Affiliated Distributors, Wayne, PA, the largest industrial and construction products buying and marketing group in North America, reported 8 percent growth across all AD divisions in the third quarter. Total sales for the first three quarters of the year were $23 billion.

By division, AD member third-quarter sales grew as follows: U.S. electrical up 13 percent; Canadian electrical up 14 percent; industrial up 2 percent; plumbing up 13 percent; PVF was flat in a down market; HVAC up 7 percent; and building materials up 18 percent year over year.

In the first three quarters of 2014, AD members hired 2,221 new employees, opened more than 71 new locations and made 15 acquisitions.