President's Message Welcome to the November issue of IMARK TODAY! As we move into the early months of 2026, one thing remains clear: meaningful opportunities continue to exist for independent distributors who stay... Read More
2026 Economic Outlook: Industrial MRO, Construction Supply, Safety and HVAC Markets in the U.S. In 2026, the Industrial MRO, Construction Supply, Safety and HVAC markets are set for steady, tech-driven, sustainability-focused growth amid ongoing post-pandemic recovery and shifting workforce demands. Read More
COVER STORY: AI in Wholesale Distribution: What Matters, What Doesn’t and How to Think About the Next 24 Months AI is quietly but rapidly reshaping wholesale distribution, and the leaders who approach it thoughtfully—focusing on practical use cases, clean data and human-centered adoption—will gain a compounding advantage over the next 12 to 24 months. Read More
Think AI Can Do It All? Here’s Why You Still Need Your Marketing Team AI is good for initial research and generic content. And it can quickly generate semi-realistic images. But AI cannot produce genuine meaning or connection. Read More
How to Make the Most Out of AI in the New Year AI is replacing traditional SEO by delivering a single, personalized best answer—making accuracy, trust and data quality more important than rankings or keywords. Read More
Odum Sales: A 53-Year Legacy of Growth, Family Leadership and Industry Influence A 53-year family legacy, Odum Sales has grown from a small warehouse into a leading Southeast manufacturers’ rep, known for strong partnerships, expanded product lines and unwavering commitment to service and industry leadership. Read More
Bemis Celebrates 125 Years of Innovation, Family and Commitment As it marks 125 years, Bemis Manufacturing Company is celebrating a legacy of family leadership, continual reinvention, U.S.-based manufacturing and customer-driven innovation that continues to shape its future. Read More
New for 2026: Warehouse Worker & Driver Shortages Reach a Breaking Point Facing escalating warehouse worker and driver shortages, distributors entering 2026 must win talent through faster hiring, clear career paths, strong leadership, flexible schedules and modern, people-focused workplaces. Read More
Employee Ownership in Action: How IMARK Members Use ESOPs to Strengthen Their Future Across the independent distribution landscape, succession planning remains one of the most importantand often most challenging priorities for company leaders. For many family- and privately-owned... Read More
Passing the Torch: Why More IMARK Members Are Exploring ESOPs for Succession Planning Many business owners are turning to ESOPs as a way to preserve their company’s culture and legacy while rewarding employees, but ESOPs work best for firms with strong leadership, sufficient scale and clear communication throughout the transition. Read More
Why Selling to an ESOP May Be the Best Legacy Decision a Plumbing Distributor Can Make Employee-owned ESOP distributors offer sellers a values-aligned exit that preserves legacy, stability and long-term growth by prioritizing people, trust and sustainable stewardship over short-term optimization. Read More
Fuse Specialty Appliances: Elevating Florida’s Appliance & Plumbing Experience Fuse Specialty Appliances has rapidly grown from a boutique startup into Florida’s leading independent luxury appliance and plumbing dealer by combining strategic expansion, deep industry expertise and a customer-first, partnership-driven approach. Read More
Bello: A New Fixture Brand Built on Experience, Agility and Partnership Bello may be one of the newest names in the decorative plumbing landscape, but it arrives with the insight, experience and strategic clarity of a seasoned industry player. The company, officially... Read More
Irrigation, PVF & Waterworks Executive Message IMARK Builds Momentum Across Irrigation, Waterworks and PVF Heading Into 2026 Read More
Star Pipe Products: Built for the Long Haul in the Waterworks Industry Star Pipe Products combines U.S. and global manufacturing, extensive product offerings, strong customer-focused culture and strategic distribution to support continued growth within the IMARK network. Read More
Introducing Jackson: Driving Insight, Innovation and Growth Jackson Zingsheim has been named IMARK’s director of business intelligence, bringing 15+ years of experience to lead data-driven growth through The Dashboard 2.0 and the Fill It Now marketplace. Read More
Two New Additions, One Special Day: Celebrating Daniel & Xander IMARK’s family-first culture shone through when two teammates welcomed baby boys on the same day. Read More