The A.I. McDermott Co. of Oshkosh, Wis., celebrated its annual dealer meeting with more than 300 McDermott dealers, suppliers and employees at the Oshkosh Convention Center on March 3.  The meeting’s focus was on the repair and replacement market, emerging new technologies and preparing for the opportunities of the eventual economic turnaround. The theme for this 64th annual meeting was “Team McDermott: Ready for the Challenges of 2009.”

Tom McDermott Jr., president of the A.I. McDermott Co. welcomed the dealers, reminding them that, “Regardless of what shape the overall economy is in, one fact remains: People need water, water and wastewater treatment and plumbing and heating, and even with housing starts at record lows, repair and replacement continues. During this downturn, it is critical to have close relationships with your suppliers and banker, collect your bills promptly, keep your eyes on new technologies and trends, make the most of every job by offering options to your customers, and have the supplies you need on hand when the repair or replacement call comes in. Managing through the downturn will require extraordinary attention to business and will be challenging, but it is doable.”

The manufacturer display area featured more than 30 exhibit booths, and the morning and afternoon training sessions were approved for continuing education credits. The continuing education sessions included Wisconsin plumbing code updates, water treatment and on-site wastewater treatment technologies. New technologies introduced and discussed included the CUE variable frequency drive from Grundfos Pumps Corp., which is used to control pump motors from 7-1/2HP to 300HP. Sales and service seminars were also offered for hydronic heating professionals and onsite wastewater contractors including an opportunity to enroll in the Goulds Professional Dealer Association and be certified as a Roth/Fralo MultiTank polyethylene tank installer, making them eligible for extended warranties and labor insurance.

Specials and an extended terms and dating program were offered to dealers the day of the meeting. Exciting door prizes and booth prizes were given away including a pair of Classic iPods, five portable GPS Systems, an infrared CharBroil gas grill, a 32-inch flat-screen LCD television and a Weatherby 12-gauge shotgun. A grand prize of a home theatre and gaming package that included a 46-inch Vizio LCD television, Nintendo Wii gaming system and sports package, and newly released DVDs was awarded to a lucky McDermott dealer at the end of the day.

The A.I. McDermott Co., Inc. distributes water well, wastewater and water treatment supplies, pumps, plumbing and hydronic heating equipment throughout Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In addition to their corporate offices in Oshkosh, the company operates branch locations in Green Bay, Wausau and Muskego, Wis.