Let’s Think Holistically to Save Water Across Entire Value Chain

Plumbing Manufacturers International members have earned the respect of policymakers and peer organizations because we produce environmentally responsible products while meeting standards of high performance. At a time when the nation and world are faced with water scarcity, our ability to achieve this water-efficient balance helps drive consumer satisfaction.

Water shortages around the world will come with increased expectations for us and other stakeholders along the water value chain to decrease water use. However, as we face this challenge, we must approach it holistically by focusing policymakers’ attention along the entire water value chain, both upstream and downstream from where our products are located within residential, commercial and public buildings.

Stakeholders up and down the water value chain all have their own needs and agenda, as well as ways they can improve. Upstream, for example, water resources can be better retained by improving older, leaky infrastructure and by more effectively harvesting rainwater. Downstream, increased reuse of properly treated wastewater can be prioritized for agricultural, irrigation and industrial applications. Meanwhile, in addition to advocating for legacy product replacement, PMI members also can advocate for rightsizing and installing piping systems “behind the wall” for improved water efficiency.

By engaging policymakers and peer stakeholders in this holistic thinking, we can ignite greater collaboration to develop water-saving solutions across the entire water value chain rather than only within our respective silos. These synergies will multiply the benefits of the advocacy efforts we all make.

In this report, you can read many examples of what PMI members are already doing to create positive impacts along the water value chain. You will find that our industry, as you might expect, is continuing its tradition of innovation and evolving to meet new challenges.

Also, as you might expect, PMI is blazing a path into this high-stakes environment. Our Rethink Water initiative is the umbrella under which our advocacy is growing. Already, we are making progress advocating for legacy product replacement in California and we plan to extend this work into other areas where our industry can add value.

All PMI members have a part to play in advocating for holistic water management. Like Hans Brinker, who saved the Netherlands by holding his finger in the dike, PMI members are saving water at the point of use. We will continue to do our part along the “last mile” of the water chain. But to achieve significant water savings, there must be contributions along the entire water value chain. Together, we can share solutions to preserve this vital resource for the benefit of all.

Sal Gattone
2023 President, PMI Board of Directors
LIXIL

Martin Knieps
PMI Immediate Past President
Viega

Each year’s Plumbing Manufacturers International Annual Report provides the opportunity to renew an ongoing conversation among our membership about how the plumbing manufacturing industry will respond to environmental, societal and governmental trends we face at this moment in time.

Over the past year, PMI’s participation in various legislative and regulatory forums gave us opportunities to highlight our members’ innovative work in developing most of the 37,000+ WaterSense models now in the marketplace. We have promoted the high performance and other outstanding features of these products, which save significant amounts of water but have not been installed in all American homes. For example, 26.1 million toilets now used in California alone do not meet WaterSense standards.

In addition to emphasizing the water-efficiency of our members’ products, we advocated against tariffs levied upon our members, and supported new federal legislation designed to stop the flow of counterfeit products entering the U.S. marketplace through online venues. We also tracked new legislation and regulations pertaining to environmental issues including single-use plastics, water shortages, water quality, and more.

As the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, we will be asked to do more to help mitigate them. Because we have been excellent stewards of managing water at the point of use, we must increasingly turn the attention of policymakers to upstream and downstream causes of water shortages – and to join in the response to the harmful effects of climate change. This report includes examples of how to do that.

Where can we make the greatest impact?

But, as we and others take steps to reduce our carbon footprint, where can we as plumbing manufacturers make the greatest impact?

The PMI Board of Directors gave a great deal of consideration to this question over the past year. After much discussion, the board decided to focus on how PMI and its members could contribute to sustainable water management, as climate change and other factors cause water shortages.

This proactive scenario envisions industry leaders spearheading a comprehensive and collaborative approach to water sustainability, in cooperation with government and various other stakeholders. This public-private partnership drives a large-scale operation to achieve sustainable water management, spurring innovation and bringing a huge influx of jobs and manufacturing capabilities back to the U.S.

PMI plans to take important first steps toward achieving this scenario through our Rethink Water initiative. Now, you may be asking, “But how? How can PMI take on such a monumental task? How can PMI achieve this audacious vision?”

