Lockport, NY — NetPlus Alliance, an industrial and contractor supplies buying group, hosted its 13th Annual Meeting in Grapevine, Texas, October 18-20, 2026. The event drew more than 800 attendees representing 185 distributor companies, 170 supplier companies, 15 business service providers, and 13 independent manufacturer’s representative (IMR) agencies.
The theme for this year’s Annual Meeting was “Building Legacy Together,” centered around preserving and advancing ways to create collaborative, sustainable growth for NetPlus distributor and supplier partnerships.
“The next era of distribution won’t be defined simply by who is the biggest, but by who adapts, uses technology as a strategic partner, and continues to deliver the trust, reliability, and relationships that have always mattered in this industry,” said Jennifer Murphy, NetPlus President & CEO at the Annual Meeting. “You don't have to become the biggest company in your market, but you do have to keep becoming a better one. Legacy isn't simply preserving what came before you. It's knowing what's worth preserving — your relationships, your values, your knowledge, your reputation — while having the courage and discipline to keep building what your business will need next.”
This year’s Annual Meeting included expert-led educational workshops that focused on strengthening skills to give NetPlus community members a competitive edge. Conversation topics included: the intentional and tactical use of artificial intelligence tools; strategic inventory management and forecasting methods; and management approaches geared toward retaining a strong team and developing rising leaders.
Tailored networking opportunities for distributors, suppliers, women in the industry, and the community as a whole created space for industry professionals to nurture relationships, make new connections, and learn from one another.
"Growth doesn’t just happen; we build it,” said Zach Brado, NetPlus Senior Vice President of Growth and Development. “When we look at what our members are building and what we're intentionally building together at NetPlus, there's a lot of momentum.”
Year-to-date, the group’s distributor purchases from NetPlus suppliers are up 20% from 2025 and have nearly doubled since 2021. Members continue to share a positive outlook for 2026 full-year sales in quarterly Industry Outlook surveys, highlighting a consistent upward trajectory outperforming the industry year after year.
Award Winners
NetPlus also celebrated its annual awards presentation during the event:
- A special recognition was given this year to recently retired Senior Vice President of Business Development Paul Byrnes in honor of his impactful career in industrial distribution and 12 years of dedicated service to the members of NetPlus Alliance.
- The Dan Judge Founder’s Award was presented to Terry Snower, Managing Director and Owner of distributor member Cicero Manufacturing & Supply Company in Glenview, Illinois. This award is given to a distributor or supplier who exemplifies the group’s core purpose, is an advocate for NetPlus, and is passionate about industrial distribution.
- The 2025 Growth Plus New Business Award acknowledges the strategic plan between a supplier and distributor to expand into new product categories and achieve the greatest new-business growth in the prior fiscal year. This year, the award was presented to Gregory Industries and Ohio Power Tool.
- The 2025 Growth Plus Sales Growth Award recognizes a distributor and supplier that executed a Growth Plus plan and achieved the largest volume in an existing relationship. This year, the award was presented to Milwaukee Tool and Midland Tool & Supply.
- The 2025 Growth Plus Conversion Award acknowledges the largest Growth Plus conversion plan between a distributor and supplier and was presented to Mazzella and Environmental & Dewatering Solutions.
- The 2025 Supplier of the Year Tier 1 was presented to Brighton-Best International, acknowledging same-stores growth of 12% year over year and the addition of three new distributors.
- The 2025 Supplier of the Year Tier 2 was presented to WALTER Surface Technologies, acknowledging same-stores growth of 51% year over year, and the addition of 16 new distributors.
- The 2025 Supplier of the Year Tier 3 was presented to Safewaze, acknowledging same-stores growth of 54% year over year, and the addition of six new distributors.
- The 2025 Distributor of the Year Tier 1 ended in a tie this year. The awards were presented to BC Industrial & Construction Supply, acknowledging purchases growth of 25% year over year, and Motion Industries, acknowledging purchases growth of 10% year over year.
- The 2025 Distributor of the Year Tier 2 was presented to Spartan Tool Supply, acknowledging purchases growth of 107% year over year.
- The 2025 Distributor of the Year Tier 3 was presented to Action Fasteners & Supply, acknowledging purchases growth of 205% year over year.
- New this year, NetPlus introduced the Catalyst Awards to recognize NetPlus distributors and their respective NetPlus liaisons with less than $2 million in purchases who have demonstrated a significant dedication to achieving growth within the group. The 2025 Catalyst Awards were presented to Northeast Tool Distributors and liaison Greg Powers, RILCO Safety Supply and liaison Jeff Miller, and RPI Rentals and liaison Cary Thomas.
- The 2025 Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Milwaukee Tool for their exceptional execution of a strategic marketing plan with NetPlus Alliance and collaboration with NetPlus distributor members.
- The 2026 Partnership Excellence Awards acknowledge a distributor and supplier committed to the continued growth of their companies and actively involved in that success through engagement and commitment to NetPlus. This year, the award was presented to Steve Serowik, President and CEO of Star Sales & Distributing Corporation, and Jeff Woodall, Regional Sales Manager of M. K. Morse.
- The 2026 Scholar of the Year Award recognizes a distributor company that completed a minimum of 200 NetPlus Academy courses available on BlueVolt. This award was presented to Hybroco Sales.
- The 2026 Training of the Year Award acknowledges a supplier who conducted training in 2026, achieved the highest post-survey ratings, and contributed to the growth of new or existing sales. This year, the award was presented to PIP Global Safety.
The 14th Annual Meeting, celebrating 25 years of NetPlus Alliance, is scheduled for October 10-12, 2027, at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
About NetPlus Alliance
NetPlus Alliance builds relationships and provides opportunities for the advancement of member companies for their long-term success in the supply chain. With 140 years of combined industrial distribution experience, NetPlus Alliance negotiates improved pricing, rebates, and terms with more than 200 manufacturers on behalf of 400 industrial and contractor supplies distributor members. Our members drive market growth and profitability through stronger channel partnerships, financial incentives, progressive marketing, joint sales planning, training programs, and business best practices.
Learn more about NetPlus Alliance at netplusalliance.com or contact Social Media & Communications Manager Joan McDonough at joan.mcdonough@netplusalliance.com or 716-438-2014 Ext. 107
