Hajoca Corporation is one of the nation’s largest privately held wholesale distributors of plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, industrial pipes-valves-fittings, pool and waterworks supplies for residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure construction. With over 350 locations throughout the United States, they represent the most premier product lines in our industry.

This summer the recently formed Hajoca Northeast Division came together with their top vendors at The Hotel Hershey for a summit designed to grow relationships and improve business practices. This Bi-Annual Hajoca Vendor Summit was formed from the need to work more closely with industry professionals to cultivate and enhance shared business opportunities.

The event was the first of its kind for the Hajoca Northeast Division and was met with enthusiastic participation from vendors, Hajoca Profit Center Managers, and Hajoca Management Trainees. In total, over 120 industry professionals attended the summit, representing 20 vendors and the Division’s 61 Hajoca locations.

Jock Castoldi, Northeast Division Manager, Paul Weinstein, Northeast Region Manager, and Roy Pitts, Director of Vendor Relations for Hajoca hosted the summit meeting where Profit Center Managers could come together, as a whole, to talk directly with their top vendors. One of the many meeting objectives included educating vendors on their business model and strategic vision for the future.

Throughout the week vendor representatives and Hajoca Profit Center Managers participated in 45-minute roundtable discussions. During the welcome dinner Castoldi encouraged straight talk and results along with providing an overview of the unique history of Hajoca Corporation, founded over 150 years ago, and its subsequent growth. Pitts invited vendors and managers to work together to enhance communication, celebrate successes, and find innovative ways to work through areas of opportunity.

With networking in mind, event participants had the option to golf at the picturesque Hershey Country Club, trap shoot with Hershey Outfitters, or relax on a guided bike tour through scenic Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Matthew McLaughlin, Hajoca Account Manager for Rheem, valued the time invested. “The event was a terrific gathering of vendors and Hajoca personnel in an environment that allowed us to conduct candid discussions around opportunities and challenges in the market, paired with social opportunities to network.” Likewise, John Marshall of Jones Stephens Corp. stated “It was very eye opening and educational for me and our team”.

To continue to foster the relationships, communication, and momentum built at the Hajoca Northeast Division Vendor Summit, the organizers plan to host a similar meeting in 2016.