On this episode, Omnicom’s Foster talks about private equity’s influence on the PR industry and how his holding company approaches major issues.

Nancy Elder’s role goes well beyond ballgames and boxscores. She talks about all that and more on the latest edition of PRWeek’s podcast.

Health and life sciences pioneer Donna LaVoie joins the podcast to talk about the latest innovations in life sciences communications and much more.

Walker talks about campaigns for Discover Puerto Rico and other organizations, as well as her multifaceted agency role.

One of Notified’s top executives joins the podcast to talk about trends in the space and the top marketing and communications news of the week.

On this week’s show: Trump’s McDonald’s visit, agency earnings and much more.

The founder and CEO of the Acceleration Community of Companies drops by a special Halloween edition of PRWeek’s podcast.

Reid talks about her agency’s work as well as the 2024 presidential election.

I’ve written it before and I’ll write it again — panel radiators are one of my favorite hydronic heat emitters. I base this sentiment on several benefits. Here are a few to consider…

Although I’ve worked with hydronic heating for four decades and designed systems around just about every possible heat source, I would be hard-pressed to predict what might be available as hydronic heat sources 25 years from now. 

Government planners, taking their queues from politicians and advocacy organizations, have steered the future of energy supply away from fossil fuels and toward renewably-sourced electricity. It’s happening on every level from the feds right down to local city councils.

Last month, we discussed the role of buffer tanks in combination with air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps that operate as “on/off” devices. The key concept was to turn the heat pump on and off based on changes in the buffer tank temperatures and not based on thermostats calling for heat.

The basics of relays and switches - part one.

Last month, we covered the basics of classifying switches and relays based on poles and throws. Once you learn these, it’s easy to apply switches and relays to create “hard-wired” control logic - part two.

The overall objective was to create a complete HVAC system, rather than just a heating + cooling system. The system would provide space heating, cooling, domestic hot water, and fresh air ventilation.

Last month, we began discussing the HVAC system installed at my church’s newly-constructed parsonage. In this month’s column, we’ll complete the picture.

There is a growing interest in adding air-to-water heat pumps to existing hydronic heating systems. While I support their use, I do not recommend replacing a perfectly good cast-iron boiler that still has a long service life.

I’ve written many PM columns discussing how air-to-water and geothermal water-to-water heat pumps can be combined with hydronic delivery systems to deliver efficiency AND superior comfort. This combination is a great solution for many consumers.

In rural upstate New York, residents harvest trees for firewood using chainsaws and hydraulic splitters. I burn about two face cords annually in my wood stove, enjoying its warmth during winter and relying on it during power outages caused by outdated utility lines.

Flow direction is crucial in hydronic systems. Most designs have a fixed flow direction, but there are situations where reversals can occur. It's important to address these proactively to ensure smooth operations.

I attended a conference hosted by the Building Performance Association and presented on air-to-water heat pump systems. Many professionals were interested in heat pumps, especially ductless air-to-air systems. One person mentioned the difficulty of finding qualified installers for air-to-water heat pumps and noted the higher cost compared to ductless air-to-air systems.

Air-to-water heat pumps and water-to-water geothermal heat pumps provide warm water for space heating, domestic water heating, and chilled water for cooling. Switching a hydronic heat pump system from space heating to cooling and vice versa seasonally is relatively simple. The system operating mode is changed at the thermostat or a dedicated system mode switch with heat, off, and cool settings.

In 1986, I installed a 1.5-ton geothermal heat pump in my home using two 500-foot horizontal HDPE earth loops. After digging a trench, I connected the loops to the pump and opted for a 2 HP swimming pool pump to fill and flush the system, as a garden hose couldn't provide the needed flow rate.

A little water conservation can go a long way.

And as the second-most visited space in commercial buildings — just behind the lobby — the restroom and its water-saving fixtures can help lead the way when it comes to cutting back consumption.

The consumer mindset around bathing is evolving to view showering as far more than a simple rinse to get clean, but rather as a time to relax, unwind and wash away the day-to-day stresses of life. In fact, consumers are making purchases to support this shift. According to a recent survey commissioned by GROHE, more than 65% of respondents are enhancing their time in the shower with various add-ons, such as soothing aromas, music and gentle rain shower products to elevate their “me time.”

