PMI announces the association has changed its name to Plumbing Manufacturers International. For 35 years, PMI was the acronym for the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute. While preserving the reputation and recognition of PMI, the updated name reflects the association’s and its members’ worldwide involvement and outreach.

Member companies of PMI’s voluntary, not-for-profit, international, industry association represent 95 percent of North America’s plumbing manufacturers and produce a substantial quantity of the world’s plumbing products. Reflecting this global leadership role, PMI also refreshed its brand identity, website and other marketing communications that will be introduced throughout the year and culminate with its presence at Greenbuild® International Conference and Expo, Oct. 4-7, 2011, in Toronto.

PMI members will celebrate the new name and identity at the PMI 2011 Spring Conference, March 27-30, at the Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans. In addition to the high-profile speakers and full-group sessions, the conference includes dual tracks of marketing and technical meetings. These meetings’ discussions will help determine the ongoing fulfillment of the association’s mission in North America and the expertise it can share with other countries’ plumbing industry leaders.

PMI’s mission is: to promote the water efficiency, health, safety, quality and environmental sustainability 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 openly the members’ interests and advocate for sound environmental and public health policies in the regulatory/legislative processes; and to enhance the plumbing industry’s growth and expansion.

“As the Voice of the Plumbing Industry, PMI’s conferences are part of the strategic plan to deliver on this mission. The industry’s global leaders regularly attend our meetings and we are active participants in international coalitions and conferences,” explains PMI Executive Director, Barbara Higgens. “As websites provide 24/7/365 access, nearly anywhere in the world, we also have continued to invest in enhancing these communication tools.”

PMI members and returning visitors to PMIhome.org will see a redesigned site that aligns with the new brand identity and RSS news feed subscriptions for the homepage, as well as for member-generated news. The educational website, SafePlumbing.org, maintains its independent design. Frequent updates are posted on the homepage and via RSS subscription for lawmakers, journalists, industry professionals and homeowners seeking information about clean, safe drinking water and water efficiency.

“Today, we live and work in a global marketplace. Just as industry issues have become international in scope, so has PMI,” says PMI Board of Directors President Jack Krecek, vice president and general manager of the commercial business unit for Elkay Manufacturing Company. “The association functions as a sounding board for its members, a source for industry and market information, and as a coordinating and decision-making body for building consensus to positively influence and respond to industry issues. It is active in many arenas as it helps develop and maintain standards and codes, and works closely with government agencies at all levels.”

PMI’s successful advocacy recently was demonstrated with the harmonization of lead standards across U.S., when “The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act” was signed into law in January 2011. Higgens praises the collaborative approach to this accomplishment and adds, “Through our advocacy, educational and coalition-building efforts, we remain diligent in our commitment to achieving future victories and dedicated to the needs of our members and the plumbing industry.”

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Filed under: ASSOCIATION NEWS, USGBC