Supply House Times

01/13/2026

Acquisition news! First Supply has acquired Able Distributors, a heating, ventilation, and cooling supplier with four branch locations across the Chicagoland area. Able Distributors brings more than four decades of experience serving HVAC contractors and will continue operating with its existing team and locations as part of the First Supply family.

“For 45 years, we’ve built our business on strong relationships with Chicago-area contractors and a reputation for finding solutions, being thoughtful, and showing up when it matters,” said Michael Bleier, President of Able Distributors. “First Supply chose Able Distributors because they value that same approach and are committed to protecting what makes us trusted in this market. This partnership allows us to offer more inventory, more support, and more solutions, while delivering the same level of service our customers expect every day.” Congrats to all! More info here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106994-first-supply-expands-chicagoland-presence-with-acquisition-of-able-distributors

With the addition of 48 new team members, First Supply looks forward to welcoming Able Distributors’ employees and supporting their continued success as part of the organization.

01/12/2026

The industry is entering 2026 at a moment of accelerated change — shaped by the rapid rise of AI-driven technologies, intensifying decarbonization goals, regulatory uncertainty, and mounting pressure on labor and infrastructure. According to Nicole Followell Bush, director of marketing for AHR Expo, these forces are converging to reshape not only the products on display at AHR Expo 2026, but the conversations happening across the show floor. “We’ve seen explosive growth with AI, smart systems and overall more efficient equipment,” Bush says. “Products are smarter and the technology behind it is making it easier to manage our built environments.” At the same time, she notes, the growth of AI itself is driving new demand for cooling the facilities that power it — particularly data centers — placing hydronics, pumping, controls and system-level efficiency squarely in the spotlight. Hear from exhibitors like NIBCO INC, Grundfos, Climate Control Group, Aalberts, Weil-Mclain, and more here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106989-ahr-expo-2026-returns-to-las-vegas AHR Expo

Manufacturers exhibiting at AHR Expo 2026 are bringing forward solutions that prioritize intelligence, flexibility and practicality, addressing real-world challenges faced by contractors, engineers, distributors and building owners.

01/12/2026

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01/09/2026

The Collins Companies announced a planned leadership transition that marks a new chapter in the company’s family legacy. Founder Brian Tuohey will be transitioning day-to-day leadership to the next generation, with his children stepping into key executive roles effective January 1, 2026.

After more than a decade of mentorship, hands-on leadership development, and deep involvement across all areas of the business, the Tuohey siblings will assume the following roles:

Kala Tuohey-McDonald – President & Chief Executive Officer

Sean Tuohey – Chief Operating Officer

Mary Tuohey-Fahy – Chief Financial Officer

Congratulations to all! More details here:

Founder Brian Tuohey will be transitioning day-to-day leadership to the next generation, with his children stepping into key executive roles effective January 1, 2026.

01/09/2026

KBIS 2026 returns February 17–19 in Orlando, FL, bringing together the brands, products, and conversations shaping the future of kitchen and bath design. As North America’s leading trade event for the industry, KBIS offers unparalleled access to innovation across appliances, surfaces, fixtures, technology, and whole-home solutions.

From emerging design trends to product breakthroughs and meaningful connections across architecture, design, and construction, KBIS is where the industry comes together to move forward.

Early rates end on January 9, 2026. Register now to be part of it: https://brnw.ch/21wYXoX

01/09/2026

The American Supply Association (ASA) has launched a new resource hub designed to help members navigate the growing demand for customer-intelligence capabilities and modern digital tools. The Digitization & Customer Intelligence webpage provides a clear, accessible path for distributors and manufacturers looking to better understand CRM adoption, ERP integration considerations, and emerging technologies that support stronger customer relationships.

This initiative comes from ASA’s newly formed Digitization & Customer Intelligence Task Group, created earlier this year to better support members as customer expectations evolve and business operations become increasingly data driven. The group’s focus is simple: bring clarity, structure, and practical guidance to an area that can often feel overwhelming or difficult to begin. More details here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106982-asa-introduces-new-digitization-and-customer-intelligence-resource-hub

The Digitization & Customer Intelligence webpage provides a clear, accessible path for distributors and manufacturers looking to better understand CRM adoption, ERP integration considerations, and emerging technologies that support stronger customer relationships.

01/08/2026

A. O. Smith announced that it has completed the acquisition of LVC Holdco LLC (“Leonard Valve”) for $470 million, subject to customary adjustments. The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $412 million after adjusting for estimated tax benefits and was funded with cash borrowed under a new credit agreement. “This acquisition expands our presence in the water management market, enhances our digital expertise and broadens our integrated product offering with commercial and institutional customers,” said Stephen Shafer, chief executive officer of A. O. Smith. “We are proud to welcome the Leonard Valve team into the A. O. Smith family. Both companies share a commitment to innovation, integrity and exceptional customer service.” More details here:

Leonard Valve was founded in 1911 and headquartered in Rhode Island.

