HD Supply endorses ISH North America. On July 8 ISH North America (ISH NA) announced that Atlanta-based distributor HD Supply Plumbing/HVAC will support its trade show and conference this fall. ISH NA will be held in Atlanta Oct. 1-3.

The ASA Showroom Managers Council met in Rosemont, IL, June 25-26. Elaine Ostroff (left in photo) spoke on universal design for bathrooms, and Gunnar Baldwin discussed "Going Green Elegantly." Ostroff, Hon. AIA, is director of Access to Design Professions, founding director of Adaptive Environments and also developed the Universal Design Education Project. Baldwin serves as water efficiency specialist at TOTO, serves on several green building committees and is a charter director of the Alliance for Water Efficiency. Read more in the August issue of Supply House Times.

Ferguson (Newport News, VA) opened a 10,500-sq.-ft. showroom in Hilliard, OH. The primary product lines and services include: Subzero/Wolf, Kohler, Brizo, Showhouse, Dornbracht, Duravit and LBL. Lighting and appliances are included in the product mix. Erin Tober is showroom manager.

The SEN  Design Group's Business Coaching Service has added four more business coaches: Raffael Brugnoni, CKD; Chuck Chwastyk; Andrew Colannino, CKD; and Jack Kellerman . They join John Lang, LPBC, and Ken Peterson, CKD, LPBC. Collectively, the six business coaches have more than 170 years of kitchen and bath industry experience.

Margaret Newman

Seachrome Corp. hired Brian Reel as its national sales manager. The company manufactures ADA-compliant grab bars, tub/shower seats and accessories. Reel's 22 years in the wholesale plumbing industry includes stints with American Standard, Familian Pipe and Lasco Bathware.

Julien promoted Lloyd Leblanc to vice president of sales, marketing and business development.

Ihrie Supply (Wilson, NC) hired Kim Asycue as the lead showroom consultant at its new Rocky Mount, NC, showroom. She has 14 years of experience in the industry.

Sloan Valve Co. hired Jeffrey D. Krull as vice president, product development. Most

Jeffrey Krull

recently, Krull was vice president of product development at Shure Inc., a privately held manufacturer in Niles, IL. In other changes, Patrick Daly was appointed Northeast regional sales manager. He succeeds Bill Madison, who was recently promoted to national sales manager.

Hansgrohe announced that Klaus Grohe , son of the company's founder and its leader for 33 of his 40 years with the company, plans to step away from day-to-day operational management. The new chairman/CEO is Siegfried Gansslen, a 14-year veteran with Hansgrohe AG, based in Schiltach, Germany. Gansslen has been serving as deputy chairman of the management board and chief financial officer since 1999. Klaus Grohe  will continue to serve as chairman of the supervisory board, acting in an advisory capacity in the areas of innovation and brand management. His son, Richard Grohe , brand manager and a board member for the past three years, will succeed Gansslen as deputy chairman. Hansgrohe is a 107-year-old manufacturer of bath and kitchen faucets, showers and accessories. Pictured, L to R: Siegfried Gansslen, Klaus Grohe and Richard Grohe.

Lochinvar Corp. installed new lighting in the plants and labs at its Lebanon, TN, headquarters (left). The high bay industrial luminaries decrease power usage to 135 watts vs. the former metal halide system that used 400 watts of power. The company projects an energy savings of 566,868 kWh per year.

Sloan Valve Co . said it is the first plumbing company in the world to receive the Cradle to Cradle Design certification for its products. MBDC, the product process and design firm that evaluates companies and their products based on their "eco-effectiveness," certified both Sloan's Uppercut dual-flush Flushometer and its Royal model lll manual Flushometer for Silver-level status.

Danze recently introduced five low-flow showerheads that use only 1.5 gallons per minute regardless of low or high water pressure. The 4-inch Victorian showerhead (pictured right) has 45 jets and is offered in chrome, brushed nickel, antique copper, distressed nickel or oil rub bronze finishes.

WinWholesale opened Framingham Winsupply Co. in Holliston, MA, to focus on the growing renewable energy market. The new facility provides contractors with photovoltaic, solar thermal, geothermal and wind turbine products for residential and commercial use and also offers consultation services and training in partnership with Greenfield Community College at the company's Holliston training center. It serves Boston, the Greater MetroWest area, Cape Cod and the islands.

IAPMO announced that Stephen Johnson , the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will deliver the keynote address at the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials/World Plumbing Council Emerging Technology Symposium, Aug. 19-20. The two-day symposium at the O'Hare Marriott in Chicago will discuss international regulatory developments on topics including water, sanitation and health; water and energy efficiency; water reuse; solar and other renewable energies; and fat, oil and grease discharges. Bob Miodonski, publisher of PM Engineer and Bath & Kitchen Pro magazines, will serve as one of the event's moderators.

California Faucets was selected to outfit all seven baths in the 2008 Philharmonic House of Design in the Crystal Cove custom home community in Newport Beach, CA . The company's products are part of the event's public display of the latest in design trends and techniques by leading ASID designers in the 8,500-sq.-ft. Spanish-Mediterranean-style house. Shown (left) is California Faucets' Avalon in satin nickel finish in a powder room setting. The design is by Candace Manning, ASID.

Showroom Of The Year competition.  Led by columnist and consultant Hank Darlington, Supply House Times will name a "Showroom Of The Year" in its October 2008 issue. Enter your showroom or enter a showroom you admire. The showroom must be operated by a plumbing wholesaler. Access the entry forms here. Deadline for entry is August 15.

Free Webinar: Increasing Showroom Profits. Columnist/consultant Hank Darlington and Reed Fry, owner/founder of Fry Communications, are conducting a free Webinar  on August 20, "Increasing Showroom Profits." You can access the one-hour free Webinar from your computer at 2 p.m. ET, 11 a.m. PT. Register here.