Members Discuss Tariffs, Technology, Disruptions at Peer-to-Peer CONNECT

At ASA’s quarterly CONNECT call, purchasing professionals came together for a peer-to-peer discussion on the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry market.
 

Navigating Tariffs and Market Uncertainty
Tariffs continue to create challenges for businesses, with uncertainty and inconsistency impacting purchasing strategies. While buying ahead of price increases is a common approach, limited budgets require careful selection of investments. All competitors are facing similar challenges, and customer awareness of the situation has led to some market opportunities. However, long-term price commitments remain a challenge, as businesses cannot sustain pricing models from previous years. The ongoing tariff policies between major economies raise concerns about long-term sustainability.
 

Inventory and Supply Chain Adjustments
With tariffs and other market fluctuations, businesses are refining their inventory strategies. Fast-moving and predictable products are being prioritized, while lower-demand items are being stocked more selectively. ERP systems like Eclipse and Acuterm are being optimized to improve efficiency, reduce manual overrides, and enhance forecasting accuracy. Companies are also working on data cleanup and leveraging automation to ensure inventory is placed in the right locations.
 

Industry and Regulatory Shifts Impacting Business
The HVAC industry is facing a significant transition due to refrigerant changes. The shift to R32 refrigerants is creating supply chain challenges, with existing products being phased out while the new alternatives are not yet widely available in the U.S. This transition is expected to continue through Q2, impacting both residential and commercial sectors.
 

Leveraging Technology for Smarter Decision-Making
Businesses are increasingly relying on data-driven tools to navigate these challenges. AI and business intelligence (BI) tools are being integrated with ERP systems to enhance reporting, forecasting, and decision-making. While technology offers powerful insights, there is still a need to balance automation with human oversight, particularly in areas like inventory modeling and supplier selection.
 

Ready to get involved with ASA CONNECT and gain insights from members facing the same challenges? Join us on CONNECT today!