After surveying more than 1,000 manufacturers, the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) found that 70 percent of the respondents were expecting a stronger economy come the first quarter of 2010. The survey numbers offered a partial explanation to the expected increase. Sixty-nine percent of the AHR Expo exhibitors responding to the survey believe their customers have been delaying purchases of the new products creating pent-up demand. Seventy-two percent think this pent-up demand may come to fruition in the first quarter of 2010.

“Value has become the watchword of the day,” explained Steve Yurek, president of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). “As consumers have less money to spend, they are looking for the best value for their dollar.”

In predicting sales increases for the first quarter, 24 percent of respondents expected sales to increase over 10 percent and 30 percent expected them to increase 5-10 percent. Close to 25 percent of respondents expect a smaller first quarter increase between 1-4 percent. According to the survey, less than 5 percent of respondents predicted a decline in first-quarter sales.

“The timing of the 2010 AHR Expo should be very beneficial to the HVACR industry, in so far as it coincides with a significant revival in the demand for equipment, systems, components and services,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Co., AHR Expo organizer. “We are expecting thousands and thousands of industry professionals from around the world to converge on Orlando in January to find the newest and most efficient products available.”

Taking place in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 25-27, the 2010 AHR Expo will feature more than 1,600 exhibitors showcasing hundreds of new products to over 45,000 attendees and exhibitor personnel from nearly 100 countries. So far, show exhibitors have reserved over 310,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

“The best value [for products] might not be the least expensive, and attending the expo can help those who install HVACR products identify products or groups of products that can provide the best value for consumers,” noted Yurek. “The ability to speak one-on-one with manufacturers all in one place makes the expo itself a great value.”

For more information, visit www.ahrexpo.com.

Publication date: 10/05/2009