Affiliated Distributors (A-D), North America’s largest distribution network, held its annual HVAC Division Network Meetings in Denver, Colorado, April 26-28, 2009.
“While attendance at other meetings and tradeshows has dropped severely this year, the total attendance at this year’s A-D network meetings were up from last year,” said Roy Weaks, senior vice president of the Plumbing, PVF and HVAC Divisions. “This shows the importance our Affiliates place on their membership in A-D and the value they get from networking and best practice sharing with fellow members especially during these unprecedented economic times.”
Highlights of this year’s HVAC agenda included presentations from Johns Manville CEO, Todd Raba and Marketing & Portfolio Management Vice President Lance Altizer and Honeywell’s Vice President and General Manager Tony Sugalski. Both companies shared insight on the economic impact of recession on the HVAC markets and areas the A-D Affiliates could focus to grow their business. The Affiliates also enjoyed a presentation from Robert Miller concerning the Employee Free Choice Act and the potential impact it could have on their businesses. The meeting concluded with a tour of Hercules Industries, a local A-D Affiliate.
supplyFORCE, a national MRO commodity management and procurement services company, introduced its new Government Sales Division to help A-D members gain access to this market. The U.S. Government segment represents over $5 billion in MRO purchases. “We are excited to lead A-D’s membership into this market and pleased with the level of support and interest we have received from our owner-members,” stated John Eggleton, President and CEO of supplyFORCE.
While at the meetings, several deserving members were recognized for their outstanding growth and support of A-D Suppliers.
About Affiliated Distributors
Affiliated Distributors is the largest wholesale buying and marketing group in North America, comprised of over 530 independent distributor companies with over 3,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada. A-D’s membership commands over $27 billion in sales across six industries: electrical supplies; industrial supplies; plumbing supplies; HVAC equipment and supplies; drywall and drywall related products; and pipe, valves and fittings.