North American buying group AD, Wayne, PA, reported an 11 percent increase in member sales across 12 divisions in 2018, for a total of $41.1 billion in sales. Purchases from AD suppliers grew 13 percent, the group said.

By country, same-store sales in the United States grew 10 percent, Canada was up 8 percent, and Mexico grew 10 percent. By industry, AD's combined plumbing, heating/cooling, and pipe, valves and fittings sales grew 12 percent; power transmission sales grew 11 percent, electrical sales were up 8 percent, and building materials sales were up 4 percent.

“2018 was an exceptional year; we broke sales, purchases and distribution records across all AD divisions, and we added value to our members and suppliers through our innovative programs,” Bill Weisberg, AD’s chairman and CEO said in a statement announcing the results.

Weisberg said the group’s most strategic accomplishment during the year was its transition to member ownership. More than 500 AD members chose to become AD owners last year, representing 95 percent of AD’s business and including every member of each of the group’s divisional boards.