Special Event
Top 25 AI Distributors: Announcement and Analysis
Twenty-five distributors figured out how to make AI work. Here’s what they have in common.
Every year, a handful of distributors pull ahead, not because they had bigger budgets or more resources, but because they made smarter decisions about where and how to apply technology. This year’s Top 25 AI Distributors list identifies the companies setting the standard for AI adoption in wholesale distribution.
In this Best Practice Series session, DSG will reveal the 2026 Top 25 AI Distributors and walk through the analysis behind the rankings. The discussion will cover what these companies are doing differently, which AI applications are showing up most consistently among leaders, and what the rest of the industry can take from their example.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Top 25 AI Distributors revealed, with context on what earned each company its place
- The AI use cases most common among leading distributors right now
- How the gap between AI leaders and the broader market is widening
- Practical patterns from top performers that any distributor can apply
- What the data suggests about where AI adoption in distribution is headed next
What You’ll Learn
- Which distributors are leading on AI adoption and why they were selected
- The specific applications and strategies driving results among top performers
- How to benchmark your own AI progress against industry leaders
- Where to focus your AI investment to close the gap with the top tier
Who Should Attend
Technology leaders looking for validated examples of AI done well in distribution
Distribution executives tracking AI adoption across the industry
Strategy and operations leaders benchmarking their technology programs
Hosts
Ian Heller
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
Jonathan Bein, Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Distribution Strategy Group
Brian Hopkins
Chief Operations Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
Sponsored by
Hosted by
Ian Heller
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
Ian Heller joined Grainger as a part-time truck unloader in college and left fifteen years later as the VP Marketing. Since then, he’s held senior executive positions at four other publicly-held firms, consulted with dozens of distributors, and continues to write and speak extensively on how AI, strategy, channel evolution, and other major trends affect the industry. Ian holds a B.A. in History from Roosevelt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.
Jonathan Bein, Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Distribution Strategy Group
Jonathan Bein Ph.D. has worked with over 100 distributors to apply advanced analytics and AI to improve customer experience, define value proposition, estimate sales potential, and create digital strategy.
Brian Hopkins
Chief Operations Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
Brian Hopkins is recognized for his expertise in customer service and operational efficiency within the industrial distribution sector. His career trajectory showcases a series of impactful leadership roles, marked by innovation and strategic growth.