Kristen R. Bayles

Commercial outlook tech looking at pipes

Commercial Market Outlook: Retrofit Projects Lead the Way

Commercial market trends, labor challenges, retrofit demand, and what to prepare for

May 25, 2026

Supply House Times spoke with Christopher Peterson, director of sales and national accounts at Saniflo, about where the commercial market is headed and how manufacturers, wholesalers, and contractors can adapt.

A display showing GF and Uponor's logos.

Rethinking How We Work Together at the GF Flow Symposium

What stood out most to me at the GF Flow Symposium was the growing recognition that no one company is going to solve all the problems of the industry alone.

Kristen R. Bayles

May 21, 2026

At the GF Flow Symposium, conversations focused not just on solving individual problems, but on building the relationships needed to address them over time.

The ROI on Smart Water: Do Connected Systems Really Pay Off?

Smart water systems can save money, uncover hidden problems, and create new opportunities for contractors

Kristen R. Bayles

May 19, 2026

Insurance incentives, hidden leaks and operational gains are driving adoption, but the real return on smart water depends on who is measuring it and how.

Eastern Washington Hospital Mechanical System

Old Systems, New Demands: How Contractors are Navigating the Retrofit Market

Integrating high-efficiency equipment with existing piping and controls remains a key challenge (and opportunity) in today’s retrofit market

Kristen R. Bayles

May 15, 2026

With an increase in retrofits in the current market, here’s how contractors are navigating the issues that come with it.

Why Prefabrication Is Becoming the Backbone of MEP Contractor Operations

New data shows contractors shifting toward fabrication-led workflows as labor shortages and operational strain continue to rise.

Kristen R. Bayles

May 8, 2026

New report from Stratus reveals how labor shortages, material costs, and limited operational visibility are driving digital adoption and prefabrication.

A construction worker writing on a clipboard

Why the Skilled Labor Shortage Demands a New Approach

Industry leaders are shifting toward training-first models to attract and develop talent in a more complex service environment.

Kristen R. Bayles

May 6, 2026

As the industry marks National Skilled Trades Day, leaders are rethinking training and recruitment to build the next generation of technicians.

Chief People Officer at Foundral, Milisa O'Reilly.

How Plumbing Contractors Can Grow Without Losing Their Team

Why frontline leadership, communication, and culture are critical to scaling a contracting business without increasing turnover.

Kristen R. Bayles

May 4, 2026

As contractors focus on growth, strong supervisors and clear communication are becoming essential to workforce stability.

And So It Flows Podcast

And So It Flows: How AI and Gen Z Are Transforming the Trades

As conversations around artificial intelligence continue to dominate headlines, an equally important shift is happening in the skilled trades.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 23, 2026

In a recent episode of And So It Flows, Roland Ligtenberg, co-founder of Housecall Pro, joined host Kristen Bayles to discuss how AI, changing workforce priorities and evolving technology are driving renewed interest in careers across plumbing, HVAC and other home service trades.

Editorial Opinion | Kristen Bayles

AI can't fix a leak

Why automation may elevate plumbers, and other skilled trades, to the top of the labor market.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 23, 2026

A recent interview with the former CEO of Uber shows that jobs in the trades are on their way to being seen in a new way.

How manufacturers are reframing risk, resilience and return in 2026

In an uncertain market, predictive maintenance and domestic manufacturing are emerging as the new pillars of risk management and competitive strength.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 22, 2026

Bryan O'Toole and Paul Spradling weigh in on the state of the manufacturing market, and what it means for contractors.