Fastenal closed out 2025 with accelerating momentum, posting double-digit sales growth in Q4 while navigating margin headwinds tied to its large-account strategy. The Fastenal Q4 earnings report, released January 20, showed quarterly revenue up 11.1% year-over-year to $2.03 billion. But the numbers also revealed the tradeoffs embedded in the company's … [Read more...] about Fastenal Q4 Earnings: Growth Surges, Margins Slip
Insights
Visual Workplace Doubles Revenue with Forward Solutions’ Multi-Channel Transformation
ALPHARETTA, Ga., Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Forward Solutions today released a new case study showcasing how embracing a multi-channel sales and marketing strategy can deliver breakthrough growth for industrial manufacturers. With business buyers now expecting a seamless experience across distributor, direct, and digital channels, many mid-market manufacturers are … [Read more...] about Visual Workplace Doubles Revenue with Forward Solutions’ Multi-Channel Transformation
The AI-Enabled Distributor: From Pilot to Profit
Channel Marketing Group will release a new eBook, The AI-Enabled Distributor: From Pilot to Profit, on January 16. The guide is designed specifically for distributor leaders who are trying to make sense of artificial intelligence in a practical, business-focused way. AI is no longer confined to innovation teams or IT departments. For … [Read more...] about The AI-Enabled Distributor: From Pilot to Profit
New Research: Rebates Ensure Profitability
In the industrial supply industry, we often talk about "backside dollars", or rebates, as a necessary part of the business. But are they a strategic asset or just a "tax" on doing business? Earlier this year we (Channel Marketing Group) conducted research, sponsored by Enable, a leading rebate management reporting system. on volume rebates and are releasing a new research … [Read more...] about New Research: Rebates Ensure Profitability
Converting POs to Digital Commerce, and a Christmas Offer
Last quarter's Pulse of Industrial Supply identified a significant divergence in the percentage of digital sales for smaller distributors vs large distributors. Perhaps its the customer base? It could be investments in eCommerce technology and product data. It could be marketing. But it could also be that smaller distributors are not being customer friendly, … [Read more...] about Converting POs to Digital Commerce, and a Christmas Offer
It’s year-end Inventory Planning and Adjustment Season
As we enter the final stretch of 2025, I am having daily conversations with many distributors and manufacturers about their in-stock inventory positions. Industrial and Construction Channel growth rates have slowed fand now are slightly down to at best flat in 2025. Inflation and price increases have continued to climb since early 2023. So, that slow/no market combined with … [Read more...] about It’s year-end Inventory Planning and Adjustment Season
2025 Q3 Pulse of Industrial Supply Report
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been sharing quarterly reports from distributors and manufacturers in the industrial supply space. For the most part the earnings, topline and bottom line, have been good / met expectations. The drivers – industrial market performance and tariffs, especially since tariffs increase pricing, so, sales dollar volume inevitably goes up. Here’s … [Read more...] about 2025 Q3 Pulse of Industrial Supply Report
ISA Fall Summit in Memphis Recap
Yesterday, we wrapped up a fun and productive Fall Summit in Memphis, TN. The weather was perfect, Beale Street was awesome, and staying at the Peabody Hotel with their famous ducks was like going back in time with all the history that surrounded you. I was writing this column that going "back in time" thought was top of mind. For many of us in the channel the rapid rate of … [Read more...] about ISA Fall Summit in Memphis Recap
Distribution Solutions Group – Strength in All Segments
Distribution Solutions Group, which serves the MRO, OEM and industrial technologies markets, announced their 3Q 2025 earnings results on October 30, showing a stronger than expected 10.7% growth in total sales, to $518 million. DSG Delivers Growth Organic sales grew 6% and 3.1% sequentially, over 2Q 2025. It was highlighted that all segments grew, led by Gexpro Services … [Read more...] about Distribution Solutions Group – Strength in All Segments
Fastenal – Strong Revenue Growth and 3 Consecutive Months of Double-Digit Organic Sales
The Winona, Minnesota based wholesale distributor of industrial and construction supplies, announced 3Q25 earnings on October 13. Revenue grew 11.7% from prior year to $2.13 billion and gross margin grew 40 basis points to 45.3%. Revenue growth was driven by increases in customers and unit sales, especially in customers spending >$10k per month, and market share … [Read more...] about Fastenal – Strong Revenue Growth and 3 Consecutive Months of Double-Digit Organic Sales
