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APRIL 2022 l The Wholesaler l PHCPpros.com

SPOTLIGHT ON LPG

DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

re- strictions in California, IMARK Plumb- ing and The Luxury Products Group (LPG; luxuryproductsgroup.imark- group.com) cancelled their annual member meetings originally sched- uled for Jan. 26-29, 2022, in Carls- bad, Calif. While the event is being rescheduled for another time later on this year, it didnt stop the group shar- ing industry news - celebrating its members and suppliers and encour- aging individuals to nd their career path in the PHCP industry. We look forward to the next LPG in-person event, where all winners will be honored in person. For now, we celebrate their successes in print. LPG announced that its members attained a 38 percent increase in sales growth in 2021, establishing a record during one of the most challenging years in the industry. To complement this promising growth, the organization added new executive team members to IMARK Plumbing: Francesca Messina, senior director of marketing, and Kaitlyn Isola, director of marketing. In addi- tion, LPG is slated to add new vendor partners in early 2022. This year was particularly chal- lenging, and our partners, while growing at an impressive pace, had to endure some of the most diicult obstacles in supply chain and talent management, said Je MacDowell, executive director of LPG. Despite the diicult circumstances, we pulled together and supported each other as best possible. I am con- dent our people will enter 2022 more prepared and able to handle the challenges we will face.

Showroom of the Year

Every year, LPG recognizes a show- room that goes above and beyond in all aspects of business and par- ticipation within the group for its Showroom of the Year award. The 2021 winner is WDC Kitchen and Bath Center, with several locations in southern California. We want to say thank you for this award! said Steven Loria, director of plumbing at WDC. What a pleasant surprise. There are so many show- rooms in LPG that are deserving of this award. We are thrilled, and hon- ored, to receive this recognition. We have grown with the number of ven- dors used in the LPG group, reect- ing our growth in the group sales. We are looking forward to another successful year, and we will continue to proudly support LPG. Award criteria includes a demon- strated and consistent involvement of integrating LPG member benets into a showrooms routine. In addition, showrooms that have made a concise eort to involve themselves in the development of strong relationships with group vendors, as well as work to ensure a premium customer expe- rience, are contenders for the award. I am thrilled that WDC is our showroom of the year! MacDowell noted. It is refreshing to see a show- room that blends so many products such as appliances and bathware in one setting. WDC has a great reputa- tion in the marketplace and supports LPG suppliers exceptionally well. They are a perfect example of what an LPG showroom is.

Destination Showroom of the Year

In 2021, LPG announced the Destina- tion Showroom Program, an initia- tive designed to foster participation within the group and improve loyalty to LPG suppliers. The programs award, Destination Showroom of the Year, recognizes a showroom that is actively participating with the most LPG supplier partners. In recognition of its outstanding participation and support of its sup- pliers, Sierra Plumbing Supply/Gran- ite Bay Plumbing Gallery has been presented as the inaugural recipients of the award. We are honored [to] receive the award, said Jason Craig, president, Sierra Plumbing Supply/Granite Bay Plumbing Gallery. We love the partnerships we have with LPG vendors as well as the entire LPG family. We look forward to a successful 2022 and beyond! MacDowell added: Jason and his team at Sierra Plumbing Supply/ Granite Bay Plumbing Gallery are en- gaged and participate in every ser- vice LPG has to oer. They leverage the buying group relationship and help make it a competitive advan- tage at their showroom. I am proud to have them in our family.

Strasser 2021 Vendor of the Year

Strasser is LPGs 2021 Vendor of the Year. MacDowell presented the award virtually to Strassers Vice President of Sales Peter Ollestad during an LPG State of the Union Zoom call in early February 2022. Strasser is a tremendous partner with Luxury Products Group,MacDowell noted. [It's] commitment to crafting the highest- quality bathroom vanities, furniture and accessories in the [United States] garners them the unwavering support of fellow industry mem- bers as well as everyone at LPG. The generations of family members working at [its] facility, and [its] plans for continuing family involvement, are inspirational. Peter is a perfect example of what the industry needs in leadership - and it because of his eorts to support us that this award is presented to Strasser. Ollestad said: To receive this

Luxury Products Group Happenings

While annual convention was postponed, LPG spotlights members successes.

BY RUTH MITCHELL

LPG ANNOUNCED THAT ITS MEMBERS ATTAINED A 38 PERCENT INCREASE IN SALES GROWTH IN 2021, ESTABLISHING A RECORD DURING ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY. EVERY YEAR, LPG RECOGNIZES A SHOWROOM THAT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND IN ALL ASPECTS OF BUSINESS AND PARTICIPATION WITHIN THE GROUP FOR ITS SHOWROOM OF THE YEAR AWARD.