Distribution Industry News

NSL Analytical Services aqcquires Rocky Mountain Testing Solutions

NSL Analytical Services, an accredited provider of analytical, mechanical, and metallurgical testing services, has acquired Rocky Mountain Testing Solutions.

Packer Fastener develops AI-powered quoting, ordering tool  

Packer Fastener, a threaded fastener and industrial supply distributor, has developed an AI-powered quoting and ordering tool designed to improve customer experience and streamline internal processes. Participating in the TitletownTech and Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab, the company collaborated with technical experts to develop the tool.

Welding distributors spend $39.1 million through IWDC in October

IWDC's members spent $39.1 million in October through the cooperative, setting a new all-time monthly record.

September cutting tool orders up 14.7% YoY

By Kristin Bartschi
?
Shipments of cutting tools totaled $222 million in September, an increase of 5.3% from August and 14.7% from September 2024, according to the latest Cutting Tool Market Report, a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI).

Majority of NetPlus Alliance members report 2025 growth

NetPlus Alliance said 60% of its members are forecasting growth for 2025 and a strong ending to the year.

HMS Networks acquires Molex industrial communications business 

HMS Networks has entered into a binding agreement to acquire part of the Industrial Solutions Business Unit of Molex.

DSG names new senior vice president

Distribution Solutions Group Inc. appointed Sean Dwyer to its leadership team as senior vice president, head of M&A and strategy.

Creaform adds service centers in US and Mexico 

Creaform, a business of AMETEK, Inc. and worldwide provider of automated and portable 3D measurement solutions, opened two new service centers that will perform calibration under the Creaform ISO 17025 accreditation, for its EVO, BLACK, and MAX Series of the HandySCAN 3D lineup.

J.M. Grimstad acquires GT Hydraulic Specialists 

J.M. Grimstad Inc., an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company specializing in fluid power and control systems integration, has acquired GT Hydraulic Specialists, a premier hydraulic service provider with a strong presence in the Great Lakes marine and industrial markets.

August manufacturing orders inch up

New orders for manufactured goods in August increased $8.4 billion or 1.4% to $612.0 billion following two consecutive monthly decreases, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

PTDA recaps 2025 Industry Summit

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) wrapped up another successful Industry Summit October 23–25 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.

Motion Learning & Development Center announces 2026 course schedule

Motion Industries Inc. announced the 2026 class schedule for the Motion Learning & Development Center (LDC).

PRC Industrial Supply celebrates 130 years of service and innovation 

PRC Industrial Supply announced its 130th anniversary, marking more than a century of providing industrial products and solutions to businesses across Maine, New England, and beyond.

Global Industrial introduces Mobile Robot Stretch Wrap Machine 

Global Industrial Company launched of the Global Industrial Mobile Robot Stretch Wrap Machine, a self-propelled, semi-autonomous solution that enables facilities to securely wrap irregular or oversized pallets directly on the floor.

H.H. Barnum earns 'USA TODAY' Top Workplace Award

H.H. Barnum, a distributor of controls and solutions for factory automation, has been recognized as a 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplace, marking the company’s fourth consecutive year receiving this prestigious award.

Enpro completes acquisition of AlpHa Measurement Solutions

Enpro Inc., an industrial technology company, announced it has completed the previously announced acquisition of AlpHa Measurement Solutions (“AlpHa”), a provider of liquid analytical sensing technologies and instrumentation for the measurement of key parameters for liquid processes.

August construction spending up 0.2% vs. July estimate

Construction spending during August 2025 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,169.5 billion, 0.2% (±0.7%) above the revised July estimate of $2,165.0 billion.

Fastenal enters multi-year agreement with Edmonton Oilers 

Fastenal Company has entered into an agreement to form a multi-year partnership with the Edmonton Oilers. The agreement makes Fastenal the preferred MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) supply partner of Rogers Place, which Fastenal says reflects its growing partnership with the NHL and its Clubs.

