Jim Olsztynski

When it comes to plumbing and heating, China has big problems. A quickening pace of urbanization has left China with 661 cities that are home to about 42 percent of its 1.3 billion people.

Service techs routinely endure discomfort and indignities to keep people healthy, cozy and safe. It's time to spread the word.

Do you prefer to recreate the past, or live in the future?

The plumbing industry's second largest national supply house chain, Hughes Supply, is now owned by Home Depot - or soon will be, depending on when they wrap up all the legalities of the takeover. This was Home Depot's largest acquisition ever, costing around $3.5 billion. Hughes operates some 500 branches in 40 states with $4.4 billion in annual sales. Hughes is now part of Home Depot Supply, whose revenues are projected to shoot past $12 billion this year.

Is there anyone reading this who doesn't rank hiring, retention and training as among the thorniest business issues?

The best-read, most highly acclaimed series in the 47-year history of Supply House Times has been updated and made available to fill the gaping hole in the plumbing industry's product knowledge training.

Recently I visited a plumbing wholesaler that operates a number of high-end showrooms. Like almost every merchandising wholesaler, this company has procedures to include plumbing contractors in the sale.

The most engrossing presentation I witnessed at last September's Network '05 joint ASA/PHCC convention in Orlando was a panel discussion sponsored by ASA's Industrial Piping Division.

The system has too many leaks - but YOU can help plug them.

Don't get me wrong, but women are, well, women.