Large strategic buyers and private equity backed companies continue to acquire local and regional operators, creating larger organizations with broader product portfolios, deeper resources, and wider geographic coverage.

A long-term exclusive partnership between DHL eCommerce and USPS may improve network stability, service consistency, and pricing predictability for high-volume shippers, particularly distributors that rely on parcel delivery for ecommerce orders, direct shipments to contractors and end users, or replenishment of branch locations.

For Medline, the Canadian agreement also serves as a test of whether a distribution model that has been deployed across hundreds of U.S. healthcare organizations can be successfully replicated in international markets.

The acquisition expands Heritage Distribution’s presence in Florida and strengthens its position in one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing HVAC markets.

The addition of Peak Group strengthens United Flow Technologies’ position in the Mountain West and broadens its access to municipal and industrial customers in a region experiencing population growth and increasing infrastructure investment.

The data indicates distributors are continuing to rebuild inventory levels but remain cautious about committing to larger stock positions despite signs of strengthening demand elsewhere in the economy.

The most significant developments centered on four areas: artificial intelligence in employment decisions, extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging, rising wage requirements, and restrictions on traditional workforce management practices.

First-quarter shipments totaled 1.1 million tons, down 6.4% from a year earlier, primarily due to the divestiture of eight U.S. distribution locations completed at the end of 2025.