Distribution Industry News

ISA launches new Industrial Sales Academy

The Industrial Supply Association (ISA) has launched the Industrial Sales Academy, a brand-new training and certification program designed to help sales professionals sharpen their skills, close faster, and deliver measurable results.

August cutting tool orders dip 2.7% from July

Shipments of cutting tools totaled $210.6 million in August, 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).

3M reports strong third quarter results

3M reported third-quarter sales of $6.5 billion, up 3.5% year-on-year with organic sales up 2.6% year-on-year.

Sonepar USA East Region president to retire

Sonepar East Region President Alan Rosenfeld will retire on January 3, following a distinguished 43-year career in the electrical distribution industry.

Sonepar USA appoints data center solutions, datacom executive

Sonepar has appointed of Richard Landry as senior vice president of data center solutions and datacom in the U.S., effective November 1. He will report directly to Dana Mouritzen, CEO of Sonepar in the U.S.

Net sales climb 5.5% in Enerpac's fourth quarter

Enerpac Tool Group Corp. reported fourth quarter net sales were $167.5 million, a 5.5% increase compared to the prior year, with a 1.8% decrease in organic sales.

Solve Industrial Motion Group acquires B&B Manufacturing

Solve Industrial Motion Group, a provider of engineered bearings and power transmission solutions, has acquired of B&B Manufacturing, U.S. manufacturer of power transmission and precision mechanical components.

Grainger exits UK market

Grainger has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.K.-based Cromwell business to AURELIUS, a global private equity investor, distinguished and widely recognized for its operational approach.

TCI Cutting expands in US with new Houston facility 

TCI Cutting, an international supplier of laser cutting, automation, and intelligent software solutions, has opened a new facility in Houston, Texas.

AFC Industries launches AFC Tooling and AFC Aerospace & Defense

AFC Industries, a provider of vendor-managed inventory programs and industrial distribution solutions, has launched two new business group brands: AFC Tooling and AFC Aerospace & Defense.

ContiTech investing $85 million to expand Iowa plant

Continental’s group sector ContiTech announced it plans to invest more than $85 million  to expand its manufacturing operations in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

FUCHS Lubricants Co. partners with KCF Technologies on smart lubrication

FUCHS Lubricants Co., the world’s largest independent lubricant supplier, announced a strategic partnership with KCF Technologies, a company specialized in machine health optimization.

DRM earns Gold OEM Partner status from Rockwell Automation

DRM LLC, a Tennessee-based OEM and integration partner, has achieved Gold OEM Partner status with Rockwell Automation.

BlackHawk Industrial names GM for Great Plains region

?BlackHawk Industrial has appointed Todd Kerin as general manager of its newly unified Great Plains Region.

Sonic Impact Scholarship Program accepting applications through October 31

Sonic USA, a provider of professional-grade tool solutions and equipment, is accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Sonic Impact Scholarship Program until Friday, October 31.

MARSHALLTOWN acquires creators of ergonomic kneeling/sitting wheeled creeper

MARSHALLTOWN, a privately-held global manufacturer and disributor of construction tools and equipment, has acquired RACATAC Products Inc.

August machinery orders show resilience despite mounting headwinds

By Kristin Bartschi
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New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $529.4 million in August – a 36.2% increase from July and nearly a 45% increase from August 2024, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Enpro acquiring 2 companies for Sealing Technologies segment 

Enpro Inc., an industrial technology company, announced it has entered into separate, definitive agreements to acquire two strategic assets in key growth areas within its Sealing Technologies segment: AlpHa Measurement Solutions and Overlook Industries, for an aggregate of approximately $280 million in cash.

Sellars rebrands Clean Task wipers for commercial channel

Sellars Absorbent Materials is unveiling a refreshed look for its commercial wipers as part of a transition from ToolBox to the Clean Task brand.

Ohio city inducts Wright’s chairman into 2025 Walk of Fame

Wright is celebrating the induction of Chairman Terry Taylor into the 2025 Barberton Walk of Fame, an honor that recognizes individuals whose service and dedication have made a lasting impact on the City of Barberton, Ohio.

Weiler Abrasives appoints new vice president of technology and product development

Weiler Abrasives has appointed Dr. Ingo Kuhl as vice oresident of technology and product development.

Sonepar’s Digital Job Center surpasses $2 billion in sales

Sonepar announced its Digital Job Center, an online project management platform used by contractors nationwide, has surpassed $2 billion in sales.

