Stay up to speed with the latest technology trends and products in the contracting field. https://www.pmmag.com/rss/2658 en-us baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) The PHCP-PVF industry has been fighting stereotypes for decades. Though the world seems to be coming around, and more people are recognizing the opportunities available in the trades, it hasn’t happened without a fight. And it certainly hasn’t happened overnight. That makes this contest, recognizing the people who decided to dedicate their careers — their life — to this industry, all the more important. The PHCP-PVF industry has been fighting stereotypes for decades. Though the world seems to be coming around, and more people are recognizing the opportunities available in the trades, it hasn’t happened without a fight. And it certainly hasn’t happened overnight. That makes this contest, recognizing the people who decided to dedicate their careers — their life — to this industry, all the more important.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107709 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:30:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107709-2026-next-gen-all-stars-top-40-under-40-phcp-pvf-professionals bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) Driven by curiosity and shaped by firsthand experiences with water scarcity, Patty Valdes is helping rethink how water systems are designed, while bringing the technical rigor to catch what others might miss. Driven by curiosity and shaped by firsthand experiences with water scarcity, Patty Valdes is helping rethink how water systems are designed, while bringing the technical rigor to catch what others might miss.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107757 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107757-2026-next-gen-all-star-patty-valdes baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Tyson Chen found his way into the trades through a chance meeting, but stayed for the people and the opportunity to help independent contractors use AI to improve customer service and grow their businesses. Tyson Chen found his way into the trades through a chance meeting, but stayed for the people and the opportunity to help independent contractors use AI to improve customer service and grow their businesses.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107753 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107753-2026-next-gen-all-star-apurva-shrivastava baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) From riding along in service trucks as a child to leading the family business, Adam Meny is carrying a plumbing legacy forward while creating opportunities for the next generation. From riding along in service trucks as a child to leading the family business, Adam Meny is carrying a plumbing legacy forward while creating opportunities for the next generation.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107749 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107749-2026-next-gen-all-star-adam-meny baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) One plumbing client introduced Jen McKee to the trades. Today, she’s helping home service businesses use social media to showcase their people, build customer trust, and tell the stories behind their brands. One plumbing client introduced Jen McKee to the trades. Today, she’s helping home service businesses use social media to showcase their people, build customer trust, and tell the stories behind their brands.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107747 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107747-2026-next-gen-all-star-jen-mckee bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) After nearly two decades in PHCP-PVF, Matthew Liber has learned that successful distribution comes down to more than having the right products. It takes technical knowledge, dependable service and relationships built to last. After nearly two decades in PHCP-PVF, Matthew Liber has learned that successful distribution comes down to more than having the right products. It takes technical knowledge, dependable service and relationships built to last.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107743 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107743-2026-next-gen-all-star-matthew-liber baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) New to PHCP-PVF but not to serving others, Matthew Hasley is building his career by expanding his product knowledge, solving client challenges, and helping the next generation of engineers and designers learn along the way. New to PHCP-PVF but not to serving others, Matthew Hasley is building his career by expanding his product knowledge, solving client challenges, and helping the next generation of engineers and designers learn along the way.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107737 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107737-2026-next-gen-all-star-matthew-hasley baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Chris DellaSala found his way into PHCP-PVF through family, but built his own career around solving customer problems, developing people, and helping Keystone Sales & Associates grow for the future. Chris DellaSala found his way into PHCP-PVF through family, but built his own career around solving customer problems, developing people, and helping Keystone Sales & Associates grow for the future.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107733 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107733-2026-next-gen-all-star-chris-dellasala baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) From an internship to leading operations in Central Texas, Ralph Cunningham has built his engineering career around teamwork, developing people and creating buildings designed to last for generations. From an internship to leading operations in Central Texas, Ralph Cunningham has built his engineering career around teamwork, developing people and creating buildings designed to last for generations.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107731 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107731-2026-next-gen-all-star-ralph-cunningham baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Tyson Chen found his way into the trades through a chance meeting, but stayed for the people and the opportunity to help independent contractors use AI to improve customer service and grow their businesses. Tyson Chen found his way into the trades through a chance meeting, but stayed for the people and the opportunity to help independent contractors use AI to improve customer service and grow their businesses.