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
Industry News
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
Merger between Republic Companies and T.F. Ehrhart continues the “Channel Drift” Trend
The news that — Midwest distributors Republic Companies, an HVAC and electrical distributor and T.F. Ehrhart, a HVACR distributor caught our attention this week. On a personal note, I have seen the bright red Republic Trucks pass the electrical distributor competitor I worked for too many times to count. A shout out to whomever decided to outfit to Republic Trucks with a … [Read more...] about Merger between Republic Companies and T.F. Ehrhart continues the “Channel Drift” Trend
Tariff talk – Tips on how to prepare for wherever the talks end up
We have been writing, crossing out, rewriting on the impact of tariff battles between the US, Canada, Mexico and China. We had a number of articles ready to publish then had to hit the stop button to react to another announced change. Late last week it was "Let's get ready to rumble" and now the cage match tariff talk has gone back into a 30-day negotiation talk period at … [Read more...] about Tariff talk – Tips on how to prepare for wherever the talks end up
Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Part 2
In Part One of our Distributor Spotlight series, we started to share the Johnstone Supply Orion Group (JSOG) Story. The original intent was to edit the article, but the information was so interesting that we decided to share is unedited which meant it needed to be told in two parts. Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group - Part 1 - HVACR Trends In Part One - … [Read more...] about Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Part 2
Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Part 1
I have been writing a Distributor series for/with Modern Distribution Management this past year where we profile large public distributors (WATSO, Ferguson, WESCO, Fastenal, and MSC Industrial). We write about the available information they release publicly to the market. That has been a fun experience taking a deep dive into the public side, but the independent distribution … [Read more...] about Distributor Spotlight: Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Part 1
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
Update : Auer Steel continuing to partner with end customers to recruit future associates
The Auer Steel and Heating Supply Company team continues to create programs that matter for their end customers and the channel. In September, we first started featuring Auer Steel's work (led by Jon Hirsch) to bring that next generation of HVACR professionals into the industry. They as a HVACR distributor are one of the most active advocates promoting the benefits of the … [Read more...] about Update : Auer Steel continuing to partner with end customers to recruit future associates
Ferguson Annual Report Analysis … HVACR and Plumbing Dual Trade focus continues
A few weeks back my colleague David Gordon wrote a column on Ferguson's Q4 numbers. Ferguson added to that release with additional information that was contained in their full annual report. I wanted to see what the Ferguson Annual report had to share to our recent analysis in HVACRtrends, and the distributor series on Ferguson that I wrote for MDM. Did anything major … [Read more...] about Ferguson Annual Report Analysis … HVACR and Plumbing Dual Trade focus continues
Danfoss Introduces New EVR and NRV Solutions for HVAC and Refrigeration Systems
Danfoss Launches EVR and NRV Safety Valves to Meet Stringent UL 60335-2-40 and UL 60335-2-89 Standards Danfoss, a global leader in engineering technologies, is proud to announce the release of its new and reliable EVR and NRV Safety Valves, approved to meet UL 60335-2-40 and UL 60335-2-89 standards. As the industry faces tighter safety regulations, the Danfoss EVR solenoid … [Read more...] about Danfoss Introduces New EVR and NRV Solutions for HVAC and Refrigeration Systems
Prokeep Helps Capture the Text and Turn it Into Dollars
As distributors seek cost-effective ways to improve customer experience, improve productivity and have a cost-effective sales tool, while doing all of these digitally, HVACRTrends is pleased to welcome our newest partner, Prokeep. Prokeep offers a unique solution to distributors, which can also cost-effectively and easily be used by manufacturer representatives, which … [Read more...] about Prokeep Helps Capture the Text and Turn it Into Dollars
Auer Steel, investing for customer and the next generation’s success
As I was going through my story idea notebook on what to write for this week's column, I saw a LinkedIn notification on a posting from Jon Hirsch. I started following Jon's work as Director of Business Development for Auer Steel & Heating Supply Company (HVACR distributor with locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and North Dakota) about a year ago. What jumped … [Read more...] about Auer Steel, investing for customer and the next generation’s success
Are / Can Distributors Be Demand Generators?
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?
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
