PMI CEOs Meet with Lawmakers in Nation’s Capital

Rolling Meadows, IL (April 16, 2014) —CEOs and other executives from PMI’s Member Companies gathered in Washington, D.C. on April 9 and 10, at the Washington Fly-In for the first ever joint meeting with members of the American Supply Association (ASA). On Thursday, April 10, PMI executives participated in over 35 congressional meetings with their lawmakers and staff where they discussed several policy issues including importance of retrofitting outdated plumbing products with high-efficiency products, the need to renew the research and development tax credit and revisions to the regulatory system.

During the Hill visits, members specifically urged Senators to sponsor the WaterSense Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act (S.2226), which would authorize and enhance the voluntary joint public-private program. WaterSense is an EPA-industry partnership effort to set voluntary technical standards for a variety of plumbing products, such as toilets, showerheads, and faucets that are at least 20 percent more efficient than the current federal level. PMI believes that supporting consumer awareness of the benefits of WaterSense products is a win-win for both the environment (saving over 3 billion gallons of water a day) and business. Senate Bill S.2226 was introduced just last week by Senator Udall (D-NM).

In addition to making Hill visits, PMI’s own CEO/Executive Director, Barbara C. Higgens, met with the Vice President of Governmental and Political Affairs for the American Hotel and Lodging Association; the Senior Vice President of Government Relations for the International Code Council (ICC); the Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs for the National Restaurant Association and continued to foster the relationship PMI developed with D.C. Water during its Fall Conference 2013.

The PMI Member Company executives who attended the event include: Delta Faucet President, Richard O’Reagan; Fisher Manufacturing President, Ray Fisher; Fluidmaster President, Todd Talbot; HOLDRITE President, Tim McConnell; InSinkErator President, Tim Ferry; Kohler Co. President, Hugh Ekberg; Lavelle Industries Executive Vice President, Paul Sullivan; Moen Inc. President, David Lingafelter; Symmons CEO, Tim O’Keeffe; Symmons National Sales Manager and current PMI President, Tim Kilbane; TOTO USA President, William Strang and WCM Industries President, Steve Woodford.


 Participants in the joint PMI/ASA CEO-Executive Fly-In gather in 
Washington, D.C. to make Hill visits to promote industry issues.

About PMI:

Plumbing Manufacturers International is the voluntary, not-for-profit international industry association of manufacturers of plumbing products, serving as the Voice of the Plumbing Industry. Member companies produce a substantial quantity of the nation’s plumbing products.

For more information on PMI or its conferences, contact the organization at 1921 Rohlwing Road, Unit G, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008; tel.: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. Visit our website at www.pmihome.org.

PMI Mission Statement:

  • To promote the water efficiency, health, safety, quality and environmental sustainability of plumbing products, while maximizing consumer choice and value in a fair and open marketplace.
  • To provide a forum for the exchange of information and industry education.
  • To represent openly the member’s interests and advocate for sound environmental and public health policies in the regulatory/legislative processes.
  • To enhance the plumbing industry’s growth and expansion.