The AD Story

Since our founding in 1981, hundreds of strong independents and leading manufacturers have joined AD to achieve accelerated growth, increased profitability and ensure their continued independence. AD has also grown through numerous mergers with other buying groups to more efficiently achieve common objectives and through the entrepreneurial spirit of forward thinking independents who joined together to form new AD Divisions within their industry and country.

At AD we believe that as strong as we each are on our own, together we are stronger. Together, we win.  

View Timeline
2024

AD & IMARK Electrical merge to form the Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD)

2024

The Edge Group joins AD to expand Electrical – U.S.

2023

The Baron Group joins AD to expand AD PVF.

2022

TORBSA joins AD to form AD Canada – Building Supplies.

2021

Delta Distributors LLC joins AD to expand AD PVF.

2021

Safety Network joins AD to form AD Safety Network.

2019

The Drake Group joins AD to expand AD Building Materials.

2019

IDI joins AD to form AD Canada Industrial & Safety.

2019

IDC-USA joins AD to expand AD Bearings & Power Transmission.

2017

19 Decorative Brands Distributors form AD Decorative Brands.

2016

The Canaplus Limited Partnership Group joins AD to form AD Canada Plumbing & Heating.

2015

27 Bearings & PT Distributors join AD to form AD Bearings & Power Transmission.

2014

7 Mexican Electrical Distributors join AD to form AD Mexico.

2012

The Independent Electrical Distributors group joins AD.

2008

The AMAROK Drywall Cooperative joins AD.

2006

The HVAC Group joins AD.

2001

The C. L. Watt group joins AD to form AD Plumbing.

2000

The I.D. One group joins AD Industrial.

1999

AD launches National Accounts company, supplyFORCE.

1995

12 Pipe, Valves & Fittings distributors join AD to form AD PVF.

1994

25 General Line Industrial Supply distributors join AD to form AD Industrial.

1993

The Copel group joins AD to form AD Canada.

1981

48 Electrical distributors join AD to form AD Electrical.

Cumulative Growth & Annual Sales*

AD vs. US GDP

US GDP 0 % 10 % 20 % 30 % 40 % 50 % 60 % 70 % 80 % 90 % 100 % 110 % 120 % 130 % 140 % 150 % 160 % 170 % 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 $ 31 Billion $ 32 Billion $ 34 Billion $ 37 Billion $ 41 Billion $ 46 Billion $ 45 Billion $ 58 Billion $ 70 Billion $ 75 Billion $ 83 Billion

* 2024 financials do not include the impact of the merger with IMARK Electrical.