Distribution Solutions Group Inc

Overview

Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. (“DSG”), a Delaware corporation, is a global specialty distribution company providing value-added distribution solutions to the maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”), original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) and industrial technology markets. DSG was formed in 2022 through the strategic mergers of Lawson Products, a leader in MRO distribution of C-parts, TestEquity, a leader in electronic test & measurement solutions and Gexpro Services, a leading global supply chain services provider to manufacturing customers. A summary of the mergers is presented in Note 1 – Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation, in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Through its collective businesses, DSG is dedicated to helping customers lower their total cost of operation by increasing productivity and efficiency with the right products, expert technical support, and fast, reliable delivery to be a one-stop solution provider. DSG serves approximately 200,000 distinct customers in several diverse end markets supported by approximately 4,400 dedicated employees and strong vendor partnerships. DSG ships from strategically located distribution and service centers to customers in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East. DSG was originally incorporated in Illinois in 1952 and was reincorporated in Delaware in 1982.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “DSG”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us” refer to Distribution Solutions Group, Inc., and all entities consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Recent Events

2024 Business Acquisitions

On November 18, 2024, DSG acquired the assets of ConRes Test Equipment, (“ConRes TE” and the“ConRes TE Transaction”). These assets were acquired to expand TestEquity’s test equipment offerings and value-add service capabilities in all of our end markets. The total purchase consideration exchanged was approximately $17.0 million and was funded using DSG’s cash on hand and its revolving credit facility.

On October 30, 2024, DSG completed the acquisition of Tech-Component Resources Pte Ltd (“TCR” and the “TCR Transaction”). TCR is a distributor of fasteners, mechanical components, and other industrial products in Southeast Asia. TCR was acquired to provide us with a strategic foothold in this growing region. The total purchase consideration exchanged was approximately $5.9 million, net of cash acquired of$1.9 million, and was funded using DSG’s cash on hand and its revolving credit facility.

On August 14, 2024, DSG acquiredall of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Source Atlantic Limited (“Source Atlantic” and the “Source Atlantic Transaction”). Source Atlantic, headquartered in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, is a wholesale distributor of industrial MRO supplies, safety products, fasteners, and related value-add services for the Canadian MRO market. Source Atlantic was acquired to expand DSG’s operating footprint in the Canadian market. The total purchase consideration exchanged was $103.1 million, net of cash acquired of $4.4 million. DSG funded the Source Atlantic Transaction with borrowings under its amended and restated credit facility (discussed below).

On May 1, 2024, DSG completed the acquisition of S&S Automotive Inc. (“S&S Automotive” and the “S&S Automotive Transaction”). S&S Automotive is a distributor of automotive, industrial, and safety supplies primarily to the automotive dealership market based near Chicago in Woodridge, Illinois. S&S Automotive was acquired to expand Lawson’s services and products to the automotive end market. The total purchase consideration exchanged was approximately $80.1 million, net of cash acquired of $0.7 million, and was funded using DSG’s cash on hand and its revolving credit facility.

On January 19, 2024, DSG acquired the assets of Safety Supply Illinois LLC, conducting business as Emergent Safety Supply (“ESS” and the “ESS Transaction”). ESS is a national distributor of safety products based near Chicago in Batavia,

Illinois. ESS was acquired to expand Lawson’s safety product category. The total purchase consideration exchanged was $9.9 million and was funded using DSG’s cash on hand.

Refer to Note 3 – Business and Asset Acquisitionsin Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional information about these acquisitions.

Debt Amendment

On August 14, 2024, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”). The Third Amendment provided for an additional $200 million incremental term loan and a $55 million increase in the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and permits the Company to increase the commitments under the agreement from time to time by up to $300 million in the aggregate, subject to, among other things, receipt of additional commitments from existing and/or new lenders and pro forma compliance with certain financial covenants. Refer to Note 9 – Debt included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional information about DSG’s credit agreement.

DSG Vision and Strategic Focus

The complementary distribution operations of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services were combined in 2022 for the purpose of creating a global specialty distribution company enabling each of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services to maintain their respective high-touch, value-added service delivery models and customer relationships in their specialty distribution businesses under the leadership of their separate business unit management teams. The DSG leadership team provides oversight to these separate leadership teams. This structure helps the combined company to leverage best practices, back-office resources and technologies across the three operating companies to help drive cost synergies and efficiencies. The combined company has the ability to utilize its combined financial resources to accelerate a strategy of expansion through both business acquisitions and organic growth.

