Distribution Strategy Group
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Flowers Foods Dissolves Chief Growth Officer Role
The company said the chief growth officer position, created in 2023 to build out growth capabilities, has “fulfilled its purpose,” with those functions now being integrated into its broader operating structure.
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Hills Distribution Expands Northeast Presence with Bender Plumbing Supply Deal
Bender, a fourth-generation, family-owned business, has built its presence in Connecticut through local inventory, contractor relationships, and showroom capabilities.
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Arrow Electronics Sees Semiconductor Recovery Taking Hold as Services Expand
Arrow is increasing its focus on services beyond traditional distribution.
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Graybar Completes Acquisition of Broken Arrow Electric Supply
BAES will continue to operate under its existing name, with its leadership team remaining in place.
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State Laws Taking Effect in Q1 Increase Compliance Burden for Distributors
Labor regulations are among the most immediate challenges.
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Suburban Propane Expands NASCAR Partnership to 21 Tracks Nationwide
Suburban Propane provides operational support during race weekends, including fueling track dryers used to clear rain, supplying concessions that serve large crowds and supporting campgrounds tied to multi-day events.
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Builders FirstSource Deploys AI Development Platform to Speed Digital Projects
The building materials distributor reported a three- to fivefold increase in development speed in early use cases during the first three months of using the platform.
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Distributors Move Upstream and Invest Heavily to Rebuild Skilled Labor Pipeline
The activity is accelerating in early 2026, and it reflects a shift in how distributors are responding to a constraint that is no longer cyclical.
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Home Depot Expands Pro Digital Platform With AI, Project Management Tools
At the center of the update is an artificial intelligence-powered material list builder that interprets project requirements and generates order lists in seconds, allowing contractors to estimate and bid jobs more quickly.
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What Should Distributors Do When Uncertainty Rises? Four Industry Leaders Weigh In
What Should Distributors Do When Uncertainty Rises? Four Industry Leaders Weigh In Economic signals are sending mixed messages to wholesale distributors in early 2026. Rising fuel costs, persistent inflation and uneven demand patterns are forcing companies to reassess how aggressively to invest, price and operate. At the same time, new technologies—particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping how distributors think about productivity, customer engagement, and growth. …