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Home » Authors » Kristen R. Bayles
Kristen R. Bayles

Kristen R. Bayles

Kristen R. Bayles is the Associate Editor for Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times. With deep family roots in the plumbing industry and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Montevallo, Kristen brings a unique perspective to her coverage of industry trends, emerging technologies and business insights for plumbing and HVAC professionals.

Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn or reach her at baylesk@bnpmedia.com.

Associate Editor
Articles

ARTICLES

And So It Flows - Retention: The Best Exit Strategy
And So It Flows Podcast

Retention: The Best Exit Strategy

In a new episode of And So It Flows, Chris Buttenham discusses how retention planning can help plumbing contractors protect company value before a future sale.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
July 16, 2026
Buttenham says plumbing business owners should start thinking about retention years before a sale, especially if they want the company to thrive after they step away.
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A contractor holding a tool.

Continuing Education Moves from Optional to Essential in Plumbing

The cost of falling behind is not limited to one missed product detail: it can show up in callbacks, efficiency problems, customer dissatisfaction and reduced contractor confidence.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
July 14, 2026

Continuing education is no longer just about learning what is new. It is about protecting quality, reducing risk and making sure contractors are prepared for the systems they will be expected to install and service next.



Read More
A contractor at a door.

Why Service Beats Sales on Every Plumbing Call

A service-first mindset can transform how technicians communicate, build trust with homeowners and drive long-term success for plumbing companies.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
July 3, 2026

Chris Fresh, host of The Plumbing Sales Coach Podcast – The Fresh Approach, explains how a service-first culture builds trust, boosts technician confidence and ultimately leads to stronger business results.


Read More
The Armbrust Plumbing truck.

Truck of the Month: Armbrust Plumbing

For over a century, Illinois-based Armbrust Plumbing has served their community like a knight serves a kingdom.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
June 30, 2026

The Armbrust Plumbing team recently had a redesign of their fleet of 18 trucks, with the help of Lemon Seed Marketing. Featuring bright blue and green, partnered with an elegant navy blue, the real star of the truck is the knight. 


Read More
A laptop and several colorful charts.

AI Is Exposing the Cracks in Contractors' Operations

Before contractors embrace AI, they need clean information, connected systems and consistent workflows, or risk automating the wrong processes.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
June 29, 2026

Artificial intelligence won't fix broken workflows. It will simply expose them, says Powerhouse Consulting Group's Jenny Benbrook.


Read More
An infographic with "Water Heater Shipment Data" over a chart.

AHRI Data Shows Water Heater Shipments Remain Soft in 2026

U.S. shipments of residential gas storage water heaters for April 2026 decreased -1.6 percent, to 361,801 units, compared to 367,604 units shipped in April 2025.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
June 26, 2026

The latest numbers show that water heater shipments continued to soften in April, reflecting many of the same economic pressures affecting residential construction and remodeling activity. 


Read More
A contractor and apprentice look over documents on a jobsite.

Nearly 60% of Gen Z Is Considering Skilled Trades Careers

Gen Z is increasingly interested in skilled trades careers, but attracting and retaining this generation will require new approaches to training, mentorship and workplace culture.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
June 24, 2026

Industry leaders say Gen Z sees something previous generations may have overlooked: the trades offer purpose, opportunity and a chance to make a tangible impact every day.


Read More
HVAC Technician Installing Large Modern Heat Pump

HVAC Technician Day: Recognizing the Industry's Everyday Heroes

National HVAC Technician Day, celebrated every year on 6/22, offers an opportunity to recognize the essential role these technicians play in maintaining comfort, safety and business continuity.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
June 22, 2026

National HVAC Technician Day serves as a reminder of the vital role these professionals play every day. While the industry continues working to strengthen its workforce pipeline, technicians remain the people who keep buildings running, businesses operating and communities comfortable.


Read More
And So It Flows: Heat Pump Water Heaters in Real Life
And So It Flows Podcast

Heat Pump Water Heaters in Real Life

Contractors may want to start getting “heat pumped up.”
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
June 18, 2026
On a recent episode of And So It Flows, Kristen Bayles sat down with Gregg Holladay, business development manager for specialty markets at Bradford White, to discuss the growing role heat pump water heaters are expected to play in the residential plumbing market and why contractors need to start preparing now.
Read More
The interior of a government building.

Louisiana Plumbing Reform Bill Draws Concerns

As states seek solutions to skilled labor shortages, Louisiana's HB953 highlights the challenge of expanding workforce access while maintaining competency and safety standards.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
June 12, 2026

The legislation transfers oversight from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana and lowers training requirements, prompting debate over the future of plumbing licensure and apprenticeship.


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