Draft:Merit Brass
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Company Type: Private (Privately Held)
Founded: 1937 (Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Key People: Marc Schlessinger, CEO | Alan Lipp, CEO | Darren Hilliard, President
Number of Employees: 250
Website: www.meritbrass.com
Merit Brass Company is a manufacturer and distributor of flow control piping connections in the PVF (pipe, valve, and fitting) industry. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company is led by Co-CEO’s Marc Schlessinger and Alan Lipp. Merit Brass was founded in 1937.
The company serves various industries, including plumbing, HVAC, industrial, OEM, food and beverage, municipal, and oil and gas. Merit manufactures pipe nipples in various alloys and serves the PVF industry as a master distributor of related PVF products including: pipe fittings, pipe, tubing, valves, PTFE thread tape and pipe flanges.
The company’s goal is to make the Merit Experience for their customers seamless by bundling a complete line of consistent, high quality piping products, flow control devices, and piping system solutions.
History
[edit]In 1937, Lou Schlessinger and Frank Lifshitz founded Perfection Nipple Company originally producing iron and steel pipe nipples, brass furnace coils, and special steel pipe nipples.
In 1941, Perfection Nipple expanded its offering to include brass and copper pipe nipples, gas-stove connectors, air filters, and plumbing tools.
In 1945, Perfection Nipple became Reliance Tubular Products.
In 1961, Reliance Tubular Products was purchased by a corporation in Indiana therefore resulting in the formation of Merit Brass Company in Cleveland, OH.
In 1971, the company was engulfed in a fire[1] forcing them to relocate to a 40,000 square foot facility.
In 1980, the company began manufacturing stainless steel pipe nipples and distributing stainless steel pipe, valves, and fittings.
In 1982, Sheldon Schlessinger and Simon Lipp took over ownership of Merit Brass Company.
In 1989, the company moved its Cleveland Headquarters into a 140,000 square foot building.
In 1996, the company expanded its geographical reach by adding a 33,000 square foot distribution center in Sparks, NV as its second location.
In 2001, the company expanded its footprint by adding a 33,000 square foot distribution center in Dallas, TX as its third location. Schlessinger and Simon Lipp’s tenure was also celebrated, and the torch was passed to Marc Schlessinger and Alan Lipp.
In 2011, the company’s fourth generation, Kevin Lipp, joined the Merit Brass team. Additionally, the company also added its fourth location in Birmingham, AL with a new 33,000 square foot distribution center.
In 2012, the company relocated its Dallas Distribution Center to a 43,000 square foot facility across the street from its previous location.
In 2014, the company added 25,000 square feet to its Cleveland Headquarters[2] making it a total of 140,000 square feet.
In 2015, the company’s fourth generation, Kyle Schlessinger, joined the Merit Brass team.
In 2017, the company expanded its product offering to include Leaded & Lead-Free Brass Ball Valves.
In 2021, Darren Hilliard was appointed as President[3] and Glenn Bruce as Vice President of Operations for Merit Brass. The company also expanded its product offering to include press fittings and valves in stainless steel and copper, known as StainlessPress® and CopperPress®.
In 2022, Merit Brass acquired Supply Source Products[4] – CopperPress® and stainless steel, IsoTubi-USA. The company also appointed Michael Woloszyn as Chief Financial Officer. The company also celebrated its 85th year in business. (add article reference).
In 2023, the company opened its fifth location to a 35,000 square foot facility in Houston, TX [5] to service customers in Southern Texas and Louisiana. The company also expanded its Dallas Distribution Center by adding an additional 27,000 square feet to the existing facility, expanding the total to 70,000 square feet. The company also expanded its press technology offering to include a line of carbon steel fittings known as CarbonPress®[6]. Additionally, James Maloney was appointed as Vice President of Purchasing and Don Russell as Vice President of Sales for Merit Brass.
In 2024, the company expanded its CarbonPress® fitting offering to include large outer diameter (OD) sizes in 2-1/2” – 4”. In addition, the company’s CEO, Alan Lipp, was announced as the Wholesaler’s 2024 PVF Hall of Fame Inductee[7] .