Dart Controls inducted into Indiana Manufacturing Hall of Fame

Dart Controls – a provider of variable speed drives, controls, and accessories for electric motors – was recently inducted into the Indiana Manufacturer’s Association (IMA) Hall of Fame.

Wilmington Rubber & Gasket celebrates 40 Years of industrial solutions

Wilmington Rubber & Gasket is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month, marking four decades of providing reliable industrial solutions to customers in North Carolina, across the U.S., and beyond.

ProfitOptics expands leadership team 

ProfitOptics, a performance improvement partner for distributors and manufacturers, has added two seasoned distribution leaders to its executive team: Brian Cox as vice president of pricing strategy and Brandon Lassiter as vice president of data solutions.

OZ Lifting opens new Minnesota facility

OZ Lifting Products LLC hosted the grand opening of its new, 40,000-square-foot facility in Winona, Minnesota, on October 7. The celebration included an official ribbon-cutting led by the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassadors.

Sonepar consolidates brands in Ontario

Sonepar has consolidated their Ontario businesses from five brands to two. Aztec, Dixon and MGM will rebrand as a refreshed Dixon, and Electrozad and Sesco will carry the new Electrozad brand.

Core & Main expands in Texas 

Core & Main Inc. opened a new facility in Conroe, Texas, to better serve
waterworks, wastewater and geosynthetics customers in the Houston region.

DXP Enterprises acquires APSCO

DXP Enterprises Inc. has completed the acquisition of APSCO, a Redmond, Washington-based manufacturer’s representative of pumps, controls and process equipment focused on serving the water and wastewater industry. The deal was funded with cash from DXP's balance sheet.

Services sector balances between expansion, contraction for first time in over 15 years

Economic activity in the services sector was unchanged in September, according to the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest ISM Services PMI Report. The Services PMI reading of 50% was at the breakeven point between expansion and contraction for the first time since January 2010.

White Cap buys two construction supply distributors 

White Cap has expanded its operations in North America with the acquisition of two businesses: Advanced Forming Solutions (AFS) in the Pacific Northwest and Anchor Construction Industrial Products in Western Canada.

PTDA welcomes two new members

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) welcomed new manufacturer member CinchSeal Associates Inc. and new associate member Canals.

NetPlus Alliance announces award winners at Annual Meeting

NetPlus Alliance, an industrial and contractor supplies buying group, hosted 760 attendees representing 173 distributor and 157 supplier companies at its 12th Annual Meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 28-30.

Manufacturing sector contracts amid overall economy expansion

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in September for the seventh 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.

Kennametal recognized among top of Caterpillar's indirect suppliers 

Kennametal Inc. has been recognized for a second consecutive year as one of Caterpillar's top indirect suppliers.

Winsupply acquires R.A. Novia & Associates in Connecticut

Winsupply Inc., one of the nation’s largest wholesale distributors, has acquired R.A. Novia & Associates.

Packer Fastener opens Jackson, Mississippi, hub  

Packer Fastener, a threaded fastener and industrial supply distributor, officially opened its newest distribution hub in Pearl, Mississippi.

Turner Supply acquires assets of Benchmark Industrial Supply

Turner Supply, an industrial supply distributor serving industry since 1905, has purchased certain assets of Benchmark Industrial Supply, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dematic partners on two 'Project Learning Gardens' for school kids

Dematic, a global provider of supply chain automation, partnered with the Captain Planet Foundation to bring hands-on Project Learning Gardens to students in two communities. Together, the organizations brought outdoor learning spaces to Hidden Lakes Elementary in Keller, Texas this past May and West Oakview Elementary in Grand Rapids, Michigan in August.

J-B Weld launches new Pro Series Line for MRO professionals

J-B Weld, a provider of epoxies and adhesives, has expanded into the professional market with a new Pro Series MRO Line, a collection of high-performance products engineered exclusively for industrial repair, maintenance, and manufacturing.

M&A activity down in Q2 industrial manufacturing

Second quarter U.S. industrial manufacturing M&A activity declined with 368 transactions, down from 397 in Q2-24, according to PMCF’s Investment Banking’s latest Industrial Manufacturing M&A Pulse.

White Cap celebrates grand opening of first Enterprise DC in Perris, California

White Cap, a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, celebrated the grand opening of its first Enterprise Distribution Center (EDC) in Perris, California on September 25.

McDonough Winair opens in Georgia market

The Winsupply Family of Companies has welcomed its latest addition of a new Local Company with the opening of McDonough Winair.

