Global Industrial
Global Industrial is a publicly-traded (NYSE: GIC) B2B industrial and commercial supplies distributor serving North American businesses via e-commerce, catalog, and outside sales across 20+ product categories including material handling, storage, safety, and janitorial supplies.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1950
- HeadquartersPort Washington, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Global Industrial does
Global Industrial is a B2B industrial and commercial supplies distributor operating across North America (US and Canada), offering hundreds of thousands of SKUs across more than 20 product categories that include storage & shelving, safety & security, material handling, HVAC & fans, janitorial & facility maintenance, packaging & shipping, foodservice, and lighting & electrical. The company serves a diverse customer base spanning warehouses, manufacturing, construction, retail, education, public sector, healthcare, hospitality, and foodservice end-markets, ranging from SMBs to large enterprise accounts. Headquartered in Port Washington, NY and operating for over 75 years, Global Industrial generates revenue through a multi-channel model that combines its own e-commerce storefront (GlobalIndustrial.com), printed catalog, inside phone sales, and an outside sales force realigned by industry vertical, with the company's own branding positioning it as a customer-centric specialist in MRO consumables and facility supplies.
The business model is anchored in a lower-capital, centralized, digitally-enabled distribution architecture that the company argues supports operational efficiency relative to larger peers such as Grainger and Fastenal. The product mix is increasingly weighted toward private-label offerings (including a newly expanded Cat-licensed material handling line), and recurring revenue is supported by the Restock Station auto-reorder subscription program offering a 15% discount on essential supplies. Strategic accounts, sales-force verticalization, and digital channel investment are the principal levers for growth, with FY2025 sales of $1.38 billion (+4.8% YoY) generated on a 35.5% gross margin and 20.7% ROIC, producing $74.7M in free cash flow and an 11th consecutive year of dividend increases.
Global Industrial firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Industrial
- Legal name
- Global Equipment Company Inc.
- Website
- https://globalindustrial.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1950
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Global Industrial is a publicly-traded (NYSE: GIC) B2B industrial and commercial supplies distributor serving North American businesses via e-commerce, catalog, and outside sales across 20+ product categories including material handling, storage, safety, and janitorial supplies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Industrial industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Distribution
- NAICS
- Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Packaging Machinery Manufacturing (333993)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metals, Plastics & Fabrication Materials Marketplaces (CRAFAHAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- International Fulfillment, Forwarding & Consolidation Services (CRAFAJAE), Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAH)
Keywords
Where Global Industrial is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Port Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Global Industrial business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Industrial Equipment and Supplies Sales: B2B industrial distribution of hundreds of thousands of industrial-strength products including material handling, storage & shelving, safety & security, janitorial & facility maintenance, and HVAC & fans. Revenue generated through direct product sales via e-commerce, catalog, and outside sales.
- Private Label Products: Strategic shift to private-label products supporting margin expansion and differentiation in the industrial distribution market.
- Strategic Accounts: Growth among largest strategic accounts driving better-than-expected Q2 results with revenue of $358.9 million and 3.2% YoY growth.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Auto-Reorder Subscription |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bulk Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Global Industrial product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Industrial is a B2B industrial and commercial supplies distributor offering hundreds of thousands of products across categories such as storage and shelving, safety and security, material handling, HVAC and fans, janitorial and facility maintenance, workbenches, tools, plumbing, packaging, and foodservice. The company sells its own Global Industrial-branded and licensed lines (including Cat material handling) through a multi-channel model spanning an e-commerce storefront at GlobalIndustrial.com, a printed catalog, an outside sales force, and phone sales, serving businesses and public-sector buyers across North America.
