Distribution Industry News

Services sector returns to expansion in June

Economic activity in the services sector grew in June after just one month of contraction, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Services ISM Report On Business. The Services PMI indicated expansion at 50.8%, above the 50% breakeven point for 11th time in the last 12 months.

Industrial distribution employment steady in June

Employment showed little change in June for major industries such as mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; retail trade; and  transportation and warehousing, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

May new orders for manufactured goods rise 8.2%

New orders for manufactured goods in May, up five of the last six months, increased $48.5 billion or 8.2% to $642.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

Holston Gases acquires Advanced Welding Supply

Holston Gases has purchased Advanced Welding Supply effective June 30.

Purvis Industries buys Johnson Bearing & Supply

Purvis Industries has acquired all assets, personnel, brand rights, and intellectual property of Johnson Bearing & Supply, Inc. effective July 1.

Evergreen elects new board of directors

Evergreen Supply Network announced its newly elected board of directors, who began their term on July 1.

Ingersoll Rand acquires Italian air/gas compressor company and RNG subsidiary 

Ingersoll Rand Inc. has acquired Termomeccanica Industrial Compressors S.p.A. (“TMIC”) and its subsidiary Adicomp S.p.A. (“Adicomp”) (collectively “TMIC/Adicomp”) with a purchase price of approximately $188 million.

NIBCO donation supports next generation of skilled trades professionals

NIBCO Inc. has donated two custom-built boiler and water heater system training boards to support hands-on education at two leading trade education institutions: Chicago Pipefitters Training Center, Local 597, in Mokena, Illinois, and ABC Construction Prep Academy in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

IDCO welcomes 4 new members, strengthening national presence

IDCO, The Hoser Network, a premier co-op for independent distributors in the hose, fittings, and fluid power industry, announced the addition of four new member companies: Hydraulic Controls, Thaman Rubber Co., Green Rubber, and Quad Power Products.

Manufacturing's rate of contraction slows in June

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in June for the fourth consecutive month, following a two-month expansion preceded by 26 straight months of contraction, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

May construction spending down 0.3% from April estimate

May construction spending was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,138.2 billion, 0.3% (±0.8%) below the revised April estimate of $2,145.5 billion.

MSC reports 0.8% dip YoY for fiscal third quarter

MSC Industrial Supply Co. reported fiscal Q3 net sales of $971.1 million, a decrease of 0.8% YoY.

Parker to acquire Curtis Instruments

Parker Hannifin Corp., a provider of motion and control technologies, announced it has agreed to acquire Curtis Instruments, Inc. from Rehlko for approximately $1 billion in cash.

DSG appoints former CEO of Global Industrial as CEO of TestEquity Group

Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. has appointed Barry Litwin as the chief executive officer of TestEquity, effective July 14.

Enerpac Q3 net sales climb 5.5% year over year

Enerpac Tool Group Corp. reported fiscal third quarter net sales were $159 million, a 5.5% increase compared to the prior year, with a 2.0% increase in organic sales.

Sonnhalter, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity partner on annual tool drive

Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to professional tradespeople in construction, industrial, and MRO markets, will host its Annual Tool Drive August 1–31. This year marks its 16th year in partnering with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity.

MANTIS Conveyor Products, Allen Bearings & Technologies join PTDA

In June, The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) welcomed a new manufacturer member, MANTIS Conveyor Products, and welcomed back distributor member Allen Bearings & Technologies Limited.

DNOW to acquire MRC Global 

DNOW Inc. and MRC Global Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement in which DNOW will acquire MRC Global in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.5 billion.

Triad Bellows celebrates business anniversary

On July 1, Triad Bellows celebrates 15 years providing custom-engineered metal bellows and expansion joints for industrial applications.

Sonepar Canada names new president

Serge Leblanc will assume the position of president of Sonepar Canada on a permanent basis, managing from the Sonepar Canada office in Laval. He served as interim president since May. 

Registration opens for PTDA Summit

Registration is now open for the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) Industry Summit October 23–25 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country in San Antonio.

May wholesale inventories dip 0.3% from April

May wholesale inventories were estimated at an end-of-month level of $905.4 billion, down 0.3% (±0.2%) from April 2025, and were up 1.4% (±0.5%) from May 2024.