Streamlight donates $20,000 to Breast Cancer Research Foundation 

Streamlight Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting, announced its continued support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) with a $20,000 donation to help fund critical breast cancer research and prevention initiatives.

Proton.ai, Revenue Optics partner to improve distribution's inside sales model

Proton.ai, an AI-powered growth platform for distributors, and Revenue Optics, an inside sales consulting firm, announced a partnership to rebuild the industry’s outdated inside sales model.

PTDA Foundation awards new employee, student scholarships

Addressing the need for skilled power transmission and motion control (PT/MC) professionals through a scholarship program launched last year, the PTDA Foundation has awarded $2,500 to four industry employees and and $3,000 to five college students pursuing careers in PT/MC.

Sonic Tools USA launches 3D workshop Configurator platform

Sonic USA, a provider of professional-grade tool solutions and equipment, announced the launch of Sonic Configurator, a digital platform designed to empower technicians and shop owners to design, visualize, and optimize their workspace specifically for Sonic MSS+ cabinets.

Sonepar announces new president of Codale

Codale, a Sonepar company, has appointed Kent Chadwick as president, effective immediately.

Parker to acquire Filtration Group Corp.

Parker Hannifin Corp., a global provider of motion and control technologies, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Filtration Group Corp. for a cash purchase price of $9.25 billion.

Emerson to automate Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass 

Emerson has been selected by Lithium Americas Corp. to provide its comprehensive automation portfolio and expert technical services for the Thacker Pass project in Northern Nevada.

Suncor Stainless appoints West Canada regional sales manager

Suncor Stainless Inc., a manufacturer of stainless steel hardware in the industrial, marine, government, architectural, OEM, and commercial industries, has promoted John Tavares to the regional Sales Manager – West/Canada.

Rotor Clip launches Spanish website 

Rotor Clip launched its new Spanish website — the fourth multilingual site in its global portfolio – providing fully accessible technical content and localized support.

Machinery orders slow from August, yet '25 demand proves resilient

September new orders of metalworking machinery declined 7.2% from August but increased year over year from September 2024, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

AD member sales increase 28%

AD reports that member sales through the first nine months of 2025 increased 28% to $78 billion across the group's 13 divisions and three countries. Member purchases from AD suppliers rose 31%.

BSA, PTDA expand PIE technology platform

The Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) and the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) have added three new product categories – open gearing, enclosed gearing, and adjustable/variable speed drives — to the PIE Technology Platform (PIE).

Watts Steam Store buys Hotsy of Boulder

Watts Steam Store, a Singer Industrial distributor of industrial cleaning equipment and pressure washers, has acquired Hotsy of Boulder.

Fastenal net sales grow 11.3% in October 

Fastenal reported an 11.3% increase in net sales for October.

Parker announces record quarterly sales

Parker Hannifin Corp., a global provider of motion and control technologies, reported record sales of $5.1 billion for its first quarter of fiscal 2026.

DXP posts 8.6% sales increase 

DXP Enterprises Inc. reported third quarter sales of $513.7 million, an 8.6% year-over-year increase.

Sonepar’s QED opens Denver-area central distribution center

QED, a Sonepar company, has opened its largest-ever central distribution center (CDC) in Aurora, Colorada, just outside Denver.

PTDA Foundation presents awards in San Antonio

The PTDA Foundation announced the 2025 recipients of its industry awards. Both honorees received their awards at the PTDA 2025 Industry Summit on October 24 in San Antonio.

Evergreen Supply Network welcomes Big D Tool Center 

Evergreen Supply Network, the largest member-owned cooperative serving the construction and industrial supply industry, is proud to welcome Big D Tool Center to its growing community of distributors following the company’s recent acquisition by NEFCO, an Evergreen Member Distributor.

Kimball Midwest earns training award

Kimball Midwest, a national industrial supplier based in Columbus, has received a national award for its learning and development efforts for a fifth time.

