Category Archives: Millie News & Updates

Nip That Drip!

Drip. Drip. Drip. Did you know the average American household wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water each year from water leaks? Gee whiz! That’s enough water to wash nearly ten months of laundry according to the super smart folks at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Fix a Leak Week

Clean water is our most important resource. Without it, we would all bite the dust! To promote water awareness, the EPA has designated March 18-24, 2013 as Fix a Leak Week. It’s time to replace those drippy faucets and runny toilets with EPA WaterSense labeled products. Good for the environment and your bank account.

Here are some mind blowin’ facts from the EPA:

· 70% of the earth’s surface is water; less than 1% is suitable for human use
· Each American uses an average of 100 gallons of water a day
· Toilets account for 30% of indoor residential water use
· Over your lifetime, you’ll likely flush the toilet nearly 140,000 times
· A leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water a day
· You can use up to 8 gallons of water while brushing your teeth
· Approximately 5-10% of American homes have leaks that drip away 90 gallons a day or more
· WaterSense products use 20-30% percent less water

Even though WaterSense products— toilets, faucets and showerheads—use less water, you don’t sacrifice quality or water pressure. Manufacturers like Delta and American Standard have gone all techie and created products that use less water more efficiently. You won’t have to flush several times or be left with soapy hair!

Nip that drip ‘cause every drop counts! Come on in to one of Modern Supply’s seven locations and see WaterSense fixtures that can save you money and water!

Go Tankless!

Water Heating so Advanced…it’s Simple

Murphy’s law will prevail and your water heater will die at the most inconvenient time. Like when the weather’s frigid and you’re in the shower! Water heating is the second largest energy user in the home after heating and cooling. Perhaps it’s time to explore energy-efficient tankless technology.

The Navien tankless can be installed in much smaller spaces. Photo and installation by Brogdon Plumbing, Knoxville, TN

Tankless water heaters provide an endless source of hot water and can cut energy costs up to 30 percent per year if usage remains consistent. Traditional tanks can develop rust and scale build-ups. A tankless unit does not store water so you’ll have fresher, cleaner water. They’re wall mounted and require less space too.

Here are a couple of key factors to ensure your tankless water heater happiness!

• Choose a plumber that can size the tankless water heater to fit your water usage. Things to consider include the output (gallons per minute) of shower heads and appliances that may be running simultaneously. Correct sizing is key!

• A tankless unit provides endless hot water while reducing energy costs. However, families often extend their shower time which defeats the energy-saving goal. Word of warning for families with teenage daughters!

Another installation by Brogdon Plumbing.

The plumbing pros at Modern Supply are frequently asked about tankless water heaters and recommend the Navien line for natural or LP gas use. Navien’s new NPE Premium Condensing units are more efficient than non-condensing brands. Installation has been simplified by Navien’s ability to use one-half inch existing gas lines. This makes it an ideal choice for tank replacement.

Without getting too techy, here’s how the Naviens work. Condensation is created inside of the condensing heat exchanger from incoming cold water cooling the hot gases inside the unit. The stainless steel condensing heat exchanger then traps the condensation and uses the heat that would be lost in a non-condensing unit. This results in a 98 percent heating efficiency. Two stainless steel heat exchangers provide longer life expectancy and are highly resistant to corrosion compared to copper heat exchangers. The heat exchangers carry a 15 year warranty.

Navien’s ComfortFlow technology eliminates “cold-water sandwiches” and issues of minimum flow rate. An insulated buffer tank and recirculation pump accelerates hot water delivery.

Mike Brogdon, owner of Brogdon Plumbing comments, “We’ve been installing Navien tankless water heaters since Modern Supply started carrying them. They are easy to install, service and are extremely efficient. We have many satisfied Navien customers.”

For more information about Navien tankless water heaters, stop by one of Modern Supply’s seven East Tennessee locations. Talk with our pros and visit http://www.navienamerica.com/. You’ll thank yourself when you step into the shower!

Modern Supply Wins Industry Marketing Award

Out-of-the-Box Marketing Concepts Appeal to Retail Consumers

Modern Supply Company, a kitchen, bath, lighting and HVAC distributor, has been selected as the winner for WIT & Company’s WHAM (WIT Honors Achievements in Marketing) marketing award in the E-marketing & Web Campaigns category for their blog, Kitchen and Bath Blab. The blog continues to brand Modern’s Millie as their virtual spokesperson sharing design trends and product information. WIT is a national member-owned organization of approximately one hundred independent plumbing, heating and cooling wholesale distributors.

WIT Marketing Award – Pace Robinson, Modern Supply CEO (left) with Morris Cregger, WIT President

“We’re very pleased to have won the WHAM
e-marketing award for our blog and to be recognized among our peers,” states Pace Robinson, Modern Supply CEO. “The blog was created to help expand our consumer reach and awareness for Modern’s Millie, our fictional spokesperson. The blog was the next step in our social media initiative.”

“Modern Supply definitely deserved to win the e-marketing award,” Sabrina Hawthorne, WIT Marketing Coordinator, comments. “Their branding strategy is unique and creative…for this industry and overall. When they introduced Modern’s Millie to their market, they successfully implemented several out-of-the-box endeavors including their Kitchen and Bath Blab blog. Congratulations, Modern Supply!”

The announcement was made at WIT’s 2012 Fall Networking Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

For updates – including product news and current trends – visit Modern Supply’s website, as well as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Modern Supply Promotes Debbie Johnson to Vice President

Debbie Johnson, Modern Supply Vice President

Knoxville, Tennessee, July 9, 2012 —Modern Supply has announced that Debbie Johnson, former Sales Manager, has been promoted to Vice President. Modern Supply, a kitchen, bath, lighting and Rheem distributor, has seven locations including three showrooms across East Tennessee.

