Distribution Industry News

The Granite Group brings an established $500 million business, 82 locations and a customer base spread across seven Northeastern states while giving Watsco a larger foothold in plumbing distribution.

AdvanceCT, Connecticut’s nonprofit business recruitment organization, has called the project one of the largest logistics investments in recent state history.

Diesel fuel prices surged 24.1% in August and accounted for more than one-third of the increase in final demand goods prices. Gasoline, jet fuel and heating oil prices also increased.

Data centers are an increasingly important market for electrical distributors as new facilities require substantial investment in power distribution, electrical equipment, and supporting infrastructure. Kingwire’s presence in that market gives OmniCable another avenue into large electrical projects.

Sales by merchant wholesalers totaled a seasonally adjusted $801.3 billion in July, up 0.8% from June and 13% from July 2025, according to the Monthly Wholesale Trade Report released Sept. 10.

The East Dubuque, Illinois-based electrical distributor said Penny Cotner has informed its board of directors of her decision and will remain CEO through April.

Jason McGuire, who joined Air Hydro Power as executive vice president in January, will become CEO.

For distributors, those forecasts point to continued underlying demand from manufacturing customers, but in a market where customers are likely to pay much closer attention to prices, sourcing and product availability.

Core & Main also is positioning itself as a buyer for independent distributors whose owners want access to the resources of a larger organization while maintaining the local relationships that built their businesses.

The Beloit, Wisconsin-based company said Keith Rozolis will retire Dec. 31. President and chief operating officer Mike Jost will succeed him Jan. 1.