Rheem presented a commemorative plaque to Southern Pipe & Supply marking the company’s new Prostock stores in Gulfport and Meridian. Photographed (left to right): Brandon Welch (Southern Pipe & Supply), Mike Himel (Rheem Sales Co.), Dennis Manley (Southern Pipe & Supply) and Buddy Wallace (Southern Pipe & Supply).

MERIDIAN and GULFPORT, Miss. — Rheem distributor Southern Pipe & Supply Co. Inc. opened two new Prostock locations in Mississippi. Rheem worked with Southern Pipe & Supply to convert two of its stores in Gulfport and Meridian to Prostock locations. These are Southern Pipe & Supply’s first Prostock locations. Southern Pipe & Supply owns more than 90 stores throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

“Southern Pipe & Supply has an amazing reputation as a longstanding partner for HVAC, plumbing, and industrial suppliers in the Southeast,” said Don Harter, general manager of Rheem Sales Co. “These new Prostock stores will help them showcase a highly professional, bright, and organized retail presence that can meet the needs of local contractors.”

Prostock stores provide replacement parts directly from the OEM, Rheem, as well as aftermarket parts and supplies for professionals that install, maintain, and service HVAC and plumbing equipment.

Prostock and Southern Pipe & Supply hosted grand opening events for local contractors in Meridian and Gulfport. The events included ribbon-cutting ceremonies and also featured lunches and giveaways, including Protech branded hex sets to the first 50 customers. Plus, Southern Pipe & Supply conducted drawings at each opening event, where one lucky contractor in Meridian and another in Gulfport won $1,500 credits toward the Rheem heating or cooling unit of their choice.

For information, go to www.southernpipe.com.

Publication date: 12/19/2011