Members of the Northamerican Heating, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Wholesalers Association achieved a 4.5% growth rate in fiscal year 2000 over 1999 results, according to the association's annual sales survey released in July. Sales of HVACR equipment, accessories and supplies in 2000 were nearly $14.75 billion.
While the increase of $650 million for the year is impressive, it represents a decline of nearly 3% from the growth patterns seen in the proceeding year. In 1997 and 1998, NHRAW wholesalers posted sales growth increases of 5.7% and 7.4% respectively. The growth reduction is reflective of other industry indices for 2000 which also showed significant softening as compared to previous years, said Donald Frendberg, NHRAW executive vice president/COO. Housing starts, for example, were down 5.2% compared to 1999 while unitary air conditioning units increased 2% and central heating units remained unchanged from the previous year.