Johnson Controls Inc. sold Bristol Compressors Inc. to KPS Capital Partners LP, a private equity firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The bulge in the supply chain eased in 2006 as distributors adeptly addressed the inventory bottleneck that resulted from the mandatory changes in SEER minimums. Overall, 2006 shipments were down 7.5 percent as compared to 2005.

The gauntlet was thrown down and the challenge was met as HVAC manufacturers took on their biggest test of 2006: Mandated 13 SEER implementation. Although prepared for an intense journey, situations arose throughout 2006 that left this facet of the HVAC industry digging deep to find the solutions.

Staying safe requires vigilance and the proper tools. Carelessness can be overridden with appropriate training and proper management; however, it also takes the correct tools to reduce the risk of worker injury. The Mack Rack and Kart System is a rack and a cart combined, designed to ease the lifting and transporting of large, heavy objects.

Labor demands, diminishing labor pools, graying technicians, and technological advances are creating a gap in the current HVAC workforce. Unions, associations, and educators across the nation, however, are providing new research and programs to bridge the workforce gap.

Clear Seas Research, a newly developed business-to-business market research company, offers a ready audience, industry knowledge, and relevant insight as it begins to service the specific information needs of the HVAC industry.

A battle is beginning to plague home inspectors and HVAC service technicians. Both have gotten along well, but the issue of heat exchanger safety has built a low wall in between them, creating a stumbling block of home heating safety issues.

While many manufacturers concentrate their marketing focus on their equipment brands, Rheem Heating and Cooling has begun focusing on establishing the reputation and “brand” of the HVAC contractor.

Gathered in healthy competition, manufacturers each offer new and unique marketing programs in their quests for market dominance.

Like a pit crew working together, Emerson Climate Technologies has created a new strategy to help contractors grow their businesses. By providing communication, education, and the tools to be a success, these strategies are putting contractors in the driver’s seat and setting them on the fast track.