From decades past, going back to the 1980s, the United States has seen its manufacturing sector deteriorate by 48,000 factories.

A market downturn in the construction industry is coming; however, it’s not likely until after 2020. Construction industry members and observers know a decline is inevitable with market growth continuing too long to last.

Being busy in a successful operation is quite different from being busy due to days of screw-ups and fire drills. There still seem to be some wholesalers who are surprised and feel the need to celebrate when they can ship a standard stock order — complete, without errors and delivered as promised.

The Wholesaler reached out to wholesale distributors from coast to coast to tell us what was happening in their areas and what to expect down the road. Here is what each had to report.

Being part of a larger collective provides strength in numbers, as well as partnerships for growth and success.

Bolstered by continued growth in the economy, overall U.S. pipe, valves and fittings (PVF) spending across 12 industries is expected to increase to $13.6 billion in 2020, up by nearly $400 million from 2019, notes Industrial Info Resource’s PVF Market Assessment.

For more than a century Erb Co. has served its community of customers by bringing its best foot forward, every day. This year, the wholesaler of plumbing, heating, PVF, and air conditioning equipment and supplies celebrates 120 years in business while maintaining the very values its founders opened the doors with in 1900. 

Jen Schmitt, newly named president of Schmitt ProfiTools Inc.

The "Old Town Road" parody song highlights the UPCO brand and promotes careers in construction.

Christopher Burgmeier is the president of Quad Cities Winwater.