This agreement will foster collaboration to benefit the plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas industries On April 15, 2025, the International Code Council and United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) signed an agreement that underscores both organizations’ unwavering commitment to the hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen Read more
Industry News
This agreement will foster collaboration to benefit the plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas industries
On April 15, 2025, the International Code Council and United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) signed an agreement that underscores both organizations’ unwavering commitment to the hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen of the plumbing, mechanical fuel gas (PMG) industries.
The UA represents approximately 384,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, HVACR service technicians, welders and pipeliners working in the construction industry throughout North America.
This collaboration underscores the Code Council’s commitment to supporting skilled trades and producing more well-rounded PMG-related codes, standards and other industry publications. The Code Council and the UA will continue to work together to help train the next generation of plumbers, pipefitters and mechanical contractors. Under this agreement, both organizations will advocate for improved plumbing infrastructure that supports public health.
“This collaborative effort reflects the Code Council’s deep understanding of the critical role skilled labor plays in shaping safe, sustainable and resilient communities,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer, John Belcik. “It’s a testament to our shared mission—to elevate codes and standards, uphold safety and foster a thriving labor force that reflects the future of our industry.”
“The men and women of the United Association are the best-trained and most highly skilled craftspeople in the world, and we are proud to work each day to protect the health of our nations,” said Mark McManus, General President of the United Association. “Our partnership with the Code Council will ensure that we continue this important work keeping our communities safe and upholding the highest codes and standards. We are thrilled to enter into this agreement and to ensure that the voices of the men and women performing this work is well-represented in the codes and standards that govern our industry.”
Sellars Absorbent Materials, the Milwaukee-based company that was built on cleaning up spills, splashes and drips, is looking for “Messy Moments.” As part of its 40th anniversary, Sellars wants anyone and everyone to submit any mess they’ve caused or encountered – whether it’s at work, home or anywhere else. From April 29 – May 26, visit Read more
Sellars Absorbent Materials, the Milwaukee-based company that was built on cleaning up spills, splashes and drips, is looking for “Messy Moments.” As part of its 40th anniversary, Sellars wants anyone and everyone to submit any mess they’ve caused or encountered – whether it’s at work, home or anywhere else.
From April 29 – May 26, visit Sellars’ Facebook page for a chance to win a $400 prize package. To enter, snap a picture of a problem situation or area, share it as a comment on that week’s “Messy Moments” post and be sure to mention what the mess is.
It could be fluid that’s leaked from a machine, a barrel that was overfilled or the breakroom where someone left portions of their spaghetti lunch splattered about.
Each week, a winner will be drawn and sent a $350 Visa e-card and $50 in Sellars’ products, including the company’s TOOLBOX® Blue Shop Towels, TOOLBOX® White Rags and Bravo paper towels.
“We all know stuff happens. Since it’s our 40th anniversary of providing products that are used to wipe, clean and absorb, we thought it would be fun to share some of the unexpected messes that occur each and every day,” said Michelle Gross, vice president of marketing for Sellars.
From Humble Beginnings to Nationwide Brands
Sellars was founded in 1985 by John Sellars in his garage. John’s first products were designed to replace the ineffective, expensive and messy “kitty litter” options that were regularly applied to absorb leaks, drips and spills on factory floors. In response, he created an absorbent mat and “socks” that could be put on floors and wrapped around machines.
In 1986 with sales ramping up, John’s brother Bill joined Sellars. In 1987, the business moved into its first manufacturing facility in Milwaukee. In subsequent years, two more siblings came on board. Brother Tom filled the position of CEO and sister Kathy (Sellars) Huntsinger headed up human resources.
Today, Sellars has grown to more than 200 employees. The company operates three manufacturing plants and four distribution centers and holds 20 U.S. and 30 international patents. Sellars is known for its proprietary technology that enables it to make high-performing products from recycled materials. In addition, as part of its manufacturing process, the company recycles its own production waste to create some of its absorbents.
Many Ways to Wipe Up Messes
Distributors, facilities, businesses and maintenance and trade professionals are familiar with Sellars’ TOOLBOX® Blue Shop Towels and TOOLBOX® White Rags. The TOOLBOX blue towels are made with 60% recycled fiber and are found in auto shops, manufacturing plants, garages and homes. For DIYers, the white rags are great for painting, staining, wallpapering and many other uses indoors and out. Plus, they’re made from up to 45% recycled fibers.
On the home front, Bravo paper towels are a durable, high-performance product that’s made from 90% curb-side recycled paper and boxes. The towels are extremely absorbent, have superior scrub strength and are strong enough that they can be rinsed and reused several times. Bravo is also free of dyes, fragrances and elemental chlorines so it’s “natural” in color.
Sellars’ wiping products for the commercial markets are sold nationally through janitorial/sanitary, industrial, safety and specialty distributors. Its consumer products are available at retailers nationwide, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Mills Fleet Farm, Blains Farm & Fleet, Tractor Supply, O’Reilly Auto Parts and NAPA.
For more information on Sellars and to see the company’s products, visit Sellars.com.
