summer 2021
MAIN PIPE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE
In this Issue: GERBER CULTURE Revisiting the Foundation & Defining the Path Ahead GAME ON! Take a Look Inside the First-Ever Gerber Olympics A GOOD TIME WITH GERBER Check out the Kick-off Event
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS Evolution of The Ideal Team Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 In The Know – Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 Gerber’s Turning 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 In The Know – Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 In The Know – Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 Gerber Does Good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Good Clean Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Culture & Kudos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 By The Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Gerber Toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 •
Gerber Does Good
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Good Clean Fun
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Ideal Team Player
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From this to that?! The Evolution of The Ideal Team Player
In the spring 2020 issue of Main Pipe, we introduced the concepts behind Gerber culture, based upon building blocks outlined in The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni. Since then, we highlighted feature articles with a personal look at one of the three virtues: Humble, Hungry, and Smart.
Why?
While the essence of those virtues remains, CEO Keith Yurko, along with his senior leadership team, realized there was an opportunity to further define our work culture vision. The team wanted to provide a clear and concise answer to the question: What does it mean to be a part of the Gerber team?
How?
Through several deep-thinking workshops and some self-reflective homework, the evolution of Humble, Hungry, and Smart resulted in the realization that everything at Gerber, we do with HEART.
Company culture will form either by accident or with intentionality. We’re committed to strengthening trust as we set new bars for success. 4
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In the Know – PRODUCT
Inaugural
GERBER OLYMPICS Welcome from the 2021 Gerber Olympics! After over a year of Zoom calls and Microsoft Teams messages, the sales, marketing, and product teams represented Gerber North America this July. Teams went face-to-face in interactive and educational events including tank-to-bowl race, custom shower quiz, faucet install challenge, tank lever trial, and name that product contest.
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“I had so much fun during product team’s Gerber Olympics!! I learned invaluable information that can be incorporated into my Gerber knowledge base. I appreciate product team’s effort, time and creativity going into this activity. It would be great if every new hire could do this exercise!” ~ Joanna Karafotas, Senior Graphic Designer
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In the Know – PRODUCT
First of Its Kind 1.0 gpf 4 ¼” Rough-In Back Outlet The First 1.0 gpf Back Outlet Toilet with a Gravity Flushing Platform • • • • • • •
Compact Elongated ErgoHeight™ 4 1/4” Vertical Rough-in 3” flush valve for maximum water force Fluidmaster® 400A Fill Valve Compact design fits in round front space MaP® Premium rating of 800g (report # 61-018)
VIPER 1.0 GPF Combo Item # Tank Item # Bowl Item #
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COMPACT ELONGATED BACK OUTLET
REGULAR COMPACT ELONGATED
GWS20022
GWS21519
Left hand - GWS28575
Right hand - GWS2857597
GWS21575
Left hand - GWS28570
Right hand - GWS2857097
GWS21872
New
Treysta® Stub-out Valve • Includes 8” x 7” x 1/2” Type M copper tube stub-out for tub outlet • Shower outlet connection is the same as hot & cold inlets • Eliminates the needs of carrying different tools & supplies on the job • Simplifies the installation, therefore less error & more efficient • Potential lower labor costs – elimination of “soldering” reduces the level of skill & experience required • Reduces the complexity, risk, & cost – “soldering” is a fire hazard & requires additional safety measures
IPS/SWEAT
Stops Without Stops
Horizontal Inlets
Vertical Inlets
G00GS505ST
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G00GS505T
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COLD EXPANSION PEX Integrated Diverter
Horizontal Inlets
Vertical Inlets
CRIMP PEX Integrated Diverter
G00GS507ST -
G00GS507T
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Horizontal Inlets
Vertical Inlets
Integrated Diverter
G00GS504ST
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G00GS504T
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In the Know – PRODUCT
There’s Nothing Ordinary about Being
Classic
Gerber Classics™ solid brass bath drains offer hundreds of unique configurations: • Side Outlet and Drain-in-Shoe options available (-97 Suffix) • Available with “Clean Out Here” indication on overflow face plate (-88 Suffix)
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GUESS WHO’S TURNING
90??
There’s no good reason to act our age. As Gerber turns 90, we recollect our history and memories from past decades, and invite you to share Gerber photos and memories with us. We were there for you before the first Disney film was ever released. We were there for you before Netflix, Velcro, microwaves, jukeboxes, super glue, cell phones, YouTube, and tiktok.
share your memories with us!
And we will continue to be here, to innovate, and to evolve. We have been the go-to trusted brand for quality plumbing fixtures the last 90 years, and we’ll be here for the next 90, too.
