Mueller Flow Control reintroduced to the park

Burnside - For the first time in seven years, Chris Naugler gets to leave the office behind at the end of the day.

Naugler is the regional manager of the new branch of Mueller Flow Control, which opened at 141-B Joseph Zatzman Dr. in July. Hed been performing the same function out of his home since the company, then known as Grinnell, was divested in Tyco Internationals 1999 sell-off.

Tyco bought the company in 1994 and they divested in 1999 and sold off the distribution and manufacturing to Anvil International; so its a bit confusing because a lot of people we deal with still look at us as Grinnell, but were now Mueller Flow Control, Naugler says.

And with the new branch office in Burnside, Mueller Flow Control can get down to its business of selling pipe valves and fittings.

Were one of the largest distributors of pipe valves and fittings in North America. Were big with fire protection; we sell directly to the sprinkler contractors, Naugler says. From here we service everything east of Montreal.

In addition to its strength in fire protection, Mueller also provides pipe for mining, offshore, plumbing and HVAC operations.

The offshore, in particular, gives Naugler hope for the coming years.

I look down the road very open-minded. Newfoundland and Atlantic Canada will be one of the busier regions down the road, he says. Looking at the politics, the offshore oil and gas, theres a lot of potential coming down the pipe no pun intended. Well never be an Alberta, but I think for our region, good things are on the horizon, Naugler says.

As a starting point, the new location in Burnside puts Mueller in the ideal position to capitalize on that potential.

Weve been a growing company and were looking to expand branches within the Maritimes, Naugler says.

Weve talked about Moncton, but Ive argued we should be looking at St. Johns, NL [as a new branch location]. Moncton is just two hours away; I argued to be in Burnside, because thats where all the trucking ends up.

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