We take a deep dive on the latest earning results from Lenox and WATSCO in this column. HVAC manufacturer Lennox (light commercial equipment) and Watsco (distributor), and industrial manufacturer ABB, reported quarterly earning this week. Tariff discussions dominated the commentary both from the companies being proactive as well as questions from stakeholder … [Read more...] about HVACR April Earning Results – Watsco and Lennox
7 Reasons to Use This eCommerce Resource
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been observing the quarterly reports and other communiques by distributors in a number of industries – Watsco, Ferguson and similar – and there has been a recurring trend … growth in their eCommerce business. Admittedly, for most of them, a deeper dive would probably reveal that this is not seismic growth in new customer business but a … [Read more...] about 7 Reasons to Use This eCommerce Resource
Channel Marketing Group Partners with NAW/MDM SHIFT
Channel Marketing Group is pleased to partner with NAW and MDM on the upcoming MDM Shift conference, scheduled for May 13-15, 2025. I’ve known Tom Gale and MDM since I was at IMARK. MDM has been the preeminent publication sharing best practices and ideas across industries for many years. Since 2017, when they got into the conference business, they have received rave reviews … [Read more...] about Channel Marketing Group Partners with NAW/MDM SHIFT
Why HVAC Distributors Must Prioritize Digital Maturity
The HVAC distribution industry is evolving. Preliminary findings from our recent contractor survey where we asked contractors about their eCommerce usage (reserve your company by clicking here) revealed that they are online, to varying degrees, and are researching products, gathering spec sheets, and buying online (but maybe not from you!) This is driven by shifting … [Read more...] about Why HVAC Distributors Must Prioritize Digital Maturity
Ferguson Chugs Along, Accelerates HVAC Growth
Last week Ferguson announced its FY25 Q2 earnings with their analyst call. Ferguson continues to diversify into multiple markets beyond plumbing, including HVACR, lighting, waterworks, facilities supply, fire and fabrication, industrial and mechanical. They see opportunities to increase sales, and their market share, in these large markets, and continue to invest for … [Read more...] about Ferguson Chugs Along, Accelerates HVAC Growth
Pricing on Your Website
When it comes to launching a commerce-enabled websites, frequently distributors get concerned about product content, pricing, and integrating with their ERP for “real-time” information. These are perceived as “daunting” and can frequently create paralysis in the decision-making process, especially if the distributor does not have an experienced person to lead the technical … [Read more...] about Pricing on Your Website
Is eCommerce Important to Your Customers? Let’s Ask Them
That’s the question many senior executives ask themselves regularly about eCommerce. They’ve invested much into their website. They’ve invested into product data. They’ve invested into people. They ask, does anyone care? Are we getting an ROI? I know I’m being, perhaps, a little facetious as intuitively many believe / understand that these investments are now expectations, … [Read more...] about Is eCommerce Important to Your Customers? Let’s Ask Them
Prokeep and Allied Join Forces to Support HVAC Distributors
Big news in the HVAC channel for Allied Air distributors that are seeking to differentiate themselves, be more accessible to their contractors (and their contractors' field technicians), and are seeking to grow ... especially with their house / uncoded accounts! Prokeep and Allied Air Enterprises According to its press release ..."Prokeep, distribution’s leading customer … [Read more...] about Prokeep and Allied Join Forces to Support HVAC Distributors
Up Your AI Knowledge at the MDM AI Summit … for Free
If you are talking tech or processes with anyone inevitably the topic quickly turns to AI. There is much going on in this space and it seemingly changes daily. I've recently had conversations with some people inquiring what distributors are doing and why it wasn't going faster. They asked if distributors had thought how they could use AI. I laughed (to myself) and said, … [Read more...] about Up Your AI Knowledge at the MDM AI Summit … for Free
Attracting the HVAC Industry’s Next Generation
"Workforce development" is the new euphemism that many are using to describe the need for employee recruitment, development, and retention. It's all about how to attract and keep talent. It's about finding your "next generation." The why is that, as much as technology companies would like everyone to believe that technology will enable improved production and help reduce the … [Read more...] about Attracting the HVAC Industry’s Next Generation
