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Volume 15  |  Issue 03
 March, 2015

 
Get Started Today!
  

 

  
Vision Critical
 

Every once in a while I enjoy a morsel of dark chocolate from a bowl we keep in the office and that comes nestled in a neat foil wrapper. Although I truly enjoy that treat, I also look forward to the message that is captured on the inside of the packet. Today's message was - ironically enough - the same message that was on a wrapper of a piece of chocolate a little over five years ago. Since I was preparing to write my Vision Critical article for this month, I thought I would look back through the archives and find the article I wrote because of the message on that chocolate wrapper:

 

"A pessimist is only an optimist with experience" by Wayne Ulanski, President - Wayne@SVF.net 

 

Now that we are well into the year and a new season, I am painfully aware of how the clock relentlessly drags me forward as my shoe heels plow deep into the pathway behind me. We all like to complain about Time, but time also delivers something that we cannot get without it - experience. This is not to say that everyone with experience becomes a pessimist. In fact, that message probably gives more credibility to optimism. My feeling is that our experience allows us to foresee the many challenges and barriers that can impede our progress as we attempt to accomplish tasks and achieve our goals. We've all been there; everything takes longer and costs more then we predicted when we started our project.

There's a great quote that says;

  

"Experience is a terrible teacher. She gives you the test before she gives you the lesson"

 

And so it is with change and with changing an organization. It takes longer, costs more, there are many tough lessons and experience turns optimism into realism.

 

At SVF, our mandate for change has become an invigorating and exciting mission. We are learning to change and we are continuously improving our ability to change and to affect change within each other, each and every day.

 

I once wrote a paper on change and developed what I call the Formula for Change. The premise is that everyone has the ability to change but too often there are unforeseen barriers that prevent it (or certainly, slow it down). It is the job of managers to remove the barriers. To do so, of course, we need to identify the barriers that inhibit change.

 

The formula reads:

A - B = C

Ability - Barriers = Change

 

continued - Click here for the complete article and print version>

 

Recipe of the Month - Irish Boiled DinnerRecipe
St. Patty's Month continues with this mouthwatering and simple corned beef dinner!
Submitted by Gary Ulanowski, Marketing Manager - Gary@SVF.net  
  

Mouthwatering tender corned beef, corned beef-flavored potatoes, cabbage and carrots. Serve it with Irish Soda Bread or cornbread!

 

Only 5 Ingredients!:

  • 1 corned beef brisket (5-1/2 lb)
  • 2 large onions, peeled
  • 16 small white (Irish) potatoes (about 2-1/2 lbs)
  • 2 heads of cabbage, each cut into 4 wedges (about 2 lbs each)
  • 10 Carrots (6 cups) cut into 1 inch pieces

 


Click here to view and download the complete directions!


Irish Boiled Dinner
with just a few ingredients!

 

This Recipe Qualifies to MAKE+SEND=GET! Click here for the details!
Think About This...

"NOW is never HERE...  If you ever mention it... it's GONE... NOW... is GONE... there it goes again. NOW... There it goes again!!"
- George Carlin
Houston in July? Are you kidding me?

No - we're not kidding you! SVF Flow Controls will be in Houston exhibiting at the Valve World Americas Expo to be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center - July 15th and 16th. It will be a HOT time in this COOL city!

  

The Valve World Americas Expo & Conference 2015 will once again serve as the meeting point (or maybe the melting point) for the flow control industry - showcasing the growth in interest by exhibitors and attendees who will experience the technologically in-depth conference program, product showcases on the expo floor and incredible networking opportunities.

Stay tuned for updates as the event gets closer and be sure to visit SVF at Space #242.

Be there or be square!

 

SVF Recognizes Distributors for Outstanding Achievement...Napkin
  

SVF Flow Controls recognized 16 Distibutors for "Outstanding Achievement in the Sale & Service of SVF Products" for the 2014 calendar year. The selection for the "Award of Excellence" was based on a variety of criteria. The most important component in selecting our winners was the input provided by our team members at SVF Flow Controls.

