Winsupply to open new regional DC in Oklahoma

Dayton, Ohio-based Winsupply will open a new regional distribution center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2022. Winsupply will own the 318,000-square-foot center, which is under construction alongside Interstate 35. The DC is being constructed by Brinkmann Constructors, and sits on 40 acres at 9440 S. I-35 Service Road.

Winsupply Vice President of Supply Chain, Eric Roush, said the distribution center will become Winsupply’s sixth major regional distribution center, joining Winsupply RDCs in Dayton, Ohio, Denver, Middletown, Connecticut, Richmond, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida. Bobby Kellar, current operations manager of the Jacksonville DC, will become the general manager of the Oklahoma City DC.

“Our sixth DC will allow us to serve our local companies in the south-central part of the U.S. with one-day service,” Roush said. 

When completed the new DC will provide primary service to about 80 local companies in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

The company plans to begin operations from the Winsupply RDC in the first half of 2022.

In other Winsupply news, the national distributor’s Local Company Group announced the promotions of three of its local company presidents to the roles of area leaders. Area leaders are responsible for mentoring and providing consulting expertise to 620 local companies that make up the Winsupply Family of Companies.

The promotions of the three individuals comes with the upcoming retirement of long-time Winsupply Area Leader Mike Larkin. Larkin will retire at the end of June after 44 years at Winsupply.

Eric Leatherman, previously president of Lincoln Winwater (Nebraska), has been named one of the new area leaders, effective immediately, and will be responsible for local companies in states in the northern plains and Upper Midwest.

David Benton, president of Macon Noland (Georgia), became area leader effective May 1, helping oversee local companies in the Southeast.

Steve Lyon, president of Winsupply of Orlando (Florida), has been named area leader, also serving local companies in the Southeast. Lyon’s appointment also was effective May 1.

“All three of these gentlemen share a key set of qualities,” Winsupply Local Company Group President Rob Ferguson said. “They care about helping people reach their goals. They’re passionate about sales and growing their businesses profitably. They all have great relationships with other local company presidents, their vendors and customers in their markets. They want to give back and share the Winsupply ‘Spirit of Opportunity’ with others.”

Aaron and Co. names Paul Martino president

Aaron and Co. announced the addition of Paul Martino as president, effective March 1. Martino will succeed Barry Portnoy as president. Portnoy remains as the company’s CEO. 

Martino will be joining the executive team comprised of CFO/COO Anthony Conte and vice presidents Lindsey Portnoy Rodner, Michael Laudino, John Provenzano and Kevin Manning.

Before joining Aaron and Co., Martino was director of vendor relations at Hajoca Corp. Prior to that, he served in management roles at New England-based wholesaler The Granite Group, as well as New Jersey-based plumbing and PVF wholesaler Grant Supply.

Paul Martino 

“I’m excited. I really enjoy working with a team, and the team at Aaron & Co. has a great reputation,” Martino said. “As I am getting to know everyone and touring the branches, I already feel like I am part of something special.”

Portnoy added: “Paul knows our industry, knows distribution, knows how to treat people right. We are fortunate to have a person of Paul’s quality and capacity to join our team. Paul is fortunate to be able to work with one of the best teams in the business, with some of the finest people. It’s a win-win.”

With the addition of Martino to the executive team, the third generation of the Portnoy and Laudino families is excited to grow and plan its 90th anniversary celebration in 2022, the New Jersey-based distributor noted.

APR Supply acquires four branch locations

APR Supply Co. announced the acquisition of four new branch locations in western Pennsylvania. The locations, formerly Plumbers Equipment Co. — a division of the Chicago-based Crawford Supply, feature large sales areas to serve local HVAC, plumbing and hydronics contractors, as well as kitchen and bath showrooms.

The new branches, located in Greensburg, North Hills, Plum Borough and South Hills will expand APR’s service area in the western region.

“We are excited to expand our service area in the Pittsburgh region and offer the addition of HVAC equipment to that contractor community,” APR President and CEO Scott Weaver said. “We anticipate the Plum Borough location will serve as a regional distribution center and will help APR keep pace with the growth of our western region.” 

“We are glad to have found a great acquirer in APR Supply Co. The company has a similar tradition of servicing customers in the wholesale distribution market with quality products and services,” Crawford Supply CEO Steven Feiger said.

The news comes on the heels of APR’s announcement of a new distribution center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, earlier this year. The DC is set to open by July and be fully operational by fall of this year.

Munch’s Supply makes New England acquisition

Munch’s Supply recently acquired API of NH and Delta T, including its eight branches serving New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont. This expands the company’s geographic footprint to 42 locations serving 16 states.

“We are excited to expand our company’s presence in the Northeast,” Munch’s CEO Bob Munch said. “As I got to know Bob Engel and his brothers, it was amazing how many similarities the businesses share. The union of our great companies sets the stage for a bright and exciting future in HVAC distribution. We are pleased to welcome both the customers and employees of API of NH and Delta T into Munch’s family of brands.”

