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With the addition of 48 new team members, First Supply looks forward to welcoming Able Distributors’ employees and supporting their continued success as part of the organization.

Florida has proven to be a successful location for Winsupply Local Companies, and Pensacola holds opportunities to expand in multiple markets. 

Distributors must constantly adjust due to pricing volatility, supply-chain disruptions, labor shortages, inflation, and shifting customer expectations, tightening decision timelines. In November, five distributors met at ASA NETWORK in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for Supply House Times’ 16th annual distributor roundtable to assess the market and discuss future success.

According to the American Supply Association’s Monthly Economic Report, forecasting shows GDP growth moderating, oil and freight costs stabilizing, and key construction indicators posting mixed signals heading into mid-2026. Economists contributing to ASA’s reports note that "economic risk remains elevated, but channel fundamentals are stronger than national headlines suggest," pointing to continued resilience in wholesale sales trends and contractor backlogs.

Attracting women is only half the battle, retaining them is also a challenge. Many women leave the trades not because of the work itself, but because of a lack of support or growth opportunities. 

Despite the industry’s rapid adoption of A2L equipment, many distributors still hold limited R-410A inventory, which is at risk due to the installation prohibition in the EPA’s Technology Transition Rule. Under current rules, certain categories of residential and light commercial equipment may not be installed after specific deadlines, even if the equipment was manufactured before those dates and purchased in good faith.

The new Marcone Regional Distribution Center is located at 3201 SE Columbia Way in Vancouver, Washington's Columbia Business Center. It is 128% larger than the previous facility at 603 SE Victory Ave.

The F.W. Webb Veteran Workforce Development Fund supports Boston Children’s holistic approach to employee recruitment and advancement by helping the hospital attract, retain, and engage veteran candidates and employees. Funding will help staff obtain certifications such as the Certified Military Veteran Recruiter designation and subsidize military-specific recruiting events. 

Neuco has introduced the Neuco Cares HVAC Scholarship Program, an annual initiative created to help students at the College of DuPage and Joliet Junior College pursue careers in the HVACR industry.

Supply House Times discussed the evolving PHCP-PVF industry with members at the 53rd AIM/R conference, focusing on rising expectations, market shifts, and the importance of strong partnerships.