MDM Staff, Author at Modern Distribution Management

Amazon Adds 24/7 AI Workflows to Seller Assistant

Amazon expanded its Seller Assistant with persistent memory, always-on workflows and integrations with outside AI tools, giving marketplace sellers more ways to automate pricing, inventory and listing tasks amid a broader wave of investments across its commerce and delivery operations.

September 23, 2026

Chemicals & Plastics Distribution

EMCO to Acquire Pride Chemical Solutions in Northeast Expansion

Wisconsin-based EMCO will net two Northeast distribution and packaging facilities, more than 80 employees and a portfolio of over 3,000 SKUs.

September 23, 2026

MDM Blog

MDM’s Grainger Case Study Report Now Available

MDM’s latest case study examines how Grainger continues to outgrow the MRO market through a connected operating model built on High-Touch customer solutions, curated assortment, private label, digital commerce, data intelligence and fulfillment scale.

September 23, 2026

Gases & Welding Equipment

Falcon Gases Lands Majority Investment, Acquires Encore Gas & Supply

Odyssey Investment Partners has taken a majority stake in packaged gas distribution platform Falcon Gases, which simultaneously acquired Southern California-based Encore Gas & Supply as its first acquisition.

September 22, 2026

Consumer/Retail

Platinum-Backed R&B Wholesale Acquires Grand Appliance

The deal combines R&B Wholesale’s western U.S. appliance distribution footprint with Grand Appliance’s Midwest retail and distribution network, about 17 months after Platinum Equity invested in R&B.

September 21, 2026

HVACR

Cummins-Wagner Acquires Heating Products Distributor in NY

The deal adds Syracuse Thermal’s HVAC, plumbing and hydronic heating capabilities in Central New York to Cummins-Wagner’s expanding regional operations.

September 21, 2026

Staffing Changes

Meritus Appoints Director of AI Operations, Acquires Tempe Distributor

The new hire joins Meritus to lead enterprise AI initiatives spanning use-case development, governance, security and training as the industrial gases and welding supplies distributor continues to expand through acquisitions.

September 21, 2026

Electrical

World Electric Continues Florida Expansion

World Electric, a Sonepar company, opened a new branch in Port St. Lucie, FL, with and plans for more in the state.

September 18, 2026

HVACR

Family-Owned HVAC Distributors RMI and Shore Distributors Join Forces

Robert Madden Industries acquired Shore Distributors, expanding RMI's service footprint into Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

September 18, 2026

Economic Trends

Flat August U.S. Industrial Production Misses Forecasts

Manufacturing output fell month-over-month following a July increase, mining ticked up, while the index for utilities jumped on electrical. Get all the key figures here.

September 18, 2026

Facilities Maintenance (MRO)

Stellar Industrial Supply Lands Investment from SNH Capital Partners

MROP distributor Stellar said the outside investment will provide long-term capital and operational resources while preserving the company’s leadership team, customer-focused culture and strategic direction.

September 17, 2026

Industrial PVF

Steel Pipe & Tube Distributor American Piping Products Goes Private

APP serves more than 1,800 customers and operates warehouses and sales offices across the U.S.

September 17, 2026

Human Resources

Amazon Raises U.S. Core Operations Starting Pay to $20 an Hour

Amazon is investing more than $1.5 billion to raise pay for its U.S. core operations workforce, increasing minimum starting pay to $20 per hour while adding new grocery discounts and financial benefits.

September 17, 2026

Economic Trends

August U.S. Housing Starts Dip as Single-Family Rebounds

U.S. housing starts edged lower in August as a sharp decline in multifamily construction offset a rebound in single-family activity. Building permits and completions also declined from July, while permits remained above year ago levels. Get the key figures here.

September 17, 2026

Paper Products & Packaging Distribution

Office Depot Parent Company Rebrands Distribution Unit, Drops ODP Name

The ODP Group will rebrand to Office Depot Group in a move that comes about a year after being acquired by private equity.

September 16, 2026

Economic Trends

Fed Raises Rates for First Time Since July 2023

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point, marking its first rate increase in more than three years.

September 16, 2026

Building Materials/Construction

ECMD Expands Southeast Presence with New DC in Ocala, FL

The investment further strengthens the employee-owned specialty building material products distributor's ability to serve customers throughout Florida.

September 16, 2026

Economic Trends

U.S. Cutting Tool Shipments Hit Another Record Value in July as Volume Holds Steady

Shipment value climbed to another record high while unit volume held steady amid elevated demand and sharply higher carbide costs. Get the latest figures and analysis here.

September 15, 2026

Material Handling

Wolter Acquires Flatley Dock Systems in WI

The Wisconsin-based material handling distributor’s third acquisition of 2026 adds loading dock, commercial door and field service capabilities across the Milwaukee and Chicago markets.

September 15, 2026

Legal & Regulatory Issues

CBP Warns Importer Data Errors Could Halt U.S. Imports

An inacurracy such as an incorrect email address could jeopardize a company’s ability to import goods. Enhanced CBP enforcement beginning Sept. 18 puts importer identity records — and oversight of information submitted by customs brokers — under scrutiny. Get the details here.

September 15, 2026

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