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
Industry News
HVAC Fault Detection Insights from Schneider Electric
Consulting & Specifying Engineer (CSE) magazine is conducting a training webinar on Thursday, April 25th with a topic of "What the benefits of HVAC fault detection, plus how to specify it." The description for the webinar is: Within commercial buildings, it is estimated that poorly maintained, degraded or improperly controlled equipment wastes an … [Read more...] about HVAC Fault Detection Insights from Schneider Electric
How Regional Managers (Can) Add Value
The role of the manufacturer regional manager has been challenged, and redefined, during and since Covid. Whereas it was to be a facilitator and "face of factory" prior to Covid, the question now asked is "what is their value proposition" given that companies are striving to do more with less, virtual meetings have become part of everyday life, and distributor consolidation is … [Read more...] about How Regional Managers (Can) Add Value
Manufacturers – Is Your Customer King?
Recently my colleague, Gene Biben, penned an article for ElectricalTrends, discussing a disturbing trends, perhaps it's an outgrowth from COVID, that affects many manufacturers. As background, Gene spent over 40 years as a manufacturer rep. The agency was passed from father to son. He has since retired, with his son-in-law taking over, but he stays involved in the business … [Read more...] about Manufacturers – Is Your Customer King?
Opinion – WATSCOs latest move is more than just another HVACR acquisition
WATSCO's latest acquisition appears to be more than just another HVACR bolt on addition. It may open new channels for WATSCO to grow in 2024 and the future both organically and with acquisitions. Last week one of the largest HVACR distributors Watsco announced it completed its acquisition of Gateway Supply Company, Inc. distributor of plumbing and HVAC products … [Read more...] about Opinion – WATSCOs latest move is more than just another HVACR acquisition
CRM helps Reps and Manufacturers Succeed
CRM data sharing between independent manufacturer reps and manufacturers is a tricky, and touchy, issue. One of a rep's value propositions is local market knowledge as well as account / opportunity knowledge. No salesperson likes to let their "boss" know everything they know, but times have changed. The value in information sharing is significant and can help close sales … [Read more...] about CRM helps Reps and Manufacturers Succeed
NIBCO Service Enables Access to Specs
The odds of selling a more "technical", or "engineered", product increase the tighter the specs are to the product you're selling. Over the years the specification process in many industries has essentially devolved to "or equal". In other words, "hard specs" became "soft specs" and the term "value engineering" was coined. Value engineering became associated with "how do I … [Read more...] about NIBCO Service Enables Access to Specs
