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
Industry News
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
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
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
Ferguson FYQ2 Performance Insights
Last week Ferguson shared their FY Q2 performance, which was the equivalent of Q4 2022. Not surprisingly, given the Fed’s interest rate hikes and the resulting impact on the residential market, Ferguson reported deceleration in its sales growth. After all, continuing to exceed performance over the past few years, given the confluence of supply chain issues, price increases … [Read more...] about Ferguson FYQ2 Performance Insights
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
McNeill to Lead Conexiom as CEO
Conexiom is helping HVACR distributors like Woodhill Supply and Johnstone Supply, as well as numerous electrical distributors, scale their businesses by automating the ordering process, enabling repetitive tasks (data entry) to become digitized enabling staff to manage more and/or better serve internal and external customers. For many this is one of their steps on their … [Read more...] about McNeill to Lead Conexiom as CEO
