Plumbing

The Plumbing sector of the Supply Industry is comprised of plumbers apprentices, tradesman plumbers, journeyman plumbers and master plumbers. These professionals can work in residential, industrial and many specialized areas like biotechnology and pharmaceutical facilities.

Their work is highly diverse and can include residential pipes and drains, installation of gas cooking and heating systems or commercial work including steam, fire suppression systems, wastewater facilities and many more. Across these many areas, a plumber can work with thousands of products many from hundreds of different companies. Our manufacturing, distribution and retail members are at the forefront of the plumbing business.

Career Opportunities
Heating & Cooling

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the management and technology of indoor environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HVAC system design is a subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer. HVAC is an important part of residential structures such as single family homes, apartment buildings, hotels and senior living facilities as well as industrial facilities, office buildings, skyscrapers and hospitals.

Ventilating or ventilation (the “V” in HVAC) is the process of exchanging or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality which involves temperature control, oxygen replenishment, and removal of moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria, carbon dioxide, and other gases. Ventilation removes unpleasant smells and excessive moisture, introduces outside air, keeps interior building air circulating, and prevents stagnation of the interior air.

Career Opportunities
Manufacturing

The Manufacturing sector is made up of companies engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. Member companies in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and materials-handling equipment.

The manufacturing companies within the supply industry design, develop and produce hundreds of thousands of products, almost all of which we use in one way or another every day. The manufacturing sector leverages amazing technologies and skill sets including computer aided design, robotics, injection molding as well as supply chain management and transportation logistics.

Career Opportunities
Distribution

Distribution is the activity of both selling and delivering products and services from the manufacturer to the customer. This can also be called product distribution. As businesses become more global, it becomes important to improve distribution to ensure that customers and all members of the distribution channel are happy.

Depending on the length of the distribution channel there can be many people involved in distribution from warehouse workers and supply chain professionals to truck drivers, buyers and retail sales people. Although distribution as a concept is relatively simple, in practice distribution management may involve a diverse range of activities and disciplines including: detailed logistics, transportation, warehousing, storage and inventory management and sales.

Career Opportunities
Retail

The retail portion of the supply industry is vast and comprised of companies engaged in the selling of finished products to end user consumers or contractors. The retail point of purchase could be a distributor location, a brick-and-mortar consumer store or an online website.

The goal in retail is to attract consumers through product displays and marketing. Inventory must be managed, shelves must be stocked, and payments transaction must be completed. Retailers and distributors provide manufacturers an outlet so that they can continue creating and innovating new products. The retail sector of the supply industry handles hundreds of thousands of products, so supply chain at every step of the process is essential.

Career Opportunities
Piping

The Piping Industry is comprised of industrial design and manufacturing companies who produce pipes used in wide variety of applications from residential homes to massive oil, gas, water and sewer projects. Additionally, there are the highly skilled people who work in the piping sector including Mechanical Engineers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders, and HVAC specialists.

Career Opportunities
Valve and Fitting Industry

The valve and fitting industry are comprised of the manufacturing and installation of both commercial and residential applications including developing and maintaining cutting-edge fluid transmission systems.

Market areas consist of but are not limited to the chemical, petroleum, utilities, water treatment, and housing industries. In addition, there are specialized product offerings and customized product offerings.

The global industrial valves market is forecast to reach a value of $112 billion by 2024, according to Global Industry Analysts (Dun & Bradstreet).

Career Opportunities