Allied Air Enterprises, Inc. welcomed more than 300 distributors at its annual Distributors Meeting in New Orleans, April 15-17. With a number of new products being launched — including furnace and cooling lines — the company unveiled a series of innovative marketing initiatives to benefit its distributors, dealers and consumers.

The message was that Allied Air Enterprises brands — which include Armstrong Air, AirEase, Concord, Ducane, Magic-Pak, and Allied Commercial — give distributors and dealers "the ultimate source" for residential and commercial heating and cooling systems.

Doug Young, president and chief operating officer of Lennox International, Inc.’s residential division, delivered opening remarks to guests. Dan Seaman, vice president and general manager of Allied Air, provided comments on company business trends.

An all-new furnace platform was announced as part of Allied Air’s ‘easier to sell, install, and service’ theme. John Hurst, vice president of product management, spoke of the company’s focus on meeting dealer needs with products that are easy to sell, install and service, while balancing consumers’ desires for efficient, quiet and reliable products with features and benefits that they’re seeking.

An all-new furnace platform was announced as evidence of the “easier to sell, install, and service” theme. In the cooling products lineup, Armstrong Air and AirEase are featuring a competitive 13 SEER base model as increased offerings throughout the rest of the line that qualify for federal tax credits. In addition, Ducane and Concord have an entire collection of cooling products from 18 to 13 SEER.

Armstrong Air and AirEase have recently launched new websites, complemented by a Literature Storefront website. (armstrongair.com/ and airease.com). Product merchandiser materials are new or have been updated. Consumer sell sheets mirror the look and feel of the new consumer website,s and reflect four main customer cues of energy savings, comfort, durability, and quiet operation.

In the parts and supplies arena, additions and upgrades to the TechChoice program include a current spring sales promotion and customizable flyer creation. Online efforts include e-newsletters with consolidated formatting and a more robust, user-friendly website, Alliedair.net.

Allied Air Enterprises is a Lennox International, Inc. company.