Market share is the most cited, least understood metric for most HVAC distributors. With economic uncertainty hanging over 2026, sharper distribution planning is essential. Here is how to ground your growth targets in reality and avoid the blind spots competitors may be leaving wide open. Why Market Share Matters in 2026 This article kicks off a series we will be … [Read more...] about Market Share Math: How Distributors Can Sharpen 2026 Planning
Industry Consolidation
Volcanoes make noise. Glaciers shape markets: Bosch in HVAC
Volcanoes erupt. They grab attention, change landscapes overnight, and leave everyone scrambling to adapt. Glaciers, by contrast, move almost imperceptibly. Yet over time they carve valleys, redirect rivers, and permanently reshape the terrain. Bosch has chosen to act like a glacier in the U.S. HVAC market. Their recent $8 billion acquisition of Johnson Controls–Hitachi’s … [Read more...] about Volcanoes make noise. Glaciers shape markets: Bosch in HVAC
Is an ESOP A Growth Strategy for Your HVACR Business?
Over the past few years the HVAC industry, like other construction trades, has experienced much consolidation. I know, it’s a “b*tch” to get old. It even happens to the owners of companies! After analyzing hundreds of acquisitions in the HVAC and electrical distribution industries, my conclusion is that 90-95% of the acquisitions over the past four years have been driven by … [Read more...] about Is an ESOP A Growth Strategy for Your HVACR Business?
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
Are All PE Firms Barbarians?
At last month's HARDI Conference, Quinn Carlson of Uplift Partners shared insights on the HVAC acquisition market. After the conference he shared his slides with interested parties. I reached out to discuss the trends he's seeing and what we're hearing, as well as seeing in other construction channels. We then discussed private equity as an acquirer. They've been active … [Read more...] about Are All PE Firms Barbarians?
Trane and BrainBox AI Join Forces
Manufacturers and distributors talk much about AI and how they are using, or planning to use, it within their business workflows to improve sales processes, customer service, deliver analytics, improve warehouse automation, pricing, and more. Trane Technologies is taking AI the next step and seeking to integrate it into its products. According to the Financial Post, in an … [Read more...] about Trane and BrainBox AI Join Forces
nVent Sells Raychem, Tracer, NuHeat and Pyrotenax
Back in May it was reported that nVent was soliciting bids for its Thermal management division. News releases shared that the division’s 2023 revenues were $595 million and that it’s EBITDA was approximately $150 million, for a 25% EBITDA margin. A short three months later, it was announced last week that nVent sold the division to Brookfield Asset Management. nVent Announces … [Read more...] about nVent Sells Raychem, Tracer, NuHeat and Pyrotenax
Structuring Acquisitions
Acquisitions continue to transform the HVACR industry. PE (private equity) are expanding their portfolio companies and others are seeking to enter the market. National distributors are expanding into new territories and also acquiring smaller companies as "fill-ins" or, in some cases, are diversifying their businesses and building new divisions. Regionals, and even some "local" … [Read more...] about Structuring Acquisitions
Coburn Supply Acquires Bay Electric, Adds HVAC
Coburn Supply, a multi-industry distributor headquartered in Texas serving the electrical, plumbing, HVAC and waterwork segments in eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee through over 60 locations recently announced its second acquisition of the year, this time in the electrical industry. The company acquired the assets of Bay Electric Supply’s League … [Read more...] about Coburn Supply Acquires Bay Electric, Adds HVAC
The Master Group Acquired RSC; PE Strikes
Private equity firms, which always seem to have access to funds, are looking to acquire distributors, believing this is a growth segment for them In the electrical industry, within the past six months two independent distributors have been acquired by private equity firms with the previous owners remaining involved in the business ... professionally and financially. The … [Read more...] about The Master Group Acquired RSC; PE Strikes
