What Plumber Magazine does

Plumber Magazine, operated by COLE Publishing, Inc., a privately held Wisconsin corporation headquartered in Eagle River, is a B2B trade publication serving commercial and residential plumbing contractors, sewer/drain cleaning specialists, and adjacent trades (HVAC, septic systems). The business was founded in 2008 and operates on a free-distribution model: print subscriptions are provided at no cost to professionals across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, while the underlying economics are funded by advertising and sponsored content from equipment manufacturers.

The product surface is broader than a traditional magazine. It centers on a monthly print magazine and a digital E-Zine, supported by email newsletters (including the Dirty Drops Weekly for entry-level water/wastewater workers), product videos, webinars, whitepapers and case studies, a Manufacturers Directory, a Storefronts marketplace, an Equipment Directory, and classifieds. The Plumber Podcast (Cleaner, MSW, Plumber Podcast) and a YouTube channel extend reach into audio and video, and the business also operates and covers the annual WWETT Show, a flagship industry trade event for water and wastewater equipment. Underlying technology is a multi-channel digital publishing platform spanning web, email, video, podcast hosting, and webinar delivery.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through advertising and sponsored content placements rather than paid subscriptions. Manufacturers and equipment companies sponsor product spotlights, video segments, and dedicated content sections — exemplified by General Pipe Cleaners as a featured sponsor and recurring integrations with Milwaukee Tool, Watts, CUES, Rinnai, and others. Distribution extends globally online but is concentrated in North America in print. No external funding rounds, M&A activity, or parent company ownership are disclosed; COLE Publishing, Inc. is the sole operating entity.

Name

Plumber Magazine

Legal name

COLE Publishing, Inc.

Website

https://plumbermag.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Plumber Magazine is a B2B trade publication operated by COLE Publishing, Inc., serving commercial and residential plumbing contractors and drain-cleaning specialists across North America with print, digital, video, podcast, and event content funded by manufacturer advertising and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Eagle River

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Sponsored Content: Manufacturers and equipment companies sponsor content, videos, and sections of the publication. This includes product spotlights, sponsored videos from companies like General Pipe Cleaners, and manufacturer profiles throughout the publication.
2. Print Subscriptions: Free print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada, and Mexico, funded primarily through advertising rather than subscription fees.
3. Digital Content and Newsletters: Email newsletters including Dirty Drops Weekly deliver content to subscribers, monetized through integrated advertising and sponsored content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Plumber Magazine is a trade publication that delivers editorial content, industry news, technical how-to articles, product information, and business advice to professional plumbing contractors. It operates a print magazine, a website with daily articles, email newsletters, podcasts, videos, webinars, and an online buyer's guide directory of plumbing products and service providers.

Product overview

Plumber Magazine is a unified content platform offering print and digital publications, multimedia content, and professional resources for the plumbing industry. The core offering is the monthly Plumber Magazine (available in print and E-Zine digital formats), supplemented by video product profiles, the Plumber Podcast, webinars, whitepapers, and case studies. The platform also operates a Manufacturers Directory and Storefront marketplace connecting contractors with equipment suppliers, plus a Classifieds section for equipment sales. Content is organized by trade categories including Sewer/Drain Cleaning, Relining/Rehab, Business, Commercial Plumbing, Residential Plumbing, HVAC, Septic Systems, TV Inspection, and Vans/Trucks & Fleet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dirty Drops Newsletter: A no-nonsense newsletter hub for water and wastewater entry-level workers, delivering weekly bite-size resources, industry basics and humor.
• Dirty Drops Weekly
• WWETT Show
• Cleaner, MSW, Plumber Podcast

Products and services

• Plumber Magazine (Print Edition) Subscription-based print magazine delivering editorial content on plumbing techniques, industry news, business management, and product information to professional plumbing contractors.
• Plumber Magazine Website Online destination providing daily articles, how-to guides, product news, industry updates, and multimedia content for plumbing contractors and trade professionals.
• Email Newsletters Opt-in email newsletters delivering curated plumbing industry news, technical tips, and product updates directly to subscribers.
• Plumbing Podcast Audio podcast featuring interviews, technical discussions, and industry conversations aimed at plumbing contractors and trade professionals.
• Plumbing Videos and Webinars Online videos and live or recorded webinars covering plumbing techniques, equipment demonstrations, and business management training for contractors.
• Buyer's Guide / Storefront Directory Online directory listing plumbing products, equipment manufacturers, distributors, and service providers, allowing contractors to search and source suppliers.
• Classifieds Section Online classifieds where contractors and suppliers can list used equipment, services, job openings, and other trade-related offerings.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered featured and core.

• General Pipe Cleaners (div. of General Wire Spring)featuredStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral Pipe Cleaners is a featured/sponsored trade within the Plumber Magazine website. The company sponsors content including videos, product profiles, and featured articles about their drain cleaning equipment such as the Speedrooter XL, Flexicore cables, and Gen-Eye inspection/locating equipment.
• PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association)featuredStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHCC is featured prominently on Plumber Magazine with regular coverage of their programs, educational initiatives, and partnership activities such as the partnership with Milwaukee Tool for building the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
• WWETT Show (Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlumber Magazine has a strong relationship with the WWETT Show, providing extensive coverage including video content, article features, and industry news from the show. COLE Publishing was awarded the Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award at this event.
• SourcewellfeaturedOthersCUES, a manufacturer featured in Plumber Magazine, was awarded a cooperative purchasing contract through Sourcewell, a public procurement agency serving government, education and nonprofit organizations across North America.
• Bernzomatic (PHCC Educational Foundation Sponsor)featuredGTM or Marketing PartnerBernzomatic became the newest major sponsor for the PHCC scholarship program, funding more than 50 new scholarships through 2029 for students pursuing plumbing or HVAC apprenticeships and related education.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/plumbermag
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/plumbermagazine
• Facebookfacebook.com/plumbermag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plumber-magazine
• Instagraminstagram.com/plumber.mag
• TikToktiktok.com/@plumbermag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Plumber Magazine