After months of negotiation and intense work on the part of the California legislature, American Supply Association and its coalition partners, AB 100 has been signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom. This is a positive result that provides manufacturers time to get compliant products into the supply chain and provides wholesalers/distributors a reasonable amount of time to reduce inventory. 

The heightened awareness and changing nature of the home was the dominant trend throughout the past year and a half, and the large percentage of consumers still working from home as we head into the end of 2021 — combined with health and wellbeing being top of mind — homeowners recognize that the primary bath can be a refuge from Zoom fatigue, a wellness center and a space where they can spend a few minutes for themselves, devoid of emails, texts, video calls, school assignments and family obligations.

There’s no better way for distributors, manufacturers and reps to strengthen relationships than to gather together and discuss the most hard-hitting topics facing the PHCP-PVF supply chain today. In August, ASA’s Emerging Leaders’ division annual conference, EMERGE, did just that, providing both scheduled and free-time networking opportunities for the under-40 crowd.

The Keenan Award is presented to individuals with a long history of service and dedication to the PHCP-PVF industry. To be considered, individuals must have exhibited strong influence on the current status of the industry, project a positive industry image, be responsible for positively affecting the industry in general, and have provided a history of dedicated service to the American Supply Association.

Over the past 18 months, I have been in the unique position to hear first-hand how the booming remodel market, supply chain disruptions and material costs are affecting plumbing distributors and showrooms while simultaneously being the end-user customer who’s remodeling her kitchen.

The topic of labor, labor shortages and replacing retiring workers isn’t going away anytime soon. Of course, ASA last year launched its PROJECT TALENT careers recruitment initiative aimed at helping our industry replace the 100,000 jobs that will become open because of retirements over the next 10 years.

People do not care how things work. They just want them to work. If a problem arises, customers want it taken care of effectively and immediately. When was the last time you saw an automated chatbox on the internet answer the question: Why is my faucet leaking? 

As the industry’s only national trade association, the American Supply Association is uniquely positioned to be the voice of the industry. With that comes the responsibility to want the ball when it comes to advocating positions that will benefit our members and the industry as a whole. 

Oatey Co. announced the addition of a matte black strainer finish, offered across the company’s collection of shower drains, such as its 130 Series and No Caulk drains.

The GE sensor faucet merges TOTO’s latest technology with respect for the less industrial, more handmade sensibility of traditional Japanese crafts and techniques, the company notes.

The new point-of-use water treatment system from Chicago Faucets adds a secondary defense to assist building water disinfection, the company notes. Chicago Faucets BioArmor, a UV-C point-of-use water treatment system helps reduce the number of dangerous microorganisms such as Legionella in building water systems.