HARDI

What are distributors really saying about their Supplier and Manufacturer partners?

We asked. They answered. And it's all in our Voice of Distributor report.

Here’s what we’re hearing:
📈 Higher costs are creating pressure, but margins remain strong.
📦 Inventory and supply risk are still top concerns.
⏱️ Lead time reliability is make-or-break.
🤝 Coordination gaps are holding both sides back.

Listening is only step one. The real opportunity is understanding what’s driving these challenges, why they matter, and what you can do about them.

Dive into the insights and find out how you can show up for your distributor partners.

Get your copy of the Voice of Distributor report at the link in the comments. 🔗

HVACR wholesale distribution has a $32.9 BILLION impact.

HARDI’s new Keeping America Comfortable study puts numbers behind an essential part of the HVACR industry.

✔️101,817 jobs
✔️$32.9B in annual economic output
✔️$17.8B in value added
✔️$8.7B in employee compensation

For the first time, we have a clear picture of HVACR wholesale distribution’s direct economic contribution across the country.

Want to know the impact in your state?

Explore all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in our interactive StoryMap ➡️ https://hubs.la/Q04sVFXd0

Your ERP works. Your e-commerce experience should, too.

Join Lance Owide of BigCommerce and Jeff Pratt and Thomas John of Verndale to learn how HVACR distributors can give contractors the self-service tools they expect, without disrupting the systems that already work.

Better reordering. Consistent pricing. Smarter integrations. Practical AI.

Plus, bring your questions for a live Q&A with the experts.

🔗Registration link is in the comments

Tomorrow: Learn how to buy smarter when margins are under pressure.

Hear from Jake Jenkins and Nathan Harris of Blue Ridge and discover how AI can help HVAC distributors improve forecasts, reduce overstock and emergency buys, and make smarter purchasing decisions.

HARDI members: There's still time to register!

🔗Registration link is in the comments

Tariffs are up. Carrying costs are higher. Customers are buying more cautiously.

So how do you protect margin without sacrificing service or inventory availability?

Buy smarter.

Join Blue Ridge for a look at how AI can help HVAC distributors:
→ Turn messy ERP and inventory data into better purchasing decisions
→ Improve forecasts using weather, seasonality, and pre-season demand
→ Reduce overstock and costly emergency buys
→ Automate routine order reviews so buyers can focus where their expertise matters most

Hear from Jake Jenkins and Nathan Harris of Blue Ridge and walk away with practical ways to make purchasing a stronger lever for profitability.

HARDI members: Register and learn how to buy smarter when conditions get tighter.

🔗Registration link is in the comments

After 14 years of supporting the HARDI team and serving our member community, Carmen Andrei has officially retired! 👏

We recently gathered during one of our Summer Fridays to celebrate an incredible career, share plenty of laughs, and send Carmen off the HARDI way. Of course, no retirement celebration would be complete without her official Congratulations Cactus. 🌵

Carmen's kindness, dedication, and unwavering support have left a lasting impact on our team, our members, and the HVACR industry. While we're excited for this next chapter, she will be deeply missed.

Congratulations, Carmen! 🎉

Every distributor is asking the same question: How do we use AI without losing the expertise that drives our business?

That's exactly what our Inventory Manager and Pricing Manager Certification Programs are built to answer.

This isn't an AI tools course. It's proven inventory and pricing methodology, enhanced with live AI demonstrations that show participants how to turn data into action, translate metrics into leadership insights, and understand when AI can help—and when human judgment matters most.

Registration is now open for our fall courses! Both start in early September, run for 8 weeks (1 hour/week), and are led by Senthil Gunasekaran and Pradip Krishnadevarajan of ACTvantage.

Links in the comments.

The best Territory Managers don't just manage accounts.

They create growth.

They uncover opportunities others miss. They strengthen dealer relationships. They become trusted advisors—not just another sales rep stopping by with a price sheet.

If you're looking to lead your territory, register for our fall Territory Manager Foundations Certification workshop happening October 7-8.

Because in today's HVACR market, covering a territory isn't enough.

Registration is open: https://hubs.la/Q04qWNgc0

The Speed to Lead gap isn't getting smaller—and the distributors who help their dealers close it will have the competitive edge.

There's still time to join Jennifer Bagley of CI Web Group to discover how leading contractors are building AI-First Conversion Ecosystems that help contractors:
- Get found first in AI search, ChatGPT, voice search, and AI Overviews.
- Respond to every lead in seconds with AI-powered text, voice, and chat.
- Equip sales teams with AI tools that handle objections, validate quotes, and help close bigger deals.

If you're looking for new ways to create value for your dealers, this webinar is for you.
Register for the webinar: https://hubs.la/Q04qT9r70

This summer's historic heat dome is doing more than sending temperatures soaring. It's also increasing demand for HVAC systems.

Our latest blog breaks down how Cooling Degree Days (CDDs) directly correlate with HVAC financing applications and what that means for distributors heading into the rest of cooling season.

If you're watching sales trends, inventory, or regional demand, this is a must-read.

Read the full analysis: https://hubs.la/Q04qSK9J0