AD Bearings & Power Transmission Division logs record attendance at Chicago meeting
The AD Bearings & Power Transmission (BPT) Division welcomed nearly 350 members, suppliers, service providers, and industry leaders to its 2026 North American Meeting, held August 11–13 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois near Chicago.
Record attendance underscored the continued strength and momentum of the BPT community, bringing attendees together for three days of business collaboration, strategic planning, networking, and recognition.
Centered around the theme Built to Serve, the meeting celebrated the spirit of service that has defined AD and its independent member and supplier community throughout the organization's 45-year history. Through educational sessions, business meetings, industry discussions, and networking opportunities, attendees explored new ways to strengthen relationships, drive growth, and better serve customers across the channel.
"The record attendance at this year's meeting speaks to the strength of the relationships that define our division," said Darin Davenport, president of AD's Bearings & Power Transmission Division. "One of the highlights each year is recognizing the outstanding members, suppliers, and partners whose commitment to service drives success across our community. Celebrating their achievements alongside so many engaged members and industry partners made this year's event especially meaningful."
Justin Phelps, AD BPT division board chair and owner/president of Power Drive Systems, Inc., said, "As an independent distributor, one of the greatest strengths of AD is the willingness of members and suppliers to share ideas, support one another, and work together to help each other succeed. The Built to Serve theme perfectly reflects the spirit of this community. This meeting was a powerful reminder that when we invest in relationships and focus on serving one another, we create opportunities for growth that benefit everyone involved."
The meeting featured an opening keynote, member and supplier business meetings, strategic sponsor briefings, conference booth appointments, and optional supplier facility tours, creating valuable opportunities for attendees to learn, collaborate, and build stronger business relationships.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2026 Spirit of Independence Awards, recognizing member companies, suppliers, and service providers for exceptional performance, innovation, partnership, and community impact.
2026 Spirit of Independence Award Winners
- AD Service Provider Excellence Award: Americaneagle.com
- AD BPT Member of the Year for Digital Excellence: CBT Company
- AD BPT Supplier of the Year for Digital Excellence: Osborn
- AD BPT Best Annual Planning Process Award: IBT Industrial Solutions
- AD BPT Best Conversion to an AD Supplier: Malloy Industrial Services and ABB
- AD BPT Member Growth Momentum Award: FixSupply
- AD BPT Member Market Leadership Award: Purvis Industries, Ltd.
- AD BPT Member of the Year Award: Weimer Bearing & Transmission
- AD BPT Supplier Rising Partner Award: Lentus, LLC
- AD BPT Supplier Growth Momentum Award: Koyo Bearings
- AD BPT Supplier Market Leadership Award: Gates Corporation
- AD BPT Supplier of the Year: Solve Industrial Motion Group
- AD BPT Giving Back Award: Creswell Richardson, GregO2.org
As AD celebrates its 45th anniversary, it says the BPT Division remains focused on strengthening connections across the channel, creating opportunities for independent businesses to thrive, and helping members and supplier partners grow and win together.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The July/August issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Global Industrial. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
