It’s a new year and we are optimistic 2021 will bring many new opportunities. And, for IMARK members, considering growth or expansion in the irrigation, PVF and/or waterworks markets, additional resources have been allocated to assist you with your plans!

One thing is for sure, IMARK members need to remain competitive. They must strive to meet a growing customer and contractor demand for one-stop shopping—the need for contractors to fi nd parts, service and information from a single source is high. We see more and more distributors offering value-added services by targeting a larger market through branch expansion, focusing on a “tighter” market by establishing and fi rming up relationships with local contractors and expanding their product offering. With this comes the need to lower administrative costs and reduce business expenses to buffer the member’s bottom line. Often the benefi ts IMARK members pass on to their contractors include a wider availability of sales tools, focused sales teams, networking advantages and the ability to access products that service multiple market segments, so when business conditions change…opportunities still exist.

As IMARK expands its participation in the irrigation, PVF and waterworks markets, some of the fi rst items we will attend to is addressing the number of suppliers that are available in the various new verticals, along with products and services offered and the programs that go with them…because we all know, manufacturers who work with larger volumes of business offer incentives for high-volume purchases.

With irrigation, partnering with manufacturers that offer such items as traditional products along with hardware, water features or lighting components will all be considered. Waterworks and PVF, while closely associated with plumbing, require a different subset of materials and distributor services. We will look to recruit new members from these areas and work with existing suppliers to satisfy the needs of our membership, encouraging them to augment their programs and product offerings to suit our members’ needs as the products associated with these markets often have different more specialized requirements.

I look forward to bringing IMARK members together who are servicing these markets and teaming up with them, developing a repository of ideas, feedback on market trends, concerns and input on products so that we can serve as a unified voice going back to our supplier partners.

In order to grow and exceed expectation, we must remain nimble and offer a value proposition to our suppliers and our members. Over the next few weeks, I will be reaching out to members whether they be aligned with plumbing, PVF, waterworks or irrigation…whether it be residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural, to help us better understand the suppliers you work with, both inside and outside the group as well as the approximate volume associated with your purchases so we can exceed all expectations for our group.

I look forward to talking with you going forward, hearing and reading your responses and I welcome your valued feedback.

IMARK Plumbing Adds Scott Bardreau as Vice President of IMARK Plumbing

Scott Bardreau has joined IMARK Plumbing as vice president of plumbing with a focus on expanding IMARK’s PVF and irrigation verticals.

Bardreau has a strong background in plumbing wholesale distribution, having served the industry for more than 35 years with his early days working for a large plumbing distributor in upstate New York before entering the manufacturing sector.

Prior to joining IMARK, Scott spent 12 years with Watts in various regional and national roles, 12 years with Matco-Norca as vice president of sales and marketing and most recently as the chief sales officer for Midland Industries.

“I look forward to serving the membership and being an integral part of the leadership team at IMARK,” Bardreau said. “My tenure over the last several years as both an IMARK vendor and serving on the IMARK Vendor Advisory Committee has given me the opportunity to spend valuable time with members and other vendors, listening to their needs and concerns and then developing strategies and programs that address those needs. I look forward to applying my experience, product knowledge and strategic vision to bring additional value-added solutions for our members and vendors.”

Mike Plasier, CEO of Plumbing and Heating Wholesale, Sioux Center, Iowa and chairman of the IMARK Plumbing Board of Directors, said, “When we became aware of Scott’s availability, we knew he would be a great fi t within the IMARK family. That combined with his industry experience and relationships made this a very desirable marriage for IMARK Plumbing. We are thrilled that Scott will be joining us at IMARK.”

John Aykroyd, president of IMARK Plumbing, added, “We see a tremendous growth opportunity for IMARK Plumbing in the PVF and irrigation market segments. Scott brings to our team a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion along with extensive relationships that will help our members thrive.”

Bardreau can be reached at 330-789-3160 or sbardreau@imarkgroup.com.