Distribution Industry News

LGG Industrial expands Rocky Mount, NC facility

LGG Industrial announced the completion of a major renovation and expansion of its Rocky Mount, North Carolina, branch.

RBC Bearings ends fiscal fourth quarter with 18.3% increase in net sales

RBC Bearings Inc. reported its fiscal fourth quarter net sales of $518.0 million increased 18.3% over last year.

Continental's newest smart service crimper: PC125i 

Continental’s group sector ContiTech launched the PC125i crimper, the company’s newest smart service crimper on the heels of the successful PC160i released in 2024, designed and manufactured in the U.S. to support efficient, precise hose assembly in the field and shop environments.

Epicor introduces ability to design, build, customize, and deploy AI agents

Epicor announced new functionality and a structured approach to designing, building, and deploying within Epicor Prism, a network of vertical AI agents that execute work directly inside its ERP systems.

March US cutting tool shipments up 24.6% YoY 

By Kristin Bartschi

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March shipments of cutting tools totaled $259.3 million, increasing 15.2% from February and rising 24.6% from March 2025, according to the latest Cutting Tool Market Report produced by AMT and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI).

Stellar Industrial Supply restructures commercial team

Stellar Industrial Supply announced creation of a new organizational structure to better focus on customer acquisition and business development – to lead the new initiave, Michael Skramstad, previously vice president, supply chain solutions, has been named senior vice president of customer acquisition and business development.

Companies struggle to translate data, digital tools, and AI into meanigful growth: report

Companies are investing in data, digital tools, and AI, but many are still struggling to translate that investment into meaningful growth, according to the 2026 Sales + Marketing Trend Report released this week by DeanHouston.

Wright hires new regional sales manager

Wright appointed Denny Davis as its new regional sales manager as of mid-April.

PTDA welcomes new distributor member, Industrial Concepts & Solutions

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) announced Industrial Concepts & Solutions Inc. has joined as a new distributor member.

Kimball Midwest appoints chief information officer

Kimball Midwest, a national industrial distributor based in Columbus, has named Liz Wallace as its new chief information officer.

AMMEGA Group expands capabilities at Buford, Georgia, facility

AMMEGA Group, a global provider of conveying and power transmission solutions, has expanded capabilities at its Buford, Georgia, facility, now the company’s first global site to exclusively produce water-based polyurethane (PU) belts.

Machinery orders continue rally in Q1 despite war uncertainties

By Kristin Bartschi

?New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $681.3 million in March, a 40.3% increase from February and a 31.5% increase from March 2025, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Ingersoll Rand partners with Garrett Motion on oil?free industrial air compression

Ingersoll Rand Inc., a global provider of mission?critical flow creation and industrial and life science solutions and Garrett Motion, a global provider of differentiated turbocharging and electrification technologies for mobility and industrial applications, announced a multiyear strategic partnership to develop next generation oil-free air technologies.

ISA launches Industrial Sales Academy

The Industrial Supply Association (ISA) has launched the Industrial Sales Academy, a new sales development program built specifically for the industrial supply channel in response to the growing pressure sales teams are facing in today’s market.

PAC Strapping Products to host automation open house May 20

PAC Strapping Products will host a Packaging Equipment Automation Open House on May 20 at its facility in Exton, Pennsylvania.

Transportation, warehousing employment down 105,000 jobs in April: BLS

Employment in April showed little change over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week.

Dayco CEO recognized in regional Entrepreneur of the Year program

Craig Frohock, CEO of Dayco Inc., has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US).

Construction spending inches up 0.6% in March

March construction spending was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,185.5 billion, 0.6% above the February estimate of $2,173.2 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's May 7 report.

Q1 sales up 9.5% for DXP, with Innovative Pumping Solutions revenue climbing  37.7% YoY

DXP Enterprises Inc. announced first-quarter sales of $521.7 million, a 9.5% year-over-year increase.

Grainger Q1 sales up 10.1% 

Grainger reported results for the first quarter of 2026 with sales of $4.7 billion, up 10.1%, or 12.2% on a daily, organic constant currency basis.

Metropolitan Rubber Company joins IDCO

IDCO: The Hoser Network announced Metropolitan Rubber Company Inc. as its newest member.

IDCO recognizes hose suppliers

IDCO: The Hoser Network, a cooperative for independent hose and fitting distributors in North America, announced the top-performing suppliers recognized in the 2026 Hoser Honors program.

Global Industrial launches floor care solution

Global Industrial Company announced the launch of the Global Industrial Sweeper/Scrubber, a 2-in-1 floor care solution designed to help warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and large operations reduce cleaning time by up to 50% while supporting safe work environments.

Byrnes retires from NetPlus, leadership promotions follow

After 12 years at the helm of NetPlus Alliance’s business development team, Paul Byrnes is set to retire in June.

Manufacturing sector continues expansion trend

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the fourth consecutive month, according to latest ISM Manufacturing PMI Report.

Singer buys Conveyor Consulting and Rubber Corp.

Singer Industrial acquired Conveyor Consulting and Rubber Corp. (CCR), headquartered in San Antonio, Florida with locations also in Miami, Florida and Toledo, Ohio.

March new orders for manufactured goods up 1.5%

New orders for manufactured goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $9.1 billion or 1.5% to $630.4 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau's full report on manufacturers’ shipments, inventories, and orders Monday.

Kennametal sales up 22% in fiscal third quarter

Kennametal Inc. reported fiscal third quarter sales of $593 million increased 22% and 19% on a reported and organic basis, respectively.

Global Industrial first-quarter sales climb 9.2% YoY

Global Industrial Company reported its consolidated first-quarter sales increased 9.2% to $350.4 million compared to $321.0 million last year, and average daily sales increased 7.6% compared to prior year.

Enerpac announces two executive leadership promotions

Enerpac Tool Group Corp. announced that Phil Jefferson, who has served as regional president, Americas & EMEA, since November of 2024 after joining the company in July 2023, will now take on additional responsibility in the role of executive vice president, chief commercial officer, which will include commercial oversight of the Asia Pacific (APAC) Region.

Fastenal net sales increase 14.3% in April 

Fastenal reported April net sales of $7.9 millions, a 14.3% increase over April 2025.

AD reports robust member sales growth in Q1 2026

AD reported member sales through the first three months of 2026 increased 16% to nearly $28 billion across the group’s divisions and countries.

Sonic announces Impact Scholarship Program

Sonic, a supplier of professional-grade tool solutions and equipment, announced the 2026 Sonic Impact Scholarship Program, noting that applications for the Spring round are due by Sunday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Enpro sales climb 10.9% YoY

Enpro Inc. reported sales of $303.0 million, up 10.9%, for the first quarter ended March 31.

Winsupply acquires Rural Pipe & Supply in Texas

Winsupply Inc., one of the nation's largest wholesale distributors, has acquired a Texas company with two locations.

Services sector grows in April

Economic activity in the services sector continued to expand in April, according to the latest ISM Services PMI Report. The Services PMI registered 53.6%, the 22nd consecutive month in expansion territory.

Renewable Lubricants celebrates 35th anniversary 

Renewable Lubricants celebrated its 35th anniversary of manufacturing environmentally friendly and food-grade lubricants with visits and proclamations from local Ohio dignitaries on April 24.

Hose & Rubber Supply appoints three vice presidents

Hose & Rubber Supply, an industrial supplies and services provider headquartered in Salt Lake City, has appointed three new vice presidents in support of its five-year growth plan.