Products
[edit]The company features a full range of stainless steel and brass fittings and valves. The company’s offering also includes: pipe nipples, pipe, pipe flanges in the alloys of brass, stainless, aluminum & chrome-plated. Their stainless steel offering also includes: tubing and tube fittings and valves. Merit also offers forged carbon steel fittings and outlets, copper tubing and a comprehensive offering of press technology, which includes carbon, copper, and stainless steel.
Core Products/Piping Components
[edit]The company’s core products are designed to meet customer requirements and ensure optimal performance in various piping system applications.
Pipe
[edit]The company’s pipe offering is available in stainless steel, brass, and aluminum.
Pipe Nipples
[edit]At its Cleveland, Ohio headquarters, the company manufactures pipe nipples using advanced techniques such as proprietary threading technology and optimized CNC machining capabilities. The manufacturing process includes various customer pipe and pipe nipples fabrications, featuring threaded and machined ends in materials such as stainless steel, brass, chrome-plated brass, and aluminum. These pipe nipples are manufactured to meet industry standards, ensuring durability and performance in a wide range of environments.
Fittings
[edit]The company’s pipe fittings are available in materials such as stainless steel, brass, chrome-plated brass, malleable iron and carbon steel, and include a range of types like elbows, tees, and couplings.
Valves
[edit]The company’s valves are available in stainless steel and brass, ensuring durability and corrosion resistance. The product line includes different types of valves, such as press, ball, gate, and swing check valves, each engineered to meet industry standards and provide reliable flow control.
Pipe Flanges
[edit]The company’s pipe flanges are available in materials such as stainless steel, brass, chrome-plated brass, and ductile iron. The product line includes different types of flanges, such as threaded, lap joint, ductile iron backup, weld neck, slip-on, and blind flanges, all designed to meet industry standards.
Tubing
[edit]The company offers stainless steel tubing designed for various applications, including industrial, medical, and food processing systems. The tubing is available in Types 304/L & 316/L along with seamless and welded.
Thread Tape
[edit]To complement the pipe nipple offering, Merit also carries PTFE thread tape (nickel infused) which is used in plumbing and potable water applications. It is available in ½” and ¾” x 260”.
Press Fittings and Valves/Press Technology
[edit]In addition to its core product offering, including press fittings and valves. The company offers press technology in carbon, copper, and stainless steel
A standout feature of the company’s press technology is the patent-pending Visual Indicator Press Ring® (VIPR®), which helps identify the application and any unpressed connections up to 2”. The VIPR® includes a color-coded plastic sleeve that can be removed once the connection is pressed. Additionally, the VIPR®, along with the box and bag labels are color-coded to the sealing element material, facilitating ease of receipt and ensuring a safe and proper installation.
CarbonPress®
CarbonPress® is the company’s line of carbon press fittings. It is available in sizes ranging from ½” – 4” in the following sealing elements: EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer) for water applications, HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) for gas applications, and FKM (Fluoroelastomer) for industrial applications.
CopperPress®
CopperPress® is the company’s line of copper press fittings and valves. It is available in sizes ranging from ½” – 4” in the EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer) sealing element for water applications.
StainlessPress®
StainlessPress® is the company’s line of stainless steel press fittings and valves. It is available in sizes ranging from ½” – 2” In the following sealing elements: EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer) for water applications, HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) for gas applications, and FKM (Fluoroelastomer) for industrial applications.
Corporate Structure
[edit]The company is currently led by the third generation of the founding families, with Marc Schlessinger and Alan Lipp serving as Chief Executive Officers (CEO). Alongside Marc Schlessinger and Alan Lipp, the company is also supported by a team of executives responsible for various departments. The company’s Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), includes:
Darren Hilliard – President
Mike Wolosyzn – Chief Financial Officer
Glenn Bruce – Vice President of Operations
James Maloney – Vice President of Procurement
Don Russell – Vice President of Sales
The fourth generation, Kyle Schlessinger (Product Scheduler) and Kevin Lipp (Director of Pipe Sales), are also actively involved in the business.
This organizational framework ensures strategic focus, effective management and coordination across all aspects of the company's operations, from production to customer service.
