At its annual distributor/vendor conference held in Dallas in March, WIT & Co. reported that 2004 was another record year in sales and rebates. According to Chris Lute of Portsmouth, Ohio-based Lute Supply, WIT & Co. president, distributor sales were up more than 20%.

The buying group also acknowledged the industry involvement of its distributors: 51 members are in the American Supply Association and 22 members belong to Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI).

More than 650 WIT distributors and preferred vendor partners met for three days. The conference included a general session and networking meetings with fellow distributors and new and current vendors.

WIT's 2006 meeting will be held during the week of March 6 to 10 in Orlando, Fla., at the Caribe Royale All-Suites Resort and Convention Center. There will be no Saturday meetings.