NetPlus Alliance distributors are raising their expectations for 2026 after another quarter of strong purchasing growth, with 84% now expecting sales to increase at least 3% this year.

Purchases by NetPlus members from the group’s suppliers and wholesalers increased 20% in the second quarter from a year earlier, matching the 20% year over year increase recorded in the first quarter.

The results come from the latest NetPlus Industry Outlook, a quarterly survey of business conditions among industrial and contractor supply distributors. The latest survey included responses from 121 distributor members in July and covered second quarter results.

The purchasing increase does not mean distributor sales grew 20%. Sales results varied considerably across the network.

69% of respondents said their sales increased at least 3% during the first half of 2026. Within that group, 47% reported growth of at least 8%.

Another 21% said sales were essentially flat during the first two quarters, while 10% reported declining sales.

Distributor expectations for the rest of the year strengthened from the previous survey.

84% expect 2026 sales to increase at least 3%, up 7 percentage points from the previous quarterly survey. 45% expect growth of at least 8%.

Another 13% expect sales to remain even with 2025, while fewer than 4% anticipate a decline. Only one respondent expects sales to fall 8% or more.

The improving outlook comes as distributors report stronger business from existing customers and new sales opportunities heading into the second half.

Data center construction is emerging as one source of growth. Several NetPlus distributors said data center projects are generating business, while respondents also reported that construction projects previously delayed are beginning to move forward.

Those gains are being tempered by cost pressures. Multiple respondents cited rising oil and gas prices and their effect on product and freight costs as a challenge.

“In a quickly evolving industry and economic landscape, NetPlus Alliance members continue to focus on the fundamentals of relationship building, accountability, and collaborative growth,” NetPlus president and CEO Jennifer Murphy said.

The survey results provide a snapshot of conditions among independent industrial and contractor supply distributors at a time when broader indicators are showing continued, but uneven, industrial growth.

The Institute for Supply Management reported this week that U.S. manufacturing expanded for an eighth consecutive month in August, although growth in new orders, employment and order backlogs slowed. Manufacturers also continued to report high input costs and supply constraints.

Against that backdrop, NetPlus members are entering the second half with a more positive sales outlook. The percentage expecting at least 3% growth has increased since the previous survey, while fewer than one in 25 respondents expects sales to decline for the full year.

The 20% increase in purchases from NetPlus suppliers and wholesalers also suggests members are continuing to replenish inventory and source more products through the group’s supplier network as sales expand.

NetPlus Alliance represents 400 industrial and contractor supply distributors and works with more than 220 manufacturers. The organization negotiates pricing, rebates, and other terms on behalf of its distributor members.

For distributors, the survey points to continued sales opportunities in the second half, particularly from existing accounts, data center development and construction projects that are moving forward after delays. But higher product and freight costs could make converting that growth into stronger margins more difficult.

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Wholesale trade demand strengthened in August as new orders and backlogs increased, even as distributors faced a more difficult mix of rising costs, slower supplier deliveries, and growing inventories.

The gains came as the broader U.S. services economy accelerated. The Institute for Supply Management’s Services Purchasing Managers’ Index rose 1.3 percentage points to 55.4% in August from 54.1% in July, marking the 26th consecutive month of expansion. A reading above 50% indicates expansion.

New orders were a major driver. ISM’s New Orders Index climbed 3.7 percentage points to 60.9% from 57.2%, while the Business Activity Index rose 2.6 percentage points to 61.7% from 59.1%.

Wholesale trade was among the industries reporting growth in new orders, providing a direct indication that demand strengthened across the distribution sector during the month.

The improvement stands in contrast to manufacturing, where ISM reported this week that new order growth slowed in August. That divergence suggests demand moving through wholesale distribution remained stronger than conditions reported by some of the manufacturers supplying the sector.

Costs, however, are becoming a bigger concern.

ISM’s Prices Index increased 2.3 percentage points to 72.6% from 70.3% in July, its highest reading since August 2022. Prices paid by services organizations have increased for 111 consecutive months.

Wholesale trade was among 15 industries reporting higher prices in August, while no services industries reported lower prices.

