supply chain

In today’s fast-paced world, leveraging the power of online resources is essential for the success of any plumbing contractor. Ferguson.com is that resource. As a busy service contractor, time is of the essence. When I plan out my busy week schedule, resource efficiencies are at a premium, and that includes stocking my truck adequately. Moreover Read more

In today’s fast-paced world, leveraging the power of online resources is essential for the success of any plumbing contractor. Ferguson.com is that resource.

As a busy service contractor, time is of the essence. When I plan out my busy week schedule, resource efficiencies are at a premium, and that includes stocking my truck adequately. Moreover, running a successful plumbing business requires access to quality products, reliable suppliers, and expert advice. In today’s digital age, having a robust online platform can significantly streamline your operations and contribute to your business’s growth.

In today’s post-COVID world, especially dealing with disruptive supply chain issues, it almost goes without saying; you can never have too much inventory on the truck or back at the shop. That’s why I rely on Ferguson.com, a comprehensive website that has plumbing contractor-specific resources available, all of which are literally just a click away. And that click provides real-time stock and pricing of more than 200,000 HVAC and plumbing products; I can see what’s in stock and my contract pricing.

Ferguson, wholesale, wholesaling, Internet, online ordering, supply house, plumbing, supply chain, HVAC, heating

My plumbing business relies on my wholesaler to carry a vast range of top-quality products from leading brands, and I trust Ferguson to provide those trusted, reliable, and durable solutions. Whether I’m looking for pipes, fittings, valves, fixtures, boiler parts or specialty items, I look to Ferguson.com.

Some really helpful features include “My Lists.” I am able to customize the order process with just a few clicks, instead of individually searching for the products I purchase regularly and organizing lists of the products I want. This ultimately has saved me time and has helped to streamline my ordering process. Ferguson.com even gives me the ability to share those lists I’ve created and keeps products I purchase under the “Bought Often” tab, which is automatically updated monthly.

Ferguson, wholesale, wholesaling, Internet, online ordering, supply house, plumbing, supply chain, HVAC, heating

The Quick Tools feature is a shortcut that makes it easy for trade professionals to quickly access other popular site features. It gives me the quick ability to order, reorder, find an order, or turn existing quotes into orders, all in one place. In some cases, I can even order online and have the order ready in an hour with Pro Pick-Up 1 Hour (at locations where Pro Pick-Up 1 Hour is available).

While traditional brick-and-mortar purchasing is still a viable wholesale solution, with Ferguson.com, I can gain access to a seamless and convenient online ordering system. This allows me to browse through products, check availability, compare prices, and place orders anytime, from anywhere. By simplifying the procurement process, Ferguson.com saves valuable time and effort, enabling me to focus on serving my customers better.

Ferguson, wholesale, wholesaling, Internet, online ordering, supply house, plumbing, supply chain, HVAC, heatingFurthermore, as a plumbing contractor, staying up to date with the latest industry trends and techniques is crucial. Ferguson.com offers a wealth of resources and expert advice to help me stay ahead of the curve. From informative articles and how-to guides to videos and product demonstrations, the website serves as a knowledge hub for plumbing professionals. Leveraging this wealth of information can enhance one’s expertise, expand a skill set, and ultimately elevate one’s business.

Sometimes I need to know what was on an order or the last time I bought a certain product. I’m able to find all of that online and end any confusion about my orders. If I need to see the status of an order, I can see it on my Ferguson Dashboard or Orders, and even get the proof of delivery. (Proof of delivery may not be available depending on how the order shipped or if it was signed for.)

Forward Thinking

Ferguson understands the importance of competitive pricing for plumbing contractors. By signing up for a Ferguson.com account, one can unlock access to exclusive contractor pricing on a wide range of products. This ensures that I can offer my customers competitive rates while maintaining healthy profit margins for my business. The savings one can achieve through Ferguson.com can significantly impact your bottom line and give you a competitive edge in the market.

