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Message from SIGMA President Larry Rybacki
Waterworks Industry Unites to Fight
Childhood Cancer
As The Rybacki Memorial Invitational celebrates its 25th anniversary this September supporting kids with cancer (through The Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston), I can't help but reflect on how grateful I am for the support the Waterworks Industry has given us over the years.
Companies such as: ADS, C&B Piping, Clow Canada, Core & Main, EJ Prescott, EMCO Corp, Ferguson Waterworks, HD Fowler, Hayes Pipe, IPEX, Mid American, Mueller, National Pipe, Putnam Pipe, Romac Industries, Specification Rubber, US Pipe, Warwick WinWater, Western Waterworks, and many individuals who are part of our industry that donate without fanfare.
When you see a child who has been afflicted with cancer and who has beaten this dreaded disease, and realize that in some small way you have had a part in their success it's heart warming to say the least. We are so proud to be a part of a group of people who don't hesitate to give back.
My family and I will be forever grateful.
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SIGMA Piping Products Expands with No Lead Plumbing Product Line
SIGMA Piping Products (SPP) has expanded its plumbing product line through the addition of a new range of red brass nipples and cast bronze fittings. The new no lead piping products complement SPP's existing brass/bronze plumbing portfolio, such as its brass ball valve and qualifies SPP products for potable water installations.
With the addition of these new no lead piping products, SPP has enhanced its existing product portfolio and is now able to provide fittings to the waterworks and plumbing industry in a variety of materials including galvanized & black malleable, cast iron and ductile iron along with the brass/bronze.
According to Ed Eichmann, head of SIGMA's Piping Product division: "This product line catapults us into an entirely new market. We listened to our customers and our sales agent network and they wanted us to broaden our plumbing product range. We are confident that we now have a complementary product set and competitive line - both in terms of our range of offering and market pricing.
SPP's no lead product line is now available throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean. For additional information, please contact:
[email protected]
.
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AWWA always does a great job bringing the industry together for ACE, and this year's Vegas show was no exception. With over 12,300 waterworks professionals in attendance representing 65 countries, the show presented an excellent opportunity to connect with customers, industry friends, vendors, and partners.
Deirdre Mueller, Senior Communications Manager for AWWA shared her take on the show: "Attendees stated that their reason for coming
was to keep up with the industry, evaluating product and services and networking. Ninety-six percent of survey respondents have stated that the conference met or exceeded their needs. We are pleased to see that ACE is effectively meeting their needs."
In terms of current and future trends in the water industry, Deirdre predicts the following: "One of the things we saw this year that will likely continue to grow within the sector is smart technologies that utilities can use to complete their work more efficiently and at lower costs. Additionally, there continues to be a need for infrastructure replacement, and that is going to increase in the coming years. Utilities will be looking for the latest products and help in identifying innovative solutions for financing."
The SIGMA contingent was out in force at ACE18, had a strong showing, and took advantage of the excellent programming and networking opportunities. We would like to give a shout out to several team members for going above and beyond the call of duty to build, set up and break down our booth. Special SIGMA thanks to: Satheesh Chandrasekaran, Donna Jones, Lori Grant-Peters, Kane Connor, Chris Staudy, Chris King, Todd Amerson, Jesse Anderson, and Gus Miller.
We are already looking forward to ACE19 in Denver!
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SIGMA HDPE Meter Boxes Approved in Broward County, FL
SIGMA is excited to add another municipality to the growing list of utility districts that have approved our line of HDPE Enclosures, this time in Florida's second largest county. The Broward County Water and Wastewater System in June approved the SIGMA meter box (item RMB132412-SW-W) and lid (item LC1324R-D) for use in its utility projects effective immediately. The Broward County Water and Wastewater System joins a long list of both large and small utilities that have reviewed, tested, and approved SIGMA's HDPE line. As SIGMA continues to build this product line across the country, we also continue to build a more expansive product offering for our distribution partners.
