The 2025 deceleration marks a period of normalization following unusually strong pandemic-era demand.
Distribution Strategy Group
Articles by Distribution Strategy Group
The goal of distribution center optimization is strengthening its wholesale supply chain.
For wholesale distributors, the practical implications are becoming structural rather than episodic.
CEO Christopher Pappas said business activity “remained consistently strong” during the quarter.
For distributors, this signals a future where orders may be initiated and completed by AI systems rather than by buyers manually browsing ecommerce sites.
For distributors, the transaction underscores an accelerating consolidation trend in building products.
Star said colder conditions continued into January, which could support second-quarter volumes if the weather pattern holds.
Four palletizers at the facility can process up to 800 cases per hour each.
Much of Wesco’s recent growth is tied to large projects serving AI-driven data centers.
The deal expands Hajoca’s presence in the Southwest and adds to its portfolio as the company continues to build out its distribution platform.
The move shifts brand prominence from Fastenal’s corporate identity to Body Guard, a private-label line of personal protective equipment and safety supplies.
A modest pickup in global economic activity is bringing a familiar complication for wholesale distributors: demand is improving, but so are costs.
Fenco becomes Averon’s second partner company following a June 2025 investment in Blackhawk Supply.
Distributors that historically optimized digital content for human browsing may need to rethink their data architecture for machine consumption.
Amazon expects to invest $200 billion in AWS infrastructure and AI.
Progressive Supply serves customers in construction, manufacturing, welding, metal fabrication and utilities.
A shortage of skilled trades workers could leave nearly 1.4 million jobs unfilled.
The company cited goals that include broader industry diversification, expanded digital automation, supply chain network optimization and targeted investments.
PFG’s quarter offered a snapshot of how large distributors are navigating a mixed environment: slower restaurant traffic, commodity deflation, and weather disruptions.
Growth was led by its North American pharmaceutical distribution unit.