Novelist and philosopher William James understood that there is more to life than ourselves: “The great use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” The saying takes to heart the ideas of giving a hand to help others, investing in lasting legacies to further mankind, and making a difference in not only one’s life, but in those that are yet to come.

The Wholesaler magazine celebrates the PVF industry changemakers who go above and beyond to ensure health in the channel and in life. These changemakers often silently work in the background, tremendously impacting the industry. They advocate, invest, volunteer, give back and always lead by extending a hand to help others achieve their personal best. Often, these gentle giants swath a path for so many, and all for the good of others. We celebrate these individuals by inducting them into the PVF Hall of Fame.

This year, we are honored to shine the light on and celebrate Alan Lipp, co-CEO of Merit Brass, as our 2024 PVF Hall of Fame inductee.  

The Early Years

Alan Lipp grew up in Cleveland surrounded by uncles, aunts and cousins, many of whom worked in the family business, Merit Brass, which was started by his maternal grandfather, Louis Schlessinger. This family-owned and - operated company manufactures stainless steel, brass, chrome-plated brass and aluminum nipples. In addition, it serves as a master distributor of related fittings, flanges, pipe, tubing, tape and valves. The company’s  third generation of family leadership includes Alan Lipp and his cousin Marc Schlessinger, co-CEOs of Merit Brass, with the fourth generation (their sons) actively involved.

After graduating from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Lipp returned to Cleveland to join Merit Brass. “As I often joked, while some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, I was born with a brass nipple in mine,” he says. He was aware, however, that his family name alone would not guarantee his success — he had to earn it. And that he did, starting in inside sales and moving into procurement  after a few years.

 At the time, Lipp was in his late 20s; he and his wife, Peggy, had two young sons. Advancing to procurement meant that he would travel overseas. On his first trip to Taiwan, he met James Yen, of Yih Tai, a Taiwanese manufacturer of stainless-steel fittings. Although Merit Brass had done some business with Yih Tai, it was the first in-person meeting between Lipp and Yen. Shortly thereafter, Yen became more than a colleague; he became a mentor, friend and guide to Lipp and Merit Brass. 

The pair grew to be close friends, with Yen guiding Lipp personally and professionally, and guiding Merit Brass to introduce new lines to complete its offerings. Doing so made the PVF manufacturer a complete one-stop-shop for its distribution partners to round out their offerings. “James has made a tremendous impact on me in so many ways and to this day, continues to challenge me to do more and be better,” says Lipp.

In 1990, Lipp was approached by his brother-in-law to join his marketing company in Arizona. The company’s niche was within the sports industry; as a natural athlete, it tugged at Lipp’s heartstrings.

“It was a heart-wrenching decision; one of the hardest things I ever did was sitting down with my parents to let them know I was leaving Merit Brass. They were very supportive,” Lipp recalls.

He also sat down with his uncle, Sheldon Schlessinger. “To tell him I was leaving was very difficult,” Lipp says. “He wrote me a letter that I still have today. He said some beautiful things but made it clear that he thought I was making a mistake. He said if I ever wanted to come back, the door would be wide open.” (Lipp is a gentleman who holds tight to correspondence with heartfelt impact. More on this later.) 

Lipp moved his young family to Arizona; within a year, he knew it wasn’t the right decision. While in Arizona, Lipp received a call from Sheldon Schlessinger asking for his assistance. He was asked to come back and help by traveling to Asia with Merit’s new procurement manager to introduce him to their overseas suppliers. “When I left Merit Brass, I promised my father and uncle that if they ever needed me, I would drop everything and be there to help the company,” Lipp says. And he is a man of his word.

Working for another company not in the PVF industry left an indelible mark on Lipp. “It made it so intimately clear to me how much this business [PVF and Merit Brass] was in my blood,” he explains. Soon thereafter, he rejoined Merit Brass, now as its vice president of marketing. From there he would work his way up the company ladder to COO in 2010.  In 2021, he was elevated to CEO, a position he holds alongside his cousin, Marc Schlessinger. 

It’s All About the People

“Being part of this great industry for more than 40 years, I’ve seen so many changes: from product and service innovations to the technology revolution,” Lipp says. “However, the one constant has been the quality of the people. This  is still a people business  where important agreements are still sealed by handshakes.”

It’s the people side of the business that Lipp leans into — and he is a natural. Often seen as a gentle-giant, his passion, drive and big smile are infectious. And his love for family is undeniable — a trait that is incorporated into Merit Brass’s company culture. 

“My father and my uncle were my mentors, and they closely followed Louis Schlessinger’s example of treating employees as an extension of our family,” Lipp explains. And he does the same. When I visited the company a few years back and took a tour of the facility, Lipp knew the name of every employee and stopped along the way to ask how their family members were doing, what was the final score of the baseball game, etc. Each conversation was genuine. and the respect he earned from Merit’s employees was heartfelt. Lipp believes the company’s success couldn’t have come about without its dedicated employees. 

Lipp recalls a memory of attending an American Supply Association (ASA) convention with his parents in the mid-’70s. “It was wonderful being with my parents and seeing firsthand the great relationships my father had in this industry,” he explains. “It was special to see the way I knew my dad at home, and to see him in his work environment — and the incredible people I met.” 

He expounds on how, like his father, those partnerships turned into friendships: “Then and now, the best part of this business is making friendships that can grow into important business relationships and alliances.” 

“On many occasions, I have observed Alan initiate contact when he sees someone standing alone at one of our industry events,” says Dr. Donald McNeeley, executive chairman of Chicago Tube and Iron, as well as an inductee in the PVF Hall of Fame. “It is Lipp’s approachability, mixed with his incredible passion and knowledge about PVF that sets him apart. He has served on many committees and attended many industry events but, more impressively, has shared his industry talents, which are ample, to further success throughout the PVF industry.” 

