Featured (Left to Right): Jordan Lipp, Peggy Lipp, Cal Ripken, Alan Lipp, Kevin Lipp, & Alison (Lipp) Riegle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cleveland, Ohio – November 13, 2025 – Merit Brass, a family-owned and operated leader in the pipe, valve, and fitting (PVF) industry for over 88 years, proudly announces that Co-CEO
Alan Lipp has been named the recipient of the 2025 American Supply Association (ASA) Industrial Piping Division (IPD) Award of Excellence.
Alan formally received his award at the ASA Network 2025 breakfast on November 13. Alan's wife, Peggy Lipp, and their children—Jordan Lipp, Alison (Lipp) Riegle, and Kevin Lipp—attended the breakfast to celebrate his remarkable accomplishment. Kevin has spent over 14 years at Merit and currently holds the position of Director of Pipe Sales. As a member of the company’s fourth-generation ownership, he plays a key leadership role in the organization.
The IPD Award of Excellence, granted selectively by a nominating committee and approved by ASA’s IPD Advisory Council, honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions and demonstrated dedicated service to the PHCP-PVF industry. Alan’s longstanding involvement—including his service on the ASA IPD Advisory Council and the Affiliated Distributors (AD) Supplier Advisory Council—reflects his deep commitment to advancing the industry.
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With decades of experience, Alan has positioned Merit Brass as a leader in global market insights, providing invaluable expertise to wholesalers and their supply chains. His deep understanding of the PVF industry and its challenges has driven Merit’s success and strengthened its partnerships.
Beyond his professional achievements, Alan is known for his kindness, dedication, and genuine care for customers, vendors, and colleagues, many of whom regard him as a friend. His impact on the PVF industry was further recognized in 2024 when he was inducted into the PVF Hall of Fame by The Wholesaler Magazine.
“Alan’s leadership and passion for our industry, combined with his devotion to family, customers, and associates, make this recognition well-deserved,” said Darren Hilliard, President of Merit Brass. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate his contributions to Merit Brass and the broader PVF community.”
Merit Brass, led by third-generation Co-CEOs Alan Lipp and Marc Schlessinger, alongside President Darren Hilliard, remains committed to excellence, innovation, and service in the PVF industry.
Merit has a rich history of offering the most comprehensive flow control and piping connection technology. Their 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. Merit features a full range of stainless steel pipe fittings and leaded & lead-free brass pipe fittings, pipe nipples, pipe, pipe valves, pipe flanges, stainless steel tubing, forged steel fittings and press technology, which includes carbon, copper, and stainless steel.
11/17/2025 10:05:19 AM
