About

What We Do

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), is one of America’s leading trade associations, representing the $8.2 trillion wholesale distribution industry. Founded in 1946, NAW comprises national, regional, and state employers of all sizes, industry trade associations, partners, and stakeholders spanning all distribution sectors. Our industry employs more than 6 million workers throughout the United States, accounting for one-third of the U.S. GDP. Across North America, 250,000 wholesale distribution companies operate nearly 150,000 places of business, including all 50 states.

NAW’s mission is to deliver world-class programs and services to help the wholesale distribution industry’s most dynamic companies succeed. Our programming is tailored for our member companies’ and associations’ CEOs, senior executives, and rising leaders. Members engage with NAW through our offerings in thought leadership, networking, executive education, innovation, benchmarking/research, shared resourcing, partnerships, government relations, and public affairs.

5.9 Million Employees Nationwide

35,000 Employers

$8.2 Trillion in Economic Activity

Who We Serve

NAW serves the most dynamic and forward-looking companies in the wholesale distribution industry across all lines of trade. Wholesaler-distributors are either publicly held or closely held, family-owned companies that have served their local communities and regions for decades and, in some cases, for over a century. Just as our constituency is at the core of their communities, they are at the heart of our nation’s economy – a vital link in the supply chain between manufacturers, retailers, and commercial, institutional, and governmental end-users.

Member Benefits

NAW is more than a trade association. We are committed partners in helping wholesaler-distributors tackle today’s challenges while identifying tomorrow’s channel disruptors.

NAW is 100% focused on the business of distribution. Our unique position as the umbrella organization representing the entire industry enables us to bring together the largest and best-in-class distribution firms to share best practices with their non-competing peers, strengthening every corner of our industry.

Join NAW!