The
A.I. McDermott Co. of Oshkosh, Wis., celebrated its annual dealer meeting with
more than 300 McDermott dealers, suppliers and employees at the Oshkosh
Convention Center on March 3. The
meeting’s focus was on the repair and replacement market, emerging new
technologies and preparing for the opportunities of the eventual economic
turnaround. The theme for this 64th annual meeting was “Team McDermott: Ready
for the Challenges of 2009.”
Tom McDermott Jr., president of the A.I. McDermott Co. welcomed the dealers,
reminding them that, “Regardless of what shape the overall economy is in, one
fact remains: People need water, water and wastewater treatment and plumbing
and heating, and even with housing starts at record lows, repair and
replacement continues. During this downturn, it is critical to have close
relationships with your suppliers and banker, collect your bills promptly, keep
your eyes on new technologies and trends, make the most of every job by
offering options to your customers, and have the supplies you need on hand when
the repair or replacement call comes in. Managing through the downturn will
require extraordinary attention to business and will be challenging, but it is
doable.”
The manufacturer display area featured more than 30 exhibit booths, and the
morning and afternoon training sessions were approved for continuing education
credits. The continuing education sessions included Wisconsin plumbing code
updates, water treatment and on-site wastewater treatment technologies. New
technologies introduced and discussed included the CUE variable frequency drive
from Grundfos Pumps Corp., which is used to control pump motors from 7-1/2HP to
300HP. Sales and service seminars were also offered for hydronic heating
professionals and onsite wastewater contractors including an opportunity to
enroll in the Goulds Professional Dealer Association and be certified as a
Roth/Fralo MultiTank polyethylene tank installer, making them eligible for extended
warranties and labor insurance.
Specials and an extended terms and dating program were offered to dealers the
day of the meeting. Exciting door prizes and booth prizes were given away
including a pair of Classic iPods, five portable GPS Systems, an infrared
CharBroil gas grill, a 32-inch flat-screen LCD television and a Weatherby
12-gauge shotgun. A grand prize of a home theatre and gaming package that
included a 46-inch Vizio LCD television, Nintendo Wii gaming system and sports
package, and newly released DVDs was awarded to a lucky McDermott dealer at the
end of the day.
The A.I. McDermott Co., Inc. distributes water well, wastewater and water
treatment supplies, pumps, plumbing and hydronic heating equipment throughout
Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In addition
to their corporate offices in Oshkosh, the company operates branch locations in
Green Bay, Wausau and Muskego, Wis.
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