The answer is that’s for all of us together to figure out. We must continue to talk about it and take this journey together. Through our conversations, solutions will be found, as we use our combined knowledge, expertise and influence to raise awareness and make change.

One thing is for sure – industries ignoring the threat of climate change will not succeed. The future will belong to the brave – to those of us who see opportunity in doing the right thing for our planet and for future generations.

Sincerely,

Kerry Stackpole
CEO and Executive Director
Plumbing Manufacturers International

Water falls from the sky and lands upstream from our dwellings on land, sea, lakes and inland waterways. From there, water flows downstream through sewer systems to water treatment plants, and then through water mains and service lines into our homes, businesses and community gathering places for drinking, cooking and washing.

Our water resources are dwindling

Our water supply is gradually dwindling as the world’s population increases and economies develop around the globe. These changes have produced higher amounts of carbon, or greenhouse gases, causing global temperatures to warm and drought to become more commonplace. In only two years’ time – by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could be living under water-stressed conditions, the World Health Organization predicts.

Upstream, only about 3% of the world’s water is fresh, and only about one-third of fresh water is accessible, with the rest frozen in polar ice caps or glaciers. Of the remaining water available for drinking, cooking and washing, some is lost due to evaporation, insufficient water harvesting, or leaks in water infrastructure.

These upstream conditions cause challenges downstream for plumbing manufacturers, which make the end-point devices used to provide reliable access to safe, clean water. The difficulties of creating more available water upstream and downstream – through methods including desalination, rainwater catchment, air-to-water technologies, water infrastructure repair and replacement, water reuse, and more – have focused attention on using less water at the point of use, where innovative, water-efficient products created by plumbing manufacturers have made and continue to make enormous contributions toward retaining water supplies.

Plumbing manufacturers have made significant contributions to saving water over the past 15-plus years by becoming partners in the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program. Plumbing Manufacturers International members have developed most of the 37,000+ WaterSense-certified toilets, showerheads, bathroom faucets, and urinals available in the marketplace. To be WaterSense-certified, products must be at least 20% more water efficient than products meeting the federal water-efficiency standard.

While continuing to produce and promote water-efficient products, plumbing manufacturers also understand that lowering WaterSense standards further comes with risks including customer dissatisfaction, insufficient drainline carry, and the potential growth of waterborne pathogens due to stagnant water.

PMI believes now is the time to place a greater emphasis on the installation of WaterSense products. For example, in 2016, California mandated that all toilets marketed in the state meet the WaterSense standard of 1.28 gallons per flush. Yet, now in 2023, only 23% of the toilets installed across the state meet that standard, despite the use of purchase incentives such as rebates throughout the state, according to the PMI-commissioned California Market Penetration of Water-Efficient Plumbing Products Study by GMP Research.

Legacy product replacement can quickly save significant amounts of water

PMI is urging California to develop a robust program to replace the 26.1 million older, inefficient toilets in the state with models meeting WaterSense standards. A program of this nature can save up to 326 billion gallons of water over 30 years. By accelerating the replacement of these toilets, California can save 65.3 billion gallons over five years and 95.7 billion gallons over 10 years. Representatives from PMI members Delta Faucet Co., Kohler Co., IAPMO, TOTO USA and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions joined PMI staff at the 2023 PMI California Legislative Forum and Fly-In. The contingent met with the California Energy Commission and various state senators and assembly members to discuss legacy product replacement and other issues relating to water efficiency.

Launched at PMI’s 68th Annual Meeting of the Membership in November 2022, PMI’s Rethink Water initiative is designed to develop momentum behind ideas such as the replacement of legacy toilets by gaining support from individuals, organizations and policymakers with a shared vision of sustainably managed water. The goal of Rethink Water is to assure reliable access to safe, clean water for future generations through the enactment of systemic solutions and accelerated innovation.

Creating water-efficient products for kitchen and bath

Delta Faucet Co. is one of many PMI members that produce and market water-efficient kitchen and bath products without sacrificing performance. Delta’s VoiceIQ hands-free faucet saves water by filling a container to a precise measurement by voice command. PMI member Neoperl specializes in the manufacturing of aerators and flow regulators that save water and energy. At watersaving.com, Neoperl shares tips on how to conserve water and prevent shortages.