01/08/2026

As social media and technology become more saturated with content, we’ve all fallen victim to clickbait and likely gotten much better at spotting it in 2025. In popular culture this past year, some of the most effective brand campaigns focused on usefulness, consistency, and connection, rather than dazzling audiences with spectacle.

For example, the way artificial intelligence was marketed in 2025; instead of leaning into futuristic imagery or bold claims about replacing jobs, many of the most visible AI campaigns showed people using the technology to plan trips, organize workdays, draft emails, or solve everyday problems. Just tools doing what tools are supposed to do — making life a little easier. The message wasn’t “look how advanced this is,” but rather, “this fits into your day.”

Similarly, in wholesale distribution, progress in 2025 rarely came from one sweeping change. It came from smarter forecasting and more accurate data analysis. From incremental improvements in product data that made online searches less frustrating to onboarding processes that got new hires productive faster than before. None of it flashy, but all of it impactful. Hear thoughts from Editorial Director Natalie Forster here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106969-the-most-meaningful-progress-rarely-makes-noise

01/07/2026

Don’t miss HVACR’s main event - AHR Expo heads to Las Vegas!

Experience the latest updates, product advancements, best practices and industry trends heading to market. It’s a comprehensive showcase of the industry’s leading manufacturers and your opportunity to engage in dialogue and share experiences with professionals from across the industry.

Our New Product Theaters, give you a 20 min look into more than 150 products and technologies that you’ll find in booths. In the education program we’ll explore trending topics in all sectors of the industry including AI & controls, decarbonization, plumbing & hydronics, heat pumps, refrigerants, workforce development, business & professional growth, and much more.

Registration is free and grants you access to everything HVACR. Don’t miss the chance to experience all things HVACR at the industry’s most comprehensive gathering of the year!

Register Now: https://www.ahrexpo.com/

01/07/2026

To kick off 2026, Alicia Branham outlined six practical, proven ways to kickstart your marketing goals. These steps will guide you through evaluating last year’s performance, setting measurable objectives, identifying key industry trends, building a strategic marketing plan, leveraging partnerships, and embracing the tools and technology that will give you a competitive edge.

This article is your blueprint for beginning the year with focus, clarity, and momentum—so you can execute smarter, grow faster, and position your business for long-term success. Check it out here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106979-new-year-new-strategies-how-to-kickstart-your-marketing-goals Bran Marketing

A strong marketing strategy is the bridge between where your business stands today and where you want it to go. Whether you’re a manufacturer looking to increase brand visibility, a rep firm aiming to secure more partnerships, or a distributor working to grow market share, success starts with clea...

01/06/2026

For decades, plumbing infrastructure has operated largely out of sight; relying on manual inspections to catch leaks, corrosion, pressure instability and other hidden failures. But, as buildings grow increasingly more complex, infrastructure ages and water becomes more expensive to manage, facility teams are quickly finding that traditional maintenance approaches are simply not enough.

The scale of the challenge is sizable. According to a 2024 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) / EPA–cited study, average system water loss in U.S. distribution systems is around 16%, much of which is due to leaks, undetected failures and aging pipes. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Report Card similarly warns that a significant portion of U.S. water infrastructure is at least aging, leaving many systems vulnerable to breaks, blockages and costly service interruptions. The financial impact is equally striking: federal energy and maintenance data show that reactive repairs can cost more than preventive or predictive maintenance, particularly in commercial and industrial facilities. https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106960-predictive-maintenance-over-preventive-how-iot-is-transforming-system-performance U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Department of Energy American Society of Civil Engineers

As aging infrastructure and rising costs challenge traditional methods, IoT and smart technologies are paving the way for proactive, data-driven maintenance, enhancing water management and safety like never before.

01/05/2026

Congratulations to Keith Hubbard on his new role with Winsupply! Hubbard comes to Winsupply from his most recent role as president and CEO of PACE Supply Corp., an employee-owned wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies based in California. He led the company for five years, growing revenue to over $1 billion annually with 32 locations. Hubbard joined Winsupply in early November as an Area Leader to serve Winsupply Local Companies and recruitment efforts on the West Coast. More details here: https://www.supplyht.com/articles/106977-winsupply-makes-strategic-hire-for-west-coast-growth

Hubbard comes to Winsupply from his most recent role as president and CEO of PACE Supply Corp., an employee-owned wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies based in California. He led the company for five years, growing revenue to over $1 billion annually with 32 locations.