Gerber Main Pipe Magazine: Fall Edition, 2022 (U.S., English)

READ & WIN

Get the latest Gerber info and a chance to win!

In this issue, we have pumpkins among the pages of the magazine. In order to play along:

1. Count the number of pumpkins.

2. Enter to win by in the Gerber toolbox 11:59 p/m. CT on Nov 16, 2022.

3. Gerber will reach out to three winners with a $25 Amazon gift card!

Have you ever heard of an Easter egg in books, movies, or TV? This refers to hidden messages or symbolic references. This fall, we have cho sen a pumpkin icon to fully embrace the unofficial symbol of the season

Happy searching! Count them all up and submit your answer here:

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

You may have noticed that the last issue of Gerber’s Main Pipe Magazine was the spring issue, and now here we are with the fall issue. Previously, Gerber’s magazines would be published following the season highlighted.

We are excited to announce we are changing the cadence of our magazines. From now on, the spring magazine will be published in May, the summer magazine in August, and the fall magazine in October/November. The winter magazine will be a shorter issue published in February, and focus entirely on KBIS. Please send any concerns or questions to communications@ globeunion.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Celebrating 90 Years

We are so excited to bring the spirit of our 90th Anniversary international!

We celebrated with a “cheers” to 90 years at our Woodridge, IL, employee event on July 20! It was the first major in-person employee event we have hosted since the pandemic, and we couldn’t have been happier to celebrate with a pizza truck, yard games, prizes, music, and so much more! Thank you to our employees for coming out on our special day!

Across North America

In August, our Canadian team joined in on the fun! To celebrate, team members gathered for a patio lunch at the Montreal office with raffle prizes and delicious food catered by Birdhouse Wings and Mr Puffs food trucks As most of the employees had not seen each other since 2020, there were a lot of “OMG! I’ve missed you” moments where they were able to reconnect!

GUMX celebrated the 90th Anniversary in conjunction with their August meeting, where they shared goals, birthdays, anniversaries, and so much more

Expanded Pros Content Graces Gerber’s Website

Have you checked out our dedicated “Pros” website section? If not, you definitely should The new and improved pages offer information dedicated to the professionals who sell, install, and specify Gerber faucets and fixtures

We’ve streamlined our tools to make it much easier for our trade partners to find sell sheets, specification sheets, images, catalogs, and other marketing materials Pages are categorized by Plumber, Wholesaler, Showroom Associate, Builder, and Architect/Designer and include information tailored for that specific Pro group

Plus, there are training videos, articles and Project Planner, Gerber’s very own interactive tool that helps you narrow down the product options for a specific room and application, gather the necessary marketing information, and provides you with a shareable document or project link that will make it easier than ever to sell your customers on Gerber’s great faucets and fixtures!

Make your life and your business a little bit simpler. No matter what type of pro you are, you’ll find everything you need to know about Gerber’s products right at your fingertips!

We’re tickled pink! Our video received three Telly Awards!

The Telly Awards is the premier award 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 over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks In 2022, Gerber‘s 3 C’s Video, Defining a Good Flush, took home three Tellys including:

• One Gold Award, for the category Branded Content Craft-Writing

• One Silver Award, for the category Branded Content General-Business-to-Consumer

• One Silver Award, for the category Branded Content General-Education & Training

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR

Our Gerber tour team has been hitting the road this summer to deliver a Good Time to friends of Gerber! To celebrate our 90th anniversary, we’ve stopped by selected distributors across the U S including Norfolk, VA, Flagstaff, AZ, and Spokane, WA On the way, we’ve been able to share our product offerings, like our tried and true toilets, as well as our decorative faucets and valves Plus, we were happy to give away some fabulous Gerber swag and prizes, enjoy some delicious eats, and meet some great people!