Monitoring for water waste

The Evolution wireless building management system from PMI member Symmons Industries can be installed without cutting pipes or running electrical wiring, saving on costs and inconvenience. Evolution monitors a building’s water systems 24/7 and collects minute-by-minute water usage data on its app and dashboard. These data show otherwise unseen usage, such as wasted water during off-hours or intermittent flow that may point to faulty equipment. PMI member Moen’s Smart Water Network is a smart home water security system that monitors a home’s water system for leaks and vulnerabilities. The Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff is the heart of this network. It simply installs on a home’s main water supply line and connects to the Moen Smart Water App to provide homeowners with a preventive approach to leak detection and protection against costly water damage.

Manufacturing with water and energy conservation in mind

PMI member Reliance Worldwide Corporation manufactures thermostatic mixing valves that regulate water flow and temperatures to provide a safe, energy-efficient and stable temperature in hot water systems. Closed-loop processes enable the company to measure water usage across its global manufacturing sites and find ways to reduce water use. Underfloor radiant heating systems using RWC products offer an efficient alternative to forced air or radiator heating, resulting in lower energy costs.

Protecting clean drinking water by preventing backflow

PMI member Zurn Elkay Water Solutions’ Wilkins backflow preventers protect clean drinking water by preventing the reverse flow of unclean or contaminated water into the potable water system. The backflow preventers also optimize water conservation and predictive maintenance by monitoring flow performance and providing data on water consumption, relief valve discharge, pressure and flow trends. PMI member IAPMO and the United Association released the fourth edition of the IAPMO Backflow Prevention Reference Manual, which contains information needed to understand risks to potable water systems and how to mitigate these risks through proper backflow prevention.

To solve seemingly insurmountable problems relating to water and sanitation, we must take small steps. The first of these steps is simply talking about the problem. These discussions lead to actions, first on a small scale, then on a larger stage as the evolution toward better water and sanitation solutions progresses.

Creating standards for a resilient future

For the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, PMI member International Code Council convened a conference to discuss America’s water policy. During “ICC Water: Standards for a Resilient Future,” speakers and panelists representing the White House, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the plumbing and allied industries, and other organizations discussed how to improve water policies, advance clean water, ensure public safety, and increase sustainability and community resilience. The Code Council also joined the WateReuse Association’s delegation to Israel to support furthering sustainability, security and resilience of the United States’ water resources through sharing knowledge and information on policies, practices and technologies.

Improving quality of life through better sanitation and hand hygiene

PMI member Kohler Co.’s Safe Water for All initiative impacted more than 300,000 people last year and nearly 2 million lives since 2014. Kohler partners with humanitarian organizations such as World Vision and World Mission to develop and fund customized solutions that meet the needs of each community where projects are located. The initiative has built water-filtration kiosks and bathrooms, providing villages in China and India with access to safe water and sanitation. In addition, Kohler partnered with Dig Deep, a U.S. human rights nonprofit organization, to launch the Water Is Life program, which awards grants to local entrepreneurs to establish or expand businesses that sustain water and wastewater systems in the Navajo Nation, where one in three homes do not have a tap or toilet.

Over the past year, PMI member IAPMO’s non-profit arm, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation, completed the construction of a new plumbing training facility at the Navajo Technical University in Kirtland, New Mexico. Working in partnership with Dig Deep, IWSH also developed a plumbing certification program that will enable the Navajo Nation to have a skilled workforce that can support future water and sanitation services in their communities.

SATO, from PMI member LIXIL, is an award-winning social business that designs innovative and affordable sanitation and hygiene solutions. Designed to meet the wants and needs of customers in rural and peri-rural areas, SATO develops durable and easy-to-maintain products that reduce the spread of infectious diseases and save water. While SATO toilets on average use 80% less water than conventional toilets, the SATO Tap – a mobile, contactless solution – allows hand washing with as little as 100 ml of water, which is 90% less water than used by a traditional tap.