Organic Growth Strategy

We intend to grow our businesses organically by exploring growth opportunities that provide different channels to reach customers, increase revenue and generate positive results. We plan to utilize our Company structure to grow organic revenue through collaborative selling across our customer bases and expanding the digital capabilities across our platform.

Acquisition Strategy

In addition to organic growth, we plan to actively pursue acquisition opportunities complementary to our businesses and that we believe will be financially accretive to our organization.

Human Capital Resources-General Employee Information

Our organization supports a culture of continuous improvement and emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of our customers. We require our employees to act with integrity in every aspect of our business while encouraging them to be results driven, team oriented and progressive.

As of December 31, 2024, our combined workforce included approximately 4,400 individuals, comprised of approximately 1,610 in sales and marketing, approximately 1,880 in operation and distribution and approximately 860 in management and administration. Approximately 1,740 individuals are within Lawson, 1,160 are within TestEquity, 740 are within Gexpro Services, and 710 are within Canada Branch Division.

Segments

In connection with the Source Atlantic Transaction in the third quarter of 2024, the Company realigned its reportable segments to align with our business strategy and the manner in which our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) assesses performance and strategic execution and makes decisions regarding the allocation of resources. The Company now has four reporting segments: Lawson, TestEquity, Gexpro Services and Canada Branch Division. For additional details about our segment realignment, see Note 1 – Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The following is a discussion of our reportable segments. For more information about our segments, refer to Note 14 – Segment Information in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Lawson

Lawson is a distributor of specialty products and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional and governmental MRO marketplace. Lawson primarily distributes MRO products to its customers through a network of sales representatives throughout the United States and Canada.

Background and Operations — Lawson delivers quality products to customers and offers them extensive product knowledge, product application expertise and Vendor Managed Inventory (“VMI”) services. Lawson competes for business primarily by offering a value-added service approach wherein highly trained sales representatives manage the product inventory for customers. The VMI model makes it less likely that customers will run out of a product while optimizing their inventory levels. Lawson ships products to its customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Strategic Focus —Lawson’s vision is to be its customers’ first choice for MRO solutions that improve their operating performance. Lawson plans to achieve its vision by working closely with customers to maintain and enhance their operations by providing them with quality products, superior service and innovative solutions and to grow both organically and through acquisitions.

Industry and Competition —The MRO market is comprised of companies that buy and stock products in bulk and supply these products to customers on an as needed basis. The customer benefits from our knowledge and the convenience of ordering smaller quantities maintained by us.

There is a significant amount of competitive fragmentation by geography and product within the industry. We encounter competition from several national distributors and manufacturers and a large number of regional and local distributors. Some competitors have greater financial and personnel resources, handle more extensive lines of merchandise, operate larger facilities and price some merchandise more competitively than we do.

Customers — During 2024, the Lawson segment sold products to over 53,000 distinct customers. Lawson’s largest customer accounted for approximately 4% of Lawson’s revenue. In 2024, approximately 92% of Lawson’s revenue was generated in the United States and approximately 8% in Canada. Although seasonality is not significant, due to fewer selling days and less activity during the holiday season, revenue in the fourth quarter is historically lower than the first three quarters of the year.

Lawson’s customers operate in a variety of industries. Lawson’s revenue percentages by customer end markets in 2024 were as follows:

Lawson’s customers include a wide range of purchasers of industrial supply products from small repair shops to large national and governmental accounts.

Products — Lawson’s revenue percentages by product categories in 2024 were as follows:

Lawson offers over 157,000 different products of which over 96,000 products are maintained in distribution centers. Lawson strives to carry sufficient inventory to ensure product availability and rapid processing of customer orders. Accurate forecasting of customer demand is essential to establish the proper level of inventory for each product. Inventory levels need to be sufficient to meet customer demand while avoiding the costs of stocking excess items.

During 2024, Lawson purchased products from approximately 2,400 suppliers and no single supplier accounted for more than 4% of these purchases. The loss of one core supplier could affect operations by hindering the ability to provide full service to customers.

Lawson’s quality control department tests its product offerings to help ensure they meet our customers’ specifications. Lawson recommends solutions to help customers maximize product performance and avoid costly product failures. Lawson’s engineering department provides technical support for products and offers on-site problem solutions. It also develops and presents product safety and technical training seminars tailored to meet customers’ needs.

