Industry News

Niagara^®, the leader in high-performance, water-saving toilets, announced partnerships with several new rep agencies that will further expand company growth and sales across the U.S.

“We are excited to welcome several new Rep agencies to the Niagara family,” said Trey Cutler, newly appointed vice president of sales at Niagara. “Niagara’s continued success and commitment to providing high performance, water-saving products will certainly be enhanced through these strategic Rep agency partnerships in addition to providing our clients the exceptional service and quality they’ve come to expect from Niagara.”

Niagara’s Pro product lineup helps Rep agencies serve the needs of their plumbing professionals by offering advanced technology and high performance for those who are looking for a wide variety of water-efficient products, with flush rates of 0.8, 1.0, 1.1 and 1.28 GPF. Rep agencies also have access to Niagara’s online portal that provides detailed information specifically for Rep agencies and wholesalers. Niagara continues to expand its sales organization to include regional sales managers and business development managers who are working with industry Rep agencies.

“Niagara’s technology represents a long-term solution to long-term issues, like the global water crisis. In fact, Niagara’s Stealth Technology can help us lead the water conservation efforts in our territory,” said Shaun Payne, principal at W.W. Sales Co. “When you get a chance to represent a company that embodies transformative technology, quality, industry leading conservation and value, you do it. Niagara falls directly in line with our portfolio of manufacturers and we are proud to be representing the Niagara line.”

Niagara’s Rep agencies have hundreds of years of combined experience in plumbing solutions and working with architects, contractors, engineers, trade mechanical workers, residential builders and professional plumbers. Following is the full list of Rep agencies working with Niagara. New agencies are highlighted (bold):

• Access Marketing Group
• BDA (Battersby, Danielson, Azbell)
• Chumley & Associates
• Elmco + Associates
• Davenport Associates
• Dellon Sales
• Distributor Sales Inc.
• Donahue – Wesco Group
• Grant & Associates
• King Sales NW
• Mainline Sales Inc.
• Mountain West Marketing
• Performance Sales & Marketing Group
• Pinnacle Sales Reps
• Priest-Zimmerman, Inc.
• PSI OKC (Plumbing Sales, Inc)
• RepSouth
• Richmond Marketing Inc (RMI)
• SSA (Specified Sales Associates)
• W.R. Bristow
• W.W. Sales Co. 

About Niagara

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Flower Mound, TX, Niagara is leading the water revolution by saving the world’s water through everyday ingenuity without sacrificing performance. Recognized with several national EPA WaterSense Excellence and other industry awards for its Stealth Technology and superiority in reducing water waste, Niagara was one of the first toilet manufacturers to re-engineer the flush for a high-power, low-maintenance, no-waste toilet with Stealth Technology that saves customers money by reducing water while maintaining high performance. Niagara supports the U.S. and international markets. For more information, visit niagaracorp.com or call 888-733-0197.

Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC trade, was recognized for excellence in product design in the 2024 Dealer Design Awards Program, sponsored by The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News magazine.

Malco’s sheet metal Hole Cutters with Impact Rated Cutter Bits (HC1/HC2) won the Bronze award in the Hand Tools category, selected by an independent panel of contractors.

Malco’s distinctive Gold Impact Cutter Bits quickly install into the chuck of any corded or cordless drill in just a few seconds, and unlike anything else on the market, feature a hex insert for ultimate flexibility for use on either an impact driver or a drill. When used with an impact driver, trade professionals can expect faster-than-average cutting times, which means they can get the job done faster and more efficiently than ever before.

“We are proud to bring home another Dealer Design Award that speaks to the innovative products Malco brings to HVAC pros,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing at Malco Tools. “We specifically designed these ‘Gold Standard’ Hole Cutter Bits to be the longest-lasting, fastest-cutting, and easiest-adjusting solution for cutting holes in sheet metal to make jobs easier and more efficient for pros.”

The ACHR News is the leading trade magazine in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries. Winning entries in the Dealer Design Awards were featured in the July 29, 2024, issue of The ACHR News, which is distributed nationally to over 27,000 HVACR contractors, wholesalers and distributors, and other industry professionals.

“These awards give us a unique opportunity to recognize the outstanding research and development efforts that go into many of the products serving the HVACR industry and the awards issue gives our readers an opportunity to read about innovative installation and service solutions,” said Sarah Harding, publisher of The ACHR News.

For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com. To learn more about Malco’s Hole Cutters, visit www.malcotools.com/product/gold-standard-malco-hole-cutters.

Helping Home Service Busineses Master Their Metrics

Successware is continuing its popular eBook series, releasing a fourth version in its online library called “Mastering Metrics: KPIs for HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Contractors.” The field service management software company for home service businesses launched three eBook resources last fall at Successware.com to provide valuable insights and actionable steps that help owners manage and grow their company while getting the most out of their business software.

“Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) isn’t just about numbers; it’s about gaining a superpower to navigate the challenges of your industry and build a thriving business,” said Paul Carmody, President of Successware. “The landscape is always changing for today’s business owners, and Successware is committed to helping them understand and leverage the insights our software provides into the health and future growth potential of their company.”

