Contractor - May 2025

www.contractormag.com

MAY 2025

SERVING PLUMBING, HYDRONIC & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS PROFESSIONALS PLUMBING | PIPING | HYDRONICS | RADIANT | BATH/KITCHEN | TECHNOLOGY | TOOLS | TRUCKS | GREEN | MANAGEMENT

TASCO P&M: Focus on Efficiency, Reliability SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

MIAMI, FL — When it comes to plumbing, Carlos Pajon, Owner and Manager of TASCO Plumbing & Mechanical Corp. has seen it all. Starting in the plumbing and construction industry in his teen years, he quickly discovered his passion for the trade.

The more he learned, the more committed he became to finding ways to create the best, most reliable plumbing systems in every ➤ Turn to TASCO, page 34

GF Building Flow Solutions

Disruption and Other Project Management Essentials PHCC

LABEL --Helping HelpingContractors ContractorsRun RunAABetter BetterBusiness BusinessSince Since1954 1954-2505CO_1,12-13,34-35_Page_1.indd 1

BY STEVE SPAULDING OF CONTRACTOR’S STAFF

WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday, April 2nd, the Trump Administration announced its latest round of tariffs. Declaring that foreign trade and economic practices have created a national emergency, President Donald Trump used his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to impose a 10% tariff on all countries, as well as higher, reciprocal tariffs on those countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits. ➤ Turn to Trump, page 12

ID 357394879 © Skypixel | Dreamstime.com

Construction Employment Growth: March 2024 vs. March 2025 1.8%

Construction

2.7%

Nonresidential*

1.4%

Nonresidential Building

3.1%

Nonresidential STC

SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

Every offering of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation’s popular Essentials of Project Management class seems to develop a theme. For the fourday class conducted March 19 22 at the Viega Seminar Center ➤ Turn to Disruption, page 35

Trump Tariffs Bring Angst, Uncertainty to Industry

2.7%

Heavy and Civil Engineering

0.4%

Residential**

1.9%

Residential Building Residential STC 0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.5%

2.0%

2.5%

3.0%

3.5%

12 Month % Change Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics *Includes Nonresidential Building, Nonresidential STC, and Heavy and Civil Enginering **Includes Residential Building and Residential STC

IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURE

18 Book of Giants Apollo

2025

14

24

30

Schwartz on Linhardt on Feldman on MANAGEMENT HYDRONICS TECHNOLOGY Scholarships Awarded at MCAA25

6 McMaster U champs in student chapter competition. to Think Globally 28 When Why the right mindset is key for successful service.

PRODUCTS

40

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Industry News

Contractors Rally on Beacon Hill for Annual Plumbing Industry Day SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association

Features & Departments 6 $100,000 in Scholarships Awarded at MCAA25 McMasters U. wins the student chapter competition.

16 Forum: The Relentless Quest for Quality Our Q&A with Marki Huston, CEO of Viega North America.

BOSTON, MA — Plumbers, contractors and industry leaders met with Gov. Maura Healey and top lawmakers to support policies to improve water conservation and safety and protect good-paying jobs in the trades at the annual Plumbing Industry Advocacy Day. Members of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12; the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association; the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical

18 Feature: Book of Giants 2025 Large mechanical contractors talk training, tariffs and much more.

28 When to Think Globally Rather Than Locally Nelson Mechanical has tips on diagnosing a malfunctioning system.

40 New Accessories for Trucks and Vans 42 Editorial

➤ Turn to Contractors, page 36

Tariff Whiplash

Bradford White Announces Acquisition of Bock Water Heaters

Columnists 14 Management by Al Schwartz

SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

AMBLER, PA — Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, has announced the acquisition of Universal Technologies of Wisconsin, Inc., Bock Water Heaters, Inc., and Tank Technology, Inc. These businesses are collectively known as Bock Water Heaters, an industry leader in oil-fired water heating and a well-known manufacturer of commercial and specialty

Capital: Spend and Invest it Wisely

24 Hydronics by Pat Linhardt The Future of Steam, Circa 1893

30 Technology by Patti Feldman Here, There & Anywhere Solutions

31 Marketing by Matt Michel When a Plumber Becomes Their Own Worst Enemy

➤ Turn to Bradford White, page 10

German Sanitary Industry Welcomes the Development of ISH SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

Global Plumbing Network

FRANKFURT, GERMANY — After an intensive week, the VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design Industry Association feels comfortable declaring ISH 2025 a success.

ISH is the world’s leading trade fair for the HVAC and water industry, held every other year. With 2,183 exhibitors from 54 countries, ISH 2025 filled the entire Frankfurt, Germany, exhibition grounds, offering a comprehensive ➤ Turn to German, page 8

Editorial Offices EDITORIAL STAFF

Group Editorial Director-Buildings & Construction Mike Eby, meby@endeavorb2b.com Editor-In-Chief Steve Spaulding, sspaulding@endeavorb2b.com Editor-At-Large John Mesenbrink, jmesenbrink@endeavorb2b.com Contributing Writer Kelly Faloon COLUMNISTS Al Schwartz, Management Pat Linhardt, Hydronics & Radiant Patti Feldman, Technology Matt Michel, Marketing

Relative Distribution of Daily per Capita Volume of Water Use at 1,038 Residential Houses

Others 5.3%

How to Handle Tax Liabilities

VP/Market Leader-Buildings & Construction Mike Hellmann, mhellmann@endeavorb2b.com

CONTRACTOR INFOCUS

Leak 16.6%

32 Best Practices by Lynn Karam

Bathtub 2.1%

Art Director, David Eckhart Ad Services Manager, Deanna O’Byrne Production Manager, Sam Schulenberg Audience Development Manager, James Marinaccio

Endeavor Business Media, LLC

Toilet 21.1% Faucet 16.5% Shower 17.5% Source: IAPMO

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VOLUME 70, NUMBER 5 CONTRACTOR (USPS Permit 131-320, ISSN 0897-7135 print, ISSN 2771-6465 online) is published monthly by Endeavor Business Media, LLC. 201 N Main St 5th Floor, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538.

Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI, and additional mailing offices.

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Endeavor Business Media, LLC does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person or company for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. The views and opinions in the articles herein are not to be taken as official expressions of the publishers, unless so stated. The publishers do not warrant either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articles herein, nor do they so warrant any views or opinions by the authors of said articles.

MAY 2025 • 3

4/23/2025 3:44:22 PM

Industry News In Brief New strategic investment in Duravit’s Ready to Ship Program offers enhanced fulfillment capabilities with competitive pricing, increased stock and fast shipping for key dealers and customers. The Distribution Point (TDP) will expand distribution, ensuring consistent product availability for immediate needs across the US. Zekelman Industries, a leading pipe manufacturer, has appointed Nate Arnold President of its Z Modular division. Arnold succeeds Mickey McNamara, who was promoted to President. He brings over 20 years of expertise in real estate, asset management, and construction management to the post.

McElroy, a designer and manufacturer of pipe fusion equipment, now offers German as a language option for its website.

Volker Köhler was tapped to assist the company in growing its business in Europe and his expertise has broadened its training horizons for German speakers.

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Ripley PR, a public relations agency specializing in skilled trades, franchising, manufacturing, and B2B technology has been named the Best Communications/PR Agency in the 2025 Merit Awards for Marketing & Communications. The agency brought home the gold for its unique approach to public relations for the trades.

Hurckman Mechanical Industries announces that President Jake Warden and Chief Operating Officer Jake Liebers have been named to Insight’s 40 Under 40 list for 2025, recognizing their exceptional leadership. Warden, the first non-family member to lead HMI in its 70-year history, and Liebers, who rose from pre-apprentice to COO by age 30, have both contributed to the company’s growth and success.

Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International and the AirConditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute have jointly filed a lawsuit against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, challenging sweeping restrictions on refrigerants. HARDI and AHRI’s legal complaint argues that the NYSDEC did not follow the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

4 • MAY 2025

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Industry News

$100,000 in Scholarships Awarded at MCAA25 SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

AUSTIN, TX — The MCAA’s annual convention was held March 2-6. As part of the yearly celebration of the mechanical contracting industry, twenty-three students were recognized with a variety of scholarships. For the first time, the scholarship total reached $100,000.

McMaster University emerged as the victors for the Student Chapter Competition and returned to campus with a $10,000 prize, sponsored by DEWALT Industrial Tool Company.

Pittsburg State University was selected as the 20242025 Student Chapter of the Year (also going home with $10,000) and their faculty advisor, Shannon Nicklaus, was recognized as the Educator of the Year with a $5,000 award.

MCAA

JRGF Scholarships Brian Helm, President of the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF), congratulated the recipients of the following scholarships at the Awards of Excellence Breakfast at MCAA25. He noted that the students receiving scholarships were selected for their academic performance, leadership skills within their chapter, and interest in developing a career in the mechanical industry.

ATP Inspiring Future Leaders Scholarship Kaleb Kruse of Kansas State University is the recipient of a $2,500 scholarship provided by ATP Learning Solutions. The scholarship was established to recognize, support and inspire students in the mechanical industry.

Robert J. Durr, Sr. – UA/NCPWB Partnering Scholarship Garvey France of Purdue University received a $2,500 scholarship check in honor of Robert J. Durr, Sr., former Chairman of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau Board of Trustees. Durr’s effort and dedication in creating a partnership between the United Association and the NCPWB resulted in the formation of the Joint Welder Testing Program.

The scholarship is in its third year and is sponsored by the NCPWB. Josam Endowed Scholarship Tyler Currie of Alfred State College was awarded a $2,500 endowed scholarship. Provided that all qualification are met, Currie will receive this scholarship again during his junior and senior years. Josam Company established this scholarship endowment to assist a student studying a major related to MCAA’s scope, who intends on pursuing a career within the mechanical contracting industry.

6 • MAY 2025

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Pictured: Andrew Palcan (Career Development Committee Chair), Jon Howland (DEWALT Industrial Tool Company), McMaster University Students, Stephen Veldhuis (Faculty Advisor), Rick Gopffarth (MCAA President).

Ann Mattheis Memorial Scholarship Daniel Kellen of Iowa State University was awarded a $2,500 scholarship in memory of the former MCAA Director of Career Development, Ann Mattheis.

Mattheis’ dedication and contributions to building the GreatFutures program left an enduring legacy for decades of students and for the members of MCAA. Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarships Braidyn Hudson and Preston McDonald, both from Indiana State University, each received a $2,500 scholarship check in memory of Alan P. O’Shea, former Executive Director of the MCA of New Jersey.

The scholarship is sponsored by MCA of New Jersey.

Robert T. Armistead Memorial Scholarships Gina Carnovale of Kent State University and Bruno Portes of Fairleigh Dickinson University both received a $5,000 scholarship in memory of Robert “Bob” Armistead. In honor of Armistead’s service as MCAA President, the selected winners are required to have served in the role as their local student chapter President. These scholarships were established by Armistead Mechanical, Inc. and the Family of Robert T. Armistead.

William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Gabriel Biagioni of California State University, Chico received a $5,000 scholarship check in memory of a former President of the foundation and MCAA Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipient, William A. “Bill” Bianco, Jr. The scholarship is sponsored by Kinetics.

The Bolton Family Scholarship Shelby Gustafson of California State University, Chico was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to honor the significant contributions the Boltons have provided to the construction industry. This scholarship honors the family’s dedicated volunteer work within the communities they serve in Rhode Island, notably their efforts in aiding children from Spanish and Portuguese-speaking backgrounds in mastering the English language within the school system and their improvement with the Ronald McDonald House.

Donald V. Brown, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Griffin Souder from Pittsburg State University is the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by D.V. Brown and Associates, Inc., and in memory of its founder, Donald V. Brown, Sr. DEWALT Patriot Scholarships The DEWALT Patriot Scholarships, now in their fourth year, were created to recognize two veterans of the United States military who have served their country and have chosen to enter a career related to mechanical contracting. Jaden Doebelin of Iowa State University (Iowa Army National Guard – Sergeant E-5 Military Occupational Special, Indirect Infantryman 11C) and Jeffrey Woodard of the University of Nebraska (United States Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class- Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist at 2nd Marine Division) each received a $5,000 scholarship. ➤ Turn to $100,000, page 37

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/17/2025 3:04:27 PM

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Industry News

German Sanitary Industry Welcomes the Development of ISH ➤ Continued from page 3 overview of the latest developments in heat generation, refrigeration, air-conditioning and ventilation technologies, intelligent building automation, sustainable bathroom design and installation solutions.

“ISH is on the right track. It has spread optimism in many areas, sent out positive signals and maintained its position as a world-leading trade fair,” says Dirk Gellisch, Deputy Chairman of the VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design Industry Association and Managing Director of Viega Holding GmbH & Co. KG. The exposition was a success and many exhibitors were able to generate added value for their companies. “With a good 163,000 visitors, ISH 2025 has not yet reached the successful heights of 2017

and 2019,” adds Gellisch. “However, we welcome the trend reversal—an increase in visitor numbers of more than 6 percent compared to 2023.”