Human Capital Resources —As of December 31, 2024, Lawson’s workforce had 1,740 individuals: approximately 1,030 in sales and marketing of whom approximately 900 are field sales representatives, 420 in operation and distribution and 290 in management and administration. Approximately 13% of the Lawson workforce is covered by three collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relationships with our employees and their collective bargaining organizations are satisfactory.

Sales force growth is a strategic driver of the Lawson business, and increased sales coverage throughout the United States and Canada directly impacts Lawson’s success as an organization. Lawson is focused on identifying and recruiting individuals who are a good fit with its sales organization and providing them with the tools needed to succeed, such as training about Lawson’s products and on the successful and effective ways to call potential customers and maintain relationships with existing customers. Lawson’s product training educates its sales team on the optimal uses of products, enabling them to provide the proper products and customized solutions to address customers’ needs, including technical expertise and on-site problem resolution.

Lawson’s leadership team is also focused on reducing sales force turn-over and on offering growth opportunities for its sales representatives.

TestEquity

TestEquity is a leading distributor of test and measurement equipment and solutions, industrial and electronic production supplies, vendor managed inventory programs, and converting, fabrication and adhesive solutions from its leading manufacturing partners. TestEquity operates primarily through its five distribution brands, namely TestEquity, Hisco, TEquipment, Techni-Tool and Jensen Tools, and is focused primarily in North America with a network of sales representatives throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Background and Operations — Based out of North Richland Hills, Texas, TestEquity is a large, comprehensive provider of electronic test solutions in the United States supporting the aerospace and defense, wireless and communication, semiconductors, industrial electronics and automotive, and electronics manufacturing industries. TestEquity designs, rents and sells a full line of high-quality environmental test chambers. In addition to a large array of test and measurement products, TestEquity also offers calibration, refurbishment and rental solutions and a wide range of refurbished products. TestEquity continues to benefit from electronification of products across a range of industries including the internet of things (“IOT”), electric vehicles (“EV”) and the 5th generation mobile network (“5G”). TestEquity offers over 400,000 products and 800 manufacturer brands with overlap across the following brands.

Hisco is a specialty distribution company serving the electronic assembly, aerospace and defense, medical and other industrial markets. Hisco also offers specialized warehousing for cold storage and vendor managed inventory services.

TEquipment (acquired as Interworld Highway, LLC) is one of the top distributors for both test and measurement and electronic production supplies in the United States with its e-commerce focused strategy, broad product range, amplified by access to core TestEquity products, and strong technical support for their customers.

Techni-Tool is one of the industry’s largest solder, soldering equipment and electronic production distributors. Techni-Tool offers a wide range of products to support electronic production as well as compliance testing. In addition to the brand specific products offered, Techni-Tool also provides VMI solutions and dedicated technical support.

Jensen Tools is a top distributor for the electronics MRO customer base. In addition to being a distributor of handheld tools from leading brands, Jensen Tools offers private label Jensen branded hand tools that have been developed over years of customer usage and manufactured to a specified and demanding tolerance level. Jensen Tools employs a dedicated team of engineering, operational and sales professionals who focus on designing and building quality tool kits for its customers.

Strategic Focus — TestEquity intends to grow revenue both organically and through acquisitions and continuing to expand and improve its service offerings to its customers. In particular, TestEquity strives to improve its digital experience, with a consistent approach for all of its brands. TestEquity intends to increase its market share through continued expansion of product lines and greater penetration of the e-commerce market, enabled through investment in key digital talent and leverage of the existing TestEquity and TEquipment platforms.

Industry and Competition — Across both the test and measurement and electronic production supplies businesses, the North American market is fragmented with competitors ranging from large global distributors to national and regional distributors. Some competitors have greater financial and personnel resources, handle more extensive lines of merchandise, operate larger facilities and price some merchandise more competitively than TestEquity.

Customers — TestEquity serves over 107,000 customers at 128,000 locations across the United States and abroad, primarily in Canada, Europe and Mexico with approximately 81% of TestEquity’s revenue in 2024 derived from customers in the United States. There is no significant seasonality in TestEquity’s business across its fiscal quarters. However, the number of business days in a quarter has an impact on TestEquity’s revenue and profitability.