We’d like to thank our participating wholesalers and their Gerber reps who have partnered with us to make these events so fun and successful! We’d also like to thank the plumbers and customers who attended for their loyalty and dedication to our products, as well as their valuable input

“It’s been a privilege to get to know so many Gerber installers and wholesalers through these events,” says Maureen Tierney Premak, Wholesale Channel Marketing Manager “We are grateful for the feedback they’ve shared, their willingness to learn about our products, and the truly good times we’ve had ”

OUR ROADSHOWS

Gerber teams finally were able to connect with sales reps at our 2022 National Sales Meeting, after a long period without in-person meetings

This year’s theme, “It’s Our Time,” focuses on how we’re well positioned for Gerber’s success—now and into the future Held Monday, September 26 through 28, 2022, at Le Méridien Chicago in Oakbrook, IL, we were so excited to see old friends and meet new ones to share what’s new with Gerber

Addressing the challenges that came during the pandemic, such as product availability and logistics issues, we also let our sales force know that Gerber is back in a big way—with more offerings, improvements, and sales tools to make selling our products easier than ever

Our guest speaker, J C Glick, kicked things off with a motivating talk on the power of effective leadership Presentations focused on Gerber’s enduring 90-year legacy, prioritizing our wholesaler market, our consumer awareness

Gerber’s 2022 National Sales Gets Reps Ready

efforts, and more Hosts introduced our new dedicated Pro website pages designed to streamline the marketing support materials needed for plumbers, wholesalers, showrooms, builders, and designers so those specifiers can get the exact information they need fast Our new Project Planner, which allows users to easily gather all the product information related to their specific project, was also presented

“We wanted to let our reps know that they’re part of the Gerber team and we’re investing in their success,” says Carmen Fiordirosa, Vice President of Marketing “Plus, we wanted to reinforce our high quality standards, our stellar customer service, our supply chain optimization efforts, and our ability to swiftly respond to installers’ needs ”

To round out the event, employees, and sales reps had a blast at Puttshack on Wednesday evening with some upscale mini-golf, yummy appetizers, and cocktails

Meeting Ready for Growth

DIY Bathroom Remodel With The Latina Next Door

Ever since they moved into their new home, Yami and Nelson Platero of The Latina Next Door have embarked on a whole-house overhaul, tackling their home room–by–room, renovating each space, and sharing the journey on Yami’s social media platforms, until they reached the bathroom

HGTV’s Home Inspector Joe: Common Causes of a Leaky Faucet

Uh oh Your faucet has been leaking for the last week, and the steady “drip drip drip” has slowly but surely invaded your sanity What was once a slight annoyance is now an unbearable problem

Don’t worry; I’ve got your back

"I’m Joe Mazza, of HGTV’s Home Inspector Joe, and I’ve partnered with Gerber® to help you figure out why your faucet might be leaking, and what to do to fix it "

Your bathroom faucet isn’t just a piece of hardware—it’s an important part of the overall design and experience of your bathroom Whether you’re looking for efficiency, matching finishes, or even something non-traditional, you have plenty of options

Bathroom Faucet Guide Kitchen Faucet Guide

The kitchen faucet is centerpiece of the room's design that should not be an afterthought Gerber has some simple questions to ask to help pick the best faucet based on needs, budget, and preferences

Read the Full Blog Posts in Our Gerber Toolbox in the back of the magazine.

Gerber is making it easier than ever to get our decorative toilets and sinks into showrooms and into clients’ homes. Gerber’s New Decorative Toilet & Sink Shipping Program offers faster shipping, makes stocking these items easier, and allows you to sell more of our stunning decorative vitreous china products—ALL AT MORE THAN 40% OFF LIST PRICE! This policy applies to selected decorative toilets and sinks listed here:

• Product collections include: Allerton™, Avalanche®, Burr Ridge™, Elite™, Hinsdale®, Lemora®, Logan Square™, Luxoval™, and Wicker Park™

• Special Program Multiplier: .43

• Minimum Value: $2,500/FFA

• Maximum Pieces: 34/FFA

• One-piece toilets count as 2.5 pieces

• Standalone order for immediate release

• Standard credit terms apply

• Use Reason Code SQS when placing orders

We have additional shipping & freight programs including Single Ship, LTL, Pooled Truckloads, and more. Don’t miss out on these amazing programs. Click here to see details on these and other programs or reach out to your Sales Representative today!

Free Viper® Tanks or Bowls When You Purchase a Pallet!