It’s pretty simple, really. Creating an account on Ferguson.com provides plumbing contractors with a range of powerful tools to manage their business efficiently. By logging in, one can track his or her order history, access invoices, and manage one’s account settings, all in one centralized location. This streamlined account management feature eliminates the need for tedious paperwork and enables one to stay organized and in control.

Ferguson, wholesale, wholesaling, Internet, online ordering, supply house, plumbing, supply chain, HVAC, heating

What’s also cool about the site is that I can enroll for the free PRO Plus™ program. After I enrolled in this program, I now earn one point for every dollar I spent online. I can then redeem those points for cool prizes and earn Bonus Points faster by purchasing featured products. PRO Plus™ customers are also eligible for discounts with select businesses.

Ferguson.com boasts an extensive inventory of plumbing products, tools, and supplies, as well as expert advice and efficient account management, making it a one-stop solution for all of my business needs. By utilizing the features and capabilities of Ferguson.com, I can streamline my operations, relieve operational stress, and propel my business toward greater success. Sign up today and unlock a world of opportunities for your plumbing contracting business with Ferguson.com.

Are you happy in your current industry? You’re not alone if you don’t feel content with it. You want to be able to give your job your all but if you are finding yourself needing, craving something different, then you might consider starting a trade. It doesn’t matter where you are in your career right Read more

Are you happy in your current industry? You’re not alone if you don’t feel content with it. You want to be able to give your job your all but if you are finding yourself needing, craving something different, then you might consider starting a trade. It doesn’t matter where you are in your career right now, because learning a trade and starting your own business can and will make a big difference to your future. 

Finding the right information about starting your own business often starts with running some research and statistics on small business success. There is a lot to learn about going it alone but that doesn’t have to be too difficult. The Lendio small business statistics list is always better to understand when you have a goal you want to aim for, and the infographic below can talk you through some of the things that you need to know!


Infographic Design By Lendio

Consistently through the years, Plumbing Manufacturers International has fulfilled its vision of “safe, responsible plumbing – always.” But now, “we recognize we’re at a time when our social contract is being extended into areas such as climate change mitigation and diversity, equity and inclusion,” PMI CEO/Executive Director Kerry Stackpole states. “A Plumbing Manufacturing Evolution,” the PMI Read more

Consistently through the years, Plumbing Manufacturers International has fulfilled its vision of “safe, responsible plumbing – always.” But now, “we recognize we’re at a time when our social contract is being extended into areas such as climate change mitigation and diversity, equity and inclusion,” PMI CEO/Executive Director Kerry Stackpole states.

A Plumbing Manufacturing Evolution,” the PMI 2022 Annual Report, explores how PMI member companies are responding to new societal demands while remaining profitable and meeting the needs of customers.

Running through the report are examples of how PMI member companies are striving to become “net positive” by improving the well-being of everyone they affect – every product, operation and stakeholder, including future generations and the planet itself. The term “net positive” was coined by co-authors Paul Polman and Andrew Winston in their book, “Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take.”

In their letter for the report, PMI leaders Martin Knieps, 2022 Board of Directors president, and Todd Teter, immediate past president, say that even before the term “net positive” was coined, “PMI has worked to find solutions benefiting all water system stakeholders. PMI has always understood that the value of a toilet, showerhead or faucet is only as high as the quality of the water conveyed by it. As a result, PMI has always worked with the health and safety of water consumers in mind, knowing that their best interests are the same as ours.”

Report focuses on sustainability, supply chain and workplace

The report’s three main stories cover how PMI member companies are creating opportunities through their responses to challenges relating to sustainability and waste reduction, supply chain, and workplace and labor. Read the entire report at https://www.safeplumbing.org/communications/pmi-annual-report-2022.

https://youtu.be/46yc2caCGzo A quick Hub on the Road takes us to Grasser’s Plumbing & Heating in McNabb, Ill., to visit with Tim Kuhlman to talk about the company, its new showroom, inventory and supply, and a plumbing truck tip Read more

A quick Hub on the Road takes us to Grasser’s Plumbing & Heating in McNabb, Ill., to visit with Tim Kuhlman to talk about the company, its new showroom, inventory and supply, and a plumbing truck tip.

