Items Tagged with 'economy'

In a statement following President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address, ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman emphasized that while the construction industry remains resilient, affordability pressures and policy uncertainty are weighing on contractors across market segments.

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.

Q3 GDP trended at 4% based on the latest available data, but much of the visibility needed is still delayed. Most estimates suggest the government shutdown, because of its duration, may have brought Q3 GDP down to 1.5%. This is still reasonable given the circumstances. 

History shows us that companies that maintain visibility, build trust, and communicate effectively during downturns are the ones that come out ahead when the market stabilizes. Tariff-driven price hikes and supply chain issues are not just obstacles—they’re opportunities to double down on creativity and strategic thinking.

President Trump recently signed several Executive Orders (EOs) to rescind and modify regulations in various sectors, including energy production, defense policy, and reverse the repeal of several regulations based on recent Supreme Court decisions, such as Loper Bright.

Industry representatives unite to advocate for policies to improve public health, water quality and economic sustainability.

An aging housing stock, record levels of home equity and favorable demographics will create positive growth prospects for the remodeling sector in 2025, according to industry experts at a panel hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

Plumbing and HVAC contractors navigated a year of challenges and opportunities, with rising demand for energy-efficient systems amid labor shortages. As we look to 2025, growth is expected in commercial sectors like data centers and healthcare, alongside increased home repairs. The focus on sustainability and technology will drive innovation in the industry.

May was a quiet month for ASA members with a slight dip in year-to-date sales, but the trailing 12-month sales showed a small positive growth of 0.4%.

This article covers the significant trends impacting the industrial distribution sector, including digital transformation, data optimization, omnichannel approaches, and industry consolidation. It offers insights into how these trends will shape the future of industrial distribution.