Recently I visited a manufacturer client who asked me about “the channel”. Specifically, they wanted to know: “What drives distributor product selection, what is the food chain, what’s the value of each?” “Are distributors proactive in creating opportunities and selling our types of products?” In all transparency, this is a manufacturer who is owned by a PE firm and … [Read more...] about Are / Can Distributors Be Demand Generators?
Industry News
Ferguson Q4 Earnings Report … Preparing for Increased HVAC Focus
Last week Ferguson shared their FY Q4 earnings and held their analyst call. While not “focused” on the HVACR market, Ferguson is growing in this space and sees opportunity to increase their influence and, more importantly, gain share in the market … and they have the war chest available to make the investments and “buy-in.” From the Ferguson earnings call (words in italics are … [Read more...] about Ferguson Q4 Earnings Report … Preparing for Increased HVAC Focus
The 1st Daikin World Air Survey Results highlight HVAC trends
As we head into the last days of August a recent survey by industry channel leader Daikin (Goodman, Amana, and Daikin Brands in North America) was just released that I thought had some interesting data to share. The survey results were released by Daikin in early August, This first Daikin World Air Survey was comprised of results from 1,200 people in 12 cities from around … [Read more...] about The 1st Daikin World Air Survey Results highlight HVAC trends
Capitalize on the Data Center Boom: AI for HVAC Distributors
The data center market, as many know, continues to boom. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 33% of the new construction office spend in May was by data centers! There are data center industry reports of 100 data centers scheduled to be built for the next 10 years ... and this may be conservative. The driver of the need for all of this … [Read more...] about Capitalize on the Data Center Boom: AI for HVAC Distributors
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
Observations from Watsco Q1. Slow but Improving
With Q1 complete, Watsco shared their earnings report. We took a quick read-through to identify highlights and what some areas could mean and could mean for you. The following is taken from a transcript of the call: (and italics are my commentary) “Softer market conditions” with the caveat that Q1 is historically the slow season. Seeing “improved sales trends in … [Read more...] about Observations from Watsco Q1. Slow but Improving