Available in Africa and Asia, SATO offers a complete product range, including trap systems that minimize odors and the contact of insects with human waste, a toilet stool for enhanced comfort and safety, and a slab that allows for the rapid construction of toilets. To date, SATO products have positively impacted 35 million lives across 44 countries. With LIXIL, SATO aims to improve 100 million lives through sanitation and hygiene by 2025.

PMI member Bradley Corporation continually promotes the importance of handwashing by publishing results from its annual Healthy Handwashing Survey. Recent results explored gender differences in handwashing habits and whether or not parents believe their children wash up when told to do so. The good news? 93% of adults believe handwashing is essential to maintaining their overall health – a sentiment that’s nearly universal across gender, geography and age.

PMI member Sloan launched a “Sinks Beyond the Restroom” concept to explore how to better integrate handwashing into the design of commercial and public spaces such as office buildings, public transportation stations, retail and hospitality spaces, sports stadiums, and schools. The concept extends handwashing outside of restrooms into other places inside or outside buildings where hygiene is essential.

Too often taken for granted, plumbing manufacturers have carried forward a long tradition of developing water-efficient, safe and durable products. The latest toilets, showerheads, faucets and other fixtures and fittings have built upon this history to achieve even greater water savings, convenience and environmental responsibility while delivering the safe and clean refreshment so essential to health.

Winning recognition from WaterSense

As they do every year, PMI members were recognized again by industry awards programs. Kohler Co. and Sloan won 2022 WaterSense awards. Kohler won for sustained excellence and Sloan for excellence in promoting WaterSense products in the marketplace.

Winning its eighth Sustained Excellence Award, Kohler was singled out for educating architects, designers, builders and the general public about water conservation through a variety of virtual and in-person outreach initiatives. Sloan’s wide selection of WaterSense-labeled flushometers, toilets, urinals, showerheads and faucets was recognized by WaterSense. Of 45,000+ distinct Sloan SKUs, more than 80% have earned the WaterSense label.

Showing their best at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show

Three PMI members won top awards at the 2023 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. BOCCHI won a KBIS Best of Show and Best of Kitchen Product Gold for its Baveno Hide-Away Kitchen Sink System. Kohler Co. won KBIS Bath Silver for the Abstra Collection by Kohler WasteLAB. The collection is a series of bespoke brushed matte tiles for residential and commercial installations, made from nearly 100% recycled pottery waste clay and glaze. Moen’s Smart Wireless Soil Sensors with the Smart Sprinkler Controller won KBIS Connected Gold. This system monitors soil moisture and adjusts watering to make lawn watering efficient and automatic. In addition, PMI members Delta Faucet Co., Duravit, House of Rohl, Pfister Faucets and TOTO USA were Best of KBIS finalists.

Achieving recognition for many different accomplishments

PMI members celebrated awards, milestones and future plans. BOCCHI’s Baveno Hide-Away Kitchen Sink System also won NKBA’s Design Bites wildcard and the 2022 Product of the Year in the Kitchen Fixture category by the Decorative Plumbing + Hardware Association. Bradley Corporation donated hand sanitizer dispensers and supplies to workers assisting in relief efforts after Hurricane Ian in Florida. BrassCraft Manufacturing Co. announced a $13 million North Carolina plant expansion that will create nearly 100 new jobs. For Fix-A-Leak Week 2023, Fluidmaster conducted a Facebook campaign about ways to stop or check for water leaks in a home, including replacing worn toilet flappers or older toilets, cleaning or replacing faucet aerators or other components, and reading your water meter when the water is turned off, waiting two hours, and then reading it again before the water is turned back on.

Gerber Plumbing Fixtures celebrated its 90th anniversary with a series of philanthropic and fun events, including contributing to the construction of 28 affordable homes, sponsoring 90 registrations for employees to participate in World Vision’s 6k for Water, and introducing an employee matching gift program. Hansgrohe donated 900,000 euros to help humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Haws was a 2022 winner of an Occupational Health and Safety New Product of the Year Award for its AX16 Axion Advantage lab eye/face wash retrofit kit.

