Distribution Industry News

thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services recognized as a top logistics company 

Thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services, a leading provider of integrated logistics solutions, has been recognized as a Top 3PL (third party logistics) provider for 2025 by both Armstrong & Associates, a logistics market research institute, and Transport Topics, an industry newspaper.

Malco Tools celebrates 75 Years of hand tool manufacturing

Malco Tools, a developer and manufacturer of tools for the HVACR and building construction trades, celebrated its 75th anniversary on May 17 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at its newly remodeled building in Annandale, Minnesota.

White Cap earns 'Great Place to Work' certification for third consecutive year

White Cap, a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, announced it has been certified by Great Place to Work for the third year in a row.

Global Industrial spotlights veterans at NASCAR race this weekend

Global Industrial Company announced its Partnerships With Purpose service initiative will continue to raise awareness for veterans through its support of K9s For Warriors.

Honeywell partners with Teradyne Robotics to automate material transport

Honeywell is teaming up with Teradyne Robotics to deliver automation solutions for logistics, warehousing and fast-moving consumer goods companies throughout the Americas and Europe.

RBC Bearings to acquire defense component supplier VACCO Industries 

RBC Bearings Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire VACCO Industries from ESCO Technologies Inc. for $310 million in cash.

All Material Handling celebrates 22 years supplying rigging, lifting industry

All Material Handling Inc. (AMH) a provider of rigging and lifting equipment is celebrating 22 in business.

AD named No. 1 Top Workplace in Philadelphia region 

AD announced it has been ranked the No. 1 Top Workplace in the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley region for midsize companies.

Bunzl doubles size of Tennessee DC to house three affiliate companies 

Bunzl announced a significant expansion of its Piperton, Tennessee, distribution center, doubling its footprint from 500,000 to 1,000,000 square feet.

RBC Bearings increases net sales 5.8% YoY

In fiscal-fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 reporting, RBC Bearings Inc. said its Q4 net sales of $437.7 million increased 5.8% over last year.

Spence succeeds Fiore as ISM survey chair

Institute for Supply Management (ISM) announced the departure of Timothy R. Fiore CPSM, C.P.M. who has served as chair of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee since 2017. He will be succeeded by Susan Spence.

NIBCO promotes Figuly 

NIBCO Inc. has promoted Paul Figuly to director, wholesale sales-east.

M.K. Morse expands sales talent

The M.K. Morse Company has promoted Tim Lee to director, industrial sales, and hired Crystal Jones as regional sales manager, West, in the commercial division.

Singer Industrial acquires Wilmington Rubber & Gasket

Singer Industrial, a national distributor of industrial rubber and fluid power products, announced the acquisition of Wilmington Rubber & Gasket Co., Inc., based in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Blackline Safety wins four awards for industrial monitor

Blackline Safety Corp., a global provider of connected safety technology, announced that its new EXO 8 area monitor has earned four major awards.

Allient sales decline 9% in first quarter 

Allient Inc., a global designer and manufacturer of precision and specialty motion, controls and power products and solutions reported revenue decreased 9% in the first quarter.

Coxreels exceeds industry-recommended salt spray testing hours

Coxreels announced it recently exceeded 20% more hours than the recommended industry standard for salt spray testing.

White Cap to acquire British Columbia distributor

White Cap, a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the business of Cascade Raider Holdings Ltd. ("Raider Hansen"), a value-added distributor of tools, safety and equipment serving contractors and industrial facilities with eight locations across British Columbia, Canada.

Millions influenced during National Ladder Safety Month  

Another National Ladder Safety Month has ended with millions reminded, when using ladders either at home or at work, that "Every Step Matters." Initiated by the American Ladder Institute (ALI), every March is dedicated to raising awareness about ladder safety and decreasing the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities.

Services sector expands for 10th consecutive month in April

Economic activity in the services sector expanded for the 10th consecutive month in April, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Services ISM Report On Business.

PTDA welcomes new member Dura Sleeve  

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) welcomed new manufacturer member Dura Sleeve Inc.

