Cory Byron once believed the trades were a dead-end path… until he realized the kind of life, freedom, and business you can build with your hands, your systems, and your work ethic.

Today, Cory is the co-owner of Van City Electric, one of the most trusted electrical companies in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the founder of Next Step Systems, where he helps trades businesses modernize operations, simplify their tech stack, and scale without burning out.

As the first electrical contractor ever featured on HVAC R&D, Cory opens up a whole new side of the trades for the TradeCrew — from building a multi-million dollar company to creating systems technicians actually follow.

Rhydon and Cory also dive into their shared journey as LiveSwitch ambassadors, how technology is changing the race to the face, and where AI is creating real leverage inside modern service businesses.

• Why the trades can be the ultimate long-term career path
• Building an electrical company from the ground up
• Creating systems your team will actually use
• Using AI and video tools to speed up quoting and improve customer experience
• The fastest ROI systems for growing trades businesses
• How to scale without sacrificing quality control
• Winning credibility before you ever step through the door
• Building a tech stack that scales beyond the owner

Whether you’re HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or anywhere else in the skilled trades, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth, systems, and the future of service businesses.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop.

🙏 Thank you to our partners: DiversiTech • LiveSwitch • RLS • Resideo • Mann+Hummel • True Nature Meats Co.

🎵 Music credit: Alex Grohl 🌐 www.hvacrnd.com

AHR Reflections: More Than a Tradeshow with Ramblin' Rhyno

This one’s a little different…

No guest. No script. Just me—reflecting on what was one of the biggest weeks of the year at the AHR Expo and taking a step back to talk about what it really meant to me.

From the HVAC Tactical Awards to four live podcast recordings with RLS, Resideo, HARDI, and Mann+Hummel, to moderating an AHR panel and leading workforce development tours… this year hit different.

But this isn’t just a recap.

This is about:

• The conversations that actually matter
• What the next generation of the trades really needs
• And how HVAC R&D is evolving beyond just a podcast

We’re talking about the launch of the Resource Hub, the return of the Ramblin’ Rhyno column, and why I’ve been showing up more on social—because the mission is bigger than just hitting record.

If you were at AHR, this will take you back. If you weren’t, this will bring you into it.

And either way… this is one of those episodes that defines where we’re going next.

• Why AHR is about people, not products
• Behind the scenes of the live shows (RLS, Resideo, HARDI, Mann+Hummel)
• HVAC Tactical Awards – “Blue Collar Goes Black Tie”
• Moderating an AHR panel (by the seat of my pants)
• Workforce Development Tours (Carrier, DiversiTech, Shurtape, Resideo)
• Crawlspace Confessions & real conversations from the floor
• The evolution of HVAC R&D

#HVAC #TradeCrew #AHRExpo #RamblinRhyno #Reflections

🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop.

DiversiTech • LiveSwitch • RLS – Rapid Locking System • Resideo • Mann + Hummel • True Nature Meats Co.

🎵 Music credit: Alex Grohl

Visit our website ⁠www.hvacrnd.com

Episode 176 of HVAC R&D was recorded live from the AHR show floor with Kurk Wilks, U.S. CEO of MANN+HUMMEL.

MANN+HUMMEL is a global leader in filtration with deep German engineering heritage and a growing presence in the HVAC and indoor air quality space. In this conversation, we zoom out and look at filtration not just as a component, but as a critical piece of the HVAC system.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why filtration is often misunderstood in HVAC system performance

• How filtration impacts airflow, comfort, and equipment longevity

• The growing importance of indoor air quality in residential and commercial spaces

• Sustainability and regulatory pressures shaping filtration innovation

• The challenge of balancing global engineering with local market needs

Kurk also shares his perspective as a CEO leading in the U.S. market — including how global companies navigate evolving industry expectations and where filtration fits into the future of HVAC.

Because as HVAC systems evolve, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:

Air quality, filtration, and system performance are more connected than ever.

#HVAC #FILTRATION #MANNHUMMEL #TradeCrew #HVACR #AHRExpo

🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a drop.

DiversiTech • LiveSwitch • JPL Flex • RLS – Rapid Locking System • Resideo • Mann + Hummel • True Nature Meats Co.

🎵 Music credit: Alex Grohl

Visit our website ⁠www.hvacrnd.com