The Reasons Why Advance Plumbing & Heating Supply (Detroit, MI) Was Named DPHA's 2018 Showroom of the Year

The criteria used to select the DPHA Showroom of the Year are:

• Training programs
• Marketing programs
• Customer service
• Involvement and support of the industry
• Merchandising
• Innovative presentation of decorative plumbing and hardware products within the showroom

Advance Plumbing & Heating Supply's new showroom in Detroit, MI, is most definitely deserving of recognition as this year's DPHA Showroom of the Year.  Located in the heart of the design district, this new showroom became the first ever decorative plumbing showroom to be opened within the Detroit city limits.  The 5,000 square foot showroom, which was transformed from an unsightly building on Cass Avenue into a destination location, features a newly renovated historical facade that dates back to 1918.  As one manufacturer told us, "They have embraced the 70+ year old structure and their 100 year history to create a new space that feels as if it had been there when Henry Ford was remodeling his home." 

 

Advance attempts to display products so that the majority of them are working models.  In that way, their customers can actually experience the product before deciding to purchase them.  They have five working system tubs, 20 working kitchen and lavatory faucets, five operational toilets, 50 actively functioning shower devices (shower heads, hand showers, body sprays and rain heads), two working steam systems (one with electronic shower controls) and live heated towel warmers.  They also have LED lit drawers with bath, kitchen and bar sinks.

 

The folks at Advance are also very committed to product knowledge trainings, holding them every week at both their Walled Lake and Detroit locations.  They also like to bring the manufacturer sales managers in to do some of these training sessions so that they can get a different perspective on the product line from what is communicated almost daily by their local reps.  Advance also sends their showroom sales team members on manufacturer trips when they are offered.  And for their new hires, they utilize the DPHA Education Manuals, which help get them started with an overall understanding of the many plumbing categories.

 

Advance certainly prides themselves on having an outstanding customer service team, which begins with their sales team taking a proactive approach to educating their customers while discussing their projects.  Additionally, they have a dedicated warehouse team to help with pulling and delivering the orders.  This then continues after the sale has been completed.  The dedicated customer service team handles any and all issues, and they pride themselves on constantly going "above and beyond" the call of duty to make sure their customers are happy regardless of whose fault the problem is attributable to.

 

At the national level, Advance belongs to many groups, including DPHA and ASA, and they attend major industry shows like KBIS, ICFF, ISH and DPHA.  At the local level, they organize CEU events and lunch-and-learns for the A&D community, and they hold various events for their builder and plumber clientele.  Advance also sponsors the Detroit Home Tour and the Detroit Home Design Awards, and they participate in local area home shows.

 

A fabulous showroom combined with an expert staff that understands not only product, but consumer needs, wants and desires, certainly makes Advance Plumbing & Heating Supply a most worthy recipient of DPHA's 2018 Showroom of the Year award.