November 2023
In this Issue: NEW ACCESSORIES Big Style from Our Popular Parma® Collection THE NEXT ERA Gerber's New North American Group President GERBER UNIVERSITY Congrats to the Class(es) of 2023
MAIN PIPE THE GERBER MAGAZINE
READ & WIN
Get the latest Gerber info and a chance to win! In this issue, we have hidden sweaters among the pages of the magazine. In order to play along: 1. Count the number of sweaters hidden throughout this issue 2. Enter to win in the Gerber toolbox by 11:59 p/m. CT on November 17, 2023 3. Gerber will reach out to three winners with a Gerber-branded hat! Have you ever heard of an Easter egg in books, movies, or TV? This refers to hidden messages or symbolic references. This issue, we have hidden sweaters throughout the issue to prepare for cooler weather! Sit back with a warm drink, open your magazine, and happy searching! Submit your answers here or in the Gerber Toolbox.
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS Gerber News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 In the Know – Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11 In the Know – Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 In the Know – Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 Culture & Kudos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Good Clean Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Gerber Does Good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-22 By The Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Gerber Toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 •
Gerber Does Good
•
Good Clean Fun
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Gerber News
Gerber Enters a
New Era of
Globe Union, Gerber's parent company, has announced several exciting changes to our executive leadership team. In an effort to continually improve our product offerings and become more agile within the marketplace, Globe Union is bringing product development, manufacturing, and supply chain operations under unified leadership. This strategic move will help Gerber continue to maintain its high level of product quality and customer responsiveness that we are well known for throughout the industry. This will also enable us to more quickly adapt to changes in this new, fast-moving era.
Kevin Buckner,
an industry veteran with decades of experience, has been named Chief Commerical Officer. Kevin has held commercial leadership roles in several global companies within our industry and has demonstrated a track record of launching new products in various channels, implementing sales organization processes, building leadership succession, and, of course, increasing revenue and profitability.
Carmen Fiordirosa, formerly
Vice President of Marketing North America, has been promoted to the role of President of Globe Union North America to oversee our North American sales, marketing, U.S. customer care, and human resources teams. Since joining the company in 2019, Carmen has demonstrated impressive leadership skills, a deep-seated passion for her work, and a strong commitment to the organization.
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Leadership
Keith Yurko, formerly CEO
North America, in conjunction with his retirement planning in the coming years, will transition to the new role of Executive Adviser at the start of the new year. He will assist Kevin and Carmen with maintaining continuity and relationships with key customers. Keith has been an integral part of Gerber for more than 20 years, and everyone at Globe Union and Gerber are thankful for his numerous contributions.
Please help us congratulate Kevin, Carmen, and Keith on their well-deserved appointments. Gerber is thrilled to enter this new era, and our commitments to our partners, customers, and employees, remain, as ever, steadfast.
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School is in Session Gerber University is Back!
For the first time since February 2020, Gerber University classes resumed this fall. There have been multiple sessions since, and Gerber plans to continue classes into 2024 and beyond, focusing on diverse student groups including showrooms, plumbers, and builders from both the U.S. and Canada. 6
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In the Know – MARKETING
Gerber University scholars have the chance to learn about Gerber’s history, as well as discover more about Gerber’s product innovations, sales information, and more. There are plenty of opportunities to visit with Gerber faculty and staff, both through classes and activities or at after-school dinners and Chicago outings. Students also get to visit Gerber’s brand new showroom, complete with state-of-the-art vignettes, beautiful displays, and opportunities to see and try out Gerber products for themselves. We are so excited to congratulate our graduates, and we can’t wait to welcome new students soon! GERBER
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In the Know – MARKETING
GET YOUR POP Not That Gerber
No, we don't sell baby food. We provide tried & true toilets and faucets. We’re that Gerber.
Spice Things Up with The Parma® Kitchen Collection
Let the Parma Kitchen Collection bring the perfect amount of pizzazz to your décor.
Vaughn® Bathroom Collection
Smooth curves that flow into elegantly styled planes embody the essence of the Vaughn Bathroom Collection’s fluid, dynamic design.
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A Selection from Gerber’s Online Video Library
PCORN READY Laminar Flow Aeration for a Clearly Better Experience
Discover the many benefits of laminar flow aeration, which comes standard with many of Gerber’s decorative bathroom sink faucets.
