General News

For First Time in US, Company’s Products Available from Coast-to-Coast Distributor (Morrow, GA) April 1, 2014 — TOTO, the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with $5.1 billion dollars in annual sales, announced today that it has entered into a strategic alliance with WinWholesale, Inc., to distribute the company’s high-performance, planet-friendly products across 37 states Read more

For First Time in US, Company’s Products Available from Coast-to-Coast Distributor

(Morrow, GA) April 1, 2014 — TOTO, the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with $5.1 billion dollars in annual sales, announced today that it has entered into a strategic alliance with WinWholesale, Inc., to distribute the company’s high-performance, planet-friendly products across 37 states in the U.S. WinWholesale is one of America’s largest distributors of construction and industrial materials. Starting today, select Win branded and Noland Company locations will have available TOTO’s full line of residential and commercial fixtures and fittings in more than 285 local supply houses and 131 kitchen and bath showrooms.

The new agreement between TOTO and WinWholesale builds on their successful relationship of more than 10 years. This strategic partnership offers TOTO broad distribution channels to provide customers with its full line of residential and commercial products for the whole bathroom, which have set the standard for world- class performance and innovation as they help improve people’s quality of life. Universally recognized for their enduring quality, reliability and timeless elegance, TOTO products’ added scope of availability through select Win branded and Noland Company locations will be an important addition to its national offering.

“As we continue to aggressively grow our business,” said Jason Fitzsimmons, Vice President, United States Sales Division, “we’ve been looking for ways to expand and streamline TOTO’s

TOTO partners with WinWholesale to distribute the company’s high-performance, planet-friendly products across 37 states in the U.S. WinWholesale’s management team (from left): Monte Salsman, Chief Operating Officer; Eddie Gibbs, Vice President, Vendor Relations; Jack Johnston, President; and Richard Schwartz, CEO & Chairman of the Board. TOTO USA’s sales management team (from center right): Jason Fitzsimmons, Vice President, United States Sales Division; Dan Tungett, Senior Regional Director, Central Region; Paul Wellman, Senior Regional Director, Western Region; and Tom James, Senior Regional Director, Southeast Region.

distribution process. We are pleased to enter into this new agreement with WinWholesale for nationwide distribution as it offers us more opportunities to efficiently deliver products where and when our customers need them.”

“We are excited to enter into this national agreement with TOTO,” said Eddie Gibbs, WinWholesale Vice President, Vendor Relations. “With the economy recovering and WinWholesale’s continued market share growth, adding TOTO to our product offerings will enable us to expand our ability to provide customers with products when and where they need them, dependable expertise and the comfort of dealing with a decision maker.”

About TOTO:

TOTO USA is headquarters for the Americas Division of the TOTO Global Group, which was established in 1917 with the founding of TOTO, Ltd., in Kitakyushu, Japan. TOTO is the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with $5.1 billion dollars in annual sales. To date, TOTO has produced more than 60 million plumbing fixtures. Today, this international company maintains 23,500 employees in 69 offices around the world and owns manufacturing facilities in Japan, Mexico, the USA, China and Europe with an affiliated network of more than 80 production facilities worldwide. With over 1,500 engineers on staff and three centers devoted solely to research and development, TOTO is the undisputed global leader in product innovation, precision engineering, high design, and sustainability in products that are designed to meet people’s real world needs. Exemplified in the company’s philosophy – People-First Innovation — TOTO offers consumers elegant luxury products that save money and water without sacrificing an ounce of performance and the peace of mind that comes from knowing they purchased a brand that sets the standard for world-class performance, enduring quality, and reliability. Winner of numerous domestic and international awards and recognitions, TOTO is the only plumbing manufacturer honored as Water Efficiency Leader by the Environmental Protection Agency. TOTO continues to raise industry standards and consumer expectations as to what is possible in the bath space, as it connects people with water in ways that enrich the flow of their daily lives.

For more information, consumers may visit www.totousa.com or call 1.888.295.8134, Option 5. Follow TOTO on Twitter (@TOTOUSA) and become a TOTO fan on Facebook

About WinWholesale, Inc.

