ICM News
Thermo Pride now offering through Paul J. Geiger, Jr. 1936-2019
wholesale distribution
Paul J. Geiger, Jr., former Editor
of ICM predecessors Oilheating
Journal and Fueloil & Oil Heat,
passed away on May 30, 2019 at
the age of 83. Geiger was raised in
the Vailsburg section of Newark,
NJ and graduated with honors
from Seton Hall University. He
became Managing Editor of Fueloil
& Oil Heat in December of 1973,
eventually becoming Editor of Oilheating Journal
and a partner in its parent company, Industry
Publications, Inc., retiring in 2002.
Paul’s passion for the oilheating business was
apparent to all who knew him or read Fuel & Oil
Heat or Oilheating Journal. His was a respected voice
in the industry and he participated in many activities
and initiatives to advance oilheating, including
the Annual Fuel Dealer Marketer Forum and the
early planning for what would eventually become
the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA).
His work week was often spent crisscrossing the
Northeast visiting with oilheating marketers.
Geiger had a passion for sailing, baseball and astrophysics,
publishing the book “We Live in the Helical
Solar System: Our Home in a Helical Universe.”
Thermo Products, Denton,
NC, made its Thermo Pride
line of products available
through wholesale
distribution in most areas.
After nearly 70 years of
selling direct to installation contractors, Thermo Products
has shifted its business model to the more traditional
wholesale distribution channel.
“After so many years being a manufacturer that
sold directly to our customers, we determined that our
customers can be much better served by the distribution
experts” said Rob Paquette, National Sales Manager
of Thermo Products. “In the ever-changing oil furnace
market, our method of utilizing public warehousing and
common carrier trucking to deliver our products to the
installing contractors no longer provided the level of
service that our customers deserve.”
Thermo Products began the switch to wholesale
distribution in New Jersey and Long Island. In 2015, the
company switched its Mobile Home and Spirit furnace
lines to wholesale distribution nationwide. In 2018,
Thermo Pride products began wholesale distribution in
the Mid-Atlantic region and New York State, and most
recently, New England. The remaining areas of the U.S.
will change in the coming months, the company said.
ICM/July/August 2019 25