Builders FirstSource opened 2026 with another year-over-year sales decline as weak housing starts, commodity deflation and lower operating leverage pressured margins and earnings, though acquisitions and share repurchases provided some offset.
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Government spending and private investment increased sequentially, and AI-related spending helped drive strong growth in business investment in equipment and structures.
Supply chain productivity platform Augment has acquired stealth startup Merlin to enter wholesale distribution, integrating AI capabilities into its Augie platform and targeting quote-to-cash workflows for distributors.
It suggests solid growth for homebuilding throughout 1Q26 and into April.
The Fed held rates steady again on April 29, maintaining a wait-and-see stance on inflation. The decision likely marks Jerome Powell’s final FOMC meeting as chair, extending a prolonged pause with implications for distributor demand and investment.
The company pointed to continued broad end-market growth both year-over-year and sequentially, while pricing advanced primarily in memory-related products.
The electrical and industrial distributor keeps breaking company sales and profit records.
All three company geographies were in positive sales territory for the first time in 11 quarters. Meanwhile, the company closed on a Canadian acquisition that added about $61 million of revenue.
The company noted consistent product demand in the quarter, while it closed on two tuck-in acquisitions.
Metrics from 1Q26 cargo theft show changing dynamics for where and what is being stolen.
Chef’s Deal spotlights its 400+ manufacturer network and design-build model, positioning its inventory depth and integrated services as key differentiators in streamlining commercial kitchen projects from concept through installation.
Some employees may ultimately transition to roles under new ownership depending on final deal structures.
Fairport, NY-based WorldWide Electric Corporation specializes in the manufacturing of electric motors, motor controls, gear reducers and generators.
This comprehensive MDM 2Q26 Forecast Report is a guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution economy, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place along with our exclusive sector-specific forecasts for 19 different product categories.
MDM’s 1Q26 MarketPulse Report consists of the quarterly results, analysis and commentary from the latest Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey — conducted early April — that explored revenue performance, pricing and business expectations for the current quarter and rest-of-year. It includes a wealth of market-specific data and commentary from survey respondents.
The fasteners master distributor also appointed two other executives, including a longtime Fastenal veteran.
The WWS unit generated roughly $935 million in 2025 revenue and will operate as a standalone company under American Industrial Partners.
Gravis continues its acquisition push with its second deal in two months, adding Montreal-based Western Packaging Solutions to expand its Canadian footprint and strengthen its bulk packaging platform.
FIS serves a range of industrial sectors that include oil and gas, renewables, marine, hospitality and logistics.
The electric motor and air moving subsystems maker named longtime Schneider exec Aamir Paul as CEO, signaling continued focus on automation, electrification and power transmission — key markets for fluid power and hose & rubber distribution channels.
