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Take Action Now - Write to the Department of Energy re: Showerhead Regulation

Jun 15, 2010

Columbia Pipe & Supply strongly opposes the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) re-definition of showerheads as shower valves and encourages all of our associates and customers to contact DOE immediately and submit your written comments to the rulemaking record.

The deadline for responses is Thursday, June 17, 2010; PLEASE DO NOT DELAY!

A DOE-proposed re-definition of shower heads as shower valves is a very serious issue with far-reaching and devastating implications for the entire plumbing industry. The net result of the DOE proposal is the elimination of multiple outlet shower systems, including hand-held showers, body sprays, gang showers and more.

Similarly, DOE’s attempt to redefine showerheads as an “interpretive” rule is a final and binding determination because it effectively outlaws ALL total shower systems with multiple showerheads.

ACTION REQUESTED
We’ve made it easy for you to take action; just follow these simple instructions:

1. CLICK on the appropriate letter below (Columbia Pipe employee or non-employee)

2. Copy the letter and paste the text into a new email.

3. Be sure to personalize the letter where indicated and add additional information and examples from your company that you feel are appropriate.

4. You must include this DOE docket number on your letter: Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-NOA-0016 (this is already included in the pre-written letters linked in this article)

5. Once personalization is complete, send via e-mail to Showerhead_Guidance_Comments@hq.doe.gov All letters must be sent via email, please do not use regular mail.

Thank you for your prompt action in this regard. Please be sure to take action by Thursday, June 17th.

ASA Materials Market Digest, May 2010

May 17, 2010

The ASA Materials Market Digest is designed to keep readers informed of important changes and recent trends in the areas of:

Carbon steel and stainless
Alloy steel and principal alloying metals
Non-ferrous metals and alloys (including copper)
Ferrous and non-ferrous scrap
Crude oil and natural gas
Resins
Paperboard

In each issue, a section is devoted to those materials where pricing or price-influencing action has taken place within the previous month. The Digest is prepared by Ed Scott, economist and renowned industry icon, and supported by ASA's Vendor Member Division.

As a member of ASA, Columbia Pipe & Supply is pleased to be able to provide you access to this important information. Please click the following link to view the May 2010 issue:

CHARLOTTE-GREEN

Mar 31, 2010

Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, Columbia Pipe’s partner in plastics, has added 2 new products to its offering for you, and for the environment:

1.Charlotte ReUze-This is in essence the same pipe, and fittings, as Flowguard Gold, but in the color purple, which designates it for non-potable water, more specifically gray water. Gray water is water that is re used; for example, faucet water, after use, may be piped to your toilet fixture for reuse. Flowguard is less expensive than copper, easier and quicker to install, and develops less condensation. An excellent product for very worthy applications!!

2.Charlotte RePVC-This innovative plastic pipe has 30-80% of the thickness of the pipe forced in/sandwiched between virgin Teflon. The material forced in is 100% recycled plastic. The fittings remain virgin Teflon. The advantages are many, including:

--Reduces consumption of raw materials

--Reduces waste to landfills

Charlotte RePVC is presently being used for military applications, and should expand to other government endeavors in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you Charlotte. It is a pleasure working with an excellent manufacturer that thinks about the environment and our finite resources.

Columbia Pipe & Supply Co. Responds to Haiti Disaster

Feb 15, 2010

In response to the devastating January earthquake that struck Haiti, Columbia Pipe & Supply Co. joined relief efforts through the American Red Cross to help disaster victims rebuild their lives and their communities.

Columbia Pipe associates answered the call by personally donating $8,705, which the company matched to present the American Red Cross with a contribution of $25,000.

“It was nice to see the company come together for such a good cause,” shares Claire Maly, human resource manager. “Several Regional Managers helped to promote the cause by encouraging their employees to donate and stressing the importance of this cause. After they did that, the amount of people who donated doubled.”

“This is another great gesture by Columbia Pipe,” said Mike Parker, regional manager. “Thanks very much for doing this!”

When the Rock River chapter of the American Red Cross received the contribution, Red Cross staffer Donna Gomez personally contacted Claire Maly to express her gratitude, “Thank you for the generosity of Columbia Pipe and its employees. We truly appreciate the effort and energy you put forth in the Haiti relief. It will go a long way in helping our organization fulfill our promise to support victims of disaster whether they’re around the corner or around the world.”
“Claire did a fantastic job coordinating the effort,” says Tim Arenberg, president. “Thanks to her dedication to getting the word out to all associates and extending the collection period, our efforts reached beyond the level we envisioned and were able to make a contribution that can have an immediate impact on the relief efforts.”

