This last month has been an interesting one as a content provider for the HVACR Channel and keeping up with the Tariff news has been a daily occurrence. We published a column in our sister ElectricalTrends.com publication this week that we wanted to share with our Industrial Supply Trends Readers. There are some tariffs we know (China, imported steel and aluminum) and then … [Read more...] about Copper, Steel, China and More About Tariffs
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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
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
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?
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
Tomorrow’s Warehouses … Powered by AI
There's lots of talk regarding AI. Many wondering "what are others doing" and asking "what should / can I do? As well as "where can it help me 'the most'?" Lots of heady questions but talking amongst yourself doesn't get anywhere. This is when talking to experts help. One that can help HVACR distributors improve their warehouse operations is Will Quinn. Many know Will as … [Read more...] about Tomorrow’s Warehouses … Powered by AI
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
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
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
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