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107730 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107730-2026-next-gen-all-star-tyson-chen baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Curiosity about solving everyday problems drew Jose Camacho into PHCP-PVF, where he has built an eight-year career around innovative solutions, teamwork, and improving the systems people rely on every day. Curiosity about solving everyday problems drew Jose Camacho into PHCP-PVF, where he has built an eight-year career around innovative solutions, teamwork, and improving the systems people rely on every day.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107728 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107728-2026-next-gen-all-star-jose-camacho baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Drawing on his roots in the trades and experience building technology companies, Chris Buttenham is helping independent business owners share the value they’ve built with the employees who helped create it. Drawing on his roots in the trades and experience building technology companies, Chris Buttenham is helping independent business owners share the value they’ve built with the employees who helped create it.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107727 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107727-2026-next-gen-all-star-chris-buttenham baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) What started with an Indeed job ad became a mission for Taylor Bray, who is helping tackle the skilled labor shortage by creating new pathways into the plumbing industry. What started with an Indeed job ad became a mission for Taylor Bray, who is helping tackle the skilled labor shortage by creating new pathways into the plumbing industry.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107724 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107724-2026-next-gen-all-star-taylor-bray baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) From moving product to becoming a company shareholder, David Blair has built his PHCP-PVF career around problem-solving, operational improvements, and an appreciation for the essential work happening behind the walls. From moving product to becoming a company shareholder, David Blair has built his PHCP-PVF career around problem-solving, operational improvements, and an appreciation for the essential work happening behind the walls.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107722 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107722-2026-next-gen-all-star-david-blair Valuation begins with the owner's own books and operating data to establish what the company is worth today. Its agentic analysis then identifies the factors driving that value, benchmarks the business against peers and highlights the levers with the greatest potential impact. Valuation begins with the owner's own books and operating data to establish what the company is worth today. Its agentic analysis then identifies the factors driving that value, benchmarks the business against peers and highlights the levers with the greatest potential impact.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107716 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107716-reins-launches-valuation AI Service Advisor assessed $1.4 billion in maintenance spend during open beta, aiming to help fleets reduce time in the shop and avoid unnecessary costs. AI Service Advisor assessed $1.4 billion in maintenance spend during open beta, aiming to help fleets reduce time in the shop and avoid unnecessary costs.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107710 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 07:00:45 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107710-fleetio-expands-ai-service-advisor Wint's platform uses AI algorithms to analyze water data in commercial and industrial buildings in real time, giving facilities and risk teams precise visibility into where water is being used, wasted, or lost before damage occurs. Wint's platform uses AI algorithms to analyze water data in commercial and industrial buildings in real time, giving facilities and risk teams precise visibility into where water is being used, wasted, or lost before damage occurs. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107707 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107707-wint-raises-36-million-in-series-d-funding Tasked with protecting valuable artwork while controlling operating costs, the Tacoma Art Museum upgraded its heating system with Lochinvar Crest with Hellcat boilers. The retrofit has delivered energy savings of more than 10% while helping the nonprofit secure grant funding for the project. Tasked with protecting valuable artwork while controlling operating costs, the Tacoma Art Museum upgraded its heating system with Lochinvar Crest with Hellcat boilers. The retrofit has delivered energy savings of more than 10% while helping the nonprofit secure grant funding for the project.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107693 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107693-boiler-upgrade-helps-tacoma-art-museum-secure-grant-cut-costs bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) From common misconceptions to evolving technology, this episode explores what contractors need to know about backflow prevention, including inspections, repairs, replacements, codes, and selecting the right solutions. http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107664 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107664-understanding-backflow-prevention Backflow can compromise potable water systems and pose serious public health risks. Learn how the 2024 International Plumbing Code, proper backflow prevention, routine testing, and cross-connection control strategies work together to help protect drinking water. Backflow can compromise potable water systems and pose serious public health risks. Learn how the 2024 International Plumbing Code, proper backflow prevention, routine testing, and cross-connection control strategies work together to help protect drinking water.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107646 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107646-understanding-backflow-risks-regulations-and-prevention-measures bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) Data centers, AI infrastructure, and large commercial construction are fueling demand for industrial PVF products, even as tariffs, commodity volatility and labor shortages force manufacturers and distributors to rethink supply chain strategies. Data centers, AI infrastructure, and large commercial construction are fueling demand for industrial PVF products, even as tariffs, commodity volatility and labor shortages force manufacturers and distributors to rethink supply chain strategies.