Distribution Industry News

October construction spending rose half a percent over September

October 2025 construction spending was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,175.2 billion, 0.5% above the September estimate of $2,164.3 billion and 1.0% below the October 2024 estimate of $2,197.1 billion.

American Ladder Institute launches 2026 survey

The American Ladder Institute (ALI), the only approved developer of safety standards for the U.S. ladder industry, is conducting its 2026 Ladder Safety Training and Citations Survey, the fifth iteration of a long-running effort to evaluate ladder safety training, injuries, and OSHA citations nationwide.

Mayhew Tools cable ties achieve Mil-spec

Mayhew Steel Products Inc. (Mayhew Tools) announces that select high-performance cable ties within their product line are now qualified to Mil-spec SAE AS23190.

November US cutting tool orders up 9.9% from November 2024

Shipments of cutting tools totaled $206.1 million in November 2025, a decrease of 17.6% from the previous month but an increase of 9.9% from the same period in 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).

Fastenal net sales rise 16.2% in December

Fastenal reported December net sales climbed 16.2% to $6.3 million.

3M reports Q4 sales up 2.1% YoY

In fourth quarter and full-year reporting Jan. 20, 3M published Q4 GAAP sales of $6.1 billion, up 2.1%; operating margin of 13.0%, down 510 bps; EPS of $1.07, down 20%, all year over year.

Increased manufacturing output is coming: economist

By Kristin Bartschi
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Industrial production increased 0.4% and capacity utilization increased by 0.2% across the U.S. economy from November to December 2025, according to the latest report issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Manufacturers underperformed the overall economy, with industrial production increasing 0.2% and capacity utilization remaining flat.

Suncor Stainless promotes leader for Southeast region

Suncor Stainless Inc., a manufacturer for stainless steel hardware in the industrial, marine, government, architectural, OEM and commercial industries, promoted Alicia Bacewicz to the position of senior regional account manager – Southeast.

Columbus McKinnon estimates YoY dips in order value, backlog in preliminary Q3 results 

Columbus McKinnon Corp., a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, announced Jan. 14 select estimated preliminary unaudited financial results as of and for its third quarter, which ended December 31, 2025.

Meyer Lab acquires AmChem Industrial

Kansas City-based Meyer Lab has acquired AmChem Industrial, an Atlanta-based supplier of industrial and specialty cleaning chemicals, according to a release on EIN Presswire.

Border States appoints VP of digital transformation

Border States has hired Charlie Hoertz as vice president of  digital transformation.

FARO and Creaform form new metrology business unit 

FARO Technologies and Creaform, businesses of AMETEK Inc., announced that FARO’s 3D measurement business segment is combining with Creaform, creating FARO CREAFORM.

Dart Controls names new president

Dart Controls, an industry provider of variable speed motor drives, controls, and accessories for electric motors, has appointed John Burch as president.

Quality Conveyor Solutions celebrates 10 years providing conveyor, industrial solutions

Quality Conveyor Solutions (QCS), is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.

Stellar Industrial awards Kyocera SGS, Kyocera Precision as Supplier of the Year 

Stellar Industrial Supply named Kyocera SGS and Kyocera Precision as its Supplier of the Year (SOY) award winner for 2025.

Following better-than-usual November, 2025 orders of metalworking machinery beat 2024 in 11 months

By Kristin Bartschi

New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $437.9 million in November, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

December employment unchanged for manufacturing, wholesalers

Both total nonfarm payroll employment (+50,000) and the unemployment rate (4.4%) changed little in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Services sector expands in December

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

October manufacturing new orders down 1.3%

Following two consecutive monthly increases, October new orders for manufactured goods  decreased $8.1 billion or 1.3% to $604.8 billion, according to data from U.S. Census Bureau on Jan. 7.

Emerson named 2026 ‘Industrial IoT Company of the Year’

Emerson has been named the ‘2026 Industrial IoT Company of the Year’ in the 10th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards.

Global Industrial rolls out its own Plastic Guard Rails 

Global Industrial Company, a national distributor and source for industrial equipment and supplies, launched its newest Global Industrial Exclusive Brand solution: the Global Industrial Plastic Guard Rail.

Jim Jeffiers, Chris Gumas to lead PTDA in 2026

The 2026 Board of Directors and Manufacturer Council of the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) have officially begun their leadership terms.

Leonard Valve Co. sold to A. O. Smith Corp.

Leonard Valve Company, a provider of water temperature and flow control solutions, and Bessemer Investors LLC, a New York-based investment firm, announced Bessemer has completed the sale of Leonard Valve to A. O. Smith Corporation.

Core & Main to acquire Pioneer Supply

Core & Main Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pioneer Supply, a distributor of water, wastewater and storm drainage products with locations in Moore, Oklahoma, and Weatherford, Texas.

ISM report: December manufacturing activity contracts 

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in December for the 10th 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.

Bailey International celebrates 50 years in fluid power industry

Bailey International, a provider of hydraulic components and electronic controls, is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2026.

DXP Enterprises buys PREMIERflow and Mid Atlantic Storage Systems

DXP Enterprises Inc. has completed the acquisitions of PREMIERflow LLC and Mid Atlantic Storage Systems Inc.