WinWholesale Inc. (www.winwholesale.com) is a leading supplier of residential and commercial construction and industrial supplies and materials headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. The privately held company has more than 550 wholesaling locations in 45 states and offers entrepreneurs the unique opportunity to own part of the local business. Collectively, WinWholesale is known as “The Win Group of Companies.” In the group are companies conducting business to business wholesale distribution of plumbing and heating supplies; hydronics; industrial pipe, valves and fittings; heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment; electrical equipment; industrial and commercial fastening hardware; waterworks and utility supplies; domestic, commercial and industrial pumps, and turf irrigation and landscape supplies. Follow WinWholesale on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Josam Company has introduced its new website and mobile app. In addition to a completely new and refreshed look, the new website is now mobile friendly and offers many improved features and benefits. Easier navigation around the site will bring up crisp new product photos with many added photos of drains with commonly used optional Read more

Josam Company has introduced its new website and mobile app. In addition to a completely new and refreshed look, the new website is now mobile friendly and offers many improved features and benefits.

Easier navigation around the site will bring up crisp new product photos with many added photos of drains with commonly used optional features. Search features, such as product application searches and cross reference and carrier fixture guides, have been updated and refined for effortless use. Quick links to pricing an item, sales representative locator, submittal drawings, literature, news and customer service all have been enhanced also!

Along with introduction of the new website, Josam Company also unveiled a new cutting-edge mobile app for IOS and Android users. This free app provides easy access to Josam product details and customer support from your mobile device. Registered users of this app will have the ability to communicate with Josam customer service and engineering team via real time communication. The mobile app allows users to mark-up photos or videos taken in the field to possibly rectify an installation or product issue or address a remedy for a specific application.

Josam’s new website and mobile app were designed with providing comprehensive and detailed information to the user without sacrificing simplicity of use.

Visit www.JOSAM.com

Walk-In Tub Line Acknowledged as A Product Proven To Make Life Easier for People with Arthritis And Limited Mobility PISCATAWAY, N.J. (March 26, 2014) ― American Standard’s line of Walk-In Baths ― designed for accessible and safe bathing for users with limited mobility ― has received the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease-of-Use Commendation. This award recognizes products Read more

Walk-In Tub Line Acknowledged as A Product Proven To Make Life Easier for People with Arthritis And Limited Mobility

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (March 26, 2014) ― American Standard’s line of Walk-In Baths ― designed for accessible and safe bathing for users with limited mobility ― has received the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease-of-Use Commendation. This award recognizes products that make life easier for people with arthritis and other physical limitations. Products undergo a multi-step testing process conducted by an independent lab of experts in the field of universal product design and evaluation.

“Products that receive the Ease-of-Use Commendation have been shown to make everyday tasks, like administering a medication or performing household tasks, easy and comfortable for people with arthritis,” said Nancy Beidler, managing director of cause development with the Arthritis Foundation.

The Arthritis Foundation created the Ease-of-Use Commendation Program to encourage manufacturers to design user-friendly products and packaging that could be recommended to the more than 52 million Americans who are affected by some form of arthritis.

American Standard’s line of walk-in baths, including the popular Liberation by American Standard collection, received the commendation based on its innovative design that allows users to bathe with comfort and safety. “Receiving this distinction from such a reputable, trusted source as the Arthritis Foundation reaffirms American Standard’s guiding mission of making lives easier, safer and more enjoyable,” said Rob Buete, vice president of accessible living products at American Standard Brands. “It is a testament to our commitment in continuing to design and make products that are impactful and at the forefront of technology.”

Accessibility and comfort are built into every American Standard and Liberation by American Standard Walk-In Bath. Features include a low threshold door, sturdy grab bar, ergonomic seat and textured floor that come standard with each model, aimed at reducing the risk of trips, slips and falls in the bathroom. Users can choose from soaking tubs to those equipped with hydro jets to maximize comfort and massaging power, soothing arthritis-related aches and pains, while also improving circulation.

American Standard walk-in baths offer the exclusive Quick Drain, which uses a powerful pump to drain the tub in approximately two minutes, greatly reducing the time the user must sit and wait before exiting. All models are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.

For more information about American Standard Walk-In Baths, visit www.americanstandard-us.com/safeandaccessible or call (855) 225-2183.

via American Standard Press: American Standard Walk-In Baths Earn The Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation.

Ferguson and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Educational Foundation are celebrating 10 years of educational programs made possible by Ferguson contributions. These generous gifts to the Foundation’s annual giving campaign have supported the Foundation’s mission of providing quality business management and technical educational programs to contractors and their employees. The campaign also funds scholarships through the Read more

Ferguson and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Educational Foundation are celebrating 10 years of educational programs made possible by Ferguson contributions. These generous gifts to the Foundation’s annual giving campaign have supported the Foundation’s mission of providing quality business management and technical educational programs to contractors and their employees. The campaign also funds scholarships through the PHCC National Auxiliary’s scholarship program.