TestEquity’s revenue percentages by customer end markets in 2024 were as follows:

Products — Approximately 19,000 fast-moving products are typically held in inventory across 40 distribution centers available for next day delivery. TestEquity’s revenue percentages by product categories in 2024 were as follows:

TestEquity has 28 key suppliers that made up approximately 35% of TestEquity’s purchases in 2024. In total, TestEquity purchases from approximately 3,000 suppliers across the marketplace.

Human Capital Resources — TestEquity supports a culture of continuous improvement, integrity and diversity. TestEquity prides itself on its ability to meet its customers’ needs in a driven and progressive manner. As of December 31, 2024, TestEquity’s workforce had 1,160 individuals, comprised of approximately 250 in sales and marketing, 550 in operation and distribution and 360 in administration and support.

Gexpro Services

Gexpro Services is a world-class global supply chain solutions provider, specializing in the development of mission critical production line management, aftermarket and field installation programs. Gexpro Services provides comprehensive supply chain management solutions, including a full technology suite offering of VMI, kitting, global logistics management, manufacturing localization and import expertise, value engineering and quality assurance. Gexpro Services’ end-to-end project management is designed to support OEMs with their engineered material specifications, fulfillment, and quality requirements to improve their total cost of ownership. Gexpro Services has manufacturing and supply chain operations in over 34 service center sites across twelve countries including key geographies in North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Gexpro Services serves customers in six vertical markets, including renewables, industrial power, consumer and industrial, technology, transportation, and aerospace and defense.

Background and Operations — Gexpro Services was formed in November 2019 and, in February 2020, LKCM Headwater acquired the “Gexpro Services” business from French distributor Rexel S.A. via a carve-out acquisition.

As a top distributor and service provider to the OEM market, Gexpro Services has approximately 2,800 suppliers offering approximately 49,000 products. These products are inventoried and sourced through 30 locations in North America, South America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Strategic Focus — Gexpro Services intends to grow organically through market share expansion primarily through new product introduction, increased sales of products and services to existing customers and expansion of its customer base. Gexpro Services believes that its services benefit its customers by helping them reduce their direct and indirect procurement costs and total cost of ownership for high volume, low value Class C parts, and that its services can help drive substantial cost savings for its customers. Additionally, Gexpro Services intends to grow its business through strategic, accretive acquisitions, and through continued improvement in service and product offerings to its customers.

Industry and Competition — Gexpro Services operates in a large, fragmented market with many competitors servicing OEMs as well as the MRO segment of the Class C product line. Competitors of Gexpro Services include large global distributors as well as national, regional and local distributors.

Customers — Gexpro Services serves over 2,000 customers in over 49 countries through its 30 facilities. In 2024, approximately 76% of Gexpro Services’ revenues were generated in the United States. Through its customer base, Gexpro Services provides VMI services with over 155,000 installed bins which allow its customers to maintain the necessary on-hand inventory levels to support their production cycles. Gexpro Services’ value-added processes for its customers include VMI, packaging and kitting, engineering, product standardization when appropriate, sales and technical support, global sourcing and quality assurance.

Approximately 64% of Gexpro Services’ revenue in 2024 was from customers under long-term agreements. Gexpro Services’ largest customer represented approximately 23% of Gexpro Services’ 2024 total revenue while the top 20 customers represented approximately 82% of Gexpro Services’ 2024 total revenue.

Gexpro Services has existing customers in many different industry end markets. Gexpro Services’ revenue percentages by customer end markets in 2024 were as follows:

Products — Gexpro Services’ revenue percentages by product categories in 2024 were as follows:

Approximately 63% of Gexpro Services’ suppliers are based in the United States, which helps limit the risk of increased freight and logistics costs; however, many of these suppliers source their products from overseas. Gexpro Services maintains favorable and long-tenured relationships with approximately 2,800 suppliers, with the largest supplier representing approximately 2% of Gexpro Services’ total product purchases in 2024 while the top 10 suppliers represented approximately 17% of total product purchases in 2024.

Human Capital Resources — Gexpro Services supports a culture of continuous improvement, integrity and diversity. Gexpro Services prides itself on being a full value provider to its customers supported with a team committed to providing world-class customer service. As of December 31, 2024, Gexpro Services’ workforce had approximately 740 individuals, comprised of approximately 240 in sales and marketing, 430 in operation and distribution and 70 in management and administration.

