NAW’s 2026 AI Adoption Index suggests early returns are showing up as time saved, greater throughput and avoided hiring long before they appear as broad job reductions.
UP NEXT
NAW Webinar: Beyond the Break-In: The True Cost of Theft in Distribution
Thursday October 8, 2026 @ 1:00 PM ET | Virtual
Industry News
It continues a string of company leadership appointments this year spanning information security, distribution, procurement, industrial solutions and digital transformation.
The Illinois-based distributor adds aviation fueling and filtration expertise to Triad’s Midwest network, marking its first acquisition in over 3 years.
It's set to combine two major freight brokers and expand C.H. Robinson’s expedited and last-mile services. For distributors, the deal presents potential service gains alongside questions about pricing, provider concentration and integration.
The acquisition would connect PTC’s product design and engineering software with Schneider’s energy management and automation portfolio, expanding opportunities for industrial software sales and services across its channel.
Marking MES' third deal in a calendar year, it adds industrial safety, instrumentation and process-control capabilities, along with gas-detection calibration services for customers in Florida and Southeast Georgia.
The European MRO distributor tapped a former McKinsey and Bain leader to oversee AI and digital operations, while its latest acquisitions expand hydraulics and other technical capabilities in France and Germany.
The proposed settlement addresses alleged price discrimination favoring large retail chains and provides payments to smaller competitors for future violations. It follows September’s separate $12.5 million resolution of a federal bribery investigation.
Transportation equipment drove the modest August decline, while core capital goods orders strengthened. See our breakdown of how orders changed MoM and YoY by product category.
The beverage alcohol distributor completed its purchase of RNDC’s 17-state control business and agreed to acquire a longtime Massachusetts distributor, expanding its national reach and New England beer portfolio.
Pritzker Private Capital is reportedly exploring a sale of Energy Distribution Partners that could value the propane and light fuels distributor at more than $1 billion. Here's what we know.
The combustion products distributor is adding Honeywell flame monitoring products through the acquisition of Texas-based AFM, with plans to consolidate operations at its Indianapolis location.
The corrugated packaging products distributor’s fourth acquisition announcement of 2026 adds an Illinois manufacturer for its 49th transaction since 1998 and second in the Chicago area.
Featured Content
Preparing an Industrial Distributor for Exit
Download this white paper for practical guidance on what industrial distribution owners should be…
Think Like a Criminal. Defend Like a Pro.
Learn how criminals evaluate your facility and what you can do to close security…
Strategic Planning & Future Growth Playbook for Manufacturers
Growth opportunities are evolving quickly for manufacturers. Expansion, modernization, diversification, and acquisitions can all…
The $250K Lead That Almost Got Away: What changes when your whole team sees the same data
See how a fast-growing HVAC distributor gave every rep real-time account intelligence — and
turned…
Market Prospector
Build strategic sales plans.
Determine market and demand.
Create smart prospect lists.
Turn your sales data into actionable data with Market Prospector. A web-based SAAS tool that gives you insight into your market, your territories, your customers and new prospects too.
Sign Up for the MDM Update Newsletter
Our daily newsletter is your best source for news and trends in the wholesale distribution industry.