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Commercial plumbing prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity

Over the past decade, society has been evolving. It is constantly rethinking discrimination, with growing social awareness of gender identity, differently-abled individuals and sensory sensitivity. The public restroom is one area that has come under fire during this social evolution.




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Rise in outdoor living spaces brings opportunity for plumbing pros

Many people look for ways to update their homes to provide a sense of comfort and connection to the outdoors. Outdoor projects are currently flourishing, as people extend their living spaces to feel closer to their natural surroundings.




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Amid inflation, evaluate boiler performance for saving money

As businesses and homeowners across the nation wrestle with inflation and stretching their dollars for maximum value, one area that can’t be overlooked is the heating system.




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Master plumber relies on extension kits to correct toilet-flange elevation

Have you remodeled a bathroom recently? If so, maybe you’ve noticed problems with the toilet.
To get more specific: Is it rocking noisily when the homeowner takes a seat? Or maybe they've noticed water pooling at the base. Perhaps the flooring surrounding the toilet feels soft. Or water spots have appeared on the ceiling located directly below the toilet.




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PM Profile: LIXIL's Trey Northrup

Late last year, LIXIL made headlines when it announced the acquisition of Basco, a U.S.-based shower door manufacturing company.




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Bathroom trends: Technology and advances in barrier-free design support safer living

How is the aging population changing product design? Builders and designers have been hearing from clients that homeowners now want to age-in-place, and they also want to renovate their existing homes to accommodate various generations living under one roof. The lack of housing stock and current mortgage and interest rates have contributed to this phenomenon. This shift in living has been a boon to the renovation industry, and it has given rise to innovations and building processes that elegantly combine technology and health benefits in the service of independence for elderly or anyone with physical challenges.




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Linear shower drain systems help deliver project on schedule

The new Market District Apartments in Ohio City will be located near the historic West Side Market, the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market space in Cleveland. Currently, the 13-story development is the largest sustainable, wood-constructed building in the country. Among other facilities, the new 385-unit structure encompasses a first-floor retail space, residential suites on floors two through seven and luxury penthouse suites on the ninth floor, as well as amenity space, including a large rental hall.




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PM Profile: Canadian company brings first-ever recirculating shower to U.S. market

RainStick Shower co-founders Alisha McFetridge and Sean McFetridge share a longtime passion for water conservation. In 2019, the two began building the North American Market’s first water circulating shower. Supply House Times Chief Editor Natalie Forster sat down with Alisha McFetridge to dive into RainStick Shower’s backstory and plans for the future.




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Watts debuts new training center in Fort Worth, Texas

Watts Water Technologies held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in April to celebrate the grand opening of its latest training center in Fort Worth, Texas. The new 250,000-square-foot facility is customized for training, administration and manufacturing, and joins five other Watts Works Learning Centers across North America.




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Ride the wave! Bidets address wellness needs for popular trends

In the United States, bidet sales have grown steadily at a year-over-year rate of 14% to 15%. According to Stephanie Ewing, director, Wholesale North America for Bemis Manufacturing Co., specifying bidets is “becoming a market need driven by market demand. The pandemic started the trend of increased consumer awareness that a solution other than toilet paper was available, as well as an increased focus on hygiene.”




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Duravit builds the world's first climate-neutral ceramic plant in Canada

The decision to build the first CO2-neutral ceramic production facility in Canada is a significant investment for a sustainable future for the global brand and a vital step for climate neutrality by 2045.




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A plumber’s guide to residential floor drain selection and installation

Eight important factors to consider when selecting and installing a residential floor drain.




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Upgrading old school restrooms

As part of the American Rescue Plan, educational funding can provide over $274 billion in support for schools — the largest investment ever in the history of primary and secondary education.




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Exploring the impact of multigenerational living on bathroom design

Multiple generations living together under one roof, has challenged traditional ideas about space utilization and functionality.




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The home improvement market is rising

Luxury bathrooms and kitchens have evolved, and the home improvement market is booming with IT-connected products. People want to control their heating, kitchen appliances, and plumbing products through apps.





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Kitchen & Bath Industry Show returns to Las Vegas

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) returned to Las Vegas in 2023.  Hoping to break records again, KBIS/IBS returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center this year. Explore the latest products, technologies, and trends in kitchen and bath design.




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Franchises offer expansion opportunities for plumbing contractors

A thriving plumbing business relies on a collaborative team spanning various functions. Facing challenges like labor shortages and limited resources, many contractors struggle to expand into new markets. Adding a franchise can accelerate growth, minimize risk, and unlock fresh opportunities by leveraging established systems and resources.




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Video: 2024 Kitchen & Bath Trends Live from KBIS

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show marked the most successful show in its 60-year history this past February. Watch a few of the exhibitors talk about their product.





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Above-floor plumbing simplifies garage conversion to an in-law suite

Joseph Cariola, a licensed plumber and operations manager at Feddon Mechanical, converted his garage into an in-law suite with a bedroom and bathroom to accommodate up to three people.




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Bradley sponsors ‘The Germ Chasers’ Hygiene Education Program for schools

Hands-on training supported over 2,200 students in The Philippines, Mexico and Thailand.




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How innovation and sustainability are redefining plumbing solutions for tomorrow’s homes

Water scarcity and quality are widespread issues in the US. Embracing sustainability is crucial to the evolution of plumbing, with tried-and-true fixtures and new advances making a healthier, more water-efficient reality possible.




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Chicago Faucet Co. names new Milwaukee Training Center after former president and CEO

Andreas Nowak dedicated 19 years of service to both Geberit and the Chicago Faucet Co., leaving a lasting impact through his visionary leadership.