30 Percent of Attendees Tradespeople One of the positive aspects of the show was that tradespeople were once again more strongly represented at many stands. Overall, this group of visitors accounted for around 30 percent of attendees. With 2,183 exhibitors from 54 countries, there was also a noticeable increase in internationality.

Last but not least, the new trade fair concept with topical solution areas was also well received by visitors. “Our stand in hall 3.1 in the ‘Meet the Water Experts’ association area was a well-used

meeting point and sent out a strong signal that the brand manufacturers in the sanitary industry stand behind the ISH,” reports Dr. Laura Dorfer, Managing Director of VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design and VDMA Valves Association. “Our lecture program in the neighbouring Design Plaza, with which we gave a stage to the central future topics of the industry, was also well received. From water and energy efficiency to ease of installation, design trends and accessibility—our brand manufacturers from the sanitary industry and installation technology impressively demonstrated at this year’s ISH that they have solutions for the major challenges of our time.”

In addition to the presentations, VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design offered

guided tours that led visitors to the experts at the booth of member companies.

Looking to the Future “The sanitary industry and installation technology still believe in trade fairs because they offer neutral, comprehensive and overarching platforms. And we still need a world-leading trade fair like the ISH in Germany and in the heart of Europe,” emphasizes Gellisch.

VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design will now evaluate and analyze the trade fair in detail. On this basis, the industry, together with Messe Frankfurt and the other partner associations, will develop ideas and measures to make the ISH even more attractive and strengthen its importance.

The next ISH will take place from March 15 to 19, 2027.

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Industry News

Bradford White Acquires Bock ➤ Continued from page 3 water heating and storage products based in Wisconsin.

The relationship between the companies extends more than three decades,

with Bock serving as both an important supplier and a valued customer to Bradford White. The longstanding business relationship has gradually evolved, making it a natural step for

Bock to formally join the Bradford White family of companies.

“We know from first-hand experience Bock’s commitment to manufacturing high-quality products,” said Bruce Car-

nevale, President and CEO of Bradford White Corporation. “Our companies share many of the same values, and we’re excited to welcome the Bock family into ours. This deal strengthens our ability to support our customers and provide them with an expanded offering of products and solutions.”

Bock Water Heaters Bock was founded in 1929 in Madison, WI, and has since expanded its production capacity with two separate manufacturing facilities in the Badger State. The company is widely recognized

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for its robust offering of oil-fired water heating products, as well as large, high input commercial condensing gas-fired water heaters. The acquisition will further expand Bradford White’s US-based manufacturing capacity and capabilities.

“Our longstanding relationship with Bradford White is built on a shared commitment to our customers and manufacturing best in class water heating solutions,” said Dale Einerson, CEO, Bock Water Heaters and TTI. “We’re thrilled to become part of Bradford White Corporation and continue to produce high-quality products under a company with strong customer relationships and that is culturally very much aligned with ours.”

Strategic Acquisitions This acquisition is the latest in a series of recent strategic acquisitions made by Bradford White that includes Electro Industries, Heat-flo and FloLogic.

“The industry is changing faster than ever and we’re continuing to grow to meet the evolving needs of our customers and bring them new and innovative solutions,” said Carnevale.

For more information about Bradford White Corporation, visit https://www. bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

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Industry News

Trump Tariffs Bring Angst, Uncertainty ➤ Continued from page 1 Then on Wednesday, April 9th, the Trump Administration placed a 90-day pause on those higher, reciprocal tax rates, while increasing the tariff on China to 125%. On April 10th, that rate was “clarified” to be 145%.

Some exceptions were allowed for steel and aluminum used in the domestic automobile industry, with others for pharmaceuticals, copper, lumber and semiconductors.

The White House announcement included a statement saying in part, “President Trump refuses to let the United States be taken advantage of and believes that tariffs are necessary to ensure fair trade, protect American workers, and reduce the trade deficit.”

Industry Reactions Tariffs are set to impact the mechanical contracting industry in a number of important ways. Manufacturers of plumbing and heating tools and equipment—including water heaters, heat pumps and tankless devices—will see their raw materials prices rise and will pass those cost increases on to their customers. For the same reason service trucks and vans will become more expensive.

General contractors will also see the price of materials rise which will have a dampening effect on new construction projects, meaning less work for mechanical, electrical and plumbing subcontractors.

Contractors specializing in maintenance and repair may see an increase in business, however, as customers choose to repair aging plumbing and heating equipment rather than pay for more expensive replacements.

Here are some reactions from around the industry.

Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors National Association PHCC released a statement in response to the current round of tariffs, as well as a call for engagement by the wider contractor community: “PHCC remains focused on market developments as the administration’s levying of tariffs is underway and US trading partners consider their options for a prompt resolution. The industry is highly dependent on steel products and a variety of metals on which increased tariffs are being proposed, in addition to lumber, manufacturing components, machinery, and other goods.

“Recent market fluctuations are of particular concern. In the past month, PHCC has received feedback from contractors across the country indicating that there have been notable price increases at the wholesale level of up to 5% or more. However, there has yet to be any significant adverse impacts on business activity...

“PHCC is committed to the contractor community, especially during this moment of economic uncer-

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tainty. We are working closely with our industry partners in manufacturing and wholesale-distribution, and we urge our members to provide us with regular feedback on any adverse impacts they are experiencing in the course of their business operations.”

Associated Builders and Contractors ABC Vice President of Legislative & Political Affairs, Kristen Swearingen issued a statement saying in part: “ABC was founded on the principles of fair and open competition and understands President Trump’s long-term goals for tariffs, especially when they are implemented to protect our supply chain and national security. When it comes to international trade, we recognize that some countries don’t play by the rules, and President Trump has been transparent about his intent to use tariffs to level the playing field.

“ABC members rely on US and global supply chains to build everything from power plants and airports to schools, hospitals and roads, and ABC has encouraged them to have strategies in place like locking in prices, adding escalation clauses to contracts and regaining cash ahead of the implementation of tariffs.

“ABC members are experiencing project start delays and receiving materials price increase notifications from suppliers, both due to tariffs. These results follow the simple law of supply and demand: the cost for construction services will rise, which will lead to fewer construction projects. Uncertainty surrounding tariffs and their impact on materials prices has made it difficult for decision-makers to commit to large capital investments. New or increased tariffs can also raise the price of materials produced domestically that compete with imports.

“The industry is already facing consistently high prices on construction inputs and commodities, which have increased 41% since February 2020. We anticipate materials prices are likely to rise in the coming months.”

American Supply Association ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl, speaking April 4th on his podcast, “Keeping it Real” discussed the latest tariffs.

“All by themselves, tariffs don’t quite accomplish what is being sought. They are only one of several tools that must be implemented all at once.” (Dr. Kuehl included tax policy, investment in research and development and other economic levers.)

“The problem is when you don’t have access to what you’re tariffing. If the US made absolutely everything that is currently under tariff rules, then it would be a no-brainer… but a lot of what we’re tariffing is unique… it’s not something we produce.

“In order for that to change, you need to convince companies in the United States to produce it, and they’re willing, as long as they can count on these restrictions remaining in place—and that’s the rub.

Companies have been down this road many, many times. A tariff is imposed, a couple of years go by, and then a new administration or a new deal is put in place and the tariff gets lifted. Now, the company that did all the investing… finds itself in a worse situation than before.

“So far, all of the new tariffs have been done with a stroke of the presidential pen, which means the next president—or even the current president—can change it…

“About half of the countries in the world are taking a stiff approach and are going to hit the US with tariffs of their own. The other half are being conciliatory, and asking, well, what do you want from us?

“The whole intent is for the US to sell overseas more successfully than it does now… so the conversation becomes, if you lower your tariffs against us, we will lower our tariffs against you…

“It will be quite a while before all this settles down.”

National Association of Home Builders For years, NAHB has been opposed to tariffs because of their detrimental effect on housing affordability.

In an official statement to the media made April 3rd, NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes said: “While the complexity of these reciprocal tariffs makes it hard to estimate the overall impact on housing, they will undoubtedly raise some construction costs. However, NAHB is pleased President Trump recognized the importance of critical construction inputs for housing and chose to continue current exemptions for Canadian and Mexican products, with a specific exemption for lumber from any new tariffs at this time.”

CONTRACTOR will continue to report on this story as it develops.

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/17/2025 9:24:57 AM

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4/15/25 8:51 AM 4/17/2025 9:24:58 AM

Industry News

by Al Schwartz PLUMBING CONTRACTOR

Capital: Spend and Invest it Wisely

O

ver a century ago, before automobiles and electricity, nothing moved faster than a man on a horse. Back then, if you stole a man’s horse they could, would, and did, hang you without much fanfare. Leaving a man stranded afoot in the hostile wilderness that was our fledgling America was akin to a death sentence, and the people of that era treated it accordingly.

A horse was most people’s most valuable asset. It counted for more than just about anything they owned, because it could be used for working, riding, traveling and more. Likewise, a good firearm, knives of any variety and other tools of the day were cherished possessions and were passed down from one generation to the next. Fast forward 150 years or so, most people in the USA today don’t own horses for work, but they own at least one vehicle and myriad other things.

To Buy or Not to Buy? Many of the things we purchase today are disposable and/or quickly outdated.

The industrial revolution has made “things” cheaper, easier to acquire and readily available. Because of this phenomenon, many in the trades don’t appreciate the almost dazzling array of labor-saving products in the present marketplace.

Today, the trades have access to, and utilize, a wide array of tools and equipment to make jobs easier, faster or to have a better outcome. Time is money it is said, and anything which can save time (provided the cost makes sense) is perceived as valuable.

Some of you ancients out there might remember using a cold chisel and hand sledge (sometimes called a “lump” hammer) to cut cast iron soil pipe. How happy were you when the cast iron snapper came out? That one tool increased productivity by at least a factor of eight or more! The perceived value of that tool was readily apparent when you could cut a piece of soil pipe in a few seconds as opposed to as many as ten minutes. That doesn’t even begin to quantify the wear and tear on the journeyman (or more than likely, the apprentice).

It didn’t take much figuring to see that the investment in such a tool would re-

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The time you spend on research and investigation of a new piece of equipment or vehicle is time well spent. turn itself many times over. A boss or owner who couldn’t see the value in a tool like that probably shouldn’t have been in business in the first place.

When you find a tool that fits a real need perfectly, you know it. Let us say, for example, that you work on a lot of commercial buildings. Those buildings have pre-cast concrete walls and you need to run piping vertically, through the floors and maybe even through a wall. How cool is it to have a core drill? Oh sure, you could farm out that work to a sub-subcontractor, but there comes a time when doing that costs you more than the investment in the core drill, and you will have immediate access to the tool when needed instead of scheduling a core driller to come in.

Purchasing a core drill and bits is a major investment, but if you are consistently coring holes through concrete, the investment pays dividends.

Function and Form Tools that make you faster make you money. Today we have new electronic devices for so many things: line location,

leak detection, sewer line stoppage and line integrity, water line joining and any number of other handy-dandy things.

Just like that cast iron snapper, these new tools cost money. Whether or not you make the investment in them depends on several factors, the least of which is “curb appeal” if you get my meaning.

We all want that new Mustang when a Focus will do the same job.

Especially in today’s economic climate, investing in anything that does not have a tangible, immediate return is just not smart business. It is up to you, the business owner, to evaluate each capital expenditure and to project the rate of return on that expenditure. Investing in “cool” doesn’t pay dividends nearly as well as investing in practical.

Asking yourself, “will this purchase help to increase profits, or make me/us more efficient in the long run?”

Vehicles are a perfect example of this dictum. When you buy a truck or trucks, what are your criteria? Do you get the vehicle(s) that will give you the most utility, have the best service record, are the most versatile? Or do you go for the

flash—distinctive paint jobs, power everything, neat wheels?

Since vehicles are probably your most expensive capital investment, it pays to invest the time and effort to determine exactly what your present needs are and what you project them to be in the future. Keep in mind that even though vehicles are, usually, your most expensive investment, the payback on that investment is probably the longest of any capital investment except real estate (a building).

When you need to invest in your company, make sure you do your homework.

The time you spend on research and investigation of a new piece of equipment or vehicle is time well spent. No one needs to tell you how hard it is to make money today. When you spend it on improving your company, spend it wisely and dearly.

Be an Innovator Most folks in business know their competitors. Especially if they’ve been in one area for a relatively long period of time. There is always that one shop that has the coolest trucks, tools and equipment. You know, the one that most guys either envy or try to emulate... just a little. Well, that shop has an owner who has a total grasp of the business.

He hires the right people, buys the best trucks he can afford, researches tools and equipment that broaden his reach, work-wise, and he probably does a great job at marketing.

