The PHCC – National Association is advising contractors to take this time to analyze their company’s structure and business practices to adapt their operations to the 'new normal' of the ever-changing marketplace. You can apply this advice whether your business is contracting, wholesaling, engineering, manufacturing or even publishing.

The PHCC – National Association is advising contractors to take this time to analyze their company’s structure and business practices to adapt their operations to the “new normal” of the ever-changing marketplace, incoming President Keith Bienvenu told me during an interview last month. You can apply this advice whether your business is contracting, wholesaling, engineering, manufacturing or even publishing.

At Plumbing & Mechanical, we’ve experienced changes that include Publisher George Zebrowski and Editorial Director Jim Olsztynski leaving the magazine last month. I’d like to thank George and Jim for helping to make PM the best read and most preferred industry magazine among you, its readers.

Both George and Jim were hard at work on PM in 1990 when I joined the staff of its sister publication, Supply House Times. George sold advertising space for both magazines at the time, and Jim was PM’s first chief editor.

The former editor with another industry magazine, George went on to become publisher of PM and then group publisher, where he managed advertising sales and business operations for PM, Supply House Times and PM Engineer. In all, his career in the plumbing industry spanned more than 40 years.

Jim’s name became the better known among PM’s readers - even if you had more trouble spelling it - because his byline appeared over hundreds of feature stories, news articles and columns over the years. As editor, he worked behind the scenes with PM columnists such as Dan Holohan, John Siegenthaler, Julius Ballanco and Frank Blau. Jim wrote a farewell column that appears here. 

While I’ll miss working with George and Jim, I am excited about other changes we’re making at PM. In my interview with Keith Bienvenu, he went on to say that many PHCC members already have made changes that they believe put them in a good position for whatever the future brings. In some cases, this means gaining proficiency in an emerging technology such as geothermal, solar thermal and residential fire sprinkler systems.

We believe changes we’re making at PM will help us do a better job of meeting your information needs and connecting you with your industry partners. Just one example is PM’s digital edition, which you receive each month in addition to your print magazine if you provide us with an opt-in email address. While the digital edition carries the same content you enjoy in print, it also gives you instant access to manufacturers, industry associations, best practices groups, and PM’s staff via links in articles and ads.

You’ll notice the titles of PM’s editorial and sales staff are changing too. The new titles reflect more than a cosmetic change. “Integrated Content Manager,” “Content Engagement Manager” and “Brand Leader” emphasize the fact PM provides information to you over a variety of platforms, such as print and digital magazines, websites, enewsletters, webinars, live events, virtual trade shows and social media.

In addition to improving the ways we convey information to you, we’re upgrading our content by having PM’s editorial and sales staff specialize in niches within the plumbing-and-heating industry. For example, Integrated Content Development Specialist Kelly Faloon will direct our coverage of the radiant-and-hydronics market. Integrated Content Manager Mike Miazga will oversee tools and trucks.

You’ll be the judge, of course, of how well we’re doing in giving you the technical and business information you need to run your company in the new normal. We’re easier to reach than ever, so let us know by answering our surveys or contacting us directly.