The Supply House Times Podcast

The skilled labor shortage remains one of the biggest challenges facing plumbing and HVAC contractors, but what if part of the problem isn’t simply finding workers? What if contractors don’t have enough visibility into the skills potential employees already have?In a recent episode of And So It Flows, Dan Clapper of Interplay Learning joined Plumbing & Mechanical to discuss how contractors can rethink hiring, skills assessment and training in the skilled trades.

Welcome to Beyond the Counter, a new segment of the Supply House Times So It Flows podcast, hosted by Chris Lollini. This series goes beyond everyday distribution operations to uncover real-world strategies and insights from industry leaders. In the inaugural episode, Lollini talks with Lauren Roberts, president and CEO of cfm Distributors, and Jared Brite, business development manager.

In a recent episode of And So It Flows, KAI Engineering's Mike Tamagni, director of mechanical engineer; Richard Long, senior mechanical engineering subject matter expert; and Khan Pouch, senior mechanical designer, joined Plumbing & Mechanical to discuss how mechanical room design has evolved and what engineers and contractors should consider as systems become more complex.

Shorter description for podcast page: Get ready for ASPE’s 2026 Convention & Expo in Oklahoma City. This episode explores what attendees can expect from the event, including technical education, the Expo show floor and opportunities to connect with industry peers. Plus, hear tips for first-time attendees, what makes Oklahoma City worth exploring, and where to learn more and register.This episode is brought to you by:

Shower design has come a long way from the days when homeowners simply accepted whichever drain happened to be on the plumber's truck.

In this episode of And So It Flows, Mike Rizzuto, National Technical Sales West for Infinity Drain, joins host Kristen Bayles to discuss the evolution of shower and drain design, the rise of linear drains and aging-in-place considerations, and the opportunities available to plumbing contractors, wholesalers and showroom professionals as customers become increasingly involved in the design process.

In honor of National Backflow Prevention Day, Watts Water Technologies’ Michael Gaulin joins the podcast to discuss the essentials of backflow prevention. Learn what causes backflow, common misconceptions, when preventers need attention, how technology is evolving, and what contractors, owners, and suppliers should know about codes and growing this side of their business.

“Retention is the best exit strategy,” Buttenham said, noting that employee turnover can cost 150% to 200% of an employee’s salary to replace. When key employees leave, companies face stalled jobs, retraining costs, productivity losses and cultural disruption: all of which can affect profitability and, ultimately, exit value.Buttenham, co-founder and CEO of Reins, joined Kristen Bayles for And So It Flows to discuss how employee retention, leadership development and incentive planning can affect the long-term value of a plumbing business. Reins works with independent business owners, particularly in the trades, to create alternative equity arrangements that help retain key employees and align them with the company’s goals.

On this episode of And So It Flows, we welcomed back Chrissy Walsh, regional environmental sustainability lead for GF North America, for a follow-up conversation on sustainability, systems thinking and the changing expectations around modern buildings.

On this episode of And So It Flows, Kristen Bayles sat down with Gregg Holladay, business development manager for specialty markets at Bradford White, to discuss the growing role heat pump water heaters are expected to play in the residential plumbing market and why the plumbing industry

needs to start preparing now.Podcast originally posted on Plumbing & Mechanical

In this episode, Brooks Hamilton breaks down how distributors can start using AI today without perfect data. He explains why speed and decision-making matter more than scale, how AI is lowering the barrier to entry, and why the biggest opportunities lie in sales growth, not cost-cutting. Practical examples show how even small investments can drive meaningful competitive advantage.