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In the Know – MARKETING Introducing the GERBER TOOLBOX: a one-stop shop for all links to resources located at the back of the issue. Please see a few key tools highlighted below in this edition. Social Media Content
Sharing is caring! We have compiled approximately 16 weeks of ready-to-use Gerber–branded social media content. We took care of the writing and image gathering, all you need to do is grab and go!
Cross-Reference Tools
Feel empowered to find competitive comps. Check out the all-new competitive cross-reference tools for both Gerber brass and vitreous china.
TOOLBOX
Gerber Performance Guide
The Gerber Performance Guide (formally known as the “Performance Brochure”) now includes the performance & features of our whole product offering including toilets and faucets. It is digitally available with print copies available in mid-September.
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Promotion Flyer Templates
Have a sale or promotion on Gerber products planned? Now you can quickly and easily put together a Gerber-branded flyer to get the word out. The promotion templates were created in PowerPoint and designed for you to drag and drop your logo and promotional details.
lift & shift
Website The next evolution of the Gerber website is well on its way, with backend platform moving to an enterprise system better suited to handle the robust Gerber catalog. The move to Oracle Commerce Cloud is expected to be complete in the 4th quarter of 2021, with no anticipated disruptions to current experience. This “lift and shift” is expected to bring the following to the Gerber website: • Search filter improvement • Recommended/related products based on search • Better product image gallery organization • Related videos on product pages • Improved ‘Where to Buy’ locator • Updated ‘Pros’ section
FEATURED VIDEO
Check out the NEW Floor Mount Tub Filler Video: Includes must-see installation tips! Visit youtube.com/gerberplumbing for more!
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In the Know – SALES
On the Road with Gerber! A Good Time with Gerber Plumber Roadshow kicked off in July. As part of our efforts to grow loyalty in the service plumber segment of our wholesale channel, our July show and future shows will include products to test and see, learning opportunities, food, and plenty of Gerber swag! There were over 100 people in attendance, and Gerber extends a sincere thank you to Edelmen Supply for their participation and support.
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Thank you for helping us put on this event! Everyone had a great time and the customers really appreciate events like these. Your support only strengthens our partnership and helps to grow the Gerber brand and lead to more sales. Looking forward to continued growth and success in the future! ~ Edelmen Supply
A GOOD TIME WITH GERBER P LU M B E R R OA DS H OW
GOOD:
Make it good with
FOOD TO EAT · PRODUCTS TO SEE · STUFF TO LEARN · SWAG TO TAKE HOME
GREAT: PRIZES TO WIN
gerber-us.com/pros GERBER
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Gerber Does Good FOOD DRIVE
The June 20 tornado in Naperville, Illinois, impacted many families and individuals, leaving homes destroyed, tree damage, and at least eight people injured. Gerber conducted a food drive and donated supplies to the West Suburban Community Pantry, which was met with a gracious thank you! The photo shows just a portion of the donations loaded in the truck, and a telling symbol of the generosity of Gerber employees. The company brought in a total of 2,427 items.
TOILETS FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Oftentimes, donations consist of food, bottled water, or clothing items. But what about homes for those in need? Gerber recently donated toilets to Hero Homes, an organization committed to building houses for disabled veterans and their families. Thank you to Thomas Somerville and Capital Mechanical, as well as Eric Woody from the Duhart Group for bringing this opportunity to our Regional Sales Manager Tom Schlegel and Sales Director Mike Walleck. 16
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Good Clean Fun
Are You Shower Savvy?
After the design desired for a shower remodeling project is nailed down, the next task is to select all the shower components needed to complete the design. Test your knowledge by taking this shower configuration quiz.
Didn’t do as well as you thought you would? Brush up on your shower configuration knowledge with the Gerber Custom Shower Design Guide.
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based in the Woodridge Office reporting to Gabby Murrow, Brand Marketing Manager. In her role, Allison will assist with copywriting for social media, email communications, marketing materials, etc. She will also support other key projects, specifically focusing in 2021 on remaining marketing pieces affected by the Danze by Gerber transition.
Culture & Kudos gerber-us.com Allison received her Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from North Central College. During that time,
she was involved with the college’s print publication called The Chronicle/NCClinked and acted as their Co-Editor-InChief. A fun fact about Allison is that The Great Gatsby is her all around favorite, including the book and movie. She loves everything about it! Make sure to ask her about it sometime. A warm welcome to the following
New Hire Announcements
June 11, 2021 Welcome
Allison Rott
Marketing Assistant
New Hires
Arely Lagunas
Sr. Human Resources Generalist
folks who recently joined the Gerber team!