Congratulations to the team that assembled and presented the package to Broward County! Territory Sales Manager Danny Feregrino, Sales Support Associate Donna Jones, Engineer Sreenivasa Rao, and Engineering Assistant Lori Grant-Peters all played a role in securing this approval. The submittal package was presented in late May with a formal approval letter received on June 20.
With current manufacturing facilities in Idaho and Alabama, in conjunction with our six HDPE stocking facilities, SIGMA is positioned to efficiently and effectively service our wide network of waterworks and fire suppression distribution customers.
For more information regarding SIGMA's HDPE Enclosure line, please contact your local Territory Sales Manager, or e-mail
[email protected]
.
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CEC, SIGMA MCC Supplier, Receives Award
Calcutta Export Company (CEC), SIGMA's primary supplier of Municipal Construction Castings in India, recently received a prestigious award from the Indian Government's Ministry of Commerce & Industry. CEC was recognized with a silver trophy as a Regional Top Exporter by the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), the premier trade and investment promotion organization of the Indian government.
Upon receiving the award, Mr. B.D. Agarwal, Owner of CEC, cited his relationship with SIGMA as the primary source of his success. Since 1991, the two companies have enjoyed a strong, loyal, professional relationship that has generated impressive growth for both. The longstanding collaboration between Mr. Agarwal and SIGMA's leadership, Victor Pais and Siddharth Bhattacharji, has ensured that both companies maintain healthy, sustained growth over the long term.
The award was presented by Mr. C.R. Chaudhary, Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, along with Mrs. Rita Teotia, Commerce Secretary, Government of India.
SIGMA congratulates CEC on this well-deserved award, thanks them for their loyalty, and looks forward to many cooperative and prosperous years to come.
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Over the last few months you may have noticed that SIGMA has joined the digital age! Always eager to participate in any and all industry conversations, SIGMA has launched across a number of platforms. Please check out:
We use social media to share product innovations, industry trends, thought leadership pieces, news from the SIGMA family, and everyone's hands down favorite, "Ryback's Thoughts from the Shower." Most importantly, we want to hear from you--our customers, industry partners, and friends. So, please, join the conversation and let's connect.
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Limei Wang, Regional Coordinator for Sourcing Procurement Group
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Welcome to our new Enews feature: Meet SIGMA! SIGMA has always taken great pride in our people, which we believe to be our greatest asset. So, it seemed long overdue to introduce our team members to the industry. This marks the inaugural "Meet SIGMA" feature, and will be the first of many wonderful stories of our dedicated professionals who are committed to delivering the best quality and service to our valued customers every day.
Ms. Limei Wang has been with SIGMA from the beginning -- first in China, where she worked with supply chain and finance for SIGMA's local operation, Minmetal, and then in the corporate headquarters in Cream Ridge, NJ. Ms. Wang has been a strong, reliable performer for the SIGMA team for over 30 years.
In her own words, Ms. Wang describes the experience, "It has been challenging, especially at the start. I have seen SIGMA grow from a very small company to a medium sized company, to where it is today. I have been at SIGMA mostly all of my working life."
Victor Pais, Chairman & CEO comments, "Ms. Wang, (or WLM as we always refer to her) has helped us work in a variety of complex ways. All along, she has been very reliable with Excel, analyses, documentation, and support work. She works in a prompt, accurate, and complete manner."
We salute Ms. Wang for her long, dedicated tenure at SIGMA and wish her continued success.
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SIGMA Welcomes Jack Trotta, Inventory Control Manager
Jack Trotta joined SIGMA in late May as Inventory Control Manager (ICM). Jack will work collaboratively with SPG (Sourcing Procurement Group), BFA (Banking Finance and Accounting) and the regional teams to optimize SIGMA's inventory and manage our resources to maximize growth. As a company that always puts the customer first, SIGMA created this position to ensure that we manage our inventory effectively and deliver product promptly, reliably, and efficiently.
