Thermostat Recycling Corp. Launches Annual “Banish Mercury Off the Planet” Contest

Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) has launched its 10^th annual Banish Mercury Off the Planet competition.

The contest recognizes members of Heating Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) that collect the most mercury-containing thermostats.

“The coronavirus had an immense impact on our industry, but it was refreshing to see how our partners continued to persevere with the collection of mercury-containing thermostats,” said Danielle Myers, operations and compliance manager, TRC. “They exemplified a commitment and can-do spirit in our cause to help create a safer environment by continuing to drop off the units collected.”

The contest officially began May 1 and concludes Oct. 31.

HARDI members need not sign up to enter the contest. All they must do is return thermostats collected through the bins that TRC places in HARDI wholesale member branches throughout the United States.

HARDI members are in every state and have collection bins where their customers — HVACR contractors — can deposit the thermostats.

The Banish Mercury Off the Planet contest, originally called the Big Man on Planet until 2018, names winners in three categories:

• Distributor that recycles the most pounds of mercury overall
• Distributor that recycles the highest average pounds of mercury (total pounds divided by branch count locations that submitted a collection bin)
• Distributor with the highest participation rate (for distributors with more than 10 locations)

TRC will publicly recognize the winners of each category at HARDI’s annual conference, Dec. 4 to 7, 2021, Palm Desert, California.

Winsupply Inc. Names Vendor of the Year Winners

Winsupply Inc. has named its Vendor of the Year winners for 2020. “This past year was unprecedented and full of unforeseen challenges,” said Amy Souders, Winsupply’s vice president of vendor relations. “Through it all, Winsupply local companies managed to be amazingly successful. We are so appreciative for our vendor partnerships and the support they’ve provided.”

The Winsupply Preferred Vendors that won in each category were chosen by Winsupply local companies. Nominees were based on several criteria, the most important of which was being a leader in growing the segment's business over the past year. They were also judged on selling to a breadth of locations that buy the vendor’s product, providing strong support at the local level, and consistent volume and growth.

Vendor of the year Winners by Industry:

• HVAC: Diversitech
• Plumbing — Rough-In: Viega
• Plumbing – Finished: Navien
• Waterworks: Advanced Drainage Systems
• Irrigation: Rain Bird
• Pumps: Zoeller
• Industrial/Fire: Spears
• Electric: Topaz Electric/Lighting

Winsupply also named Bonnie Mason from Viega the National Account Manager of the Year. Winsupply has decided to present Milwaukee with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Williams Distributing Announces Merger With Shoemaker Inc.

Williams Distributing announced its merger of Shoemaker Inc. into the Williams family business. Both companies are family-owned and -operated.

“Maintaining those family values and feel was important to everyone,” said Mike Koster, CEO of Williams Distributing.

“We are very excited to be joining the Williams Distributing family,” said Dave Shoemaker, president of Shoemaker Inc. “Maintaining the values of our family-owned business and utilizing the many skills and talents of the people that make up our organizations enable us to become a stronger and more effective HVAC distributor for both our customer and vendor partners. We are looking forward and committed to serving the HVAC trade together.”

Shoemaker will continue to operate under the Shoemaker Brand, as a division of Williams Distributing Co. Both management teams and employees will stay intact.