The new “Mastering Metrics” eBook takes a deep dive into four categories of KPIs that are essential for HVAC, plumbing and electrical businesses to monitor for sustainable growth: Business/Financial KPIs, Technician KPIs, Customer Service KPIs and Sales Team KPIs. The eBook explores these foundational metrics, dives into what should be measured and explains the benefits of measuring them, from proactively identifying issues for customers to planning strategically for growth.

Successware’s eBook library also includes Benefits of Running Your Business in the Cloud, Increase Top-Line Revenue by Digitizing Your Business and How to Choose the Right Field Service Management Software. Helpful articles on these topics and more are posted on the company’s blog as well.

Even as concern around white-collar jobs grows due to AI and economic uncertainties, Jobber’s report reveals hesitancy among Gen Zs to pursue trades careers

Jobber, the leading provider of home service software, today released The Annual Blue-Collar Report: Gen Z and the Trades Need Each Other. The report, based on survey responses from 1,000 students in the U.S. aged 18-20, provides insight into how Gen Z navigates education and career choices, as well as offers solutions on how to inspire and encourage younger generations to consider taking advantage of all that blue-collar careers have to offer.

According to The Annual Blue-Collar Report, 76% of Gen Zs agree there is a stigma associated with going to vocational school over a traditional four-year university. This reality threatens our homes, economy, and the livelihoods of younger generations.

“If you own a home, you have a problem,” warns Sam Pillar, CEO and co-founder of Jobber. “While there is some renewed interest among the younger generation to pursue blue-collar careers, there’s still far too much work homeowners need done, and not enough workers to do it. We need to do a better job showing Gen Z how incredible the opportunities in the trades are, and encouraging them to consider that path.”

The U.S. housing stock is aging rapidly, with the median age of homes reaching 40 years. This is a critical problem as the U.S. is experiencing a labor shortage across most industries as labor force participation declines and the workforce ages and retires. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment demands in trade industries are often greater than or pacing the 3% average of all occupations, representing not just a gap, but a growing chasm.

Key findings from the report provide deeper insights into why Gen Z is not pursuing blue-collar careers and how society can encourage younger generations to consider them. Despite the growing stigma and misconceptions that Gen Z has, The Annual Blue-Collar Report clearly shows that they actually do want blue-collar careers, and just don’t know it yet.

The “American Dream” needs a blue-collar rebrand

Gen Z has been taught to measure success through a white-collar lens, but AI, the economy, and layoffs are changing their minds. Their concerns around white-collar careers are clear.

• One-third (33%) of Gen Z say that white-collar desk jobs are less stable today than they were for their parents’ generation.
• 41% of Gen Z agree that the potential for AI to replace jobs has made it harder to achieve the “American Dream” and 46% believe there will be fewer future job opportunities as a result.
• 70% of Gen Z say they are not optimistic about the future of the economy.
• When asked what would make a trade career more appealing, Gen Z described what blue-collar professions already offer, including flexible work hours (73%), job stability (61%), and overtime pay (58%).

Gen Z’s biggest career influences are letting them down

Parents have blue-collar blindness, schools deserve a failing grade for blue-collar education, and Hollywood is doing hard work dirty.

• Family (51%) was identified as the biggest influence on Gen Z and the careers they chose to pursue by a significant margin.
• 61% of Gen Z say their parents haven’t spoken to them about vocational school or told them not to consider it.
• Just 17% of Gen Z say they have been educated on the benefits of vocational training following high school graduation. This was significantly lower than bachelor’s degree, community college, military service, and entrepreneurship.
• More than a third (35%) of Gen Z say television shows and movies have influenced the careers they want to explore and 47% describe trade professionals as being generally portrayed negatively (incompetent, unhealthy, and/or unhappy) in shows and movies.

We simply need more women in the trades

While many workforces have evolved to accommodate the modern gender distribution of labor, the trades have yet to establish this balance.

• Nearly half (48%) of Gen Z agree that women are discouraged from pursuing trade careers from a young age.
• 58% of Gen Z say that women face more discrimination within trade careers—compared to other career options—with the majority of women (68%) believing this compared to men (47%).

In addition to survey data and insights, The Annual Blue-Collar Report offers testimonials from people like 27-year-old commercial and residential electrician, Lexis Czumak-Abreu, who attests to the benefits of blue-collar work: “I studied pre-med in school, intending to become a surgeon but decided to become an electrician instead. Many people in my family are electricians, including my dad. The salary is great, the hours are stable, and the work is very gratifying!”

Finally, The Annual Blue-Collar Report highlights 10 specific calls to action for the general public, blue-collar professionals, policymakers and educators, and the media to help connect the dots between Gen Z’s fears and desires and the blue-collar opportunity in front of them, as well as eliminate the existing harmful stereotypes.

To access The Annual Blue-Collar Report Powered by Jobber, visit jobber.com/blue-collar.