Zurn Water Solutions and Elkay Mfg. to combine

Zurn Water Solutions Corp. and Elkay Mfg. Co. announced they have reached a definitive agreement to combine the businesses in an all-stock transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, Zurn Water Solutions shareholders will own about 71% and Elkay shareholders will own about 29% of the combined and newly named company — Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corp.

“This transaction is a true game-changer as we create an even stronger pure-play water company by combining with the iconic brand, Elkay,” said Todd A. Adams, chairman and CEO of Zurn Water Solutions. “The combination puts us well on our way to doubling the size of the business over the next couple years while enhancing our competitive advantage within specified water solutions. We also add the high-growth, and increasingly essential, drinking water sector in our portfolio, and have a clear path to capitalize on the significant synergies the combination will generate.

“Elkay is viewed as the ‘gold standard’ in providing clean drinking water within institutional and commercial buildings. What makes the combination so compelling is the alignment of our shared values and cultures, commitment to serving our customers and what we can accomplish together by providing an even more comprehensive package of innovative, specified water solutions that provide water safety, water quality and water conservation to critical verticals like education and healthcare.”

Adams continued: “I want to thank Ron Katz, senior member of the founding family, and Tim Jahnke, chairman of Elkay, for believing in the power of the combination and the entire Elkay family for their confidence and commitment to work together to create something special. It’s our intent to preserve the strong culture and values at Elkay, and we are excited to build upon the incredible legacies of both businesses as we come together to create an even brighter future as Zurn Elkay Water Solutions.”

“We knew we could increase our long-term competitive position by combining with another complementary brand,” Katz stated. “We were pleased to find a well-respected partner in Zurn Water Solutions, with its strong, people-centric Midwestern values and deep commitment to quality, ethics and customer satisfaction that mirrors our own.”

“This combination clearly creates a unique and dynamic set of competitive advantages for our customers to capitalize on the unrivaled product solution breadth and depth we’ll bring to the marketplace,” Adams said. “Together, Zurn and Elkay will also provide our customers the capability to advance their ESG initiatives while reducing their overall initial and operating costs while providing a safe, clean environment for students, patients, patrons and people within the public and private spaces they operate. Finally, we believe this combination creates an attractive platform to provide superior shareholder value as the combination allows for increased growth, margin expansion, higher free cash flow and improved leverage, all while providing ample room for continued investments in growth.”

Upon closing, the combined company will continue to be led by the existing Zurn Water Solutions Board of Directors with the addition of two new directors who currently serve on the Elkay Board of Directors. Adams will remain chairman and CEO, Craig Wehr will remain president of Zurn Water Solutions and Ted Hamilton will remain president of Elkay Plumbing.

Bradford White adds education courses

Bradford White announced the addition of six new eLearning course options to its For the Pro Training Academy platform.

Launched in November, Bradford White’s For the Pro Training Academy enhances the company’s exclusive For the Pro suite of online resources with premium self-paced eLearning options.

“For 30 years, Bradford White has provided critical hands-on training to contractors so they’re equipped to deliver the highest level of service and can ensure their customers get the exceptional performance and value they expect from our products,” said Dustin Bowerman, senior director, field services for Bradford White Water Heaters. “With our For the Pro Training Academy eLearning, we’re enhancing our trusted training options with the convenience and access contractors and their teams need in today’s fast-moving world.”

The latest additions to the For the Pro Training Academy provide overviews and installation, maintenance and troubleshooting information on the Bradford White AeroTherm heat pump water heater and Infiniti K and L tankless water heaters. The recently added training modules include:

• Bradford White AeroTherm Introduction: This course introduces users to the Bradford White AeroTherm heat pump water heater;
• Bradford White AeroTherm Installation: This course walks users through the installation processes and considerations for the Bradford White AeroTherm heat pump water heater;
• Bradford White AeroTherm Maintenance and Troubleshooting: This course walks users through the preventive maintenance procedures and provides them with information on the most common troubleshooting points for the AeroTherm water heater;
• Bradford White Infiniti K and L Introduction: This course introduces users to Bradford White Infiniti K and L tankless water heaters;
• Bradford White Infiniti K and L Installation: This course walks users through the installation processes and considerations for the Bradford White Infiniti K and L tankless water heaters; and
• Bradford White Infiniti K and L Maintenance and Troubleshooting: This course walks users through the preventive maintenance procedures and provides them with information on the most common troubleshooting points for the Infiniti tankless water heater.

“The world-class training that Bradford White delivers is based on our dedication to championing professional contractors,” Bowerman said. “In today’s dynamic economic climate, with evolving customer expectations, For the Pro Training Academy provides the hard-working men and women who keep our industry running with powerful tools that enable their success.”

Reed Mfg. Co. celebrates 125 years

Reed Mfg. in Erie, Pennsylvania is celebrating 125 years of supplying the industry with pipe tools and vises for the professional trades. Carl Reed, scion of one of Erie’s pioneer families, along with three partners, started the business in 1896. REED started by manufacturing pipe wrenches and plumbing supplies, as is still the case, but also scales, bicycles and laundry machinery.

In 1902, Reuben Wright of Westfield, New York, who had created his fortune by selling supplies to forty-niners during the Gold Rush and added to it with lumber interests, bought Reed Mfg. and installed his sons to run the business. His great-great grandsons Scott (company president and chairman of the board) and Mark (retired and a board member) are actively involved with REED to this day.   

