There was a roomful of angry Texans at a recent town hall meeting in Grand Prairie, Texas. Some citizens were outraged about billing errors allegedly caused by the new smart meters installed by electric utility Oncor Electric Delivery, according to a posting on the Environmental News Network. Oncor has installed nearly 800,000 smart meters in the Dallas-Forth Worth area.
Archive for March 17th, 2010
Bezjak to Lead Graybar in Government Sales
Graybar, St. Louis, appointed Rob Bezjak vice president, government sales. Bezjak has more than 22 years of experience at Graybar, and has been instrumental in the development and implementation of Graybar’s government strategy. In his new position, Bezjak is poised to sustain that momentum and capture new growth opportunities.
“Graybar has successfully served government customers for the past several years, and we see strong growth potential for the future,” said Richard D. Offenbacher, Graybar’s senior vice president—U.S. Business. “Appointing Rob to this position will provide the strategic focus Graybar needs to achieve long-term success in the government market.”
Bezjak is the chairman of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Business Council and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.
From Light Bulbs to Linens: HD Supply to Target Hospitality Market
HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, San Diego, has launched a dedicated Hospitality Sales Organization to focus on the unique needs of hospitality customers. The new sales organization will have a national footprint and 100 employees. Douglas Peterson, market vice president, Hospitality Sales, will lead the organization and oversee the hospitality national account team, which now includes six regional sales managers responsible for 60 field account representatives and more than 25 inside sales representatives.
HD Supply Facilities Maintenance offers more than 20,000 stocked products, from its 35 distribution centers with same-day shipping and delivery within two days. The company has not stopped there. As a single-source supplier HD Supply Facilities Maintenance provides both housekeeping and maintenance supplies from one source, saving customers time and money. We make it very easy for our customers to buy all of their products from a single source,” said David Kahn, vice president of Hospitality at HD Supply Facilities Maintenance. “From light bulbs to linens, air conditioners to amenities, Facilities Maintenance has it all.”
HD Supply press release
Toshiba Shutters Incandescent Bulb Factory to Focus on LEDs
After manufacturing incandescent bulbs for 120 years, Toshiba shut down production of incandescent lamps at a factory in Japan so it can invest in LEDs. PC World
Mansfield to Lead Industrial Market for Graybar
Graybar, St. Louis, has appointed Bill Mansfield vice president, industrial market. Mansfield has been with Graybar for more than 22 years, and has served in several management roles at the corporate, regional and branch levels, most recently as director of comm/data sales for the company’s St. Louis region. His background includes experience in automation, industrial networking, intelligent building design and energy management. He has a bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Sonnhalter to Hold Free April 6 Webinar on Digital Marketing
Sonnhalter, Berea, Ohio, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, is hosting a free one-hour webinar on best practices for manufacturers using the evolving digital marketplace.“Digital Media: Top Ten Tactics Your Company Should be Implementing,” will be held on Tuesday, April 6, at 2 p.m. EDT. Click here to register.
The webinar will provide tips to navigate through digital channels and best practices that leading marketers are deploying across a variety of industries. Presenting ten pragmatic insider tips, the Webinar will help companies reduce the risks and surprises awaiting manufacturers who wish to embrace the digital age.
“The dawn of the digital era is upon us and navigating this maze is critical to aiding organizations wanting to capitalize on emerging opportunities,” said John Sonnhalter, rainmaker Sonnhalter’s president. “In today’s world, marketing expenditures might feel more like placing bets rather than sound investments, but this Webinar will show best practices and provide valuable tips on how to embrace the digital marketplace.”
Bridgeport Fittings Names Sales Rep Award Winners
Bridgeport Fittings Inc., Stratford, Conn., announced its sales representative award winners at the 2010 Annual NEMRA (National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association) Conference, held February 16-20 in New York. The award winners for 2009 were:
Representative of the Year Platinum Market Award: Bell & McCoy, Houston.
Representative of the Year Gold Market Award: Rouzer Sales Co., New Hope, Minn.
Customer Service Representative of the Year: Tina Lyons, C.C. Pierce, Duxbury, Mass.
Salesperson of the Year Award winners: South: Dana Arnold, Bell & McCoy; North: Rich Bartosch, C.C. Pierce; West: Gene Moore, Electric Sales Unlimited, Santa Fe Springs, Calif..
Conversion Salesperson of the Year Award: Adam Chase, Lester Sales, Indianapolis, Ind.
Lowe’s to Offer PV Panel Installation in California
A March 17 Reuters report said Akeena Solar Inc. will offer installation services for customers buying its PV panels from 21 Lowe’s stores in California. Akeena press release
GE to Double Green R&D Funding for Ecoimagination Unit to $10 Billion
With an eye on major opportunities in offshore wind farms, GE announced its intentions to beef up R&D in wind turbines and other clean technologies at the Jefferies Global Clean Technology Conference on March 16 in NYC. MarketWatch
WESCO Expands CSC Operations in Salt Lake City
WESCO International Inc., Pittsburgh, has opened a new Communications Supply Corp. (CSC) branch in Salt Lake City, Utah, as part of its 2010 national expansion plan. The new location will be co-located within a current WESCO facility, providing customers with a one-stop shop for all of their data communications, security and electrical product needs. WESCO has opened nine new CSC branches across the country in the last year and expects to open at least 10 in 2010. Details