Gasket Specialties joins TIPCO 

TIPCO Technologies announced their new partnership with Gasket Specialties, which expands their footprint to 46 locations across 17 states.

PTDA welcomes three new members

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) welcomed new manufacturer members Delta Rotating Solutions LLC and Macnaught USA. PTDA also welcomed back manufacturer member Carter Manufacturing Co. Inc.

Services sector returns to expansion

Economic activity in the services sector returned to expansion in October, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest ISM Services PMI Report. The Services PMI registered at 52.4% and is in expansion territory for the eighth time in 2025.

RBC Bearings net sales climb 14.4% in fiscal second quarter

RBC Bearings Inc. reported net sales of $455.3 million increased 14.4% over last year for its second quarter of fiscal 2026.

Grainger Q3 sales up 6.1%

Grainger reported its third quarter sales of $4.7 billion were up 6.1%, or 5.4% on a daily, constant currency basis compared to the third quarter of 2024.

Columbus McKinnon reports 8% sales growth for fiscal Q2

Columbus McKinnon Corp. reported second quarter net sales for fiscal year 2026 were $261.0 million, an increase of 8%, driven by growth across all platforms with particular strength in lifting and linear motion.

Wesco has record third quarter sales

Wesco International announced record third quarter reported net sales of $6.2 billion, up 12.9% YoY.

Tencarva names new president

Tencarva Machinery Co. has promoted Executive Vice President Henry Ritchie to president. Former President Ed Pearce will become the company’s chairman and will continue to lead strategic initiatives.

igus completes first North American lead screw manufacturing facility in Rhode Island

igus, a German manufacturer of motion plastics technology, has completed its 110,000- square-foot manufacturing facility in East Providence, Rhode Island.

Kennametal reports 3% sales increase for first fiscal quarter 

Kennametal Inc. reported sales of $498 million for its first fiscal quarter of 2026 increased 3% from $482 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting organic sales growth of 3%.

Prevalon Energy, Emerson collaborate on power for data centers

Prevalon Energy LLC, a supplier of integrated battery energy storage systems, and Emerson, an industrial technology company delivering advanced automation solutions, announced a strategic collaboration to deliver advanced, integrated energy solutions for the global data center industry.

Fastenal names new chief financial officer and senior executive vice president

Fastenal Company has appointed Max Tunnicliff to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, effective November 10.

DXP Enterprises acquires Triangle Pump & Equipment

DXP Enterprises Inc. has completed the acquisition of Triangle Pump & Equipment, Inc. (Triangle). Founded in 1975, Triangle is headquartered in Ridgefield, Washington.

Core & Main opens facility in South Denver, Colorado

Core & Main Inc. opened a new facility in South Denver, Colorado.

ContiTech celebrates grand opening of Mexico plant 

Continental’s group sector ContiTech today celebrated the grand opening of its new hydraulics production facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

PSG transitions Cryogenic Machinery Corp. to CRYO-MACH Series product line 

PSG, an operating company of Dover Corp., announced that Cryogenic Machinery Corp. (Cryo-Mach) will transition from a standalone brand to a dedicated product line known as the CRYO-MACH Series under the Blackmer portfolio.

Enpro sales increase 9.9% in third quarter

Enpro Inc. reported its third quarter sales of $286.6 million were  up 9.9% YoY, and net income increased 9.1%.

Motion buys California industrial distributor

Motion Industries Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, has acquired the net operating assets of ?Sunset Industrial, a Cerritos, California-based industrial distributor. The transaction closed with an effective date of November 1.

Ingersoll Rand gains proprietary ejector technology with UK acquisition

Ingersoll Rand Inc. has acquired Transvac Systems Ltd., a UK-based global supplier of ejector solutions and sustainable process technologies used to move, mix, and compress fluids and gases. Transvac will join the Industrial Technologies and Services (IT&S) segment.

October manufacturing contracts as economy keeps expanding

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