The Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International has brought in Brian Loftus as the group’s market research and benchmarking analyst.

His job will be to work with the association’s economic experts at the Institute for Trend Research to compile economic data and forecast business conditions. He will also help produce HARDI’s Targeted and Regional Economic News for Distribution Strategies (TRENDS) reports.

“With the need for next-generation distributor performance benchmarking, rapidly changing market dynamics, and the growing importance of HARDI’s market forecasts and analyses, it was time to bring in a true professional with the expertise and ability to take HARDI benchmarking to the next level,” said HARDI’s executive vice president, Talbot Gee. “Brian will be a great resource for our members, our economists and our affiliate members who rely on HARDI’s insights into the HVACR market.”

Loftus’ background includes working as an investment analyst for commercial and industrial sectors.