There was a time not too long ago that this industry was … well … rather disjointed.

Manufacturers did their thing. Contractors did their thing. Wholesalers did their thing. Or, so it seemed.

Rare was it that the three would intermingle, share an idea, or work together. Thank goodness those days are gone.

Everywhere you look, all sectors of this industry are combining heads and forces to get goals accomplished.

For instance, did you know there is a Partnership for Environmental Leadership (PEL)? Six industry organizations - including MCAA, United Association (UA), and MSCA - have formed this group designed to promote green. (To find out more, go to http://hvacgreen.net.)

Ever hear of the HVACR Industry Alliance? This is an organization of the major HVACR and plumbing associations’ chief staff officers. Together, they have been tackling many industry issues. Most recently it held its first training summit, designed to create career recruitment programs that could be used industry-wide by all members of the alliance. (For more on that event, click onNewslineand read the story “Alliance Holds Training Summit.”)

Why even in Albuquerque, N.M., this industry has bonded. AHRI, PHCC, ACCA, HARDI, local contractors, as well as local distributors and wholesalers are currently working in unison to fight a questionable energy code. Each sector has pitched in its collective effort to get that city’s code corrected.

Have some examples of this industry working together? Drop me a comment online or e-mail the particulars accordingly. We’ll try to report on each in future blog installments.