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PMI - United We Stand - 2002 Fall Meeting

For Immediate Release

December 02, 2002

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

Schaumburg, Ill. — With the backdrop the nation's capitol and the Loews L'Enfant Plaza hotel, the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute held its 2002 Fall Meeting October 5-8 with a flurry of activity, issues and presentations.

Led by PMI President Todd Talbot, 78 members, spouses/companions, guests, press, speakers and staff made this a meeting to remember. The theme, "United We Stand", symbolized not only the tone of our nation post-September 11, but also the tone of the plumbing industry - uniting together to achieve progress and proactive advancement on industry issues. Much was accomplished at this meeting; see below for a listing of action items arising from the specific committee and general meetings.

Saturday, October 5

The business-oriented Loews L'Enfant Plaza hotel venue was the setting as members of PMI got down to business on Saturday, October 5. A code change ad hoc committee met that morning to discuss code changes related to state and model codes; to be taken back to individual product group meetings for approval. The PMI Board of Directors met Saturday afternoon to discuss, among other things, new PMI policies and changes to existing policies, PMI's 2003 annual operating budget and follow-up from the board's May strategic planning meeting. Following the board meeting, PMI leaders (which includes officers and board members, as well as product group and committee chairs) met to receive new training materials and discuss leadership issues to enhance their effectiveness at PMI meetings. The day concluded with the welcome reception and dinner, where PMI President Talbot introduced new members and guests and previewed the meetings to come.

Sunday, October 6

Following breakfast, President Todd Talbot and Executive Director Barbara Higgens chaired a special general membership briefing to update members on activities arising out of the board's May S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) meeting, an overview of PMI's new website was shown (check it out at www.pmihome.org!!) and a preview Chateau Elan, site of PMI's 2003 Spring Meeting in Braselton, Ga. was given. After that, the focus was issue-specific product groups, with the Faucet and Shower/Tub-Shower Fittings product groups meeting together, followed by a joint meeting of the Flushing Devices and Fixture product groups. Trade Show Consolidation Issue Committee featured an update from CIPH president Ralph Suppa on ISH North America and continued consolidation discussions being held with other trade show sponsors. Following lunch, the Universal Conformity Assessment Issue Committee met to discuss NSF 61 issues and many state and jurisdiction code activities. A timely presentation on "Water Intrusion and Mold Issues" was given by Fred Bartl of the Chelsea Group. A networking reception was held that evening for members.

Monday, October 7

Monday was a special CEO/VIP day, and PMI was pleased to have several non-member VIPs on hand. The Member Services Committee continued its discussions on enhancements to PMI's statistical programs with Mark Barron of Ducker Worldwide, and the Fair Trade Issue Committee was treated to a presentation on China and intellectual property issues from Elaine Wu of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

At the Government Affairs meeting in the afternoon, attendees received updates from John Feehery, Press Secretary to Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert and David Hobbs, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs. David Berman of Build.com, always a popular PMI presenter, was on hand during the Information Technology (I.T.) Committee meeting to discuss his company's successful business model. The committee also reviewed the results of PMI sponsored Internet use survey which was conducted with the help of Business News Publications. Monday concluded with a reception and dinner, followed by PMI's keynote address from Lt. Col. Oliver North (ret.) Col. North commented on President Bush's address to the union which was broadcast to PMI members during dinner. Following North's presentation, he signed copies of his new book.

Tuesday, October 8

PMI packed a lot of activity into its final meeting day, with the annual general membership meeting to approve PMI's 2003 budget, slate of officers and directors at large, and dues abatement plan. Two workshops followed - "Codes and Standards", a primer by Technical Director Dave Viola, and a workshop on recruiting and retaining employees by Phyllis Eisen of the National Association of Manufacturers Center for Workforce Success.

From an action-packed meeting came many action items for PMI to tackle and explore. Below are just a few of those items.

  • PMI Board of Directors approved Sanitary For All, Ltd's. membership application along with a number of policies. The board reviewed the dues/value equation and approved a dues abatement plan to attract new members and approved the redesign of the website.
  • Faucet and Shower/Tub-Shower Fittings Joint Product Group established a task group to develop language to eliminate inconsistencies for NSF 61 testing of side sprays on kitchen faucets.
  • Flushing Devices and Fixture Joint Product Group developed a task group to determine the proper action to the water closet testing done by NAHB Research Center.
  • Government Affairs Committee reported on a number of issues and the PMI board voted to dissolve the PMI PAC.
  • Information Technology (I.T.) Committee agreed to send an email of the proposed syllabus to the PMI I.T. members to find out the level of interest in a two-day I.T. workshop. Copies of the comprehensive PMI-sponsored "Internet Use" survey were distributed to PMI members. The committee voted to recommend changing its name to "E-Business Committee."
  • Member Services Committee voted to recommend to the board support for a marketing proposal by Ducker Worldwide. The committee also formed an ad hoc group to evaluate the proposal and to develop a fixture report.
  • Technical Committee will move forward with an appeal to IAPMO regarding the ASME A112.18.3 code change. The code change ad hoc committee will continue to refine proposals to the International Plumbing Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code and the National Standard Plumbing Code. (Note: the appeal was successful. See www.iapmo.org/iapmo/stds-council-agenda.html for details.)
  • Trade Show Consolidation Issue Committee will track trade show trends such as attendees, exhibitors, location, etc. A meeting has been set with NAHB to discuss PMI's revenue-neutral concept.
  • Universal Conformity Assessment Issue Committee formed a task group to identify new strategies to eliminate the unnecessary duplication of NSF 61 certifications.

Congratulations to the following individuals for being elected to the 2003 PMI Executive Committee and Board of Directors!

Executive Committee:

  • President: Ralph Herrbach; Cifial USA
  • First Vice President: Jim Westdorp; Kohler, Co.
  • Second Vice President: John Lauer; Sloan Valve Company
  • Treasurer: Al Walcutt; MPC Plastics, Inc.
  • Immediate Past President: Todd Talbot; Brass Craft Mfg. Co.

New directors:

  • Jim Galvin; Symmons Industries, Inc. (completing an unexpired term)
  • Tim Mullally, KWC Faucets Inc.

Returning Directors:

  • Claude Theisen; T&S Brass and Bronze Works
  • Ken Martin, Delta Faucet Co.
  • Lee Mercer, Moen Incorporated
  • Ray Fisher, Jr.; Fisher Mfg. Co.

PMI will hold its 2003 Spring Meeting April 5-8, 2003 at the Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in the foothills of the North Georgian Mountains near Atlanta, Georgia.

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.

Photographs available on request.