"FMI is contributing the entire value of the firm's services for this study at a value of approximately $60,000," stated Foundation board chair George L. "Butch" Welsch (Welsch Heating & Cooling, St. Louis). "Our Foundation board is very pleased to have FMI as a partner for this key project."

Jay Bowman, senior project consultant, noted, "FMI believes it is important for the HVAC industry to have a comprehensive picture of both the opportunities and threats ahead. This includes the impact of the home center movement."

Working with leaders of the Foundation, FMI's research team will develop estimated past and future high-level revenues by channel (residential and non-residential level) and at the HVAC level. The research will identify specific trends and drivers that will impact future potential scenarios. These factors will then be reviewed and evaluated, taking into consideration all possible market dynamics, says the company.

The end product will be a report of FMI's findings and analysis, packaged for the HVAC industry. The project CD will also include a PowerPoint presentation format of the study's key findings.

Foundation executive director Dennis Bradshaw commented on the partnership: "The home center has already changed the residential building market in terms of product sales and installation. Together, the Foundation and FMI will be able to project what may happen in the commercial market, specifically to the HVAC industry. That's why this study is so timely and so important for our HVAC contractors nationwide."

For more information about the new initiative with FMI, contact Dennis Bradshaw via e-mail at dbradshaw@newhorizonsfoundation.org, by telephone at 703-222-9001, or visit www.newhorizonsfoundation.org.

Publication date: 02/14/2005