We can’t all be that guy, but we can learn from his successes and model ourselves after those innovative techniques that the shop employs. Don’t be shy about copying successful things your competition does. It doesn’t impact you in any negative way, it makes you smart!

The Brooklyn, NY-born author is a retired third-generation master plumber. He founded Sunflower Plumbing & Heating in Shirley, NY, in 1975 and A Professional Commercial Plumbing Inc. in Phoenix in 1980. He holds residential, commercial, industrial and solar plumbing licenses and is certified in welding, clean rooms, polypropylene gas fusion and medical gas piping. He can be reached at omeletman01@gmail.com.

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/10/2025 4:04:01 PM

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Viega and the Relentless Quest for Quality CONTRACTOR talks with Marki Huston, Viega’s new CEO for North America.

BY STEVE SPAULDING OF CONTRACTOR’S STAFF

V

iega is a company at the forefront of modern plumbing manufacturing. The company started in Germany in 1899, with founder Franz-Anselm Viegener. Today it is a multinational corporation of more than 4,700 employees, with 600 working in North America.

Viega’s formula for success has been a simple one: a relentless focus on quality. By working every day to be a little better than the day before, by listening to their customers and end-users, by innovating, the company strives to deliver plumbing products that provide higher performance while being safer, cleaner, and faster to install.

Marki Huston, the new CEO of Viega North America, is the latest chapter in that success story. Huston had served as interim CEO since October of 2024. Her previous roles included Chief Operating Officer for Viega North America and Vice President of Global Quality in the aerospace industry. Her strategic vision and focus on fostering a culture

of innovation and collaboration made her a natural fit for the top job.

We spoke with Huston about her background, the current state of the market and her vision for the future.

CONTRACTOR: I’d like to learn a little bit about how your work in aerospace informs your decision making as a manufacturer of plumbing and HVAC solutions.

Huston: The aerospace industry is amazingly diverse—chemical processing, machining, assembly work, and delivery

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Viega

MCAA President Brian Hughes. to our customers. I spent 20-plus years doing lots of different jobs.

That experience has helped me in a couple ways in my time here at Viega. First, the aerospace industry is super global from a supply chain standpoint. As Viega continues to grow, something that becomes more important to our growth strategy is leveraging the global supply chain and all the different opportunities, workforces, markets that are available.

Another piece of it is, Viega has high standards for quality—that is who we are. In aerospace, it’s super important to have quality products, safe products.

Having a good understanding of the importance what we build has for our customers is very helpful. As demand rises, as market opportunities rise, we need to be efficient and continually improving ourselves and our processes.

CONTRACTOR: Can you tell me a bit about some near-term and mid-term opportunities you see for Viega?

Huston: Near term, even with today’s landscape, there are so many opportunities. The construction industry will continue to grow, and there will always be a demand for good products that help create a value proposition for our customers.

To that end, we’re relentlessly working to expand our capacities and our portfolio. Last year we brought more

valves into the market, and we will continue to bring even more valves to the portfolio this year. We brought in new transition fittings that debuted at AHR. We’re working hard to meet the many different demands of our customers as quickly as possible.

We are expanding our footprint with our Ohio manufacturing facility. We are looking to have production out of this new factory and off this new line by late summer, with our grand opening scheduled for fall.

At the same time, we are driving for sustainability. We are looking for LEED Gold certification at the new Ohio plant.

We are leading the way and trying to create opportunities while positively impacting the environment.

With these great opportunities, there definitely come challenges, but this team is 100% committed to growing, and to serving our customers.

CONTRACTOR: The big news in the last few weeks has been tariffs, and their potential impact on supply chains and the construction market. How is Viega responding?

Huston: We are in very tight conversations with our entire supply base.

We have a dedicated team that meets nearly every day to look at how the landscape is changing, to see what’s

coming and look at look at our different opportunities.

At this point in time, we are we are continuing to evaluate what our strategy will be moving forward. What’s important is to be sure we make the right decisions for our customers and for the industry.

To really take into consideration all the different levers that we can employ to support both our customers and our business.

CONTRACTOR: A lot of Viega’s products depend on well-trained installers for proper performance. Can you talk about some of Viega’s initiatives in training?

Huston: I talked a little bit about the quality of our product being who we are, but one of the things that makes Viega support our customers in a better way is our service. And that service is partly through the training of our installers and all the people who use our products.

We are continuing to develop our training programs and evolve them as we bring new products to market. We have total training packages that support our launches so that our installers can be successful when they have these new products in their hands. And we not only have product-specific training, but custom training as well. We partner with our customers to make sure the training that we provide is in the right areas at the right time.

I mentioned the Ohio facility in terms of manufacturing, but it’s also one of our geographic centers—that is a big market for us with a lot of customers in the area, lots of installers. So part of our Ohio facility is a complete training center to make it easier for them to come and see how our products work and receive hand-on training.

We are continuing to ask the question of where else we should provide service to our customers and installers that’s most convenient to them. I look forward to the next handful of years, because I’m sure there will be additional opportunities in this area. In Nashua, New Hampshire, we have plenty of additional [training] services that we’re partnering with our installers and customers on.

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/22/2025 10:44:57 AM

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Rasmussen Mechanical

Book of Giants 2025 A quarter of the way into 2025 the nation’s largest mechanical contractors are facing an uncertain moment by investing in tools, training, relationships and a recommitment to safety.

By John Mesenbrink, Editor-at-Large and Steve Spaulding, Editor-in-Chief RASMUSSEN MECHANICAL: ADAPT, OVERCOME AND ADVANCE COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA—A family-run business with a team of more than 200 skilled technicians across six locations, Rasmussen Mechanical Services offers solutions ranging from industrial air services, boiler repair, industrial burner services, mechanical construction, HVAC, rental equipment and more. And in the 55 years of service, the team at Rasmussen has seen its share of ups and downs during uncertain times to know that staying flexible is the key to success.

With any uncertainty—especially when it pertains to the economy—there can be consumer trepidation,

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as they remain cautiously optimistic, or as optimistic as they can be. As contractors move along under a new administration, there seems to be an underlying sentiment of uncertainty, and one of those nebulous areas is the introduction of international tariffs. “We’re seeing a mix of responses across the industry when it comes to the new tariffs. Some equipment manufacturers have already raised prices, while others are holding off to see how things play out. In most cases, once prices go up, they rarely come back down—so there’s concern about long-term cost increases,” says Ryan Waldron, Marketing Manager, Rasmussen Mechanical Services.

Consumer Confidence Waldron says overall there’s a “wait and see” mindset across Rasmussen’s customers and peers for capital projects. “The uncertainty is making it harder to forecast costs and timelines. Supply chain concerns are still lingering too, so many are keeping a close eye on how things evolve before making major decisions. Repair-type projects were accelerated early this year to try and ‘beat the tariff’ and keep their costs low.”

Over the next few years, Waldron says that most in the mechanical and construction space are preparing for steady—but not booming—activity. Commercial

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/23/2025 10:52:40 AM

Rasmussen Mechanical

construction looks steady for the next few years, especially in areas like data centers, healthcare, and manufacturing projects.

“From our side as a mechanical services provider, there’s still plenty of work—especially on projects that need complex systems or long-term maintenance support. The bigger challenge is dealing with labor shortages and unpredictable material costs. A lot of companies are taking on work, but they’re doing it more carefully—bidding tighter and planning around what’s available,” says Waldron.

Nevertheless, when the economy does turn “shaky,” Rasmussen adheres to some strong business tenets to help navigate through uneasy times, which includes not putting all of its eggs into one basket. “We work across a lot of different industries, so if one slows down, we’ve still got others rolling,” says Waldron.

In addition, Rasmussen pushes maintenance heavily. “Helping customers stay ahead of breakdowns saves them money—and keeps our crews working even when new projects slow. This is even more important when the economy slows and facilities run equipment past design life,” says Waldron.

Finally, investing in their own and building strong customer relationships helps build a formidable business toughness. “The more skilled our team is, the better we can handle whatever comes our way, and when you take care of customers the right way, they come back—and they bring their friends,” says Waldron.

Working on a boiler.

Rasmussen Mechanical

Technology & Training Technology is advancing everywhere in the mechanical and PHVAC industries—smart controls, automation, remote monitoring, etc., and it’s not just about making systems run better, it’s also changing how one services and troubleshoots equipment.

According to Waldron, that’s a big shift. “What we’re seeing now is that the folks who really thrive in these roles aren’t just good with their hands—they’re also tech-savvy. You’ve got to know how to troubleshoot smart controls, run equipment performance trends, and adapt to new tools. Most younger folks still don’t realize how much tech is involved in the trades today, but the ones who do get it tend to stick around because they see the challenge and variety it brings.”

And with that advancing technology, comes the need for further training and education, “We’re always learning—and making sure our team and our customers are, too. About once a month, we host trainings for customers on everything from boiler maintenance to controls. Internally, we’ve got manufacturers and vendors coming in almost every month to train our techs on the latest equipment and tools,” says Waldron.

Rasmussen also records a lot of these sessions so its crews can go back and watch them anytime. Just recently, the company had Autoflame come in and do a deep-dive, two-day training on its burner controls, and 35 employees attended. Rasmussen also hosted the Compressed Air Challenge, which is backed by the US Department of Energy, to help its technicians, engineers and customers save energy and money in their compressed air systems. “Bottom line: the technology is always changing, and we’re making sure our team is ready for it,” says Waldron.

Boiler tuning.

Rasmussen Mechanical

Welder at work.

➤ www.contractormag.com

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Rasmussen Mechanical

teams. Specific requirements—from OSHA, Oregon OSHA, Department of Labor & Industries, or any general contractors the company is working with—are incorporated into the plan.

Every month, the company does a review and assessment to make sure the plan is using the latest requirements, data and industry best practices. Different groups in the company then customize the plan, depending on the specific risks those groups need to deal with.

Partnering for Success

In the Rasmussen training center.

The Human Touch No matter how much technology evolves—whether it’s AI, automation or smart systems—this industry still runs on trust and relationships. “We’ve always been in the people business. Most of our work comes from repeat customers who know we’ll show up, do the job right, and stand behind our work. We focus on taking care of customers and have enjoyed steady growth instead of constantly chasing new customers. Technology helps us work smarter, but it’s the human connection that keeps customers coming back,” says Waldron.

APOLLO MECHANICAL: SAFETY AT THE CENTER OF OPERATIONS KENNEWICK, WA — Apollo Mechanical, headquartered in Washington state, performs full mechanical projects across the United States and around the world.

The company employs over 2,000 people, with annual revenues of over $600 million, making them the 5th largest contractor in the nation.

The company officially began operations as Apollo Sheet Metal in 1981 under owner and founder Bruce Ratchford, who brought a decade of experience in mechanical design and business management to the project. Ratchford took his inspiration from the Apollo space program, which he felt represented the best of the American spirit: setting audacious, remarkable goals and then achieving them through know-how, grit, and a shared sense of mission.

bluntly, ‘If we can’t do this work safely, we are not going to do this work.’ And that just made everybody rise up. Now, instead of thinking about how to get it done, it’s how to get it done safely.”

Safety is emphasized in the onboarding process and is viewed as a responsibility shared by every team member, no matter their role. That even goes as far as the types of jobs the company will and won’t bid on. “And we’ve had to say no a couple of times because of that.

But that’s one of the reasons why we have such a great safety record,” Henley says.

Every year the safety team meets with field leaders to work on a company training plan. Past safety incidents are reviewed, including feedback from field

The pursuit of excellence in any area of contracting—be it estimating, prefabrication or safety—often means turning to outside experts. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, those experts find you.

Apollo had a longstanding relationship with ACCU, a construction firm working out of Tustin, CA. ACCU had improved its safety programs and safety outcomes through a partnership with Werner Co., a company best known as a manufacturer of ladders and fall prevention equipment. Milt DeAsis, a Jobsite Safety and Security Manager with Werner decided he had to reach out to Apollo.

“They had a very low EMR score [Experience Modification Rating, a number typically used to price workers compensation insurance ratings],” DeAsis says. “I was in shock that they actually had a better EMR score than Best Buy, which is incredible considering one is a construction company and the other is a retailer!”

With ACCU supplying the introduction, Werner has since become a dependable resource for Apollo whenever the company has questions or concerns about the complex and varied safety standards throughout the West Cost. For example, a recent series of jobs had an Apollo team doing cross-border work in both Oregon and Washington. Werner was able to create a chart for the company making it easier to understand the code differences between the two states.

Apollo

Creating a Safety Culture Those are all qualities the company embraces to the present day. Added to them has been a passion for safety evident in every job the company undertakes.

That safety culture is also the product of choices made

by Apollo’s owner and founder. In the early 2000s Ratchford had a number of friends and family working at the company. Then there came two serious safety incidents within the space of a couple months, which sparked a period of intense consideration.

