Prices are moving again. Quietly, but steadily. The Producer Price Index for HVAC equipment has ticked up for eleven months in a row. It’s not necessarily making headlines, but it’s worth your attention. Undoubtedly, you’ve already raised prices due to tariffs or manufacturer increases, but are you sure you’re keeping pace? Every month, something is going up. Are you … [Read more...] about Wholesale HVAC Equipment Costs Just Jumped
Distribution Strategy
Masco Q2 Earnings: Plumbing Holds Strong as Paint Softens What It Signals for Residential HVAC
Masco’s Q2 2025 earnings report was a study in contrasts. For those of us watching the residential HVAC space, it offered a few clear signals. Headline numbers: Adjusted gross margin improved to 37.7%, up 10 basis points. Revenue was $2.05 billion, down 2% year-over-year. Adjusted for currency and divestitures, it was flat. Adjusted operating margin rose to … [Read more...] about Masco Q2 Earnings: Plumbing Holds Strong as Paint Softens What It Signals for Residential HVAC
HARDI Emerging Leaders Conference 2025 – Feedback from Channel Leaders
The HARDI Association has built a strong program for emerging leaders, and at the HARDI Emerging Leaders Conference July 22 -24th over 100 HVACR Emerging Leaders had a packed agenda with great speakers and presentations over the full program. I was intrigued by the event, as I saw it had great speakers and presenters including Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam. Dr. Bharani is the … [Read more...] about HARDI Emerging Leaders Conference 2025 – Feedback from Channel Leaders
Talent Isn’t a Trait. It’s a Trajectory.
If you were to ask ten people what “entrepreneurial talent” looks like, there is a very good chance that you’d get ten different answers. Some focus on mindset, others on past results. Some consider traits like curiosity and drive. Dr. Jeff Magee’s “Player Capability Index” takes a structured run at defining entrepreneurial talent by mixing elements of motivation, personal … [Read more...] about Talent Isn’t a Trait. It’s a Trajectory.
Pentagon Pricing Series – Part 1 – Sell Side Pricing
For the past number of months, David Gordon and I have been talking non-stop about pricing and have been busy helping many distributors and manufacturers with their "buy side" and "sell side" programs. As a former pricing leader for two of the largest distributors in North America, I have been remiss in writing as much as we should about buy-side and sell-side pricing. So, … [Read more...] about Pentagon Pricing Series – Part 1 – Sell Side Pricing
New Research: What HVAC Buyers Expect from Distributors in 2025
New research reveals how buying behavior is changing—and what it means for your ecommerce strategy We recently partnered with BigCommerce to better understand how contractors and institutional buyers are sourcing HVAC, electrical, and industrial supplies—and what they now expect from distributors in 2025 and beyond. The full report is now live: … [Read more...] about New Research: What HVAC Buyers Expect from Distributors in 2025
Embraco Builds Compressor Plant in India: Why it Matters
As global demand continues to grow for high-efficiency, variable-speed, and natural refrigerant-ready compressors, manufacturers are rethinking their supply chains. One of the most recognized names in refrigeration technology: Embraco (part of Nidec Global Appliance) is taking a major step with the construction of a new $120 million compressor factory in India. While this … [Read more...] about Embraco Builds Compressor Plant in India: Why it Matters