In 2005, Ferguson made a major charitable gift to the Foundation’s Invest in Your Future Annual Giving Campaign in support of industry education, and has continued to give generously each year since.

“Ferguson’s track record of support illustrates that loyalty and a belief in the value of long-term relationships are integral parts of their corporate values,” said Roger Peugeot, chairperson of the Foundation. “They have our thanks – and that of the industry – for making a decade of great education possible.”

“Ferguson joined the Foundation’s Board of Governors back in 1990,” said Henry Wood, senior director of Residential Business Group & Corporate Counter Development at Ferguson. “It has been a pleasure to expand this relationship through our backing of the Invest in Your Future Campaign over the past ten years. Enabling the Foundation’s efforts to provide training for thousands of people makes the scale of what we have accomplished together remarkable.”

The 2014 fundraising goal for the Foundation’s annual campaign is $150,000 to support the development and delivery of industry educational programs and scholarships. InSinkErator also provides matching contributions for the fundraiser.

By making a gift to the annual giving campaign, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers can show their support for the industry and be included on the Foundation’s published contributor thank you list. Gift forms and a list of industry donors are available on the Foundation website.

Lochinvar is pleased to announce the February winners in its VIP Contractor Program. Michael Scott of Skyline Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. in South Provo, UT, was named the latest winner of the VIP Installation Showcase, and Jason Olson of Alpine Plumbing in Brookfield, WI, was selected in the monthly drawing.  Both winning contractors will take Read more

Two plumbing contractors win the Lochinvar VIP program

Lochinvar is pleased to announce the February winners in its VIP Contractor Program. Michael Scott of Skyline Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. in South Provo, UT, was named the latest winner of the VIP Installation Showcase, and Jason Olson of Alpine Plumbing in Brookfield, WI, was selected in the monthly drawing.  Both winning contractors will take part in Lochinvar’s Nashville Experience trip this June, which includes an all-expenses-paid trip for two and tickets to the world’s largest country music festival.

An Impressive Installation

Scott’s entry in the VIP Installation Showcase, which is housed on Lochinvar’s Facebook page as well as on www.knightheatingboiler.com, highlighted Skyline Plumbing & Mechanical’s recent update to a heating system at a Utah residence.  According to Scott, “The existing system employed a cast iron boiler, b-vent flue, inadequate combustion air, under-pumped 1,000 foot rolls of B-PEX for each loop, and a ‘rat’s nest’ of control wiring.”

Skyline Plumbing & Mechanical replaced the boiler with a 110,000 Btu/hr KNIGHT® Wall Mount Heating Boiler (WHN110). Concurrent upgrades included Lochinvar-approved flue with alternate vertical concentric venting, which uses the existing b-vent to route the new vent pipe through and also bring fresh combustion air to the boiler. To overcome the excessive head pressure, double pumps were installed to counterbalance the existing 1,000 foot loops of half-inch PEX. The installation was completed with the connection of new controls.

“Since the upgrade, the homeowners have enjoyed consistent comfort and are very pleased with their new Lochinvar boiler system,” said Scott.

Through April, VIPs can upload a photo and brief description of any qualified boiler or boiler/Squire combination installation for a chance to be named the monthly winner of the VIP Installation Showcase. Once an entry has been submitted, it is featured in a gallery where Facebook users can vote for their favorite installation.  Those not engaged with social media can enter and vote on www.knightheatingboiler.com. The top three entries with the most votes each

month are selected as finalists, and a panel of Lochinvar judges chooses the monthly winner.  New and repeat entries can be submitted each month for additional chances to win.

Rewards for Registrations

In addition to Scott’s February win, Olson was named the winner in the monthly VIP Contractor Program drawing. His product registration card was randomly selected, earning Olson a spot on the Nashville Experience for himself and a guest.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to take part in this year’s Nashville Experience,” said Olson. “I’ve heard great things about the Lochinvar headquarters facility, and I’m looking forward to meeting the Lochinvar team and other VIP Contractors this summer.”

In addition to each registration offering a chance to win the Nashville Experience, registrations of the high-efficiency KNIGHT® Boiler, Solution™ Boiler and Cadet™ Boiler also earn a $25 Visa® Reward Card[1], while every registered Squire® Indirect Water Heater earns a $10 reward card.