News

Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. is growing tremendously fast and enjoying the success we're delivering to our customers. With this, news and highlights are common and we'll be posting them here regularly.

Finding a Niche

By Susan Sutton, Editor-in-Chief, Integrated Media

A focus on the residential remodeling market has helped one sealant manufacturer prosper.

After working for a major sealant manufacturer for a number of years, Derek Miller decided to branch out on his own. In 2006, he founded Premier Industrial Supply, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of products such as Xtrabond sealants, XtraFlash flashing and XtraFoam low-expansion foams. Initially, the company was housed in a 10,000-square-foot space in Phoenix, AZ, and primarily serviced the West Coast building and construction industry.

Business was good for a while, but then the housing market collapsed and the worldwide recession kicked in. “When the economy hit the skids, we went from having multiple housing starts to virtually very little,” says Miller. “We had to branch elsewhere.”

East Coast Opportunities

In 2008, Miller decided to open a distribution point in North Canton, Ohio, in order to reach potential customers on the East Coast. Having grown up in Ohio, Miller was familiar with the state, its economic environment and its people. “We chose Ohio mainly because of economic considerations,” he explains. “There are more manufacturing personnel to be offered in Ohio than what I felt other areas of the country had to offer.”

Miller also recognized that a continued focus on new construction would not serve his company well. Instead, he decided to actively pursue the residential remodel market, which was experiencing growth as homeowners decided to hold off on selling during the housing downturn. “No one’s buying new homes; they’re all remodeling,” he says. “That’s really where we’ve made our focus as a company. We do go after new construction, but our big focal point is residential remodel construction.”

That strategy has paid dividends. In fact, increased demand led Miller to shift the company’s manufacturing operation to an expanded 34,000-square-foot North Canton site last year. (Premier Industrial’s corporate facility and West Cost distribution point remain in Phoenix.) The company also acquired several pieces of new equipment, including three high-speed fillers, two manual fillers, a 250-gal mixer, two 75-gal mixers, and a 4-gal mixer. The company can now produce upwards of 500 gal per batch using a combination of those mixers.

Premier Industrial has also developed a complete color department, including a color spectrometer. “We’re taking a paint store approach with sealants,” explains Miller. “Say you want to paint your daughter’s room Barbie® pink and you want the caulking around the windowsill to match. We can make it for you. We’ve found a niche offering colors, and the equipment we’ve purchased gives us the capacity and the ability to go down to a minimum of six cartridges on a custom color. Customers can send in a paint chip or let us know what Sherwin-Williams® paint or Pantone® number they’re using, and we’ll match it.”

Focus on the Customer

Premier Industrial now has 35 employees between the two locations, and each of them is focused on providing quality customer service. “Any customer who calls in is going to get a live person on the phone, not just some recording,” says Todd Barry, Operations manager. “We pride ourselves on customer service, facilitating customers’ needs, and following through with communication up the chain of command to make sure that those needs are handled properly and efficiently.”
The company ships all standard product the same day the order is received, and custom colors can usually be matched and shipped within 72 hours. Miller believes that its ability to be flexible has been a key factor in Premier Industrial’s success. “We are a smaller, growing company and we can adapt to customers’ requests or changes,” he says. “We’re a company that can easily transition and move with market and customer demand.”

As demand increases, Miller will continue to focus on building Premier Industrial’s U.S.-based manufacturing presence. “We’re continuously investing in the company,” he says. “We’re looking to build a new facility that will be probably three times the size of our current building, and we’ll continue adding people. I’m sure we could manufacture our products cheaper 180 miles south of here, in Mexico. However, I want to recreate manufacturing in the U.S. That’s not too common these days, but we’re going to continue manufacturing in the U.S. and continue to increase our presence in northeast Ohio.”

For more information, contact Premier Industrial Supply at (623) 780-3160, e-mail info@premierindustrial.net or visit www.premierindustrial.net.

