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A plumber’s guide to residential floor drain selection and installation

Eight important factors to consider when selecting and installing a residential floor drain.




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Upgrading old school restrooms

As part of the American Rescue Plan, educational funding can provide over $274 billion in support for schools — the largest investment ever in the history of primary and secondary education.




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Exploring the impact of multigenerational living on bathroom design

Multiple generations living together under one roof, has challenged traditional ideas about space utilization and functionality.




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The home improvement market is rising

Luxury bathrooms and kitchens have evolved, and the home improvement market is booming with IT-connected products. People want to control their heating, kitchen appliances, and plumbing products through apps.





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Kitchen & Bath Industry Show returns to Las Vegas

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.




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Franchises offer expansion opportunities for plumbing contractors

A thriving plumbing business relies on a collaborative team spanning various functions. Facing challenges like labor shortages and limited resources, many contractors struggle to expand into new markets. Adding a franchise can accelerate growth, minimize risk, and unlock fresh opportunities by leveraging established systems and resources.




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Above-floor plumbing simplifies garage conversion to an in-law suite

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.




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How innovation and sustainability are redefining plumbing solutions for tomorrow’s homes

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.




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Chicago Faucet Co. names new Milwaukee Training Center after former president and CEO

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




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Kohler’s Arizona manufacturing facility receives award from U.S. Department of Energy for decarbonization project

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.




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Metsä Board’s Ultralight Pizza Box Concept Wins 2024 WorldStar Award

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




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SupplyOne Expands Beyond U.S. with Acquisition of Crownhill Packaging

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




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Steady Growth for North American Folding Carton Market Predicted Through 2027

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




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How On-Demand Boxes Can Address E-Commerce and Sustainable Packaging Challenges

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




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Advancements in Paperboard and Corrugated Packaging

Paperboard, corrugated and carton solutions have been a key area of focus for manufacturers due to their dependability and ease of use. This focus has resulted in key innovations regarding environmental responsibility and design investments.




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Ranpak’s Cut’it!™ EVO Multi-Lid allows four unique branded lids on a single machine

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.




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FDA: Some PFAS Used for Food Packaging No Longer Being Sold in United States

In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration obtained commitments from manufacturers to cease sales for food contact use of grease-proofing substances that contain certain types of PFAS.




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Metsä Board Decides Against Investing in the Kaskinen Folding Boxboard Mill

Metsä Board will write down the costs of the pre-engineering, in total approximately EUR 8 million, treated as an investment, as an item affecting comparability in the January-March 2024 operating result.




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Box Manufacturer Crushes Cardboard’s Carbon Footprint with Reusable Containers

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




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DS Smith Expands Corrugated Facility in France

The investment has allowed the company to expand the size of the production space in La Chevrolière by 4,000 square meters (43,000 square feet) and has been made in response to an increasing demand for sustainable corrugated cardboard by existing and potential DS Smith customers in the region.




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TAPPI and AICC Now Accepting Entries for Box Manufacturing Olympics

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




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Cascades Debuts Fresh GUARD EnVision™ for Complete Egg Packaging Solution

Both attractive and sturdy, this eco-designed packaging offers robust protection while opening impactful visual possibilities. Its sleeve openings and high-quality printing area break the mold of the traditional format.




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Meyers Acquires Johnson Printing and Packaging Corporation via Asset Acquisition

Strategic move underscores Meyers’ commitment to expanding its footprint in the folding cartons sector.




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Morrisons Best Bacon Increases Shelf Appeal with Help of New Packaging

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. 




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Express Boxes Unveils Innovative "Build Your Own Box" Tool

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.




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Mondi Acquires Schumacher Packaging to Expand Corrugated Footprint

The Acquisition will expand Mondi’s corrugated footprint in Western Europe and add complementary fiber-based products, focused on eCommerce and FMCG, to enhance its existing customer offering.




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Mondi Secures €95 Million Investment for Świecie Containerboard Mill

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.




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Al Levi: Busting the multitasking myth

It’s déjà vu all over again” is a famous quote by the late, great Yogi Berra. I’ve lived this scenario, and I’m betting you have, too. I’m talking about callbacks — the woe of the contracting industry.




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Al Levi: Nepotism: Keeping it all in the family

When I was the last of the three brothers to enter the family business, my dad said to me, “I owe you an opportunity, not a guarantee.”




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Al Levi: Getting employees to ‘released’

What does getting employees to “released” mean?




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Al Levi: Doing good, ending badly

I’m lucky enough to work with a lot of good-hearted contractors. What I know is contractors in general, despite the skewed view of the media to the contrary, want to do the right thing for their customers and their community.




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Al Levi: Delivering poop sandwiches

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.




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Al Levi: No such thing as accidental company culture

I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some great contractors over the years. I shared what I had learned along the way at my own company, and I brought those insights and systems to their companies to help them grow and succeed.




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Al Levi: Sharpening the axe before you need it company culture

It was still hot and sweaty in the midday sun just a couple of days after Labor Day in New York, and at first glance, you’d think we were out in the yard in the dead of winter.




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Al Levi: Behavior in the new social media world company culture

The old adage goes, “Do something good for someone and they’ll tell 10 people. Do something bad to someone and they’ll tell 100 people.”




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Al Levi: 10 things to think about company culture

One of the nice things about my job is I’m usually busy. I like when I look up at the end of the day and see that the day has flown by. 




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Al Levi: Mastering the master project list

Why is it that your staff isn’t quite as excited as you are when you discuss a new project, a new process, new policy or a habit you want to change?




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Al Levi: The secret bonus of documenting how you do business

There are only two types of companies I’ve ever worked with in my 18 years of being a consultant to the contracting industry.




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Al Levi: It was working when I left!

It was working when I left!” 




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Al Levi: Hire willing people, provide skills or pay the price

“Hire willing people and provide them the skills — as opposed to hiring spoiled, experienced people with skills and behavior problems.” 




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AL Levi: Fix things at your company

What is finally going to fix things at your company? 




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AL Levi: What if I train them and they leave?

One of the most common things I see when I begin my work with a new contracting client is the resistance to train employees. 




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Al Levi: How are you judging your staff’s performance?

With every new consulting client, I begin our work by asking the following: “How are you judging your staff’s performance?”




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Al Levi: Do what’s in the book

The conversation typically goes like this: The owner tells me, “Al, I don’t know if I can get buy-in here for the operating manuals.”




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Al Levi: Distance learning works

I’ll admit it. I was skeptical that distance learning could be a worthwhile experience for service contractors. 




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Al Levi: The goal writing is on the wall

By the time you read this, most people’s New Year’s resolutions or goals will be a distant memory, and they’ll be back to doing the same things they said they weren’t going to do. 




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Al Levi: Marketing needs great testimonials

When we see a testimonial, we know someone else has already tested the waters for us. Especially in today’s crowded marketplace, you need something that sets your contracting company apart.




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Bradford White to purchase Keltech line of tankless electric water heaters

The Keltech acquisition will also begin a new partnership between Bradford White and Bradley.




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PHVAC experts look ahead in 2021

The dawning of a new year has PHVAC industry experts cautiously optimistic about new opportunities that lie ahead in 2021. 




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Uponor wins Minnesota Manufacturing Sustainability Award

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal recently announced Uponor North America is the 2020 Manufacturing Sustainability Award honoree recognizing the commitment to conserving water, reducing waste, improving energy efficiency and empowering labor.