CHICAGO – Go big or go home is certainly the approach SPX Cooling Technologies Inc. took at the AHR Expo this year. The manufacturer announced its new Marley MD Everest counterflow cooling tower during a press conference on Tuesday. The Marley MD Everest Cooling Tower is designed to meet today’s HVAC demands and is suitable for a wide range of applications, delivering over 85 percent more cooling capacity compared with other preassembled counterflow towers.

Armstrong Fluid Technology held a press conference at its booth at the AHR Expo Monday announcing the availability of a new line of high performance Design Envelope End-Suction pumps in the 1 to 10 HP range.

Pacific Heating & Cooling named Best Contractor to Work For in the West region

It’s always nice to get a pat on the back for a job well done. In fact, it’s almost a necessity in today’s workplace environments in order to keep employees satisfied and loyal.

Technicans are in a unique position in the HVAC contracting world because they often act as both a serviceman and salesperson. Some companies even push for their service techs to sell, offering cash bonuses or other incentives.

With just a few weeks left before the end of the year, HVACR distributors are turning their attention to 2018. Many distributors report a successful 2017. Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) cited the weather as a major factor behind its member sales in its Targeted & Regional Economic News for Distribution Strategies (TRENDS) report

There is a rising murmur that can be heard at HVACR industry events regarding the threat online retail sales pose to wholesale distribution, and there is some validity to that growing concern. U.S. online retail sales will surpass $1 trillion by 2027 compared to $445 billion this year, according to a forecast by business advisory firm FTI Consulting Inc.

Having a good relationship with an HVACR distributor is often priceless for contracting business owners. A distributor can provide a number of value-added services, including special pricing, product research, technical support and training, and much more. There are a number of different reasons contractors choose who they partner with on the distribution side.

As the old saying goes, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” This was certainly the case during Women in HVACR’s (WHVACR’s) 14th annual — and first stand-alone — conference, which was held in Fort Worth, Texas, at Tarrant County College Center of Excellence in Energy Technology (TCC).

Industry professionals have been placing their focus on recruiting new people to the trades – as they should. But, let’s not forget about the other half of the equation – keeping your current talent.