Barbara C. Higgens, executive director of
the
Plumbing Manufacturers Institute, and
Ralph Suppa,
president and general manager of the
Canadian Institute of Plumbing
and Heating, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at PMI's Spring Meeting
April 1 in Newport Beach, Calif. The document is intended to establish a
framework for cooperation between the two not-for-profit trade groups, thus
formalizing an already productive 10-year relationship.
“The MOU
expresses our mutual commitment to create an organized and systematic approach
for voluntarily exchanging information and materials on common educational,
technical, scientific, legislative and regulatory matters that affect the
plumbing industry worldwide,” said Higgens. “We will do this through
publications, reports, association conferences and industry meetings.”
Higgens
also noted that PMI and CIPH will continue to exchange invitations to their
respective annual conferences, and bring together in-kind and additional
resources as required to facilitate communications between the two
associations. The two associations expect to develop a work plan to identify
specific events and activities to achieve the purposes of this MOU.
PMI
has forged similar agreements with two other associations outside the United
States. In October 2007, PMI joined with the Plumbing Products Industry Group,
a Melbourne-based trade organization of plumbing manufacturers and importers
from Australia and New Zealand, represented by Tim Fisher, vice
president. In 2006, PMI signed an MOU with the Bathroom Manufacturers
Association of the United Kingdom, led by Chief Executive Yvonne
Orgill.
PMI also participates in The European Committee of
the Valve Industry, a federation of national manufacturer associations,
representing virtually the entire valve and fitting production in Europe.
“The
world marketplace has changed dramatically since the 1970s, when PMI emerged
from the old Plumbing Brass Institute,” Higgens remarked. “That is why PMI
revised its bylaws several years ago to attract non-U.S.-based companies to our
ranks and to begin an ongoing dialogue with our counterparts around the globe.
By working together, we hope to assure the growth and expansion of the plumbing
industry worldwide.”