Eric Henley, who works as Regional Safety Manager for Apollo, recalls the moment. “He put it pretty

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An Apollo safety director points out a potential job site hazard.

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/23/2025 10:52:43 AM

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Apollo

Moreover, Werner has relationships at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Board to keep the company well ahead of any new standards or regulations that might be in development.

As a manufacturer, Werner can provide a wealth of technical know-how on specific safety equipment and its application. And, naturally, the company is able to create customized trainings for Apollo technicians.

“We had a need, where we were rolling out one of [Werner’s] products on one of our high-rises,” Henley says, “a 33-story building in downtown Seattle.

We wanted to use their ladder rescue system, which I wasn’t familiar with, but I knew was a good product.

Milt came out, opened one up in front of the entire crew and showed them how to use it.”

Putting People First The entire industry has had to learn a hard lesson in recent years: that the dangers of working in construction can extend beyond the workplace.

Construction workers face unique stresses ranging from long or irregular hours, to economic instability stemming from seasonal work, to a culture that sometimes perceives seeking help for mental challenges as weakness. Construction can be physically demanding, and workers in pain may over-medicate or self-medicate, leading sometimes to addition problems.

Around 15% of all construction workers in the United States have a substance abuse disorder compared to 8.6% of the general population of adults, according to data from the National Survey on Drug Use conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (americanaddictioncenters.org). Male construction workers commit suicide at an incidence of 45.3 per 100,000—the second most frequent among industry categories, according to the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/suicide/disparities/index.html).

Apollo’s response has been the Home Healthy Home Safe program. Part of the program consists of weekly trainings devoted to mental health. Another part has been dedicated individuals to help team members access the information and resources they need in a confidential manner.

“We hired a couple individuals that are trained to respond to people in crisis, people that are stressed out, and get them to those resources,” Henley says.

“We also do QPR [Question, Persuade, Refer], which is geared towards suicide awareness and prevention.

We’ve had a lot of different saves throughout the years.

And it’s something we take very seriously.”

But more than any one program, Apollo is trying to make concern for the overall well-being of its people a part of the company culture. “It really starts with the top-down, and I think Eric can agree with me on that,” DeAsis says. “The feeling that I get when I speak with some of [Apollo’s] superintendents or laborers, they feel like they are safe. And this company feels like a home to them.”

“I think people around the industry are recognizing how important the safety of a job site is to their well-being,” Henley adds. “At the end of the day, everybody wants to go home safe.”

For more stories about the nation’s largest mechanical contractors and how they are meeting today’s challenges, visit us online at www.contractormag.com.

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Most jobs can be done more safely in the controlled environment of the fab shop.

Apollo

In the Apollo training theater.

Apollo

At the end of the day, everybody wants to go home safe.

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/24/2025 9:47:07 AM

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Hydronics & Radiant Presented in partnership with Radiant Professionals Alliance

by Patrick Linhardt

HYDRONICS MANAGER AT CORKEN STEEL PRODUCTS CO.

The Future of Steam, Circa 1893

N

ot to beat a dead horse about my bad memory, but I don’t remember where I originally found the paper “A Look Ahead.” It might have been from the archives of the first place I worked in this industry. I miss the luxury of stepping back in time as I looked thru the multitude of drawers in those two file cabinets. You really don’t know what you have until you don’t.

Giving credit where it’s due, it was written by Hugh J. Barron for the fifth convention of the Master Steam and Hot-Water Fitters Association held in Chicago, 1893 and then reprinted in a magazine (like this one) called, Master Steam Fitter. Hugh looked into the next fifty years, but to set the stage, looked back about 75 years to the beginning of using steam to heat buildings.

The Father of Steam Heating He went back to who he called “the father of steam heating,” Mr. Perkins of Philadelphia, working in a shop about 1816 to 1820. He had a cast of characters developing the early technology. One was “Blind Hawkins,” who frequently experimented with steam, believing that higher pressure was the way to go, all the way up to 175#. He ended up using musket barrels at one time in place of steel tubes.

Another character was Isiah Lukens, a clock maker that also worked in steam engineering. He always took a summer vacation of from six to eight weeks, with his fishing tackle, on a solitary excursion nobody was privy to. Can you imagine a trip like that today?

This was at a time when steam engineering was in its infancy, before factories, furnaces, railroads or steamships. The first railroad train in the world did not begin to run until 1830. According to the author, these men and other men working together or separately developed the foundation of using steam to heat buildings.

Visions of the Future He then switched to his view of the future. But let’s consider where he was coming from in 1893. He laments that using steam heated radiators doesn’t achieve a uniform temperature throughout a room,

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coal/manual fired boiler. The switch from manual fire to automatic fire required some modifications to some systems that weren’t always done or done correctly.

He writes about how patent law shouldn’t be applied to steam engineering, especially boiler design, since he thinks “we have passed the age of patents.” This agrees with the views of one of my heroes, Ben Franklin, but patents never went away, thanks to the lawyers that get paid to argue about this detail or that.

Electric Heating?

In 1893, Hugh J. Barron speculated about the future of steam heating with fascinating results. being warmer at the radiator and cooler on the other side of the room. He predicted circulating air heated by steam to achieve a uniform temperature throughout the space.

In 1893, it was a luxury to install a central steam heating system, and the cast iron radiators used in the mansions were big and ugly. He predicted, “In the near future direct radiators will be designed that are poems in art.” I’ll agree with that—radiators now come in every imaginable shape, size and color.

He goes on to predict that globe style valves will rapidly become extinct, replaced by the gate valve. Well, that kinda happened from 1893 to when I started in the industry 40 years ago. But over those last 40 years, the ball valve has replaced the gate valve in almost every application, including actuated ball valves to control the flow of steam or hot water.

Sticking with the piping, he predicts that in general piping, the cast fitting will disappear and be replaced by malleable, steel and wrought fittings. That screwed pipe will be replaced by electric

welding. That is still a trend, but press fittings seem to me to be the future of pipe fitting below 2”.

District Heating?

He has a particularly unusual prediction, that central steam generation plants will become much more common and that the exhaust steam from these plants will be saved and used instead of wasted. He envisions a “large central main pipe, say fifteen to twenty feet in diameter” to carry the exhaust to different applications, including steam for heating.

The size pipe seems grandiose, but the late 1800’s was a time of great discoveries and grand plans. He wanted to get rid of brick-set boilers and go to steel tube boilers that were completely metal. He wanted a distinction between engineering and architecture. Engineers to work with metal. Architects to work with brick.

He did predict the change from coal fired equipment to oil or gas. I think the world is much better for this evolution, but we always need to remember that the roots of steam heating systems are with a

A shocker to me is his description of a home in Brooklyn that was heating successfully with an electric heating system.

A separate circuit was used for the three main functions, heating, cooking, and lighting. Sounds like it used a central hot air furnace as the air handler, with an electric heater in the main.

There also were electric heaters in each of the branch lines, “the idea being to heat the cold air in the main pipe to a certain degree and then superheat it in the separate pipes.” A type of hybrid heat, the main heater worked in the mild temperatures, while the individual heaters worked in the harsh weather.

There was an electric fan in the hot air furnace to constantly move the air around the system. “Even with a winter as vigorous as the last one, not a shovelful of coal has been used in the house during the entire season.” Imagine that over 130 years ago! Wonder why the idea of heating the house with electric took so long to adopt?

Some things he got right, some things he was completely wrong about. Like other changes that were made, it usually is a combination of factors that shape the conclusion. Steam heating isn’t dead, but it sure seems to be more of the exception than the norm.

Patrick Linhardt is a forty-one-year veteran of the wholesale side of the hydronic industry who has been designing and troubleshooting steam and hot water heating systems, pumps and controls on an almost daily basis. An educator and author, he is currently Hydronic Manager at the Corken Steel Products Co.

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4/23/2025 4:01:15 PM

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10/19/21 4:32 4/21/2025 4:36:54 PMPM

Hydronics & Radiant Presented in partnership with Radiant Professionals Alliance

Rinnai Applauds Bipartisan Senate Vote Overturning DOE Rule SJ Res 4 overturns a rule that would have effectively banned non-condensing tankless water heaters.

P

EACHTREE CITY, GA — Rinnai America Corporation, a leader in innovative, energy-efficient tankless water heaters, issued a statement that commends the US Senate for passing the bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution, SJ Res 4, which overturns a Department of Energy (DOE) rule that would have effectively banned non-condensing tankless water heater, calling it a decision that, “Not only protects American jobs but also preserves consumer choice and fosters continued energy efficiency innovation.”

The statement continued, “Rinnai remains committed to providing innovative, energy-efficient solutions that benefit consumers, the environment, and the economy.

We are thankful for the Senate’s leadership in safeguarding these important priorities.”

Frank Windsor Frank Windsor, President of Rinnai America Corporation, was directly quoted in the statement, saying, “Today’s vote is a significant victory for American jobs, consumers, and energy efficiency. We applaud the Senate for their leadership in safeguarding US manufacturing and ensuring consumers continue to have access to affordable, energy-efficient products that reduce longterm costs. We remain committed to our investment in US manufacturing and innovation.

ID 83977448 © Jiawangkun | Dreamstime.com

Raphael Warnock. “Senators Ossoff and Warnock demonstrated true bipartisan leadership,” said Windsor.

“Their dedication to safeguarding Georgia’s workforce and protecting businesses like Rinnai has made a meaningful difference. We are incredibly grateful for their continued advocacy for Georgia’s manufacturing sector.”

Windsor also singled out Texas Senator Ted Cruz for his leadership. “Senator Cruz’s unwavering commitment to protecting American jobs, consumers and energy efficiency has been vital in this effort,” Windsor said.

Proposed Rule “We would also like to thank President Donald Trump and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright for their unwavering support in championing American jobs and manufacturing. Their leadership has been instrumental in protecting consumer choice and affordability.

“Georgia Congressman Brian Jack played a pivotal role in shepherding the bill through both chambers of Congress and in securing Presidential support. His tireless advocacy has safeguarded jobs in his district, preserved consumer choice in appliances, and protected energy-efficient products in the marketplace.”

Windsor also expressed its gratitude to all the lawmakers in both the House and Senate who voted in favor of the CRA, including Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and

The DOE’s proposed rule under the former Biden administration threatened to eliminate hundreds of jobs at Rinnai’s $70 million manufacturing facility in Griffin, Georgia.

Rinnai’s non-condensing tankless water heaters are up to 50% more energy-efficient than traditional storage tank models, providing significant savings for consumers. The DOE’s rule would have pushed consumers toward less efficient storage tanks, increasing costs. Had the rule remained, consumers would have faced a $665 price hike per unit, plus up to $1,000 in installation costs, resulting in an additional $235 million in costs to families, particularly impacting low-income households and seniors.

A. O. Smith Celebrates Product Development Center Grand Opening New facility promotes collaboration, sustainability and innovation.

L

EBANON, TN — A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces the grand opening of its new Product Development Center (PDC) in Lebanon, Tennessee, a 60,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research and development facility on the Lochinvar campus.

The new center brings together the company’s North America Water Heating commercial engineering and platform electronics functions with Lochinvar engineering to support commercial product development, including heat pump water heaters. The estimated $33-million-project, which kicked off in 2023, combines a mix of new construction and existing facility renovation to create an environment of innovation and collaboration.

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A.O. Smith

Opening Celebration A grand opening celebration was held Tuesday, April 15 at the new facility that included a ribbon-cutting, followed by executive speeches and self-guided tours.

“This new facility enables us to advance one of our

top strategic priorities—investing in innovation and expanding our product portfolio to ensure the company’s continued growth and success,” said Kevin Wheeler, Chairman and CEO. The program featured President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Shafer, Chief Technology Officer Bob Heideman, North America Water Heating President and General Manager Steve O’Brien and Lochinvar President Darrell Schuh.

“The PDC is a future-focused innovation hub that enables us to design heat pump water heaters and other sustainable products that are not only in demand now but will continue to be a major emphasis for us in the coming years,” said Heideman. “A facility like this gives innovation a space to thrive.”

For more information, visit www.aosmith.com.

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4/23/2025 4:02:31 PM

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1/26/24 7:56 4/17/2025 3:28:36 PMAM

Hydronics & Radiant Presented in partnership with Radiant Professionals Alliance

Service Nuggets’ and When to Think Globally Rather Than Locally Understanding “nuggets of wisdom” and “why” is so critical to a successful service visit and rescue project.

By BRIAN NELSON, SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

O

ur diagnostic process in our service department often bleeds into the rescue process used by our rescue team, and they often inform each other.

Every morning before the teams go out to their service jobs, we have “nugget time” or “why time.” These nuggets are centered around interesting service jobs or rescue projects that we are working on—studying them in a group setting for 30 minutes every day as an amazing way to spread knowledge and experience sideways across our departments.