Combine

ErgoHeight™

When you purchase one case of Treysta Vales at the standard net price, you get the second case free! Fully compatible with all of Gerber's residential tub and shower trim kits, Treysta Tub and Shower Valves are designed to save both time and money.

to These New Products

NEW Parma® Tub & Shower Trim Kit with Diverter on Tub Spout

This expansion of the Parma Tub & Shower collection now provides a standard on-spout diverter which is more cost effective and can take advantage of all the time-saving installation options available on the standard Treysta® pressure balance valve platform in the G00GS50 and G00GS52 series rough-ins, such as vertical inlets which can be reversed for top-down installations or integral tub stub-outs which eliminate soldering on the job.

• The Parma® Tub & Shower Trim Kit with Diverter on Tub Spout includes a 5-function showerhead, trim handle, and tub spout with diverter providing a complete tub & shower solution

• Showerhead features include:

5 Functions: Wide, Aeration, Centerjet, Massage, and Wide + Centerjet

- Air Injection™ technology which optimizes water intensity even at low pressures

- Dual Valve™ technology which minimizes water pressure loss as setting changes

- Easy Clean Soft-Touch Nozzles

- Easy-Glide™ selector ring for effortless, smooth adjustment

- Flow Rate: 1 75gpm @ 80psi

• This kit also includes Gerber® Treysta Ceramic Disc Pressure Balance Cartridge

• Is backed by Gerber's limited lifetime warranty

In the Know -

NEW Treysta® Tub & Shower Valve w/DiverterVertical Inputs with Stops - Crimp PEX

Just when you thought we couldn’t improve on the flexibility of the Treysta® valve, we expand the line to include another model.

• Innovative valve with diverter is now available with stops and Crimp PEX inlets

• Designed with feedback from experts in mind

• Compatible with all of Gerber’s shower & tub faucet trim kits

• Forged brass valve body

• Accommodates both standard back-to-back and thin wall installations

• Includes a rough-in plaster guard and pressure test cap

• Makes installation fast and easy while saving money!

Find out more about this and other Treysta valves here!

The Right (Hand) Tank at the Right Time!

Our Lemora® and Wicker Park™ toilet tanks are now offered in a right-handed lever style With more options when specifying, this lever configuration can accommodate tight spaces and other applications where a right-hand lever would be ideal

The Lemora infuses an ideal blend of clean lines with subtle arcs and edges, drawing from nature's inspiration A fully skirted concealed trapway provides a sleek appearance The Wicker Park’s smooth, contemporary design make it an ideal fixture for any bath environment

Both models, offered in one- and two-piece configurations, are WaterSense®-certified, 1 28 gpf toilets, and are available in White Both the Lemora and Wicker Park come standard with a reliable Fluidmaster 400A fill valve and long-lasting Fluidmaster® rigid flapper

Kinzie® Bridge Offers Cross-Over Style and Function

The Kinzie offers sophisticated style coupled with distinct industrial details to bring a sense of urban loft living to any kitchen, while also complementing contemporary, modern, and farmhouse spaces Our first-ever bridgestyle faucet to incorporate a convenient pull-down sprayhead, the Kinzie sets the stage for family dinners, latenight snacks, and more

• Easy-to-use sprayhead toggle button conveniently holds the position of desired spray/stream function

• Incorporates our proprietary SnapBack® Retraction System that precisely pulls the sprayhead back into the spout tube

• Part of the SnapBack system, easily adjustable Grip Lock® Weight provides counterbalance to smoothly draw sprayhead into dock

• 360-Degree Swivel Spout eases pot or vase filling tasks outside of the sink area for splash-free fill ups

• Features integrated color-coded braided water supply hoses to simplify installation

• Gerber’s Quick Connect sprayhead hose connection innovatively replaces the traditional style of threaded connections to reduce installation time

•

•

•

Durable Ceramic Disc Valves for Drip-Free Performance

backflow

Discover

Toilet Warranty Upgrade

15 Years of Coverage for Most Models

We are thrilled to share our new and improved warranty policy on parts and components for several of our toilet collections, including the popular Viper® and Avalanche®, as well as decorative families We stand by our products, and know you count on their performance and longevity, which is why we are further reinforcing their dependability by increasing our warranty on the following products to 15 years of coverage:

• Viper® (previously 5 years)

• Avalanche® (previously 10 years)

• Burr Ridge™ (previously 10 years)

• Elite™ (previously 10 years)

