BNP Media announces the debut of Bath & Kitchen Pro, a unique publication created for a powerful audience of bath-and-kitchen installers, distributors with showrooms and designers. Unlike other magazines that focus purely on design, Bath & Kitchen Pro will provide information on installation and purchasing as well as design trends.

Bath & Kitchen Pro will be published three times in 2008; its Winter, Spring and Fall issues will be distributed at major B&K shows in addition to its 55,000 circulation drawn from the readers of Plumbing & Mechanical, Supply House Times, Tile, Stone World, and Environmental Design + Construction.

For additional information, contact Publisher Bob Miodonski at 630-694-4007 and miodonskib@bnpmedia.com or Managing Editor Kelly Johnson at 630-694-4379 and johnsonk@bnpmedia.com. Or, visit www.bathandkitchenpro.com.

BrassCraft Manufacturing Co. hired Jeff Jollay as its vice president of marketing and product development. Formerly, he was vice president, sales and consumer marketing for HON office furniture. His industry experience includes a stint as marketing director for Whirlpool major appliances. BrassCraft, a Masco company, manufactures water supplies and other plumbing products for new construction and the repair and remodel markets.

Jacuzzi Brands Corp. has named Michelle Cervantez as chief marketing officer, Jacuzzi Brands Corp., and vice president marketing, Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath. Cervantez has held vice president roles at Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and most recently Hyundai.

The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute has announced the appointment of two new committee chairs: Marie-Helene Pernin (Neoperl), Member Services Committee, and Klaus Fromme (Bradley Corp.), Technical Standing Committee.

(L to R) Jeff New and Heather Hosterman, Mid-City Supply; Keith Bennett and Brian Fowler, Security Supply; Jeff Stevens, Mid-City Supply; Diane MacPherson, Air Purchases; and Lindsey Portnoy and Suzanne Lynch, Aaron & Co.

WIT & Co.  honored distributors for their 2006 marketing efforts at its annual fall meeting in Anaheim, CA. Security Supply Corp. (Selkirk, NY) was the Overall WHAM! (WIT Honors Achievements in Marketing) Award winner and was also recognized for promotions/events. Other distributors recognized for their marketing efforts were Mid-City Supply (Elkhart, IN) in three categories: marketing research/business development, merchandising/showroom, and public relations; Air Purchases (Burlington, MA) for advertising/brand awareness; and Aaron & Co. (Piscataway, NJ) for WIT Marketing Award for Participation.

Winston-Salem, NC-based wholesale plumbing distributor Murray Supply Co. held a counter day sponsored by Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE in Charlotte Nov. 15, 2007. Larry Grist from Smith and Stevenson showcased the PEXRITE turn-out, which provides a 90-degress turn out that eliminates in-wall fittings and concealed joints, and the PEXRITE Lock-n-Load clamp that provides a secure installation for copper stub-out supports.

PACE Supply Corp.  (Santa Rosa, CA) hosted the 4th Field Marketing Summit for 59 Affiliated Distributors suppliers, one non-AD supplier, PACE sales teams and management from each of its plumbing wholesale branch locations and showrooms (pictured). The summit’s theme, "Telling the Product Story," planted the idea that storytelling gets meaningful results quickly for management.

The Portland Group Inc.  has announced the addition of its newest branch in Worcester, MA, at 660 Lincoln Street (pictured). The 27,500-square-foot warehouse will include plumbing, heating and HVAC products and eventually will include a 2,500-square-foot Spritzo retail showroom. The branch manager for the location will be Phil Masterson, a 37-year veteran of the industry.

Lasco Bathware  has formed a partnership with Keyline Sales Inc., a manufacturing representative group. The company will be servicing Lasco’s plumbing wholesale customers and showrooms across Southern California.

Basco Shower Enclosures recently broke ground on a new 50,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the company’s 130,000-square-foot headquarters in Mason, OH. The facility is expected to be ready for occupancy by Aug. 1, 2008, and will also include 5,000 square feet of office space.

