PHCP and PVF Technology & Operations

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Wholesale distribution has always operated on relatively thin margins. Public benchmarks typically place gross margins anywhere from the high single digits to the low-30% range depending on product mix, with net margins often falling between 3% and 10%. In plumbing and PVF, those margins vary even more dramatically by category — with commodity products leaving far less room for error than engineered or value-added offerings.

AHR Expo 2026 made it clear that hybrid systems are no longer an emerging idea; they are the answer to the ongoing balancing act of meeting decarbonization goals while remaining realistic about the grid's capacity for electrification. Manufacturers emphasized systems that combine electric technologies, gas-fired equipment, and advanced controls.

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.

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.

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.

The Digitization & Customer Intelligence webpage provides a clear, accessible path for distributors and manufacturers looking to better understand CRM adoption, ERP integration considerations, and emerging technologies that support stronger customer relationships.

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.

The following list includes the top 10 most-read articles from 2025 based on website traffic at Supplyht.com. If you missed any of these throughout the year, take a few minutes to read what all of the bustle was about.

In wholesale distribution, progress in 2025 rarely came from one sweeping change. It came from smarter forecasting and more accurate data analysis. From incremental improvements in product data that made online searches less frustrating to onboarding processes that got new hires productive faster than before. None of it flashy, but all of it impactful.