Sonepar to acquire Brazilian automation distributor

Sonepar has signed an agreement to acquire JAV Automação Industrial, an authorized Rockwell Automation distributor in Brazil with over three decades of experience in industrial automation.

AI, tariffs, economy top the business issues covered at PTDA Annual Canadian Conference 

Over 130 PT/MC manufacturers and distributors doing business in Canada convened June 3–5 for the Power Transmission Distributors Association's (PTDA) annual Canadian Conference in Victoria, British Columbia.

AWS, AASHTO release D1.5M/D1.5:2025, Bridge Welding Code

The American Welding Society (AWS), in collaboration with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), has released American National Standard (ANS) AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5:2025, Bridge Welding Code, the latest edition for welding fabrication requirements applicable to steel highway bridges and bridge components, to be used in conjunction with the applicable AASHTO design specifications.

DW Industries joins TIPCO Technologies

TIPCO Technologies (TIPCO), a distributor of fluid conveyance solutions, has acquired DW Industries (DW).

Continental names new head of distribution for Industrial Solutions Americas

Continental’s group sector ContiTech has appointed Ryan Gocher as head of distribution for its Industrial Solutions business in the Americas, effective July 1. He will succeed Guy Enta, who is retiring in July.

NETZSCH Pumps appoints regional sales manager 

NETZSCH Pumps USA, a provider of complex fluid handling solutions, announced that Chad Huskey has joined the company as regional sales manager – environmental for the Southeast region.

New CEO announced at DHL Supply Chain North America

DHL Group a change in leadership for DHL Supply Chain North America: Mark Kunar, current chief financial officer and chief strategy officer will assume the role of North America CEO with immediate effect.

Winsupply N Richmond opens in growing market

The Winsupply Family of Companies has added a new local company with the opening of Winsupply N Richmond.

Sellars invests $15 million for new manufacturing facility

Sellars, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of shop towels, paper towels, wipers and absorbents, has invested $15 million to open a new production location in Milwaukee.

April cutting tool orders up 2.7% from March

Shipments of cutting tools totaled $212.8 million in April, an increase of 2.7% from March but down 2.8% from April 2024, according to the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI).

Spherea to acquire Konrad's US subsidiary

Spherea, a manufacturer of high-end electronic and automated test solutions for aerospace, defense, and other safety-critical industries, announced it will acquire the U.S. subsidiary of Konrad Group.

Inventory management system receives royal accolade

Tommy Sharples, managing director of Hurst Green Plastics Ltd. recently attended a Royal Reception at Windsor Castle in the presence of HRH King Charles III to celebrate the company winning The King’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation) in 2025.

BlackHawk Industrial names new CFO

BlackHawk Industrial has appointed John Arends as chief financial officer. Arends steps into this role as a part of BlackHawk’s ongoing effort to align leadership with its customer-first vision and operational priorities.

Bellofram Elastomers taps Garnett Component Sales

Bellofram Elastomers has named Garnett Component Sales Inc. (GCS) as its official manufacturer’s representative for the southeastern U.S.

Wesco promotes Naylor 

Wesco International announced that, effective June 30, Dirk Naylor is promoted to executive vice president and general manager, communications and security solutions (CSS).

Suncor Stainless hires associate product manager

Suncor Stainless Inc. has appointed David Doherty as its new associate product manager.

William Hackett secures H-Mark certification 

William Hackett, a global supplier of safety-critical lifting, rigging and chain solutions, has secured H-mark certification for its latest chain sling components.

NetPlus Alliance members remain mostly positive amid tariff fluctuations

Even with difficult forecasting circumstances, NetPlus Alliance members remain primarily positive about what this year will bring. The group's Industry Outlook shows distributors are patiently waiting out the tariff fluctuations to build effective strategies for growth in 2025.

E-Z LOK hires Northstar Sales & Marketing

E-Z LOK has hired NorthStar Sales & Marketing to be its new sales representative firm. Located in Middleburg, Florida, they're an integrated fastener representative, covering the Southeastern U.S. territory.

