Tag: award

Given annually, the award honors a manufacturer representative who goes above and beyond for customers, builds meaningful partnerships and carries forward the relationship-driven legacy of the late Bob Bender, an esteemed Oatey sales leader for over 40 years.

CLEVELAND, MAY 07, 2026 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, proudly announces that Michael McLeod, Principal at Harry Warren of Georgia Manufacturer Representative Agency, has been named the fifth annual recipient of the Bob Bender Legacy Award.

The 27-year-old award initiative features a rigorous application process emphasizing top-performer attraction, development, and retention in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, employee engagement, and talent development.

CLEVELAND, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 — Oatey Co. has been named a 2025 NorthCoast 99 award winner by ERC, the Employers Resource Council. The NorthCoast 99 award honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. This is the 15th time that Oatey has received the prestigious NorthCoast 99 award.

The award recognizes an exceptional manufacturer’s representative who exemplifies the high standard of customer service and excellence established by the late Bob Bender, an esteemed Oatey sales leader for over four decades.

CLEVELAND, OHIO, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 – Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, proudly announces that Sheryl Sabin, Partner at Northeast Sales Associates, has been named the fourth annual recipient of the Bob Bender Legacy Award.

The award is given to a manufacturer’s representative who exemplifies the legacy and winning spirit of the late Bob Bender, a trailblazing member of the Oatey sales organization for more than 40 years.

CLEVELAND, OHIO, MAY 07, 2024 – Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, proudly announces Rick Portt, owner of New Century Sales, as the third annual winner of the Bob Bender Legacy Award. This recognition highlights Portt’s exceptional dedication to his customers, unwavering commitment to the Oatey brand, and outstanding contributions to the plumbing industry.

CLEVELAND, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 — Oatey Co. was recognized as the Company of the Year in the large company category at Engage! Cleveland’s second annual Generation NEXT Awards. Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries, committed to delivering quality, building trust, and improving lives.

Oatey Senior Vice President, Wholesale, recognized for outstanding partnership and commitment to the manufacturers’ representative channel.

CLEVELAND, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, is proud to announce that Patrick Aquino, Senior Vice President of Wholesale has been honored with the prestigious AIM/R Golden Eagle Award for his exceptional partnership and unwavering commitment to the manufacturers’ representative channel.

The award is given to a manufacturers representative who exemplifies the legacy and winning spirit of Bob Bender, a trailblazing member of the Oatey sales organization for more than 40 years  

CLEVELAND, JUNE 6, 2023 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, today announced that Skipper Joyce, founder of manufacturers representative group The Joyce Agency, was selected as the second annual winner of the Bob Bender Legacy Award. The award celebrates the legacy of the late Bob Bender, a 42-year veteran sales leader at Oatey who forged indelible relationships with customers and industry partners throughout his tenure.

The award recognizes RKR – Oatey’s longest-standing wholesale manufacturer representative agency – for outstanding leadership, innovation and sales results.

CLEVELAND, MARCH 7, 2023, 2023 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, today announced it has named RKR its 2022 Wholesale Manufacturer Representative of the Year. This prestigious award is given annually, highlighting a top agency’s successes and showing appreciation for their outstanding support of Oatey’s business. RKR also received the award from Oatey in 2020.

DENVER, NOVEMBER 2, 2022 — QuickDrain, part of L.R. Brands, QuickDrain USA is thrilled to announce that the QuickDrain ShowerLine Linear Drain system was named a winner in the Best in Bath category in Good Housekeeping’s first-ever 2022 Home Renovation Awards. A full list of winners can be found online at https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-renovation-awards-2022/.

The winning entry detailed the program’s success in attracting, engaging and retaining young professionals at the organization and in the Cleveland community.

CLEVELAND, SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 — Oatey Co.’s Emerging Professionals Group (EPG) was recognized as the Program of the Year at Engage! Cleveland’s inaugural Generation NEXT Awards. Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries, committed to delivering quality, building trust, and improving lives.

CLEVELAND, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, was recently recognized as the Best Company to Work in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire by the Monadnock Shopper News Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year.

CLEVELAND, MAY 17, 2022 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, recently named J&K Sales the top-performing manufacturer representative for its Wholesale Business Unit in 2021, recognizing the agency’s exceptional partnership and accomplishments in support of Oatey Co. and its companies. In addition, Oatey named Chase Freeman, Vice President, Spirit Group, the inaugural winner of its Bob Bender Legacy Award.

Awards from SmartBusiness, Crain’s and VeloSano reflect Oatey’s support for associates and Northeast Ohio

CLEVELAND, DECEMBER 21, 2021 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, was recently recognized by several local organizations for its commitment to a culture of community involvement and inclusion. The awards, which include those from local nonprofit and news publications, reflect Oatey’s ongoing support for its associates and the communities in which it operates.

CLEVELAND, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 — Oatey Co. is proud to be a recipient of the 2022 NorthCoast 99 Award from ERC, which recognizes Oatey for the 11th time as one of 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces.

CLEVELAND, February 24, 2021 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, recently presented awards to its top-performing manufacturer representative agencies of 2020, E.A. Langenfeld, Jones Sales & Marketing Group, and RKR, recognizing their exceptional partnerships, accomplishments and contributions throughout the business.

CLEVELAND, JULY 2, 2020 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, recently presented The Joyce Agency of Chantilly and Newport News, Virginia, with three awards in recognition of its 2019 accomplishments, including “Representative of the Year.”