Businesses reported rising prices for products and expenses with direct implications for distributors, including computers and related products, copper and copper products, diesel fuel, freight, gasoline, labor, memory products, petroleum-based products, software licenses, and steel products.

Supply constraints added to those pressures. Graphics processing units, labor, memory components, steel, steel products and wire and cable were among the items reported in short supply.

Supplier deliveries also remained slow. ISM’s Supplier Deliveries Index registered 51.3%, down from 52.8% in July. A reading above 50% indicates suppliers are taking longer to deliver products. Wholesale trade was among 10 industries reporting slower deliveries.

The combination of stronger demand and supply constraints contributed to a sharp increase in order backlogs. The Backlog of Orders Index rose 4.7 percentage points to 55.6% from 50.9%, with wholesale trade among the industries reporting higher backlogs.

Inventory is emerging as another potential pressure point.

The Inventories Index jumped 5.3 percentage points to 56.7% from 51.4%, marking the seventh consecutive month of inventory expansion. Wholesale trade was among the industries reporting increased inventories.

Businesses also became more concerned about how much stock they were carrying. ISM’s Inventory Sentiment Index increased to 54.1% from 52.5%. A reading above 50% indicates respondents consider inventories too high relative to current business requirements. Wholesale trade was among seven industries reporting inventories as too high.

Imports increased as well. The Imports Index rose 4.5 percentage points to 56.3% from 51.8%, with wholesale trade among seven industries reporting higher imports.

The labor picture was more mixed. ISM’s Employment Index remained in contraction territory at 47.8%, up slightly from 47.4% in July. Wholesale trade was an exception, reporting employment growth during the month.

For distributors, the August report points to an economy still generating orders but becoming more difficult to manage operationally. Demand is strengthening and backlogs are growing, but distributors are paying more for products and transportation while contending with supply shortages and slower deliveries.

The inventory numbers add another complication. Distributors are adding stock as orders rise, but some already consider inventories too high. That raises the stakes for purchasing decisions heading into the fall, particularly if demand begins to soften while product and transportation costs remain elevated.

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Artificial intelligence infrastructure, warehouse automation and manufacturing reshoring are driving a new wave of U.S. industrial demand as companies seek more space for data centers, advanced manufacturing and highly automated distribution facilities.

Industrial net absorption across major U.S. markets exceeded 260 million square feet during the four quarters through the second quarter of 2026, surpassing the pre-pandemic annual range of 225 million to 250 million square feet, according to a Sept. 2 analysis from Morgan Stanley Real Assets published by Eaton Vance.

Industrial demand also accelerated from a year earlier. Trailing 12-month demand in the second quarter grew at twice the pace recorded in the second quarter of 2025, while the national industrial vacancy rate declined 10 basis points from a year earlier to 6.5%.

The stronger demand comes as construction of new industrial properties remains constrained. Construction activity has fallen 60% from its pandemic-era peak, while new development starts have averaged about 50 million square feet per quarter during the past three years.

Morgan Stanley Real Assets identified three forces behind the shift: the buildout of the data center supply chain, increased use of artificial intelligence and automation in warehouses, and expansion of advanced U.S. manufacturing.

Data center investment is already reshaping industrial demand in several markets.

Companies supporting data center construction and operations are leasing industrial space for semiconductor operations, equipment development, power technology, server testing, construction services and hardware storage.

In Dallas, data center-related companies have accounted for 30% of gross industrial leasing since the fourth quarter of 2024 and 40% of leasing for facilities larger than 700,000 square feet, according to Stream Realty data cited in the report.

Data center-related bulk industrial leasing in Dallas exceeded 7 million square feet during the past 12 months and accounted for nearly all the increase in leasing activity compared with pre-pandemic levels. Similar activity is occurring in Virginia and Midwest markets including Ohio and Kansas City.

The trend could have broader implications for distributors because the data center supply chain extends well beyond servers and computing equipment. Construction and operation of those facilities require electrical and power equipment, cooling systems, automation, construction products and other industrial supplies.

Warehouse automation is creating another source of demand.

Companies deploying artificial intelligence and next-generation automation are increasingly seeking large, modern distribution facilities capable of supporting autonomous mobile robots, conveyor systems, automated storage and retrieval systems and automated packaging equipment.