 

Premier Investing to Expand Capabilities

March 9, 2010

As seen in Window & Door Magazine:

Premier Industrial, makers of Xtrabond sealants, XtraFlash flashing and XtraFoam, reports it recently made some significant equipment acquisitions to enhance its material flow and flexibility. The company added three high-speed cartridge fillers and two 75-gallon mixers to add to its capacity for 2010, says Derek Miller, president.

The supplier enjoyed high double digit growth in 2009, adding more than 20 new jobs at its plants in North Canton, Ohio, and Phoenix, Ariz. Miller notes that the company has expanded its business steadily over the past four years despite the recession.

With its investments in new equipment, Premier now offers technology to quickly color match any substrate by utilizing color pigment processes and spectrometer, Miller reports. The pigment dispersion processes it is able to use enables the company to effectively color match and produce any color in quantities equal to 48 cartridges.

For the original article, click here.

 

Premier Expands Eastern Operations, Personnel

December 5, 2009

Makers of Xtrabond® Sealants, XtraFoam® and XtraFlash® has appointed Melinda Shoyer to customer service and sales support servicing the newly open Canton, Ohio facility servicing all Midwest and East Coast customers.   Melinda brings several years of experience to the position previously working for Edgetech IG as a  customer service representative and corporate sales support.   

Premier also welcomes Jeff Kiser as our newly created plant manager.  Jeff comes with a great deal machinery experience working formerly for Spadix Technologies, a manufacture glass and dispensing equipment as well as technical service manager of Edgetech IG.   Jeff will overlook all operations, including all dispensing and filling operations for all sealants, including the companies MS Polymer, Silicones and Latex Caulking at our Canton, Ohio facility.

 

XtraBond® Sealants Expanding Operations; opens Ohio Facility

August 1, 2009

Premier Industrial Supply, the Arizona supplier of the XtraBond®, XtraFoam®, and XtraFlash® line of window products, will be expanding its presence with the grand opening of their Canton, Ohio facility.

The 10,000 square foot facility will supply and support the continuous growth of their east coast customer base, and allow the Phoenix, AZ facility to focus on all west coast customers.

The facility will allow for improved delivery times ranging from 24-48 hours nationwide, and allow any customer to order any of its products, including a range of 250 colors matched in its sealant line.

Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. distributes a broad range of sealants, adhesives and flashing products throughout the country. “This new operation, along with the Arizona operation, will enable us to continue the growth of our business, and serve our customers in all regions more cost effectively and efficiently”, states Derek Miller, President of Premier Industrial Supply, Inc.

 

Xtrabond Sealants Adds Facility

June 5, 2009

As seen in Window & Door Magazine:

Premier Industrial, the supplier of Xtrabond, XtraFlash and XtraFoam sealants, flashing and related products, has opened a second facility just outside Phoenix, Ariz. The new 6,200-square foot facility will serve as a dedicated sales center to the company's original distribution center located in North Phoenix.

The company has also added Michael Rens to serve as national sales manager, as well as an additional 10 sales associates to service its nationwide network of customers.

"Throughout this difficult economic situation, Premier remains committed to investing in its sales and marketing efforts that will drive continued market share growth and assist our customers with new innovative and green friendly products at lower costs," says Derek Miller, president. "We believe that Mike brings extraordinary leadership to our organization and will help develop new growth opportunities in every region of the country that will strengthen our company in the long-term and assist our customer base."

 

Top Rated Penguin Window Chooses Xtrabond Sealants and Wins Industry Award of Excellence for Installation!

12/5/08

Seattle Based Penguin Windows with two facilities in Seattle, one in Portland, OR and one in Boston, MA has been chosen as the installation company of the year. With its forward thinking and dedication to continue improvement, quality and customer service, Window & Door Magazine has recognized Penguin for its outstanding installation practices.

In addition to its award, Penguin has been a loyal user of all the Xtrabond® Sealants since 2005. According to one of their operation managers, “we have not had one issue surrounding the Xtrabond Sealant as it relates to the installation of our windows” .

For complete details about the award, read here.

