HARDI Thrives After Smooth Transition

Frank Meier, 2004 president of HARDI (left), officially congratulates representatives of companies that have supported the association’s conference booth program for 50 years. Pictured with Meier are (from left) Chris Moore, vice president of sales and marketing, Field Controls; Randy Hinden, president of Duro Dyne; and Frank Zudock, partner, Gary Metal Manufacturing.

CHICAGO - Meshing two major trade associations into a single entity can prove a challenge. But that apparently was not the case when the Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) was created two years ago from the merger of two prominent wholesaler groups - the Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Wholesalers International (ARWI) and the Northamerican Heating, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Wholesalers Association (NHRAW).

"I am still in awe of the smooth and seemingly seamless transition from two associations," said HARDI President Frank Meier to more the 1,300 attendees at the association's annual fall conference, the second such under the new name. "I'm told this achievement is virtually unheard of in the association business, and it continues to be a tribute to you and your dedication to this fine organization."

Meier, of Meier Supply Co. in Johnson City, N.Y., said HARDI is recognized as "the single voice for HVACR wholesale distribution (and able to be) proactive in the support of industry issues and initiatives." Among involvements, Meier cited:

Alliance with the American Supply Association to support the Center for Advanced Technology.

Support for the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) program with HARDI wholesalers "being the largest provider of NATE test sites in the U.S."

Work with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute's Responsible Use Task Force "to assure our involvement and advocacy in developing programs related to the proper handling and disposition of refrigerants."

Alliance with Canadian Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Wholesalers Association (CHRAW).

Relationships with the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).

He pointed to services such as HARDICAT, "a program that provides a number of product offerings and technical support to assist both wholesale distributors and manufacturers. Technology must play an important role for all channel partners if we are to continue to drive costs out of our businesses and increase margins."

He also noted that 88 new members were added during the past year and the association "is in excellent financial condition."

He told his fellow wholesalers, "I am truly optimistic for the future of the association and the HVACR industry. While the cool summer we just experienced was a disappointment to almost everyone, I have found that many of us in the industry expect to end up with favorable year end results.

"We all know it might have been better, but in reality we are very fortunate to have low interest rates, a continually improving economy, and excellent products to sell."

Recognition

Amidst the seminars and hallway conversations, HARDI took time to honor manufacturers who have maintained a long association with the organization both in its present form and as part of its pre-merger predecessors. Cited for 50 years of participation were Duro Dyne Corp., Field Controls LLC, and Gary Metal Mfg.

Twenty-five year recognition went to Baron Business Unit of Coleman Cable Inc., Heat-Timer Corp., Roy G. Evans Co. Inc. (EVCO), and Tyco Adhesives.

The 20-year recognitions included Atlantic Chemical & Equipment Co., Bacharach Inc., Grasslin Controls Corp., Sanyo Fisher Co., Shurtape Technologies LLC, and Siemens Building Technologies Inc.

Ten-year honors went to BVA Oils, Danfoss Inc., and Enerco Tech Products.

In Office

In official actions, Randy Tice of APR Supply Co., Lebanon, Pa., was named HARDI president until the organization's next fall conference Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2005, in Phoenix.

Bill Shaw of Standard Supply & Distributing Co., Dallas, was tabbed as president-elect.

Mark Fassler of Progress Supply Inc., Cincinnati, was picked as vice president. Randy Boyd of A/C Supply Co., Fort Worth, Texas, was selected as secretary-treasurer.

Publication date: 11/29/2004

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Peter Powell is Refrigeration Editor. He can be contacted at 815-654-7270 or peterpowell@achrnews.com. Peter was formerly Editor/Publisher of Service & Contracting, where he gained his refrigeration experience. Among his duties, Powell is responsible for the monthly Refrigeration Zone sections in The NEWS