Data: Mixed Signals Continue as Distributors’ Expectations Improve

Over the past couple of months, market sentiment across the wholesale industrial, commercial and building supplies distribution sectors has been flush with a mix of commentary regarding recent business conditions.  Some distributors and manufacturers continue to tell us, "What slowdown?" in regards to economic noise of a pending industrial slowdown, pointing to March and April order numbers that set company records.  Others affirm that activity as at least started to cool after several years of post-pandemic. This was perfectly illustrated in the 2023 First Quarter Baird-MDM Industrial…