Distribution Industry News

Kimball Midwest receives training award

Kimball Midwest, a national industrial supplier based in Columbus, again has been recognized by Training magazine for excellence in training and development programs.

December construction spending ticks up from November

December 2025 construction spending was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,168.8 billion, 0.3% above the November estimate of $2,163.1 billion. The December figure is 0.4% below the December 2024 estimate of $2,176.6 billion.

Global Industrial Q4 sales increase 14.3%

Global Industrial Company announced its fourth quarter 2025 consolidated sales increased 14.3% to $345.6 million compared to $302.3 million last year and average daily sales increased 7.4% compared to prior year.

February manufacturing activity in expansion territory

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in February for the second straight month but only the third time in 40 months, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest ISM Manufacturing PMI Report.

AFC Industries introduces Cline Tool Customs 

AFC Industries launched Cline Tool Customs, a brand focused on delivering custom engineered tooling solutions designed to solve complex manufacturing challenges with precision and speed.

Global Industrial rolls out Configurable Cabinets

Global Industrial Company launched its newest Global Industrial Exclusive Brand solution this week: Global Industrial Configurable Cabinets.

December wholesale inventories inched up 2.8 YoY

Wholesale inventories for December, adjusted for seasonal variations and trading day differences, but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $917.2 billion, up 0.2% (±0.4%) from November 2025, and were up 2.8% (±1.1%) from December 2024.

Tencarva Machinery Co. acquires Hoffman-Kane Distributors

Tencarva Machinery Company, a value-added distributor and service provider of flow control and process equipment solutions to industrial and municipal end markets, has acquired Hoffman-Kane Distributors Inc., a provider of industrial fluid handling and sealing solutions in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and West Virginia.

Irby president Michael Leech dies at 72

Former Stuart Irby Co. President Michael Doyle Leech, 72, of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away Feb. 16.

Manufactured goods orders dip 0.7% in December

New orders for manufactured goods in December, down two of the last three months, decreased $4.3 billion or 0.7% to $617.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

Kennametal launches 'Machinist of the Year' global program 

Kennametal Inc. has launched its Machinist of the Year program, a new annual initiative designed to recognize the skill, dedication and innovation of long-time machinist customers across every region. Winners will be announced in the Americas, EMEA, APAC and India.

PTDA Foundation 2026 fund drive surpasses 40% of goal

The Power Transmission Distributors Association Foundation (PTDA) announced its 2026 Fund Drive is off to a strong start with $127,204 already raised from 113 donors to advance workforce development across the power transmission and motion control (PT/MC) industry.

Global Industrial Q4 sales increase 14.3%

Global Industrial Company reported its full-year sales of $1.48 billion increased 4.8%, while fourth quarter sales increased 14.3%.

Industrial measures point to continued manufacturing technology demand in 2026: AMT

By Kristin Bartschi

Industrial production increased 0.7% and capacity utilization increased by 0.5% across the U.S. economy from December 2025 to January 2026, according to the latest report issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Continental appoints vice president of distribution for ContiTech Industrial Solutions Americas

Continental’s group sector ContiTech has appointed Jim Hill as vice president of distribution for its Industrial Solutions Americas (IAM) business area. He previously served as IAM vice president of marketing and strategy.

Tom Sellars recognized with national award

Tom Sellars, CEO of Sellars Absorbent Materials, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer and marketer of wipes, absorbents and towel and tissue products, has been named to the MO 100 Top Impact CEO list. The award recognizes 100 CEOs globally who leverage capitalism to generate positive social and environmental change.

Global Industrial forges sponsorship deal with Professional Women's Hockey League 

Global Industrial Company has entered a multi-year agreement with the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), the distributor's first sports league partnership.

Enpro sales rise 14.3% YoY in fourth quarter

Enpro Inc. announced its fourth quarter sales climbed 14.3% year over year to $295.4 million.

December manufacturing orders dip 1.4%

December new orders for manufactured durable goods decreased $4.6 billion or 1.4% to $319.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Feb. 18.

Core & Main opens new facility in Ontario

Core & Main, Inc., a specialty distributor dedicated to advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide, announced the opening of its new facility located in Belleville, Ontario, Canada.

Morse expands product availability through ORS NASCO

The M.K. Morse Company, a global manufacturer of cutting solutions, announced that its line of products is now available through ORS NASCO, which Morse says is the largest independent national wholesaler in the U.S.

Winsupply Inc. makes strategic promotion for East Coast growth

The Winsupply Family of Companies is growing its East Coast presence as it adds another person responsible for coaching and recruiting entrepreneurs in wholesale distribution.