T&S Brass and Bronze Works has appointed Dellon Sales Co. (Albertson, NY) as the T&S Brass plumbing manufacturer representative firm for the New York metro area. Dellon Sales operates from offices in Western Nassau County, including a 45,000-square-foot warehouse and nine loading docks.

Pictured here with other attendees are award winners (L to R) Steve Toor of ST Sales; Tim Vander Wall of Interarchitectural Products; Ted Howell and Lauren Slankard of Western Sales.

Approximately 50 of Sonia sales reps headed to the Dominican Republic’s Melia Caribe Tropical Resort from Nov. 29-Dec. 2 to review the year’s sales results and plan for the new year. At an awards dinner, Western Sales was recognized as Sales Rep of the Year, Steve Toor of ST Sales received the Top Sales Producer Award, Tim Vander Wall was the recipient of the Above and Beyond Award, and Jody Rosenberg was recognized with the Jose Maria Ferrer Beltran Outstanding Achievement Award, named after the company’s owner.

Officials of American Standard Americas issued a formal notice that it anticipates that its plant in Tiffin, OH, will close, eliminating 165 hourly production jobs and 35 salary jobs. Exactly when the closing will occur is being discussed with Union officials; however, the company anticipates the plant will cease operations within 60 days of the announcement.

By switching from a standard 2.5 gallon per minute (gpm) showerhead to a 1.75 gpm low-flow showerhead, you'll use 30% less water and also reduce energy costs in your home. Moen ’s Water Saving showerhead (pictured) uses an optimized spray pattern to preserve the powerful stream that consumers are accustomed to from full-flow showerheads. Spray formers increase the velocity of the water streams hitting the body.

Chicago Faucets announced its membership into the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), citing as a motivator its commitment to water conservation.

BioLet USA announced it is the U.S. distributor for a Swedish-manufactured composting toilet system that requires no water, no sewer or septic hookup. BioLet toilets need no chemicals and produces no offensive odors, the company asserts.

Geberit North America  has announced that it has become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In addition to becoming an active member of the USGBC, the company plans to cooperate with interior designers, architects and contractors to get the message to corporations that plumbing systems can save water.

PM Engineer MEC WEBINAR SERIES CONTINUES IN 2008 

This series of intensive 90-minute Webinars presents the latest concepts for modern hydronic heating system design in both residential and commercial applications. Attendees learn state-of-the-art concepts that enable them to design efficient, affordable, and reliable hydronic systems. Economically priced, they are a fraction of the cost of travel and attendance fees for other high-priced conferences or seminars. CEU/PDH Credit* is available.
This year’s Webinar topics include:

Multiple Mod/Con Boiler Systems – Defining the Future of Hydronic Heating

Thursday, February 14, 2008, at 1:00 pm ET
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session. [Early Bird Rate of $49 Expires January 31, 2008. Price after 1/31/08: $79 (US)]
Sponsored by: Lochinvar

A Survey of Modern Mixing Methods
Thursday, March 20, 2008, at 1:00 pm ET
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session. [Early Bird Rate of $49 Expires March 6, 2008. Price after 3/6/08: $79 (US)]

Active Solar Heating — New Opportunities For Hydronic Professionals
Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 1:00 pm ET
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session. [Early Bird Rate of $49 Expires April 17, 2008. Price after 4/17/08: $79 (US)]

Home Run Distribution Systems — An Outstanding Alternative to Metal Piping
Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 1:00 pm ET
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session. [Early Bird Rate of $49 Expires May 29, 2008. Price after 5/29/08: $79 (US)]

Presented by:

John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John is a licensed engineer with more than 28 years of experience in hydronic heating. He also is a writer, software developer and columnist for PM and PM Engineer magazines.

Register today at: http://webinar.pmengineer.com. If you're busy that day, sign up anyway. You have 12 months to play back the scheduled broadcast any time you like.

Missed one of our 2007 MEC Webinars? No Problem! They are now available On-Demand! Visit the archive section at http://webinar.pmengineer.com to view these and other Webinars.
*CEU/PDH 1.5 credit hour Certificate of Completion will be made available for those who attend. It is up to each individual to verify if a given course is approved by their state licensing board.