August wholesale inventories up.7% YoY

August wholesale inventories were estimated at an end-of-month level of $905.2 billion, down 0.2% from July and up 0.7% from August 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

NetPlus Industry Outlook: Improved strategies, US-made products drive growth

NetPlus Alliance members are forecasting growth for 2025 as they focus on strategic enhancements within their control in the first half of the year. Many shared this confidence in consistent effort with current customers and opportunities to expand in new projects.

PTDA Foundation raises over $260,000 in 2025 drive

The 2025 PTDA Foundation Fund Drive raised over $260,000 to advance its workforce development efforts.

July cutting tool orders up 9.8% YoY

Shipments of cutting tools totaled $216.2 million in July, a 4.9% increase from June and a 9.8% from July 2024, according to the latest Cutting Tool Market Report.

White Cap, DEWALT partner to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

White Cap, a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, and DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and provider of total jobsite solutions, are partnering for the third year to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: "Finding cures. Saving children."

Rotor Clip recognized with 2025 Caterpillar Supplier Excellence Award

Rotor Clip received the 2025 Supplier Excellence Award from Caterpillar, marking consecutive years of recognition for consistently exceeding performance and reliability.

Sellars competes for votes in “Coolest Thing Made” contest

Sellars Absorbent Materials is encouraging its customers, suppliers, supporters, fans and everyone else to vote early and vote often as its signature TOOLBOX Blue Shop Towels compete in the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest.

Sonnhalter Tool Drive raises $36,000 in donations for Habitat for Humanity

Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial, and MRO markets, partnered with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity for Sonnhalter’s 16th Annual Tool Drive. The initiative ran the entire month of August and collected $36,000 worth of donations of tools and building materials.

Blackline Safety secures $1.8M contract with California water utility

Blackline Safety Corp., a global provider of connected safety technology, announced a new $1.8 million contract with a major North American water and wastewater utility provider based in California.

Parker completes Curtis Instruments acquisition

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

AMT's Chidzik comments on Fed's rate cut

The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate for the first time this year, landing at a target range of 4% to 4.25%. The committee also released their quarterly summary of economic projections following this meeting.

National Pump Company expands NSF-certified material options

National Pump Company, a provider of vertical turbine pumps, is expanding its NSF 61-certified product catalog with a substantial range of new material options, giving customers more flexibility than ever before in meeting specific project requirements.

Platinum Tooling expands offering of Heimatec internal coolant live tools

Platinum Tooling Technologies Inc., the exclusive importer of Heimatec live tools and angle heads, announced its expansion of internal coolant tools for the most popular machine tools models on the market.

Bishop Lifting appoints new CEO

Houston-based Bishop Lifting, a distributor of lifting products and solutions, announced the appointment of Grant Garrett as chief executive officer.

Mesa Fastener bought by Raymond Capital Management

Mesa Fastener Inc., a San Diego-based distributor of commercial threaded fasteners has been sold to Raymond Capital Management, LLC, according to an announcement from Generational Group, a mergers and acqusition advisory firm that facilitated the deal.

ABB to invest $110 million in US manufacturing

ABB announced it will invest a further $110 million in the U.S. this year to expand the R&D and manufacturing of its advanced electrification solutions as customers focus on improving energy efficiency and uptime while reducing their energy costs.

Toolmaker Ceratizit completes Phase 1 of new Charlotte headquarters 

Ceratizit USA completed Phase 1 of its strategic base-of-operations plan and opened the doors to its new North American headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

GME Supply acquires Wayne Enterprises 

GME Supply, an omni-channel distributor of safety and productivity equipment and the premier outfitter for trade professionals, announced it has acquired Wayne Enterprises, a leader in trade uniforms, personal protective equipment, and custom workwear solutions.

BlackHawk enhances Northeast operations with leadership appointment

BlackHawk Industrial, a distributor of metalworking and other mission-critical industrial products, has appointed  Amy McNutt as general manager of the Northeast Region.

200+ SKUs of NIBCO press fittings now IAPMO-recognized for 300 PSI

NIBCO Inc. announced more than 200 SKUs in its small-diameter press fittings, including fittings in sizes 2 inches and below, are now recognized by IAPMO for 300 PSI, an increase from the previous 200 PSI rating. The certification complies with ASTM F3226.

Crown Equipment launches ‘Build My Truck’ feature

Crown Equipment, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, announced the release of the crown.com Build My Truck feature.