In our continuing Industry Forecast series, we talk with John Reutter, Interim President, Vice President, Finance, Uponor North America, on topics such as the short-term economy, supply chain issues, and lessons learned over the course of the pandemic. Here is our exclusive Q & A with   MH: Do you project a turnaround soon or Read more

John Reutter Interim President Vice President Finance Uponor North America, Uponor, Economic Forecast, inflation, supply chain, 2022 Economy

In our continuing Industry Forecast series, we talk with John Reutter, Interim President, Vice President, Finance, Uponor North America, on topics such as the short-term economy, supply chain issues, and lessons learned over the course of the pandemic. Here is our exclusive Q & A with

 


MH: Do you project a turnaround soon or within the next 6-12 months for certain materials that relate to your specific company?

Reutter: Signs are pointing towards some positive change with the supply chain, but there’s far too much unknown to say for certain that these constraints will improve in the next year. What we are focused on is securing secondary supply routes for our most important resources to help meet demand—and being a good partner for our customers by ensuring open and transparent communications.

MH: We are in the midst of some of the highest inflation rates since the early ‘80s. Do you think that higher inflation becomes a “newer normal”? Explain.

Reutter: No one ever wants to settle on higher inflation as a normal means of doing business. That said, I do believe we are near a peak inflationary environment with relief on its way. Unfortunately, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will put a strain on the energy sector which will most likely cause the descent of inflation at a slower pace than we saw the ramp up. The best we can do is focus on what we can control and make sure our teams have the tools and resources they need to be successful move through the new year.

John Reutter Interim President Vice President Finance Uponor North America, Uponor, Economic Forecast, inflation, supply chain, 2022 Economy

MH: In general, how do you see the economy short-term? Give a few examples of how you draw that conclusion.

Reutter: While there are certainly inflationary challenges, retail spending is up, and employment recovery continues along with wage growth. Couple that with declining COVID-19 cases and a general desire to move to an endemic environment, I believe we will see an uptick in the hospitality and travel sectors along with small business growth. These segments generally fuel short term economic recovery.

MH: Where are you seeing signs of positivity, if any?

Reutter: Residential and commercial demand for polymer piping is stronger than it has ever been. Contractors, builders, and designers continue to explore ways to integrate a complete polymer solution into their projects. We are working to deliver premium products that enrich the lives of our customers around the world, while conserving the scarce resources we are given.

MH: How do you as manufacturers work with customers who are dealing with longer lead times and/or higher prices? Is it a matter of open lines of communication?

Reutter: Everything starts with transparent communication. We are constantly maintaining open lines of communication with our customers through our factory sales team, rep agents, and distributors to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about Uponor. While we have had to make several price adjustments during the pandemic, it has been our open and transparent messaging that has maintained good standing with our customers.

MH: It seems that in today’s employment landscape, it’s hard to find good labor, whether it’s truck drivers, waiters at restaurants, etc. In our industry, how do we continue the fight to highlight the trades as a great career choice?

Reutter: The need for skilled labor continues to grow. Increased wages and expanded career opportunities are a direct reflection of that demand. Uponor partners with several schools and universities to celebrate the opportunities available to students and workers looking to make a career change.

The fight to find talent starts with meeting the candidates on their terms – whether that’s through social media posts, job fairs, school visits, or community partnerships. We offer great wages, competitive benefits packages, and an award-winning culture that has been recognized as a top workplace for nearly a decade.

MH: In spite of COVID, people must move on. How has your company evolved—or continued to march forward—over the past two years, and talk about any new initiatives, expansions, etc.

Reutter: While our production team has been going strong throughout the pandemic, our office workforce has taken on the challenges in a productive, efficient way. We recently introduced our Flexible First program, a reimagined take on the traditional office space. With three unique employee personas – Resident, Hybrid, and Remote – our employees can perform in an environment that works best for them. We’re in the process of redesigning our corporate offices and will hold Flexible First as our standard moving forward.

You can learn more about Flexible First by reading this release from earlier in the year.