Along with cutting-edge technology, Bell & Gossett has reinforced its emphasis on hands-on training with dedicated space for three new demonstration areas that feature functional displays of equipment for a variety of commercial and industrial applications, including variable speed controller technology, plumbing products and service and maintenance.

Zurn Water Solutions Corp. and Elkay Manufacturing Co. announced they have reached a definitive agreement to combine the businesses in an all-stock transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, Zurn Water Solutions shareholders will own approximately 71% and Elkay shareholders will own approximately 29% of the combined and newly named company — Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corp.

Oatey Co. announced that Central Sales Inc. (CSI) is now Oatey’s manufacturer representative in Nebraska and Iowa. The change comes as a result of CSI’s recent acquisition of In Depth Marketing, which was effective January 3. All In Depth Marketing employees have joined the CSI team.

While the overall kitchen and bath industry continues to show healthy growth for the year, the overall index is down 4% quarter over quarter as lingering issues caused by the pandemic seem to be catching up to consumer sentiment. Despite this, the industry is coming off of a record-breaking quarter of growth in Q2, which has fueled projections for the year at around 12% growth in sales year-over-year, with many members still encouraged about future growth in 2022.  

PMI announced the election of Martin Knieps as president of the 2022 PMI Board of Directors during PMI’s 67^th Annual Meeting of the Membership yesterday. The senior director of operational excellence at Viega, Knieps succeeds Todd Teter, senior vice president and general manager of the Professional Plumbing Group House of Rohl North America, a division of Moen. Teter will remain on the board as immediate past president. The meeting was held during the PMI21 Manufacturing Success Conference in San Diego.

Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature have enacted Assembly Bill (AB) 100 into law. Authored by Assembly member Chris Holden, AB 100 adopts industry standard NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 2020 as the lead-testing requirement for certified endpoint drinking water devices sold in California.

This was the 57th annual event for the world’s largest showcase of the skilled trades. In a typical year, SkillsUSA brings together more than 6,400 secondary and post-secondary career and technical education students to compete in 102 trades competitions.

Attendees educated lawmakers on the important role the plumbing and HVAC industry can play in rebuilding America’s infrastructure and the economy.