The walnut plaques were recently presented to the following companies:

 

BELL PIPE & SUPPLY

Anaheim, CA

 

GFI STAINLESS

Modesto, CA

 

NICHOLS-GIVEN ASSOCIATES

Denver, CO

 

INRUMEC

Bayamon, PR

HATFIELD & COMPANY

Houston, TX

 

GAS EQUIPMENT CO.

Houston, TX

 

COHN & GREGORY, INC.

Haltom City, TX 

 

SWANSON FLO-SYSTEMS

Plymouth, MN

DEL VAL CONTROLS

West Chester, PA

 

CAROTEK, INC.

Matthews, NC

 

MYERS & CO.

Pittsburgh, PA

 

REM SERVICES, INC.

Charlotte, NC

 

INSTRUMENT ASSOCIATES

Chicago, IL

 

GWS SUPPLY, INC.

Appleton, WI

 

SALCON, INC.

Lewis Center, OH

 

FORBERG SCIENTIFIC

Troy, MI

 

Sales Representatives from SVF Flow Controls present the Outstanding Achievement Award to Franklin Bell III and Gary Stevens of Bell Pipe & Supply during a recent Summit sponsored by Bell Pipe.

 

Pictured left to right:

Eduardo Garcia,

Business Resource Specialist SVF Flow Controls

Franklin Bell III,

President of Bell Pipe & Supply

Armando Castaneda,

Business Resource Specialist SVF Flow Controls

Gary Stevens,

 National Sales Manager, Bell Pipe & Supply

John "Buck" Schober,

Business Development Manager

SVF Flow Controls

 

Congratulations and Thank You to all of the recipents of the 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award!

Who Dat? That's James Barrios - Business Resource Specialist - East Coast!Welcome

Introducing... James Barrios, Business Resource Specialist - East Coast!

 

James Barrios comes to SVF Flow Controls with over 27 years of experience in the Piping, Valve and Fitting Industries.  Having been an Outside Salesman for a valve manufacturer for many years, James has a deep understanding of customer needs and what has to take place in order to get the job done. Also working on the distributor level, his experience ranges from Order Desk, to Purchasing as well as many years as a Manager. James also took some years away from the valve industry and worked for the Los Angeles County Probation Department as a Probation Officer which gives him an innate ability to deal with all "types" of people. And he means "ALL" types. In his younger days James played music professionally and has been all over the country and Europe playing bass guitar.

James and his wife currently live in Whittier, CA and have two sons. He enjoys playing golf and pool with his sons and has an extensive guitar collection which (unfortunately) he seldom touches...

Please join us in welcoming James to SVF Flow Controls!

 

James can be reached at his office number at 800-783-7836, extension 216 or email JBarrios@SVF.net

 

  The SVF CNG Products Group - "Valve & Manifold Solutions for Vehicle Fueling"CNG
  

For many years, SVF Flow Controls has partnered with the world's leading CNG equipment manufacturers and their installers while supporting the Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) industry as it provided alternative fuels to gasoline. The key components of our CNG family of products reflect innovation, flexibility and a commitment to quality.

Containing and controlling compressed natural gas requires valves that are robust and precision engineered while offering variations to suit wide range of applications and sites. As a result, SVF Flow Controls offers products that have been developed specific to the CNG infrastructure.

 

Full range of products, fully tested from low pressure to 6000 psi:

Browse the Digital Version of our CNG Brochure

- or -

Click here to request hard copies of "Valve & Manifold Solutions for Vehicle Fueling" by SVF Flow Controls, Inc.