Locations
[edit]Cleveland, Ohio Headquarters
[edit]The company is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and serves as the central hub for the company’s production operations, including the fabrication of pipe nipples. It was built in 1989 and is 140,000 square feet.
Address: 1 Merit Drive Cleveland, OH 44143
In addition to its Cleveland headquarters, the company operates four distribution centers across the United States. These distribution centers are in Birmingham, Alabama; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; and Sparks, Nevada.
Birmingham, Alabama Distribution Center
[edit]The company’s Birmingham Distribution Center opened in 2011 and is 60,000 square feet.
Address: 220 Oxmoor Court Birmingham, AL 35209
Dallas, Texas Distribution Center
[edit]The company’s Dallas Distribution Center opened in 2012 and is 70,000 square feet.
Address: 10614 King William Drive Dallas, TX 75220
Houston, Texas Distribution Center
[edit]The company’s Houston Distribution Center opened in 2023 and is 35,000 square feet.
Address: 4680 S Sam Houston Parkway, Suite #120 Houston, TX 77053
Sparks, Nevada Distribution Center
[edit]The company’s Sparks Distribution Center opened in 1996 and is 33,000 square feet.
Address: 200 Vista Boulevard, Suite #106 Sparks, NV 89434
These five locations enable the company to efficiently serve customers across various industries and provide reliable, timely delivery of its products nationwide
Awards and Recognition
[edit]The company has built a legacy of delivering products and solutions, earning awards and recognition for its commitment to excellence. These accolades reflect the company's dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, highlighting its achievements within the industry. Some of the notable awards and recognition include:
IMARK Plumbing Gold Supplier – 2020
IMARK Plumbing Platinum Sponsor – 2021
IMARK Plumbing Platinum Sponsor – 2022
IMARK Plumbing Gold Supplier – 2023
BIZ Library Finalist – Best New Program Launch – 2013
BIZ Library Finalist – Best Measured Results – 2014
WIT Vendor Service Award – 20 Years of Partnership (1995 – 2015)
WIT Vendor Service Award – 20 Years of Partnership (1994 – 2014)
Eastern Industrial Supplies 2015 Field Marketing Summit VIP Sponsor
Eastern Industrial Supplies Vendor Hustle Award (2011 – 2012)
Chicago Tube & Iron Vendor of the Year Silver Award – 2012
Chicago Tube & Iron Vendor of the Year Gold Award – 2014
Chicago Tube & Iron Vendor of the Year Gold Award – 2007
Chicago Tube & Iron Vendor of the Year Silver Award – 2008
Chicago Tube & Iron Vendor of the Year Silver Award – 2009
Affiliated Distributors (AD) Supplier Partnership Award (2000 – 2001)
Affiliated Distributors (AD) Giving Back Award (2012)
Affiliated Distributors (AD) Excellence in Service & Logistics (2000 – 2001)
Affiliated Distributors (AD) Supplier of the Year PVF – 2016
Affiliated Distributors (AD) PHC Best Conversion Award – 2023 (see website)
ERC Health Continued Excellence – 2012
MGO 30 Years of Partnership
Evolution in Manufacturing – Merit Brass Company February 20, 2003
Infocus Customer Infocus Award – 2006
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility – May 2007
2014 NorthCoast 99 Winner
2015 NorthCoast 99 Winner
ALAN PVF Hall of Fame References
- ^ "Values and family have led the way at Merit Brass Co. for 75 years | 2012-09-01 | Supply House Times". www.supplyht.com. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ Sara Dorn, cleveland com (2014-06-06). "Merit Brass Co. plans to spend $1.75 million renovating Richmond Heights facility". cleveland. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "Merit Brass Co. announces new President and Chief Financial Officer | 2021-03-24 | Supply House Times". www.supplyht.com. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ janete (2022-07-22). "Merit Brass Acquires Supply Source Products". Southern PHC. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "The Merit Experience | phcppros". www.phcppros.com. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "Merit Brass opens new 35,000 square foot distribution center in Houston, Texas | Supply House Times". www.supplyht.com. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "Merit Brass Expands Its Press Systems: Innovative Solutions Driven to Provide Value to Your System | Supply House Times". www.supplyht.com. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
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