Merit Brass’ Strategic Leadership Team (Left to Right) - Back Row: Alan Lipp (CEO), Marc Schlessinger (CEO), Glenn Bruce (VP of Operations), James Maloney (VP of Procurement). Front Row: Don Russell (VP of Sales), Darren Hilliard (President), Michael Wolosyzn. (CFO)
Cleveland, OH – December 8, 2025 – Merit Brass Co., a family-owned manufacturer of pipe nipples and master distributor of piping components (pipe, pipe flanges and pipe fittings) and flow control devices, has been named the 2025 inductee into the prestigious PVF Ring of Honor. The announcement is featured in the December issue of Supply House Times Magazine.
Established to celebrate PVF manufacturers and master distributors that demonstrate recent marketplace success through progressive and cutting-edge best practices, the PVF Ring of Honor recognizes organizations that combine operational excellence with forward-thinking innovation while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and customer partnership.
For nearly nine decades, Merit Brass has exemplified these qualities. Founded in 1937 by Louis Schlessinger and now led by third-generation co-CEOs Marc Schlessinger and Alan Lipp, the company has evolved from a Cleveland-based manufacturer of brass pipe nipples into one of North America’s leading manufacturers and master distributors of stainless steel, brass, copper, and carbon steel PVF products.
“Being selected for the PVF Ring of Honor is a tremendous honor that belongs to every associate, past and present, who has lived our values every day,” said Alan Lipp, CEO of Merit Brass.
“My grandfather built this company on the simple belief that people come before profit. Nearly 90 years later, that foundation—combined with relentless modernization and an unwavering commitment to our wholesale partners—continues to define who we are.”
Key achievements highlighted in the Supply House Times feature include:
“Merit Brass has never chased trends for the sake of change,” added Darren Hilliard, President of Merit Brass. “Every investment, every process improvement, every new product line has been guided by one question: Does this help our wholesale customers win in their markets? The results speak for themselves, but the real reward is the trust and partnership we’ve earned across generations of distributors.”
The full profile, titled “Meet the 2025 PVF Ring of Honor Inductee: Merit Brass Co.,” appears in the December 2025 issue of Supply House Times and explores how family values, operational excellence, and global vision have guided the company for nearly nine decades.
About Merit Brass Co.
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 and brass fittings, nipples, pipe, valves, flanges, stainless & copper tubing, forged steel fittings and press technology known as MeritPressTM, which includes carbon, copper, and stainless steel. Contact: Marketing Department mbmarketing@meritbrass.com (216) 261-9800.
Author: KImberly Wallingford, Director of Marketing | Merit Brass Co.
12/9/2025 10:38:18 AM
