In our continuing Industry Forecast series, we talk with John Hazen White, Jr. – Executive Chairman & Owner of Taco Comfort Solutions, on topics such as the short-term economy, supply chain issues, and lessons learned over the course of the pandemic. Here is our exclusive Q & A with John Hazen White, Jr.: Read more
Taco Comfort Solutions
In our continuing Industry Forecast series, we talk with John Hazen White, Jr. – Executive Chairman & Owner of Taco Comfort Solutions, on topics such as the short-term economy, supply chain issues, and lessons learned over the course of the pandemic. Here is our exclusive Q & A with John Hazen White, Jr.:
MH: We’ve all experienced supply chain shortages, whether it’s industry related or things such as computer chips, plastics, bacon, etc., for example. Do you project a turnaround soon or within the next 6-12 months for certain materials that relate to your specific company?
JHW: Due to the China’s current COVID lockdowns and further supply chain disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine, we believe that chain issues are going to get worse over the next several months. Much of the processing of base raw materials and secondary materials has been shut down, further straining the supply chain. Exacerbating these issues, the skyrocketing costs of fuel and transportation are going to make the delivery of goods more costly.
MH: We are in the midst of some of the highest inflation rates since the early ‘80s. Do you think that higher inflation becomes a “newer normal”? Explain.
JHW: Eventually costs will temper demand and inflation will slow. Unfortunately, this will be accompanied by an economic downturn. The risk is that governments may try to artificially stimulate the economy, which could potentially prolong the inflationary upturn.
MH: In general, how do you see the economy short-term? Give a few examples of how you draw that conclusion (housing starts, commercial construction, etc.).
JHW: The short-term economy appears to be healthy. Orders remain strong and backlogs are at all-time highs. Data such as housing starts point to continued growth in 2022, with low inventory levels and a tight rental market driving that growth. In addition, manufacturing construction is on the rise to meet capacity demands.
MH: Where are you seeing signs of positivity, if any?
JHW: Short-term, the economy appears to still be growing, but at a slower pace. Although the last two years have been very challenging, these challenges can also serve as a catalyst for improvement. Companies are reinventing their structures and processes to adapt to a much faster business pace. We’re seeing step changes in productivity, efficiency, and innovation to keep up with today’s challenges and changing business environment.
MH: How do you as manufacturers work with customers who are dealing with longer lead times and/or higher prices? Is it a matter of open lines of communication?
JHW: Constant communication and strong partnerships are great ways to manage through the current supply chain and production issues. Most customers understand the challenges that all manufacturers are currently dealing with – they just want to be kept informed to minimize surprises and plan their projects accordingly.
MH: It seems that in today’s employment landscape, it’s hard to find good labor, whether it’s truck drivers, waiters at restaurants, etc. In our industry, how do we continue the fight to highlight the trades as a great career choice?
JHW: Social media is a great way to reach future tradesman of our industry. We have been running a social media campaign called #TradePower, which highlights successful contractors in the industry and the pride they take in their craftsmanship and service. Above all else, Taco has benefited by continuing to do what we always do – treat people right.
MH: In spite of COVID, people must move on. How has your company evolved—or continued to march forward—over the past two years, and talk about any new initiatives, expansions, etc.
JHW: The sudden disruption of COVID restrictions in 2020 forced a much faster adoption of planned technology upgrades. A planned rollout of organizational digitization was condensed from 18 month to two weeks, which gave us the ability to continue functioning and growing in the new work-from-home reality. One of the biggest positives we saw during the pandemic was the rise of global collaboration. The quick adoption of virtual meetings boosted our collaboration with our entire global workforce, ensuring the best players were part of any team meeting. This has led to an increased sharing of ideas on everything from safety protocols to operational improvements. More than ever, we are thinking globally to optimize our resources and maximize our growth.
Bob Barbour, VP, Sales Operations North America at Taco Comfort Solutions®, was presented the 2022 Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award at Taco’s press conference at the AHR Expo, by John White III., Senior VP, OEM Sales at Taco Comfort Solutions. Barbour began his career at Taco as an incoming material inspector in 1978 Read more
Bob Barbour, VP, Sales Operations North America at Taco Comfort Solutions®, was presented the 2022 Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award at Taco’s press conference at the AHR Expo, by John White III., Senior VP, OEM Sales at Taco Comfort Solutions.
Barbour began his career at Taco as an incoming material inspector in 1978 before finishing his civil engineering degree at the University of Rhode Island.
