Bradford White’s Kozak wins AIM/R Golden Eagle Award

Matt Kozak, vice president of sales for Bradford White Water Heaters, has been named the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Golden Eagle Award by the Association of Independent Manufacturers’ Representatives (AIM/R).

The AIM/R Golden Eagle Award, presented annually at the group’s conference, recognizes senior-level plumbing manufacturing executives who have actively supported independent reps and their important role in the supply chain. Kozak was honored at the 49th annual AIM/R conference, held Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in San Diego.

“AIM/R provides valuable resources on issues such as succession planning, sales techniques and running a solid business, all of which are of vital concern to their manufacturer partners,” Kozak said. “The support and tools offered by AIM/R enable reps to improve their business practices and strengthen the partnership and communication between reps and their manufacturers. We are such big believers in the group’s value that Bradford White strongly encourages all of our reps to belong to and be active in AIM/R.”

Kozak is the fifth executive from Bradford White to be selected for the award. Previous Bradford White Golden Eagle Award winners include Bob Carnevale, Nick Giuffre, Bruce Carnevale and Jim McGoldrick.

“Those who have previously been honored with the Golden Eagle Award have set the bar very high,” Kozak said. “Those leaders set the tone for how Bradford White as a company views and treats its reps, and I am pleased to be carrying on that tradition. We continue to only sell through wholesale and we use manufacturers’ reps as a conduit to our wholesale customers and their customers. Our reps are a huge part of who we are. They represent our company, they are our salesforce, and they have daily interactions with our customer base, whether it’s with our product line or one of the others they represent. We treat our reps like family because if we do our job and take care of them, they will take care of us.”

A. O. Smith’s Hawk announces retirement

A. O. Smith Corp. announced the retirement of Rick Hawk, vice president of wholesale sales at A. O. Smith North America Water Heating (NAWH). Hawk has will remain with A. O. Smith through March 2022 to aid in the transition.

“Since joining the company over 40 years ago, Rick’s vast experience has helped shape A. O. Smith into the customer-focused organization it is today,” said Dave Warren, president and general manager – NAWH. “He has developed and mentored a sales team committed to meeting our customer’s needs and achieving the company’s goals and objectives. We thank him for his leadership and dedication to the company, and his friendship will be missed.”

Chuck Dean, regional vice president of sales – Western region, has been named as Hawk’s successor, effective immediately. Dean joined the company in 2008 as a national accounts manager, before being promoted in January 2020. He earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Middle Tennessee State University and master’s in organizational management from Trevecca Nazarene University.

“In his 13 years with A. O. Smith, Chuck has proven to be a strong leader, taking on larger roles within the sales organization,” Warren said. “In this new role, Chuck will continue to provide leadership with an intense focus on serving our wholesale customers across the U.S.”

David Flores, regional sales manager — Western region for A. O. Smith’s Lochinvar business unit, has been promoted to regional vice president of sales – Western region for NAWH. Flores brings 17 years of sales leadership experience from Lochinvar, the last 12 of which in the western U.S. He earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial distribution from Texas A & M University.

Goulds announces scholarship recipients

Goulds Water Technology, a Xylem brand, announced this year’s recipients of the Goulds Professional Deal Association scholarships. Sixteen students across the United States will each receive a $1,500 scholarship, totaling $24,000. Recipients were chosen based on academic standing, volunteerism and leadership skills, Goulds noted. As a resource for GPDA members, the scholarship emphasizes the company’s support and commitment to independent dealers. The scholarships will help students obtain higher education at a college or technical school.

“Every year, we have the opportunity and privilege of supporting 16 young students in pursuit of their dreams in higher education,” said Susan O’Grady, director of marketing, building services and agriculture at Xylem. “Financial uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers for many families. Through these scholarships, we are honored to support our dealers’ families and contribute to these students’ future, success and professional development.”

GPDA is a network of independent water system professionals established in 1969 and is the industry’s oldest and largest dealers’ association. The professional network provides independent dealers with extensive technical and product training, and has graduated more than 20,000 dealers and distributors from its education center. GPDA scholarship recipients are family members of GPDA members. Since its inception, the annual GPDA scholarship program has awarded more than $348,000 to 304 recipients.

