In brief
Industrial distribution refers to the specialist and wholesale trade that supplies industrial companies with rolling bearings, drive technology, seals and fluid power.
Contents
What is Industrial distribution?
Industrial distribution sits between the manufacturers of technical components and the companies that use these components in production and maintenance. Typical ranges include rolling bearings and linear technology, drive elements such as belts, chains and couplings, seals, hoses and fittings, pneumatics and hydraulics, as well as tools and operating supplies.
Unlike buying direct from the manufacturer, industrial distributors bundle the ranges of many manufacturers, hold stock and offer technical advice, for example on selecting equivalent parts or sizing components. Services are often added, such as kitting, hose assembly or managing stock on the customer's premises. Catalogue and online distributors of operating supplies, by contrast, rely more on a standardised range and self-service, with less application advice.
For procurement, industrial distribution is relevant above all for broad, hard-to-plan maintenance requirements: a few suppliers cover many categories, which reduces orders, supplier accounts and invoices. Buying direct from the manufacturer can make more sense for large, plannable quantities or manufacturer-specific special parts. Which model fits therefore depends less on the part itself than on quantity, predictability and the need for advice.
In practice: maintenance and procurement
For spare parts enquiries to industrial distributors, the manufacturer part number, manufacturer, nameplate details and quantity are the most important information. Where requirements are broad, it is worth checking which categories a distributor can supply from its own stock and which it only sources on request.
Synonyms and abbreviations: technical wholesale · industrial supplies distribution · industrial distributor · MRO distribution · power transmission distribution
Frequently asked questions
What is meant by industrial distribution?
It refers to the specialist and wholesale trade that carries technical products for industry and trades, such as rolling bearings, drive elements, seals, hoses, pneumatics and hydraulics. It buys from many manufacturers, holds stock and advises users on the selection and use of components.
What is the difference between industrial distribution and buying direct from the manufacturer?
When buying direct, a company purchases straight from the manufacturer, which is particularly suitable for large, plannable quantities or custom-made products. Industrial distributors, by contrast, bundle the ranges of many manufacturers, also supply small quantities from stock and thus reduce the number of suppliers and ordering processes.
How does industrial distribution differ from catalogue and online distributors?
Catalogue and online distributors of operating supplies usually work with a standardised range, fixed item data and self-service. Industrial distribution places more emphasis on application advice, sourcing unlisted parts and additional services such as kitting. In practice, the two models increasingly overlap.
Which products typically belong to industrial distribution?
The core range includes rolling bearings, plain bearings and linear technology, drive technology such as belts, chains, couplings and gearboxes, sealing technology, hoses and fittings, and pneumatic and hydraulic components. Many distributors also carry tools, personal protective equipment and chemical-technical products such as lubricants, adhesives and cleaning agents.