Distributors have been contending with inventory carried over from a sluggish summer demand cycle.
Distribution Strategy Group
Articles by Distribution Strategy Group
For distributors, the message is clear: Middleby is concentrating its bets — and expects its partners to do the same.
Resideo has also spun off or shuttered a number of non-core lines and businesses as it sought to stem margin pressure and streamline operations.
Chief financial officer Kent Yee said the acquisition continues DXP’s work to expand the DXP Water platform into a full-line products and service business.
For the first six months, Medline recorded $13.5 billion in net sales.
Border States said stepping away from AD will allow the company to “activate internal strengths, processes and capabilities.”
For distributors, November’s supply chain readings offered both relief and new complications.
UNFI’s deployment of Relex — an AI-driven forecasting and replenishment platform — is now running across half of the company’s distribution network.
That sense of urgency is fueling strong early interest in Applied AI for Distributors 2026.
The new capabilities signal how agentic systems may eventually take on larger portions of troubleshooting, quoting, and multi-step service workflows.
Dawes, who was appointed co-CEO in 2023, will be succeeded by vice president of operations Blair Feidler May 1.
CDF’s move into the Gallatin facility will consolidate headquarters, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution operations as demand for commercial building products continues to rise nationwide.
For now, analysts say distributors are balancing steady sales against an uncertain macro backdrop.
Lowe’s announced in 2024 that it would deploy AI-driven forecasting and replenishment technology.
85% of B2B sellers plan to participate in Black Friday this year.
“Contractors want fewer tabs, fewer logins, and faster reports,” said Roofr CEO Richy Nelson.
SouthernCarlson supplies fasteners, tools, packaging, and related consumables to commercial, industrial, residential, and dealer customers.
DigiKey has launched an online tool that lets engineers and system designers configure custom power-supply units.
US Foods said the companies mutually agreed to terminate the information-sharing process launched earlier this year and will not proceed with a potential merger.
Equipment sales and product support were flat year over year in the quarter, while industrial parts revenue remained steady.