2026

The Hidden Majority: Your AI Is Writing Emails. Your Competitor’s is Finding Margin

Leave a Comment / AI, Featured Blog, Market Analysis / Nelson Valderrama

We kick off our new “The Hidden Majority” article series with one that focuses on the small- to mid-sized results from the latest Baird-MDM survey combined with our AI research from earlier this year. This piece explores why pricing and margin optimization remain the industry’s biggest untapped AI opportunity — especially for sub-$100M distributors.

The Hidden Majority: Your AI Is Writing Emails. Your Competitor’s is Finding Margin Read More »

The international trade deficit was $98.2 billion in June, down $5.9 billion from $104 billion in May, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

DOJ Indicts Major Container Manufacturers, Executives in Alleged Global Price-Fixing Scheme

Leave a Comment / Legal & Regulatory Issues, News / MDM Staff

The DOJ charged four major container manufacturers — which combine to produce nearly all of the world’s standard unfrigerated shipping containers — and seven of their executives with allegedly conspiring to restrict output and inflate prices during the pandemic-era supply chain crisis.

DOJ Indicts Major Container Manufacturers, Executives in Alleged Global Price-Fixing Scheme Read More »

Brenton Point Capital Launches Fuel Distribution Platform Targeting Regional Acquisitions

Leave a Comment / Lubricants & Fuel Products, News / MDM Staff

Continental Fuel Group, backed by Brenton Point Capital Partners, is pursuing acquisitions of commercial fuel distributors across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Brenton Point Capital Launches Fuel Distribution Platform Targeting Regional Acquisitions Read More »

Van Meter Begins Major Expansion Minnesota DC

Leave a Comment / Electrical, News / MDM Staff

Employee-owned electrical distributor Van Meter is expanding and automating its Minnesota distribution hub with a 124,000-square-foot addition designed to boost efficiency, consolidate operations and support long-term growth.

Van Meter Begins Major Expansion Minnesota DC Read More »

Parker Hannifin to Buy CIRCOR Aerospace Business for $2.5B

Leave a Comment / Aerospace, Manufacturing, News / MDM Staff

Parker Hannifin is set to significantly expand its Aerospace & Defense footprint by acquiring CIRCOR’s commercial and defense aerospace business, adding flight-critical motion and flow control technologies tied to major OEM and defense platforms.

Parker Hannifin to Buy CIRCOR Aerospace Business for $2.5B Read More »

No MDM Update Newsletter Monday

MCE Announces 2nd Deal in 8 Days, Adds Tripp Electric Motors in Florida

Leave a Comment / Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Power Transmission/Motion Control / MDM Staff

Motion Control & Enterprises adds Florida-based Tripp Electric Motors to expand its repair and maintenance capabilities in the state’s water and wastewater markets.

MCE Announces 2nd Deal in 8 Days, Adds Tripp Electric Motors in Florida Read More »

March New Residential Construction Rises

April U.S. Housing Starts Dip as Single-Family Activity Slows

Leave a Comment / Building Materials/Construction, Construction, Economic Trends, News / MDM Staff

U.S. housing starts declined in April as single-family construction slowed, while building permits rebounded month-over-month amid continued volatility in residential construction activity.

April U.S. Housing Starts Dip as Single-Family Activity Slows Read More »

Graco to Buy Adhesives Application Supplier Valco Melton for $447M

Leave a Comment / Manufacturing, News / MDM Staff

Cincinnati-based Valco Melton manufactures adhesive dispensing machinery, cold glue and hot melt systems, coating equipment and vision inspection technologies used in packaging, paper converting, nonwovens, automotive and woodworking applications.

Graco to Buy Adhesives Application Supplier Valco Melton for $447M Read More »

Novvia Acquires Beauty Packaging Products Distributor APC

Leave a Comment / Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Paper Products & Packaging Distribution / MDM Staff

Novvia added Florida-based APC Packaging to deepen its presence in sustainable luxury beauty packaging and strengthen its consumer-focused portfolio.