The full list of the 2021 GPDA scholarship recipients:

• Grayson Wiggins — San Angelo, Texas — Water Logistics;
• Christopher Nagle — Hermitage, Pennsylvania — Parker Brothers Well Drilling;
• Erin Saunders — Westminster, Maryland — Legacy Septic and Excavation;
• Ashley Maggiora — Hollister, California — Maggiora Bros Drilling;
• Clayton Royall — Luling, Texas — Royall’s Windmill & Pump;
• Abbey Herendeen — Clifton Springs, New York — Herendeen Brother Corp.;
• Thomas Palermo — Monroe, Connecticut — A & A SystemsControl;
• Hannah Wheeler — Odessa, Texas — Wheeler Drilling;
• David Hartley — Chocorua, New Hampshire — Hartley Well Drilling;
• Jason Neidigh — Shippensburg, Pennsylvania — Rosenberry Septic Services;
• Calvin Christensen — Hartington, Nebraska — Christensen Well and Irrigation;
• Taylor Newman — Lithia, Florida — Kens Well Drilling;
• Jaxson Cadwallader — Atkinson, Nebraska — Schrunk Well Service;
• Lukas Adamek — Yoakum, Texas — Chandler Drilling;
• Caroline Hilliard — West End, North Carolina — Jack’s Supply; and
• Evelyn McKenny — Baldwin, Maryland — Sweet Air Plumbing.

To learn more about the Goulds Professional Dealer Association and GPDA scholarship, visit https://info.xyleminc.com/gpda-program.html.

Viega’s Rademacher honored

Viega Manager Daniel Rademacher has won the PMG Leadership Award from the International Code Council for his work in training and educating plumbing professionals around the world.

Rademacher, who is the Trades Education Network program manager for Viega, was given the award at the ICC’s annual meeting Sept. 18-28 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The award is given each year to an individual or organization for exceptional service to the plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and swimming pool/spa (PMG) industry.

“Dan’s passion for providing relevant and engaging learning opportunities so that plumbing professionals can achieve their career goals, no matter where they are located, is unmatched,” ICC stated.

“I’m humbled to receive this award from the ICC, an institution which has done so much to advance plumbing and promote the well-being of people around the world,” Rademacher said. “And I’m proud to be able to introduce safe plumbing practices where they are needed most.”

Rademacher directs the Viega Trades Education Network, which partners with trade schools to provide tools, lessons and training to help educate future trades professionals.

This is only the latest industry honor for Rademacher. Last year, he was elected vice president of the board of directors of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering — International. In 2019, he won a World Plumbing Council Education and Training Scholarship to travel to Rwanda for the purpose of developing and contributing further plumbing industry knowledge. Also, he was the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Industry Person of the Year in 2014.

He has 30 years of experience in the industry and is an accomplished instructor. He is certified as a plumbing/mechanical inspector and plans examiner by IAPMO. He has extensive experience using, implementing and interpreting the Uniform Plumbing Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code.

Rinnai announces commercial business program

Rinnai is now offering a national accounts program to its commercial business partners. The program is designed to be a turnkey hot water solution for its commercial customers and includes both repair and replacement services.

Rinnai’s one-stop hot water experience for hotels, restaurants and other commercial customers provides 24/7, 365 hot water support. Regardless of whether the water heater is a Rinnai unit or not, plumbers will be deployed from Rinnai’s vast network to assess the situation and repair product, the company adds.

If a replacement is needed, the plumber will work with the customer to identify the best solution for their business, plus the program delivers pricing quotes and 100% guaranteed system sizing. Additionally, Rinnai handles all aspects of the businesses’ hot water from selecting the plumber to processing payments for the job.

“Hot water is a necessity and a vital part of our customer’s business,” said James Woodruff, senior director of commercial business for Rinnai America. “We offer our expertise in water heating as a service to our customers that is turnkey and simple. This allows them to worry less about their business operations while we ensure their hot water is there when they need it.”

“Through our extensive contractor network, we can coordinate our premium response program and offer a service that is much-needed by our customers in the industry,” Rinnai America Corp.’s President Frank Windsor said. “We are committed to creating a healthier way of living, and providing a worry-free, turnkey solution for our customers is a great step towards achieving that commitment.”

Water Quality Association opens new headquarters

The Water Quality Association hosted a grand opening Sept. 13 for its new international headquarters and laboratory in suburban Chicago. The larger, state-of-the-art facility allows increased capacity, flexibility and efficiency for Gold Seal product testing, industry training and membership services.

“Our amazing new laboratory and offices will allow us to serve more members of the industry, certify more products at a quicker pace, and provide additional education and training that will ensure that our members have the know-how to provide the proper solutions,” said Pauli Undesser, WQA’s executive director. “So this new building is a launching pad for all of the incredible things our industry can do for residential, commercial and industrial water treatment.”

WQA President Toby Thomas, president of Kinetico, said: “We are at a pivotal moment in the marketplace. We are being called upon to help protect people’s lives and improve the quality of their lives. This new facility allows us to take not just a next step, but a ‘giant’ next step forward.”

Among the local officials who attended the ceremony and toured the building were Lisle Mayor Chris Pecak, Illinois Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, and Greg Bredalov, president and CEO of Choose DuPage, an economic development group.