Congratulations to Penguin Window for their Dealer of Year-Installation 2008!

 

Premier Expands again in the Midwest

October 24, 2008

Phoenix-based Premier Industrial Supply Inc. has appointed Dave Kaszar to its force of outside sales representatives. In his new role, Kaszar will serve as the company's territory account representative in the Illinois area, which encompasses Chicago and the surrounding area’s. He will focus primarily on growing all the products as the company moves toward a nationwide presence.

"Dave is a valued asset to our team and we look forward to having him apart of our growing organization," says Derek Miller, president of Premier Industrial Supply. "He has a strong work habit and motivation to serve our customers and our company."

Please contact us for more information on Dave, or Premier's expanstion into the Midwest.

Thompson Creek Window Company and Premier's XtraBond® Align Themselves

October 1, 2008

Thompson Creek Window Co., based in Landover, Md., has agreed to terms to include the exclusive use of Premier Industrials Supply’s, Phoenix, AZ, full line of sealants & adhesives for use in their manufacturing facility and all installations of its windows,doors, gutters and siding projects.

Brian Wuest, President of Thompson Creek states, “We decided to go with Xtrabond® Sealants for its performance, quality and green friendly aspects. Most importantly, we felt that Xtrabond® Sealants would allow us to differentiate ourselves in the competitive Baltimore & Washington DC metropolitan marketplace. The new line includes an environmentally friendly, solvent & odor free sealant that can be used in any climate, indoor or outdoor. Further establishing it in the high end market, the product is available in over 100 colors, so when color is in demand for Thompson Creek, it can be matched to our windows. We have been looking for a turn key package for manufacturing and installation for some time and when we came across Xtrabond®, nothing matched up. It meets AAMA standards and the willingness to work together made it an easy decision to align our companies” notes Wuest,.

Thompson Creek Window Co. is a 27 year old window manufacturer and installer of windows & gutters based out of Landover. Md. Its 80,000 square foot facility employs over 200 people. http://www.thompsoncreek.com/

 

Oklahoma Window Manufacture Choses XtraFlash Plus®

May 7, 2008

Public Supply Company, Inc, manufactures of Diamond Windows & Doors and the largest manufacture in Oklahoma, announced that it will use Premier Industrial Supply’s complete moisture flashing system exclusively to install and protect its windows throughout Oklahoma. Public Supply Company is the first manufacture in Oklahoma to provide builder installs and the first company to offer the XtraFlash Plus® flashing system.

"Oklahoma has some of the most extreme weather in the country that consist of both high and low temperatures, high winds, substantial rains and tornadoes," said Shane Vines, Public Supply’s Vice President of Operations. "With all the recent tornadoes and heavy rains we've experienced in the last few years, we needed to do something to assure our builders were protected from all the outside elements."

Vines decided after researching all the other flashing systems currently on the market, nothing compared to the XtraFlash Plus® system. Vines explained that seeing the “5 seal system”, along with the in-depth testing, put him over the edge. “ We anticipated a high degree of difficulty moving towards this system, however with the onsite demonstration and training Premier and its team offered, the process and transition was made seamless” stated Vines.

About Public Supply Company, Inc.

Public Supply Company was founded in Oklahoma City in 1946. After three generations, Public Supply company is one of the largest construction industry firms in Oklahoma. Employing over 225 Oklahomans in more than 300,000 square feet of fabrication and office space. All of our fine products are designed by our in-house engineers for efficiency, durability, beauty and use nothing but AAMA Certified Installers. Further information about the Company may be obtained at the Company's website: www.publicsupply.com.

Premier Industrial Supply Adds New Sales Representative in Rocky Mountain Region

April 8, 2008

Phoenix-based Premier Industrial Supply Inc. has added DJ Dickinson to its large force of outside sales representatives. In his new role, Dickinson will serve as the company's account representative in the Rocky Mountain Region, which encompasses Salt Lake City, UT, Colorado, Boise, Idaho and Wyoming.

