efforts to reduce unnecessary waste and implement ways to protect the planet via this yearly Kansas City Industrial Council program that recognizes local businesses.

PRIER was among seven organizations receiving an award, including Bayer CropScience, Kansas City Testing & Engineering, Metropolitan Community College, The RMR Group, J. Reiger & Co., and Kansas City Water.

“We work hard to reduce waste and take necessary steps to create a cleaner and more sustainable company,” PRIER Vice President of Manufacturing Brady Poskin said. “Our team and partners identified ways we could make a significant impact. We began implementing changes and quickly realized the results from our efforts.”

Efforts that led to the award include:

• PRIER installed solar panels on each of its buildings, allowing the company to significantly cut its carbon footprint. Motion-detected LED lighting is used throughout the warehouse and offices to further reduce energy costs. PRIER saves more than 330,000 kilowatt-hours per year; enough to power 30 houses for more than a year;
• In the past year, PRIER recycled more than 150 tons of brass, 6 tons of copper and other metals, and 25,000 cubic feet of cardboard. PRIER’s products are manufactured in the heartland of the United States, reducing the transportation costs and minimizing environmental factors associated with shipping, especially from manufactures based outside the U.S.; and
• All of PRIER's products are designed to the highest standards developed by the American Society for Sanitary Engineers (ASSE). Through engineering and design modifications, PRIER reduced the number of SKUs stocked by customers by more than 50%.

“We’re on a mission to help people, protect the planet and make a profit,” CEO Joe Poskin said. “We’ve dedicated resources to ensure we hit our goals each year, which include utilizing renewable energy, recycling and sustainable design and manufacturing techniques. It’s wonderful to be recognized for the difference we’re making, not only in the Kansas City area but across all of North America for our various customers and distribution channels.”