Distributor Inventories and Sales Rise Again in September

Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) announced North American HVACR median distributor sales for the month of September 2010 were up over 10% from last year in its Monthly Targeted and Regional Economic News for Distribution Strategies (TRENDS) Report.

This marks the seventh consecutive month in which overall distributor sales were up from the previous year. Running twelve month sales were up for the second consecutive month. Seven of HARDI’s U.S. regions outperformed the same month last year, and five regions experienced double digit growth compared to last September. Canada continued its strong run and maintains the highest running twelve growth among all HARDI regions.

While September sales were strong for all but one HARDI region, median Days Sales Outstanding crept up breaking a five month trend of declines. Distributor sales per employee also weakened marking the first such decline since HARDI began reporting sales per employee in June.

"Though we’re certainly glad to see our 2010 sales consistently outpace 2009, we cannot escape the conclusion that this year has underperformed most recovery projections. Hopefully this growing momentum will carry into 2011, but at this time we still believe next year will reserve growth primarily for those distributors with the best inventory forecasts and most advanced and aggressive sales processes," says HARDI Executive Vice President and C.O.O., Donald L. Frendberg.

For more information about HARDI’s Monthly TRENDS Reports, including a copy of the October 13 webinar program on the Quarterly TRENDS Forecasts, contact HARDI’s Talbot Gee at (888) 253-2128 or tgee@hardinet.org.