Companies in this industry distribute machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, oil and gas exploration and production, and warehousing. Major companies include Fastenal, Grainger, HD Supply, and Motion Industries (all based in the US); as well as ERIKS (Netherlands); Ferguson plc (UK); and Würth Group (Germany).
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
The entry of online retailers, primarily Amazon Business, into the industrial equipment wholesale space has disrupted the business models of traditional players and intensified competition. Online B2B retailers often offer price comparison tools that allow customers to select from several different suppliers, forcing some established industrial equipment wholesalers to reduce their prices which has negatively affected profitability.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Major products are general purpose industrial, commercial, and service industry machinery parts and supplies (about 20% of US industry revenue), as well as industrial machinery and equipment (about 20%). Other products include materials handling machinery and equipment (10%), oil well and pipeline machinery and equipment (10%), and metalworking machinery equipment (10%).