LAPP USA transforms inventory operations with drone system

Corvus Robotics, a a provider of autonomous inventory management, reports that LAPP USA has deployed the Corvus One system at its 134,000-square-foot facility in Brownsburg, Indiana. LAPP, a global provider of industrial cables and connectivity solutions, selected Corvus One to modernize warehouse operations and strengthen service for its customers.

Grainger 'Bucket Build' volunteers assemble 4,000 disaster relief kits

Grainger hosted its fourth annual Grainger Bucket Build on September 11. The volunteer event brought together nearly 500 Grainger team members, ToolBank USA partners, and students from YouthBuild Lake County and YouthBuild Waukegan to assemble more than 4,000 disaster relief kits at the company's Lake Forest headquarters.

Kennametal named among 'World's Best Companies' by TIME

Kennametal Inc. announced it has been named to TIME's list of World's Best Companies 2025, a recognition presented by TIME and Statista Inc., a statistics and industry ranking provider.

Core & Main sales increase 6.6% in second quarter

Core & Main Inc., a specialty distributor serving the infrastructure sector, reported its net sales increased 6.6% to $2,093 million for the second quarter ended August 3.

AD announces new electrical Supplier Advisory Council 

AD launched its new Independent Electrical Supply Division’s (IESD) Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), a strategic group of supplier partners committed to the future of the independent electrical channel.

James Taylor appointed Sonepar’s Ontario region president

Sonepar announced the appointment of James Taylor as the new Ontario region president, effective September 29.

Fastenal net sales grow 6.7% in August

Fastenal reported net sales of $6.9 million for August, a 6.7% increase over August 2024.

Machinery orders dip against stronger year-over-year gains

By Christopher Chidzik

New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $387.3 million in July, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This was a 9.5% decrease from June 2025 but a 20.1% increase from July 2024.

Wholesale trade among 12 growth industries in August

Economic activity in the services sector grew in August for the third consecutive month, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest ISM Services PMI Report. The Services PMI indicated expansion at 52%, above the 50% breakeven point for the 13th time in the last 14 months.

August manufacturing employment remains flat 

Manufacturing employment changed little in August (-12,000) but is down by 78,000 over the year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Digital Matter celebrates 25 years in battery-powered IoT asset tracking

Digital Matter, a global provider of IoT hardware solutions, announced the celebration of its 25th anniversary – marking a quarter-century of engineering excellence, global growth, and trusted partnerships.

July new orders of manufactured goods drop slightly, shipments continue to increase

New orders for manufactured goods in July, down three of the last four months, decreased $7.8 billion or 1.3% to $603.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday.

Motion debuts 'Lube Caddy'

Motion Industries Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a provider of industrial technology solutions,intorduced the Motion Lube Caddy – a patent-pending, self-contained, towable lubrication cart designed to easily service enclosed machinery assets.

Relevant Industrial acquires Lindberg Process Equipment

Relevant Industrial LLC announced its acquisition of Lindberg Process Equipment, a provider of industrial heating and combustion systems.

Downloadable brochure details Brass Knuckle's 'Distributor Advantages'

Brass Knuckle loves bringing the highest-quality hand, eye, and ergonomic protection to job sites everywhere. It also loves its distributors, because they are Brass Knuckle’s connection to customers. The company believes in giving distributors access to the best products, with great margins, that will keep customers coming back again and again.

Fastenal opens high-tech distribution center in Magna, Utah

Fastenal Company has begun operating in its newly-built distribution center in Magna, Utah, just outside the Salt Lake City metro area. Equipped with cutting-edge technology to streamline product intake, order picking, and shipping sortation, the 298,000 square-foot facility is designed to enhance operational efficiency and customer service throughout the region.

AD to merge with The Commonwealth Group 

AD and The Commonwealth Group (TCG) announced their intent to merge, a move that is expected to positively impact the future of independent PHCP (plumbing, heating, cooling, piping) distribution in the U.S.

August manufacturing contracts: ISM report

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in August for the sixth 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.

Core & Main to acquire Canada Waterworks

Core & Main Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of Canada Waterworks Inc. and Canada Waterworks Ottawa Inc. (collectively, Canada Waterworks), a Canadian distributor of water, wastewater and storm drainage products.

July construction spending dips 0.2%

Construction spending during July was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,139.1 billion, 0.1% (±0.8%) below the revised June estimate of $2,140.5 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

July wholesale inventories increase 0.2% over June

Wholesale inventories for July were estimated at an end-of-month level of $908.4 billion, up 0.2% (±0.4%) from June 2025, and were up 1.3% (±0.7%) from July 2024, according the U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates were adjusted for seasonal variations and trading day differences, but not for price changes.