International Code Council’s Code on a Mission Challenge reached the half-way milestone toward its goal of having 61.5 million households covered by the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for residential and commercial buildings. The 2021 IECC provides a nationally aggregated energy cost savings of 10.6% and greenhouse gas emissions savings of 10.2% as compared to the 2018 edition. International Code Council - Evaluation Service expanded its global footprint, establishing an office serving Australia and New Zealand and becoming accredited to certify plumbing and drainage products in accordance with the Oceania region’s WaterMark scheme. ICC-ES also increased engagement within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, gaining approval to be a conformity assessment body in Saudi Arabia and hosting a workshop in Dubai, UAE, about using innovative building materials safely and successfully. These efforts help to provide manufacturers with product evaluation reports accepted by multiple certification authorities, creating a pathway for international expansion.

Kerox Ltd. reached the milestone in 2023 of having more than 445 million of its cartridges sold into the market. These cartridges are engineered and produced from start to finish in a state-of-the-art European facility. With 40 years of experience, Kerox strives to be a partner in providing solutions to growing challenges related to water and energy limitations. Best known for its expertise in materials, toilet trim products and rubber seals for plumbing applications, Lavelle Industries marked its 14th year as a women-owned business enterprise certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Pfister Faucets began season three of its American Plumber Stories docuseries, featuring plumbers across the nation sharing the passion they have for their profession.

Named among Contractor magazine’s 2022 Products of the Year were the Sloan Gravity toilet line and Viega MegaPressG Valves. Sloan was named among the top 10 Chicago family-owned businesses by Better. Sprite Industries’ Biarritz 7-Setting Handheld Filtered Shower Head was recommended in a CNN article about shower filters. The free Sprite app notifies customers when their filter cartridge should be replaced. T&S Brass celebrated its 75th anniversary and launched the lead-free EverSteel line of stainless-steel products. Uponor North America won a Top 10 Manufacturer Award and Top Workplaces USA Award from Energage. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions made Newsweek’s 2023 list of America’s Most Responsible Companies.

Technically proficient with an eye for aesthetic detail, plumbing manufacturers design products that provide comfort and ease of use. They often collaborate with architects and other customers to find perfect solutions for the environment and end users.

Developing products with special needs in mind

PMI member TOTO offers the architectural community insights and education gained from the company’s concentrated research and testing conducted at its Universal Design Research Center for Advanced Science & Technology in Japan. For more than 30 years, TOTO has been developing products based on its Five Principles of Universal Design: minimal physical exertion, simple and intuitive, adaptability, comfort, and safety.

TOTO considers not only the needs of the elderly or people with special physical challenges when creating products, but also the needs of all people of all ages and abilities, including, for example, pregnant women and growing children.

To enable its product designers and engineers to experience the reduced physical movements – or range of motion – of individuals with special needs, TOTO designed a system that adds weights to the joints of product developers’ arms and legs. In this way, they are able to understand the difficulty of rising from a sitting to standing position, lowering themselves from a standing to a sitting position, and getting in and out of enclosures such as tubs and shower stalls, to name but a few of the tests conducted.

PMI member Speakman participated in the Environments for Aging Expo by displaying products complying with American Disabilities Act requirements and meeting the needs of older adults and senior care environments.

Contributing to a greener airport by eliminating the need for plastic bottles

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) decided to partner with PMI member Haws after hearing a growing demand for a greener airport from travelers. RNO wanted to upgrade its dated drinking fountains specifically with bottle fillers. Haws submitted a winning bid for ADA-compliant, hi-low bottle filler units. With modern design and capabilities, Haws checked all the boxes for the RNO project – providing a bottle-counting feature, product reliability, and easy cleaning and maintenance. Named as new product of the year by Environmental Protection, the bottle filler features sensor activation for hands-free operation and intuitive LED electronic displays that track how many plastic water bottles have been saved. The bottle counter feature aligns with RNO’s sustainability efforts. In their sustainability reports, the airport reports how many plastic bottles have been diverted or eliminated from public landfills.

Contributing to futuristic green builds

Architects designing futuristic green buildings in Milan, Italy; Joshua Tree, California; and Manshausen Island, Norway, chose bathroom products manufactured by PMI member Duravit. The Meliá Milano hotel, considered an ecological oasis, features a variety of trees and shrubs throughout its interior. Architect Alvaro Sans chose Duravit faucets, toilets, and urinals for the project because of their aesthetic and innovative features. For example, Duravit ceramics offer the latest in hygiene standards and durability, including antibacterial treatment, HygieneGlaze, which inhibits the growth of bacteria and optimizes bathroom hygiene for a new, comfortable way of well-being.

