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Every workplace faces risks in daily operations. As a business leader, you are responsible for communicating the importance of risk management to your team. A strong workplace culture that focuses on reducing risks not only helps to protect employees, it can also strengthen workplace morale, bolster your business reputation, and set expectations.

Digital revenue penetration tiers show concentrated distribution patterns and progression across three measurement periods. Firms achieving more than 10% e-commerce revenue increased from 28% in 2023 to 33% in 2024 and 41% in 2025, representing a 13 percentage point gain over two years. The more than 20% tier grew from 13% to 19% and stabilized, while the more than 30% tier progressed from 8% to 10% before declining to 7% in 2025.

In this episode of And So It Flows, Jennifer Harrison and Kaytee Gray from SupplyHouse.com discuss how digital merchandising and fulfillment are evolving to empower contractors with expert product information, simplifying decision-making in the field.

At the American Supply Association's recent LEAD retreat, the need to transfer industry knowledge from retiring veterans to the next generation was highlighted as a critical issue in the PHCP-PVF sector. To address this, ASA's Business Intelligence Unit has commissioned a survey among its members, in line with the objectives of its Operational Excellence and Embracing the Future councils.

Lock Supply Co.’s Tim Savage breaks down how practical AI tools are accelerating quoting, closing knowledge gaps, and strengthening contractor trust — without replacing the human side of sales.

The water heater market is growing steadily as it moves into 2026, with increased demand in commercial and multifamily sectors. Reliability and efficiency are prioritized, influenced by regional policies and regulatory changes that promote informed system selections.

According to a report published by Bluefield Research, a water-focused market research firm based in Boston, Mass., by 2030, yearly investment in water and wastewater management will be more than $62 billion U.S. The firm attributes this to the explosion of AI-powered technology (driving the need for more data centers), the push to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the U.S., energy transition, and national security.

A recent American Supply Association report finds that nearly 75% of companies are experimenting with AI, with 38% exploring use cases, 34% piloting tools, and 19% implementing AI for operations like data forecasting and process automation, reflecting a shift towards technology to meet rising demands.

Distributors must constantly adjust due to pricing volatility, supply-chain disruptions, labor shortages, inflation, and shifting customer expectations, tightening decision timelines. In November, five distributors met at ASA NETWORK in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for Supply House Times’ 16th annual distributor roundtable to assess the market and discuss future success.

A strong marketing strategy is the bridge between where your business stands today and where you want it to go. Whether you’re a manufacturer looking to increase brand visibility, a rep firm aiming to secure more partnerships, or a distributor working to grow market share, success starts with clear, actionable goals and a structured roadmap.