BlackRock commits $100 million to skilled trades training
The Future Builders initiative, funded by the BlackRock Foundation, will deploy the capital to nonprofits and workforce development organizations
Plumbing
By the numbers: How U.S. consumers are actually doing
A look at six key indicators from the Federal Reserve over the past five years, as of December 2025
Lennox announces residential water heater launch
Its new line of water heaters, launching March 16, is produced through a joint venture with Italian manufacturer Ariston Group
Ferguson’s dual-trade efforts hit 650 locations
Of the ~760 “counter locations” the company plans to convert, about 650 conversions are now complete
Voomi Supply lands $10 million investment
The Pennsylvania-based company operates as an online marketplace where contractors can buy parts and equipment from a network of distributors and manufacturers
Angi launches app in ChatGPT
Consumers can find and connect with contractors beginning from a conversation with the chatbot, the company said
Roto-Rooter residential revenue dips; CEO points to Google, private equity
The company has experienced a volatile past seven quarters, with CEO Kevin McNamara attributing the trend to private-equity consolidation and Google changes
Ferguson posts $31 billion year, sees labor shortage as opportunity
Last week, CEO Kevin Murphy suggested that the labor environment in the skilled trades presents an opportunity for Ferguson, particularly due to its scale
HARDI report sizes up HVAC, plumbing markets
In 2025, estimated combined total U.S. revenues among residential and commercial HVAC and plumbing contractors exceeded $327 billion
Electric water heater shipments top 5 million in 2025 as gas lags
In 2024, residential electric water heater shipments crossed five million units for the first time on record, and in 2025, crossed it again