Regardless of your personal experience in 2020, one thing holds true for all. The past year-and-a-half has drastically reshaped the business world–including the HVACR industry. Widespread closures demanded innovation and creativity from an industry deemed essential. Ongoing extensive discussions about the built environment, funding opportunities for building HVAC system and IAQ upgrades and greater public indoor air quality awareness led to not only increased demand, but considerable expectations for every single step of the trade.
HARDI Interview
In this REPTalk episode, KGG Consulting’s Training Director and REPTalk Host Rob Ambrosetti sat down with principal figures at HARDI. A key industry organization, Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distribution International is the industry association focused on HVACR wholesalers and distribution. HARDI membership includes distributors, manufacturers and manufacturer representative groups, and spans several continents with a predominant presence in North America. HARDI provides the industry with significant research, resources, support and connection.
Ambrosetti interviews featured guests: CEO of HARDI Talbot Gee and HARDI’s Director of Government Affairs Alex Ayers. Gee discusses HARDI as an organization, their pulse for the business and the many ways they communicate data and insight. Furthermore, Gee explains the important role that wholesale distribution plays in the industry and provides details about HARDI’s 2020 State of The Channel Report’s key findings. Episode highlights also include an overview of HARDI’s government affairs team coverage of happenings in D.C. and direct advocacy efforts with members of Congress and federal organizations. Learn more about featured current topics like the possibility of updated indoor air quality regulations and the code development process. As well as infrastructure talks and a breakdown of available funding for schools to complete building HVAC/IAQ upgrades.
HVACR Industry Going Forward
According to HARDI’s research, the role of the trained salesperson and distribution in HVACR is significant. That is to say, contractors value knowledgable distributors and product trainings. Similar to how customers, commercial or residential, value informed contractors who are willing and able to talk through the solutions. While air quality demands, business practices and public concerns regarding our trade will continue to change in the coming years, 2021 largely finds an industry strengthened by its own diligence and determination to succeed.
All things considered, whatever position you play in HVACR and IAQ, there is much to gain from this interview. The conversations are incredibly relevant to the field today–honing in on the ups and downs of the past year and envisioning what the next few years hold for the HVACR industry.
Episode Notes
0:00 ‣ Introduction
0:55 ‣ What Is HARDI?
2:28 ‣ HARDI as an Industry Insider
4:50 ‣ Communicating Data and Insight
7:25 ‣ How 2020 Changed HARDI
8:55 ‣ How the Pandemic Impacted Distribution
12:00 ‣ HARDI’s Government Affairs Coverage
13:45 ‣ Code Development
15:15 ‣ Possible Indoor Air Quality Standards
18:50 ‣ Federal Funding for School HVAC/IAQ Upgrades
23:00 ‣ How the Funding Is Allocated and the Role of the Contractor
26:05 ‣ Funding for Federal Buildings
27:20 ‣ Funding for Homeowners
29:15 ‣ Infrastructure
31:50 ‣ HARDI 2020 State of The Channel Contractor Survey
33:35 ‣ Remote Sales Impact on Distributors
35:20 ‣ Distribution in the Digital Age
38:30 ‣ Alex’s What To Watch Out for Going Forward
40:00 ‣ Alex’s Upcoming Bright Spots
41:00 ‣ Talbot’s What To Watch Out for Going Forward
43:40 ‣ Talbot’s Upcoming Bright Spots
45:40 ‣ Interested in HARDI?
Resources
HARDI
HARDI Webinar: How Schools Can Take Advantage of Funds for HVAC Improvements
NCSL: Federal Stimulus Funds for Education
NCSL: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Tracker
REPTalk episodes are also available to view on KGG’s YouTube page and to listen to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen!
