At the American Supply Association's recent LEAD retreat, the need to transfer industry knowledge from retiring veterans to the next generation was highlighted as a critical issue in the PHCP-PVF sector. To address this, ASA's Business Intelligence Unit has commissioned a survey among its members, in line with the objectives of its Operational Excellence and Embracing the Future councils.
Lock Supply Co.’s Tim Savage breaks down how practical AI tools are accelerating quoting, closing knowledge gaps, and strengthening contractor trust — without replacing the human side of sales.
The water heater market is growing steadily as it moves into 2026, with increased demand in commercial and multifamily sectors. Reliability and efficiency are prioritized, influenced by regional policies and regulatory changes that promote informed system selections.
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.
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.
With supply chain volatility easing but labor and regulatory pressures mounting, distributors lean on data, partnerships, and smarter inventory strategy.
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.