Industrial Distribution's 2020 Big 50 List

Fifty Forward

The annual Industrial Distribution Big 50 List is here, and we can say with confidence that there has never before been such a mixed bag of scenarios facing the distributors in our annual ranking report. Some companies netted record sales figures in 2019, only to be struck down by the pandemic early into their next fiscal year. For others, the gradual softening of their core sectors meant 2019 wasn’t as rosy as they’d hoped.

Epicor is the Platinum Sponsor of ID's 2020 Big 50 ListAs you read ahead, do so within the context of this list’s parameters: we rank these companies based on their 2019 sales figures, so the pandemic is not yet reflected in their revenue numbers. That said, we’ve tried to provide some analysis in our print feature and video countdowns that acknowledges their present challenges as well, in order to provide an ongoing look at the current climate for industrial distribution.

Check out those countdown videos here: Part 1 (#50-31), Part 2 (30-11), Part 3 (10-1). Those videos also include much more information from our editors as to what led to companies moving up and down or list or staying put, along with exclusive video interviews with a few Big 50 company CEOs and insights from a couple of industry experts.

You might actually be pleasantly surprised, as we have been, by the strong initiatives many distributors have undertaken to continue to forge ahead and gain market share despite the circumstances. But you will also see uncertaintly, as distributors of all sizes face the same headwinds. 

If you have questions about this year’s list, please contact our editors Anna Wells ([email protected]) or Mike ([email protected]). Additionally, you can find our methodology below the list here.

Congratulations to all the companies on our 2020 Big 50 List, and we at ID wish everyone continued success going forward. And our sincere thanks to Epicor for being the Platinum Sponsor of this year's Big 50.

— ID Executive Editor Anna Wells & Managing Editor Mike Hockett

Here's our 2019 Big 50 List

Here's our 2018 Big 50 List

Here's our 2017 Big 50 List

*Calendar 2019. Applied Industrial Technologies and MSC Industrial Supply's fiscal year ended at least several months before the rest of the companies on our list, so to level the field, we accounted for their calendar 2019 sales. It had no impact on their ranking.
**ERIKS confirmed their 2019 revenue figure to Industrial Distribution, but asked that it not be displayed publicly.

Just missing the cut:

Mahar Tool Supply - $118 million
Valin Corporation - $109 million

METHODOLOGY

All Big 50 List companies are ranked according to their 2019 full-year global sales, and all figures are reported in USD. All Big 50 companies are based in North America, or if headquartered elsewhere, we account only for their North American operations. Master distributors are not eligible for Big 50 List inclusion. 

We obtain information for publicly-traded companies based on their annual and quarterly reports, earning statements and company verifications. For privately-held companies, we rely on their self-reported data and follow-up communication. Recently published press releases, company website information and other news reports are also used to supplement company data for our Big 50 feature. The Big 50 interviews were conducted via email, survey and by phone by Industrial Distribution editorial staff. To be eligible for Big 50 consideration, company information had to be submitted by Sept. 11. 

We elect to refrain from listing any companies that don’t confirm their sales information to ID or don’t fit our definition of an ‘industrial distributor’, which becomes more challenging each year as the market evolves. There are a handful of companies, such as Amazon Business, McMaster-Carr and SunSource, which we acknowledge would make our Big 50 List, but haven’t shared their revenue figures in several years or more. 

For those of you who don’t see your company name on our list, but think you should, please contact us with your information and we’ll consider adding your company to our Big 50 pool for 2020. As always, your feedback — good or bad — is appreciated. Find more Big 50 metholodology info on our website.