When bathing in Duravit’s Happy D. tub at the sustainably designed, solar-powered IT House located in the Joshua Tree National Park desert, the door to the inner courtyard stays open so that both water and ventilation ensure proper cooling. No air conditioning is needed despite summer temperatures reaching the 100s, as energy efficiency sits at the core of the IT House concept. And in Manshausen Island, Norway, Duravit washbasins and toilets can be found in cabins at a nature resort inside the Arctic Circle. The cabins’ panoramic windows let visitors experience the presence of nature. The Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun are the actors on the natural stage, and the warm and comfortable living areas are the front-row seats.

The path toward better sustainability runs through virtually every aspect of manufacturing operations. Creating sustainability involves examining how products are made, how materials are preserved and recycled into a circular economy, and how a manufacturing plant generates and uses power. In these ways, PMI members conserve water, reduce water pollution, and much more.

Bringing used products back to life

PMI member Dornbracht’s ReCrafted initiative puts the principles of the circular economy into practice. ReCrafted reconditions used basin fittings, extending their life cycle and preserving valuable raw materials. Precise reconditioning of existing components, integration of new original functional elements, and high-quality refinement of surfaces are all part of the ReCrafted process. The remanufactured product is marked as a Dornbracht ReCrafted original by laser, then ecologically packaged and delivered to the customer.

This holistic approach to sustainability reduces the company’s carbon footprint while ensuring savings in energy, material expenditure and transport routes. Metal scrap is avoided, and a costly disposal process is bypassed. Dornbracht originals are manufactured at a production facility in Iserlohn, Germany. Most of the preliminary products are manufactured within a radius of less than 200 kilometers. The company obtains 80% of its materials from Germany and 98% from Europe.

Taking an important step toward climate neutrality

Exposed to more than 3,453 hours of sunshine per year, PMI member Viega’s plant in Sanand, Ahmedabad, India, runs its power supply for daily production via an innovative solar installation on the plant’s roof. Covering nearly 4,500 square meters and 33% of the flat roof, the solar installation produces about 712,000 kWh of electricity per year - enough to cover 100% of the daily energy requirements for the entire plant over the next two years and achieving a carbon offset of about 600 tons per year. Thanks to its modular design, the plant can be further expanded to supply the growing site with sufficient energy in the future.

Protecting the Baltic Sea from pollutants

An industrial city in southeastern Sweden installed a tailor-made Uponor Vault to collect sediment and contaminants carried by stormwater runoff before it reaches the Baltic Sea. Manufactured by PMI member Uponor Europe, the vault consists of a grid where particles such as leaves and branches are captured. The vault also collects sediment from the stormwater, and in a final step, 12 tailor-made pipe filters clean the water enough to meet environmental quality standards. The valve is particularly effective at capturing the “first flush” of stormwater carrying heavy metals and salt from the top layer of asphalt.

Setting new standards

PMI member UL Solutions announced a collaboration with OceanCycle, a leading social enterprise focused on reducing ocean plastic pollution, on new elevated standards and ethical sourcing criteria for ocean-bound plastics. These strengthened industry standards include critical new social standards; ethical sourcing criteria; third-party, independent validation of all recycled ocean-bound plastics; clear definitions of ocean-bound materials; and standards on where coastal collection should happen.

PMI member NSF announced the NSF Guideline 533 – Ingredients Used in Drinking Water Products – certification program. A listing to NSF Guideline 533 means a manufacturer’s ingredients have been evaluated for health effects and are safe for use in drinking water products.

Reducing waste, recycling and conserving energy

Virtually all of the 200,000 lbs. of brass used annually in the production of PMI member Fisher Manufacturing’s products comes from recycled brass. Using recycled stock eliminates the need to mine virgin copper, zinc and other elements, preserving precious natural resources. Every faucet Fisher manufactures is water-tested with recycled water from recirculating pumps. This process reduces the demand for water and sewer services from the local system and conserves water reserves. To further reduce water consumption, Fisher installs water-saving aerators on each faucet used for hand washing.

