HARDI’s analysis finds that enforcement of Part 494 will directly affect an estimated 18,130 refrigeration systems in New York grocery and convenience stores that rely on R-404A and R-507A.

Over the past several months, HARDI advocacy has maintained a strong and strategic presence across the states and in our nation’s capitol, promoting policies that reflect the needs of HVACR distributors and the contractor customers they serve.

Wholesale distributors in the plumbing, heating, cooling and piping (PHCP) industry operate in one of the most complex order fulfillment operations in the modern supply chain. 

Market volatility continues to shape the distribution landscape as we move through 2026. Pricing pressures, shifting demand, labor challenges, and broader economic uncertainty remain part of the day-to-day reality for independent distributors. 

Wholesale distributors and manufacturers in the HVAC, plumbing, and PVF sectors face a unique challenge in their warehouses: extreme variation in product size, shape, weight, and material-handling requirements.

The skilled trades have built nations — from homes, schools and roads to commercial buildings and infrastructure that power daily life.

When young professionals ask me for advice about building a successful career in our industry, I often start by sharing a simple truth: our business isn’t only about moving products through warehouses — it’s about moving people toward their potential.

As of this writing, the prelude to the month of March is continued uncertainty concerning the status of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, predicated on the U.S. Supreme Court determination of the legality, the opposition party’s stance on a government shutdown deadline of February 13, the potential escalation of the Iranian crisis and persistent high interest rates.

On Feb. 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Don’t Mess with my Home Appliances Act, 217-190 with bipartisan votes.