The APR Baltimore expansion marks an important shift in how contractors across the Greater Baltimore region may access inventory, product breadth, and day-to-day support. With APR Supply entering due diligence to acquire McArdle & Walsh, the market is watching what a fourth-generation distributor with strong operational discipline can bring to a region defined by … [Read more...] about APR Supply’s Baltimore Expansion Strengthens the Region’s HVACR Supply Chain
Real-Time Product Data Is a Competitive Divide in HVAC
Real-time product data is now a competitive divide in the HVAC channel, and manufacturers who provide real-time product data gain an immediate advantage. When specs, pricing, and availability are current for reps, distributors, and contractors, jobs move quickly and customers feel confident. When that information is old or inconsistent, quotes slow down, margins weaken, and … [Read more...] about Real-Time Product Data Is a Competitive Divide in HVAC
Carrier and Women in HVACR Award $55,000 in Scholarships to Advance Women in the Trades
The HVACR industry is stronger when more people have a real chance to contribute, lead and build meaningful careers. That is why the Women in HVACR scholarships program, in partnership with Carrier, stands out. Their joint effort is not simply another feel-good moment. It is a concrete investment in the next generation of technicians, engineers and business leaders who will … [Read more...] about Carrier and Women in HVACR Award $55,000 in Scholarships to Advance Women in the Trades
Heading to the HARDI Annual Conference
I'm a couple of weeks out from participating in my first HARDI Annual Conference, and I am genuinely looking forward to attending. The event always brings together a sharp mix of industry professionals, and it is one of the few places where the full HVACR channel sits under the same roof with a shared purpose. This year’s theme is Gold Standard. It focuses on raising … [Read more...] about Heading to the HARDI Annual Conference
2026 Housing Market: What HVAC Channels Must Do Now
The team at John Burns Research & Consulting is painting a different picture of the next housing cycle. It is not a reset back to 2021-style demand. It is a structural shift, and the 2026 housing market implications for HVAC channel leaders are significant. If you operate in HVAC manufacturing, wholesale distribution, or as a rep agency, what happens over the next eighteen … [Read more...] about 2026 Housing Market: What HVAC Channels Must Do Now
Home Depot and Lowe’s Q3 2025 Results: What Their Numbers Tell Us About the Year Ahead
Home Depot and Lowe’s Q3 2025 results are in, giving us a clearer sense of how the home-improvement market is holding up as we head into 2026. Sales were steady, digital use continued to climb, and both companies leaned heavily on their Pro strategies, even as consumers remained cautious about big-ticket projects. There is plenty of nuance behind the topline numbers, and Kevin … [Read more...] about Home Depot and Lowe’s Q3 2025 Results: What Their Numbers Tell Us About the Year Ahead
Lantern’s AI Forecasting: A New Era for Distributors
I had the chance to sit in on a demo of Lantern’s AI forecasting platform recently, and it was one of the more compelling tools I have seen in a while. The team is tackling a problem every distributor knows too well. Distributors are carrying more inventory than they want, chasing fill rates they cannot afford to miss, and leaning on ERP rules that were written when the … [Read more...] about Lantern’s AI Forecasting: A New Era for Distributors
AI Adoption in Distribution: How Leadership and the Right Partner Drive Lasting Change
The distribution industry is at an inflection point. Tariffs, labor shortages, and margin pressure are reshaping how companies compete, while AI adoption in distribution is changing how work gets done. The challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to implement it in a way that delivers immediate results and builds lasting competitive advantage. In this article, … [Read more...] about AI Adoption in Distribution: How Leadership and the Right Partner Drive Lasting Change
Watsco’s Q3 2025 Results: Better Than Feared, but Not Out of the Woods Yet
Watsco’s Q3 2025 results offered a sigh of relief for HVAC distributors and manufacturers watching the A2L refrigerant transition unfold. Earnings per share of $3.98 missed Wall Street consensus by about 6 percent but came in ahead of buy-side expectations. That mix of mild disappointment and cautious optimism perfectly sums up where the HVAC channel sits today: weathering … [Read more...] about Watsco’s Q3 2025 Results: Better Than Feared, but Not Out of the Woods Yet
How Far Off “Typical” Are Your Processes? And What Is It Costing You?
Last week I had the opportunity the Infor Velocity Days event held in Orlando. Overall, I was very impressed with the quality of the information presented and the knowledge that the guest speakers brought to the table. Two sessions that really resonated with me dealt with the question How far off of typical are your processes, and The Hidden Cost of Customizing Your ERP … [Read more...] about How Far Off “Typical” Are Your Processes? And What Is It Costing You?
