Alatex enhances IBC’s presence in the Houston market, and Dutton’s product mix aligns with the buying group’s supplier partners.
Electrical
Article
Graybar Posts 7.9% 1Q Sales Jump YoY
Graybar reported its highest first-quarter net sales ever and its third-best sales for any quarter in its history.
Facilities Maintenance (MRO)
Article
Motion’s 1Q Comparable Sales Tick Down, but Outlook Holds
Though comparable sales declined year-over-year, the gap narrowed sequentially as EBITDA margin had a considerable jump from 4Q.
Association/Buying Group News
Article
MDM Wins Business Journalism Award for Fastenal Case Study
MDM won a Silver Azbee Award for its in-depth case study on Fastenal’s transformative shift to a digital-first distribution model, written by John Gunderson. It was the first feature in MDM’s Case Study series, which...
Economic Trends
Article
Data: 2025 Business Travel Expected to Sink 33% Amid U.S. Government Actions
According to a survey conducted by the Global Business Travel Association, many of its global industry respondents expect a decline in business travel, with overall optimism slipping in recent weeks amid growing political uncertainty. GBTA...
Metals Service Centers
Article
Tri Star Metals to Acquire Siri Wire in Connecticut
New England-based Siri Wire is a manufacturer and distributor of stainless steel wire products, used in applications such as filters screens and washers.
Manufacturing
Article
ABB to Spin Off Robotics Division
ABB announced plans to spin off its robotics division in its largest portfolio shift since 2018, aiming for a separately listed entity in 2Q26.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Article
Applied Adhesives Sold from One PE Firm to Another
Based in Minnesota, APPLIED Adhesives is a distributor and manufacturer of hot-melt, water-based and structural adhesives.
Plumbing Products & PVF Distribution
Article
Ferguson Expands Pipe & Fire Protection Offering with 2 Acquisitions
Ferguson expanded its North American footprint with the acquisitions of Massachusetts-based Independent Pipe & Supply and Toronto-based National Fire.
Building Materials/Construction
Article
Lowe’s Buying Interior Finishes Distributor ADG for $1.3B in Pro Boost
Lowe’s is set to acquire Artisan Design Group, which provides design, distribution and installation services for a range of products and services, including flooring, cabinets and countertops.
Metals Service Centers
Article
February Metalworking Machinery Orders Rebound with 10% Rise
U.S. manufacturing technology orders rose nearly in February, with gains from contract machine shops and signs of investment.
Operations
Article
Amazon Debuts LTL Service in U.S.
The addition of less-than-truckload service means suppliers who sell through Amazon’s eCommerce platform have more inbound shipping options.

