FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2005
For more information, contact:
Dennis M. Bradshaw
Executive Director
E-Mail: dbradshaw@newhorizonsfoundation.org
Tel: (703) 222-9001

FOUNDATION AND FMI CORPORATION WILL PARTNER TO
EXAMINE HOME CENTER IMPACT ON HVAC INDUSTRY

CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA - The New Horizons Foundation – A Sheet Metal Industry Initiative - and FMI Corporation (Raleigh, NC) will examine the home center movement’s current and potential impact on the HVAC industry and on the union segment of the trade.

“FMI is contributing the entire value of the firm’s services for this study at a value of approximately $60,000,” explained Foundation Board Chair George L. “Butch” Welsch (Welsch Heating & Cooling, Saint Louis). “Our Foundation Board is very pleased to have FMI as a partner for this key project.”

Senior Project Consultant Jay Bowman noted, “FMI believes it is important for the HVAC industry to have a comprehensive picture of both the opportunities and threats ahead. This includes the impact of the home center movement.”

Working with key leaders of the Foundation, FMI’s research team will develop estimated past and future high-level revenues by channel (residential and non-residential level) and at the HVAC level. The research will identify specific trends and drivers that will impact future potential scenarios. These factors will then be thoroughly reviewed and evaluated, taking into consideration all possible market dynamics.

The end product will be a report of FMI’s findings and analysis, packaged for the HVAC industry as a Word document. The project CD will also include a PowerPoint presentation format of the study’s key findings.

Foundation Executive Director Dennis Bradshaw commented on the partnership: “The home center has already changed the residential building market in terms of product sales and installation. Together, the Foundation and FMI will be able to project what may happen in the commercial market, specifically to the HVAC industry. That’s why this study is so timely and so important for our HVAC contractors nationwide.”

The New Horizons Foundation has completed five comprehensive studies of considerable value to the HVAC and sheet metal industry and has 7 studies underway at this time. These reports will be issued over the next four to six months. As appropriate, each study will be presented in a seminar format at various industry events throughout the country.

For information about completed projects or about the new initiative with FMI, contact Dennis Bradshaw, Executive Director, via e-mail at dbradshaw@newhorizonsfoundation.org or by telephone at (703) 222-9001.