One of Florida’s oldest and largest manufacturers’ representative firms now has a brand-new look. Harry Warren, Inc. – an Orlando-based firm founded in the 1960s – recently completed a rebranding program that supports its statewide growth strategy.
“We are in a new era for the plumbing industry, and we wanted a look that reflects both today issues and tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Bob Mycoff, president, in an interview with Florida Plumbing Perspective. “For instance, our team understands the growing importance of water conservation and other ‘green’ solutions in the residential and commercial markets.” For Harry Warren, Inc., the change to its logo and graphics is just one of the steps forward the firm is making this year. The rep firm is adding new personnel, exploring new applications for its product line and updating and adding more features to its website (www.harrywarren.com). “Online, social and mobile communications are becoming increasingly important to everyone in the plumbing industry,” Mycoff said. “Therefore, we have updated our site to support those informational tools and create more functions and interactive features for users.” For example, the new site includes photos of the firm’s inside sales and service personnel, along with a brief description of their roles. “Someone who talks to an inside sales person can see that person’s picture,” Mycoff said. “We think it’s important to be able to put a face with a name or a voice on the phone. It’s also a time-saving feature, since a customer can see exactly who to contact for their needs.” Mycoff adds that the new site also readily identifies the various channels that Harry Warren Inc. services, an important service because there are often overlapping individual responsibilities. “From showrooms to water systems to high-end residential projects, we want to make it as easy as possible for users to connect with the right people,” he said.
Adding new people
In addition to refreshing its image and adding new online capabilities, Harry Warren, Inc. is expanding its team. In the past year, the firm has added another 13 people to its organization, which includes separate companies in Florida and Georgia that cover the Southeast region and beyond. “One of the important internal steps we’ve taken is bringing in several new people, fresh out of college, and putting them through an aggressive training program to help them understand our industry,” said Mycoff. “To bring them up to speed, we are also having our veterans coach them about the techniques of selling, how to service our customers and the various roles in our industry.” Mycoff adds that the infusion of new professionals has been particularly helpful in developing the new communication channels and enhancing the delivery of customer services. “They bring a passion for service to our company and are helping us stay ahead of the curve.” At the same time, Harry Warren, Inc has brought about several long-time industry professionals who balance the exuberance of youth with the seasoning of experience. Currently, the company has 36 members of its Florida team, including:
- Leigh Mycoff, secretary/treasurer
- Carlon Faust, accounting and technology
- Al Swann, IT support
- Lori Blum-Miller, inside sales manager, commercial quotes
- Bill Orris, operations and general sales manager
- Lori Henderson, director of showroom sales
- Bill Brazee, Commercial Director
- Wes Reinert, Residential Director
- Dave Evans, Water Systems Director
“This is very much a people business, and our professionals – young and old – are committed to building those relationships,” said Mycoff. “Our team is excited about our recent changes and they bring that enthusiasm to work every day, along with a strong sense of serving our customers and local communities.”
A regional leader
It was back in the late 1960s, when Harry Warren founded the firm that bears his name. In 1990, he sold the firm to his daughter Leigh and son-in-law Mycoff, who have guided the firm since then. “Our agency was founded with the goal of making sure customer satisfaction was synonymous with the Harry Warren name,” said Mycoff, who joined the company as a salesperson in 1979. “Harry had high expectations that his business would be successful. His vision of success began with hard work, honesty and integrity. The principles and examples that he employed for nearly half a century still exist in our agency. Under Mycoff’s leadership, the firm was named 2007 “Representative of the Year” by the nationwide publication Supply House Times. Harry Warren, Inc. also received the “Golden Regulator Award” as the manufacturer’s rep of the year for the Watts Regulator Company, part of the Watts Water Technologies family. Mycoff was named to the AIM/R’s board of directors of AIM/R, a trade association of independent sales representatives in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and piping industries. In the 2000s, Harry Warren, Inc. opened new offices in Tampa, Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Kernersville, NC. In addition, the firm is the authorized representative for many lines in the Caribbean and Central America. “Our Georgia company covers Alabama and eastern Tennessee, and mirrors Florida in every aspect with very similar line cards,” Mycoff said, adding that the firm covers North and South Carolina in the water systems category. “We’ve grown our Atlanta operations very significantly in the past two years, and now have 26 employees there,” he added. “That combination is particularly helpful to our dealers in northern Florida and southern Georgia with customers in both states.” Looking ahead, Mycoff said he expects the firm to continue expanding its operations, particularly in the luxury residential sector. “We expect to see further expansion of our current categories, as we continue to focus on serving the needs of Florida’s plumbing designers, engineers, contractors and builders. We are committed to remaining a leader in our state’s plumbing industry.”
Harry Warren Inc.’s Current Lines
Residential
• A.O. Smith Water Heaters
• A.O. Smith Water Systems
• American Standard Brands
• Arrowhead Brass
• Crane
• Dormont
• Eemax
• Elkay
Luxury Showroom Channel
• American Standard
• Arrowhead Brass • Blücher
• Decolav • Elkay • Eemax
• In-Sink-Erator • Jado
• Porcher
• Webert
• Fiat
• In-Sink-Erator
• Wal-Rich
• Watts
Commercial / Industrial
• A.O. Smith Water Heaters
• A.O. Smith Water Systems
• Acudor
• American Standard Brands
• Blücher
• Bradley
• BRAE
• Conine Manufacturing Co.
• Cooper B-Line
• Crane
• Decolav
• Dormont
• Eemax
• Elkay
• Halsey Taylor
• Orion
• T&S Brass
• Taco
• Watts
Well & Septic Channel
A.O. Smith
Arrowhead
Campbell Septic Products Inc.
Service Wire Snyder Industries, Inc.
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