Ferguson recently released their Q3 Results through April 30, 2025 and although the pace of Ferguson acquisitions has slowed, their growth remains strong. Their focus on the dual trade contractor (Plumbing and HVACR) continues to be a winning company strategy. Source: Ferguson Q3 results released June 3, 2025 Ferguson shared that Sales were up 4.3% in the Quarter with … [Read more...] about Ferguson Q3 Results highlight Dual Trade Contractor Strategy Performance
Market Analysis
Chuck Labow Joins Channel Marketing Group / HVACRTrends
I launched HVACRTrends in 2021 as an initiative to serve the HVAC industry, similar to ElectricalTrends, which I launched in 2007. The goal then was, quite frankly, to slowly expand, and diversify, Channel Marketing Group. The intent for the site is to share ideas, offer observations about the business, and bring insights from a different perspective which is informed from a … [Read more...] about Chuck Labow Joins Channel Marketing Group / HVACRTrends
Carrier Investor Day shows continued growth built off a strong business base
Carrier's Investor Day, May 19, 2025 provided a deep dive into the HVACR leading manufacturer strategy and results that were enlightening. Often in these high-level investor day presentations, you have to read between the lines. As our HVACR trends are overwhelmingly based in North America, I concentrated on the presentation given by Gaurang Pandya - President - Climate … [Read more...] about Carrier Investor Day shows continued growth built off a strong business base
Solving the HVAC Labor Crunch
Fieldedge's Jessie Barrack shares candid insights on the HVAC labor crisis, the role of technology, and the need for coordinated action across the HVACR distribution channel. How FieldEdge Helps Contractors Do More with Less When we spoke with Jessie Barrack, it is clear that he is carrying the weight of decades in the HVAC space, having worn every hat from call center rep to … [Read more...] about Solving the HVAC Labor Crunch
Opinion: MDM-NAW Shift highlighted Data Analytics as a key discipline for 2025
Modern Distribution Management (MDM) Shift event was held last week (May 13-15th in Englewood, Colorado). The event has continued to evolve over the past 9 years, and it was once again attended by who's who of distribution leaders. Many leading distributors also presented at MDM Shift ranging from large public companies - Ferguson & Motion Industries to family-held … [Read more...] about Opinion: MDM-NAW Shift highlighted Data Analytics as a key discipline for 2025
Preview of HVAC Contractor eCommerce Research Findings
As HVAC distributors continue on their journey of digitization, BigCommerce sponsored research to uncover insights from contractors on their usage of eCommerce to support their material purchasing needs. The forthcoming white paper (you can reserve your copy of the full report) provides a snapshot of the valued features and functionality of online sites, how much is … [Read more...] about Preview of HVAC Contractor eCommerce Research Findings
Seal-Tite Celebrates 125th Anniversary
Seal-Tite is celebrating a milestone that few companies achieve ... it's 125th anniversary. Consider, the company opened its doors in 1900 and has survived the Great Recession, multiple World Wars, survived the test of time and saw Y2K while also seeing the advent of computers and the transition from when business was dominated by phone and mail, through the transition to the … [Read more...] about Seal-Tite Celebrates 125th Anniversary
Is an ESOP A Growth Strategy for Your HVACR Business?
Over the past few years the HVAC industry, like other construction trades, has experienced much consolidation. I know, it’s a “b*tch” to get old. It even happens to the owners of companies! After analyzing hundreds of acquisitions in the HVAC and electrical distribution industries, my conclusion is that 90-95% of the acquisitions over the past four years have been driven by … [Read more...] about Is an ESOP A Growth Strategy for Your HVACR Business?
Powering Sales Focus and Productivity with Proactive Communication Tools
The results of our survey and research our team at Channel Marketing Group did in concert with Prokeep on the channel are in and show some clear gaps and opportunities for the channel In the HVACR channel world, where speed often wins the deal, distributors are under increasing pressure to serve more customers, faster—without adding headcount. Traditional sales models, … [Read more...] about Powering Sales Focus and Productivity with Proactive Communication Tools
Why is B2B Distribution like making Orange Juice?
This week I have been preparing for two excellent conferences that I am speaking at in the next 2-3 weeks (Enable Catalyze and MDM SHIFT) and talking with channel leaders on calls… It’s an uncertain time in the business that has many leaders somewhat paralyzed or in a wait and see attitude on what to do for the balance of 2025. How to Make Orange Juice In this uncertain time … [Read more...] about Why is B2B Distribution like making Orange Juice?
HVACR April Earning Results – Watsco and Lennox
We take a deep dive on the latest earning results from Lenox and WATSCO in this column. HVAC manufacturer Lennox (light commercial equipment) and Watsco (distributor), and industrial manufacturer ABB, reported quarterly earning this week. Tariff discussions dominated the commentary both from the companies being proactive as well as questions from stakeholder … [Read more...] about HVACR April Earning Results – Watsco and Lennox
Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Making Training and Programs a Differentiator
We have been featuring leading HVACR distributors in a Spotlight series over the past few months, and I sat down to do an update on the Johnstone Supply Orion Group (JSOG) story. I've been a fan of what JSOG is doing as an organization with their strategic vision and the focus they have on helping their end customers grow and thrive. JSOG's goal is to continue "Our Journey … [Read more...] about Johnstone Supply Orion Group – Making Training and Programs a Differentiator
HVACR Contractor Loyalty Research Survey Results are In
Over the years, many HVACR distributors have launched programs designed to increase contractor sales. These programs may be called frequent buyer programs, loyalty programs, or incentive programs. While there are nuances to the three, the commonality is that contractors are recognized for their support. The concept helps distributors market themselves, and drive … [Read more...] about HVACR Contractor Loyalty Research Survey Results are In
7 Reasons to Use This eCommerce Resource
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been observing the quarterly reports and other communiques by distributors in a number of industries – Watsco, Ferguson and similar – and there has been a recurring trend … growth in their eCommerce business. Admittedly, for most of them, a deeper dive would probably reveal that this is not seismic growth in new customer business but a … [Read more...] about 7 Reasons to Use This eCommerce Resource
Update: Auer Steel & Heating Supply HVACR Advocacy continues in 2025
We started following the Auer Steel and Heating Supply Company in 2024. It was interesting to see on social media a distributor who was committing resources to HVACR advocacy and outreach. The team was going to local high schools, tech colleges and hosting events every month to get the next generation inspired to join the HVACR Channel. Auer Steel's goal (led by Jon Hirsch) … [Read more...] about Update: Auer Steel & Heating Supply HVACR Advocacy continues in 2025
