Lennox International Inc. has signed an agreement with Tradewinds Distribution LLC to manufacture Whirlpool[R]-branded air conditioning and heating equipment.

Lennox International Inc. has signed an agreement with Tradewinds Distribution LLC - a subsidiary of Watsco Inc. - to manufacture Whirlpool[R]-branded air conditioning and heating equipment. Last year, Watsco announced a license agreement with Whirlpool to serve as the exclusive national distributor for a new line of central air conditioning and heating products carrying the Whirlpool brand name.

Under terms of the agreement, Lennox will be the exclusive manufacturer of the new Whirlpool heating and cooling product. Tradewinds will be responsible for all other activities associated with the product, including sales, distribution, marketing, technical service, and customer support. Shipment of the Whirlpool-branded products will begin late in the first quarter 2003.

Watsco, based in Coconut Grove, Fla., ranked No. 4 in the 2002 Supply House Times Premier 150 listing of wholesalers.