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107641 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107641-state-of-the-industrial-pvf-market-data-centers-drive-growth Plumbing is one of the largest and most essential specialty trades in construction, with the U.S. plumbing industry projected to reach $191.4 billion in 2026 and include roughly 129,000 businesses nationwide, according to IBISWorld. At the same time, the construction industry continues to face a major labor shortage, putting more pressure on contractors to do more with their existing teams. Plumbing is one of the largest and most essential specialty trades in construction, with the U.S. plumbing industry projected to reach $191.4 billion in 2026 and include roughly 129,000 businesses nationwide, according to IBISWorld. At the same time, the construction industry continues to face a major labor shortage, putting more pressure on contractors to do more with their existing teams. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107629 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107629-bobyard-launches-ai-takeoff-and-estimating-for-commercial-plumbing-contractors PPATEC’s course offerings are specifically tailored to train HVAC/R, energy industry, and hydronic technicians in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. PPA member companies contribute to coursework to help design training programs that offer students a direct, hands-on learning experience that results in strengthening the professional skills of their employees. PPATEC’s course offerings are specifically tailored to train HVAC/R, energy industry, and hydronic technicians in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. PPA member companies contribute to coursework to help design training programs that offer students a direct, hands-on learning experience that results in strengthening the professional skills of their employees.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107624 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107624-expanded-training-center-prepares-the-next-generation-of-technicians From AI-powered leak detection to smart faucets, water heaters, and bottle filling stations, connected plumbing is reshaping how water systems are managed. Learn how intelligent plumbing technology is reducing maintenance costs, conserving resources, improving hygiene, and creating new opportunities for contractors and distributors. From AI-powered leak detection to smart faucets, water heaters, and bottle filling stations, connected plumbing is reshaping how water systems are managed. Learn how intelligent plumbing technology is reducing maintenance costs, conserving resources, improving hygiene, and creating new opportunities for contractors and distributors.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107622 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107622-connected-plumbing-an-intelligent-choice hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) Upcoming DOE regulations and rising energy costs are creating new opportunities to improve hydronic distribution efficiency through smarter circulator strategies. Upcoming DOE regulations and rising energy costs are creating new opportunities to improve hydronic distribution efficiency through smarter circulator strategies.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107620 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107620-improving-hydronic-efficiency scottsecor@comcast.net (Scott Secor) What happens when a heating contractor spends three nights in one of America's most iconic historic hotels? Scott Secor shares observations on the Old Faithful Inn's hydronic heating system, from ornate cast-iron radiators to noisy TRVs and the questions they raised. What happens when a heating contractor spends three nights in one of America's most iconic historic hotels? Scott Secor shares observations on the Old Faithful Inn's hydronic heating system, from ornate cast-iron radiators to noisy TRVs and the questions they raised.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107617 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:30:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107617-old-faithful-inn-yellowstone-national-park baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) At a time when supply chains, workforce development and economic resilience remain top concerns, many manufacturers are reaffirming their commitment to producing products in the United States. Beyond supporting local jobs, domestic operations can offer greater quality control, shorter lead times, closer collaboration between engineering and production teams, and stronger connections to customers and distribution partners. At a time when supply chains, workforce development and economic resilience remain top concerns, many manufacturers are reaffirming their commitment to producing products in the United States. Beyond supporting local jobs, domestic operations can offer greater quality control, shorter lead times, closer collaboration between engineering and production teams, and stronger connections to customers and distribution partners.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107600 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107600-made-in-america-a-commitment-beyond-the-product baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) For many contractors, heat pump water heaters still feel like a niche product; something tied more closely to rebates, energy programs or high-efficiency upgrades than to everyday water heater replacement work. But, according to Gregg Holladay of Bradford White, that perception is about to change quickly. For many contractors, heat pump water heaters still feel like a niche product; something tied more closely to rebates, energy programs or high-efficiency upgrades than to everyday water heater replacement work. But, according to Gregg Holladay of Bradford White, that perception is about to change quickly.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107602 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107602-is-the-industry-ready-for-heat-pump-water-heaters Contractors who continue to grow will be the ones who stay informed, embrace training, and prepare to move in the direction that the industry is heading. Contractors who continue to grow will be the ones who stay informed, embrace training, and prepare to move in the direction that the industry is heading.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107587 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107587-driving-growth-in-plumbing-today In this 1.5-hour webinar, instructor Randy Lorge will review how to use the Water Demand Calculator, highlight its technical benefits, and demonstrate how to apply it to accurately right-size a water distribution system. In this 1.5-hour webinar, instructor Randy Lorge will review how to use the Water Demand Calculator, highlight its technical benefits, and demonstrate how to apply it to accurately right-size a water distribution system.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107572 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:39:22 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107572-iapmo-announces-new-webinar