Through his 44-year tenure at Taco, Barbour held 11 positions there, including engineering management for fabricated products, VP of new business development, and regional sales manager. Barbour believes that his greatest contribution to Taco may be the introduction of TacoNet, a product selection software that assisted in sizing and selection of HVAC components. This software was a game-changer for Taco’s distribution, condensing the product specification process from hours to minutes. It was the precursor to all sizing and selection software now offered by Taco.
Bob Barbour, VP, Sales Operations North America at Taco Comfort Solutions (left), was presented the 2022 Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award at Taco’s press conference at the AHR Expo, by John White III., Senior VP, OEM Sales at Taco Comfort Solutions.
Barbour has been a member of ASHRAE for more than 30 years. He’s been involved at the national level with various technical committees. He also served the DOE Conservation Committee while the group – in collaboration with the Hydraulic Institute – determined energy standards for pumps in the US. Barbour also became an expert on air elimination in hydronic systems. His presentations to trade professionals in the US, Canada, Mexico and the Middle East typically drew large crowds.
Barbour lives with his wife in Rhode Island. His two grown children share his University of Rhode Island alma mater.
“If you look at the whole Taco family, they’re all trying to pull on the rope together in order to serve our customers and grow the overall business,” said Barbour, after receiving the award. “Because we’re a family, we put that extra effort forward to help the industry.”
The Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award is given annually to an HVAC professional or company that has made a substantial contribution to comfort technology, advancement, or training while displaying the exceptional good humor and love of people exhibited by Dan Holohan throughout his long career. Past award winners include Dan Holohan, Robert Bean, Bruce Marshall, Dan Foley and John Barba.
During the AHR Expo, John White III, Sr. VP/OEM Sales of Taco Comfort Solutions, presents the Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award—which is given annually to an HVAC professional or company that has made a substantial contribution to comfort technology advancement or training while displaying the exceptional good humor and love of people exhibited Read more
During the AHR Expo, John White III, Sr. VP/OEM Sales of Taco Comfort Solutions, presents the Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award—which is given annually to an HVAC professional or company that has made a substantial contribution to comfort technology advancement or training while displaying the exceptional good humor and love of people exhibited by Dan Holohan throughout his career—to Bob Barbour for passionate commitment to the industry and shared company success. Referred to as “Mr. Taco” from White III, Bob has been with the company for 44+ years and held at least seven different positions within Taco.
Barbour was certainly surprised and honored to receive the reward. “If you look at the whole Taco family, they are all trying to pull on the rope together in order to service our customers and grow the overall business. And because we are a family, we put that extra effort forward to help you and the rest of the industry.”
Taco’s new VR Series high-efficiency ECM cast iron or stainless steel circulators offer a wide range of low, medium or high head options in sizes from 1/3 – to 2-HP. Easy, intuitive settings and operation will appeal to installers for a broad range of uses, including HVAC, hot water recirculation and NSF commercial hot applications Read more
Taco’s new VR Series high-efficiency ECM cast iron or stainless steel circulators offer a wide range of low, medium or high head options in sizes from 1/3 – to 2-HP. Easy, intuitive settings and operation will appeal to installers for a broad range of uses, including HVAC, hot water recirculation and NSF commercial hot applications.
The 00e VR circulators provide an easy-to-program pump interface with real-time feedback. Modbus, BACnet, 0-10Vdc + pulse width modulation (PWM) are standard. The circulators provide 62 feet max head and up to 320 GPM flow. They are NSF/ANSI 61 + 372 commercial hot certified.
The circulators are also equipped with ASHRAE’s 2019 Software Innovation Award-winning Taco Tags, providing vital product/application information instantly to phones or other mobile devices. Even the molded insulation shell is included.
For more information, visit www.TacoComfort.com
Taco’s new VR Series high-efficiency ECM cast iron or stainless steel circulators offer a wide range of low, medium or high head options in sizes from 1/3 – to 2-HP. Easy, intuitive settings and operation will appeal to installers for a broad range of uses, including HVAC, hot water recirculation and NSF commercial hot applications Read more
Taco’s new VR Series high-efficiency ECM cast iron or stainless steel circulators offer a wide range of low, medium or high head options in sizes from 1/3 – to 2-HP. Easy, intuitive settings and operation will appeal to installers for a broad range of uses, including HVAC, hot water recirculation and NSF commercial hot applications.
00e VR circulators provide an easy-to-program pump interface with real-time feedback. Modbus, BACnet, 0-10Vdc + pulse width modulation (PWM) are standard. The circulators provide 62 feet max head and up to 320 GPM flow. They are NSF/ANSI 61 + 372 commercial hot certified.
The circulators are also equipped with ASHRAE’s 2019 Software Innovation Award-winning Taco Tags, providing vital product/application information instantly to phones or other mobile devices. Even the molded insulation shell is included.
For more information, visit www.TacoComfort.com