Kohler Co. recently introduced Sprig, a new wellness brand that elevates daily routines into premium self-care rituals. With countless breakthroughs in plumbing and a history of creating award-winning spa destinations, Kohler has used water to create transformative experiences for generations.

The new Market District Apartments in Ohio City will be located near the historic West Side Market, the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market space in Cleveland. Currently, the 13-story development is the largest sustainable, wood-constructed building in the country. Among other facilities, the new 385-unit structure encompasses a first-floor retail space, residential suites on floors two through seven and luxury penthouse suites on the ninth floor, as well as amenity space, including a large rental hall.

RainStick Shower co-founders Alisha McFetridge and Sean McFetridge share a longtime passion for water conservation. In 2019, the two began building the North American Market’s first water circulating shower. Supply House Times Chief Editor Natalie Forster sat down with Alisha McFetridge to dive into RainStick Shower’s backstory and plans for the future.

Watts Water Technologies held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in April to celebrate the grand opening of its latest training center in Fort Worth, Texas. The new 250,000-square-foot facility is customized for training, administration and manufacturing, and joins five other Watts Works Learning Centers across North America.

In the United States, bidet sales have grown steadily at a year-over-year rate of 14% to 15%. According to Stephanie Ewing, director, Wholesale North America for Bemis Manufacturing Co., specifying bidets is “becoming a market need driven by market demand. The pandemic started the trend of increased consumer awareness that a solution other than toilet paper was available, as well as an increased focus on hygiene.”

The decision to build the first CO₂-neutral ceramic production facility in Canada is a significant investment for a sustainable future for the global brand and a vital step for climate neutrality by 2045.

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) returned to Las Vegas in 2023.  Hoping to break records again, KBIS/IBS returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center this year. Explore the latest products, technologies, and trends in kitchen and bath design.

Joseph Cariola, a licensed plumber and operations manager at Feddon Mechanical, converted his garage into an in-law suite with a bedroom and bathroom to accommodate up to three people.

Water scarcity and quality are widespread issues in the US. Embracing sustainability is crucial to the evolution of plumbing, with tried-and-true fixtures and new advances making a healthier, more water-efficient reality possible.

Andreas Nowak dedicated 19 years of service to both Geberit and the Chicago Faucet Co., leaving a lasting impact through his visionary leadership.

Selected as one of 33 projects in the U.S., the funding will be matched by Kohler investment to support the Electric Boiler & Microgrid project at its manufacturing site in Casa Grande, Arizona.

The awarded pizza box uses considerably less material than traditional solutions without compromising rigidity, function or print quality.

Customer segments serviced by Toronto-based Crownhill include public sector agencies, industrial products, consumer goods and e-commerce.

Report says plastic substitution and environmentally friendly packaging trends should provide a tailwind for carton growth over the forecast period.

Right-sized, on-demand packaging solutions empower companies to optimize their processes, reducing waste and minimizing their carbon footprint.

Packaging solution automatically shortens cartons to match their highest point of filling and then glues a lid securely in place, reducing material usage and costs.

Whereas requests for the designation are typically submitted by brand owners, Metsä Board is one of the few material suppliers to get their paperboard grades proactively pre-qualified.

PACT has developed a specially designed, corrugated crate that some customers have been able to use over one hundred times.

Industry-wide competition celebrates greatest achievements and innovations at SuperCorrExpo.

Morrisons wanted to reduce supply chain and material costs and to improve the customer experience, aiding navigation for shoppers in-store and improving on-shelf availability in order to increase sales. 

The Build Your Own Box tool offers an unprecedented level of customization, ensuring that businesses can create packaging that perfectly aligns with their product dimensions and brand aesthetics.

The upgrade comprises an extensive rebuild of paper machines PM2 and PM5, a new anaerobic treatment plant including an integrated cooling system, and upgrades to the pulp mill, the recycled fiber line and the energy recovery system.

Planning ahead helps ensure you get the most out of the events you attend.

For more than 17 years, I’ve been helping contractors learn and practice good habits. It has improved their lives, their employees’ lives and even the lives of the customers they serve.

I got an email from a client the other day that instantly reminded me of how I once delivered “poop sandwiches” to my own employees.