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Buyinggroups Q&A with Doug Corp
Central Distribution is just one of the growth drivers at UPA
By Mary Jo Martin Editorial director
F
ounded 32 years ago, United Purchasing Affiliates was the brainchild of William Corp, a
PHCP/PVF industry veteran with a background in purchasing. This buying and marketing group — now led by the founder’s sons Doug Corp as CEO and Bill Corp Jr. as CFO — is comprised of 356 plumbing, PVF and HVAC wholesale locations throughout the U.S. They have built a national net- work supported by a very impressive central distribution center at its Or- lando headquarters, along with six satellite warehouses throughout the U.S. This effort to streamline logistics and inventory management for UPA’s
members has proven valuable, espe- cially during the past few years when lean business conditions led many to reduce inventory levels. The Central Distribution program — which en- compasses Plumbing, HVAC, PVF and Electrical — continues to expand
tures, garbage disposers, bathroom fans and lighting fixtures. UPA takes pride in developing a cadre of high- quality vendors, which are regularly reviewed to ensure their cost-effective- ness and continued relevance to UPA affiliates.
•THE WHOLESALER® — FEBRUARY 2011
keting program. UPA president and seasoned PVF veteran Roy Jacobs heads the sales and marketing efforts, which has cemented the bond between headquarters and members. Another benefit of UPA membership
are the group meetings held periodi- cally throughout the year. UPA be- lieves this is just one more vehicle by which to open communication chan- nels between members, vendors and the group’s leadership. The Corps be- lieve that the exchange of ideas be- tween non-competing members and the development of stronger relation- ships have strengthened UPA as an or- ganization, as well as its members and vendors individually. CEO Doug Corp recently shared
some further insight into UPA with ed- itorial director Mary Jo Martin. MJM: Can you pinpoint a key to
what has made UPA successful from your inception to now? Corp: In April of this year, UPA will
as more manufacturers are taking part. Among the products that can be found in UPA’s warehouses are tankless water heaters, faucets, plumbing fix-
Among UPA’s additional strengths
are its high levels of service throughout the organization, a team of inside serv- ice specialists as well as intensive mar-
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FEBRUARY 2011 VOL 65, NO. 2
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HYDRONICS
Water heating market report p 44
MECHANICAL CONTRACTING
PVF Forecast p 60
GREEN SYSTEMS
Is net zero energy right for your customers? p 72
Aspiration detection often prevents an actual fire and the associated damage for critical areas such as museums, libraries, server rooms or other facilities with irreplaceable assets.
Variable-speed circulation p 22
january 2011 Vol 11 | No 1
Pat McMullen, owner and president of PJ’s Plumbing & Heating, Belgrade, Mont., finds pumping solution for airport carwash project.
phcnews.com • Condensing Tankless • Storage Sprinkler Technology
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be 32 years old. Our success can be traced back to our inception when Bill Corp Sr. started UPA after serving 17 years as corporate director of purchas- ing for ITT Grinnell. Prior to that he worked as a purchasing agent for the air conditioning division of American Standard in Columbus, Ohio. Plumb- ing, PVF and HVAC has been, and will continue to be, an important part of the Corp family. From the beginning, ex- perience within our industry has played an important part of our suc- cess. Bill Jr. and I have been involved with UPA for 30 and 31 years, respec- tively.
MJM: How has that experience
translated into success in recent years? Corp: Bill and I have extensive ex-
perience directly involved in our in- dustry. We started and successfully ran a plumbing/ municipal supply business that was subsequently acquired by a national chain. I have been dealing with Plumbing, PVF and HVAC dis- tributors since I got out of college and went to work as a sales representative for Capitol Manufacturing and Camco Fittings Company. Subsequent man- agement positions with EG&G Sealol and Raytheon honed my appreciation for both the manufacturing and distri- bution market sectors. Combining our industry experience
with my brother’s extensive financial background in asset-based lending cre- ated a foundation for our growth within the industry. Bill worked with many small businesses in New Eng-
(Turn to UPA... page 34.) • Be sure to visit
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Purchasing Decision- Our 2011
Makers’ Survey! !&*'&(
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