Understanding “nuggets of wisdom” and “why” is so critical to a successful service visit and rescue project and it promotes independent thinking by the techs; they see how the laws of physics tell the molecules precisely what to do and give us clues on what is happening. These laws of physics also help us determine when to zoom out to see things globally.

Pressure lines to the differential pressure switch.

Global vs. Local A simple example of this change of perspective can be seen in with multi-head mini split systems.

One of our service techs recently went out to look at a three head system. The homeowner said there was a chronic problem with no blower operation from one of the inside heads. The homeowner was insistent that YouTube told him it was a bad board or blower motor in the inside head. Our tech patiently explained that there may be a bigger issue at hand.

He then turned off the other two inside heads and now, magically, the troublesome inside head was working perfectly!

But if it wasn’t a bad board, then what was the culprit? Our tech explained to the homeowner that the robot brain in the outside unit was heating up the inside coils with refrigerant before turning on the blowers. So, if the outside unit didn’t detect that the inside coils were warm, the blowers would not turn on.

The tech noted that the outside unit had already ramped up the compressor in an attempt to send more refrigerant to the

28 • MAY 2025

2505CO_28-29_Hydronics_Case_Study.indd 28

A tekmar pump controller for lead-lag.

Differential pressure switch.

Typical fan coil with heating and cooling— Belimo motorized ball valves.

inside coils to warm them up. The tech added some refrigerant and the blower problems disappeared.

A change from a local view to a global view let us realize that the boards were fine, and the robot brain in the outside unit was doing what it could, but there wasn’t enough refrigerant to make all three inside heads work correctly.

The tech proposed a leak test on entire system as the next step.

bodied in a recent series of service visits.

We received a call for a caretaker about a no heat issue from a zone in a large residence where he had just begun caretaking.

Our tech noted that it had two boilers, more than 10 fan coils, and constant circulation chilled and hot water loops.

The hot water loop was served by two Taco circulator pumps controlled by disconnects with Hand Off Auto switches and called by a tekmar pump controller.

This tekmar pump controller was designed to turn on one pump and run it for a certain amount of time and then shut it off and start up the other pump.

This rotation scheme would ensure equal

run time of the two pumps for the hot water loop.

Additionally, there was a differential pressure switch that was designed to sense if one of the pumps had failed— this would tell the tekmar to switch over to the other pump.

Each fan coil had Belimo motorized ball valves on the chilled and hot water coils and constant air circulation from belt drive blowers.

The caretaker mentioned that, historically there had been no complaints of any issues in the heating season. He also mentioned that during his walk-through of the mechanical room, he noticed that

No-Heat Situtation Looks Like a Local Problem (at First) This concept of expanding a local perception to a global view was perfectly em-

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4/23/2025 4:04:01 PM

both heating circulator pumps were in HAND (and they were both spinning) so he switched them to AUTO. However, as soon as the weather got cold, he started to have issues with inadequate heating in one zone.

Collect Information — Keep an Open Mind The caretaker told our service tech that the heating circulator was running in the mech room. At the troublesome fan coil our tech confirmed that the supply pipe to the hot water coil was hot but there was a huge delta T between the supply and return pipes.

The water temp entering the coil was 140°F but leaving the coil it was 65°F. The air temperature in that zone was around 60°F. The blower was moving air nicely through the fan coil so there was either very low water flow thru the heating coil, or perhaps the cooling actuator was stuck open?

The tech confirmed that the cooling motorized valve was closed, and the chilled water pipes were room temperature. The tech then checked the heating circulator pumps and confirmed that the supply side pressure gauge was reading pressure above return side pressure so there was flow through that heating pump.

Our tech had had a recent experience with replacing failed motorized ball valve actuators and valve bodies—was this possibly another broken actuator or stem?

It looked like the actuator and stem were in open position but perhaps the stem had broken free from the internal ball inside the valve body?

This would explain the situation at hand and was not unrealistic given the age of the installation….

The tech suggested replacement of the valve body as a possible next step.

New Information and a Change of Perspective The next day the caretaker reported that now he was experiencing the same no heat issue in two more zones. This changed our local problem into a global mystery.

That morning during our “nuggets” or “why” session, we discussed what could possibly explain a lack of heat in additional zones—we had to expand our view.

All of a sudden, why did we now have a huge delta between supply and return water temperature on THREE fan coils?

It would be very unlikely to have THREE failed motorized ball valve stems.

Tekmar pump lead-lag control.

No check valves on the heating circulators.

What had changed from the heat working well during previous winters and now not working well as soon as the weather got cold?

The caretaker then called and told us that they remembered that they had noticed that both heating circulator pumps had been in HAND and that they switched them both to AUTO. A global issue with hot water delivery to the fan coils would fit nicely with the poor heating performance in multiple fan coils…

not in fault. This presumably meant that the differential pressure switch was correctly alternating between the two heating loop pumps and was confirming correct flow. This Tekmar control would also be able to detect if one pump wasn’t working and signal a fault and turn on the other pump.

Upon closer examination, it appeared that both pumps were spinning (both were in AUTO mode) even though the Tekmar was only supposed to power one pump at a time?!?

Our tech noted that in HAND both circs are spinning in correct direction… in AUTO, both circs are spinning, but one is spinning backwards!

Ah-ha! This meant that there were no check valves on these two pumps!

A Closer Look at Heating Loop Circulators Now we could deduce what had happened and how we had arrived at our no heat situation.

The caretaker dug up a picture of the original installation of the heating loop circulator pumps and noted that there were no check valves installed.

When the circulator pumps were repiped later, no check valves were installed.

Our guess is that when the system was first started up years ago, the tekmar turned on one heating loop pump and had the other pump off. Because there were no check valves, some heating water flowed backwards through the inactive pump and some water flowed out to the hot water coils in all of the fan coil units.

When it got cold enough out, the heating could not keep up as there was not enough hot water flowing, so the original caretaker simply put both heating loop circulator pumps in HAND and heating problems went away.

When our tech returned, he noticed that the Tekmar pump controller was

Conclusion: No Check Vales, Differential Pressure Switch Set Too Low As soon as the new caretaker put the two heating loop circulators back into AUTO, the tekmar took over and ran one pump and turned off the other. Because the differential pressure switch was set incorrectly, it didn’t detect the fact that there were no check valves and did not send out a fault signal. That meant that the caretaker had no idea that there was inadequate flow of hot water to all of the fan coils.

During the original installation, if the differential pressure switch had been set correctly (set for a higher differential pressure) it would have faulted out the tekmar control the moment the first heating loop pump turned on (as so much of the flow was simply bypassing backwards through

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Heating loop pumps with no check valves— original installation. the other heating loop pump). Then the tekmar pump control would have switched to the other heating loop pump and then it would have faulted out as its flow would flow backwards through the first heating loop pump. At that point, the tekmar control would have shut down both heating loop pumps.

To resolve this issue, instead of adjusting the setting on the differential pressure switch (or insisting that check valves be installed on each circulator pump) the original caretaker (or installing contractor) simply put both heating loop pumps into HAND. Ha! Problem solved! Until the new caretaker put the pumps back into AUTO and indirectly revealed that check valves were missing and the differential pressure switch was set too low!

We have since proposed the installation of check valves on the heating circulator pumps and correct adjustment of the differential pressure switch.

And to think that all of this was uncovered from a no heat call at one fan coil!

This was a great lesson in being flexible and being able to move from Local to Global thinking and viewpoints.

Brian Nelson is the co-owner of Nelson Mechanical Design, a “green” mechanical contractor serving the energy efficiency and home comfort needs of Martha’s Vineyard, MA since 2004. The company designs, installs, and services just about anything to do with heating, cooling, domestic hot water, water treatment, geothermal, heat pumps, and radiant. NMD is committed to preserving the fabric of the Island it calls home. To learn more visit nmdgreen.com.

MAY 2025 • 29

4/23/2025 4:04:03 PM

Technology

by Patti Feldman COMPUTER AUTHORITY

Here, There & Anywhere Solutions

M

onday service (monday.com) is an AI-first Enterprise Service Management (ESM) no-code intuitive platform that enables service teams across an entire company of any size to streamline service delivery and support to its customers.

Utilizing smart automations that leverage the power of AI and featuring comprehensive dashboards, monday service centralizes and systematizes workflows across IT, business, and service teams. By facilitating seamless collaboration, the software facilitates faster resolutions by consolidating requests, incidents, projects, and business data in a single platform.

How it works: monday service capabilities include AI-powered Ticket Resolution, automatic ticket classification, and smart ticket routing.

The AI-powered Ticket Resolution offloads tickets and incident resolutions to an AI agent, utilizing ticket history to create knowledge bases for immediate handling, saving time for service teams.

Automatic ticket classification and smart routing enable AI to tag tickets by type, urgency, sentiment, department, and other criteria to prioritize incoming tickets accurately, resulting in speeding up ticket handling and reducing manual work with automatic assignment to the relevant agent or team.

A customizable Customer Portal, which seamlessly connects to the ticket board, acts as a company service hub where end-users can access self-service options, submit tickets, track status, and communicate with the service team.

The portal supports ticket intake by email or customizable Workforms and features two-way email integration with Gmail and Outlook and one dedicated inbox hosted on monday.com to intake all service requests.

Pricing: 3 tiers available, fee per seat monthly, billed annually.

Leadbeam AI Leadbeam AI (leadbeam.ai, 518/817-7241) is a platform for field sales and service teams that aims to optimize field operations via AI. By automating lead capture, tracking rep activity, and providing intelligent follow-ups, the platform helps ensure that sales managers and field teams

30 • MAY 2025

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monday.com

Reviews of the monday service EMS platform, Leadbeam AI, Bolt Enterprise inventory management solution and HouseCall Pro field service software. make data-driven decisions, forecast more accurately, and close more deals.

How it works: Leadbeam features seamless CRM integrations and real-time automation. Using Salesforce, HubSpot, or a custom CRM, Leadbeam updates customer records instantly with just a voice note or image drop without requiring post-meeting data entry.

AI-driven intelligent follow-ups help optimize offering demos, check-in at later date, or a service reminder. Plus, the solution includes Smart Task Automation—the system generates automated tasks and next-step recommendations to keep deals moving.

The software provides real-time visibility for managers and sales and service leaders, with availability to instant insights into rep performance, pipeline health, and customer interactions.

Pricing: quarterly and yearly plans scaled to accommodate businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to multi-region enterprises. The Starter Plan—fee per rep/ month (billed annually), includes CRM updates via voice and image AI and up to five custom fields; The Pro Plan adds unlimited custom fields, location intelligence, and early access to LeadMaps

for route optimization; The Enterprise Plan—fully configurable, with advanced integrations and white-labeling options.

Bolt Enterprise Bolt Enterprise (ECI Solutions, www. ecisolutions.com) end to end project and inventory management software is purpose built for larger home building trade contractors. The solution integrates project management, scheduling, purchasing, inventory, and real-time job costing.

The software, which is scalable, correlates inventory levels with job schedules, generates precise material lists, and can plan bulk order. Pricing is custom quoted, reflective of your specific business needs and number of users.

HouseCall Pro HouseCall Pro (www.housecallpro.com, 858/923-5445) is a field service management platform that enables service professionals to run and grow their businesses.

Available on both web and mobile, Pros use Housecall Pro to manage their business and financial operations from anywhere.

The Basic plan supports drag and drop scheduling and dispatch of technicians, with the ability to adjust the length of

visit and toggle among daily, weekly and monthly screen views. Pros can streamline their communications with customers via appointment reminders, on-my-way alerts, and before and after photos. They can also provide paperless invoices, accept multiple payment methods, including cash, check, credit or debit cards, and financing, and request customer reviews upon job completion.

Scheduling of jobs supports drag-anddrop work orders which can be color coded into your calendar for quick assignment to the most suitable technician. Scheduling fields include description and relevant customer and job info to help employees optimally understand the scope of the job.

You can secure bookings from anywhere on any device by adding your Online Booking link to your social media posts, email signature, Website, and Google Business Profile.

Customers can book appointments online 24/7 and can receive automatic reminders of upcoming appointments and follow-ups.

An upgraded Essentials plan adds integration with QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online, detailed job and estimate reporting, a visual price book, custom checklists, equipment tracking, technician performance, postcard and email marketing, and live website visitor chat. A sales proposal tool and a recurring service plan are available as optional add-ons for Basic and Essentials plans.

Providing more features is the MAX plan. Along with all the benefits of Essentials, MAX also includes recurring service plans, the sales proposal tool, advanced reporting, and open API data integration capabilities. MAX plans include white glove service for onboarding with a specialist and escalated phone support when needed.

Pricing: scaled fees, billed monthly or annually, dependent upon plan selected. Basic—one user, Essentials—up to 5 users, and Max—up to 8 users with the ability to add more users for additional fees. Free 14-day trial available.