Debbie will continue to leverage her sales expertise to manage sales activities while expanding her role in long-range strategic planning and industry involvement. She will be working closely with Modern Supply’s Owner/CEO, Pace Robinson and President/COO, Dottie Ramsey.

“Debbie started with Modern Supply sixteen years ago and has more than proven herself as a dedicated, valuable employee,” states Pace Robinson, CEO. “Her proficiency in the kitchen, bath & lighting industry combined with construction knowledge is an asset in keeping our three showrooms current, training employees and working with customers. I am pleased that Debbie accepted the Vice President position.”

Beginning her career as Modern Supply’s credit manager, Debbie served in that role for five years before promoted to Sales Manager. As Sales Manager, Debbie has overseen both showroom consultants, outside sales representatives for all locations.

Modern Supply Named Supply House Times Wholesaler of the Year

Knoxville, Tennessee, Jan. 16, 2012 — Modern Supply Company, a kitchen, bath, lighting and HVAC distributor, has been selected as the Supply House Times 2011 Wholesaler of the Year. The decision was based on Modern Supply’s willingness and ability to change along with its continued active involvement in the industry and community. Supply House Times is the official publication of the American Supply Association (ASA) serving wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers representatives.

Modern Supply’s CEO Pace Robinson & President/COO Dottie Ramsey

Modern Supply, a 62 year old Knoxville-based company, was established to serve the building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractor markets. To help endure the changing economy and downturn in the new housing market, Modern Supply expanded its focus on the retail consumer market through innovative marketing initiatives, streamlined internal processes, greater customer service and inventory control.

“To be recognized in our industry and among our peers as Wholesaler of the Year is an honor,” Pace Robinson, CEO says. “It’s also a testament in the dedication of our staff to work harder in a down economy in order to retain customers by providing the best product expertise and service possible.”

Bob Miodonski, Supply House Times Plumbing Group Brand Leader comments, “We wanted to showcase a company that is a good industry citizen, a company that’s ‘of the moment’ and that has made noteworthy achievements in 2011. Modern Supply’s business strategies and its outside-the-box thinking fit our Wholesaler of the Year criteria. Incorporating Modern’s Millie, a fictional character and spokesperson, in its marketing efforts has broadened Moderns Supply’s appeal to both its trade customers and retail consumers—particularly women. We hope other wholesalers in our industry learn from Modern Supply’s innovative approach.”

“Our mantra is ‘take care of business, take care of people’,” adds Dottie Ramsey, Modern Supply President and COO. “This is what we expect our employees to demonstrate every day and why we’ve been around for 62 years and still going strong.”

View the Supply House Times article: 2011 Wholesaler of the Year.

For updates – including product news and current trends – website, brandonb174.sg-host.com, as well as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Modern Supply Wins WIT Marketing Award

Out-of-the-Box Marketing Concepts Appeal to Retail Consumers

Modern Supply Company, a kitchen, bath, lighting and HVAC distributor, has been selected as the overall winner for WIT & Company’s WHAM (WIT Honors Achievements in Marketing) marketing award for 2010 innovative marketing initiatives. WIT is a national member-owned organization of approximately one hundred independent plumbing, heating and cooling wholesale distributors. Modern Supply submitted entries in six categories including advertising & brand awareness for the creation of their fictional spokesperson Modern’s Millie.

Pace Robinson & Dottie Ramsey receive the WIT marketing award

Morris Cregger, WIT President; Pace Robinson, Modern Supply CEO; Sabrina Hawthorne, WIT Marketing Coordinator; Dottie Ramsey, Modern Supply President/COO

“We’re very excited to receive the WHAM Marketing award and to be recognized among our peers,” states Pace Robinson, Modern Supply CEO. “Modern Supply has implemented marketing programs that are unique to our industry. Our fictional spokesperson Modern’s Millie, was created to soften our wholesale image and better relate to today’s consumer market. We continue to expand our marketing efforts and incorporate Millie in most all aspects.”

“For all their hard work re-inventing their company’s brand in 2010 and beyond, Modern Supply definitely deserved to win this award,” Sabrina Hawthorne, WIT Marketing Coordinator, comments. “Their branding strategy is unique and creative… for this industry and overall. When they introduced Millie to their market, they successfully implemented several out-of-the-box endeavors. Congratulations, Modern Supply!”

The announcement was made at WIT’s 2011 Fall Networking Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. The award included a professional photography and video shoot of Modern Supply’s Knoxville showroom and staff and was revealed at the meeting. View the video.

For updates – including product news and current trends – visit Modern Supply’s website, brandonb174.sg-host.com, as well as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Modern Supply Adds KraftMaid to Their Cabinetry Lines

Modern Supply Company, a kitchen, bath and lighting distributor, has added KraftMaid to their line of cabinetry vendors. KraftMaid, with more than 40 years of experience, is one of the largest and most recognized brands of cabinetry for the home. KraftMaid Design Centers have been installed in Modern Supply’s Knoxville and Johnson City, Tennessee showrooms for selecting styles and finishes.

“We’re excited to add KraftMaid to our cabinetry mix,” states Pace Robinson, Modern Supply CEO. “KraftMaid is known for their quality and has established name recognition through their aggressive advertising. They offer 100% built-to-order cabinets without steep prices and extended lead times.”

Cabinetry adds storage & beauty to your bath.

KraftMaid Maple Cabinets in Sage with Cocoa Glaze

KraftMaid’s collection of over 100 door styles and more than 45 furniture-quality finishes is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, KraftMaid is manufactured by Masco Cabinetry and assembled in the United States. More about KraftMaid.

For more info on KraftMaid: 865.966.4567 Knoxville; 423.928.0302 or email: millie@modernsupplyco.com

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