Mergers and acquisitions in the distribution sector consistently capture the attention of executives who monitor these announcements to assess their impact on competitor growth, long-term prospects and even the overall health of the market.

MDM’s 2024 tally of M&A news involving distributors of industrial, commercial and building supply products or manufacturers that sell into the channel increased compared to 2023. We’ll discuss this increase in more detail in next week’s December M&A recap and then our full-year M&A analysis on MDM Premium.

However, a class action lawsuit filed on Aug. 23, accusing three major distributors — Core & Main, Ferguson and Fortiline Waterworks — of exploiting supply chain disruptions to fix prices and overcharge customers in the U.S. was this year’s most viewed news item, and by far.

The second most viewed news item of 2024 was Ferguson’s announcement of a trio of acquisitions within the first two weeks of the year. The distributor — ranked No. 1 on MDM’s Top Distributors List for Plumbing, No. 2 for HVACR, No. 2 for Industrial PVF, No. 3 for Industrial Supplies and No. 3 for Building Materials/Construction — completed the acquisition of Austin, TX-based Harway Appliances on Jan. 8. In the same release, Ferguson finalized purchase agreements to acquire two plumbing and HVAC distributors: Yorkwest Plumbing Supply in Canada and Grove Supply in Warminster, PA.

Check out which of MDM’s distribution-related news got the most clicks this year below. More than half in the Top 30 news stories were M&A announcements, but also pending lawsuits, post-acquisition rebranding and C-suite appointments also ranked among the most viewed.

MDM’s Top 10 Distribution-Related News Stories of 2024

Core & Main, Ferguson, Fortiline Named in PVC Price Collusion Lawsuit – published Aug. 29. A class action lawsuit alleges that leading PVC pipe manufacturers exploited supply chain disruptions to fix prices and overcharge customers. Three major distributors were named as “co-conspirators”.

Ferguson Starts 2024 with Three Acquisitions – published Jan. 10. These acquisitions by distribution giant Ferguson have an aggregate annualized revenue of approximately $220 million.

True Value Pursuing Sale of Company – published Oct. 7. CEO Chris Kempa emphasized the company’s commitment to minimizing the disruption to associates, retailers and vendor partners.

Vallen to Buy Wesco’s Integrated Supply Unit for $350M – published Feb. 23. It will divest the industrial MRO unit out of Wesco, while considerably bolstering Vallen’s product and services offerings.

American Tire Distributors Files for Bankruptcy for 2nd Time in 6 Years – published Oct. 24. The replacement tires supplier secured a $250 million financing agreement with a lender group to support its restructuring efforts.

Report: QXO Offers to Buy Beacon – published Nov. 18. Beacon reported 2023 revenue of $9.3 billion, and its share price is up 14% year-to-date.

US Foods Acquires IWC, Saladino’s – published Feb. 20.  The company has added like foodservice distributors that serve the greater Nashville area and central California.

Performance Food Group to Acquire Cheney Bros. for $2.1B – published Aug. 16. Cheney significantly expands PFG’s presence in the Southeast U.S., along with a Puerto Rico distributor acquired in July.

Following Merger, BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions is Now BradyPLUS – published Jan. 17. The merger between BradyIFS and Envoy Solutions resulted in a JanSan, foodservice disposables and industrial packaging products distributor with about $5 billion in annual revenue.

Ferguson is Now Officially Headquartered in the U.S. – Aug. 2. It completes a years-long corporate transition for the distributor of plumbing, HVACR, PVF and industrial supplies.

Check out MDM’s Next 20 Most-Viewed News Stories of 2024:

AD to Merge with IMARK Electrical – published June 4

Fastenal CSO Watts Promoted to President, Florness Remains CEO – published July 12

Resideo to Acquire Snap One in $1.4B Deal, Boosting ADI Unit – published April 15

Newly-Launched Indicor Appoints CEO, Sets HQ in Charlotte – published March 16, 2023

Report: Rexel Turns Down $9.4B Offer from QXO – published Sept. 16

Amazon is Now the Top Delivery Business in the U.S., and its Lead is Set to Expand – published Nov. 17, 2023

Genuine Parts to Transition CEOs in June, Makes Big NAPA Acquisition – published May 1

UPS to Close at Least 200 U.S. Locations in Automation Push – published March 28

150-Year-Old Vaughan Plant Closing after Nixed Buyout – published April 15

UPS to Cut 12,000 Jobs As Volume Falls – published Jan. 30

Hillman Shares Leadership Succession Plan; Acquires Cleaning Supplier – published Aug. 28

U.K. Cutting Tool Distributor Cutwel Privately Acquired – published Aug. 22

Ferguson Makes Trio of Acquisitions, Adding $450M Revenue – published Aug. 2, 2023

Vallen Completes $350M Acquisition of Wesco Integrated Supply – published April 1

SupplyOne Acquires Gulf Packaging – published Oct. 18

Home Depot to Acquire SRS Distribution for $18B in Building Materials Pro Shakeup – published March 28

Border States Unveils Organizational Changes – published June 4

Beacon Acquires Chicago Metal Supply & Fabrication – published Sept. 12

Taiwan’s WT Microelectronics Completes $3.8B Acquisition of Future Electronics – published April 22

Brad Jacobs to Enter Building Products Distribution with QXO – Dec. 11, 2023

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