One of our 34 stops last year was at Dakota Supply Group. Paul Kennedy, the distributor’s CEO, said the tour stop was inspiring to his team. “I don’t think anyone has been able to articulate what we do as distributors as well as you are doing on this tour you are on. I felt that we needed to be a part of it - to be a part of the story you’re telling. Helping our team understand the important role they fill in contributing to building America, that was great.”

Winsupply has completed the purchase of all three Williams Wholesale Supply locations.

Respondents to ASA’s monthly sales report reported a median sales increase of 27% for February 2022 vs. the same February 2021 timeframe. These results reflect another month of robust performance compared to the same month a year ago, though compared to January 2022 totals, the median sales growth was a more modest 4.5%, reports Industry Insights, which prepares the report for ASA distributor members. 

For better or for worse, elections have consequences. That has now been proven yet again, even though the federal government is experiencing some of the slimmest partisan margins in its history. With former President Trump still in the background, the Biden administration quickly set out with a wide-ranging agenda to implement its vision for America. However, much of this has been stalled with the COVID-19 pandemic still with us and its continuous viral variants, an economy expanding amid inflation and foreign policy challenges that seem to present themselves daily.  

Wolseley Industrial Group announced it has officially changed its name to Ferguson Industrial. The business has been operating as part of Ferguson for the last 15 years, but kept Ferguson’s parent company former namesake, Wolseley, until now.

Winsupply welcomed more than 1,800 attendees to its annual meetings and vendor showcase in Dallas, Texas. The conference was held from March 13-18 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. Vendors and Local Company Presidents attended annual meetings, president and manager meetings, vendor one-on-one meetings, a town hall with the Winsupply Leadership Team and training sessions on various topics. The vendor showcase had more than 200 exhibitors in attendance.

LeadSmart Technologies, a leader in the cloud-based CRM, channel collaboration and business intelligence market, announced a technology partnership with NetPlus Alliance (NetPlus). Headquartered in Lockport New York, NetPlus is a buying group for industrial and construction supply distributors. LeadSmart will provide its innovative Channel Cloud SaaS product solutions to NetPlus’s membership of distributors, suppliers and independent manufacturers’ representatives throughout North America.

AD associates participated in a giving back event on March 17 by supporting Cradles to Crayons, a Philadelphia-area nonprofit organization providing children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive. AD’s volunteer efforts, monetary donations and children’s item collection will support approximately 3,200 children in the Philadelphia region.

The company achieved sales growth of 29.1% and robust operating leverage led to operating profit growth of 68.3% (adjusted 62.5%) in the first half of 2022.

Supply House Times did a quick spot check with a few valve manufacturers to get their take on the commercial/industrial landscape heading into the new year and beyond.

In terms of trends, Rick Wentzell, marketing division executive at Bonomi North America, says designers, engineers and industrial end-users are now looking to ensure the valves they order are chemically correct.