• Hinsdale® (previously 10 years)

• Lemora® (previously 10 years)

• Logan Sqaure™ (previously 10 years)

• Wicker Park™ (previously 10 years)

Our aim is to reflect the reliability of our products in each area of our business, showcasing our commitment to quality, as well as our commitment to you View the warranty policy in the Gerber Toolbox in the back of the magazine

the

the Cross-Reference Lever Guide that Offers Compatibility Options

Gerber is excited to present a new visual cross-reference guide for our universal tank

This resource will allow you to view the compatibility of the Gerber lever with various toilet models Plus, you can see all of the stunning finishes available to complement your Gerber faucets, including Brushed Bronze and Satin Black

These levers are a simple way to add a bit of polish to a powder room or beautify a bathroom! Easy to install, these levers are perfect for all our flapper-style flush valves and can be used in a variety of tank positions

Welcome New Hires

Amanda Levin

Specialist

Brian Sheehy

Tradeshow Manager

Eric Green Strategic Account Manager

Martin Ketter Marketing Project Coordinator

Geoffrey Finch Warehouse Lead

Jason Nelson Regional Sales Manager

Southeast

Barbara McHatton Product Marketing Specialist

Serjio Gonzales Quality Engineer

Women in Gerber

Sharing Ideas and Shaping Culture

Women In Gerber (WIG) is a newly formed organization that promotes discussion regarding relevant professional and personal growth, goals, and development ideas During a lunch meeting the third Thursday of each month, WIG offers a topic of discussion where members can share related issues they face and ways to tackle these issues using constructive, positive methods

During these events, WIG members view a short video or invite guest speakers to present a specific topic and discuss ways to apply these ideas into the workplace as well as their personal lives An open discussion invites participants to ask questions and share ideas At the inaugural meeting in June, attendees addressed The Cooperation Paradigm: How to Get People to Listen & Cooperate More recently, WIG participants discussed the Female Mental Load and how to more effectively allocate responsibilities to our co-workers and our partners

“As the ‘WIG’ program gains traction, we hope to have a more specified subset of the program around mentor relationships within the female Gerber network,” says Iasmin Acioli, marketing strategy manager, and founding member of WIG

Are You a Top-Tier Toilet Connoisseur?

The quiz you never knew you needed, but always wanted. Be sure to post your results on social media and tag us!

1. Do you have a Gerber toilet in your house?

a. Yes b. No c. Maybe?

d. At least one

2. Do you keep reading material in the bathroom?

a. Yes, my home library is located in the bathroom

b. No, I prefer to sit in silence

c. I just count the floor tiles

d. I take my phone/laptop with me

4. When was the last time you cleaned your toilet?

a. I have regular, scheduled cleanings

b. I thought flushing cleaned the toilet well enough?

c. I own a toilet brush d. It gets done when I notice visible grime

5. Is your bathroom decorated?

a. Yes, I have a definite design theme and matching fixtures

b. Why would you decorate a bathroom?

c. My shower curtain/towels have color d. It looks partially coordinated

3. Does your bathroom contain one or more of these items: Squatty Potty, bidet attachment, before-you-go toilet freshener spray, a scented wall plug, or a Gerber bathroom faucet?

a. All of the above

b. I don’t even have hand soap in my bathroom

c. I have one of these items in my shopping cart d. I have at least one of these items

Mostly A’s

Wow! Everyone wants to be at your level of bathroom connoisseur You are the top-tier, cream of the crop, best of the best! You are the King or Queen of the ivory throne—talk about a royal flush! We’re coming to you for all the tips and tricks!

Mostly B’s

The bathroom is definitely not your favorite room of the house In fact, it’s probably the room you avoid at all costs One might even go so far as to describe it as a little bit crappy You are not a bathroom connoisseur, and we’re sure that’s no surprise to you

Mostly C’s

Minimalism is probably what you use to describe your bathroom, but we know your heart probably lies elsewhere If you ever want to start on the path to becoming a bathroom connoisseur, we recommend starting with those decorative towels Experiment with a print or a fun texture!

