During the recent 2022 AD Industrial & Safety – U.S. North American Meeting, AD held its Spirit of Independence Awards dinner celebrating Industrial & Safety – U.S. members and supplier partners for excellence within their companies and for their contributions to AD.

AD Member of the Year awards recognize member companies who achieved sales growth and growth in purchases from AD suppliers, participated in AD programs and divisional initiatives, and have a high level of commitment to AD suppliers. The following companies received Member of the Year awards:

• 2022 AD Industrial & Safety – U.S. Tier One Member of the Year: Navasota Industrial Supply
• 2022 AD Industrial & Safety – U.S. Tier Two Member of the Year: R.S. Hughes Company

AD Supplier of the Year awards celebrate supplier partners who engage with and best support AD members. Winners of these awards have increased sales from members, took advantage of AD sales incentives, displayed high participation in AD programs, and made strong use of marketing activities. The following supplier companies were honored:

• 2022 AD Industrial & Safety – U.S. Tier One Supplier of the Year: Werner Co.
• 2022 AD Industrial & Safety – U.S. Tier Two Supplier of the Year: Milwaukee Tool

The Best Conversion to an AD Supplier awards honor both a member and supplier who collaborated on an effective conversion from a non-AD supplier to an AD supplier. Four pairs of AD members and supplier partners were awarded in different product categories:

• Best Conversion in Metalworking: Groves Industrial & Weiler Abrasives
• Best Conversion in Safety & Janitorial: Turner Supply Co. & SureWerx USA
• Best Conversion in Tools & Material Handling: White Distribution & Supply LLC & Werner Co.
• Best Conversion in Abrasives: Stellar Industrial & 3M

The Best Annual Planning Process award celebrates the member that implemented the most effective Field Marketing Summit, strategies for engagement, and follow-up with supplier partners. The 2022 Best Annual Planning Process winner is DiVal Safety.

Mike Carr, President of the Industrial & Safety Divisions – U.S., presented Best Workplace Recognitions to two member companies that achieved an overall engagement score of 85% or higher on a third-party engagement survey or are recognized regionally or nationally as a “best place to work.” The 2022 AD Best Workplace Recognition recipients are Columbia Safety & Supply & Mars Supply. 

The Member of the Year for Leadership is an award honoring an individual from a member company who goes above and beyond to lead the direction of their AD division and represents the voice of the AD community. The recipient strengthens the independent distribution community through their contributions and leadership within AD. This year’s Member of the Year for Leadership award went to Bruce Stallings, President, P&I Supply, who is celebrating over 40 years with his company and over 15 years of leadership on AD’s divisional boards and networks.

AD’s MVP Award honors an individual who contributed to amplifying the message and presence of AD within their company. The 2022 MVP Award winner is Peter Naleid, Marketing & eCommerce Manager, Mars Supply, who launched their successful eCommerce platform and led the implementation of AD programs, like AD Rewards and Field Market Summits, at his company.

The final award of the night, presented by AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg, honored a supplier for their giving back initiatives within their community and for empowering their employees to give back. 

“No matter how much our businesses grow or what obstacles we face together, we always remember to support the people and organizations that make up the communities we serve,” said Weisberg. “I am so proud of the good our owner/members and suppliers put back into the world.” 

This year, Brady Corporation received the AD Giving Back Award for their charitable contributions supporting organizations working to address racial inequity in their in the Milwaukee area.