$17.81bnComfort Systems backlog at 30 Sept ($9.38bn a year earlier)
59%Comfort Systems revenue from technology work, 9M 2026
1,500Jobs at Carrier's new Fort Worth chiller plant
Earnings & Backlog
Comfort Systems USA adds $3.8bn of backlog in a quarter
Q3 revenue hit $3.77bn and backlog reached $17.81bn. Management says labour, not demand, is what limits growth.
Read the full story →Why it matters: the biggest listed mechanical contractor is booking work faster than it can staff it. EMCOR reports on 29 Oct.
Equipment & Supply
Carrier commits $600m+ to a Fort Worth chiller plant
A new 1m sq ft centre for commercial chillers, opening in 2027 with 1,500 jobs, on the back of record backlog.
Read the full story →Trane agrees to buy Cancoil Thermal
The Ontario-based maker of coils, condensers and fluid coolers already supplies Trane and employs more than 450 people.
Read the full story →Why it matters: equipment makers are investing for years of central-plant work, which is good news for contractors' pipelines and lead times.
Talent Insight
Field leadership is the scarce resource
- When the trade's largest contractor calls labour the main constraint, experienced PMs, superintendents and field leaders become the hires everyone is chasing.
- Prefab and modular are scaling fast. People who can run fab shops and plan production work are now as valuable as traditional field leadership.
- For 2027 plans: Budget for central-plant and commissioning talent early. Data centre and healthcare work will keep competing for the same small pool.
Building a team in MEP?
Matthew Peck & Tom Brennan specialise in MEP hiring at QP Group. Talk to Matthew or Tom about the market, salaries or a search.
Matthew Peck & Tom BrennanMEP Digest · QP Group
matthew.peck@qpexec.com,tom.brennan@qpexec.com
matthew.peck@qpexec.com,tom.brennan@qpexec.com