PORTLAND, Ore. - National distributor Johnstone Supply Inc. announced a new strategic partnership with Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI). The agreement will establish HARDI membership status for all Johnstone stores across the country, increase accurate tracking of industry performance between the two organizations, and involve Johnstone in HARDI committees and advocacy leadership positions.

“Our members are extremely pleased to be partnering so closely with HARDI and working together to achieve important objectives for the industry,” said Johnstone Supply CEO DeWight Wallace. “This agreement further demonstrates Johnstone’s commitment to our customers and the industry at large, and will provide a variety of beneficial HARDI resources to our members and stores.”

Wallace noted the foundation of the new partnership is based on a range of shared strategic objectives such as maximizing industry (distributor) profitability and growth, maintaining the viability of independent distributors such as those in the Johnstone Cooperative, and advocating for issues important to HVACR contractors and distributors alike.

The strategic partnership was first announced at Johnstone’s recent annual meeting in Chicago, which included a keynote presentation by Talbot H. Gee, HARDI vice president, and HARDI’s chief economist, Alan Beaulieu of the Institute for Trend Research.

Publication date: 12/20/2010