Articles by Nicole Krawcke

For the past 15 years, Steve Baker had a plan to start his own plumbing company. Last year, that dream was finally achieved with the opening of Gideon Plumbing in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada.

After taking a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 AHR Expo will return in person Jan. 31 — Feb. 2 in Las Vegas. AHR Expo Show Manager Mark Stevens notes that this year’s event, in many ways, is more significant partly because of last year’s cancellation.

When I first began covering the HVAC industry almost eight years ago now, I was one of few women — if there were any others — in the room. Since that time, I have started seeing more and more women at the various industry events I attend, and I am overjoyed. 

What do logging and plumbing have in common? Jon Hatch for one. After a friend told him about a plumbing apprenticeship opening 15 years ago, Jon Hatch made the jump to the plumbing industry. 

After the past two years, the entire world — plumbing industry included — is waiting for things to return to normal. This past year gave us some normalcy with a return of in-person meetings and events; however, with this latest spike in COVID-19 cases and the continuing supply chain issues and rising material costs, normal may be a bit further away than we hope.

December has always been my favorite month of the year. And it’s not just because it’s my birthday month! It’s also not because of the holidays — though I do enjoy spending time celebrating with family and friends. 

Southern Trust Home Services began life on a farm. An electrician by trade, Ted Puzio founded his contracting business in 1995 while raising his two teenage sons. Then named TP Electric, Puzio and his sons renovated and flipped farmhouses before building a two-story facility to both live in and use as a workshop.

Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke had a chance to chat with Chris Carrier, director of marketing for RWC, and David McCulloch, executive director of Trade Talks USA, about their partnership and campaign to attract new blood to the plumbing industry.

Growing up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, Brianne Hall remembers receiving engineering concept lessons in her father’s car on the way to elementary school. Her dad — who had degrees in both civil and mechanical engineering — handed her a paper clip to explain the concept of failure due to fatigue.

A contractor’s fleet is one of its most important assets. These are more than just vehicles — they are mobile billboards for advertising, storage for parts, tools and other accessories, and ensure the technician arrives at the job in a timely, professional manner.