Supply House Times

Plumbing and industrial distribution company Ferguson announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire valve and flow control counterpart FloWorks in a deal valued at $1.6 billion. FloWorks — officially named FWI Holdings Inc. — is based in Houston and operates more than 60 locations across the U.S. and Canada. The company serves “highly technical industries” including chemicals, refining, power generation, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and data centers.

“Retention is the best exit strategy,” Buttenham said, noting that employee turnover can cost 150% to 200% of an employee’s salary to replace. When key employees leave, companies face stalled jobs, retraining costs, productivity losses and cultural disruption — all of which can affect profitability and, ultimately, exit value. For owners considering a future sale, Buttenham said that key employees are often part of what a buyer is evaluating.

Diversified Heat Transfer, Inc. (DHT), announced the expansion of its ST Series Semi-Instantaneous Water Heater line with the introduction of a High Output Double Wall heat exchanger option. The new design is available across all ST Series models, including 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch shell sizes, providing engineers and contractors with more flexibility when designing high-demand domestic hot water systems.

In business, many owners are still operating day to day. They are solving every issue, answering every question, and making almost every call. The shift to the next level is moving from operator to architect. It is about working on the business, not just in it. There is also a mental component to this. Research shows that decision fatigue reduces the quality of decisions over time. The more decisions you make in a day, the worse those decisions become.

Construction input prices decreased 1.1% in June compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices also decreased 1.1% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 7.6% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 7.4% higher. Prices decreased in 2 of the 3 energy subcategories last month.

New PHCP and PVF Products RectorSeal expands the availability of ClearDrain PVC for commercial and industrial HVAC/R applications, including grocery stores, convenience stores, refrigeration case drain routing, and rooftop units. ClearDrain PVC Commercial, like its residential counterpart, incorporates zinc in its manufacturing process. This results in a smooth, slippery inner wall that helps prevent the growth of bacteria and algae.

AIV, LP has announced the acquisition of 700 Valve Supply, LLC, and Valve Modification Services, LLC (VMS). Founded in 2014, 700 Valve Supply has been a resource for the refining, chemical, oil & gas, petrochemical, power and pulp & paper markets, offering both commodity and specialty valves. Their inventory of valve manufacturers, such as Velan, L&T, and OMB, has made them a true asset for distributors to lean on when delivery is critical.

AIV, LP has announced the acquisition of 700 Valve Supply, LLC, and Valve Modification Services, LLC (VMS). Founded in 2014, 700 Valve Supply has been a resource for the refining, chemical, oil & gas, petrochemical, power and pulp & paper markets, offering both commodity and specialty valves. Their inventory of valve manufacturers, such as Velan, L&T, and OMB, has made them a true asset for distributors to lean on when delivery is critical.

ASA Chief Economists Dr. Chris Kuehl and Keith Prather are back with their monthly ASA economic update webinar. This month, they answer all the questions on what’s trending in the economic world lately. From Chris and Keith themselves: "The global economy is going through an adjustment period. Tariffs, conflict, nationalization, and a new wave of automation and robotics are sending many different signals to business owners.

That sense of discovery is intentional. In an era when customers can browse thousands of products online with a few clicks, DJ Bath Plus understands that a showroom must offer something more than inventory. The goal isn't just to display products; that isn’t enough anymore. What matters now is creating an experience. For many visitors, the process of selecting plumbing fixtures can be overwhelming.