Leasing of U.S. industrial facilities larger than 1 million square feet reached 41 million square feet during the first half of 2026, twice the pace of the first half of 2025. Thirty-five leases exceeding 1 million square feet were signed during the period, compared with 18 a year earlier.

Ecommerce companies accounted for 50% of that large-building leasing volume. According to the report, the supply of modern facilities is tight, with only 12 bulk properties under construction and available for lease nationally. Some companies are now preleasing facilities scheduled for completion in 2027 and 2028.

Manufacturing expansion is adding another layer of industrial demand.

Advanced manufacturing now accounts for 19% of active U.S. industrial tenant requirements, according to JLL data cited in the report. The square footage associated with active manufacturing requirements has increased at a compound annual growth rate of more than 40% since 2020, with Texas, Georgia, Arizona and Ohio leading leasing activity.

Reshoring, increased logistics requirements and higher defense spending are contributing to the increase. The age of the country’s manufacturing infrastructure is another factor. More than half of U.S. manufacturing properties are between 30 and 60 years old, increasing demand for modern facilities capable of supporting advanced production.

Defense manufacturing is also contributing to growth in some markets. Aerospace and defense leasing in greater Los Angeles during the first half of 2026 was 30% higher than for all of 2025 and more than 140% above full-year 2024 levels, according to CBRE data cited in the report.

Taken together, the trends point to a changing mix of industrial demand. Traditional warehousing and logistics remain major users of industrial space, but data centers, advanced manufacturing, defense and highly automated distribution operations are accounting for a growing share of activity.

For distributors, the opportunity extends beyond construction of the facilities. Once operating, data centers, factories and automated distribution centers become continuing customers for electrical products, power and cooling equipment, automation and controls, material handling systems, safety equipment, fasteners, tools and maintenance, repair and operating supplies.

Morgan Stanley Real Assets said the U.S. industrial market appears to be moving from a cyclical recovery toward another growth cycle, with demand accelerating while development remains constrained. The firm expects AI infrastructure, automation and manufacturing reshoring to become increasingly important sources of industrial demand.

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U.S. manufacturing expanded for an eighth consecutive month in August, but the pace slowed as new orders, employment and order backlogs weakened while manufacturers continued to contend with high input costs and supply-chain constraints.

The Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 54.6% in August from 55.6% in July. A reading above 50% indicates the manufacturing sector is generally expanding.

The August results show an industrial economy that continues to grow but lost some momentum from July. New orders, production, employment and order backlogs all remained in expansion territory, although each grew at a slower pace.

New orders fell 3 percentage points to 53.7% from 56.7% in July, while the backlog of orders index dropped 3.2 percentage points to 51.8% from 55%. Production remained comparatively strong at 58.3%, down slightly from 58.5% a month earlier.

“In August, U.S. manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory, though it has lost ground in a number of key measures — namely, the New Orders, Backlog and Imports indexes,” said Susan Spence, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

The slowdown in demand was accompanied by continued pressure on manufacturers’ supply chains and costs, two areas with direct implications for industrial distributors.

ISM’s prices index remained at 71.1% in August, unchanged from July and marking the 23rd consecutive month of rising raw material prices. ISM attributed the continued pressure in part to higher steel and aluminum prices, tariffs on imported goods and increases in petroleum-based products.

Manufacturers reported higher prices for aluminum, chemicals, copper, electrical and electronic components, freight, metal products, resins, semiconductors, steel and wire. Copper, electrical and electronic components, memory products, printed circuit boards, steel and tungsten products were among the materials reported in short supply.

Supplier deliveries also slowed further. ISM’s supplier deliveries index increased to 59.3% from 58.9% in July, marking the ninth consecutive month of slower deliveries. A reading above 50% indicates suppliers are taking longer to deliver products.

Comments from manufacturers pointed to mounting concern about the combination of availability and pricing pressures.

“Supply markets are increasingly challenging due to inflation and supply availability,” one computer and electronic products manufacturer said. “Each month has been more difficult than the previous one. Starting to resemble the post-COVID-19 disruptive period.”