Patti Feldman writes articles and web content for trade magazines and manufacturers of building products. She can be reached at productpad@yahoo.com.

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/10/2025 4:04:03 PM

Marketing

by Matt Michel MARKETING AUTHORITY

When a Plumber Becomes Their Own Worst Enemy

H

ow would you handle a situation where you were called to clear a drain for a restaurant, only to get a call three days later that it was blocked again? This happened to a midwestern plumbing company. The plumber returned, cleared the drain, and presented an identical invoice to the restaurant manager except the total charge was 66% higher. The manager balked at paying.

What would you do now?

The plumber chose to return the following morning and put a balloon in the drain line. He then texted the restaurant owner and gave him an hour to pay or he was leaving for the weekend.

The restaurant manager called the police. They mediated. The restaurant owner paid the invoice under protest.

The plumber removed the balloon and left. What happened next was not good for the plumber. The restaurant manager called a local TV station, which interviewed the manager and showed damning security camera footage of the plumber sabotaging the drain. The plumber didn’t appear on camera to present his side, but talked with the reporter by phone.

The restaurant manager made the claim that it wasn’t the money that bothered him. He just wanted the plumber to stand behind his work and he wanted to warn other people. Over the phone, the plumber told the reporter he didn’t offer any guarantees for drain cleaning.

All he could do was make sure the drain was clear at the time of service. Overall, it was not a good look for the plumber.

Seven Mistakes The plumber made seven crucial mistakes: 1. He didn’t charge enough. His first invoice was for $235 in total, which included a sewer equipment fee of $75 and a truck/fuel surcharge of $35. That means the labor was $130. Moreover, the plumbing company is a union shop.

The company’s labor costs are probably higher than the typical service plumber.

Charge too little and margins become tight. This makes plumbers reluctant to be flexible if a situation starts going sideways.

ID 206852197 © Leoraduga | Dreamstime.com

The plumber in this real-life situation made seven crucial mistakes.

2. He likely hurried the job. Because the plumber didn’t charge enough, he or his plumber likely hurried the job and was less thorough than he should have been. We can’t know this for certain, but the strategy of most low-price plumbers is to run as many calls per day as possible, precluding a thorough job. Accordingly, he might have missed problems (e.g., the grease trap might need to be cleaned out) or missed debris or muck in the drain line, causing it to stop up 72 hours later. There was no mention of the grease trap on the invoice or in the story. If it was the problem, the plumber missed an opportunity.

3. He wasn’t flat rate and didn’t price upfront. The plumber did not appear to be flat rate. Certainly, the restaurant manager appeared surprised at the amount of the second invoice, implying that he wasn’t presented with a price before work began. While it was emergency service, after hours, the labor increased from $130 to $280, a 215% increase (the total invoice with the equipment fee and fuel surcharge increased from $235 to $385).

While the plumber is pricing low, the issue is the differential between the calls

and the fact that price of the second job surprised the restaurant manager.

Present a price before work begins and this goes away.

4. He communicated poorly. The restaurant manager appeared to believe the second call was a callback. If the plumber communicated that it was a separate service call and would be billed at a higher rate for emergency service after hours, he didn’t get confirmation that the restaurant manager understood that.

Poor communication continued when the plumber and restaurant manager went back and forth on the charges by text messages, which loses tone and body language. Text is a horrible way to handle disputes.

5. He acted impulsively. The restaurant manager was questioning his invoice. Instead of meeting face-to-face to explain things from his perspective, the plumber took action the next morning before anyone arrived at the restaurant.

The plumber failed to even attempt to resolve. Instead, he chose to escalate matters at the first opportunity.

6. He committed vandalism. While it might be cheered on by plumbers, this

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is an inexcusably stupid action that could have resulted in material harm to the restaurant and criminal charges for the plumber.

The plumber was fortunate the police called to the scene had cooler heads than he had. In all likelihood, it was such a petty action and petty amount that no prosecutor would want to waste time dealing with it.

7. He failed to appear on camera.

When the TV reporter reached out to him for comment, the plumber should have insisted on meeting on camera. If he appeared friendly, professional, reasonable, and sympathetic, he could have won the PR battle. Instead, he forfeited.

Until the plumber inserted the balloon, the situation could have been resolved.

At worst, he could have chalked it up to the cost of business and walked away. He could have put the restaurant on his nocalls list and turned away future business.

Instead, his overreaction ended up with him portrayed as a vindictive contractor consumers will want to avoid. He became his own worst enemy.

Before you react in a situation like this, get a gut check from plumbing’s most professional contractors. Join the Service Roundtable or Service Nation Alliance and learn from other plumbers’ experiences. For inspirational stories about the trades, buy Matt Michel’s book, “Contractor Stories” from Amazon.

MAY 2025 • 31

4/10/2025 4:04:05 PM

Best Practices

by Lynn Karam

CEO OF LEK MANAGEMENT

How to Handle Tax Liabilities for Your Contracting Business

E

very year many taxpayers (individuals and businesses) including contractors prepare for the tax season by having financial statements prepared and filing tax returns to comply with federal, state, and local tax laws. Of equal importance, a business must be prepared to pay any tax liabilities incurred as a result of their filing.

Perhaps ironically, a contractor who experiences a significant financial profit in a given year is likely to expect a tax liability. The ability to pay this tax liability can become a serious burden, especially if the profit has been used for operational purchases or has already been paid out to the owners.

There are several reasons why contractors might not regularly file tax returns. Sometimes it’s down to a lack of knowledge or simply misunderstanding their tax compliance obligations, and/or not having their financial statements in order, but in our experience we’ve met many contractors who say it’s a simple fear of how much tax they might owe.

That is, in fact, the biggest reason that contractors often do not file their tax returns on time. We have even dealt with cases in which contractors have not filed taxes for more than five years!

This decision not to file taxes puts contractors in a situation that causes them to incur additional expenses related to taxes, specifically with penalties and fines, such as a Failure to File (FTF) penalty, in addition to a Failure to Pay (FTP) penalty, including interest on the outstanding tax liabilities.

If this sounds familiar, don’t be alarmed. There are several viable options available to help you address your outstanding tax obligations. If you’ve received a “Notice of Tax Due and Demand for Payment”, it is imperative to move quickly to avoid any additional consequences, such as tax liens and levies.

There are several ways to address outstanding tax obligations. Here are the four most common.

Paying Off the Entire Debt This is obviously the best solution, provided that your business can afford to pay off the debt without stifling cash

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There are several viable options available to help you address your outstanding tax obligations. flow. Not paying the tax debt in its entirety results in much greater costs, including the Failure to Pay penalty plus interest on the outstanding tax liability.

The Failure to Pay penalty is 0.5% per month, up to 25% of the outstanding tax liability. In addition, interest is charged on the unpaid tax balance. The interest rate is determined quarterly and compounded daily.

Installment Agreement If paying off the debt in its entirety in not possible, then an installment agreement may be your best option. Once the tax liability has been assessed the IRS has 10 years to collect the outstanding debt. Because of this collection statute the IRS will most likely accept installment agreements that pay off the debt within the decade. Of course there are instances when it is not possible to pay off the outstanding tax debt within the 10-year period. In such cases, the IRS will accept a Partial Pay Installment Agreement (PPIA). When applying for a PPIA, comprehensive financials are required. The installment agreement is reviewed every two years, at which time

updated financial documents will need to be submitted.

Currently Non-Collectible (CNC) In other circumstances, the taxpayer cannot afford to make any payments.

In these conditions, the taxpayer can apply to be put into Currently Non-Collectible (CNC). Taxpayers must provide financial statements and supporting documentation to support their claim of not being able to afford any payments towards their tax liability or demonstrate that making a payment will cause undue hardship. The IRS reviews CNC cases every two years, and will require updated financials at that time. In order to be ready for these bi-annual reviews, it’s a smart practice to consult a professional who can properly prepare the financial statements for submission to the IRS.

Offer in Compromise (OIC) Perhaps the most popular (and most appealing) option for resolution is the widely-advertised OIC (Offer in Compromise). With this option, the IRS accepts less than the outstanding amount owed as full payment. However, individuals or

businesses seeking an OIC must be aware that this potential solution presents the greatest challenges when attempting to get the IRS to accept the terms of the resolution. Once the agreement is made, there is a compliance period implemented and if a violation occurs within that time frame, the decision can be reversed. All that said, once an OIC is accepted it can result in a substantially-reduced tax payment.

Trust the Experts Whatever route you choose, resolving your tax liabilities reduces stress and provides peace of mind, ensuring that you can concentrate on running your business efficiently without worrying what payments and penalties may be lurking around every corner.

Just as you are an expert in your field, trust the expertise of a financial professional when it comes to tax resolution.

An enrolled agent is authorized by the IRS to negotiate on your behalf for an Offer in Compromise or another solution appropriate for your situation. Remember, you don’t have to go it alone.

Founder and CEO of LEK Management Inc., Lynn Karam has two decades of experience in finance, operations, and strategic planning.

Karam is an Enrolled Agent authorized by the United States Department of the Treasury to represent clients who are undergoing an audit and to negotiate with the IRS on her clients’ behalf.

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/11/2025 10:58:36 AM

Best Practices

by Mathew Horwood

MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR NORTH AMERICA AT GLOBAL SITE SOLUTIONS

Maximum Transparency At Your Construction Site

T

he construction industry is going through major changes, and not all of them are ideal. A significant increase in abandoned projects in both the private and public sectors was reported in 2024. Although there are plenty of reasons to account for these failures, a lack of transparency is becoming a growing source of ire for businesses, property owners, and project managers. Projects bid for and managed with poor communication and vague estimates lead to delays and unfinished projects.

Fortunately, these problems have solutions, and they lie with increased transparency. By improving the communication, tracking, and reporting at the construction site, construction professionals can maintain higher standards for quality and minimize delays.

Increasing construction site transparency can take a significant investment of time and collaboration, but it also yields these benefits: • Businesses know current inventory at a touch, simplifying the processes of ordering and allocation • Workers and stakeholders can collaborate using the same platform • All relevant parties can see the state of the site or a particular task at a glance, even from a remote location • Project managers can anticipate problems earlier, so they can identify solutions before they trigger significant delays Construction professionals with a robust system of transparency are more likely to understand what is going on, making communications clear and easy to follow.

Improving transparency involves more than collaborating with construction site staff and sharing information with property owners. A comprehensive system can increase the quality of project management while providing access to key data points about the project in progress.

These steps can make a difference in a construction company’s output.

Inventory Management Systems Many construction professionals struggle to maintain accurate counts of the

continued use. With modern tools, project managers can leverage improved collaboration software to identify problems and create solutions based on a shared understanding of the existing plans.

Centralize Data Management

ID 348570785 © Dzmitry Auramchik | Dreamstime.com

By improving communication, tracking, and reporting, construction professionals can maintain higher standards for quality and minimize delays. supplies they have on-hand compared to those at another storage location. Miscounts can lead to delays in installing plumbing pipes or wasted money ordering excess supplies. A modern inventory management system can track the number and location of supplies, materials, and equipment that the project requires.

The system can provide accurate counts and adjust them automatically when supplies are removed for use.

Integrate Project Management Project management software should be easy to update and seamlessly move data across channels. Outdated or standalone project management systems are difficult to operate and often limited in access to key users within the project.

To maximize verification and communication during the project, the project management software should be integrated with other systems, such as inventory management and resource allocation. These tools, when put together, can improve data analysis by providing real-time tracking.

Build Transparency Into the Project Culture All construction site professionals should work to build an attitude of collaboration and transparency around the project delivery plans. Many construction professionals feel stuck using old approaches that no longer fit with modern timelines and expectations. To minimize criticism, some professionals choose to hide behind tradition instead of being honest about their limits and asking for assistance from qualified professionals or organizations.

If everyone can presume that project information will be readily available, they will be more likely to collaborate.

Collaborate via BIM Many tools allow construction professionals to manage the project from the initial design phase to the upkeep of the building, and project teams should not hesitate to consider them as options. Building information modeling (BIM) is becoming more common than CAD-based designs because BIM offers a comprehensive set of data and plans for

➤ www.contractormag.com

2505CO_32-33_Best Practices.indd 33

Collaboration must involve shared access to data, which construction professionals can easily achieve with cloud-based solutions. When data points are spread across multiple channels and devices, combining that data into one location can add extra time. It can also lead to inaccuracies in estimation, which causes delays and miscommunications. Integrating data entry into one system simplifies the sharing of data, so everyone can see the status and the next steps of the project.

Consider Partnering with Third-Party Services Many of these systems would be difficult for individual project managers to build or maintain, highlighting the benefit of working with third-party services. Innovation in construction technology has significantly expanded in the past several years, providing new options to collaborate, track, manage, and communicate.

Many systems integrate seamlessly with other software, so that project managers do not have to manually transfer information across channels. By selecting a vetted organization to provide these services, construction professionals can improve transparency and trust with the project.