DRESSER APPOINTS COLUMBIA PIPE MASTER DISTRIBUTOR

Feb 5, 2010

Dresser has appointed Columbia pipe, and Columbia Pipe has enthusiastically agreed to become Dresser’s Master Distributor of piping products for water, wastewater, and industrial applications.

Products include:

*Pipe Joining Couplings

*Pipe Joining fittings

*Repair Clamps & Sleeves

*Flange Adapters

*Service Connectors

*Expansion Joints

*Dismantling Joints

*Joint Harnesses

Columbia pipe territory includes all our markets: All of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and Indiana, north of Indianapolis.

*Dresser has done planning with our Outside Sales Group, and training takes place the week of February 7. We are in the process of expanding our inventories of Dresser products.

Columbia pipe stocks a wide range of products for industrial and water applications in addition to Dresser, such as AWWA valves, including actuated through 24”, pipe through 24”, a wide range of fittings and other ancillary products.

Please contact Columbia pipe for all your Dresser Piping Specialty requirements, as well as your other pipe, valve, fitting, steam, hydronic, plumbing and HVAC needs.

ASA Materials Market Digest - January 2010

Jan 11, 2010

For the January issue of Ed Scott's ASA Materials Market Digest, please click here.

ASA Materials Market Digest November 2009

Nov 10, 2009

For the November issue of Ed Scott's ASA Materials Market Digest, please click here.

ASA Materials Market Digest October 2009

Oct 8, 2009

Apollo Valves Extends Warranties

Sep 18, 2009

Apollo Valves® Extends Warranty an Additional 3 Years

Apollo Valves, manufactured by Conbraco Industries announced that effective March 26, 2009 they will be extending their warranty on all domestic products produced in their South Carolina facilities by an additional 3 years for a total of 5 YEARS!

Their commitment to the tough standards of ISO 9001:2000, the rigorous control of the content of their raw materials, the continuous monitoring of all systems and operations; and their documented testing and inspection of all components and products -- results in Apollo-branded valves that are clearly the industry standard.

For over 80 years -- Apollo Valves has been synonymous with trust, confidence and reliability. Their new FIVE-YEAR warranty on domestic Apollo valves, free from defects in workmanship and material, demonstrates the continued confidence they have in their US-produced products.

Apollo Valves -- Buy American!

NEW PRODUCT LINE-SCHIER

Sep 18, 2009

Schier manufactures non-metallic(HDPE) grease interceptors. Advantages:

1.Lighter weight
2.Corrosion resistant
3.Doesn't rust
4.Lower installed and life cycle cost
5.ASME approvals
6.Outside/Inside installation
7.Wide size range
8.Modular
9.Some are NSF approved

Our goal is not to do away with Rockford Sanitayy but to add to our arsenal of products to give our customers a choice of metal vs. non-metallic.

But wait, there is more. Schier also makes products for industry, inc:Chemical Waste Tanks, Solids Interceptors, and Oil interceptors.

We are presently stocking grease interceptors at Milwaukee, and we are in the process of adding inventory to Illinois. We plan to have Schier at the 2010 AD Field Marketing Summit, as well as to schedule training for a wide variety of their product. Reps are Badgerland in Wisconsin, Hart Travers in Illinois, and Exceptional in Michigan.

Contact Jack Fink with any questions at 219-852-4406.

Thanks to Gene Stevens and Jeff Kleiber of Milwaukee for introducing Schier to Columbia Pipe.

Elkay Skullery Sinks

Aug 26, 2009

Elkay, Columbia Pipe's partner in stainless steel sinks and water coolers, has redesigned and expanded its RIGIDBILT skulley sink line. You may choose from single, double, and triple bowl models in a range of sizes for a variety of food services and general commercial applications. The NEW RIGIDBILT has a wide array of features and benefits, and is priced competitively versus the competition. Contact us at Columbia Pipe for superior Elkay products!!

Wheatland Makes Pipe For Columbia Pipe And You

Aug 26, 2009

Columbia Pipe is one of Wheatland Tube's top distributors, both in quantity and variety stocked and sold. DID YOU KNOW: Wheatland is the only manufacturer of continuous weld A53F carbon steel pipe in the U.S. And this is the best pipe for end preparations, such as grooved, threaded. Columbia Pipe stocks large quantities of black, galvanized and schedule 80. In addition, Wheatland manufactures and we stock: ERW, seamless pressure tubing, A135 fire sprinkler pipe, and lance pipe. And epoxy coated pipe for underground service. Both Columbia Pipe and Wheatland boast indoor storage of our pipe, so that you get the highest quality product when it arrives at your dock! Call us for Wheatland Pipe and all your pipe, valve, fitting, plumbing, and heating needs.

