Just like your car needs gas, or perhaps an electrical charge nowadays, to operate, so does your digitalization effort, or more specifically, your business, need data, to operate. And in both cases, you want that “fuel” to come directly from the source. In the case of product data, this information must flow from the manufacturer, to distributors, be available to … [Read more...] about eCommerce AND ERP Data to Power Your Business
Industry Insights
ChatGPT for HVACR Distributors
Let’s have a little fun for a change or, in the words of the comedienne Joan Rivers, “can we chat”? For the past few months there has been lots of media coverage, and conversation, about ChatGPT. Microsoft, which reportedly invested over $13 billion into the company for “only” 49% ownership is a major driver of this new AI (artificial intelligence) technology and is taking a … [Read more...] about ChatGPT for HVACR Distributors
Republic Companies Receives Investment from Graycliff Partners
Republic Companies, an electrical and HVACR distributors based in Davenport, IA, received an investment from Graycliff Partners. This New York-based private equity firm invests in small to mid-sized companies and they typically makes $10-50 million invest in companies. And the company is already seeking “add-ons” , indicating that they are seeking acquisitions in either, or … [Read more...] about Republic Companies Receives Investment from Graycliff Partners
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
AD Enters Leadership Training Arena; Association Competition?
AD launched an interesting, and perhaps valuable, initiative that, on the face of it, would appear to target a core element of an association’s value proposition … training. And, it is interesting given that, presumably, a significant percentage of leading distributors within the marketing / buying group are members of various associations. However, AD, like many … [Read more...] about AD Enters Leadership Training Arena; Association Competition?
HARDI Ignite … Generating Insights
Last month HARDI held its Annual Conference and, like most, it attracted many manufacturers, distributors and independent representatives from the industry. All had similar questions ... "how has your business been?" and, more importantly, "what are you seeing for 2023?" Everyone is seeking a benchmark. At the same time, lots of one-on-one meetings between distributors and … [Read more...] about HARDI Ignite … Generating Insights
Distributors – Maximize Your Volume Rebates with a Strategic Revenue Plan
Last week we shared highlights from our recent research on the State of Volume Rebates. But, given the importance of rebates to the net profitability of distributors, I reached out to a friend and former distributor client, Greg Smith, to share his first-hand experience, and best practices, to help distributors optimize their rebate earnings. For those who don’t know … [Read more...] about Distributors – Maximize Your Volume Rebates with a Strategic Revenue Plan
Recession? 10 Tips to Help HVACR Distributors Avoid One
You may remember the phrase “it was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” Well, the past two years have had both. And, for that matter, this year for many may encompass both with strong sales in the first half of the year and the rate of growth slowing significantly the second half … especially if you factor out price increases. It is leading to the question, "Is a … [Read more...] about Recession? 10 Tips to Help HVACR Distributors Avoid One
Part 1 – How manufacturers are re-examining their HVACR distribution channel strategy for 2023
Leading manufacturers are always preparing for and examining their HVACR distribution channel for adjustments in 2023. Get yourself prepared for the coming manufacturer-manufacturer rep- distributor realignment games to come. Future-focused manufacturers have been re-examining their channel strategy for the past few years. As business slows, they will step up communication … [Read more...] about Part 1 – How manufacturers are re-examining their HVACR distribution channel strategy for 2023
10 Ways to Thrive In 2023’s Recession
The markets up, the markets down. You listen to economists and you hear about recession and will the Fed raise rates or hold. Large technology firms are laying people off by the thousands but HVAC distributors and manufacturers cannot find people. Product supply chains have gotten better but then you hear of the sporadic issues. So, while the media and economic tea leaves … [Read more...] about 10 Ways to Thrive In 2023’s Recession