Project management in construction must enter the modern age if it is to deliver on time with minimal adjustments to cost and quality. By considering these tools and approaches, construction professionals can improve project transparency and efficacy for all parties.

Mathew Horwood, Managing Director for North America at Global Site Solutions (GSS), a leader in scaffold EPCM, has over 20 years of industrial construction experience, including key roles with major contractors. Since joining GSS in 2018, he has led the development of the Hi-Vis® scaffolding management software and driven critical operational improvements.

MAY 2025 • 33

4/11/2025 10:58:37 AM

Industry News

TASCO Plumbing & Mechanical: Focus on Efficiency, Reliability ➤ Continued from page 1 project. Then, in 1990, he was inspired to take his best practices and establish his own company, where he furthered his dedication to the craft.

GF Building Flow Solutions

Plumbing the Sunshine State When homeowners think about water leaks, they usually picture an annoying drip coming from their sink faucet. But when professionals like Pajon think about these issues, they understand it can mean damages to properties worth millions of dollars—and damages to their professional reputations.

“Plumbing in Florida comes with its own set of challenges,” he explains.

“Flooding and water leaks are persistent issues, and that’s why we rely on systems that can stand up to these conditions.”

There’s no challenge that Pajon and TASCO aren’t willing to tackle. While heavy commercial work and multistory buildings are their specialty, they have also provided plumbing systems for various other applications, including hospitals, condominiums, and industrial projects.

Kitting services provide clear plans and neatly packaged fittings, rings, multiports, and accessories for each individual unit.

GF Building Flow Solutions

Mitigating Risk After experiencing many issues with dry fits and blowoffs using other pipe installation methods, Pajon searched for a more reliable solution. With his intense passion and care for his craft, he dug into researching alternatives and came across F1960 expansion fittings and PEX-a pipe. He quickly realized these products would help mitigate the risk of water leaks.

Since PEX-a uses one simple handheld tool to expand the pipe and an expansion ring before inserting a fitting, it is impossible to dry-fit. And since there’s no need for other tools, materials, or heat to make the connection, installers can easily increase productivity without sacrificing quality and reliability.

Pajon was first introduced to PEX-a pipe in 2008 and has come to understand the importance of a manufacturer’s internal and external quality testing and the value of the warranty

34 • MAY 2025

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PEX-a pipe installed at Wynwood Diamedix in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. when using the pipe, expansion rings, and fittings together as a system.

“If you want to have a good name in this industry, you have to rely on a good product that’s going to stand the test of time,” he states.

On one of TASCO’s recent projects, the general contractor was very concerned with the possibility of major water damage due to blowoffs. Pajon

and his team explained the ways PEX-a expansion fittings reduce this risk. After the project was complete, TASCO and the general contractor were incredibly happy with the results.

Kitting to Manage Chaos In addition to large projects, TASCO also has other jobs of various sizes happening at the same time. To ensure quality,

coordination, organization, and efficiencies on every development, they are now incorporating kitting services (from PEX-a manufacturer Uponor) to bring additional structure to their timelines while saving their project managers significant time and energy.

“Kitting creates the ability to do more important things,” Pajon remarks. “I’m able to hire Uponor to do part of this project for me, while we get the takeoffs done. Then the necessary products are packaged nicely in a box, labeled for each unit. All my warehouse staff needs to do is deliver them to the project, hand them to the installers, who go right to work. It creates less confusion and chaos in the project.”

Wynwood Diamedix One recent job that benefitted from kitting was Wynwood Diamedix in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. The twotower project included 304 residential units, incredible amenities, over 17,000 square feet of commercial space, and 63,000 square feet of office space.

When Pajon successfully bid for the project, he knew he wanted PEX-a pipe along with a Logic design incorporating multiport tees to ensure efficient water delivery to every unit. Since the residences included studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom floorplans ranging in size from 550 square feet to more than 1,400 square feet, the installers knew kitting would help simplify their jobs by providing clear plans and neatly packaged fittings, rings, multiports, and accessories for each individual unit.

Pajon remains confident that providing quality PEX-a products backed by a solid 25-year warranty, design support, and value-added services is the best choice for his business. He is looking forward to future opportunities to level up the construction industry in the South Florida area.

Brooke Roberts is the manager of Content Marketing for GF Building Flow Solutions (formerly Uponor). She can be reached at brooke.roberts@uponor.com.

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/17/2025 9:25:00 AM

Industry News

Disruption and Project Management ➤ Continued from page 1 in Broomfield, Colorado that theme centered on “disruptions” in our industry.

Planning Promotes Productivity

Viega has provided classrooms and logistical support for this PHCC program since 2016 at their Broomfield, Colorado and Nashua, New Hampshire Seminar Center locations. “Viega was delighted to

host PHCC’s project management class, providing space for industry thought leaders to share their knowledge with contractors from across the country,” said Michele Passaretti, Manager, As-

sociations & Events for Viega. “We pride ourselves on our commitment to training and education.”

For more information, visit https:// phccfoundation.org/essentials.

Leading the class of twenty-three attendees through highly interactive discussions was Purdue University Professor Emeritus Kirk Alter. The attendees examined several examples of what happens when everyday construction disruptions cause delays or extra costs.

Planning remains the best way to head off these disruptions. “For every dollar you spend in pre-construction planning, you will recover an additional four to six dollars in productivity,” explained Alter. Proper planning helps to ensure that crews arrive on the jobsite on day one with all the tools, materials and information they need.

‘A PM’s job is to ask good questions.’

“During the Covid supply chain disruptions, some companies took the opportunity to hike their materials pricing for contractors far beyond what their inputs costs would merit. Watch for the same with tariffs—you will be getting notices about price increases from your suppliers,” warned Alter. “Your job as a project manager and leader in your company is to know how to find the real input costs and negotiate on those price increases to protect your company.”

Asking Good Questions The class also discussed artificial intelligence and its impact on energy demands for the country. “A project manager’s job is to ask good questions and manage with numbers,” said Alter.

“If you know that we are not going to have enough energy available to run all the data centers required for A.I., what should you be doing right now?

Find those opportunities to build what is going to be in demand so that you and your company are in good shape, regardless of whatever disruptions we may see to the economy.”

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➤ www.contractormag.com 2504CO_SupplyHouse.indd 1

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MAY 2025 • 35 3/12/25 10:54 AM

4/17/2025 9:25:01 AM

Industry News

Contractors, Advocates Rally on Beacon Hill for Annual Plumbing Industry Day ➤ Continued from page 3 Officials (IAPMO), Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of Massachusetts; several Massachusetts regional plumbing & plumbing inspector associations; and other industry advocates met with lawmakers at the State House to discuss several pieces of pending and potential legislation, including: • A bill to increase the safe and efficient reuse of greywater—wastewater from sinks, showers and laundry that can be treated and repurposed to conserve water • Removing lead from water sources at schools • Removing “forever chemicals”—PFAS—from contaminating drinking water, soil and consumer products • Requiring licenses for drain cleaners • A balanced energy policy that includes a diverse mix of sources to ensure reliability, affordability, and stable workforce while gradually reducing dependence on natural gas • Using Artificial Intelligence and technological advances to support, rather than replace, workers “Greywater is the future of water preservation,” said Jim Vaughan, Business Manager for Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12. “Every building should have a greywater system. Residential, new builds, every house should have a graywater system... Think of the relief on the aqueducts, the wells, the public water supply if water was collected and just used for flushing toilets

Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association

Attendees at the Massachusetts State Capitol.

Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association and irrigation.” “It was a great day and an honor to be joined

by Governor Healey as well as many other elected officials and policymakers to discuss the issues most important to our industry, including water conservation, water safety, a responsible energy transition and strict licensing standards,” added Andrew DeAngelo, Executive Director of the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association. “Responsible energy policy and robust economic strategy help build our communities and ensure that good businesses that support working families thrive across eastern Massachusetts.” Several lawmakers, as well as the gov- Hugh Kelleher, former president of the Greater Boston PCA, shakes hands with MA ernor, stopped by to meet with Gov. Maura Healey. the plumbing groups, while plumbers, inspectors, contractors and other industry The industry generates more than $335 million in professionals went door-to-door to advocate for a vari- annual tax revenue for the Commonwealth, while the ety of issues with lawmakers. The plumbing industry, service and construction side of the industry includes including manufacturing, wholesale and retail, has a more than 11,000 Journeyworker licensees, 6,000 Mascombined direct economic impact in Massachusetts ter licensees, 5,000 Apprentices, 450 Inspectors, 1200 exceeding $759 million and supports over 4,600 jobs. Corporations, as well as independent businesses.

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➤ www.contractormag.com 4/7/20 12:33 PM

4/21/2025 10:23:27 AM

Industry News

$100K in Scholarships Awarded at MCAA25 ➤ Continued from page 6 EVAPCO, Inc. Engineering Scholarships Yulien Liz of Fairleigh Dickinson University and Jennifer Tartaglia from the University of Maryland, College Park each received a $5,000 scholarship. EVAPCO, Inc. designed this new scholarship to recognize students whose goal is to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering, or a field of study relevant to mechanical contracting / equipment manufacturing that supports the mechanical industry.

FERGUSON – Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarships Olivia Kiefer from Iowa State University and Sophia Bernard from the University of Maryland, College Park each received a $5,000 scholarship, sponsored by Ferguson, to recognize high-achieving female students working towards a degree relative to the mechanical industry. The two students will also be invited to attend the WiMI Conference in Kansas City.

Geiling Family Scholarship This new $5,000 scholarship was presented to Drew Figura from the University of Nebraska. This scholarship supports students pursuing careers in the plumbing and mechanical trades, helping to develop the next generation of industry leaders.

Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Kyla Magee from the University of Nebraska received a $5,000 scholarship check in memory of the founder of our foundation, Foster McCarl, Jr. Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship Brady Thompson from the University of Nebraska received a scholarship check for $5,000 in honor of Wayne, Emmett and Patrick Reilly. The John W. Danforth Company is the sponsor of the scholarship.

Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship Kavan Limbasiya of Pittsburg State University received a $5,000 check for a scholarship that was developed to recognize a student who is not only interested in mechanical contracting, but specifically someone with an interest in being a mechanical estimator. Trimble is the sponsor of the scholarship and has donated complimentary use of its Estimation MEP software for student chapter teams for the past few years.

Viega – Scholarship Parker Jenkins of Pittsburg State University was the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega. Viega has graciously sponsored student chapter activities at the MCAA Convention for many years. The Viega scholarship is now in its third year.

Student Chapter of the Year, Pittsburg State. Pictured: Andrew Palcan (Career Development Committee Chair), Shannon Nicklaus (Faculty Advisor), Pittsburg State Students, Stacy Zerr (MCA of Kansas City), Kathleen Livingston (MCA of Kansas City), Rick Gopffarth (MCAA President).

Thomas J. Wanner Scholarship Aidan Wolownik of Pittsburg State University received a $5,000 scholarship check in honor of former MCA/MSCA of Cleveland Executive Director, Thomas J. Wanner. This scholarship is in its fourth year and is sponsored by MCA/MSCA of Cleveland.

Educator of the Year Shannon Nicklaus, faculty advisor for Pittsburg State University, was recognized as the 2024-2025 Educator of the Year. He was selected for this honor based on his mentoring, mechanical industry knowledge, chapter activity participation, and involvement in the creation of student-focused networking opportunities with local mechanical contractors through their MCAA Affiliate, MCA of Kansas City.

In addition to a trophy, he received a $5,000 award.

learning resources to the student participants.

California State University, Chico was the runner-up, placing second, and received a trophy and check for $5,000.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Pittsburg State University rounded out the final four. Each of these Honorable Mention finalists received a trophy and $2,500. Six additional teams that just missed the final four were recognized with Merit Trophies and checks for $1,000: • Fairleigh Dickinson University • Indiana State University • Kansas State University • Kent State University • University of Manitoba • University of Wisconsin–Stout Most Valuable Presenter The Career Development Committee recognized the student who did the best job presenting their proposal, whether or not their team won. Parker Jenkins of Pittsburg State University was awarded a trophy, a $500 gift card, a complimentary seat in MCAA’s Preparatory Institute for Project Management (Pre-IPM).

Student Chapter Charters Two new student chapters were chartered during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast. Arizona State University, sponsored by Arizona MCA, faculty advisor Timothy Becker, and The University of Manitoba, sponsored by the Mechanical Contractors Association of Manitoba, faculty advisor Meghan Guyot.

Student Chapter of the Year Pittsburg State University was selected as the 2024-2025 Student Chapter of the Year. Their faculty advisor is Shannon Nicklaus and Affiliate Association is the MCA of Kansas City. The Career Development Committee chose the winner based on educational opportunities, fundraising, community service, recruitment, and mechanical contracting interest. Pittsburg State University received a trophy and a $10,000 award.