KBC rolls out three-year warranty on TUM series mills

KBC introduced an industry-leading 3-Year Parts Replacement Warranty on all KBC TUM Series Milling Machines.

Ingersoll Rand revenues increase 10% YoY

Ingersoll Rand Inc., a global provider of mission-critical flow creation and life sciences and industrial solutions, reported its Q4 2025 revenues climbed 10% and orders rose 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

Employment rate holds steady at 4.3%

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 130,000 in January, and the unemployment rate changed little at 4.3%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Feb. 11.

Carson’s Nut-Bolt & Tool joins the AD community

AD, the contractor and industrial products wholesale buying group, announced Carson’s Nut-Bolt & Tool Co., Inc. joined the AD Industrial & Safety Division – U.S. effective January 1.

Wesco announces record fourth quarter

Wesco International, a provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, announced a record fourth quarter with net sales of $6.1 billion, up 10% YoY. The company released full year 2025 results, as well.

Columbus McKinnon reports 10% sales growth 

Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, announced third quarter net sales of $258.7 million increased 10% with strength in lifting, linear motion, and automation across both North America and EMEA.

IDCO welcomes Klondike Lubricants as newest endorsed supplier partner

Industrial Distributor Co-op (IDCO), also known as The Hoser Network, announced Klondike Lubricants has joined the cooperative as its newest supplier partner.

Prime Industrial Fasteners to be featured on 'World’s Greatest' tv show

Prime Industrial Fasteners, a family?owned fastener distributor serving South Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean, has been selected to be featured on the nationally syndicated television program, "World’s Greatest" airing on the Bloomberg Network.

Walter appoints global sales director for workholding group

Walter has appointed André Vasconcelos as global sales director for workholding. He currently serves as the company's sales manager and has been instrumental in the development and growth of the brand in recent years.

Manufacturing technology orders set record in December 

New orders of metalworking machinery hit a record level in December 2025, reaching $814.3 million, 86.7% over November 2025 and 59.9% over December 2024.

RBC Bearings reports 17.0% increase in third quarter net sales

RBC Bearings Inc., an international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components, and essential systems for the industrial, defense and aerospace industries,  reported its third quarter net sales of $461.6 million increased 17.0% over last year.

Fastenal net sales rise 7% in January

Fastenal reported January net sales climbed 6.9% to $6.9 million.

Services sector expands again in January

Economic activity in the services sector continued to expand in January, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest ISM Services PMI Report.

Chemcraft brand marks 50 year anniversary

Chemcraft, a supplier of industrial wood coatings, is celebrating five decades in the North American market.

Columbus McKinnon completes acquisition of Kito Crosby

Columbus McKinnon Corp., a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, has completed its acquisition of Kito Crosby from funds managed by global investment firm KKR.

DXP Enterprises Inc. spreads West with manufacturers rep acquisition 

DXP Enterprises Inc. has completed the acquisition of Ambiente H2O Inc.

Kennametal Q2 sales up 10%

Kennametal Inc. announced its second quarter sales totaled $530 million, an 10% increase on both a reported and organic basis from the prior year quarter.

Manufacturing sector expands in January

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in January for the first time in 12 months, preceded by 26 straight months of contraction, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest ISM Manufacturing PMI Report.

AD member sales reach record $100 billion in 2025

AD repored record results for 2025 in member total company sales, member purchases from AD supplier partners, and net distributions to its owner-members.

Electrical distributor sets high bar on warehouse automation, urban space efficiency

Global AutoStore partner Kardex provided an automated solution to Codale, a Utah-based operating company of Sonepar, a global B2B electrical distribution company.

2026 PTDA Foundation increases scholarships 

Entering its third year, the PTDA Foundation's scholarship program has raised the number of student scholarships from five to eight and employee scholarships from four to six.

November manufacturing orders rise 5.3%

November new orders for manufactured durable goods increased $16.4 billion or 5.3% to $323.8 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Parker sales climb 9% in second quarter 

Parker Hannifin Corp.,  a global provider of motion and control technologies, reported second-quarter sales increased 9% to a record $5.2 billion – and organic sales increased 6.6%.

Fed holds rates steady after strong capital investment from manufacturers

By Kristin Bartschi

In a move widely telegraphed since their last meeting, the Federal Reserve opted to leave the benchmark interest rates steady at a target range of 3.5% to 3.75% on Jan. 28, their first meeting of 2026.

Grainger 2025 sales increase 4.5%

Grainger reported fourth quarter sales of $4.4 billion, up 4.5%. For the full year, sales of $17.9 billion increased 4.5%, or 4.9% on a daily, organic constant currency basis compared to the prior year.