Modern Supply welcomes branch manager; Industrial Controls names vice president of marketing; R.E. Michel Co. purchases certain assets of California Refrigeration Supply.

ABB and Thomas & Betts Corp. announced that both companies’ boards of directors have agreed to a transaction in which ABB will acquire Thomas & Betts for approximately $3.9 billion. The combination is expected to enhance ABB’s North American low-voltage products business. Thomas & Betts also offers HVAC products, new to ABB but related to its core power and automation focus.

Industry veteran Mike Paulson has been brought on as president of the newly-founded and California-based air conditioning company, AmeriCool Inc. Paulson brings with him 10 years of experience at MovinCool, where he served as division manager of both North and South America.

Inovateus Solar opens satellite office; Meier Supply names chief financial officer.

Meier Supply Company Inc. has promoted two team members to new roles within the company. Vaughn Brown is now the company’s refrigeration division manager and Jeff Ultsch has been promoted to the position of Utica branch manager.

Meier Supply names refrigeration division manager and Utica branch manager; AmeriCool appoints president.

Last year ended on a disappointing note for many, including distributors. On the bright side, distributors in all U.S. regions ended 2011 in positive territory and also reported higher inventory levels than the same time in 2010. What’s ahead for 2012?

UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., has signed an agreement with Watsco Inc. to form a joint venture named Carrier Enterprise Canada to distribute Carrier, Bryant, and Payne HVAC products and WWG/Totaline parts and supplies in Canada.

Calverly Supply opens its seventh location; Contractors Pipe & Supply announces acquisition.

Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) announced North American HVACR average distributor sales were up 6.2 percent in January 2012.