Growing up in Cleveland, Louis Schlessinger was a young man with administrative skills and financial acumen. He befriended Frank Lifshitz, an owner of a local hardware store involved in building and repairing boilers.  

The mission of HARDI, the national association of Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International, is “Making wholesale distributors the channel of choice for HVACR manufacturers and contractors.”

In 1991, Bradford White Corp. (BWC) was part of a foreign-owned conglomerate, with the parent company in growth mode — and eying the purchase of a competitor.

In 1947, friends Sam New and Mel Cohn worked for their fathers’ companies in South Bend, Indiana; Sam’s father owned a grocery store, and Mel’s father was a plumber. 

The personal approach is what has allowed Wal-Rich to grow. Started in 1950 in a stockroom in Long Island City, N.Y., Wal-Rich now spans three generations and is a national manufacturer and master distributor of plumbing, heating and industrial specialties.

With 39 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, Cregger Co.'s 400 associates serve plumbing, HVAC and electrical contractors with a passion and pride in workmanship. 

In May of this year, our industry community was delivered shocking and sad news when we learned that Bill Freeman, owner of The Spirit Group manufacturer's representative agency in Florida, passed away.

This year, Best Plumbing Specialties celebrates 60 years in business. Founded in a bedroom of William Breen Sr.’s home in Long Island, the repair parts supplier has flourished by putting customer needs first. 

The Association of Manufacturers’ Representatives (AIM/R) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Reaching the 100-year milestone in business is quite an accomplishment, especially as our world has changed so much during that time