Des Lintz
Channel Marketing Manager
- Retail Des Lintz We are pleased to announce that Des Lintz has joined the Globe Union Team as Channel Marketing Manager - Retail. Des will be based in the Woodridge Office reporting to Carmen Fiordirosa, VP of Marketing. Des will have overall responsibility for developing marketing and promotional strategies that drive sales for our retail sales channel.
son Rott has joined the Globe Union Team as Marketing Assistant. Allison will be brings with her aManager. variety of In experience Marketing. She most recently worked at Dabur International as the ng to Gabby Murrow,Des Brand Marketing her role,inAllison will assist Senior Brand Manager.etc. DesShe received her support Bachelors of Science ail communications, marketing materials, will also other key in Journalism/Public Relations from University of North Texas. A funaffected fact aboutbyDes that she’s from a team of five children, three boys and two girls, and she is the on remaining marketing pieces theisDanze by Gerber transition. youngest. Make sure to ask her about it sometime.
in Journalism and Media Studies from North Central College. During that time, rint publication called The Chronicle/NCClinked and acted as their Co-Editor-InThe Great Gatsby is her all around favorite, including the book and movie. She Sid Soto Martinez 2500Steve Internationale Parkway, Woodridge, IL 60517 | T 630-679-1420 | F 630-783-8762 Eryka Hawkins o ask her about it sometime. Product Manager – Fixtures Houston Distribution Channel Marketing Manager Manager
– E Commerce
Promotions
A round of applause for the following Gerber team members on their recent promotions!
s Lintz has joined the Globe Union Team as Channel Marketing Manager - Retail. Office reporting to Carmen Fiordirosa, VP of Marketing. Des will have overall g and promotional strategies that drive sales for our retail sales channel. Espie Garcia
Jon Kinnas
Malcome Gao
California Distribution Financial Planning and International Productas Manager ience in Marketing. She most recently worked at Dabur the – Bath Manager Analysis Supervisor her Bachelors of Science in Journalism/Public Relations from University of North e’s from a team of five children, three boys and two girls, and she is the t it sometime.
arkway, Woodridge, IL 60517 | T 630-679-1420 | F 630-783-8762
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Taylor Danielle Customer Care Representative
WeiMien Hsu
Sr. Product Manager – Fixtures
May-July Anniversaries Please join us in congratulating our team members for their outstanding years of service!
Nina Hladczuk - 23 years
Nicole Vanderhill - 11 years
Bridget Kenar - 23 years
Jon Kinnas - 10 years
John Gummersall -21 years
Gina LaTorre - 10 years
Corey Dunwoodie - 19 years
Malcome Gao - 9 years
Liza Foo - 19 years
Derek Kirkpatrick - 9 years
Tanika Graham - 18 years
WeiMien Hsu - 7 years
Babak Hashemi - 17 years
Travis Rayburn - 5 years
Jennifer Philipps - 17 years
Tim Wang - 5 years
Pauline Kuo - 16 years
Jim Harris - 4 years
Aslam Mohammad - 16 years
Nicole Krol - 4 years
Raffaelina Belmonte - 15 years
Chris Mobley - 4 years
Tamara Brown - 15 years
Mike Wallack - 4 years
Yasmine Diaz - 15 years
Andrea Cortez - 3 years
Victoria Laskowski - 14 years
Quely Fernandes - 3 years
Diane Shaw - 14 years
Friba Nejat - 3 years
Larry Essel-Quao - 13 years
Robert Doyle - 2 years
Angela Tsang - 13 years
Karina Diaz - 2 years
Tony Martinez - 12 years
Brooke Heinkel - 2 years
Carlo Cerroni - 11 years
Bryan Livas - 2 years
Kenneth Davidson - 11 years
Amina Lakhdim - 1 year
Brian Penrose - 11 years
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By the Book
BOOK: T welve Red Herrings AUTHOR: Jeffrey Archer RECOMMENDED BY: Faith Walker, Account Manager-MRO If you don’t have the time to read a book, but looking for a good short story (or 12 of them), there are plenty of twists and turns to entertain you. While some of them are actually based on known incidents - as the book notes ‘some of them are embellished with considerable license’. Enjoy!
BOOK: R adical Candor AUTHOR: Kim Scott RECOMMENDED BY: Carmen Fiordirosa, VP of Marketing The skill of consistent, meaningful, and candid communication is something that requires continuous practice and revisiting good learning tools. For me, this book is some of them. “Radical Candor is to achieve collaboratively what you could never achieve individually.” You can’t do it without genuinely caring about people.
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Gerber Toolbox Gerber® Bath Drain Sell Sheet Viper® Back Outlet Competitive Cross-Reference Sheet Treysta® Stub-Out Competitive Cross-Reference Tool Gerber® 90th Anniversary Memory Submission Form Master Brass Cross-Reference Tool Master Toilet & Bathroom Sink Cross-Reference Tool Customer Social Media Content (Q3 & Q4) Gerber® Performance Guide Promotion Flyer Templates Floor Mount Tub Filler Video Shower Configuration Quiz Customer Shower Guide
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