Acquisition Strategy
We focus on acquiring and investing in businesses that either complement our presence in existing markets or establish a presence in new geographic markets. Since 1989, we have acquired 70 HVAC/R distribution businesses, some of which are now primary operating subsidiaries. Other smaller acquired distributors have been integrated into or are under the management of our primary operating subsidiaries. Through a combination of sales and market share growth, opening of new locations, tuck-in acquisitions, expansion of product lines, improved pricing, and programs that have resulted in higher gross profit, performance incentives, and a culture of equity value for key leadership, we have produced substantial sales and earnings growth in our acquired businesses. We continue to pursue additional strategic acquisitions, investments and joint ventures to allow further penetration in existing markets and expansion into new geographic markets.
Operating Philosophy
We encourage our local leadership to operate in a manner that builds upon the long-term relationships they have established with their suppliers and customers. Typically, we maintain the identity of acquired businesses by retaining their historical trade names, management teams and sales organizations, and continuity of their product brand-name offerings. We believe this strategy allows us to build on the value of the acquired operations by creating additional sales opportunities while providing an attractive exit strategy for the former owners of these companies.
We maintain a specialized staff at our corporate headquarters that provides functional support for our subsidiaries’ growth strategies in their respective markets. Such functional support staff includes specialists in finance, accounting, product procurement, information technology, treasury and working capital management, tax planning, risk management, legal, and safety. Certain general and administrative expenses are targeted for cost savings by leveraging the overall business volume and improving operating efficiencies.
Human Capital Management
Employee Population and Turnover
As the largest distributor of HVAC/R equipment and related parts and supplies in North America, we have a wide variety of employees. Given the breadth of our employee base, we tailor our human capital management policies with a view to specific employee populations. As of December 31, 2024, we employed approximately 7,220 full-time and 75 part-time employees (approximately 7,295 total employees), substantially all of whom were non-union employees. Of these employees, approximately 8% were located in Canada and Mexico. Additionally, we use independent contractors and temporary personnel in the normal course of business to supplement our workforce.
We closely monitor employee turnover, utilizing exit interviews to gather pertinent information that we use to refine our retention strategies. The voluntary turnover rate for our U.S. employees in 2024, 2023, and 2022 was approximately 18%, 19%, and 20%, respectively. We believe this rate is typical for a company of our size that employs a large hourly workforce such as ours.
Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention
Our culture celebrates talent sharing, career development, and agility across the Company. We provide a wide variety of opportunities for professional growth and talent development for all employees, including online training, on-the-job experience, mentorships, and education tuition assistance.
We are committed to ensuring equal access to, and participation in, employment and advancement opportunities, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status. We value and foster the diversity and inclusion of the people with whom we work. Diverse teams facilitate contributions from people of different backgrounds, experiences, and varied points of view. We believe that when employees feel valued, understood, and inspired, the entire Company benefits. Moreover, fostering an equal opportunity environment promotes innovative solutions and cultivates high-performing, engaged teams that collaborate to achieve our strategic goals.
Compensation and Benefits
We focus on attracting and retaining employees by providing compensation and benefits programs that are competitive within our industry, taking into account each job position’s location and responsibilities. In addition to salaries, commission programs, cash incentives, and stock-based equity plans, we also provide a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan in which most of our employees may purchase our stock at a discount, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings accounts, paid time off, and various services and tools to support our employees’ health and wellness.
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