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Plumbing and HVAC contractors are working longer hours — yet margins aren’t improving.
In this episode, Dennis breaks down why.
On the Trade Traction Podcast, Dennis sits down with Susan, CEO of Rapid Locking Systems (RLS), to expose one of the biggest hidden profit killers in the trades: slow installs and outdated methods.
They discuss how press technology is helping contractors cut install time by up to 60%, why faster installs don’t mean lower quality, and how modern tools are helping businesses protect margins, improve safety, and keep skilled workers in the trades longer.
This conversation also dives into the bigger picture — the labor shortage, apprenticeships, trades vs college, AI-proof careers, and how technology is reshaping who can succeed in plumbing and HVAC.
If you’re a contractor trying to grow profit without burning out, this episode will change how you think about time, tools, and the future of your business.
Host: Dennis Hamon
Guest: Susan, CEO of Rapid Locking Systems
Location: PHCC Connect Show
Topics Covered in This Episode:
Why contractors work more but earn the same
Plumbing & HVAC labor shortages explained
Press fittings vs brazing: speed, safety, consistency
How contractors cut install time by up to 60%
Apprenticeships, workforce retention, and modern tools
Trades vs college and AI-proof career paths
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why contractors work longer hours but margins stay flat
00:28 – Introducing Susan, CEO of Rapid Locking Systems
00:41 – How press technology cuts install time by up to 60%
01:56 – Press vs brazing: speed, safety, and consistency
03:15 – Doing more with less in a shrinking labor force
03:39 – Making the trades more accessible (including women)
04:57 – Why parents underestimate careers in the trades
05:28 – Trades vs college and AI-proof career paths
06:06 – Getting paid to learn without student debt
09:56 – Final thoughts on time, margins, and the future of the trades
#HVAC #Plumbing #TradesBusiness #ContractorLife #HVACTechnicians
--
The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.
Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice
Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.
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By Dennis The ApprenticeSend us a text
Plumbing and HVAC contractors are working longer hours — yet margins aren’t improving.
In this episode, Dennis breaks down why.
On the Trade Traction Podcast, Dennis sits down with Susan, CEO of Rapid Locking Systems (RLS), to expose one of the biggest hidden profit killers in the trades: slow installs and outdated methods.
They discuss how press technology is helping contractors cut install time by up to 60%, why faster installs don’t mean lower quality, and how modern tools are helping businesses protect margins, improve safety, and keep skilled workers in the trades longer.
This conversation also dives into the bigger picture — the labor shortage, apprenticeships, trades vs college, AI-proof careers, and how technology is reshaping who can succeed in plumbing and HVAC.
If you’re a contractor trying to grow profit without burning out, this episode will change how you think about time, tools, and the future of your business.
Host: Dennis Hamon
Guest: Susan, CEO of Rapid Locking Systems
Location: PHCC Connect Show
Topics Covered in This Episode:
Why contractors work more but earn the same
Plumbing & HVAC labor shortages explained
Press fittings vs brazing: speed, safety, consistency
How contractors cut install time by up to 60%
Apprenticeships, workforce retention, and modern tools
Trades vs college and AI-proof career paths
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why contractors work longer hours but margins stay flat
00:28 – Introducing Susan, CEO of Rapid Locking Systems
00:41 – How press technology cuts install time by up to 60%
01:56 – Press vs brazing: speed, safety, and consistency
03:15 – Doing more with less in a shrinking labor force
03:39 – Making the trades more accessible (including women)
04:57 – Why parents underestimate careers in the trades
05:28 – Trades vs college and AI-proof career paths
06:06 – Getting paid to learn without student debt
09:56 – Final thoughts on time, margins, and the future of the trades
#HVAC #Plumbing #TradesBusiness #ContractorLife #HVACTechnicians
--
The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.
Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice
Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.