PMI delivers value for its members by representing their interests in technical forums, advocating for sound water and public health policies, providing professional education and development, and promoting water efficiency and environmental sustainability. By delivering this value, PMI helps member companies to succeed in providing high-quality products that meet customer needs in a fair and open marketplace.

Staying on the leading edge of professional education and development

The PMI22 Manufacturing Success Conference and 68th Annual Meeting of the Membership in Louisville provided attendees with a comprehensive program of presentations and networking events, all with a focus on professional enrichment. PMI22 was sponsored by PMI members CSA Group, International Code Council and International Code Council – Evaluation Service, LIXIL and IAPMO, as well as by media organizations Contractor, PHCP Pros, Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times. Individuals from PMI members BrassCraft Manufacturing Co., Hansgrohe, Kohler Co., Similor AG, T&S Brass, Water Pik and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions participated in the PMI Aspiring Leaders Program on the first day of PMI22, gaining valuable insights into leadership, teamwork, innovation and creativity.

The PMI CEO Thinking Forum at George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon provided CEOs and senior executives from PMI members Gerber Plumbing Fixtures, IAPMO, International Code Council, Kerox Ltd., Kohler Co., LIXIL, Moen, NSF, T&S Brass and Viega with the opportunity to learn about the leadership strategies of America’s first military leader and president to solve challenges facing our industry.

Webinars on critical industry topics and trends and the on-demand PMI Codes and Standards Course kept members up to speed on the latest developments.

Providing a voice on technical and government policy issues

By participating in several PMI committees and task groups, PMI members have frequent opportunities to voice their opinions and concerns on a range of technical, legislative and regulatory, industry marketing, and trade issues. These discussions often lead to positive changes or amendments to legislation and regulations.

Leading the way for extended producer responsibility

With calls for extended producer responsibility legislation arising in Maine, Oregon and elsewhere, PMI partnered with the leading packaging industry advocates – the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN) – to assure PMI members benefit from “over the horizon” insights about new legislation and compliance schemes on the drawing board.

Protecting customers from counterfeit plumbing products

With counterfeit plumbing products entering the U.S. marketplace through online venues, PMI filed complaints with the Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security’s Custom and Border Protection and with owners of various online marketplaces including Amazon. PMI also supported the recently passed Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act to address the loopholes in online marketplace accountability.

Renewing industry opposition to tariffs on Chinese goods

PMI renewed industry opposition to tariffs on Chinese goods in comments to the U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce. PMI continues to deliver frequent updates on tariff issues that first arose in 2019.

Creating mutually beneficial dialogues through member visits

The PMI team visited members BOCCHI, Dornbracht, Duravit and Hansgrohe, with more visits planned. PMI members are encouraged to reach out to PMI to schedule a visit.

Advocacy/Government Affairs
Co-Chairs: Troy Benavidez, LIXIL, and Paige Riddle, Viega

Industry Marketing
Co-Chairs: Accepting applications

Technical
Co-Chairs: Ned Dickey, Hansgrohe, and C.J. Lagan, LIXIL

2023 PMI Board of Directors

Sal Gattone, LIXIL
President

Chip Way, Lavelle Industries
Vice President

Belinda Wise, Kerox, Ltd.
Secretary-Treasurer

Martin Knieps, Viega
Immediate Past President

Kevin Campbell, Moen
Daniel Gleiberman, Sloan
Lowell Lampen, Kohler Co.
Bob Neff, Delta Faucet Co.

PMI Staff

Kerry Stackpole, FASAE, CAE
CEO/Executive Director

Jodi Stuhrberg
Director of Programs and Administration

Kyle Thompson
Technical Director

Leslie Smith
Education Program Coordinator

Ann Geier
Administrative Assistant

PMI Virtual Washington Legislative Forum | July 25, Online

PMI CEO Thinking Forum | Sept. 18–19, Thayer Leadership at West Point, New York

PMI Inspiring Leaders Program | Oct. 23, Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington

PMI23 Manufacturing Success Conference | Oct. 23–26, Lotte Hotel, Seattle, Washington