“This was a great opportunity for us to have constructive conversations with our customers who provide food service and retail operators with the latest refrigeration products and services” said Bob Labbett, Emerson Climate Technologies’ vice president of refrigeration channel marketing and communications. “Contractors really enjoyed a frank discussion about the industry, the changes that lie ahead in terms of refrigerants and energy concerns and the value that both the manufacturers and contractors offer the food industry in general.

“We also discussed the need for continued education for technicians and the need to attract young people to our industry,” he said.

HVAC sales contractor Dan Brisbane of Key Mechanical said the meeting benefited his company as well as Emerson.

“I know it’s important for us to know about Emerson’s products but it seemed very important to them to listen so that they fully understand how they can really

help with what contractors are up against in today’s market,” he said.