14 Points for Quality ManagementISO
by Jane Lovett, Quality Manager - JLovett@SVF.net

William Edwards Deming was an American engineer, professor, statistician, author, and management consultant.  Among his many credits focused on quality, Deming championed the work of Dr. Walter Shewhart, including Statistical Process Control and the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) Cycle.  Statistical Process Control, or SPC, is a method applied in order to monitor and control a process.  PDSA is a straightforward, problem-solving model used for improving a process or carrying out a change.  Both of these are examples help drive change through an organization.  Deming was also a pioneer in the improvement of product testing in the workplace, assuring a higher level of uniform product quality, and as an electrical engineer, he focused on the betterment of design of products to improve service.  Can you tell he was one of my favorite Quality gurus?

 

 

One of Deming's most famous works includes what has become known as "The 14 Points for Management", which are essentially 14 key principles for management to follow to significantly improve the effectiveness of a business or organization.

 

Click here to read the entire article :: "The 14 Points for Management">>

SVF Training Facility Gaining Popularity!Engineering

Our new Training Facility has become a popular gathering spot for many of our Customers and Distributors!

Earlier this year we announce the completion of the expansion of our new Training Area. Since then we have received a tremendous response from the marketplace, eager to participate in this new program.

The training facility allows employees, customers and Distributors to engage in our "hands-on" course of valve assembly, repair and troubleshooting, while offering the functional aspects of electric and pneumatic valve automation, controls and automation accessories.

Our comprehensive two-day course consists of "classroom" sessions including formal presentations and educational overviews. The second day is "hands-on" hosted by our Engineering Group. Wayne Ulanski also provides insight through his product knowledge and industry experience in rounding out the comprehensive training program. Note that we can also streamline the course or expand it as required, in customizing to your needs.

 The course is offered at no charge to any of our Distributors, Customers and their affiliates and is scheduled by appointment only.
If you are interested in having any of your employees attend our Training Course on Valve Maintenance & Automation,

please contact your Business Development Manager or send an email to our Engineering Department - Engineering@SVF.net


 The "Head Scratcher" - Follow the Bouncin' Ball!  scratcher

It's March! It's Madness for over 75 Years!

 

The University of Oregon defeated The Ohio State University 46-33 on March 27th 1939 to win the first-ever NCAA men's basketball tournament. The Final Four, as the tournament became known, has grown exponentially in size and popularity since 1939. By 2005, college basketball had become the most popular sporting event among gamblers, after the Super Bowl. The majority of that betting takes place at tournament time, when Las Vegas, the internet and office pools around the country see action from sports enthusiasts and once-a-year gamblers alike.

 

It seems like we can't get enough of that "bouncin' ball" and "nothin' but net".

                      

Did you know?...

A ball will rebound one-half the height from which it is dropped.

If that ball was dropped from a height of 320 feet and keeps bouncing, what is the total vertical distance the ball will travel from the initial drop to the time it hits the floor for the fifth time?
a. 840 Feet
b. 920 Feet
c. 960 Feet
d. 1280 Feet

Each month SVF will give a free canvas tote to the first 5 FlowRATE readers that correctly answer the "Head Scratcher" question through our website.
Click the button below or go to www.SVF.net/response.php to submit your answer. The correct answer will be in our next FlowRATE. GOOD LUCK!

 

Last month's answer was:  South Padre Island

 

The Best Price for our General Purpose Ball Valves is available online!ezValves
  

 

Register as a member on ezValves.com and you can access our general purpose valve products through our online transaction site!

 

In addition to delivering online purchases ezvalves.com also serves as a source for pricing on these products reducing the need to contact SVF for current pricing on these common products.

Orders may be placed and processed only for those products on the site. We cannot split or modify orders to ezValves.com products.

We think you will find ezvalves.com another useful tool and Resource in delivering your customers the best ball valve program in our industry.

 

ezvalves.com is easy to use and represents another step in improving our service to you.

 

           


Our Purpose Statement:

"To serve the process control marketplace as a valued resource and advisor
on flow control applications."
SVF Flow Controls, Inc. | 13560 Larwin Circle, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
1. 800. 783. 7836 | Fax: 562.802.3114  | Sales@SVF.net  | www.SVF.net

Copyright ©2015 SVF Flow Controls, Inc. All Rights Reserved.