In this month’s Top 3 in 5, Brendan Breen and Evan Willmann break down the latest data from Cleveland Research’s survey of independent industrial distributors.
April sales saw a modest 2% increase, slightly below expectations, while capital spending hesitancy and “just-what-you-need” ordering trends continued. They dig into how looming tariff changes are triggering a shift in sourcing strategies, with more buyers seeking domestic or low-tariff alternatives. Plus, hear why orders from China are being paused, what public distributors like Grainger and Fastenal are reporting, and how data centers are becoming a rare bright spot in an otherwise sluggish market.
About Top 3 in 5:
Through our partnership with the Cleveland Research Company, a premier consulting market intelligence firm specializing in channel research, we’re able to bring ISA Members the results of a monthly survey of industrial distributors to get a pulse on what’s going on in our industry. This quantitative data, supplemented with qualitative data collected by conversations with industry professionals, provides a great benchmark of the market, allowing us to get into the drivers of why things are changing and helping us identify changes quicker than the PMI or ISM.
Contribute to this Report:
Participate in the Cleveland Research Company survey – it’s free and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Those who participate will get the full detailed report sent to their inbox: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F7SNYZJ
