CARLOS DANIEL AYALA GONZALEZ HELPED FOUND IAPMO’S FIRST CHAPTER IN MEXICO TO BENEFIT THE NATION’S PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL WORKFORCE
The story of Carlos Daniel Ayala González in the world of plumbing and mechanical installations began, as is commonplace in Mexico, out of necessity.
“Like many of us who enter the trades,” he said, “I made some decisions to change my life and needed an income to support my family.” That decision marked the beginning of a path that would not only provide him with a fulfilling career but also a key role in shaping the future of plumbing in the country.
Carlos grew up surrounded by manual labor. His father founded an installation company in 1995, focused on residential construction and repair. Although he had been around the trade since childhood, it wasn’t until adulthood that he chose to professionalize. He began as an apprentice electrician, then pursued technical studies as an industrial electrician, and later earned a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering.
González works on a plumbing installation, carefully adjusting a system component. He says the demand for trained plumbers in Mexico continues to increase. | PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARLOS DANIEL AYALA GONZÁLEZ
“That’s when I became interested in specializing in mechanical installations and everything related to piping,” he said.
Since then, he has combined his academic background with hands-on experience in the family business, self-directed learning, and training provided by industry brands. His passion also led him to promote the professionalization of the trade, founding the Unión Nacional de Instaladores Hidrosanitarios A.C. (APLOMEX) — the first association of its kind in Mexico.
“Being part of founding APLOMEX has brought me great satisfaction. I’m proud of what I do and of being able to share it with others,” he said.
Going a Step Further
In 2024, Carlos took another major step by officially joining IAPMO. He was already familiar with the association’s work and was particularly interested in how it structures technical knowledge through accessible and clear codes.
“I was always drawn to how they organize everything into codes — and even more so, how they make them accessible, even in Spanish,” he said. In a country where there is no national plumbing code, IAPMO’s resources offered something unique: structure, clarity, and technical support. “Having access to the code has helped me tremendously,” he said. “Here in Mexico, there are no clear rules for plumbing and sanitary installations. Having that guidance gives you an edge in daily work. It gives you confidence and improves the service you provide to people.”
Thanks to his experience with APLOMEX, Carlos connected with IAPMO members already working in Mexico, including the team behind the testing lab in Monterrey. There he met José Madrigal, vice president of Continuous Compliance at IAPMO R&T, who helped him reach out to the organization’s international team to start an official chapter in the country.
“Step by step, with a lot of support, we built the team,” he said. “And for some reason — maybe out of enthusiasm more than merit — they decided I should take on the presidency.”
With support from APLOMEX colleagues and close collaboration with Iggy Contreras, IAPMO’s Field Services manager, the chapter held its first meeting in Mexico City. From IAPMO’s headquarters in California, Cathy Burks from the Membership team supported the entire administrative process. Of course, it wasn’t easy.
“Time is always against you, and these processes take a lot — especially when you don’t have experience,” he said. “We had to pour our hearts into it — and then some — to make it happen.”
Carlos Daniel Ayala González attends APLOMEX activities held during trade skills demonstrations at the WorldSkills Mexico national competition.
A Vision for the Industry
Carlos has a clear vision for this new IAPMO chapter in Mexico: for plumbers to understand the codes and standards and, through that, realize that it is possible to practice this trade in an organized, professional, and dignified way.
“I hope this has a positive impact on all the trades involved in the sector,” he said, “and that it becomes a channel for the growth of those of us working in this industry — for the good of Mexican society.”
Carlos notes that the demand for professional plumbing and construction services is growing rapidly, and Mexico increasingly needs trained personnel to meet that demand.
“There is a huge gap in the supply of solutions,” he said. “That limits the development of plumbing in the country, leaving a market that is undervalued and far from international standards.”
In this context, he believes IAPMO can play a key role in closing that gap.
“They can provide a clear and reliable structure, with well-defined rules for efficient and sustainable plumbing installations,” he said. “That structure also promotes responsible water use, proper treatment, and technical education — everything needed to build a professional and high-level workforce.”
The Trades as a Future
Carlos has a special message for young people who are considering which path to take in their professional lives:
“A solid education in a trade secures your future,” he said. “Construction trades are always in demand — worldwide and at all times. There’s no limit to how far you can go in a trade — it depends on how far you want to take it.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARLOS DANIEL AYALA GONZÁLEZ
Mike Flenniken is a staff writer, Marketing and Communications, for IAPMO. Prior to joining IAPMO in 2010, Flenniken worked in public relations for a group of Southern California hospitals and as a journalist in writing and editing capacities for various Southern California daily newspapers.
Last modified: July 1, 2025