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HVACR Trends

HVACR Trends

Information to Inspire, Grow and Profit

Supplier & Product News

Malco Launches MalcoEdge HVACR Refrigeration Tools

February 4, 2026 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

MalcoEdge HVACR refrigeration tools lineup including tube cutters, vacuum pumps, and manifolds

Malco Tools has announced MalcoEdge, a new line of HVACR refrigeration tools designed for technicians working in the field. The following is from Malco's announcement. Malco Tools Introduces New MalcoEdge™ Line of HVACR Refrigeration Tools Purpose-built to support every phase of refrigeration service ANNANDALE, MINN. (Jan. 27, 2026) — Malco Tools, one of the nation’s … [Read more...] about Malco Launches MalcoEdge HVACR Refrigeration Tools

Midyear Course Correction: “Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth”

October 23, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

midyear planning for hvacr distributors is like two sailboats cutting through choppy blue water under a dramatic, cloud-filled sky, leaving zigzag wakes behind them — symbolizing adaptability and steady navigation through changing conditions.

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

October 22, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

Jenny Brown and Deanna Lassiter recording an episode of Caffeine & Coils, Mingledorff’s internal and customer-facing podcast.

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

October 21, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

Line chart showing William Blair HVAC Index and organic sales growth for Watsco, Lennox, and AAON, highlighting a 3% industry decline in Q3 2025.

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

October 9, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

Photorealistic image showing a man’s torso from chest to hips, gripping a wooden dowel with both hands and bending it to illustrate the concept of strength through flexibility — “bend, don’t break.”

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

October 2, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

Danfoss expands compressor portfolio with Palladio screw compressor acquisition

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

EPA Floats Refrigerant Rule Rollback: Five Years of Breathing Room or Just More Confusion?

October 1, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

EPA refrigerant rule rollback graphic showing proposed changes for HVACR, refrigeration, and semiconductor sectors.

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?

Market Share Math: How Distributors Can Sharpen 2026 Planning

September 11, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

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

Learning from the Front Lines: Insights from Auer Steel’s BrewCast Series

August 26, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

Chucks test

At HVACR trends we have been following innovative channel leaders like Auer Steel and Heating Supply and their excellent outreach programs for the past year. Contractors know that the business is about more than equipment. Success depends on how well you engage homeowners, develop talent, and prepare your team for what is coming next. This fall, Auer Steel is curating … [Read more...] about Learning from the Front Lines: Insights from Auer Steel’s BrewCast Series

Volcanoes make noise. Glaciers shape markets: Bosch in HVAC

August 26, 2025 by Chuck Labow Leave a Comment

Bosch Acquistion

Volcanoes erupt. They grab attention, change landscapes overnight, and leave everyone scrambling to adapt. Glaciers, by contrast, move almost imperceptibly. Yet over time they carve valleys, redirect rivers, and permanently reshape the terrain.  Bosch has chosen to act like a glacier in the U.S. HVAC market. Their recent $8 billion acquisition of Johnson Controls–Hitachi’s … [Read more...] about Volcanoes make noise. Glaciers shape markets: Bosch in HVAC

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