Today marks 30 years in business for TMB Publishing, which now operates under the brand name PHCPPros. On July 2, 1990, Tom Brown, who currently serves as chairman of the board, founded the company. 

In 1990, the company that Tom Brown was with decided to let go of Plumbing Engineer. Tom Brown jumped at the opportunity to pursue his dream of business ownership and bought the magazine. Plumbing Engineer targets plumbing engineers, designers and specifiers, and was the first publication under his newly formed company, TMB Publishing. Today, Plumbing Engineer is an industry-leading print and digital publication.

“I’m honored to have been a part of TMB Publishing for more than 15 years,” said Mark Bruno, premedia specialist at PHCPPPros. 

In 1993, TMB Publishing acquired The Wholesaler, an established trade publication created in the 1940s for plumbing wholesalers and distributors. In 2000, the company started its first magazine from the ground up, PHC News, rounding out the company’s offerings by catering to plumbing contractors and installers.

In 2013, Tom Brown turned the company over to his successors – three very capable employees. Cate Brown, the daughter of Tom Brown and vice president of operations, was named principal. Brad Burnside, vice president of sales for the East and Indiana and Western Michigan, was named principal and publisher. And, Dave Schulte, vice president of sales for the Midwest, South and Eastern Canada, was named principal and publisher.

“This is a special anniversary. I’m thankful for the opportunities. Congratulations!” said Diane Spangler, sales manager at PHCPPros.

Under the new leadership, in 2016 the company’s most recent publication, Especificar, was launched in Mexico to meet demand for a Spanish-language B2B trade publication dedicated to plumbing, energy and sustainability.

“I’m excited to continue my engagement in the industry by representing The Wholesaler magazine and PHCPPros. The magazines and company set the bar high in standards for partnerships in business,” said Ruth Mitchell, editor of The Wholesaler.

In 2017, the company launched a new website: www.phcppros.com. The website connected the plumbing, heating, cooling and piping industry, sparking the official rebrand as PHCPPros. The company’s circulation also continues to reach the largest print audience in the industry.

Cate Brown remarked, “Here’s to the next 30 years!”