The end of the year is more than just holiday celebrations and closing out the books—it’s your opportunity to set the foundation for a strong 2026. A thoughtful approach to inventory planning now can help you avoid costly delays, reduce emergency orders, and start the new year with confidence.

Whether you’re a dealer preparing for spring building season, a community manager planning for routine maintenance needs, or a service contractor looking to streamline operations, taking stock of where you are today will pay dividends in the months ahead.

Start with a Realistic Assessment

Before you can plan forward, you need to know where you stand. Take time this month to:

Review what moved—and what didn’t. Look at your 2025 sales data to identify your fastest-moving items. These are the products you can’t afford to run out of when demand picks up in spring. On the flip side, identify slow movers that are tying up cash and space.

Check for seasonal patterns. Did you run short on furnace parts in early winter? Were you scrambling for windows during peak building months? Those patterns will likely repeat, so plan accordingly.

Assess your physical stock. Walk your warehouse or storage area. Check for damaged goods, expired warranties, or inventory that’s been sitting too long. Now is the time to clear out what’s not working and make room for what will.

Talk to your team. Your service techs, installers, and sales counter staff know what customers ask for most often and where the pain points are. Their input is invaluable for planning what to keep on hand.

Identify Your Must-Haves for 2026

Once you know what you used in 2025, think about what you’ll need in the year ahead:

Core inventory essentials. These are the items you reach for constantly—the HVAC components, doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, and hardware that keep your business running. Stock these at levels that match your typical demand, plus a buffer for unexpected rushes.

Seasonal preparation. If you know spring brings a surge in new builds or community upgrades, plan now to have those materials ready. Waiting until March to order can mean delays when suppliers and manufacturers are swamped.

Code and compliance updates. Stay ahead of any regulatory changes taking effect in 2026. If new codes will require different materials or systems, make sure you’re stocked and your team is educated before the deadline hits.

Growth opportunities. If you’re planning to expand services, take on larger projects, or serve new markets in 2026, think about what inventory that requires. Better to build that capacity now than scramble mid-project.

Leverage Tools That Make Planning Easier

You don’t have to manage all of this with spreadsheets and guesswork. Blevins offers tools designed to take friction out of inventory management:

Online ordering for speed and accuracy. Our online platform lets you browse products, check availability, and place orders 24/7. You can review your order history to quickly reorder what you need, saving time and reducing errors.

Matched systems with warranties. When you order HVAC systems and components through Blevins, we help ensure compatibility and provide warranty support. That reduces headaches and callbacks down the road.

Expert recommendations. Not sure what you need or what will work best for a specific application? Our team can provide guidance on product selection, quantities, and alternatives. We’d rather help you get it right the first time than have you reorder later.

Take Advantage of Year-End Opportunities

December is also a smart time to look for programs and incentives that can stretch your budget:

VIP+ Rewards programs. If you’re enrolled in Blevins’ VIP+ rewards program, review your account. Now might be the time to redeem points or take advantage of flexible benefits that reset at year-end.

Budget planning. If your business operates on a calendar-year budget, this is your last chance to use remaining funds strategically. Stocking up on essentials now can ease cash flow pressure in Q1 when revenue might be slower.

We’re Here to Help You Plan

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Your Blevins sales representative knows your account, understands your business, and can help you think through what you’ll need in the months ahead. Whether you’re planning a major inventory refresh or just want to make sure you’re covered on the essentials, we’re here to support you.

Reach out to your rep, give us a call, or use our online tools to start building your 2026 inventory plan. The time you invest now will pay off in smoother operations, happier customers, and fewer emergencies when the busy season hits.

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Here’s to finishing 2025 strong and starting 2026 ready for whatever comes your way.