October 2019

Fifth-generation family business Metropolitan Pipe & Supply, distributor of plumbing, heating, pipe, valves, fittings, and industrial supplies, is celebrating 85 years in business.This Somerville, Mass.-based company, founded in 1934 by Wesley E. Brown Sr., is committed to making customers its top priority. Pictured (left to right) are company owners, Josh Brown, Kevin Brown, and Tim Brown. Read the story of generational success in this issue.

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Legacy in Motion

Celebrating 85 years in business, Metropolitan Pipe & Supply Co. combines personal, attentive service with quality products to pave the way for future generations.

October 8, 2019

Pamela Accetta Smith

Cover Story: Long recognized for its exceptional service and quality products at competitive prices, Somerville, Massachusetts-based Metropolitan Pipe & Supply Co., (fondly known in the industry as Met Pipe), is a family-owned and operated, fully-integrated independent wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, pipe, valves, fittings, and industrial supplies.

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85 Years of Coburn Supply Co.

October 8, 2019

Ruth Mitchell

A belief in family, employees, and hard work established this company, and is also the reason Coburn Supply has remained successful in business. At a celebration for its 85th year in business - there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

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Viega Highlights Expansion and New Training Center

Company plans for the future with new manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a second education site.

October 7, 2019

Steve Smith

Viega LLC took the trade media on a two-day, two-state tour last August to see the latest developments at its Kansas manufacturing facility and attend the opening of its new Colorado Seminar Center.

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Small Steps Equal Big Savings

How awareness and low-cost updates can offer a substantial sustainability boost.

October 8, 2019

Water conservation is an issue of increasing importance the world over as more awareness is being raised about crippling water shortages.

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Store Experience or Experience Store?

The word “experience” has been over-used in describing successful retail practices, but how does it apply to lighting showrooms?

October 8, 2019

What is an in-store experience? How is an experience created that drives traffic into your showroom? What is the re-defined role of the showroom in 2020?

PVF News

PVF Spending Through 2023

The industry to see slight decline over the next three years.

October 8, 2019

Spending among U.S. and Canadian companies on projects with requirements for pipes, valves, and fittings (PVF) is forecast to increase slightly in 2020, before gradually declining over the next three years.

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2019 Women in the Mechanical Industry Conference

‘Crucial conversations’ are success metric for the first Mechanical Contractors Association of America women’s conference.

November 5, 2019

Ashlei Williams

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) managed to get real people to have real conversations through its Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative.

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New Age Construction Technologies Expedite One of Kansas’ Largest Renovation Projects

October 8, 2019

Recent developments in building information modeling (BIM) allow today’s companies to manage construction projects more efficiently by establishing and maintaining best practices, reducing bottlenecks and delays, enhancing productivity and improving the bottom line.

Beschloss Perspective

Debt-Ceiling Postponement a Two-Party Disaster

This rare consensus by both parties leaves the tax-paying American public holding the bag with no one to verbalize their contempt.

October 8, 2019

Morris Beschloss

While it appeared the U.S. debt ceiling, which had already surpassed the previous $20 trillion “top” by almost three trillion dollars at the end of July, would become a significant congressional confrontation, it was cast aside without a murmur.

Showroom Excellence

Showroom Selling Skills: Kindness

October 8, 2019

Jeff MacDowell

One thing that always grabs my attention when shopping in a retail environment is when an employee makes eye contact and delivers an authentic message about how he or she can help.