MSC Industrial Supply earns Great Place to Work certification

MSC Industrial Supply Co. announced it has been Certified by Great Place To Work for the second consecutive year in the U.S., as well as in Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom for the first time.

Hampton Rubber Company celebrates 70 years of service

Hampton Rubber Company announced the celebration of its 70th anniversary.

All Tool & Fasteners awarded at DPA conference

The DPA Buying Group celebrated its 25th anniversary during its annual Industrial Buying & Networking Conference at the Omni ChampionsGate Resort in Orlando May 4–6.

Winsupply adds 20th local company since start of 2024

The Winsupply family of companies has added a new local company with the opening of Winsupply of Jacksonville Beach.

April machinery orders swing 40% up YoY 

By Christopher Chidzik

New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $444.9 million in April, marking a 12.7% decline from March 2025 and a nearly 40% increase from April 2024, as measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Rotor Clip launches educational video, 'What is a Wave Spring?'

Rotor Clip has released a new video to help engineers better understand wave springs and how they offer a reliable alternative to traditional springs.

Fastenal May net sales rise 4.3%

Fastenal reported a 4.3% increase for its May net sales, totaling $687 million.

E Tech Group names new CFO 

E Tech Group, a provider of industrial automation and control systems integration, has appointed Karla Lunan as chief financial officer, effective immediately.

Distributor survey to gage industry's state of e-commerce

Industrial Supply Magazine is partnering with The Distribution Group (DSG) to poll industrial distributors and report on the challenges and trends in e-commerce this year. 

May employment flat in manufacturing, wholesale trade

May employment showed little change in manufacturing, wholesale trade, and transportation and warehousing, according to the latest employement report from The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Labor shortage still beleaguers heavy manufacturing 

Widespread challenges confront the heavy manufacturing sector, including a persistent labor shortage, according to an annual, global survey by ETQ, part of Hexagon.

Kennametal sells Indiana subsidiary 

Kennametal Inc. announced June 6 it has completed the sale of its Goshen, Indiana, business, Kennametal Stellite, L.P. to a Chicago-based private equity firm.

May services sector contracts

Economic activity in the services sector contracted in May, the first time since June 2024, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Services ISM Report On Business.

Most distributors plan to raise prices in response to China tariffs: report

A new report from Proton reveals 42% of North American distributors still don’t have a plan for responding to tariffs, despite growing competitive pressure from more proactive peers.

April new manufacturing orders dip 3.7%

New orders for manufactured goods in April, decreased $22.8 billion or 3.7% to $594.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported June 3. This was following four consecutive monthly increases, including a 3.4% March increase.

E Tech Group acquires system integrator JSat Automation

E Tech Group has acquired JSat Automation (JSat), a Pennsylvania-headquartered system integrator specialized in automation, IT/OT convergence, and compliance. 

New technical service rep joins Morse team

The M. K. Morse Company announced Lonnie Causer as technical sales representative covering the states of California, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon.

Wesco earns 2025 Great Place To Work Certification

Wesco International has been Certified by Great Place To Work for the second year in a row. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Wesco.

April wholesale inventories up 2.1% YoY: economic indicators report 

Adjusted wholesale inventories for April were estimated at an end-of-month level of $906.9 billion, virtually unchanged (±0.2%) from March 2025, and were up 2.1% (±0.5%) from April 2024.

PTDA welcomes Rota Free Inc. to membership

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) welcomed new manufacturer member Rota Free Inc.

Wesco Ranks No. 199 on 2025 Fortune 500 list

Wesco International announced its inclusion in the 2025 Fortune 500 list. Included on the list since 1998, the company was ranked 199 this year.

May manufacturing economic activity contracts: ISM

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in May for the third consecutive month, following a two-month expansion preceded by 26 straight months of contraction, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

April construction spending dips 0.4%

Construction spending during April 2025 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,152.4 billion, 0.4% (±0.7 %) below the revised March estimate of $2,162.0 billion.

Core & Main named to Fortune 500

Specialty distributor Core & Main Inc. has been named to the Fortune 500 list for the first time, ranked No. 497.

White Cap expands in Southeast

White Cap, a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, has acquired the related businesses of American Contractors Supply and Reinforcing Concepts, both serving non-residential and infrastructure end markets in the Southeast.