Sharing industry knowledge and volunteering are important to Lipp, who for many years has served on industry boards and committees. He recalls a conversation in early 2006 with industry friends and colleagues who were members of ASA’s Industrial Piping Division (IPD) on how the industry and its  organizational events were changing — and not in a good way.

 “I remember a group of us having a conversation on the changes and we all had the same attitude:  ‘Not on my watch,’” Lipp says. “They encouraged me to volunteer some time and join ASA’s IPD Executive Council. I did, and I never looked back. It’s been very gratifying to watch it grow and find its stride.” 

Lipp served on the council from 2007 to 2016. He also volunteered his time and expertise to AD’s Supplier Advisory Council for several years. 

“Merit Brass has been a trusted key supplier for our company for more than 30 years, but it has been Alan’s friendship that I value the most in our relationship,” notes Brian Tuohey, CEO of The Collins Cos. “I entered this industry knowing nothing about the products that we distribute (there are those who would tell you that I still don’t!), but seriously, I met Alan very early in my career and he could not have been more helpful in educating me on the ‘shiny stuff‘ that we sell a lot of in our business. 

 “His warm personality and incredible knowledge of our industry (that he freely shares with everyone he meets) are the basis of my lifelong friendship with this great man and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this prestigious award.” 

 When it comes to taking care of customers, Lipp has mastered the art of conversation. It’s not what you say — it’s hearing what others say to you. “By listening to our customers and working closely together to help them realize their goals and avoid what keeps them awake at night, we can truly differentiate ourselves,” he explains. 

 Sometimes life is funny, and things come full circle. At a conference booth session during a recent buying group event, a distributor brought his 11-year-old daughter with him to the one-to-one meetings. She had wanted to take part and learn. 

 “She was engaged! We took five minutes of our meeting, and I went through our line card with her,” smiles Lipp. One could tell he was impressed with how eager she was. He ended the conversation with, “If you ever want to work in this industry, I’d love to talk to you about a job.” 

 Not long after, Lipp received a letter in the mail: “Dear Mr. Lipp, I enjoyed meeting you when I attended the IMARK meeting with my dad in January. Thank you for taking time to teach me about your press fittings, and the difference between the water and gas fittings, From Lucy Jane.”

 “This will go on the pile that I’ll save forever,” smiles Lipp. 

Mentoring the next generation

 Throughout our conversation, Alan Lipp and I discuss family: the dynamics and the familial support needed to make strong commitments to a company. He smiles as we talk about his wife, Peggy, his college sweetheart, who has walked his career path beside him, and his three children: Jordan,  Kevin and Alison.  Kevin Lipp joined the company about 13 years ago and has worked his way up the corporate ladder to director of pipe sales.

 “The impact my dad has made on me is very difficult to put into words,” Kevin Lipp notes. “From the example he’s set, I knew early on that I wanted to be a part of our family business and eventually work to follow in his footsteps. Alan has taught me so much, but what sticks out the most is his aptitude to create meaningful and lifelong relationships, his work ethic and his ability to always do the right thing. 

 “He truly loves this industry and it’s apparent through the passion he exudes daily. I couldn’t wish for a better role model. At nearly every industry event I attend, someone has a conversation with me about the influence my dad has made on them, whether its business-related or a friendship he’s made along the way. “ 

 Alan Lipp is a believer in company culture and investing in the future: “We continue to take active roles in industry associations, and the experiences enable us to network with individuals in organizations facing the same challenges.” About two years ago, he and co-CEO Marc Schlessinger were discussing the progress and path driving Merit Brass forward — and who would be the new leader to continue its trajectory. After much consideration, Darren Hilliard was selected for the role. He is the first nonfamily member to lead the organization as its president.

 “Alan embodies all that is right within PVF: integrity, loyalty, trust and dependability,” Hilliard notes. “His humility sometimes prevents him from truly seeing what a lasting impact he has had on our space, but his guidance and mentorship has helped shaped the careers and successes of peers, customers, suppliers and even competitors. Alan is generous with his time and knowledge, and I am fortunate to work closely with him.” 

 I asked Alan Lipp what, beyond his professional achievements, he hoped his legacy in the PVF industry would be. His answer did not surprise me: “We take great pride in our commitment to quality, and our strategic investments in products that offer our customers solutions that drive value. I am so proud of our long-term dedication to the success of our associates and their families.”

 “Marc Schlessinger and I have been incredibly blessed to witness scores of tremendously devoted people make Merit Brass and our success a major focus of their lives. Again, that is a culture started by our grandfather and carried on by our fathers. But the single most satisfaction I’ve derived is watching my son Kevin continue to distinguish himself within Merit Brass and the industry at large. Working alongside him today and seeing him and Marc’s son, Kyle, continue to grow and develop as leaders in our business is enormously gratifying,” said Lipp.

 While Alan Lipp shows no sign of slowing down, overseeing the company and giving back to the industry that is in his blood, he is also grounded and centered by family. Which includes his involvement in his Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Association (JBBBSA) for more than five years. 

 He told me the story of the young man who is his Little Brother and the story tugs at the heartstrings. It’s typical of Alan Lipp, who’s love and compassion for family is matched with always wanting to make one’s life better — be it personally or professionally. The young man nominated him for the JBBBSA Big Brother of the Year Award in 2021 — an award Alan Lipp is extremely humbled by. 

 “Having the ability to give back to the community and take an active role in helping our youth who don’t have the support that I frankly took for granted in my formative years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” says Lipp.  

Cheers to you, Alan Lipp! Thank you for demonstrating that the best part about business is helping others and making an impact starts in the smallest of ways.