Enpro reports Q1 sales up 6.1%

Enpro Inc. reported sales of $273.2 million for its first quarter, up 6.1%; organic sales were up 6.0%.

Fastenal realizes 6.5% YoY sales growth in April

Fastenal announced April net sales of $691 million, a 6.5% increase year over year.

Stellar Industrial Supply to buy Rocky Mountain Cutting Tools

Stellar Industrial Supply announced it has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire Frederick, Colorado-based metalworking distributor Rocky Mountain Cutting Tools (RMCT).

Machinery demand keeps momentum ahead of rising economic uncertainty

By Christopher Chidzik

Parker announces filtration group leadership changes

Parker Hannifin Corp. announced Robert W. Malone, vice president and president – filtration group, will retire August 31 after 12 years of service to the company.

IDCO recognizes top suppliers

IDCO Co-op, a cooperative for independent hose and fitting distributors in North America, announced the top-performing suppliers recognized in its 2025 Hoser Honors program.

Kennametal sales drop 6% YoY in fiscal Q3

Kennametal Inc. reported sales of $486 million for its fiscal third quarter ended March 31,  a 6% decrease from its $516 million in the prior year quarter.

Kimberly-Clark promotes Russ Torres to president, COO

Kimberly-Clark Corp. has named Russ Torres president and chief operating officer, effective immediately.

Streamlight hires new Great Lakes/Eastern Canada sales manager

Streamlight Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting, has appointed Austin Hazek to regional sales manager for the industrial/fire division in the Great Lakes/Eastern Canada region.

March manufacturing orders up 9.2%

New orders for manufactured durable goods in March increased 9.2% ($26.6 billion) to $315.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. 

Transportation, warehousing employment trend up in April

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 177,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Employment continued to trend up in transportation and warehousing, among other sectors.

Grainger appoints new chief human resources officer

Grainger has named Melanie Tinto as senior vice president, chief human resources officer effective April 28.

Ingersoll Rand revenues up 3% in first quarter

Ingersoll Rand Inc. reported first quarter orders rose 10% to $1,882 million, while revenues climbed 3% to $1,717 million.

Kimberly-Clark plans $2-billion US manufacturing expansion 

Kimberly-Clark Corp. announced plans to invest over $2 billion over the next five years in its North America business, marking the company's largest domestic expansion in more than 30 years.

Manufacturing demand weakens in April: ISM

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in April for the second month in a row, following a two-month expansion preceded by 26 straight months of contraction, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. 

PTDA Foundation fund drive surpasses half of '25 goal

The PTDA Foundation announced it has raised over $200,000 toward its $325,000 goal in support of workforce development in 2025.

March construction spending dips slightly below February estimates

March construction spending was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,196.1 billion, 0.5% (±0.8%) below the revised February estimate of $2,206.9 billion.

Streamlight presents Holt & McArdle with sales award

Streamlight Inc., a provider of high-performance flashlights, named Holt & McArdle Associates Inc. its 2024 Sales Rep Agency of the Year for the Industrial and Fire Markets.

AD member sales increase 23%

AD reported its member sales increased 23% in the first three months of 2025 to a record $24 billion across the group’s 14 divisions and three countries.

Grainger Q1 sales up 1.7%

Grainger reported first quarter sales of $4.3 billion, up 1.7%, or 4.4% on a daily, constant currency basis, and diluted EPS of $9.86, up 2.5% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Parker net income increases 6%

Parker Hannifin Corp. says it achieved record margins in its fiscal third quarter. Sales were $5.0 billion, and organic sales growth was 1%.

DSG Q1 revenues up 14.9%

Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. (DSG) reported its first quarter revenue increased $61.9 million, or 14.9%, to $478.0 million, including $50.8 million of revenue from five acquisitions closed in 2024.

Applied Industrial Technologies bumps net sales up 1.8% in fiscal Q3

Applied Industrial Technologies reported fiscal Q3-25 net sales of $1.2 billion, an increase of 1.8% over the prior year.

Wesco reports 6% organic growth in first quarter

Wesco International reported first quarter net sales were down 0.1% YOY but realized 6% organize growth. The company noted data center sales were up 70%.