Wayne, Pa.-based Affiliated Distributors reports sales for all AD members across all seven of the buying group’s divisions grew by 7% in Q1 of 2015 to $7.9 billion.

“Once again this quarter AD members achieved above market growth,” AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg said. “Our members hired 638 new employees, opened over 32 new locations and made 12 acquisitions. Additionally, we added 12 new AD members with 51 branches, and expanded into the bearings and power transmission market with 27 charter members. 2015 is off to a strong start.”

By division, AD member first-quarter sales grew as follows: U.S. Electrical up 7%; Canadian Electrical up 12%; Industrial up 5%; Plumbing up 6%; PVF up 2%; HVAC up 7%; and Building Materials up 12% year over year.