Chairman and CEO Victor Pais explains the move: "Though ICM is a new position, I have long thought and envisaged an effective scope of work...For a business like SIGMA inventory control and management is critical for sustained healthy growth."
Jack comes by management of resources honestly-he currently serves as Mayor of Plumstead/New Egypt, the location of SIGMA's corporate headquarters.
We welcome Jack to the SIGMA team and wish him much success. Jack can be reached at
609-269-2665 or [email protected].
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SIGMA Celebrates Long Standing Employees
At the annual July 4th picnic, SIGMA honored four employees who marked milestone anniversaries this year. We send sincere thanks and congratulations to:
- Melissa Kraemer, Supply Chain/Customer Service, OEM, 10 years
- Jeff Marcus, Chief Financial Officer, 20 years
- Lori Grant-Peters, Engineering Assistant, 25 years
- Susan Van Hook, Inside Sales, 30 years
SIGMA is grateful for your devoted service, and wishes you continued success.
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Southwest Region Hosts 5th Annual Customer Appreciation Day
On May 4, the SIGMA Southwest Regional Office hosted its 5th Annual Customer Appreciation Day with a crawfish boil, live music, warehouse tours, product demonstrations, food, drink, raffles, and a dunk tank. Over 300 guests participated in the festivities and a good time was had by all.
Special thanks to the event sponsors and our wonderful customers who made the day possible with their generosity:
Century Transportation
Russell Industries
Prabhad Industries
C & C Personnel
Rapid Crates
Specifications Rubber
Finally, a hearty shout out to the following SIGMA employees-these good sports each took a shift in the dunk tank: Raul Ortiz, Michelle Scott, Collette Rogers, Jesse Roberts, Glenn Chaisson, and Greg McAdams.
The Houston team is already looking forward to next year!
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Northeast Regional Office Gets Artsy
The Northeast Regional Office celebrated the arrival of spring with their second "Tipsy Canvas Painting Party". Guests enjoyed a delicious potluck meal and sipped sangria as they created sunflower paintings on pallets.
The budding artists are all looking forward to another Tipsy Painting Party this summer. Special thanks to Nona Chamberlain, Inventory Controller, for organizing the evening.
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We at SIGMA place tremendous value on our SIGMA family. With that in mind, we celebrate the joy and success of our employees and their loved ones, and we share their good news...
From the Northeast Region:
Congratulations to Kelly Grant, Customer Service Manager, on the birth of her daughter Raelyn Joyce Grant. Raelyn was born on May 13 at 8:47am. She weighed 6 lbs, 12 oz, and measured 21 inches in length. The Grant family is all doing well and adjusting to their beautiful new addition.
Congratulations to Karen Barone, Accounts Payable Manager, whose son Mario just announced that he will be moving from a job at Google in Ann Arbor, Michigan to a position with DEEPMIND, a London-based company owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet Group. Mario will
relocate to California in July, and will begin researching Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Karen and her family are
looking forward to visiting!
Congratulations to Nona Chamberlain, Inventory Controller, whose two granddaughters, Kaylee and Jaden, graduated from 8th Grade in June.
 Congratulations to National Sales Manager Joe Webb and his wife Annie on the birth of Cecelia Catherine Webb. "CeCe" was born on May 13-quite a Mother's Day gift for Annie-weighing in at 5.5 lbs and measuring 18 inches in length. Although she arrived a bit early, she was very healthy and came home just 5 days after her birthday. Her three older brothers, known by their dad as "the knuckleheads" have been well behaved around the new arrival so far. Congratulations to the Webb family, and a warm welcome to CeCe.
From the Western Region:
 Congratulations to Dan Lansing, Inside Sales and Inventory Manager, on the graduation of his daughter Sydnee. Sydnee graduated June 12, 2018 from Huntington Beach High School. She will be attending South Coast Community College for her Associate's Degree, and then will transfer to a four-year college to complete her Bachelor's Degree.
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