Parma® Bath Collection
Highlighted by sleek curves offset by cantilevered handles, bring the bellisima style of the Parma bath collection to your home.
KeepClean™ Toilet Bowl Glaze
KeepClean surface treatment helps prevent bowl residue from sticking to keep your toilet sparkling.
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In the Know – MARKETING Our video received four Telly Awards!
We’re Tickled Pink!
The Telly Awards are the premier awards honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receive over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of more than 200 leading experts individuals from previous Telly Award winning advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks. We are delighted to announce Gerber‘s "Not that Gerber" video took home four Tellys at the 2023 awards including: • Silver Winner Promotional Video Craft-Writing • Silver Winner Branded Content General-Branding • Bronze Winner Promotional Video General-Business-to-Consumer • Bronze Winner Branded Content Craft-Writing Find more information about the Telly Awards in the Gerber Toolbox and check out the winning video earlier in the magazine.
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Gerber Faucets Add
WOW FACTOR
to Kanaka Springs Homes Kanaka Springs development in Maple Ridge, BC, is a 70-acre master planned community. Phase I, The Crest, was recently completed and consists of 83 single-family homes. Gerber fixtures and faucets were chosen to complete these stunning home designs. Introduced to the Gerber lines by Bartle & Gibson [Maple Ridge, BC], Epic Homes was impressed by the high quality of the products, plus the aura of the faucets substantially added to that modern farmhouse look. “I knew Gerber products would be a great match for this project due to their outstanding quality and performance,” says Connolly. “Plus, they offer on-trend styles and finishes that are a big hit with homeowners.” “Our homeowners want quality, but they also expect value,” Connolly asserts. “Gerber helps us turn over a perfect home to our buyers.”
Read the entire profile linked in the Gerber Toolbox. GERBER
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NEW ADDITIONS ROUND OUT
PARMA BATH ACCESSORIES L ®
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In the Know – PRODUCT
Our ever-popular Parma bath accessories line adds a new towel ring and double-post toilet paper holder to its offerings. Designed to complement our Parma and Amalfi™ bathroom collections, these new accessories incorporate slender, tubular forms backed by simple circular posts that add an elegant finishing touch to any bathroom. Adding functionality as well as beauty, the new accessories are part of the comprehensive Parma line that also includes a robe hook, Eurostyle toilet paper holder, and 18" and 24" towel holders. Some highlights include: • All-metal construction to withstand repeated use
OUR
• Available in four attractive, enduring finishes • Easy bracket attachment and all mounting hardware are included to make installation easier
LINE Find out more about Parma and our other bath accessories lines in the Gerber Toolbox. GERBER
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Decorative Product Partner of the Year
In the Know – SALES
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We’re Flushed with Joy
We are thrilled to announce that Gerber has received the award for Decorative Product Partner of the Year from APR! As Gerber continually strives to enhance and add to our product offerings that include both toilet and faucet solutions, this award is especially meaningful to show how far we’ve come. We are long-time partners of APR and are thankful for their support and this recognition. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with APR by providing dedicated service and products that are both beautiful and reliable.
Hey, Wholesale Customers!
Get Gerber Good with the Gerber GOOD-TO-GO List Did you know that many of Gerber's brass products and valves are in stock and ready to ship in the U.S. within two days? We call it our Gerber GOOD-TO-GO list. Check out the full offering in the link in the Gerber Toolbox.
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Culture & Kudos
Welcome
New Hires
Mariem Hakiri
Yousef Alv
Hilda Zuniga
Stephen Taylor
Customer Care Representative
Regional Sales ManagerSouthwest
Sr. Staff Accountant
Branly Ntori Ngoma Warehouse Team Lead
Regional Sales ManagerGulf Coast
Promotions
James Morgan
Warehouse Supervisor, Houston
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Meet the latest members of the Gerber team!
Jon Kinnas
FP&A Manager
Jennifer Phillipp
A round of applause for the following Gerber team members on their promotions!