Mostly D’s

Almost there! You are a fledgling bathroom connoisseur, and we fully encourage you to start flapping those wings and fly, little bird! We’ve got tons of resources on our website and social media to help, and we can’t wait to see the finished product

Toilet Timeline The

Since the dawn of civilization, the flush toilet has arguably been the most significant contribution do these wonderful receptacles shield us from the less pleasant sights, smells, and, in some cases, symbol of humanity’s ability to adapt in the face of adversity

As a nod to our often-overlooked second-best friend, the flush toilet, let’s take a short journey

1890s: A revolution begins. The wash-down siphon toilet begins to replace the traditional water closet Using 5 to 7 gallons of water, the suction pulls out waste while builtin traps keep water in the bowl to prevent odors from returning to the area

1930s to 1940s: Seconds, please! Secondary bathrooms become more common In 1932, Max Gerber begins offering Gerber’s first toilets, with prices averaging about $18 per unit

1950s: Eisenhower Pink? Toilets are offered in a rainbow of pastels Gerber’s offerings include Petal Pink, Wedgewood Blue, Driftwood Tan and Daffodil Yellow

1960s to 1970s: Feelin’ groovy, man! Some toilet makers get funky offering bolder colors like turquoise, acid green, lime yellow and cherry red

2020s and beyond: Splash down! Gerber launches the Viper 0 8 gpf toilet, an ultra high-efficiency toilet This model saves an average of 33% more water over regular high efficiency toilets while providing exceptional flushing performance Meanwhile, NASA introduces a $23 million toilet for the International Space Station Can the reclining toilet be far behind?

Good

Fun

The History of the Flush Toilet

contribution to society as a means to make a happier, more sanitary world Not only cases, sounds of our imminent deposits, the bathroom has become a sort of

journey to note various milestones in its evolution

1900s: Sewers make strides. Scientists began educating the population on the importance of promoting sanitary conditions The implementation of modern sewer systems in cities paves the way for adding flush toilets to new homes

1910s to 1920s: Welcome home! Almost all new home plans include a bathroom with a flush toilet These fixtures become standard in urban and suburban dwellings

1980s to 1990s: Reduce the use. Low-flush and dual-flush toilets debut Federal Government mandates require all toilets be made to use no more than 1 6 gallons of water per flush (gpf) Gerber’s Ultra Flush® toilet receives the top rating from a leading consumer testing publication

2000s to 2010s: It just makes sense. HETs (high efficiency toilets) reduce water use to 1 28 gpf as the EPA’s WaterSense requirements raise (or lower, depending on how you look at it) the bar

Gerber Does

The Great Cycle Challenge

Geoffrey Finch, Warehouse Lead in Canada, took part in the Great Cycle Challenge this August, pedaling over 410 kilometers (255 miles) and raising $1829 16 for SickKids to continue their work in developing treatments and finding a cure for childhood cancer Globe Union Canada was thrilled to donate, and we are all so proud of Geoffrey! Visit the Gerber Toolbox for more information or to donate

Gerber Giving Platform

For our 90th Anniversary, Gerber is proud to introduce our first-ever, employee matching gift program! Now through the end of the year, employees in the U S have the option to donate any amount to the charity of their choice, starting at $5 Gerber will match the donations up to $90 per employee

Antioch® Valve-Only Trim Kit, Diverter on Valve Website Product Page (U.S.)

Parma® Tub & Shower Trim Kit, Diverter on Tub Spout Website Product Page (U.S.)

Telly Awards:

Defining a Good Flush is a Gold Winner in Branded Content – Writing

Defining a Good Flush is a Silver Winner in Branded ContentBusiness-to-Consumer

Defining a Good Flush is a Silver Winner in Branded ContentEducation & Training

Flush Toilet Trapway Timeline Sources: https://www.oldhouseonline.com/kitchens-and-baths-articles/thehistory-of-the-toilet/ https://www.antiquehomestyle.com/inside/bathrooms/ index.htm#:~:text=Though%20toilets%20(aka%20 water%2Dclosets,small%20cabinet%20called%20a%20commode. https://americanhistory.si.edu/object-project/household-hits/toilet

https://www.oldhouseonline.com/kitchens-and-baths-articles/theevolution-of-colored-bathroom-fixtures/ https://www.epa.gov/watersense

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/nasa-just-sent-new23-million-space-toilet-international-space-station-180976037/