Major U.S. retailers were caught with too much inventory and were being forced to heavily discount to liquidate it. This was the result of the Bullwhip Effect.
For many manufacturers, higher efficiency systems have been in the works for a while, but the 2023 DOE standards, pandemic, and current supply chain issues have added pressure.
Crime is a growing problem in many parts of the country, and it’s affecting HVAC contractors. Thieves are stealing tools out of work trucks, along with the catalytic convertors — and in some cases, they are stealing the trucks. Thieves are also targeting the copper and other metals inside of HVAC units, and sometimes even the units themselves.
Distributors raised the bar in HVACR wholesaling during the boom year of 2021, working in a vibrant and competitive overall marketplace but also creating a little more room at the top.