Looking back on 2025
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December 31, 2025
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Top NAW SmartBrief Stories of 2025
 
Today, we continue to take a look back at the top stories from NAW SmartBrief. Tariffs continued to dominate the conversation in the second half of the year, but as President Donald Trump's trade policies became clearer, distributors and wholesalers focused on mitigating the impacts and mergers and acquisitions started to accelerate. The second half of the year was also marked by the rise of artificial intelligence and several major policy wins, including the tax bill signed into law in July. Uncertainty persisted, however, as the labor market slowed and distributors proceeded cautiously. 

Here are the top stories from the second half of the year. Have a wonderful New Year!
 
Grainger, Wesco, ABC Supply lead MDM's 2025 Top Distributors lists
MDM has unveiled its 2025 Top Distributors list, highlighting key players across various sectors. Downloadable PDF with rankings, revenue data, company insights and more information is available here. Members of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors feature heavily in the listings, including topping the industrial, building materials and electrical lists.
Full Story: Modern Distribution Management (tiered subscription model) (6/9)
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Imperial Dade, BradyPLUS to merge into a $10B distributor
 
Logo on delivery truck for ImperialDade, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, October 23, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
(Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Imperial Dade and BradyPLUS have announced plans to merge, positioning the new entity as one of the largest North American distributors of janitorial, sanitation, foodservice and packaging products with more than $10 billion in annual revenue and more than 13,500 employees. The deal is pending regulatory approval, and both companies will continue to operate independently until the expected closing in the coming months. The deal will combine the companies' distribution networks, significantly expanding their geographic presence across North America with more than 125 facilities.
Full Story: Distribution Strategy Group (8/11), Modern Distribution Management (tiered subscription model) (8/11)
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NAW applauds sweeping tax bill as Trump signs it into law
President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law on Friday, delivering sweeping tax cuts and economic measures that Republicans say will boost US growth. The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors celebrated the bill's passage, calling it "a major victory" for businesses and workers. "This bill delivers real, lasting relief -- lower taxes, pro-growth policies, and critical protections for family-owned companies," said NAW President and CEO Eric Hoplin.
Full Story: National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (7/3), The Wall Street Journal (7/4), CNBC (7/3), The New York Times (7/7)
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QXO's Jacobs shares vision for $50B revenue goal
 
Brad Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of QXO Inc., during the Bloomberg Invest event in New York, US, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The conference invites leaders in asset management, banking, wealth, and private markets to track, dissect, and predict the future's greatest changes, risks and opportunities. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
(Bloomberg/Getty Images)
QXO founder Brad Jacobs outlined a plan to reach $50 billion in revenue during a recent talk at the Economics Club of New York. Jacobs said that QXO aims to achieve this through acquisitions adding $30 billion to $40 billion in annual revenue following its $11 billion acquisition of Beacon. Additional revenue gains are expected through organic growth and improvements in pricing, volume and market share. coming via organic growth. Jacobs discussed the role of technology in enhancing efficiency in areas such as procurement and logistics, business operations and highlighted the importance of streamlined organizational structures.
Full Story: Hardware + Building Supply Dealer (12/5)
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NAW launches distribution-specific AI tool free for members
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has launched NAW Nucleus, an AI-powered tool tailored for the distribution sector. NAW Nucleus is trained on decades of industry-specific research and insights, providing actionable solutions to business challenges and tools to save time on plans and presentations. NAW Nucleas is offered as a complimentary benefit to NAW members.
Full Story: National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (8/20)
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Trump unveils new set of sweeping global tariffs
Bloomberg (8/1), The Wall Street Journal (8/1), CNBC (8/1), Financial Times (8/1)
 
 
US Foods eyes potential takeover of Performance Food
Transport Topics/Bloomberg (7/11)
 
 
NAW members named among Forbes' "Most Trusted Companies"
Forbes (tiered subscription model) (11/13)
 
 
Home Depot subsidiary to acquire GMS in $5.5B deal
Modern Distribution Management (tiered subscription model) (6/30), CNBC (6/30)
 
 
Uline wins NAW award for leadership, innovation, engagement
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (12/15)
 
 
 
 
New from MDM
 
NAW Members - did you know that you now have access to MDM Premium? MDM Premium offers reporting, benchmarking, and business intelligence to help you stay competitive, anticipate market shifts, and make informed business decisions. Click here to activate your MDM Premium subscription.
 
MDM Banner
 
Top MDM articles of 2025 focus on tariffs, AI, sales
MDM's most-read free articles of 2025 highlighted the growing urgency of tariff management, AI adoption and changing customer expectations. Industry experts offered actionable advice on navigating tariff pressures, transforming sales with AI, revisiting rebate strategies and other topics crucial to distributors' long-term success.
Full Story: Modern Distribution Management (tiered subscription model) (12/23)
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MDM Premium content spotlights key issues for distributors
MDM Premium experienced notable growth this year, with an increase in the number and diversity of content offered to subscribers. Featured articles showcased a range of topics important to wholesale distribution, including the impact of tariffs on distributor margins, strategies for digital transformation and notable mergers and acquisitions. MDM plans to further enhance its premium portfolio in 2026 with more case studies, exclusive research reports and expert analysis tailored to the evolving needs of wholesale distribution professionals.
Full Story: Modern Distribution Management (tiered subscription model) (12/24)
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Top MDM podcasts highlight distribution trends, strategies
Modern Distribution Management has released its top podcasts of 2025, featuring in-depth discussions with distribution executives and industry consultants. Popular episodes include analyses of QXO's acquisition of Beacon, Parts Town's growth and Rexel's strategies in mergers and acquisitions and talent management. The MDM Amplify channel debuted this year, and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors launched the "Distributors Deliver" podcast series.
Full Story: Modern Distribution Management (tiered subscription model) (12/22)
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Editor's Note
 
SmartBrief will not publish Jan. 1
SmartBrief will not publish Thursday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year's Day.
 
 
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About NAW
 
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) is one of America’s leading trade associations, representing the $8 trillion wholesale distribution industry. Our industry employs more than 6 million workers throughout the United States, accounting for approximately 1/3 of the U.S. GDP. 250,000 wholesale distribution companies operate across North America, including all 50 states. Learn more.
 
 
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“

Take advantage of every opportunity and if you don't give up, hopefully you find a way -- that message I've taken around the world.
Jane Goodall,
primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist
1934-2025

This was one of the top quotes among readers from notable figures who passed in 2025.

“
 
 
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