A machinery manufacturer reported similar cost pressure.

“Prices continue to rise on all goods,” the respondent said. “Suppliers are noting that energy, steel and labor costs are increasing very quickly.”

Employment provided another sign of moderating growth. ISM’s employment index fell 1.6 percentage points to 51.2% from 52.8% in July. Among the six largest manufacturing industries, only transportation equipment reported higher employment in August.

Despite the slowdown in several key measures, growth remained broad across manufacturing. Fifteen industries reported expansion in August, while wood products and chemical products reported contraction.

Five of the six largest manufacturing industries expanded: transportation equipment; petroleum and coal products; computer and electronic products; machinery; and food, beverage and tobacco products.

One potentially positive signal for distributors was customer inventory levels. ISM’s customers’ inventories index increased to 42.8% from 40.7% but remained in what ISM considers “too low” territory. Low customer inventories are generally considered positive for future production because customers may eventually need to replenish stock.

Purchasing lead times remained lengthy but improved slightly during August. The average commitment lead time for production materials declined to 84 days from 87 days in July, while maintenance, repair and operating supplies fell to 48 days from 50 days. Capital expenditure commitments averaged 171 days, compared with 172 days in July.

For distributors, the August report points to continued industrial demand but a less straightforward growth environment than the headline PMI suggests. Customers are still producing and placing orders, but slower growth in new orders and backlogs is occurring alongside high material prices and continued supply constraints, increasing the importance of inventory, sourcing and pricing decisions.

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BlueLinx Holdings Inc. is expanding its outdoor living business through a new distribution agreement with Trex Company Inc., adding the composite decking manufacturer’s products across 11 distribution centers in the Midwest and Southeast.

Atlanta-based BlueLinx said it will distribute Trex decking and railing products from distribution centers in Indianapolis; St. Louis; Cincinnati; Erwin and Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta; Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; Gulfport, Mississippi; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Monroe, Louisiana.

The distribution territory covers markets in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

The agreement expands BlueLinx’s specialty products portfolio as the building products distributor looks to increase its exposure to higher-value product categories. The company distributes lumber, panels, engineered wood, siding, millwork and industrial products, along with other branded and private-label building products.

Adding Trex also gives BlueLinx another major brand in its outdoor living portfolio and creates opportunities to sell complementary products to existing dealers and contractors.

BlueLinx CEO Shyam Reddy said the distributor is seeking to expand its portfolio with established brands that can increase value to customers and create additional growth opportunities.

Trex, based in Winchester, Virginia, manufactures composite decking and residential railing as well as other outdoor living products. The company sells its products through more than 6,700 retail outlets across six continents.

For Trex, the BlueLinx agreement adds distribution capacity across a sizable portion of the central and southeastern U.S.

BlueLinx serves customers in all 50 states through its distribution network. Its customers include national home centers, professional dealers, cooperatives, specialty distributors, regional and local dealers and industrial manufacturers.

The Trex agreement is the latest move by BlueLinx to put more emphasis on specialty products, which the company views as an avenue for expanding sales beyond more commodity-oriented building materials while increasing the amount of business it does with existing customers.

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Heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration distributor sales increased 6.7% in July from a year earlier, the strongest monthly gain of 2026 on a comparable billing-day basis, according to the latest industry data.

Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International, or HARDI, said the 12-month sales growth rate through July was 2.7%, well below July’s year-over-year increase.

The divergence underscores an uneven market in which weather provided a significant boost to July sales, but broader demand has yet to show a sustained acceleration.

“The 6.7% sales growth during July is the best monthly gain of the year, when comparing growth with the same number of billing days,” HARDI Senior Market Analyst Brian Loftus said. “The good report is not telling us much about the market. The strongest regions had the biggest cooling degree day increases, and the weakest regions had big cooling degree day declines.”

Cooling degree days measure how much and for how long outside temperatures exceed a baseline temperature and are an indicator of demand for air conditioning. Higher cooling degree days can drive additional demand for HVAC equipment, replacement parts and service.

The July results therefore provide a stronger reading on distributor sales but not necessarily evidence that the broader HVACR market has turned a corner.

