Operations Archives

The KPIs Raising the Bar for Mid-Market Distributors

This this Q&A piece, Ducker Carlisle’s Amy Marzonie and Chris Fisher explain how consolidators are using inventory turns, delivery performance and cost-to-serve to assess distributor scalability — and why operational discipline alone won’t maximize growth or valuation.

August 7, 2026

MRO

DSG Organic Sales Jump 10% in 2Q Ahead of Pending Take-Private Deal

Distribution Solutions Group saw healthy 2Q growth that accelerated across its businesses, while profitability rebounded sharply from 1Q. The results come three weeks after controlling shareholder LKCM Headwater agreed to take DSG private.

August 7, 2026

Industrial PVF

DNOW Raises Outlook After 2Q Beats Expectations & MRC ERP Recovery Advances

The industrial PVF distributor raised its 2026 outlook and accelerated its MRC Global synergy plan while reporting better system speed, service and working capital performance.

August 6, 2026

Fasteners

Fastenal Daily Sales Accelerate Further in July as Growth Among Top Customers Narrows

The company posted its 13th straight month of double-digit daily sales growth as its three largest end markets all improved from June. Get our detailed breakdown and analysis of the figures.

August 6, 2026

Electronics

Avnet Sees 25% FY26 Sales Gain After 4Q Soars

The electronics distributor posted record fourth-quarter sales of $8.3 billion as demand increased across every region and end market.

August 5, 2026

Research

NAW Research: What Distributors and Manufacturers Want Each Other to Improve on Most

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August 5, 2026

Electrical

Graybar Sets More Quarterly Sales, Profit Records in 2Q

The employee-owned electrical and industrial products distributor posted double-digit growth for a second straight quarter, while completing its third acquisition of 2026.

August 4, 2026

Fasteners

Hillman Makes $315M Master Distribution Entry with Kanebridge Deal

The fasteners and hardware products distributor is acquiring Kanebridge to establish a U.S. industrial master distribution platform. Hillman separately reported 10% second-quarter sales growth and raised its 2026 outlook.

August 4, 2026

Facilities Maintenance (MRO)

Global Industrial 2Q Sales Rise 8% as Tariff Refunds Lift Profit

The MRO distributor posted 9.3% average daily sales growth, while $26.2 million in IEEPA tariff refunds boosted its reported gross margin and earnings.

August 4, 2026

Tariffs

Amazon to Return Portion of Tariff Refund. Should Distributors Do the Same?

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August 4, 2026

News

Grainger Tops $5B in 2Q Sales, Raises Forecast

Grainger delivered double-digit 2Q sales growth across both business segments, accompanied by sizable profit and margin gains. The MRO distributor raised its 2026 outlook for the second consecutive quarter. Get all the key figures here.

August 4, 2026

MRO

Grainger Raises Outlook Again as 2Q Growth Accelerates and Volume Takes Lead

Grainger extended its early-2026 momentum with robust daily organic sales growth, double-digit gains across most end markets and another outlook increase. Volume became the larger driver in its core U.S. business, while tariff refunds supplied most of the quarter’s gross margin lift.

August 4, 2026

Management

Tenure Capital: The Asset Distribution Companies Don’t Know They’re Losing

Wholesale distributors are sitting on an overlooked asset: the judgment and institutional knowledge of their most experienced employees. This article explains how AI can help companies capture that “tenure capital” before a historic retirement wave carries it out the door for good.

August 3, 2026

Electrical

Prysmian Buying Atkore in $3.8B Electrical Infrastructure Deal

Prysmian’s $95-per-share agreement for Atkore would unite a major wire and cable producer with a broad portfolio of conduit, cable management and framing products, creating a larger North American supplier positioned around electrification and data center investment.

August 3, 2026

Legal & Regulatory Issues

NAW Sues to Block Colorado EPR Law in Latest Legal Filing

NAW’s latest EPR challenge targets Colorado’s packaging recycling law, marking the association’s third legal action against state EPR programs after its Oregon and California filings.

July 30, 2026

Building Materials/Construction

Builders FirstSource Cuts 2026 Outlook as Housing Slump Pressures 2Q

BLDR posted another quarter of broad sales and margin declines as housing affordability pressures weighed on single-family and multifamily construction. The distributor lowered its 2026 outlook while expanding cost actions and continuing to invest in value-added services.

July 30, 2026

Electrical

Wesco 2Q Sales Jump as Data Center Demand Drives Record Backlog

The electrical distribution giant posted record sales and profitability across its portfolio, with data center growth again leading the way, while sharply raising its 2026 outlook and closing its Newark Engineering acquisition.

July 30, 2026

Landscape/Hardscape

SiteOne 2Q Sales Rise 5% Despite Softer Landscape Demand

SiteOne Landscape Supply posted higher second-quarter sales, profit and gross margin as acquisitions, pricing and commercial initiatives offset continued weakness in residential construction and repair-and-upgrade demand.

July 29, 2026

Industrial Supplies

Stanley Black & Decker 2Q Organic Sales Rise on Tools Strength

The manufacturer’s power tools and North American businesses returned to growth, while tariff refunds and productivity gains expanded margins and supported raised 2026 guidance.

July 29, 2026

HVACR

Watsco 2Q Sales Rise 2% as HVAC Demand Stabilizes

The HVACR distributor posted modest sales and residential equipment volume growth as its A2L transition neared completion, while eCommerce sales continued to gain solid traction during the first half.