"Develop Demand, Success is Deliberate" is the timely theme of HARDI's annual conference, which will take place at the J.W. Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes in Orlando from October 6-9. The conference will provide numerous occasions for socializing, networking, and educational opportunities of interest to all sectors of HARDI membership. What else does the association have in store?

With its promise of a better environment and improved economy, the increased demand for green products and services is often undefined territory for business owners along the supply chain. Distributors are no exception. What does green mean to their customers? What will it take to be successful in the green market?

On Aug. 2, the Senate Finance Committee, by a vote of 19-5, favorably reported out a number of amendments to the Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act of 2012. What could that mean for your business?

Many HVAC distributors are not able to have their own in-house human resources department. Because of this, mistakes can be made that might cost the business thousands of dollars or more. Enter human resources consultant Nancye Combs. What does she have to say that might save your business one day?

A recent Department of Energy (DOE) announcement could leave millions of dollars of HVAC inventory stranded in warehouses. The DOE announced on July 2 that residential HVAC appliances regulated under the pending regional efficiency standards (non-weatherized gas furnaces, mobile home gas furnaces, and non-weatherized oil furnaces) must be installed no later than May 1, 2013. Weatherized gas furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps will follow the same rules, with a Jan. 1, 2015 compliance date. What effect could this law have?  

Mingledorff's Inc. continues to build on its long history in the HVACR industry, evolving, growing, and innovating as the decades have passed. Bud Mingledorff joined the company in 1962 working part-time as its only parts department warehouseman. He became a room unit floor plan checker in 1965. After serving in the Army from 1968 to 1970, he returned as the company's pricing administrator. From there he moved up the ranks and has become the president of the company and HARDI. How did he do it and what is on the horizon?

For a fighter pilot in combat, speed is everything. Speed can sometimes even save your life. That's why we have a saying in the jet fighter community: Speed is life. Those three simple words took on a new meaning for me in April of 1999, and taught me a vital lesson about customer service. What did Waldo learn from his flights over Serbia? Click to read about his adventures and pick up five “speed wingtips.”

The presidential election is moving fast upon us, but unlike our candidates who must wait until November to find out their fate, I am well aware that my tenure as HARDI president will end on Oct. 9 in Orlando, Florida at the 2012 HARDI Annual Conference.

Ferguson partnered with football with football legend and Emmy® award winning co-host of Fox NFL® Sunday, Terry Bradshaw. What does the large wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies have up its sleeve?

Average distributor sales growth resumed in July 2012, increasing 13.3 percent after a 1.8 percent dip in June. What else has improved and what does Talbot Gee think is on the horizon? Read the full story to find out.