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
Industry Insights
Unlocking Online Sales
Watsco and Ferguson's performance has shown HVAC distributors that HVAC contractors are using eCommerce. While they may not be "shopping" like B2C buyers, they are using distributor websites for product research, pricing, inventory research, and consummating transactions. The transactions can be technicians placing orders from the field, and typically on service calls, to … [Read more...] about Unlocking Online Sales
2024 in Review: HVACR Industry Trends from a Danfoss Perspective
With 2024 in the rearview mirror, Vikas Anand, Vice President of Sales, Danfoss Climate Solutions, North America, shares his thoughts on what the trends were (and some, if not all, will continue into 2025 as they become part of the “fabric” of the industry) and shares thoughts on what 2025 will bring. 2024 in Review: HVACR Industry Trends "In 2024, the North American HVACR … [Read more...] about 2024 in Review: HVACR Industry Trends from a Danfoss Perspective
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
Attendee roundup and thoughts from HARDI 2024
Last week - HARDI 2025 was held in Atlanta Dec 8-11th. With over 2,000+ attendees and over 500+ wholesalers/distributor companies represented the event grew again in size this year. We wanted to share some additional thoughts on the conference in a part 2 article for the HVACR Channel members who were not able to attend. As we reported last week it was a packed event. Where … [Read more...] about Attendee roundup and thoughts from HARDI 2024
Where is the channel headed? Thoughts from HARDI 2024
This week - I wanted to share some thoughts from some friends and associates who are attending HARDI 2025 in Atlanta. The event concludes today on Tuesday December 10th, and we will write a more in-depth report on HARDI 2024 next week for our readers. HARDI has been hosting their big annual conference for the channel for decades. This year over 1,900+ key channel leaders … [Read more...] about Where is the channel headed? Thoughts from HARDI 2024
Mingledorffs Update – Caffeine and Coils and Industry outreach
Earlier this year, I started a series on Mingledorff's and their teams efforts to deploy information to their customers in unique ways. I started this series because I follow a Mingledorff's podcast called Caffeine and Coils hosted by Jenny Brown and Deanna Lassiter. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caffeine-and-coils/id1701491521 This podcast was started at the end … [Read more...] about Mingledorffs Update – Caffeine and Coils and Industry outreach
CRM … Today’s Marketing Backbone
Marketing for distribution today requires more nuance than ever before. It is no longer solely counter days, events (especially golf!), flyers, short-term promotions and logoed items. It's more about strategy, analysis, targeting customers, determining messaging, tailoring offers to selected audiences, promoting your value proposition and more. Further, giving a flyer to … [Read more...] about CRM … Today’s Marketing Backbone
Embrace Change to Adopt AI and Improve Profits
The concept of digital transformation, let alone AI, as a future driver for your organization is probably a folly unless … You have a leader, and leadership team, which believes in change. There are two key words in the above sentence … “leadership” and “change.” Leadership infers vision, an ability to perceive “need,” an entrepreneurial mentality that desires growth, … [Read more...] about Embrace Change to Adopt AI and Improve Profits
