Distribution Industry News

NSI manufactures electrical fittings, connectors, wire management products, and timers sold through more than 2,000 distributors across North America under brands including Bridgeport, Polaris, and Tork.

The Newport News, Virginia-based distributor, said net sales for the quarter ending March 31 increased 3.6% year over year to $7.47 billion from $7.21 billion in the prior quarter.

The expansion marks Amazon’s latest move to increase its presence in commercial purchasing and workplace replenishment while extending its reach into food distribution and delivery services.

Company officials said the expansion is intended to strengthen service levels in the northern portion of its territory by reducing transit times and aligning inventory more closely with local demand.

For wholesale distributors, the move changes Amazon’s role in the supply chain. The company is now operating as a third-party logistics provider while also extending its network upstream into manufacturing hubs.

The Wayne, Pennsylvania-based cooperative said member purchases from AD suppliers increased 28% during the quarter. The U.S. electrical and U.S. pipe, valves and fittings divisions led performance, each posting 13% growth.

For distributors, the impact is immediate. Many relied on First Brands as a sole source across multiple categories.

The specialty distributor said revenue rose 3.8% to $496.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, from $478.0 million a year earlier.

The ISM Manufacturing PMI registered 52.7% in April, unchanged from March and above the 50% level that indicates expansion. The reading suggests the broader economy continued to grow, extending an 18-month expansion streak.