The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) Joins NKBA Global Connect as a Strategic Alliance Partner

BETHLEHEM, PA — The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), representing more than 55,000 North American kitchen and bath industry professionals and the owners of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), welcomes the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH), as a Strategic Alliance Partner in its NKBA Global Connect business development initiative.

 

IWSH is the first North American organization to join this NKBA program, which aims to connect the global kitchen and bath community through information exchanges, including sharing of market insights, product development ideas and go-to-market strategies designed to assist international companies in exploring business opportunities in the North American market.

IWSH is the social impact arm of IAPMO, which is best known for plumbing and mechanical certifications and services, including treatment and filtration of drinking water and other utility functions in the built environment. IAPMO is a global leader in protecting public health and safety through codes and standards development; product and systems testing, evaluation and certification; personnel training and certification, and industry research. Members of IAPMO are typically plumbing and/or mechanical inspectors, engineers and code officials, plumbing and mechanical contractors, manufacturers of plumbing, mechanical, and building products, and others having an interest in the Uniform Codes. 

 

As its philanthropic organization, IWSH leverages IAPMO’s industry-leading plumbing expertise to solve the most difficult water and sanitation challenges. According to Robyn Fischer, Senior Director of IWSH North America, “IWSH mobilizes the plumbing industry as a force for social good through global service projects that provide clean drinking water, safe sanitation, and new career pathways to underserved low-income and indigenous communities.”

To accomplish its mission, IWSH showcases practical plumbing solutions that can be replicated by other communities; builds sustainable impact via a combination of well-planned projects, skilled plumbers, quality products, and community training, and facilitates workforce development by providing entry-level plumbing experiences for students and local residents in areas where it does projects.

 

What sets IWSH apart is its focus on plumbing’s specific role in helping to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6: Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. “We bring together an ecosystem of skilled plumbers, system designers, product manufacturers, and distributors, leveraging IAPMO's expertise in codes, standards, and certifications to create measurable change,” Fischer added.

 

Through NKBA’s platform, Global Connect members and other strategic alliance partners will have the chance to meet and partner with IWSH to learn and, in many cases, transfer insights and initiatives being developed in other parts of the world as well as to better understand how to impact North American water management actions.

“We are thrilled to have IWSH as an NKBA Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partner,” said Heather Shannon, NKBA Senior Vice President. “Managing one of the planet’s most precious resources—water—is critical to the health and wellbeing of the global population. As the largest all-industry trade association for the kitchen and bath world, we take a serious approach to helping ensure safe and clean water for all. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares the same values and whose mission is to provide safe sanitation and clean water the world over. The opportunity to forge a relationship with IWSH will be an invaluable asset to our NKBA Global Connect members.”

 

NKBA aims to facilitate several formal partnerships with North American vertical trade organizations to help facilitate specific areas of understanding for NKBA Global Connect members and the North American kitchen and bath industry.

 

“Being a part of NKBA Global Connect positions IWSH to connect with potential future partners worldwide who may want to partner with IWSH to support direct social impact projects and find opportunities to elevate their products and brand in the ESG space,” Fischer said.