WQA, a not-for-profit trade association representing the residential, commercial and industrial water treatment industry, moved to the facility at 2375 Cabot Drive in Lisle from a building it had constructed in Lisle in 1982. The WQA Board of Directors officially approved the relocation plan in April 2019, after more than two years of research and planning, and the former headquarters was sold to another Lisle-based association in March 2020, right as the coronavirus pandemic hit.

WQA, an $11 million association, employs 70.

“When we decided we needed to move, we could have looked elsewhere, but we felt this is our home,” Undesser said. “And we kept these jobs right here in Lisle and DuPage County.”

Most WQA employees began working remotely in March 2020, but the laboratory remained open throughout the pandemic and during the year-long buildout and relocation process. Over the last several months, other WQA employees have been returning to the workplace, at least a few days a week, although the new facility’s technology allows seamless teamwork between remote and in-person employees.

The relocation was assisted by a “Building Our Vision” capital campaign, which contributed more than $400,000 in funding and equipment. Donors are honored in a mural on the building’s second floor.

Sonnhalter raises more than $26,000 in tool donations

Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, partnered with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity for a 12th year during its annual Sonnhalter Tool Drive, which ran the entire month of August and collected $26,500 worth of donations of tools and building materials. Since Sonnhalter began its efforts in 2010, it has collected $336,500 in donations.

Organizations, businesses and residents were encouraged to donate new and gently used tools, as well as building materials, furniture and appliances, to Sonnhalter to help benefit Habitat for Humanity’s cause of eliminating substandard housing and homelessness.

“Every year, we at Sonnhalter are inspired and uplifted by the generosity of our great community in its efforts to help those in need with donated tools and building materials,” said Matt Sonnhalter, vision architect at Sonnhalter. “We would like to thank our clients, partners and community members for their continued support in helping Sonnhalter raise nearly $336,500 for this great cause.”

“Sonnhalter’s Tool Drive is like Christmas in August! Instead of Santa’s sleigh, they bring a large truck full of tools for us and that’s the gift that keeps on giving all year round,” said John Habat, president/CEO of the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. “Sonnhalter’s Tool Drive helps to bring awareness to areas we have no access to and provides us tools to work on our houses, in our tool shop and to be sold to the general public.”

Community participants in the 12th Annual Sonnhalter Tool Drive included Berea Recreation Center, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Berea Branch, Fear’s Confections, Frangos Group, Pinnacle Condominiums, Rising Star Coffee Roasters, Rock & Roll City Studios, St. Mary of the Falls, Skidmark Garage, Westlake Porter Public Library, The Wine Spot and many individuals living in the community.

Trade industry participants in the 12th Annual Sonnhalter Tool Drive included Buyers Products, CSV Marketing, Endeavor Business Media, General Pipe Cleaners, Ignition, Jergens, Kapro, Lakeside Supply, Ledlenser USA, Mortar Net Solutions, Samsel Supply, Sutton Industrial, Wolff Bros. Supply and Woodhill Supply.

All of the donations that Sonnhalter collected benefited Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. The donated items will be used for Habitat for Humanity projects or will be sold at one of the organization’s ReStores, recycled building materials and home furnishings stores. Proceeds from the ReStore sales are used to help Habitat build and rehabilitate homes for those in need.

WILO USA acquires QuantumFlo

As part of an asset deal, WILO USA, a subsidiary of WILO SE, has acquired the operating business of QuantumFlo, a specialist in pressure boosting systems and intelligent pump systems. The company, based in Sanford, Florida, employs 32 people and offers high-quality products and innovative, user-friendly software solutions for the design and operation of pressure-boosting systems.

“With this acquisition, we are strengthening our regional presence in line with our ‘region-for-region’ approach,” explained Oliver Hermes, chairman and CEO of the Wilo Group. “We are, thus, countering decoupling, the politically motivated disengagement from global tendencies, and can meet local customer needs with locally manufactured products in an even more targeted manner. In addition, the acquisition of QuantumFlo expands our customer base to accelerate market development in the U.S.”

David Carrier, founder and president and CEO of QuantumFlo, said at the closing of the deal on Sept. 30: “As the leader in intelligent pumps systems in the U.S., and the creator of the world’s first variable-speed booster operating system, we are excited and honored to join our technologies with Wilo USA. This exciting new opportunity will allow QuantumFlo to further develop these innovations for a variety of markets throughout the Americas. The primary beneficiary of the sum of these companies is our representatives, specifying engineers and distributors.”

“In the pressurized booster market in the U.S. the QuantumFlo brand represents leading technology, quality and a passion to provide solutions to their customers,” said Jeff Plaster, managing director of WILO USA. “This is the same value proposition that Wilo’s other strong brands provide in the OEM, water management and building services sales channels.”

“As a recognized and established U.S. manufacturer of booster sets and HVAC systems, QuantumFlo is a real asset for the Wilo Group and we are already looking forward to working together,” adds Mathias Weyers, member of the executive board and CFO of the Wilo Group.