REED tools were used in the construction of the Panama Canal. Subsequently, in 1915, REED bench vises were awarded a gold medal and REED pipe dies received a bronze medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. A distantly related pair of Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, used a REED vise in their Dayton bicycle/aviation shop. REED was a defense contractor during both world wars, turning out stocks, dies, and pipe cutters in the Great War, and wrenches, turbine buckets and airplane engine mounts for World War II. Additionally, the REED Shaw Machine for pressing collars was installed in all Navy ships and could be found in most commercial laundries across the United States. REED was exporting from early in its existence with relationships in Europe and beyond.

Today, REED sells into more than 100 countries. Still housed in the historic building at 1425 West 8th Street, REED remains an Erie landmark.  

From the company’s beginning, REED associates have invented tools that continually become industry standards, including the Quick Release tubing cutter, various tools for plastic pipe, vises, plus hinged pipe cutters and rotary pipe cutters. Each year REED makes end-user-driven improvements and refinements to existing tools, it noted.

Recent tool additions include Pump Stick water transfer pump, Clean Ream Extreme fitting reamers, Bevel Boss pipe beveler, Bear Hug squeeze tools, along with continuous improvements to long-standing tools. REED takes pride in manufacturing high-quality tools that provide tool solutions.

Walter Morris celebrates 100 years

Walter Morris Co., a manufacturers representative firm serving plumbing, heating, refrigeration, water filtration, kitchen/bath and decor trades throughout eastern New England, commemorates its centennial year in 2022. Morris kicked off its centennial at the Massachusetts PHCC event in Marlborough Massachusetts in early March.

In 1922, Walter Morris opened his water heater distribution company on Broad Street near the Boston waterfront where he thrived until the start of WWII. Despite wartime material shortages, fierce competition from numerous manufacturers in the post-war building industry and ownership changes in the early 2000s, Walter Morris Co. maintained its commitment to support the plumbing, heating, refrigeration and water filtration trades, thus growing into one of the most respected manufacturing representatives in New England, it added.

According to Walter Morris Vice President Patrick McCarthy, “Even with the adversities of the Great Depression, World War and numerous business setbacks, the family management of Walter Morris Co. pulled together to help build a successful business supporting the residential and commercial building trades for 100 years. Together with our valued employees and the McCarthy family’s vision, we continue striving to support the businesses of our customers and partners in the heating, cooling, plumbing, water filtration, kitchen and bath decor trades.”

Walter Morris stocks more than 30 product lines for heating, hydronics, cooling/refrigeration, industrial supplies, pipe, valves, fittings, plumbing, solar heating, cabinets and decor products.

LPG announces nearly 40% growth for 2021

LPG announced growth of more than 38% for 2021, establishing a record during one of the most challenging years in the industry. To complement this promising growth, the organization has added new executive team members and is slated to add new vendor partners in early 2022.  

“This year was particularly challenging, and our partners, while growing at an impressive pace, had to endure some of the most difficult obstacles in supply chain and talent management. Despite the difficult circumstances, we pulled together and supported each other as best possible.  I am confident our people will enter 2022 more prepared and able to handle the challenges we will face,” said Jeff MacDowell, LPG executive director.

Kaitlyn Isola, director of marketing for IMARK Plumbing, added, “As we learn from the obstacles presented to us in recent years, my goal is to provide our members with the training and marketing materials needed to foster additional growth and continued success. Our members are strong, adaptable and resilient, and I look forward to taking what was learned in 2021 and building a strong strategy from it.”

T&S Brass completes first expansion phase

T&S Brass and Bronze Works completed phase one of the two-part expansion and renovation of its headquarters and plant in Travelers Rest, South Carolina.

The project’s initial phase, which kicked off in late 2020, added 53,000 square feet of space to the facility, creating new distribution space, as well as a training room, additional offices and other facility enhancements.

Phase two of the project, which is currently ongoing, will convert the former shipping and receiving dock area into additional manufacturing space to increase capacity, as well as adding new signage, fencing and campus wayfinding markers.

“These projects enable T&S Brass to meet the growing needs of our customers in the U.S. and around the world,” said Michael Williams, operations manager for T&S. “We’re very excited about the changes and improvements that will enhance the work environment for our team while supporting the success of T&S.”

The projects are part of a $10.3 million improvement project, first announced in September 2019. The construction project’s start was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic but is expected to meet its original completion date of fall 2024, the company noted.

Williams Distributing holds grand opening

In mid-January, Williams Distributing hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce the grand opening of its new distribution center. Owners, members from the executive team, and the Mayor of Kentwood (Michigan) attended along with representatives of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Williams, owner and chairman of the board, gave a brief overview of Williams Distributing and explained how its best-in-class material handling system optimizes the warehouse processes from receiving to shipping. Mayor Stephen Kepley also spoke about the city of Kentwood and how excited he is to have a long-time, family-owned company invest in the area.

Mike Koster, Williams Distributing CEO, stated: “We are excited to open this new facility that allows us to upgrade our handling and storage of cabinets. Our investment in this space and the material handling equipment inside allows us to provide our customers with even better on-time, complete and damage-free deliveries. With the location being here in Kentwood, it also demonstrates our continued support of the West Michigan community as an employer by adding 20-plus new full-time jobs.”

In an effort to provide better service, the additional 90,000 square feet of space and 12 loading docks will be dedicated solely to kitchen and bath products, the company explained. This important investment, Williams said, will help all of its customers by increasing inventory levels for quick delivery and allowing safer transportation of products.