"DJ is a valued asset to our team and we look forward to having him apart of our growing team," says Derek Miller, president of Premier Industrial Supply. "He has a tremendous background in outside sales, which is critical in today’s competitive environment."

DJ previously worked for a division of Sherwin Williams Paint handling the builders and multi-family home and apartment builders.

Premier Industrial Supply Adds New Sales Representative in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma

January 3, 2008

Phoenix-based Premier Industrial Supply Inc. has added Chad Foust to its large force of outside sales representatives. In his new role, Foust will serve as the company's account representative in the South Central Region, which encompasses Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

"Chad is a valued asset to our team and we look forward to his enthusiasm and commitment to our company," says Derek Miller, president of Premier Industrial Supply. "He has a tremendous background in sealants, adhesives and window flashings, which will serve him well in his new position and territory."

Foust previously worked for Soudal Inc. "As the new account representative, I look forward to not only assuring the highest standards of salesmanship for the company, but the extensive growth the companies has incurred in other regions," says Foust.

Article provided by DWM Magazine.

Premier Creates a Nationwide Presence at Trade Shows

November 12, 2007

As Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. is expanding its market, it has recently attended two important trade shows. Premier attended the POLYCON show October 9-11, 2007 and, last week, they attended a STAFDA show. “These shows give us the chance to display our products, for the first time, to a nationwide presence,” says Derek Miller, president of Premier Industrial Supply, Inc.

Premier hopes to strengthen their national presence through these shows. “As these are the first shows we’ve been to, they give us a chance to display our current turn key solutions for sealants and flashing,” Miller added.

Premier Launches Xtrabond® 9500 Color Plus Program

November 5, 2007

Last week, Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. launched its Color Plus Program,which means that it now offers 60 colors for its line of Xtrabond 9500 Hybrid Sealant. “We found a national need to match not just a few standard colors, which are offered by our competitors, but to offer a wide variety of colors that only a select group of large, worldwide sealant manufactures offer,” says Derek Miller, president of Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. Because the company is willing to work with its customers, Premier also offers a custom color-matching system, just in case one of their 60 colors is not an exact match. Unlike other companies, Premier does not require bulk purchases. Because of their size and focus on service, Miller says that “we provide personalized customer service, shorter turn around times, and products that are in-stock.”

Premier Joins Three Organizations

October 10, 2007

Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. has recently joined forces with The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA), The International Cast Polymer Alliance (ICPA), and American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA).

“Getting affiliated with associations nationwide broadens our market and the industries that we service,” says Derek Miller, president of Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. “We feel that being affiliated with [these associations], we have a nationwide presence and become a nationwide supplier to the market.”

As STAFDA, ICPA, and AAMA are nationwide associations, contractors & manufactures around the country rely on them for pertinent information and data. These associations publish directories and newsletters, which allow their members to be better connected to nationwide clients.

“Joining these associations will benefit not only the customer, but us as a supplier,” says Miller.

American Openings Chooses Premier Industrial's Flashing and Sealants

June 16, 2007

American Openings, Inc., one of the largest manafacturers and installers in the Southwest, announced that it will use the XtraFlash and XtraBond Family of sealants and flashing exclusively when installing their windows.

Arizona has some of the most extreme weather in the country, mainly related to UV Exposure and Wind. "With all the issues surrounding the installation of windows, we wanted to assure our homes and apartments jobs were protected. We looked at other systems and felt Premier's package stood out from the crowd with its UV rating, weather including wind resistance and warranty. We felt that Premier Industrial Supply, Inc had the right package", stated Keith Regina, American Openings, Vice President.

"We are delighted that American Openings chose our system. Our goal is to make quality products and systems that add value and reliability to our customers and the market", states Derek Miller President.

For more information, please contact us at 623-780-3160 or visit www.xtrabond.com

New Hybrid Sealant Merges Huge Boundaries!

