We are pleased to announce that Webb Supply has been acquired by Heritage Distribution Holdings, the U.S. platform for global HVAC wholesaler Beijer Ref.
We want to assure you that our commitment to providing you with exceptional products and services remains unwavering. The acquisition by Heritage Distribution Holdings presents new opportunities for growth, innovation, and enhanced offerings that will benefit you, our valued customer.
Key points to note:
1. Business as Usual:
• Throughout the transition, it will be business as usual for Webb Supply. You can continue to rely on the same high-quality [products/services] and the excellent customer service you have come to expect.
• The Webb Supply name will continue as it has for over 60 years!
2. Continuity of Relationships:
• Mark Chisling will be staying on as President along with the Webb Supply Team!
• Your existing contacts and account managers at Webb Supply will remain the same, ensuring continuity in our relationships.
3. Communicationon Channels:
• We will keep you informed throughout the transition process. Any updates or changes will be communicated through our usual channels, and our customer support team is available to address any questions or concerns you may have.
We are grateful for the trust and partnership you have extended to us over the years, and we look forward to continuing this relationship. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Webb Supply is proud to announce a truly unique opportunity for our Ducane Dealers. From August First through September 29th (8/1-9/29/23) Ducane dealers can earn Delta Travel Gift Cards. This tiered promotion rewards any dealer who installs at least 20 Ducane motor-bearing units with a gift card worth $1000. This includes air conditioners, gas furnaces, and heat pumps.
This promotion is a win-win for our customers as Webb Supply has extremely competitive pricing on Ducane equipment. Additional savings are available by combining the promotion with Ducane’s New Dealer Program (NDP) for an additional discount. Not only will you increase your profits, but you can treat yourself to a vacation while you do it! Ask your Webb Supply representative for more details about this incredible opportunity.
HVAC contractors are required to register for the promotion at airanywhere.com. This opens their rewards account and makes them eligible to participate. Dealers are also required to upload a copy of their invoices showing the quantity of MBU’s (motor bearing units), itemized and including model number and delivery date.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 21, 2023– On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of Heating Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) et al. by striking down provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) allocation rule that would ban the use of non-refillable cylinders and require QR code tracking of refrigerant cylinders.
In 2020, the EPA was directed under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act) to phase down the production and import of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are chemical compounds typically used as refrigerants in air-conditioning and refrigeration. Since it was first enacted, HARDI and the rest of the HVACR industry supported the AIM Act and continue to support the HFC phase-down and the rulemaking process EPA uses to implement it.
In 2021, as a response to the directive, EPA proposed the Phasedown Rule. Among other provisions, the rule included aproposed ban on non-refillable cylinders and required QR code tracking for individual cylinders.
Three trade associations, HARDI, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC), along with Worthington Industries, a domestic manufacturer of refillable and disposable cylinders, filed petitions against EPA challenging the non-refillable cylinder ban and the requirement to track individual cylinders through the supply chain. On Tuesday, the court agreed with these challenges, and the EPA has been ordered to vacate these portions of the allocation rule. The EPA is allowed to appeal the decision.
A third challenge to the allocation rule, filed by a separate petitioner, would have eliminated the need for allocations to import HFC blends. This challenge was rejected by the courts, a decision that HARDI supports.
HARDI CEO Talbot Gee celebrated the decision, saying, “This confirms HARDI’s role in protecting wholesale distribution. Since 2021 when the rule was first proposed, we have sought feedback from our members about these provisions, and overwhelmingly, our membership rejected the need for refillable cylinders and a complex tracking system. HARDI has had a positive, multi-decade relationship with the EPA, and now we look forward to continuing to work with them on the successful implementation of the AIM Act.”
HARDI, ACCA, and PHCC were represented by Jonathan Martel, Ethan Shenkman, and Stephen Wirth of Arnold & Porter. The lawsuit argued that EPA lacked the legal authority to implement the refillable cylinder and QR-code rules. In the final decision, Judge Justin Walker noted, “We agree. The EPA has not identified a provision of the AIM Act giving it the authority to require refillable cylinders or a QR-code tracking system.”
EPA argued that the rules were necessary to prevent illegal imports of HFCs, and the agency could derive authority from the phrase “shall ensure” existing in the statute. However, the EPA has already demonstrated that the QR code tracking mandate and non-refillable cylinder ban are unnecessary to interdict illegal imports of HFCs. In 2022, in partnership with Customs and Border Patrol, EPA stopped HFCs equaling 889,000 metric tons of GWP from entering the country without the tracking or cylinder provisions in place. EPA is already well equipped to stop illegal imports without operationally burdening the entire HVACR supply chain.
HARDI’s Director of Government Affairs, Alex Ayers, commented, “Since the passage of the AIM Act in 2020, the EPA has been diligently working to get the regulations in place for our industry to phase down the use of HFCs, but with the speed of these regulations comes bad ideas that will damage our members. We continue to fight back with all of our available resources to stop these bad ideas from being implemented. HARDI is happy to see the court agree that the EPA exceeded its authority in banning non-refillable cylinders and requiring the tracking of every cylinder used at consumers’ homes and businesses. HARDI and the entire HVACR industry remain supportive of the HFC phase down, and we look forward to continuing to work with the EPA in achieving the goals of the AIM Act.”
HARDI acknowledges that the outcome was made possible primarily due to the support of its Legal Defense Fund.“ While it’s unfortunate to need a legal defense fund, it’s a testament to the association’s leadership, members, and team that HARDI can fund such important protections of our members’ interests,” explained Rhonda Wight, Chairwoman of the HARDI Board of Directors and President and CEO of Refrigeration Sales Corp. “The HARDI legal team did an exceptional job arguing the importance of federal agencies remaining within the bounds of the authorities granted to them by Congress. ”
The association is continually grateful to its members and the HVACR community for its support of the fund, its support of the association, and for backing its advocacy programs.
ABOUT HARDI
HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International) is the single voice of wholesale distribution within the North American and Latin American HVACR markets.
A non-profit association, HARDI serves its members through government affairs and advocacy efforts, market intelligence and benchmarking, training programs, and world-class events. HARDI proudly represents more than 460 distributor members and their 5,000 + branch locations, and close to 500 suppliers, manufacturer representatives, and service vendors. HARDI Distributor members serve installation and service/replacement contractors in residential and commercial markets, as well as commercial/industrial and institutional maintenance staffs. HARDI Affiliate members market, distribute, and support heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, parts and supplies. Learn more at www.hardinet.org.
With the equipment changeover in full swing, We at Webb Supply want to keep our customers in the loop. When the equipment changeover was announced, we stocked up on the old units knowing that it would provide our dealers an advantage against inflation on the market. As a result, Webb Supply is able to offer a better price on equipment while supplies last.
As we sell out of the old equipment, Webb Supply will activate our stock of the new M1 units. The price difference between the old equipment and new M1 equipment is about 15%, and when they’re gone, they’re gone for good. Stock up today to save yourself money right now!
