Watsco, Inc. is the largest distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies (HVAC/R) in the United States. Watsco was founded more than 60 years ago as a manufacturer of parts, components, and tools used in the HVAC/R industry. From 1973 to 1988 Watsco, under the leadership of its current CEO, Albert H. Nahmad, grew from US$5 million in revenues to US$25 million. In 1989, the company shifted its focus from manufacturing to distribution, by acquiring Gemaire Distributors Inc., a South Florida-based Rheem distributor. By 1997, Watsco added other OEMs to the mix, and moved into commercial refrigeration, as a result of the acquisition of Baker Distributing Company. Watsco divested its manufacturing business in 1998, selling it to Internation