Channel Marketing Group is pleased to partner with NAW and MDM on the upcoming MDM Shift conference, scheduled for May 13-15, 2025. I’ve known Tom Gale and MDM since I was at IMARK. MDM has been the preeminent publication sharing best practices and ideas across industries for many years. Since 2017, when they got into the conference business, they have received rave reviews … [Read more...] about Channel Marketing Group Partners with NAW/MDM SHIFT
Market Analysis
Mingledorffs Leadership – Caffeine and Coils Update
Last year, I started a series on Mingledorff's after following their content after meeting their team in person at one of their Atlanta locations. I started the series because I follow the Mingledorff's podcast - 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 … [Read more...] about Mingledorffs Leadership – Caffeine and Coils Update
Why HVAC Distributors Must Prioritize Digital Maturity
The HVAC distribution industry is evolving. Preliminary findings from our recent contractor survey where we asked contractors about their eCommerce usage (reserve your company by clicking here) revealed that they are online, to varying degrees, and are researching products, gathering spec sheets, and buying online (but maybe not from you!) This is driven by shifting … [Read more...] about Why HVAC Distributors Must Prioritize Digital Maturity
Where is the channel headed in 2025 and beyond? Thoughts on MDM/NAW Shift conference in May 2025
I am fortunate to once again be able to attend and present at the NAW/MDM SHIFT conference, and this year it will be interesting to see how the construction and industrial channels continues to evolve. Modern Distribution Management (MDM) has been hosting this annual event for Distribution Leaders called SHIFT (originally MDM Sales GPS) for the last decade. At Shift they … [Read more...] about Where is the channel headed in 2025 and beyond? Thoughts on MDM/NAW Shift conference in May 2025
Ferguson Chugs Along, Accelerates HVAC Growth
Last week Ferguson announced its FY25 Q2 earnings with their analyst call. Ferguson continues to diversify into multiple markets beyond plumbing, including HVACR, lighting, waterworks, facilities supply, fire and fabrication, industrial and mechanical. They see opportunities to increase sales, and their market share, in these large markets, and continue to invest for … [Read more...] about Ferguson Chugs Along, Accelerates HVAC Growth
Copper, Steel, China and More About Tariffs
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
Pricing on Your Website
When it comes to launching a commerce-enabled websites, frequently distributors get concerned about product content, pricing, and integrating with their ERP for “real-time” information. These are perceived as “daunting” and can frequently create paralysis in the decision-making process, especially if the distributor does not have an experienced person to lead the technical … [Read more...] about Pricing on Your Website
Is eCommerce Important to Your Customers? Let’s Ask Them
That’s the question many senior executives ask themselves regularly about eCommerce. They’ve invested much into their website. They’ve invested into product data. They’ve invested into people. They ask, does anyone care? Are we getting an ROI? I know I’m being, perhaps, a little facetious as intuitively many believe / understand that these investments are now expectations, … [Read more...] about Is eCommerce Important to Your Customers? Let’s Ask Them
Prokeep and Allied Join Forces to Support HVAC Distributors
Big news in the HVAC channel for Allied Air distributors that are seeking to differentiate themselves, be more accessible to their contractors (and their contractors' field technicians), and are seeking to grow ... especially with their house / uncoded accounts! Prokeep and Allied Air Enterprises According to its press release ..."Prokeep, distribution’s leading customer … [Read more...] about Prokeep and Allied Join Forces to Support HVAC Distributors
Up Your AI Knowledge at the MDM AI Summit … for Free
If you are talking tech or processes with anyone inevitably the topic quickly turns to AI. There is much going on in this space and it seemingly changes daily. I've recently had conversations with some people inquiring what distributors are doing and why it wasn't going faster. They asked if distributors had thought how they could use AI. I laughed (to myself) and said, … [Read more...] about Up Your AI Knowledge at the MDM AI Summit … for Free
Attracting the HVAC Industry’s Next Generation
"Workforce development" is the new euphemism that many are using to describe the need for employee recruitment, development, and retention. It's all about how to attract and keep talent. It's about finding your "next generation." The why is that, as much as technology companies would like everyone to believe that technology will enable improved production and help reduce the … [Read more...] about Attracting the HVAC Industry’s Next Generation
HVAC Distributors, Is eCommerce Important to Your Customers?
That’s the question many senior executives ask themselves regularly about eCommerce. They’ve invested much into their website. They’ve invested into product data. They’ve invested into people. They ask, does anyone care? Are we getting an ROI? I know I’m being, perhaps, a little facetious as intuitively many believe / understand that these investments are now expectations, … [Read more...] about HVAC Distributors, Is eCommerce Important to Your Customers?
Join Today’s Around the Horn from LEADsmart
I’m looking forward to being a guest today on LEADsmart’s Around the Horn. If you haven’t heard of Around the Horn, it is a live podcast (yes, you can watch it on LinkedIn), with LEADsmart’s Kevin Brown and Tom Burton. I have the honor of being on their 130th episode today, February 21st, at 12:00 ET. During the lively hour, we’ll share observations on topics that are in … [Read more...] about Join Today’s Around the Horn from LEADsmart
DesignLights Consortium (DLC) ToolKit for Lighting & HVAC Integration
As companies seek to save on their energy costs, meet sustainability goals, or earn utility rebates, the concept of building automation continues to grow. Many feel this is the "next frontier" in energy management ... the convergence of lighting control management and HVAC system management. Companies such as Acuity's Distech Controls, Delta Intelligent Building … [Read more...] about DesignLights Consortium (DLC) ToolKit for Lighting & HVAC Integration
How HVACR Distributors can create a Successful Contractor Loyalty Program
It is always fun to write about Distributor Loyalty programs and Channel Marketing Group. David Gordon has been involved with over 100 programs (as he started his career in the incentive space and has worked with countless distributors on their programs. I was fortunate to be involved and help lead 9 loyalty programs as a program, so we spend a lot of time talking about … [Read more...] about How HVACR Distributors can create a Successful Contractor Loyalty Program
