BY BOB MIODONSKI
Of CONTRACTOR’s staff
SCHILLER PARK, ILL. – In a press conference Jan. 23 here, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association announced that Amtrol and Power Line U.S.A. have joined its Professional Product Line.
Don Morin, PPL chairman, said that Amtrol would offer indirect-fired water heaters through the PPL and that Power Line would sell its line of drain treatments under the PPL label.
Amtrol products joining the PPL comprise the entire line of its BoilerMate Classic and Premier series of indirect-fired water heaters. Amtrol introduced the line in 1980 and redesigned the units in 2000 with a new heat exchanger coil, the SC-5000. The water heaters carry a limited lifetime warranty.
“We hope to help Amtrol be the premier unit and keep them in the forefront of the industry through counter days and our other efforts,” Morin said. “Amtrol products bring a new dimension to what is offered through the Professional Product Line, providing contractors with more options to increase their bottom line.”
Robert Pape, Amtrol vice president/sales and marketing, added: “This is good for Amtrol. Through our association with the PPL, we hope to see increased sales and the re-identification with professional contractors. It’s a re-commitment to professional contractors that we are supporting them.
“We are excited to be associated with the PHCC and its members and look forward to providing them the quality products, training, support and service they require.”
In making the Power Line announcement, Morin noted that PHCC had discussed offering a variety of products for professional contractors such as a drain treatment through its PPL.
“With Power Line and its Alpha-1 products, PHC contractors will be able to expand the services offered to their clients and increase their profit on each job,” Morin said.
Although not present at the press conference, Power Line Marketing Director Dick Berti said in a statement: “After being in business for 30 years, Power Line U.S.A. is extremely excited to announce a newly formed partnership with PHCC. We are offering our Alpha-1 products designed for the plumbing and rooter industry an extended service warranty that guarantees customer satisfaction. We’re looking forward to a long-lasting relationship.”
Literature from Power Line clearly states the Alpha-1 drain treatments are not drain openers. “If drain is blocked, call a drain professional for cleaning,” the brochure states.
The Alpha-1 series consists of: Simply Awesome, which is a water-based, high-pH degreaser/cleaner formed to penetrate and dissolve greases, oils, fats, hair, etc.; Super Citrus, which is a citrus-based degreaser and sewer solvent that emulsifies grease, oil and fat; and Ultra Bio 550, which is a liquid bacteria-based grease and sludge digester.
Amtrol and Power Line join PPL about a month after Delta Faucet decided to discontinue its participation to pursue other marketing efforts (January, pg. 1). Other manufacturers in the PPL are Anaheim Manufacturing, Bradford White, Hammond Valve, PlumbMaster, Ward Manufacturing, Water by Design and Glentronics.
Despite Delta’s departure, the PPL program remains viable and will continue to grow, Morin said. In the past year, the PPL has been represented at more than 20 local trade shows and conventions, he said. In addition, PHCC has funded a major advertising campaign for PPL in trade magazines, started a PPL newsletter for PHCC members and added a PPL section to its Web site with links to its manufacturer partners.
“I’ve heard talk that the program is not supported by our contractors,” Morin said. “We don’t agree with that. We’ve been talking face-to-face with contractors who support PPL.”
The PPL council plans to announce plans for this year’s marketing campaign in March, Morin said. The campaign likely will be targeted more to contractors and wholesalers than to consumers, he added. The program will include an increased number of counter days at local supply houses to familiarize both contractors and wholesalers with PPL offerings.
“PHCC is committed to doing what is necessary to help member contractors expand the market for their products and services,” said Harry Massey, PPL executive director. “We believe in building partnerships with manufacturers and wholesalers which highlight the quality products and quality services our member contractors provide to their clients.”
Introduced in 1997, the PPL program is intended to help professional contractors differentiate themselves in the eyes of consumers with products, services and warranties not available at home centers and other retailers. It was developed to provide contractors with the tools to grow their business through the traditional plumbing-heating-cooling distribution channel. For more information, call 800/533-7694 or www.phccweb.org.