Supply House Times

14/07/2025

Many companies jump into CRM too quickly, trying to do too much too soon. While it can be tempting to get it all done at once, this makes it more likely to fail. Taking a phased approach prevents your team from feeling overwhelmed and allows for better resource management and greater adoption. @[urn:li:organization:9322545:SalesProcess360]'s Brian Gardner dives into a phased approach here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106663-why-a-phased-approach-delivers-better-crm-outcomes

Without a dedicated point person—the CEO for CRM—guiding the project from planning to post-launch, it can quickly go off track. Additionally, following a clear roadmap that breaks goals into manageable segments is essential.

12/07/2025

AI is not something that is coming soon. It is already here. And it is transforming how we work, how we prepare, and how we connect with others. AI allows us to become trusted resources by providing the right information at the right time. It helps us walk into sales calls, training sessions, and presentations with insights that benefit both sides. @[urn:li:organization:2677735:Michel Sales Agency]'s Danny Michel give great advice here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106559-the-power-of-ai-empowering-the-next-generation

What is the next great tool that will shape the future of our industry? The answer is artificial intelligence.

11/07/2025

Congratulations Don Gillis on his new role with HARDI! With more than 30 years of hands-on experience in HVAC—ranging from service technician and business owner to territory manager and national training leader—Gillis brings a combination of field and training experience. He has worked across nearly every facet of the trade and has spent the last several years applying that knowledge to high-impact training roles at Emerson and, most recently, The Chemours Company, where he delivered technical education across North America. https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106679-hardi-welcomes-don-gillis-to-lead-expansion-of-technical-training-initiatives

Gillis will help drive new initiatives focused on counter specialist development, inside sales and technical certifications, supporting HARDI’s mission to strengthen the HVACR channel.

11/07/2025

A growing number of companies have begun reassessing where and how products are made, stored and distributed. What emerged was a renewed interest in onshoring (moving production to the U.S.) and reshoring (bringing operations back from overseas), as a risk mitigation strategy and an opportunity to reinvest in domestic manufacturing capabilities. Read our full article on reshoring and onshoring trends here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106674-bring-it-back-home-onshoring-and-reshoring-on-the-rise-throughout-plumbing-supply-chain

The resurgence of onshoring and reshoring in the U.S. plumbing and mechanical industry stems from economic, geopolitical, regulatory, and environmental pressures that prompt manufacturers and distributors to reconsider global sourcing. Four key dynamics drive this shift.

10/07/2025

The July issue is here! Congratulations to our 2025 Showroom of the Year, Kitchens and Baths by Briggs! Also in this issue: a piece on the reshoring happening in the industry, a Q&A with Bradford White's CEO on its series of acquisitions, and an update from HARDI on the A2L refrigerant transition and shortage. Read it all here: https://digitaledition.supplyht.com/july-2025
AD Kitchens and Baths by Briggs

09/07/2025

Exciting news from Plumbing Manufacturers International! PMI has launched Women of PMI, a new initiative designed to celebrate, honor and support women members within the plumbing manufacturing industry. The program offers valuable networking opportunities, resources to build career and leadership skills, and a platform to recognize the achievements of women across PMI member companies. Women of PMI builds on the success of the PMI Women’s Breakfast held at the annual PMI Manufacturing Success Conference, to be held this year from Nov. 3-6 in Chicago. This year, Shelley Paxton 😎, former chief marketing officer of Harley-Davidson, will lead the Women of PMI Breakfast.

The kickoff event will take place on July 16th, featuring Sheena Yap Chan.

08/07/2025

Born into the industry, Michelle Lewnes-Dadas has gained a diverse experience through holding various roles — starting with a summer internship in college — at the family business., Preferred Sales Incorporated. Today, she not only serves as President of the company, but also as the 2025 Association of Independent Manufacturers Reps (AIM/R) President. Lewnes-Dadas is also actively engaged with the American Supply Association (ASA)’s Women in Industry Division; it was at the division’s event earlier this year that she was awarded the prestigious Alice A. Martin Woman of the Year Award. Seemingly able to “do it all,” Lewnes-Dadas is passionate about work-life harmony, holding the ladder for those coming up behind her, and the PHCP-PVF industry growth and longevity as a whole. Check out her podcast recording here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106667-podcast-meet-2025-aim-r-president-and-alice-a-martin-woman-of-the-year-michelle-lewnes-dadas AIM/R - Association of Independent Manufacturer's/Representatives

In this podcast, Michelle Lewnes-Dadas talks about bridging generational gaps in the workplace, the importance of industry engagement, the evolution of rep agencies, and tips for staying present while you prioritize both family and work.

07/07/2025

Congratulations AD on a record-breaking Decorative Brand's meeting! AD owner/members and supplier partners came together for the 2025 Decorative Brands Division annual meeting, held June 2–4 at the historic Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot. With an agenda that balanced insightful workshops with multiple networking opportunities, attendees made the most of three days of connection and collaboration.

This year’s meeting welcomed record-breaking attendance, with seven new owner members to the growing list of quality independent plumbing distributors. https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106662-ad-decorative-brands-division-celebrates-record-attendance-at-2025-annual-meeting

With seven new independent distributors joining the division, standout programming like the new Luxury & Upselling Workshop, and recognition of top-performing companies, the event underscored AD’s ongoing commitment to growth and collaboration.

04/07/2025

Happy Independence Day!

Wishing you a day filled with time with loved ones, fun, and all things red, white, and blue! 🎆

03/07/2025

Mundane moments can be social media gold! Social media platforms are starving for honest, on-the-spot content. Amid all the noise and artificial intelligence, actual moments are what cut through the noise. Yet most businesses in our industry are missing out, simply because the person with the best access—the one who happens to be standing on the jobsite—doesn't realize how valuable their viewpoint is. This article is a wake-up call. It's time to reconsider who your storytellers are and start unearthing the gold you're already standing on. Alicia Branham gives awesome tips here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106658-from-jobsite-to-newsfeed-how-mundane-moments-turn-into-social-media-gold

Social media seeks authentic, real-time content. Many businesses miss this because on-site workers often overlook the value of their perspective.

02/07/2025

We love to see PVF manufacturers supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople! NIBCO INC has donated two custom-built boiler and water heater system training boards to support hands-on education at two leading trade education institutions: Chicago Pipefitters Training Center and ABC Construction Prep Academy. More details here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106657-nibco-donates-training-boards-to-support-the-next-generation-of-skilled-trades-professionals

As part of its ongoing investment in the future of the plumbing and HVAC industries, NIBCO has donated two hands-on boiler and water heater training boards to trade schools in Illinois and Indiana.

01/07/2025

With growing digital demands and operational complexity, the American Supply Association(ASA) is taking a bold step to establish an industry-backed, collaborative standard that will enhance accuracy, efficiency, and innovation for all stakeholders — from manufacturers and distributors to reps. The PDS Project sets out to create a shared framework for product data management, ensuring manufacturers and distributors can exchange consistent, high-quality information. This includes standardizing how critical product attributes such as dimensions, materials, finishes, descriptions, UPCs, and performance data are formatted, maintained, and integrated into business systems. The standard is being developed in close collaboration with more than 30 leading manufacturers and distributors, supported by ASA’s Embracing the Future Strategic Action Council. Find more details here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106651-asa-launches-industry-wide-product-data-standard-to-advance-digital-transformation

With growing digital demands and operational complexity, ASA is taking a bold step to establish an industry-backed, collaborative standard that will enhance accuracy, efficiency, and innovation for all stakeholders — from manufacturers and distributors to reps.