The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) announces its annual IWSH Scholarship Essay Contest, challenging students to examine how government and private sector collaboration can accelerate access to safe drinking water. This year’s topic asks high school seniors and post-secondary students to consider: “Why should the government and private sector come together to provide Read more
The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) announces its annual IWSH Scholarship Essay Contest, challenging students to examine how government and private sector collaboration can accelerate access to safe drinking water.
This year’s topic asks high school seniors and post-secondary students to consider: “Why should the government and private sector come together to provide improved access to clean drinking water?” The contest typically draws over 200 entries from students worldwide, reflecting IWSH’s global reach.
“Through this essay contest, we’re connecting with young people who understand that clean water changes lives,” said Sean Kearney, IWSH Managing Director. “We want students to think about how partnerships can solve real problems.
With more than 2 billion people globally lacking access to safely managed drinking water and millions in the U.S. without basic plumbing, IWSH brings together skilled plumbers, quality products, and community training to create lasting change.
“These fresh perspectives help us show that modern plumbing is more than just fixing leaks,” said Gaby Davis, Chief Administrative Officer of IAPMO, the parent organization of IWSH. “It’s about building healthier communities and opening career paths that make a difference.”
The contest welcomes entries from high school seniors, students in technical schools, community colleges, trade programs, and undergraduates at four-year institutions. One first-place winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship, and three second-place winners will each receive $1,000. Winners also have their work published in IAPMO’s Official magazine, putting their ideas in front of industry leaders throughout the sector.
The Sandra Imprescia Essay Scholarship Committee reviews the submissions to determine the top four, recommending the winning essays to IWSH’s Board of Trustees. Winners will be announced this Fall.
The entry deadline is April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. For more information or to submit an entry, visit iwsh.org/iwsh-world-plumbing-day-essay-contest.
Fujitsu General America hosted its fourth Technical Service Advisors (TSA) Conference in mid-April in Raleigh, NC. Themed “Back to the Basics,” the event reinforced fundamental skills and aligned Fujitsu’s Service Team with distributor technical support team members to deliver exceptional customer experiences. “Fujitsu doesn’t just provide high-efficiency HVAC systems, we also provide top-notch service and Read more
Fujitsu General America hosted its fourth Technical Service Advisors (TSA) Conference in mid-April in Raleigh, NC. Themed “Back to the Basics,” the event reinforced fundamental skills and aligned Fujitsu’s Service Team with distributor technical support team members to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
“Fujitsu doesn’t just provide high-efficiency HVAC systems, we also provide top-notch service and support to our customers,” said Tomokazu Hosoi, President of Fujitsu General America. “Our commitment to service and support really sets us apart from our competitors. That’s why the TSA Conference is so important to us.”
The three-day event, which was attended by 150 distributors, featured breakout sessions covering commercial and residential training, warranty information, remote system access via AIRSTAGE Cloud, transition to A2L, and more. Each session was designed to strengthen core knowledge and keep pace with the evolving HVAC industry.
“We chose ‘Back to the Basics’ as the theme of the 2025 TSA Conference to emphasize the fundamentals of troubleshooting,” said Ruben Marcucci, Sr. Director of Aftermarket. “This helps solidify the core skills needed by our technical service advisors. Mastering the basics is the key to driving success.”
While networking wasn’t the primary goal of the event, attendees connected with Fujitsu staff and their counterparts across the country. The activities, meals, and classes were designed to promote interaction.
“We hold this conference every other year to strengthen the connection with our most important partnerships – the technical service advisors at the distribution level,” said Dennis Stinson, VP of Sales. “Thank you to those who attended. We’ll do great things.”
For more information, please visit www.FujitsuGeneral.com.
GF Building Flow Solutions Americas, the manufacturer of Uponor branded products, has been named a 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces Culture Excellence winner across three categories: Innovation, Work-Life Flexibility, and Compensation & Benefits. This is the company’s fourth consecutive year on the national Top Workplaces list. The Top Workplaces program has a 17-year history of Read more
GF Building Flow Solutions Americas, the manufacturer of Uponor branded products, has been named a 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces Culture Excellence winner across three categories: Innovation, Work-Life Flexibility, and Compensation & Benefits. This is the company’s fourth consecutive year on the national Top Workplaces list.
The Top Workplaces program has a 17-year history of surveying and celebrating people-first organizations nationally and across 60 regional markets. These awards are based on direct feedback from a research-backed employee engagement survey conducted by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces.
The Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards recognize organizations that excel in specific areas of workplace culture:
Innovation
This award celebrates organizations that have embedded innovation into their culture and create an environment where new ideas come from all employees.
Work-Life Flexibility
This award celebrates the organizations that provide options to their employees in how and where they work, as well as having managers who care for their employees’ concerns.
Compensation & Benefits
This award celebrates the organizations that provide employees not only with material rewards, but also with appreciation for their work.
“Maintaining a people-first culture is the foundation of innovation and long-term success at GF,” says Erica Amévo, vice president of Human Resources at GF Building Flow Solutions Americas. “These awards hold extra meaning as they are a reflection of our people-first mindset and commitment to creating an environment where every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered.”
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” says Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Visit the Careers page to learn more about GF.