HARDI said end-market demand has been subdued for more than two years, while weakness in housing and pressure on consumers continue to weigh on the industry.

“The housing market has been depressed, like consumer sentiment which is under pressure from stubborn inflation,” Loftus said. “The market is due for a change. We would have more confidence that signs of improvement could endure if inflation and interest rates would subside.”

Distributor customer payment patterns, however, have remained stable.

Days sales outstanding were less than 37 days in July, roughly unchanged from July 2025. The metric measures how long it takes distributors to collect payment from customers after a sale and can provide an indication of changes in customer financial conditions.

“End market demand has been subdued for more than two years,” Loftus said. “The steady DSO indicates the market is not deteriorating.”

The combination of stronger sales and stable customer payment patterns provides some positive signals for distributors entering the second half of the year. But the gap between July’s 6.7% increase and the trailing 12-month growth rate of 2.7%, coupled with the significant influence of regional weather patterns, points to a market that remains uneven.

HARDI represents more than 570 distributor members with more than 5,000 branch locations, along with nearly 600 suppliers, manufacturers’ representatives and service vendors across North American and Latin American HVACR markets.

HARDI’s monthly TRENDS report is based on voluntary sales data submitted by participating distributors.

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TIPCO Technologies has added MTS Threaded Products to its operations, expanding the industrial distributor’s fastener business and its presence along the Gulf Coast.

The companies described the deal as a strategic partnership but did not disclose financial terms or details of the ownership structure.

MTS, which has been in business for 42 years, is based in Corpus Christi, Texas, and specializes in threaded fasteners. The combination gives TIPCO a broader product offering for refinery, petrochemical and other industrial customers by adding fasteners to its existing hose and gasket capabilities in the region.

The expansion is particularly aimed at refinery turnarounds, when plants undergo scheduled shutdowns for maintenance, inspections, and equipment replacement. TIPCO said the combination will allow it to provide fasteners, hoses, and gaskets from a single supplier during those projects.

TIPCO also plans to integrate MTS into its inventory management systems, giving the distributor additional capabilities for tracking fastener inventory, lot numbers and testing information required for products used in critical industrial applications.

MTS will complement TIPCO’s existing Hose of South Texas operation in Corpus Christi, which distributes industrial hose and fittings. TIPCO has also invested in equipment and inventory at the operation to expand its gasket stocking and cutting capabilities for petrochemical, heat exchanger, and other industrial applications.

The company has also been expanding its Houston operations. TIPCO recently opened a counter location in the market and has invested in its ISO 9001-certified Houston facility.

With the addition of MTS, TIPCO said its distribution network will grow to more than 45 locations across 16 states.

The company did not disclose whether MTS will continue operating under its existing name or whether the transaction will result in changes to its workforce or facilities.

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Distribution Solutions Group Inc. has acquired American Fasteners Corp., a South Florida industrial distributor with about $39 million in annual revenue and more than 11,000 customers.

Fort Worth, Texas-based Distribution Solutions Group announced the deal Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition expands DSG’s maintenance, repair and operations distribution business in South Florida while giving the company additional reach into export markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. American Fasteners will become part of DSG’s MRO business and work with its Lawson Products operation.

Founded in 1981 and based in Miami, American Fasteners operates three locations in South Florida. The company distributes fasteners, power tools, anchors, cutting tools, adhesives, abrasives, sealants, safety products, and fall-protection equipment.

American Fasteners primarily serves construction and related markets. The company is also the largest Milwaukee Tool dealer in the region, according to DSG.

The deal gives DSG a larger customer base in one of its core MRO markets while extending Lawson Products’ geographic reach. DSG has been building its specialty distribution platform around businesses serving MRO, original equipment manufacturer, and industrial technology customers.

“American Fasteners is a highly respected business with strong customer relationships and an excellent position in the South Florida market,” DSG CEO J. Bryan King said. “This acquisition is a natural extension of our strategy to build scale in MRO through high-quality businesses that expand our capabilities, customer relationships and geographic reach.”

American Fasteners founder Manny Benitez said joining DSG and working with Lawson Products would give the distributor access to a broader product portfolio and additional resources.