Engel Jr., president of API, added: “We are fortunate to have found a like-minded partner in Munch’s Supply. Our culture, values and philosophy of customer-centered service are closely aligned, and we are committed to accelerate our growth together. My brothers and I will continue to lead the business along with our talented management team. We look forward to working with Munch’s Supply to grow the business both organically and by potentially acquiring other regional distributors that fit with our culture of service.”

“For more than three decades, the Engel family has done a tremendous job building a solid and successful operation. They have a talented team in place, and we look forward to working with them to grow the business,” Munch said. “We will continue to build and invest in their strong vendor relationships.” 

Preferred Sales adds Cleveland-based rep agency

Preferred Sales, a past winner of the Supply House Times manufacturers representative of the year honor, has joined forces with Cleveland-based rep agency Story Equipment Sales.

“Contractors and wholesalers across northern Ohio see the Story Equipment team as the go-to resource for hydronic job consultations and troubleshooting,” Preferred Sales President Alan Guidish said. “We are thrilled to bring their team into Preferred Sales and continue enhancing our hydronic and HVAC services for the wholesale customer base and contractors across our footprint.” 

Effective May 1, the Story Equipment team became part of Preferred Sales’ Northern Ohio sales team and took on representation of Preferred Sales’ existing line card.

Also, effective May 1, Preferred Sales added representation for the following manufacturers: Armstrong Fluid Technology, Burnham Commercial Boilers, Creatherm, Holby Valve Co., New Yorker Boilers, Spirotherm, Sterling Inc., Super Radiator Coils, Thermo Products, and U.S. Boiler Co.

Preferred Sales will also retain the existing office space and warehousing operations held by Story Equipment in Oakwood Village, Ohio.

“I’ve developed a great relationship with Alan and Michelle (Lewnes-Dadas) over the years,” said Steve Armstrong, principal of Story Equipment Sales. “They’ve built a great culture at Preferred Sales and have invested in the infrastructure to evolve in our rapidly changing sales environment. We can’t wait to hit the road as part of their team.”

Sioux Chief announces acquisition

Sioux Chief announced it has acquired Sun Drainage and Sigma Corp Trench Drain, resulting in exclusive distribution of Hydrotec Technologies Trench Drains in North America.

Sun Drainage Products is a full line of commercial cast-iron drains, cleanouts and fixture carriers. Sigma Trench Drains is predominately made up of the Hydrotec brand of fiber-reinforced concrete commercial trench drains, as well as stainless steel and galvanized steel channels.

With this acquisition, the company plans to take the opportunity to create a more formal commercial products offering, folding in items such as HydraRester, MegaRester, PrimePerfect and FinishLine to name a few of the more popular Sioux Chief commercial items, the Missouri-based manufacturer stated. The addition of the Sun and Sigma items will help strengthen the overall commercial offering to be more competitive and allow the company to go after a wider range of commercial projects, Sioux Chief added.

All products will be sold and shipped through Sioux Chief’s Kansas City, Missouri facility. 

Aquatherm adds Southern Pipe & Supply as distributor 

Aquatherm announced it has added Southern Pipe and Supply as a distribution partner. “Southern Pipe has always aligned themselves with the brand leaders in the marketplace,” said William Jolly, director of purchasing at Southern Pipe and Supply. “We are honored to partner with Aquatherm, the leader in polypropylene piping systems.”

Founded in 1901, Southern Pipe and Supply has more than 100 locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee.

Glen Miller, vice president of sales at Aquatherm North America, said the company has been strategically adding distribution to support its contractor customers.

“Southern Pipe and Supply is a perfect fit with Aquatherm’s culture of excellence,” Miller said. “We are excited to have them as a distributor partner.”

Hilliard named Merit Brass president

Merit Brass Co. announced Darren Hilliard has been promoted to the role of president and CFO. Hilliard has been with Merit Brass for more than 3 years as CFO. He has more than 20 years of finance and leadership experience, concentrated in the plumbing industry. He also serves on the board of trustees for Youth Challenge, a not-for-profit organization based in Westlake, Ohio that brings together young people with physical disabilities and teen volunteers via adapted sports and recreational activities.  

Darren Hilliard 

“Since the day Darren arrived, he has been focused on using his vast skillset to partner with every member of our leadership team,” Merit Brass’ Alan Lipp said. “His wealth of knowledge coupled with his strong devotion to our company’s overall success makes his transition to president a great opportunity for Merit.”

Merit Brass’ Marc Schlessinger added: “This promotion is extremely well-deserved. Darren’s actions inspire all of us, and we are so fortunate to have him help lead Merit to a brighter future.”

Schlessinger will retain the title of CEO; Lipp will also assume the title of CEO.

Compiled by Mike Miazga miazgam@bnpmedia.com