Novvia Acquires Beauty Packaging Products Distributor APC Read More »

ADH Acquires cfm Distributors for 2nd Company in HVAC Platform

Leave a Comment / HVACR, Mergers & Acquisitions, News / MDM Staff

The deal marks ADH’s second acquisition since its 2024 formation by Tigertail Capital Partners and expands the HVAC distribution platform with six Midwest locations.

ADH Acquires cfm Distributors for 2nd Company in HVAC Platform Read More »

NAW Urges Supreme Court to Reverse Colorado Climate Liability Ruling in Suncor Case

Leave a Comment / Legal & Regulatory Issues, News / MDM Staff

NAW joined a growing coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Colorado ruling allowing climate liability claims against energy companies to proceed under state law.

NAW Urges Supreme Court to Reverse Colorado Climate Liability Ruling in Suncor Case Read More »

Research: Competitive Pressure in Distribution Persists, Intensifies Driven by Scale

Featured Blog, Featured Premium, Quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey / Vesna Brajkovic

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Research: Competitive Pressure in Distribution Persists, Intensifies Driven by Scale Read More »

Marco Sealing Acquires Fellow Distributor Pride Seals in Ohio

Leave a Comment / Fluid Power, Mergers & Acquisitions, News / MDM Staff

The acquisition is expected expand Marco’s product breadth, technical capabilities and customer base across key industrial end markets.

Marco Sealing Acquires Fellow Distributor Pride Seals in Ohio Read More »

Richards Building Supply Acquires USBS in Denver

Leave a Comment / Building Materials/Construction, Mergers & Acquisitions, News / MDM Staff

Richards Building Supply has more than 60 branches across the West, Midwest, North and Southeast regions of the U.S.

Richards Building Supply Acquires USBS in Denver Read More »

March U.S. Cutting Tool Shipment Surge Reflects Front-Loading

Leave a Comment / Economic Trends, News / MDM Staff

Order value jumped both monthly and year-over-year, helped by inflation and buyers looking to get inventory ahead of further price increases.

March U.S. Cutting Tool Shipment Surge Reflects Front-Loading Read More »

Target Taps Ex-QXO, Genuine Parts Exec as Supply Chain Leader

Leave a Comment / Consumer/Retail, News, Staffing Changes / MDM Staff

The move underscores the continued overlap between retail and wholesale distribution supply chain leadership.

Target Taps Ex-QXO, Genuine Parts Exec as Supply Chain Leader Read More »

Home Depot’s 1Q Sales Rise as Pro Demand Holds Steady, SRS Adds Lift

Leave a Comment / Consumer/Retail, Contractor, News / MDM Staff

Home Depot posted modest 1Q26 sales growth but lower profit as large remodeling projects remained pressured, while its Pro business stayed resilient and the SRS acquisition continued to bolster contractor-focused demand. Here’s the key figures.

Home Depot’s 1Q Sales Rise as Pro Demand Holds Steady, SRS Adds Lift Read More »

SJE Acquires Anchor Scientific, Expands Water Sensor and Controls Portfolio

Leave a Comment / Electronics, Mergers & Acquisitions, News / MDM Staff

The acquisition expands SJE’s portfolio of liquid level floats and related products, growing its presence within the municipal, commercial and residential markets.

SJE Acquires Anchor Scientific, Expands Water Sensor and Controls Portfolio Read More »

Epicor Debuts Agentic AI Platform, Promises 90-Day Cloud ERP Deployments

Leave a Comment / ERP, News, Technology Provider News / Mike Hockett

At its annual Insights user conference, Epicor unveiled a new agentic AI platform designed for distribution and manufacturing workflows while also launching a program promising cloud ERP go-lives in 90 days for qualifying customers. Get the details here.

Epicor Debuts Agentic AI Platform, Promises 90-Day Cloud ERP Deployments Read More »