DSG funded the acquisition with existing cash and available borrowing capacity under its amended credit agreement.

DSG operates through Lawson Products, Gexpro Services and TestEquity. Lawson Products distributes MRO products, while Gexpro Services provides supply chain services to manufacturers and TestEquity distributes electronic test and measurement products.

Combined, DSG’s businesses serve approximately 220,000 customers and employ about 4,300 people. The company operates distribution and service centers serving customers in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East.

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The Lowe’s Foundation has launched a national coalition with NVIDIA, AT&T, Bank of America, Carrier, General Motors, DEWALT and Duke Energy that aims to help train and develop 1 million people for skilled trades careers by 2035.

The Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition includes more than 75 businesses, educators, workforce organizations and industry groups, the foundation said Sept. 1. The initiative is designed to expand existing training programs, attract more workers to the trades and better connect training with available jobs.

The coalition comes as contractors, manufacturers and other employers contend with a shortage of qualified tradespeople. The Lowe’s Foundation cited U.S. Department of Education estimates that 2.1 million skilled trades jobs could go unfilled by 2030, potentially creating as much as $1 trillion in annual economic losses.

For distributors, the labor shortage extends beyond their own hiring needs. Electricians, HVAC technicians, construction workers, mechanics and other skilled tradespeople make up a significant portion of the customer base for electrical, industrial, building materials, HVAC and automotive distributors. A shortage of those workers can limit contractors’ capacity to take on projects and ultimately constrain product demand.

The coalition will focus on three areas: changing perceptions of skilled trades careers, expanding training and credentialing programs, and establishing common measurements to track participants from training through employment.

The initiative builds on the Lowe’s Foundation’s Gable Grants program, launched in 2023. The foundation now works with 73 community colleges and nonprofit organizations across 30 states on skilled trades training.

Lowe’s recently committed $250 million to expand that work, with a goal of helping train and develop 250,000 tradespeople by 2035. The new coalition extends the effort beyond Lowe’s by bringing together employers and industry groups around a broader 1 million-worker target.

“The next industrial revolution won’t be built by algorithms alone. It will be built by the millions of skilled trade professionals who power, connect and move this country forward,” Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison said.

The companies participating in the coalition represent industries facing different versions of the same workforce problem.

AT&T Chairman and CEO John Stankey said telecommunications companies will need skilled workers to build and maintain broadband infrastructure as artificial intelligence and other technologies increase demands on networks.

“As AI and other emerging technologies become more deeply embedded in everyday life, the resilient broadband networks that underpin them will be more important than ever, and those networks can’t be built or maintained without skilled workers,” Stankey said.

Carrier Chairman and CEO David Gitlin pointed to the need to develop workers for skilled trades careers, while Duke Energy President and CEO Harry Sideris said collaboration across industries could create more pathways into the trades and strengthen the workforce needed for infrastructure and energy projects.

Other coalition members include the National Association of Home Builders, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, SkillsUSA and Carhartt.

The coalition plans to share case studies, pilot programs and training models that members can use to expand successful workforce programs rather than develop new approaches independently. It also intends to establish common measurements for training, credentials and employment outcomes.

The effort will span construction, automotive manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, HVAC, technology and financial services.

The Lowe’s Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization founded by Lowe’s. The foundation said additional coalition members, commitments and progress updates will be announced as the initiative moves into broader implementation.

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White Cap has completed its acquisition of Ace Contractors Supply, expanding the specialty construction distributor’s presence in Central Texas.

Atlanta-based White Cap said Sept. 1 that Austin, Texas-based Ace Contractors Supply is now part of the company. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Ace Contractors Supply distributes concrete accessories, rebar, safety and consumable products and other construction supplies. The acquisition gives White Cap additional capabilities and customer coverage in the Austin market and across Central Texas.

The deal adds to White Cap’s broader North American distribution network, which includes about 575 branches and more than 12,000 employees serving approximately 200,000 customers.

White Cap distributes specialty construction and safety products to professional contractors in nonresidential construction, infrastructure and residential markets. Its product portfolio includes concrete accessories and chemicals, tools and equipment, building materials, fasteners, erosion and waterproofing products and safety supplies.

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