Industry News

Efforts focused on water conservation and safe access, innovative product development, and diverse hiring

Kohler Co. released its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report with key metrics of the company’s Believing in Better philosophy outlining ambitions and progress across environmental sustainability; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); and social impact initiatives.

“Over the past year, we made substantial progress advancing Kohler’s environmental sustainability, DEI, and social impact strategies. We established targets for relevant Scope 3 emissions, conducted a climate risk assessment, and continued to innovate new products that conserve water and materials,” says David Kohler, Chair and CEO, Kohler Co. “We increased investment in Kohler WasteLAB to advance the company’s circularity strategy and acquired businesses like Heila Technologies and Curtis Instruments to strengthen our clean energy offerings.”

In 2022, Kohler intensified the operationalization of its environmental practices around energy, water, and waste; continued to advance its diversity hiring; engaged more associates to give back to their communities; and expanded programs and partnerships that positively impact lives through arts, education, health, and wellbeing support. Highlights from the 2022 report include:

• GHG, water, and waste intensity reductions: Achieved 16% reduction in GHG emissions, 10 percent reduction for water, and 23 percent reduction in waste, respectively
• Global operational energy use intensity reduction: Saw a 41% reduction since 2008, an increase from 30 percent in 2021
• Water savings and products: Contributed 88 billion gallons of water saved in 2022, and over 560 billion gallons saved since 2007, with Kohler WaterSense-labeled products
• Diverse hiring: Exceeded 2022 goal for diverse hiring with 53 percent of new hires, permanent and exempt, in the US representing diverse backgrounds
• Associate engagement: Hosted over 300 associate-led global community engagement activities, up from 80 in 2021, and increased the number of Business Resource Groups (BRGs) available to associates to 10 – including Bold Ability (creating a disability friendly workplace) and ARK (Asian Resources of Kohler)
• Lives impacted: Positively impacted over 1 million lives in 2022 and more than 17.1 million since 1990 through Kohler Safe Water for All, educational, and arts and industries programs

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made to bring more innovative, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable solutions to more people, in addition to providing safe water and sanitation for communities that lack equitable access,” says Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainability and DEI Officer. “Our passionate associates and leadership are integrating our Believing in Better philosophy into business strategies and operations which generates ideas and actions for improvement across the organization.”

In 2022, Kohler also expanded its efforts to promote energy resiliency and resource conservation, as well as innovations in renewable and clean energy solutions.

• Kohler Kitchen and Bath continued to lead in U.S. EPA WaterSense-labeled offering by certifying 85 new products across toilets, bathroom faucets and showerheads.
• Continued expansion of global EPD and Declare label product transparency offerings.
• The company’s in house innovation incubator for products with a social purpose, Innovation for Good, launched a porcelain pour flush toilet (Kohler Rinse) for communities without access to piped water and electricity.
• Kohler’s subsidiary, Mira, launched HeatCapture™ which is a double wall stainless steel heat exchanger to help specifiers and new build developers in the UK comply with new reduced emissions regulations.
• Meanwhile, Kohler’s Clarke Energy was part of a consortium that won the 2022 Water Breakthrough Challenge sponsored by Ofwat to support the demonstration of an innovative carbon capture and conversion system at the Severn Trent wastewater treatment site in England.
• Additionally, Kohler partnered with Polar explorer Robert Swan on his excursion through Antarctica to the Geographic South Pole where he relied only on renewable energy sources. Kohler equipped him with a customized KOHLER generator that utilized a KOHLER diesel engine fueled by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The off-grid sustainable system provided the energy needed to operate Swan’s base camp and provide battery charge to his mobile equipment.

To read more on Kohler’s progress and impact, you can access the 2022 ESG Report here: https://www.kohlercompany.com/social-impact/believing-in-better/

The Brooklyn home service company offers homeowners advice to cut utility bills and keep their home safe while they are away

Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, a family-owned home service company serving Brooklyn and Manhattan since 1906, says that homeowners can save some money and keep their energy costs down while they’re on vacation by following a few easy tips this summer.

Brooklyn’s Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning offers homeowners advice to cut their utility bills while they are away on summer vacation.

“We remember the big things like hiring someone to watch the pets and getting a neighbor to take in the mail while we’re away on vacation,” said Michael Petri, owner of Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning. “But we should also follow a regimen that will help us save some money and energy while we’re off taking a much-needed break. Just because your house is empty doesn’t mean your appliances aren’t running up your utility bill.”