Accounts Receivable Analyst
Our WIGs are Royal-Tea Our Women in Gerber (WIG) group celebrated one year as an organization with a tea party attended by Ila Lewis, the granddaughter of Gerber’s founder, Max Gerber. Ila spoke to the group about Gerber’s history, being a woman in the plumbing business, her time working for the company, and the pottery lines her grandfather developed, named after herself and her sister. “Women in Gerber (or WIG, as we are better known) has been such an amazing experience!” says Iasmin Acioli, a founding WIG member. “I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of open dialogue, shared knowledge, and the strength of a united community. This group is not just a forum for discussing workplace challenges, it's a testament to the incredible potential that emerges when women come together to support and empower one another.” WIG member Irma Diaz adds, “Together, we empower, inspire, and celebrate the unique qualities and perspectives that women bring to our organization, fostering innovation, resilience, and inclusivity.” Our WIG group meets monthly to discuss everything from financial wellness to mental load and overcoming self-doubt, and we are so thankful to Ila and all the Women in Gerber for joining us! GERBER
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Good Clean Fun
Gerber’s Best Buds
Here at Gerber, we love our fuzzy, feathered, and furry friends. In fact, if you ever get the chance to stop by our Chicago headquarters, you may just meet some of them!
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Our Unofficial Mascots
However, if it is too far away, we invite you to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on all of our Unofficial Gerber Mascots. We also welcome you to submit your own pet by sharing pictures with allison.rott@globeunion.com.
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Gerber Does Good
BURGERS AND BREWS
ETNA Supply Supporting Habitat for Humanity in Traverse City, MI
A massive shoutout to ETNA Supply for hosting a Burgers and Brew event to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Gerber submitted a “Viper” Burger, and together with other donation generators, we were able to raise over $8000 for Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region!
KITS FOR KIDS
Building Backpacks for a Brighter Future
Gerber partnered with World Vision to assemble back-to-school kits with basic school supplies every child needs. Each kit helps build self-esteem and frees up family resources for other essentials such as food, medicine, and utilities. Together, we packed 200 backpacks with notebooks, crayons, handwritten notes of encouragement, and more. 20
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DOING OUR PART
Worldwide, hunger causes about half of the deaths in children under five years old. At the beginning of November, Gerber’s HQ met to pack meals for these underfed communities at Feed My Starving Children. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to working with impoverished factions for the long haul and empowering them to move from relief to development.
Together, our employees packed hundreds of meals for children in need and had a blast while doing it!
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Gerber Does Good
CLEANING UP BEACHES Family Day in Taiwan
Gerber’s parent company, Globe Union, hosted a Family Day, where over 130 employees and their families met at a wetland nature reserve to clean up the beach and remove invasive plants. Team members removed 33 pounds (15kgs) of trash and took the opportunity to promote environmental education and the practice of environmental protection. At the end of the day they celebrated by rowing boats, fishing, and picking clams.
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By The Book BOOK: Happy Place AUTHOR: Emily Henry RECOMMENDED BY: Amy Eaton Why Amy Loves It: This is a total beach read and just a feel good book about friends and relationships.
BOOK: Dark Corners AUTHOR: Megan Goldin RECOMMENDED BY: Amy Eaton Why Amy Loves It: A absolute thriller and one of my top reads this
year. This book took so many twists and turns, I could not put it down.
BOOK: You Can Be What You Want... But Don't Be Mean! AUTHOR: J.K. Wallace RECOMMENDED BY: Jennifer Hulick Why Jennifer Loves It: It has such a great message and is written by
our very own Gerber team members! It is a great stepping stone with excellent graphics!
BOOK: A Carnival of Snackery AUTHOR: David Sedaris RECOMMENDED BY: Barbara McHatton Why Barbara Loves It: David Sedaris is a very, very funny essayist
who offers glimpses of his life presented in an off-beat way that will make you spit take and laugh out loud. I kid you not, this man can find hilarity in any situation—from checking into a hotel to clothes shopping. Surprisingly, his writing can also be very heartfelt and profound. I bought this 576-page book for my vacation thinking I wouldn’t make a dent. Not only did I finish it, I immediately started reading it again. GERBER
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Gerber Toolbox
Read and Win Telly Awards: Silver Telly Winner Promotional Video Craft-Writing Silver Telly Winner Branded Content General-Branding Bronze Telly Winner Promotional Video General-Business-to-Consumer Bronze Telly Winner Branded Content Craft-Writing Gerber Good to Go List Kanaka Springs Development by Epic Homes New Parma Bathroom Accessories: Towel Ring CA Towel Ring Toilet Paper Holder CA Toilet Paper Holder All Bathroom Accessories CA All Bathroom Accessories World Vision Feed My Starving Children Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region
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