PHCC + P&M magazine + Home Depot

Ken_40

The education component was the result of a knee jerk reaction to others who were doing it and stealing members away. The costs for this "education" were high by any measure - even for members. The education was, and still is oriented to large firms; yet the membership, back when PHCC was "king," was always small shops (under 5 men). Our state suggested to national that the programs were based on large company models that were inappropriate for our region. That fell on deaf ears. Within 5-years, state membership fell by over 50%. No one listened at national. With fewer members, membership costs went through the roof; which perpetuated the loss of members.

They still don't get it. They cater to the mega-contractors, continue to elect executives from large mecahnical and plumbing contractors to administrative posts and have completely lost sight of the 5 and under shops they once were overwhelmingly supported by.

Ken_40

The PHCC and Home Depot marriage?

As written in our trade magazine, Plumbing & Mechanical this month; and, as reported in the financial news, the Home Depot "Supply Division" is on the brink of being sold and; The PHCC was atempting to form an alliance with that same HD-Supply Division.

The relationship of the PHCC (which is a mere shell of what it once was - yet continues to be erroneously exalted by P&M magazine as "THE voice" of plumbing and heating contractors in the U.S.) spoke to the issue of the HD-Supply "alliance" as "progressing thoughtfully."

The comment by PHCC spokesman and President J.R.Wagner on page six of this month's P&M were obviously written long before the news of HD's thoughts of spinning off the Supply Div. were known.

Nonetheless, the demise of the PHCC and its dwindling membership is the result of continued neglect towards those who became disallusioned, poor planning and continued bad judgement as to what the members actually want or need.

The mere suggestion that somehow an alliance with HD-Supply would be in the interest of PHCC members is yet another glaring example of why PHCC membership continues to decline - and the "Voice of the PHCC contractor" has less and less importance to the plumbing, heating or cooling conractors they would presume to serve.

The idea of the PHCC jumping into bed with HD-Supply was a curious one at best.

Other than NJ and a few federal entities, their claim to fame; namely the NSPC (National Standard Plumbing Code) has been dismissed in every state of the Union. The reason for this is obvious. The code the PHCC was promoting, was unacceptable as written. The PHCC's atitude toward cooperation with IAPMO, the UPC or any other code was one of beligerence, not cooperation. The results are apparent.

Other then the lone voice of P&M magazine, we all know the PHCC speaks for no one other than a handful of hanger's-on in NJ, and a few marginally active groups in a handful of other states.

You don't suppose the ill-conceived alliance with HD-Supply may be the final death-knell for the PHCC do you? Despite their suicide some years ago, P&M magazine will keep the ventilator on, despite the patient's death long ago...

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_2

just once

I wish you'd quit hiding your feelings and give us a clue to how you feel about issues!

All kidding aside, that's a blunt assessment of PHCC. As an outsider looking in, I always have had the impression the PHCC had way more merit than what you're stating. Education and promoting the industry were two suits I thought looked pretty strong, but I could be wrong? Care to share more details to enlighten me?

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_2

I haven't

researched the membership fee in any great detail, but theirs wasn't too different from others, such as Service Roundtable, the last time I looked.

So...... My questions is: whose organization would you recommend for all that mechanical contractors need? Networking, business skill building, I won't mention pricing programs(G), education, codes, etc...?

Ken_40

Dave,

The Service Roundtable is not for education, it is for the profit of the author. If someone gets educated along the way, that's always a good thing I suppose.

For the under 5-man shop, all the so-called "educational" services are expensive; except one.

That ONE? Here. Heating Help.com. The books written by a guy we both know well. This is education that the one-man shop can benefit by, as well as the largest players on earth.

This is THE PLACE lad!

I especially love the price (;-o)

Ike Casey

PHCC

Obviously Ken is living in the past and has not checked out PHCC over the last few years. PHCC's membership has not slipped since the year 2000 and has grown to 4,041 members. I expect most of those 4,041 would disagree with your assessment of PHCC's value to the 5 man shop. If you want to be enlightened go to the Website at www.phccweb.org. If you want to stay in the dark, that is your right.

L Thiesen

PHCC

I do agree with Ken's point about the leadership being from large shops but it is very hard for someone from a small shop to devote the time and money to being active on the national level.
As for membership numbers, in my state membership is less than halve of the 2000 level, it does not look good for the state organization to survive.
Also most of the issues PHCC National has been working on for the last few years make no difference to me or my business. Member for now.

Ken_40

Those who

run large shops are at no advantage regarding time to serve in PHCC positions. Like smaller shops, they MAKE time.

I just left a very successful small shop and am now retired. I have nothing but time for this industry. The PHCC is not a place I would waste my time for. I already gave them close to 15 years and stood by while they shot themselves and all the small contractors in the foot at every turn.

What has happened in the last few years may be good for Home Depot, the larger members and those who run the show, but the poor working stiff that is the vast majority of "us," is treated like a step-child with a communicable disease.

A fact they don't accept: Over 50% of all jobs in this country are within single to under five man shops! More people are self-employed and/or in a 5-man/woman enterprise than all the workers at GM, G.E., Home Depot, Prudential, Ford, AIG, AT&T - COMBINED!

Dan Foley

PHCC

First RPA, now PHCC. Who's next, Ken? ACCA? MCAA? You are going to run out of organizations soon! I am a small shop (14 employees) and I have not had the same experience as you have with regards to PHCC. To each their own. -DF

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Ken_40

Not that it matters...

But a 15-man shop is not "small" by any measure. With that staff, you could be the poster boy for the PHCC(;-o).

BTW, the anti-RPA rant of years ago (boy you have a good memory) was based on it being nothing more than a related manufacturers "syndicate," trying to market to wet heat contractors.

I doubt my rant had much impact, but some really talented foks now run the show and the manufacturers are no longer running the show. It has evolved into a true contractor's association.

Since you mentioned them, ACCA is what the PHCC used to be. For everyone, not just the well over 5-man shop giants.

BTW, you working for Home Depot yet?

And yes Dan, to each his own...

Dan Foley

Ken

Home Depot? Not yet. You never know, though:)

Looking forward to my retirement years when I have time to spend the day debating the merits of various trade organizations with you, Ken. I have a few years to go till I catch up with you. -DF

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