Petri said these tips will help homeowners escape a big utility bill while on vacation:

1. Adjust the thermostat. Unless the pets are staying home with a sitter, there is no reason to run the air conditioner to cool the home as often as when it’s inhabited. A programmable or smart thermostat can be adjusted to a vacation setting. These thermostats can also be used to bring the temperature back down on the day the homeowners are set to arrive so they can return to a cool house.
2. Turn down the water heater. Some water heaters come with a “vacation mode” setting that allows homeowners to turn down the water heater while they are away. This can save money on heating water while the family is away.
3. Close the blinds. Keeping the sun from shining into the home and warming it up can help keep the HVAC unit from turning on more frequently.
4. Unplug electronic devices. Taking the time to unplug “energy vampires” like computers, televisions and coffee pots can help homeowners save on energy bills. Many appliances continue to use energy even when they are turned off so unplugging them while the family is on vacation also helps eliminate possible fire hazards.
5. Turn off the lights. Make sure all the lights in the home are turned off before leaving for vacation. An even better option is to set up a few lights on a timer so some come on at night. This works as a deterrent to burglars but still saves homeowners money by not running lights during daylight hours.

“We all need a chance to get away from the routine of our regular lives,” Petri said. “And, while we’re away, we don’t need our appliances to continue the same routine as though we were home. Following these tips can help you save a bit of money while you’re gone and can even work to safeguard your home from fires or burglars.”

For more information about Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, visit https://www.petriplumbing.com/.

Through December, the company will give away a Carhartt® Thermal-Lined Duck Active Jacket to each weekly winner

Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces the Bradford White For the Pro® Photo Contest, offering weekly opportunities through 2023 for contractors to earn a Carhartt® Thermal-Lined Duck Active Jacket.

“We’re proud of the work that our For the Pro® customers do, and this contest is a fun way for us to showcase their skills and demonstrate our commitment to professional installation of our products,” said Neal Heyman, director of marketing for Bradford White.

To enter, contractors can simply submit a photo of a recent Bradford White installation at https://www.bradfordwhite.com/photo-contest/. Contractors are encouraged to include themselves and their teams in the photos.

Pat Hansell of West Chester, Pennsylvania, is the first weekly winner of the Bradford White For the Pro® Photo Contest.

A new winner will be selected every week through December and shared on social media. Pat Hansell from West Chester, Pennsylvania, is the first weekly winner.

Bradford White’s unique For the Pro® platform provides powerful digital tools that help contractors do their jobs and grow their businesses. Features of the platform include:

• Find a Pro contractor directory
• For the Pro sales material
• RightSpec® tools
• Technical and promotional videos
• For the Pro® Training Academy

For more information about Bradford White Water Heaters, visit https://www.bradfordwhite.com.

Interplay Learning, the leading provider of online skilled trades training, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Southern Home Services Corporation, a leading residential home services provider specializing in HVAC, plumbing, electrical,  and generator service, replacement, and maintenance. This important collaboration names Interplay Learning the exclusive content engine for technical training and the designated LMS provider across Southern Home Services’ growing network of 25+ locations.

Recognizing the crucial need for a standardized technical training and development system across its expanding portfolio of companies, Southern Home Services Corporation aligned with Interplay Learning to deliver a unified and scalable training solution to their 750+ technicians. By leveraging Interplay’s cutting-edge digital learning platform, technicians at every business location will have seamless access to industry-leading training tools and resources, including immersive 3D simulations and virtual reality experiences.

Interplay’s diverse content catalog will ensure that technicians across various skill levels and trades can enhance their knowledge, acquire new skills, and earn essential career-building industry certifications like EPA 608. Further, the platform’s built-in skills assessment tool will play a vital role in identifying and addressing technicians’ skills gaps, providing targeted learning paths to bridge those gaps. The state-of-the-art training program will also assist Southern Home Services in improving recruitment, addressing labor shortages, reducing callbacks, and driving revenue growth throughout its extensive network.

Matt Ellenberg, Training Manager at Southern Home Services, emphasized the importance of Interplay’s training and development on company growth, stating, “Training equals next month’s, next quarter’s, and next year’s revenue dollars. This partnership with Interplay is an investment in our technicians’ career development and a driver of future revenue.”

Chief Operating Officer Drew Poskon adds, “This training partnership is a testament to our commitment to providing best-in-class training that directly translates to best-in-class home service experiences for our customers.”

The relationship between Southern Home Services Corporation and Interplay Learning marks a significant milestone in advancing technical education delivery throughout the trades. By leveraging leading technology and comprehensive training resources, both organizations are poised to shape the industry, ensuring continued growth and success for Southern Home Services and its dedicated workforce.

“Interplay is thrilled to work with Southern Home Services in setting a new benchmark for technical education across the trades,” said Doug Donovan, CEO of Interplay Learning. “We are honored to work alongside them to drive acquisition success and provide their expanding workforce with a centralized system of career-building tools necessary for sustainable growth.”