Nicole Krawcke

Nicole Krawcke: Home service industry rebounds after the pandemic

New report from Jobber shows consumer spending on home services — including plumbing and HVAC — has exceeded pre-pandemic levels

Nicole Krawcke

September 10, 2021

There’s no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic affected businesses of all types and sizes. However, as the economy continues to recover in 2021, different categories are rebounding at different rates.

Truck of the Month: The brand with the mystery man

Morgan Miller Plumbing- Grandview, Missouri

Nicole Krawcke

August 23, 2021

After working together at a national plumbing franchise, Jeff Morgan and Bob Miller knew there had to be a better way to treat plumbers. So, in 1997, they decided to leave and start their own company, and Morgan Miller Plumbing was born.

PM Profile: Niagara launches more than 100 new products

Manufacturer announces new high performance, water-efficient toilet lineup.

Nicole Krawcke

August 18, 2021

In April, Niagara held a virtual launch event, announcing its new Niagara Wholesale Program and more than 100 new products designed to help wholesalers serve the needs of their plumbing professional clients by offering advanced technology and high performance for those looking for a wide variety of water-efficient products.

Consumer interest in bidets surges following COVID-19 pandemic

Manufacturers discuss U.S. market trends.

Nicole Krawcke

August 16, 2021

COVID-19 had many widespread impacts to just about every product category and industry — the plumbing industry included. One of the most interesting market shifts was how the toilet paper shortage at the start of the pandemic spurred sales of bidet toilet seats in the U.S. market.

2021 Mechanical Contractor of the Year: Murray Co.

Employee-owned Rancho Dominguez, California-based firm takes care of each other, and its clients.

Nicole Krawcke

August 10, 2021

Murray Company (MC) has spent more than 100 years establishing a rock-solid reputation as one of the premiere mechanical contracting firms on the West Coast. With a commitment to safety, the employee-owned firm has earned distinction as Plumbing & Mechanical’s 2021 Mechanical Contractor of the Year.

Nicole Krawcke: Overcoming the negative stereotype

Plumbing manufacturer launches new docuseries promoting the plumbing industry as a financially rewarding career.

Nicole Krawcke

August 9, 2021

The skilled trades are certainly no stranger to the difficulties amidst a labor shortage. The most experienced trade pros are nearing retirement, and when you combine that with the lack of high school graduates entering the trades, the skills gap continues to grow.

Jobsite efficiency at the forefront of new PHVAC tool design

Growing labor shortage demands tools become smarter, more intuitive.

Nicole Krawcke

July 12, 2021

Man has been using tools since the dawn of time — or just the Stone Age, really. However, that’s still 2.6 million years of evolution from hammerstones, hand axes and more. Nowadays, plumbers and pipefitters count on their tools of the trade to get the job done and keep their customers happy and healthy.

Nicole Krawcke: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance

Writing down processes helps business owners with time management.

Nicole Krawcke

July 9, 2021

This month marks my seven-year anniversary with BNP Media, and seven years writing about the trades. When I first started, I knew next to nothing about HVAC and plumbing, not to mention I didn’t have any contacts or friends within the industry.