Canada Branch Division

Canada Branch Divisionis a wholesale distributor providing product and service solutions for the industrial, government, commercial and residential contractor markets for the Canadian MRO market.

Background and Operations — Canada Branch Division combines the operations of our Bolt Supply House (“Bolt”) and Source Atlantic subsidiaries, which distribute industrial MRO supplies, safety products, fasteners, and related value-add services to the Canadian MRO market primarily through the sale of products to its walk-up customers through 38 branch locations.

Strategic Focus —Canada Branch Division combines the operations of our Bolt and Source Atlantic subsidiaries, which distribute industrial MRO supplies, safety products, fasteners, power tools and related value-add services to the Canadian MRO market through the sale of products and services via warehouse shipments and to its walk-up customers through 38 branch locations.

Industry and Competition —The MRO market is comprised of companies that buy and stock products in bulk and supply these products to customers on an as needed basis. The customer benefits from our knowledge and the convenience of purchasing smaller quantities from stock maintained by us.

There is a significant amount of competition within the Canadian MRO industry. We encounter competition from regional and local distributors in Canada as well as international distributors and manufacturers. Some competitors have greater financial and personnel resources, handle more extensive lines of merchandise, operate larger facilities and price some merchandise more competitively than we do.

Customers — During 2024, the Canada Branch Division segment sold products to over 40,400 distinct customers. Canada Branch Division’s largest customer accounted for approximately 3% of consolidated revenue. Approximately 100% of Canada Branch Division’s revenue was generated in Canada. Although seasonality is not significant, due to fewer selling days and less activity during the holiday season, revenue in the fourth quarter is historically lower than the first three quarters of the year.

Canada Branch Division’s customers operate in a variety of industries. Revenue percentages by customer end markets in 2024 were as follows:

Canada Branch Division’s customers include a wide range of purchasers of industrial supply products from small independent contractors to large manufacturers, and governmental and military accounts.

Products — Canada Branch Division’s revenue percentages by product categories in 2024 were as follows:

Canada Branch Division offers over 135,000 different products of which over 92,500 products are maintained in distribution centers and physical store branch locations. Canada Branch Division strives to carry sufficient inventory to ensure product availability. Accurate forecasting of customer demand is essential to establish the proper level of inventory for each product. Inventory levels need to be sufficient to meet customer demand while avoiding the costs of stocking excess items.

During 2024, Canada Branch Division purchased products from approximately 2,400 suppliers with the largest supplier representing approximately 18% of total product purchases in 2024. Canada Branch Division maintains favorable and long-tenured relationships with approximately 2,400 suppliers. The loss of one core supplier could affect operations by hindering the ability to provide full service to customers.

Human Capital Resources —Canada Branch Division supports a culture of continuous improvement, integrity and diversity and prides itself on its committed team that is driven to meet customers’ needs through quality service. As of December 31, 2024, Canada Branch Division’s workforce had approximately 710 individuals: approximately 480 in operation and distribution, 90 in sales and marketing and 140 in management and administration.

Available Information

We file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and, as applicable, amendments to those reports pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The public can obtain copies of these materials by accessing the SEC’s website athttp://www.sec.gov. In addition, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish such materials to, the SEC, we make copies of such materials available to the public free of charge through our website atwww.distributionsolutionsgroup.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report. We also make available on our website our Code of Business Conduct, Corporate Governance Principles and the charters of the committees of our Board of Directors.

Information About Our Executive Officers

The executive officers of DSG as of February 3, 2025 were as follows:

Biographical information for the past five years relating to each of our executive officers is set forth below.

Mr. King was elected President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2022. Mr. King has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company since 2017 and has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since March 2019. Mr. King has a career in investment management spanning over three decades and has served as Chairman or managing partner of several industrial distribution companies. Mr. King is a Principal of Luther King Capital Management Corporation (“LKCM”), an SEC-registered investment adviser, and Founder and Managing Partner of LKCM Capital Group and LKCM Headwater Investments, the private capital investment group of LKCM.

Mr. Knutson has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since April 2014 and has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since July 2012.

Mr. Lambert has served as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company since June 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lambert served as the Corporate Controller, and previously the Assistant Controller, of Univar Solutions, a chemical distribution company, publicly traded on the NYSE from June 2017 through June 2021. Prior to these roles, Mr. Lambert held progressive roles within finance and accounting at several other publicly traded companies.