The Service Roundtable, an Internet-based organization providing sales, marketing and management tools primarily to HVAC contractors, is adding a plumbing division, as well as additional administrative support to improve service to members. Plumbing & Mechanical columnist Randall Hilton will head up the new group.

Adding to the member base will assure growth in the organization and help with overhead costs, said Matt Michel, Service Roundtable’s chief executive officer and president.

“We’re trying to offer an abundance of services and business tools to contractors for a very affordable price,” he explained. “Our business model requires a lot of members to be economically feasible. Adding plumbing helps us attain those members faster.”

The plumbing Web site will have a similar look to the HVAC site, he added, but there will be some differences. Obviously, the content will be geared toward the plumbing industry. Plumbing lists will be separate from HVAC lists.

Looking to the future, the organization intends to add more service businesses, Michel noted. This will allow members cross-marketing opportunities.

“We’re trying to reach deep into the trade and provide a means for the smallest contractor to improve,” he said. “While all contractors need help, it’s the smallest contractors who need it the most. Unfortunately, they are the ones most overlooked because they can’t afford the alliances, don’t qualify for the manufacturer programs or aren’t large enough for territory managers to spend a lot of time with them.”

The new division is expected to launch by mid- to late-July.

For more information, visit www.serviceroundtable.com.