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Kohler’s Arizona manufacturing facility receives award from U.S. Department of Energy for decarbonization project

Selected as one of 33 projects in the U.S., the funding will be matched by Kohler investment to support the Electric Boiler & Microgrid project at its manufacturing site in Casa Grande, Arizona.




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PPC Promotes Emily Leonczyk to Executive Director and Vice President

Leonczyk has served PPC since 2018, first as Director of Marketing and Communications followed by a promotion to Director of Operations. 




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Metsä Board’s Ultralight Pizza Box Concept Wins 2024 WorldStar Award

The awarded pizza box uses considerably less material than traditional solutions without compromising rigidity, function or print quality.




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SupplyOne Expands Beyond U.S. with Acquisition of Crownhill Packaging

Customer segments serviced by Toronto-based Crownhill include public sector agencies, industrial products, consumer goods and e-commerce.




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Steady Growth for North American Folding Carton Market Predicted Through 2027

Report says plastic substitution and environmentally friendly packaging trends should provide a tailwind for carton growth over the forecast period.




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How On-Demand Boxes Can Address E-Commerce and Sustainable Packaging Challenges

Right-sized, on-demand packaging solutions empower companies to optimize their processes, reducing waste and minimizing their carbon footprint.




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Advancements in Paperboard and Corrugated Packaging

Paperboard, corrugated and carton solutions have been a key area of focus for manufacturers due to their dependability and ease of use. This focus has resulted in key innovations regarding environmental responsibility and design investments.




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Ranpak’s Cut’it!™ EVO Multi-Lid allows four unique branded lids on a single machine

Packaging solution automatically shortens cartons to match their highest point of filling and then glues a lid securely in place, reducing material usage and costs.




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How2Recycle® Pre-qualifies Metsä Board Paperboard Grades as Widely Recyclable

Whereas requests for the designation are typically submitted by brand owners, Metsä Board is one of the few material suppliers to get their paperboard grades proactively pre-qualified.




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FDA: Some PFAS Used for Food Packaging No Longer Being Sold in United States

In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration obtained commitments from manufacturers to cease sales for food contact use of grease-proofing substances that contain certain types of PFAS.




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Metsä Board Decides Against Investing in the Kaskinen Folding Boxboard Mill

Metsä Board will write down the costs of the pre-engineering, in total approximately EUR 8 million, treated as an investment, as an item affecting comparability in the January-March 2024 operating result.




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Box Manufacturer Crushes Cardboard’s Carbon Footprint with Reusable Containers

PACT has developed a specially designed, corrugated crate that some customers have been able to use over one hundred times.




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DS Smith Expands Corrugated Facility in France

The investment has allowed the company to expand the size of the production space in La Chevrolière by 4,000 square meters (43,000 square feet) and has been made in response to an increasing demand for sustainable corrugated cardboard by existing and potential DS Smith customers in the region.




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TAPPI and AICC Now Accepting Entries for Box Manufacturing Olympics

Industry-wide competition celebrates greatest achievements and innovations at SuperCorrExpo.




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Cascades Debuts Fresh GUARD EnVision™ for Complete Egg Packaging Solution

Both attractive and sturdy, this eco-designed packaging offers robust protection while opening impactful visual possibilities. Its sleeve openings and high-quality printing area break the mold of the traditional format.




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Meyers Acquires Johnson Printing and Packaging Corporation via Asset Acquisition

Strategic move underscores Meyers’ commitment to expanding its footprint in the folding cartons sector.




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Morrisons Best Bacon Increases Shelf Appeal with Help of New Packaging

Morrisons wanted to reduce supply chain and material costs and to improve the customer experience, aiding navigation for shoppers in-store and improving on-shelf availability in order to increase sales. 




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Express Boxes Unveils Innovative "Build Your Own Box" Tool

The Build Your Own Box tool offers an unprecedented level of customization, ensuring that businesses can create packaging that perfectly aligns with their product dimensions and brand aesthetics.




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Mondi Acquires Schumacher Packaging to Expand Corrugated Footprint

The Acquisition will expand Mondi’s corrugated footprint in Western Europe and add complementary fiber-based products, focused on eCommerce and FMCG, to enhance its existing customer offering.




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Mondi Secures €95 Million Investment for Świecie Containerboard Mill

The upgrade comprises an extensive rebuild of paper machines PM2 and PM5, a new anaerobic treatment plant including an integrated cooling system, and upgrades to the pulp mill, the recycled fiber line and the energy recovery system.




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Al Levi: Busting the multitasking myth

It’s déjà vu all over again” is a famous quote by the late, great Yogi Berra. I’ve lived this scenario, and I’m betting you have, too. I’m talking about callbacks — the woe of the contracting industry.




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Al Levi: Self-study, group study, or personal coach?

Once you know your learning style, you can start to create real change within your company.




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Al Levi: 5 ways to get the most out of trade shows

Planning ahead helps ensure you get the most out of the events you attend.




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Al Levi: Nepotism: Keeping it all in the family

When I was the last of the three brothers to enter the family business, my dad said to me, “I owe you an opportunity, not a guarantee.”




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Al Levi: Getting employees to ‘released’

What does getting employees to “released” mean?




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Al Levi: Delivering poop sandwiches

I got an email from a client the other day that instantly reminded me of how I once delivered “poop sandwiches” to my own employees.




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Al Levi: No such thing as accidental company culture

I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some great contractors over the years. I shared what I had learned along the way at my own company, and I brought those insights and systems to their companies to help them grow and succeed.




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Al Levi: Sharpening the axe before you need it company culture

It was still hot and sweaty in the midday sun just a couple of days after Labor Day in New York, and at first glance, you’d think we were out in the yard in the dead of winter.