Despite the economic turmoil many industries are facing in the mid-2020s, one thing remains true: plumbing is a bedrock industry.
Builders and building owners will always require the services of plumbers and plumbing manufacturers. What they need from those professionals, however, is shaped by changes in the market.
Today, we’re going to talk about the plumbing industry trends and innovations that will see us through 2025. What will contractors and engineers need from plumbing manufacturers? What end-user desires will shape the industry?
Read on as we discuss everything from homeowner needs to plumbing technology advancements and beyond.
Plumbing Joins the Internet of Things
We’re living in an increasingly digital world. It should come as no surprise that plumbing is quickly joining the Internet of Things. Let’s take a closer look at what that looks like in terms of the latest plumbing innovations.
Touchless Systems
We’ve seen touchless systems in public spaces for over a decade. Now, they’re not only entering homes but also coming equipped with new capabilities.
For example, we’re seeing touchless faucets activated by both infrared and voice commands. This allows users to control things like water temperature and flow duration.
Smart Toilets
Here’s another plumbing innovation that doesn’t feel entirely new: the smart toilet. Smart toilets have proliferated in homes for more than five years. However, we expect two major shifts to drive the market for smart toilets: capabilities and affordability.
For example, US homeowners continue to seek out toilets with built-in bidet technology. This rising demand is helping to reduce costs even as the integrated smart technology advances.
Automated Inspection Tools
As per usual, plumbing manufacturing trends don’t just impact architects and end users. Some of the latest trends will also revolutionize the plumbing maintenance industry.
Smart plumbing technology is often equipped with diagnostic tools that allow homeowners to quickly detect and report issues. Plumbers are also likely to increase orders for robotic diagnostic tools such as AI pipe inspection.
The Housing Market Stands Still
The housing market has been stuck in a standstill for a few years now. According to Builder Magazine, the factors causing this slowdown aren’t likely to shift much in 2025. Here’s what that means for plumbing manufacturers.
Fixtures and Fittings
Brand new appliances aren’t the only driving forces behind plumbing industry growth. According to the Business Research Company, the fixture and fitting market is expected to reach a value of over $145 billion by 2028.
DIY projects are bolstering this segment of the market with homeowners shopping for parts in stores and online. However, we anticipate a push for more professional installation services in the coming years.
Limited New Builds
In the past, plumbing manufacturers could earn the majority of their revenue by partnering with new build firms. If you take a closer look at the Builder Magazine article mentioned above, you’ll see this is bound to slow down for at least another year.
Instead, expect to partner primarily with renovation companies and independent contractors. Homeowners are “locked in,” as they say in the real estate industry.
Rather than investing in new real estate, they’re upgrading existing real estate. That includes retrofitting homes and replacing aged-out plumbing.
Health and Sustainability Take Precedence
Modern property owners have an eye on health and sustainability. Not only are new builds getting the sustainable treatment, but we’re seeing these trends in retrofitting, too. Here are the top three plumbing trends we expect to see in regard to health and sustainability.
Water Conservation Efforts
A recent survey by Home Innovation Research Labs found that 68% of homeowners care about the sustainability of their homes. When it comes to green plumbing, water conservation is the king of sustainable plumbing solutions. This will include high-efficiency:
- Toilets
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
Secondarily, homeowners may gravitate toward appliances that conserve energy, such as low-energy water heaters. We anticipate that more homeowners will seek out appliances with EPA approval. However, smart marketing can also put your products or services on the green plumbing map.
Built-In Water Purification
Water purification is another concern of homeowners and, on a smaller scale, business owners. We’re noticing a growing awareness regarding factors like:
- Old plumbing with heavy metals
- Microplastics in water sources
- Potential contamination of shared water systems
We expect to see a significant increase in demand for on-site water purification solutions. Simple filtration systems may not cut it any longer. Instead, property owners may seek out things like reverse osmosis and UV purification.
Plumbing Manufacturers and Partnership Trends
How can everyone from plumbing manufacturers to engineers stay on the cutting edge of the latest trends and innovations? Here are our top two tips to keep your business from falling behind.
Bespoke Orders
At the Ranvier Group, we work with a wide variety of plumbing manufacturers and see first-hand what contractors, distributors, and engineers are looking for. Gone are the days of seeking one-size-fits-all companies.
Now, your potential customers are seeking companies who can customize niche orders. To get the best of the best, they’ll place orders with highly specialized companies. For example, they may order boilers from one company and faucets from another.
Partnership Representation
For plumbing manufacturers, the competition is steep. For their customers, keeping track of partnerships in the age of niche ordering is difficult.
Now is the time to outsource your partnership representation. A professional firm can:
- Find the best manufacturers for your needs
- Keep projects within budget
- Act as a liaison for complex communications
There’s no need to juggle all your plumbing manufacturers alone. The Ranvier Group can help.
Work With the Ranvier Group for Modern Plumbing Solutions
In 2025, we expect to see a whirlwind of new trends and innovations from plumbing manufacturers. The last thing you want is for your business to fall behind the curve or lose your competitive edge. The Ranvier Group can help.
Our leadership has experience on all ends of the plumbing industry, from plumbing maintenance to distribution. We provide the unique service of partnering with manufacturers and their customers to facilitate mutually beneficial relationships. Contact us today to keep your company on the cutting edge.