Saving Steam at Nestle USA

Aug 21, 2009

Columbia Pipe & Supply teams with Spirax Sarco to solve steam loss situation at Nestle USA's Eau Claire, Wisconsin plants! Check out this article from Supply Force.

NIBCO Expands Valve Warranty

Aug 18, 2009

NIBCO, one of Columbia Pipe's top suppliers, has expanded its warranty on metal valves, from 1 year to 5 years. If the unexpected occurs, please contact NIBCO Technical Services, at 888-446-4226. Once valve is sent in and isnpected, NIBCO will replace defective product at its expense, including freight. Further, NIBCO will pay 25% of the price of the valve or $10.00 to the owner. And NIBCO is the only domestic manufacturer of cast iron multi turn valves, and NIBCO also manufactures domestic butterfly valves. You expect this kind of service and guarantee from NIBCO!!

Columbia Pipe Moves to Midland Michigan in a Big Way!

Aug 13, 2009

Columbia Pipe is pleased to announce the opening of our newest location in Midland, Michigan. Columbia opened our newest startup in March 2008, housed in a leased 4000 square foot facility, which was much smaller than we needed to service our customers. We just completed building our new state-of-the-art facility at: 102 Fast Ice Drive, Midland, Michigan 48642, Phone: 989-496-9260, Fax: 989-496-9261. Now we have a facility worthy of our customers and our highly skilled staff. Our new building is 50,000 square feet and offers the following: * Complete valve automation shop, * Indoor truck docks, * Very customer friendly Will Call / Counter Area. We invite you to visit us at Midland, and to take advantage of our many high quality and high tech products and services. Our trucks deliver our complete range of products throughout the region. We also have boom truck capabilities. Please visit or call us for great products, great service and great people!

Columbia Pipe partners with Chicago Faucets

Aug 7, 2009

Columbia Pipe, the Midwest's Premier Chicago Faucets Master Distributor, is now stocking the most complete inventory of Chicago Faucets: OEM repair parts, Commercial Manual Faucets, Hytronic Electronic Faucets, MVP Metering Faucets and much more of the Chicago Faucets Line. For details, contact your Columbia Pipe Salesman or Branch! 1-773-927-6600

Columbia Pipe Goes to School

Aug 7, 2009

Columbia Pipe and our Mark Peranich have just been awarded a 3-year contract at a large, prominent university in our territory. And why not! Columbia Pipe's breadth and depth of product and services are a perfect fit for these "little cities" of learning. From pipe, valves, and fittings, plumbing, and HVAC to Hydronic heating and cooling, we give universities, hospitals, commercial buildings, and other institutional customers the wide array of products and services they need to perform the great work they do. Call any of our 19 locations for great products, great service, and the technical expertise to help you with your needs.

Columbia Pipe Introduces New Copper Joining Technology In Midwest

Aug 3, 2009

Mueller Industries has developed a new copper joining system, which promises to be a valuable addition to our industry. The Mueller Streamtech adhesive joining system offers many advantages, including: *Flameless, *Elimination of need for expensive tooling, *Ease of joining in difficult areas, such as up-high, corners, and other small spaces, *Ease and speed of installation. Mueller has teamed with Columbia Pipe and we have a large inventory of products to serve your needs. Please call your nearest Columbia Pipe location (there are 19 in 4 states) for more information, for a quote, or to order this exciting new product.

Columbia Pipe Wins Refinery ASCO Valve Contract

Jul 28, 2009

Bob Shofroth, who covers the Chicago area refineries for Columbia Pipe, recently won ASCO solenoid valve contract at one of the refineries. Columbia Pipe has serviced refineries for many years either directly or via contractors working at the refineries. We offer many products and services are used at refineries as well as virtually all manufacturing and OEM facilities. Check out our WEBSITE-www.columbiapipe.com- to discover the world of Columbia Pipe and how we can help your company. Contact Columbia Pipe at 773-927-6600 for further information or to speak with one of our many sales experts

ASA Materials Market Digest July 2009

Jul 8, 2009

Ed Scott's latest industry article.