April 23, 2007

Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. of Phoenix, AZ unveils the latest in sealant technology with the launch of a new line of sealants and adhesives.  The revolutionary XtraBond 9500 Hybrid Sealant was developed with the strictest quality and sealing performance properties in mind for the residential window & door industry.  It is a professional grade product that has incorporated the latest advancements in sealants:  The fusion of silicone technology and polyurethane technology cross linked into one high performance durable product.  With its hybrid technology, this product capitalizes on the features and benefits of both technologies:  The cure time and weatherability of silicone and the adhesion, flexibility, and ‘paintability’ of polyurethane.  Not stopping there, the XtraBond 9500 is fully AAMA certified, solvent free and environmentally friendly. Extra steps were taken to guarantee the product  to be non-yellowing - A huge benefit for long term satisfaction, un-matched by the competition.

In addition to its new technology in sealants, Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. has started the development of additional consumer safe sealants & flashings that are slated for release later this year.

As seen in Door & Window Manufacturer Magazine. For more information on the latest in sealant and flashing technology, call 623-780-3160.

Premier Adds to the Force - "Specializing" for the industry

March 12, 2007

Effective March 13, 2007, Todd Barry has joined Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. as a BUILDING SPECIALIST.  Reporting to Derek Miller, President of Premier Industrial, Todd will be responsible for all the specifications of the entire product line offered by Premier Industrial to many home builders throughout the western region.

In addition to gaining specifications on all our quality products, he will introduce many home builders with the knowledge needed to assure the homes are built with high quality sealants & flashings, which are offered in the XtraBond and XtraFlash family of products.  

With several years of building and customer service experience, Todd will be responsible for calling on all the home builders offering them with the state of the art technology offered in sealants and flashing industry.  Prior to accepting the position, Todd served existing home builders in the Phoenix, AZ market as Customer Service Manager and most recent, Operations Director of Camelot Homes, a high end home builder in Phoenix.  We welcome Todd to our professional and qualified team states, Derek.

Butyl-based XtraFlash Membrane Offers
Advanced Solutions

March 5, 2007

Building professionals continue to rely on Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. for industry-leading technologies that provide moisture management solutions for the entire window & flashing perimeter. Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. is proud to launch a revolutionary flashing membrane said to change the way builders and window installers think about the “systems”.

While others claim their products are compatible, we actually went out and worked with some of the best chemists in the world to change the actual formula. For years, we watched companies make actual claims as to what effects sealants and adhesives had on their products. Through extensive research, we learned that unless you change your product (flashing) to work with one another, you are going to continue to face those compatibility challenges built around the flashing core itself.

Available in convenient widths of 4, 6, 9. 12 or 18 inches, XtraFlash Membrane provides for fast and easy installation and solutions to all your window and flashing needs, including the best service temperatures in its class. Call us today for more details as to how your company can achieve results and minimize all those other gimmicks filtering around the window flashing industry.

Proper Coverage comes to the Southern Region

February 10, 2007

As part of our continued service to the residential construction industry and several OEM related industries, Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Polston Sales and Marketing.

Effective February 1st 2007, Polston Sales will be the exclusive sales representative for Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. in the states of Texas, Okalahoma, Louisiana, and Alabama.

As Account Representatives, Scott Polston and Ramon Sanchez Jr. will be responsible for the sales and service of all our sealant products.  Scott will be located in Houston, TX while Ramon will reside in Dallas, TX. We are pleased to have Polston Sales and Marketing as part of our continued growth plan as they bring a great deal of enthusiasm and dedication to our industry. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 623-780-3160.

Corporate Office & Central Warehouse Opens Doors!

August 1, 2006

Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. of Phoenix, AZ recently moved into its new 10,000 square foot location. The brand new corporate headquarters and warehouse is located in North Phoenix with immediate access to all major freeways and shipping routes. It's a strategic location for Premier that allows us to meet the immediate customer demands and expectations in the Southwest and Western portion of the United States.

Premier Industrial Supply, Inc. distributes a broad range of sealants, adhesives and flashing products throughout the west coast. This new operation will provide us the opportunity to grow our business and serve our customers in the region more cost effectively and efficiently states Derek Miller, President of Premier Industrial Supply, Inc.