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PMI Looks Forward To Its 30th Anniversary

For Immediate Release

July 22, 2005

Contact: Barbara C. Higgens, Executive Director (847) 884-9764

Schaumburg, IL – On November 26, 1975, a relatively unknown organization- the Plumbing Brass Institute- changed its name to the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI), expanded its scope to include more than brass fittings manufacturers and effectively changed the course of manufacturer representation in the plumbing industry for decades to come. Now representing manufacturers from virtually every plumbing product line and having increased its role in the legislative, regulatory, and codes and standards arenas, PMI is celebrating the gains it has made for is members and the plumbing industry as it celebrates 30 years as the Voice of the Plumbing Industry.

For its 30th anniversary, PMI has adopted a new Mission Statement (the text can be read at the end of this press release) reflecting the Institute’s expanded scope. A lot has changed in 30 years including the restructuring of PMI in 1998 around the Five Focus Issues; Water Conservation, Leachates, Fair Trade, Universal Conformity Assessment and Trade Show Consolidation, and revamping of by-laws to accommodate global members. PMI’s Executive Director, Barbara Higgens, who joined the institute in 1998, has striven to lead PMI into the new millennium by guiding the institute’s focus on the top issues at hand. She hired the Institute’s first full time staff, secured office space and set a new direction for PMI, positioning it as a “one-stop” information resource for members. PMI’s series of new forums covers topics ranging from codes and standards, to such non-traditional PMI topics as supply chain management and cutting edge IT initiatives. The forums are offered at no charge to members. Ms. Higgens and the PMI Board of Directors also initiated the Dues Abatement program which allows new members to pay ½ of the standard dues for their introductory period. (Call PMI for details.). Upon the emergence of the ‘new’ PMI, the logo was revised and incorporates PMI’s now “signature” colors burgundy and black along with the registered symbol. Since 1998, the PMI website has been revamped twice to improve functionality and usability as the material posted there has grown. A third redesign is currently in the planning stages.

PMI has changed just as the industry has changed. Consumers no longer see the bathroom merely as a necessary room in the house; instead it has become a focal point of relaxation and rejuvenation. And as trade has opened up a window of opportunity for sales around the world, PMI has proven its worth as the Voice of the Industry with the following PMI "Wins":

  • Added Information Technology as a Focus Issue (2000)
  • Added Globalization as an issue to monitor
  • Increased its assets from $42,000 in 1975 to a whopping $800,000 in 2005
  • Sealed a time capsule to open when PMI reaches its 50th anniversary in 2025
  • Harmonization of Plumbing Codes and product safety requirements
  • Elimination of duplicative product approval requirements and programs
  • Successful opposition to proposals that adversely affect plumbing products, including the Knollenberg bill, which attempted to repeal the water conserving EPACT ’92 as well as the recently proposed Jeffords bill regarding lead in plumbing products.
  • Editorial resource for trade, consumer and related trade association publications
  • Brought together related trade association groups on projects where there is mutual interest on technical issues (daily shower cleaner issue; flapper standard)
  • Prevented federal funding of product performance ranking research
  • Successfully promoted issue-specific strategic alliances with non-members
  • Successfully represented PMI members’ unique interests and added value in the broad, general "Metal Processing & Machinery" coalition.
  • Energized PMI membership around support of Trade Promotion Authority and West Coast work stoppage
  • Served as an advocate for fair trade practices through active ITAC/9 involvement and through an MOU signed with Department of Commerce.
  • Introduced PMI provisions into current energy bill to authorize federal funding of energy efficient plumbing products for federal housing.
  • Provided input to facilitate ISH NA format change to bi-annual
  • Served as an advocate for trade show consolidation across industry and international lines
  • Generated high profile PR coverage of trade show consolidation advocacy in view of new shows
  • Spearhead industry studies, reports and workshops
  • PMI’s Technical Director is Chairman of the ASME A112 Main Committee
  • Voting member of CSA Strategic Steering Committee (CSA B125, B45)
  • Voting member ASSE Product Standards Committee
  • NFPA 501 (Manufactured Housing Code)
  • ANSI Z124 (plastic fixtures)
  • PMI’s close ties with state and local plumbing boards help to eliminate conformity assessment and technical barriers
  • PMI’s "award-winning" and nationally recognized model plumbing product approval program has been integrated into the IPC, UPC, and various states (IL, FL, OR, WI).
  • Harmonization of accessibility requirements in ADAAG and ICC A117.1

All without a dues increase since 1997.

And with a nod to being a value added resource to its members, PMI is hosting two forums this summer -the Dynamics of Change and Emerging Technologies Forum August 9-11 in Schaumburg IL and a Codes and Standards Forum August 17-18 in Schaumburg IL. Contact the PMI office at (847) 884-9764 for more information.

Join us for these forums and the PMI Fall Meeting October 16-19, 2005 at the Capital Hilton in Washington DC to see PMI in action!

PMI Mission Statement

  • To Promote the water efficiency, health, safety and quality 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 the members' interests in the regulatory/legislative processes.
  • To enhance the plumbing industry's growth and expansion.

The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute is the voluntary, not-for-profit national trade association of manufacturers of plumbing products serving as the Voice of the Plumbing Industry. Member companies of PMI produce a substantial quantity of the nation’s plumbing products. For more information on PMI or its semi-annual meetings, contact the Institute at 1340 Remington Road, Suite A, Schaumburg, Ill., 60173; or via phone (847) 884-9PMI (9764), facsimile (847) 884-9775, or website www.pmihome.org.

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NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE PMI LOGO CAN BE PROVIDED VIA E-MAIL, UPON REQUEST. Please contact PMI for more information.