MCAA Student Chapter Competition McMaster University won the top prize of $10,000 and a trophy for their outstanding work on this year’s Student Chapter Competition project, which involved submitting a proposal as the prime mechanical contractor for the MCAA Medical Research Project in New York City.

New this year, MCAA thanked the DEWALT Industrial Tool Company for sponsoring the prize for the Student Chapter Competition. The association also expressed its gratitude to Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation for supplying the project and to project partners Procore, Trimble and Ferguson for supplying

MAY 2025 • 37

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Trucks and Truck Accessories

editor’s choice NEXT-GENERATION SHELVING FOR COMMERCIAL VANS AND PICKUP TRUCKS from Adrian Steel is designed to minimize

cargo dead space and provide better durability and safety. The versatile, flexible shelving units are configurable for a variety of pickup truck and van types and mixand-match customization: four end panel heights, nine shelf lengths, four shelf depths,12 drawer unit options and six bin options.

Shelving includes lengths up to 144 in. Constructed from high-strength lowalloy steel, shelves hold an average of 50 lb./ft. Includes improved accessories such as drawer units, door kits, and bins for all shelf sizes.

Adrian Steel WWW.ADRIANSTEEL.COM

▲ THE HDI AIR PAK SERIES from Miller Electric consists of two hydraulically driven, all-in-one units engineered for the work truck industry: models 265 and 325. They eliminate the need for a standalone rotary-screw compressor and enginedriven welder. Maximizing truck space and increasing payload capacity, the units save up to 400 lb. and reduce the equipment footprint by up to 54% compared to using an engine-driven welder and a separate compressor.

Additionally, each model is integrated into the truck chassis. Technicians are prepared for any welding job they encounter in the field with 265 or 325 amps of output at 100% duty cycle and top-rate weld quality.

Miller Electric Mfg. WWW.MILLERWELDS.COM

▲ THE BOXCAR 55 SERIES WORK

TRUCK BEDS features a curb-side reinforced crane box rated at 55,000 ft·lb, making it ideal for handling newer 8500# cranes. Its powdercoated finish, baked with a zinc-rich primer, offers road protection and preserves your investment in all climate conditions.

Service Truck Depot SERVICETRUCKDEPOT.COM

▲ DIAMOND TREAD ALUMINUM

CONTRACTOR SERIES TOOLBOXES

are now available in 60", 72", 88" and 96" lengths, with gloss black, matte black and unpainted finishes. Built for durability, they maximize storage with a two-tier design. Users can securely store tools while keeping the truck bed open for larger cargo.

Buyers Products Co. WWW.BUYERSPRODUCTS.COM

40 • MAY 2025

2505C0_40-41_Products.indd 40

▲ SWITCH-N-GO

Aspen Equipment WWW.ASPENEQUIPMENT.COM

▲ TRUCK BED DRAWER SYSTEM

THE TRUCK BED DRAWER SYSTEM

from Decked includes weatherproof, ultra-rugged, full-bed-length drawers, allowing users to securely store all tools and gear without worry. Plus, the top deck can handle up to a 2,000-lb. load (1,000-lb. load for midsize trucks).

▲ HEAVY-DUTY TOOLBOX

SYSTEMS from Stellar are available

BODY is equipped with LED lights for low-maintenance service, including clearance, marker, stop, tail, turn and reverse lights. Stainless-steel locks and paddle handles include a pry-resistant, automotive-style design with doublebitted keys.

in steel and aluminum with drawer slides rated to 500 lb. A wide range of configurations is available, including T and bale-style pull handle options. The dual-action design of the bale-style pull handles makes it easy to open latches from above or below, plus they conceal the latch mechanism for heavy-duty protection and an attractive appearance. Allmetal drawer slides are rated to hold up to the demands of heavy-duty use and will support heavy tools and equipment. All drawer components are made of galvanized steel to prevent rust and provide a virtually indestructible surface.

Reading Truck WWW.READINGTRUCK.COM

Stellar STELLARINDUSTRIES.COM

▲ THE CLASSIC II STEEL SERVICE

CTech Mfg. CTECHMANUFACTURING.COM

Decked WWW.DECKED.COM

INTERCHANGEABLE WORK TRUCK BODIES give customers flexibility

in their work truck investment. The truck bodies can be staged on jobsites, allowing companies to switch their truck configurations to meet current application needs.

TRUCK TOOL DRAWERS from CTech Mfg. are designed for some of the industry's most popular truck bodies. The aluminum tool drawers feature exclusive MotionLatch technology, keeping tools safe and secure on the road. Want to design your own custom tool drawers? Try the new online tool drawer builder on the product builder page.

▲ THE ERGORACK LADDER RACK from Safe Fleet is designed to reduce muscle stress, eliminate risk of injury and speed up the job of loading and unloading ladders. It features a patented hydraulic cylinder for smooth and controlled operation and lightweight yet durable aluminum construction. Reduces slips and falls, eliminates muscle or back strain from improper loading, and eliminates the need for reaching or standing on tiptoes to stow or unload.

Safe Fleet WWW.SAFEFLEET.NET

➤ www.contractormag.com

4/18/2025 3:24:29 PM

New Products

editor’s choice

THE 80-GAL. LIGHT-DUTY COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC WATER HEATER features screw-in dual-

THE RG2300 COMBO ROLL GROOVING TOOL from Victaulic

delivers grooving capabilities from 1 in. to 12 in., making it ideal for field fabrication needs as its lightweight design means it can be easily moved.

Engineered for adaptability, it offers manual operation with an adjustable ratchet for in-place or overhead grooving. It also seamlessly integrates with RIDGID 300 pattern power drives for increased productivity. Its interchangeable roll sets ensure crisp, accurate groove dimensions while allowing for quick transitions between pipe sizes and materials.

Victaulic WWW.VICTAULIC.COM

THE SUPERNOVA 4000 CHAIN CUTTER from KEG features reinforced chains to efficiently handle deposits and incrustations of all kinds in pipe and sewers, such as lime, concrete and extensive root growth. It is suitable for pipe diameters from 6"; extension kits allow adjustment to pipe diameters of up to 47".

Equipped with additional spray bars, the tool is perfect for all-around pipe washing.

KEG Technologies WWW.KEG-PIPE.COM

▲ WEBSTONE E-X-P TANKLESS

WATER HEATER KITS now have fully integrated F1960 and F1807 PEX, press union and G-Thread for use with a wide selection of G-Series union ends. The included service valve kits are available with an optional pressure relief valve.

▲ THE M18 FUEL STEEL PIPE CUTTER AND CUTTING BLADE

are optimized for residential service plumbing and mechanical contractors. For installed pipe, the ½" to 1" pipe cutter’s linear blade actuation ensures precise, square cuts; an integrated positive stop further mitigates the risk of overcuts in tight spaces. For new pipe, the foldable cut fence allows easy, one-handed perpendicular alignment.

ATIK KITCHEN FAUCETS have a bold, contemporary design with twotone finish options with a flexible, soft-touch pull-down spout. Features include a flexible soft-touch hose, energy-saving coldstart technology, 360-degree swivel spout, pull-down spout with two spray modes, quiet and replaceable 0.98-in. ceramic cartridge, 39.37" flexible metal connection hoses, and a precision aerator.

Wasserwerk WASSERWERK-US.COM

THE FORUM ALCOVE BATHTUB

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Sterling STERLING.KOHLER.COM

Speakman WWW.SPEAKMAN.COM

▲ THE BRUT COLLECTION

PULL-OUT SPRAY FAUCET has an ergonomic design that features a concealed switch, allowing users to toggle from the default aerated flow to a stronger spray function and back again with ease. Since the vertical joystick handle moves right to turn on the water and forward to adjust the temperature, it can be mounted close to the backsplash, making it versatile for tighter spaces.

Sonoma Forge WWW.SONOMAFORGE.COM

➤ www.contractormag.com

2505C0_40-41_Products.indd 41

▲ ULTRASONIC FLOW METERS feature unique Reynolds number characterization, which minimizes sensitivity to fluid-property changes, ensuring consistent performance across various refined and crude products. The reduced pressure loss associated with ultrasonic flow meters can lower pumping costs. A highspeed PLC for signal processing have improved performance in low-volume applications.

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THE TS1250 TELESCOPING LADDER extends smoothly, one

DUO COLLECTION MIXED-METAL FIXTURES from Speakman include

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NIBCO WWW.NIBCO.COM

a range of products, from tub spouts and faucets to towel bars and robe hooks. It comes in finishes that include chrome, matte black, brushed nickel and brushed bronze.

Designers then can choose a sleeve in a contrasting finish for a modern look that is both inexpensive and easy to change out.

heating elements manufactured with Incoloy and have low wattage density, a turbulence-inducing dip tube that reduces sediment build-up inside the tank, a heavy gauge steel tank and a magnesium anode rod that will prolong tank life. It also features a DuraGlas-lined tank, with factory-installed heat traps that reduce standby loss.

rung at a time, up to 12 ½', and features speed-controlled lowering to prevent finger injuries, ensuring both safety and ease of use. It features a patented, reinforced rung-to-rail design for excellent durability and stable ascension. Easily extends to the desired height with a simple locking system featuring visual lock indicators for enhanced safety.

Werner WWW.WERNERCO.COM

MAY 2025 • 41

4/18/2025 3:05:04 PM

Editorial

by Steve Spaulding EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Tariff Whiplash

T

ariffs have been all over the news the past few weeks because of moves by the Trump Administration to impose a series of tariffs on almost all the US’s key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and China.

The administration is of the opinion that the US has been treated unfairly by those trading partners for decades, to the point where they are calling the current situation an economic emergency (which is convenient, since the authority by which the administration is enacting these tariffs is only supposed to be used in an emergency).

Long-term, the hope is that tariff policy will bolster domestic production, and along the way return good-paying manufacturing jobs to the United States. Other justifications include fighting in inflow of illicit drugs and raising revenues to allow for lower taxes.

It’s a complex subject, not just from a policy standpoint, but from the knock-on effects on the international supply chain and every business connected to it. You can read our coverage, as well as reactions from around the industry in our cover story.

What has made the issue even more difficult to report on is that the news changes from day-to-day. A slew of tariffs were announced on April 2nd, only to be suspended for 90 days on April 9th.

Tariffs on China have gone from 10% to 25% to 125% to 145%. Then there are shifting carve-outs and exceptions for lumber, electronics, and (depend-

the cost along to its customers in the form of higher prices. This makes foreign-made goods more expensive, giving a competitive advantage to domestically produced goods.

Which sounds fine—except the United States just doesn’t produce everything it uses. For years Republican administrations (and plenty of Democratic ones) champi-

If there’s anything more difficult than understanding tariff policy, it’s trying to report on tariff policy. ing on its use) steel and aluminum. I had to re-write the intro for that cover story mentioned above three times before publishing!

Just to make things perfectly clear (because there is still some confusion out there): a tariff is a tax or duty paid by the importer. It makes imported goods more expensive, and the importer either takes the loss or (more likely) passes

oned Free Trade policies that allowed US manufacturers to shop the world for the cheapest prices on materials, not to mention the cheapest prices for labor. That decline in US-based manufacturing all started when it became cheaper to have goods manufactured by foreign workers and then shipped back here. I don’t see the effects of those decades of policy being undone in a single administration.

Meanwhile, businesses are adjusting to the new reality. In our Forum on pg.

16 you can read how Viega is in tight conversations with its supply base as the company plans its path forward. And in our Book of Giants feature that begins on pg. 18 you can read how Rasmussen Mechanical is diversifying its work offering, and helping its customers weather the coming price hikes through service and maintenance programs.

But while everyone does their best to carry on, everyone is also playing wait-and-see. Back in my December editorial—only five short months ago—I talked about how, now the election cycle was over, markets and the businesses that served those markets had the clarity they needed about the future to make their business plans and commit their budgets.

Now, everyone is holding their breath.

Maybe this is all about gaining leverage to strike some kind of deal, and maybe that final deal will be a good one for everybody. But right now, the only people getting rich are the ones selling antacids and stress balls.

ADVERTISER INDEX Advertiser

Website

Page

AB&I Foundry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.abifoundry.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Anaco-Husky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.anaco-husky.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 ECR International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.dunkirk.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC General Pipe Cleaners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.drainbrain.com/xpodplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC,10 Liberty Pumps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . libertypumps.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Little Giant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.littlegiant.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Old World Industries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.owi.com/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Progressive Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . progressivecommercial.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rinnai America Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.rinnai.us/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Shortridge Instruments, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.shortridge.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,37 supplyhouse.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . https://www.supplyhouse.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 The Best Postcards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . thebestpostcards.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Polybag Tyler Pipe, McWane Plumbing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tylertough.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 United Rentals Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . unitedrentals.com/power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Watts Water Technologies, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.watts.com/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Woodford Mfg. Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.woodfordmfg.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

42 • MAY 2025

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