Dakota Supply Group (DSG) has expanded its product selection in the Twin Cities with the purchase of Shelter Supply, an HVAC distributor formerly located in Burnsville, Minn. Shelter Supply will become part of DSG’s Mechanical Group and will operate out of its St. Paul, Minn., location.

CertainTeed Corp. recently joined fellow Pennsylvania-based HVAC distributors Air Handling Services Inc. and Riley Sales Inc. to teach local vocational students about energy-efficient HVAC duct design. The course teaches students about duct design and fabrication that follows industry standards.

The Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) announced Alan Beaulieu, principal and executive vice president of the Institute for Trend Research® (ITR), has been designated as the association’s chief economist.

Winners of Gustave A. Larson Co.’s Annual Supplier Evaluation were recently announced. Honored were Advanced Distributor Products, J.B. Industries, Crystal Distribution Inc., DuPont Fluoroproducts, and Heatcraft Refrigeration Products. 

More than 250 customers attended the grand opening of Johnstone Supply’s Knoxville, Tenn., location. The 30,000-square-foot facility features a technician information center for contractors and stocks over 5,000 products.

Striving to be the region’s single source provider of engineered system components and services for a total industrial HVAC solution, Principals Matthew Beecroft and Richard DeWitt launched a new company, ElitAire. It represents HVAC equipment from 18 industry-leading manufacturers.

Burke Engineering Co., a wholesale distributor of controls and HVACR parts and equipment, opened a new superstore in Anaheim, Calif. Celebrating its 60th year in business, the company is combining the current Anaheim and Santa Ana locations into one facility.

At its annual Pinnacle Awards distributor event, American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning honored eight authorized distributors for their outstanding business performance in 2008. The awards presentation was presided over by Jamie Byrne, vice president of sales.

APR Supply Inc. has opened two new distribution branches after acquiring the assets of H&S Supply Co. in New Oxford and Gettysburg, Pa. The new facilities are located at 627 York Street and 310 Lincolnway East.

Emerson Climate Technologies awarded its top-performing wholesalers for outstanding sales performance in 2008 during the company’s annual National Wholesaler Conference, in Palm Springs, Calif.