Home Depot and Lowe’s Q3 2025 results are in, giving us a clearer sense of how the home-improvement market is holding up as we head into 2026. Sales were steady, digital use continued to climb, and both companies leaned heavily on their Pro strategies, even as consumers remained cautious about big-ticket projects. There is plenty of nuance behind the topline numbers, and Kevin … [Read more...] about Home Depot and Lowe’s Q3 2025 Results: What Their Numbers Tell Us About the Year Ahead
Market Analysis
Watsco’s Q3 2025 Results: Better Than Feared, but Not Out of the Woods Yet
Watsco’s Q3 2025 results offered a sigh of relief for HVAC distributors and manufacturers watching the A2L refrigerant transition unfold. Earnings per share of $3.98 missed Wall Street consensus by about 6 percent but came in ahead of buy-side expectations. That mix of mild disappointment and cautious optimism perfectly sums up where the HVAC channel sits today: weathering … [Read more...] about Watsco’s Q3 2025 Results: Better Than Feared, but Not Out of the Woods Yet
Data Centers – an HVACR Distributor Opportunity
Data centers are perceived as a “huge” market opportunity by almost every manufacturer. Many distributors believe that they should be able to win some business there. Reps are expected to win business there. And yes, there are lots of data centers in the country, and in most markets, but the data centers gaining visibility today, the mega projects, are for AI and are being … [Read more...] about Data Centers – an HVACR Distributor Opportunity
How Far Off “Typical” Are Your Processes? And What Is It Costing You?
Last week I had the opportunity the Infor Velocity Days event held in Orlando. Overall, I was very impressed with the quality of the information presented and the knowledge that the guest speakers brought to the table. Two sessions that really resonated with me dealt with the question How far off of typical are your processes, and The Hidden Cost of Customizing Your ERP … [Read more...] about How Far Off “Typical” Are Your Processes? And What Is It Costing You?
Midyear Course Correction: “Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth”
TL; DR: To paraphrase the inestimable words of “Iron” Mike Tyson, plans rarely survive contact with the market. Like a sailboat tacking into the wind, the best distributors keep course-correcting until they reach their goal. The best distributors do not throw them out when things change. They adapt. Midyear reviews turn assumptions into action by checking what the market … [Read more...] about Midyear Course Correction: “Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth”
Mingledorff’s Caffeine and Coils Podcast: How an 86-Year-Old Brand Stays Fresh
Jenny Brown and Deanna Lassiter explain how Mingledorff's Caffeine and Coils became both a creative outlet and a living symbol of their transparency, innovation, and people-first culture. By Chuck Labow | HVACRtrends.com When Mingledorff's Caffeine and Coils first launched, it wasn’t just another company podcast—it was a natural continuation of something Mingledorff’s had … [Read more...] about Mingledorff’s Caffeine and Coils Podcast: How an 86-Year-Old Brand Stays Fresh
William Blair HVAC Survey 2025: Demand Cools, Repair Rises
The third quarter of 2025 has been a rough ride for the HVAC industry. According to the William Blair's 2025 HVAC Survey, distributors and manufacturers reported softening demand, persistent sticker shock, and an unusually cool summer—all combining to create what the firm called a “rough out there” environment. The William Blair HVAC Index fell 3% year over year, one of the … [Read more...] about William Blair HVAC Survey 2025: Demand Cools, Repair Rises
What Happens When the Market Moves: Scenario Planning for HVACR Distributors
TL;DR: Most leading forecasts point to slower growth or a mild recession in 2026. Scenario planning gives HVACR distributors a way to prepare for that reality. The goal is not to predict the downturn’s depth, but to be ready for it. Good plans bend before they break. Economic Outlook for 2026 Forecasts from the IMF, Deloitte, OECD, and the University of Michigan … [Read more...] about What Happens When the Market Moves: Scenario Planning for HVACR Distributors
Danfoss acquires Palladio Compressors
Danfoss’ announced their acquisition of Palladio Compressors today. This would seem to signal more than portfolio expansion—it plugs a real gap in the HVAC/R market. By bringing non-captive screw technology under its roof, Danfoss adds supply to a segment where options have been limited, while positioning itself to accelerate adoption of natural and low-GWP refrigerants. The … [Read more...] about Danfoss acquires Palladio Compressors
2026 HVACR Planning Season – Contractor Loyalty Programs are worth considering
As you go into planning season, and you are looking for programs in 2026 that can help you grow business in 2026. A Contractor loyalty program has to be one of the areas, I would look at as a distributor leader. I was fortunate to be involved and help lead 9 contractor loyalty programs as a distributor, and each and every time they delivered above market growth numbers. So, … [Read more...] about 2026 HVACR Planning Season – Contractor Loyalty Programs are worth considering
EPA Floats Refrigerant Rule Rollback: Five Years of Breathing Room or Just More Confusion?
The EPA has proposed a major revision to the Biden-era refrigerant transition rules, offering relief to contractors, distributors, and manufacturers who’ve been bracing for 2025 compliance deadlines. The move could push back enforcement in key sectors, giving the industry as much as five years to adapt — but it also raises new questions. When the 2023 Technology Transitions … [Read more...] about EPA Floats Refrigerant Rule Rollback: Five Years of Breathing Room or Just More Confusion?
Show Me the Value: Why HR Needs Receipts
HR often sits in a strange space inside organizations. Employees are wary because they see HR as working for management, not for them. Leadership, meanwhile, gets frustrated when HR leaders say they want to be “strategic” but then spend their time bogged down in the tactical weeds. Over the years, I have worked closely with HR leaders in different contexts. Too often, I … [Read more...] about Show Me the Value: Why HR Needs Receipts
Sizing the Market: TAM, SAM, and SOM for HVACR Distributor Planning 2026
Market share math only works if you define the market you are measuring against. TAM, SAM, and SOM are the three lenses that turn gut feel into something you can plan with. For HVACR distributors, iffy-definitions create false signals that can derail planning. This article breaks down how HVACR distributors calculate market share using TAM, SAM, and SOM. Market share … [Read more...] about Sizing the Market: TAM, SAM, and SOM for HVACR Distributor Planning 2026
AI Agents in Distribution: From Hype to Practical Impact
Distributors are hearing more about AI every day, but much of the conversation stays broad and abstract. This article looks at something more practical: how AI agents are already being used in distribution to handle routine tasks, free up people, and improve the customer experience. Recently, I had the chance to speak with Mohamed Ben Aribia, founder of Helixia, and watch … [Read more...] about AI Agents in Distribution: From Hype to Practical Impact
Market Share Math: How Distributors Can Sharpen 2026 Planning
Market share is the most cited, least understood metric for most HVAC distributors. With economic uncertainty hanging over 2026, sharper distribution planning is essential. Here is how to ground your growth targets in reality and avoid the blind spots competitors may be leaving wide open. Why Market Share Matters in 2026 This article kicks off a series we will be … [Read more...] about Market Share Math: How Distributors Can Sharpen 2026 Planning