Product overview
Global Industrial is a B2B industrial equipment and supplies e-commerce platform offering over 20 distinct product categories spanning Storage & Shelving, Safety & Security, Material Handling, HVAC & Fans, Janitorial & Facility Maintenance, and more. The company operates as a single unified e-commerce platform with physical products sold through multiple channels including website, catalog, and outside sales. The portfolio includes both proprietary Global Industrial branded products and licensed lines such as Cat Material Handling Solutions. Recent new product launches include the Auto Ride-On Floor Sweeper Scrubber combining sweeper and scrubber functionality, and expanded Cat-branded material handling equipment including lift tables and pallet positioners. The platform serves diverse industries including warehouse, manufacturing, construction, retail, education, public sector, healthcare, and hospitality.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Storage & Shelving
Quantifiable outcome
- Q1 2026 sales increased 9.2% to $350.4 million
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Industrial
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Global Industrial technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Global Industrial partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Caterpillar (Cat)coreGlobal Industrial expanded its licensing agreement with Caterpillar through the launch of a new Cat material handling product line featuring heavy-duty lift tables, pallet positioners, and mobile scissor lift tables. The partnership began in 2021 when Global Industrial first started offering Cat-licensed cleaning equipment. New products incorporate Caterpillar's signature yellow finishes and are backed by a five-year warranty.
- PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League)flagshipMulti-year partnership making Global Industrial the official industrial supplies partner of the PWHL. This is the company's first sponsorship agreement with a sports league. Staff maintaining ice surfaces at five of the PWHL's eight franchises will be branded as the 'Global Industrial Ice Crew' and receive Global Industrial-branded products including ice shovels, waste bins, and carts. Partnership facilitated through Oak View Group's sponsorship sales agreement.
- Oak View GroupminorSponsorship sales partner for PWHL facilitating Global Industrial's partnership with the Professional Women's Hockey League.
- Indoff Inc.coreAcquired for approximately $69.2 million in cash funded from the company's credit facility and cash on hand. Indoff operates as a subsidiary under its current brand and leadership. The acquisition aims to expand Global Industrial's sales reach through Indoff's network of over 350 sales partners.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Global Industrial competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Zoro Tools: E-commerce-focused industrial supplies retailer owned by W.W. Grainger serving SMB and individual business buyers. Comparable to Global Industrial's digital-first customer acquisition motion and product breadth, though operating as a pure-play online channel.
Direct peers
- Fastenal Company: Industrial supply distributor specializing in fasteners, safety products, and MRO supplies with deep presence in onsite vending and FMI (Fastenal Managed Inventory). Direct competitor to Global Industrial in MRO supplies with a differentiated branch-based service model.
- DXP Enterprises: Industrial distributor focused on rotating equipment, bearing, power transmission, and MRO products. Comparable to Global Industrial in B2B industrial distribution with overlapping product categories and similar customer verticals including manufacturing and MRO.
- Kaman Distribution Group: Industrial distributor specializing in bearings, power transmission, electrical, and fluid power products. Comparable to Global Industrial as a value-added B2B industrial distributor with technical product expertise and similar customer base.
- MSC Industrial Direct: Direct marketing and distributor of metalworking and MRO products to industrial customers across North America. Comparable to Global Industrial in B2B industrial distribution with strong e-commerce, catalog, and field sales presence.
- W.W. Grainger: Largest broad-line industrial distributor in North America with extensive product catalog, KeepStock inventory management, and digital platform. Direct competitor to Global Industrial across virtually every product category and customer segment, serving as the primary benchmark for valuation multiples.
- HD Supply Holdings (now White Cap): Industrial distribution focused on construction, infrastructure, and maintenance/repair customers. Comparable to Global Industrial in serving construction and infrastructure end-markets with overlapping product categories in safety, material handling, and supplies.
- McMaster-Carr: Privately held industrial supplier offering more than 555,000 products via e-commerce and catalog with same-day shipping. Comparable to Global Industrial in broad-line industrial supplies distribution, particularly through its catalog-and-web-driven model.
- Applied Industrial Technologies: Distributor of bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and industrial MRO products across North America. Comparable to Global Industrial as a multi-channel B2B industrial distributor with field sales and digital channels serving similar customer verticals.
Broad incumbents
- WESCO International: Global provider of electrical, communications, and utility distribution solutions with broader industrial MRO exposure. Adjacent comparable to Global Industrial given overlap in MRO supplies and B2B distribution, though with greater scale and broader category mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Global Industrial social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Industrial financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Industrial leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Global Industrial subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Global Industrial funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Industrial M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Global Industrial
What does Global Industrial do?
Global Industrial is a B2B industrial and commercial supplies distributor offering hundreds of thousands of products across categories such as storage and shelving, safety and security, material handling, HVAC and fans, janitorial and facility maintenance, workbenches, tools, plumbing, packaging, and foodservice. The company sells its own Global Industrial-branded and licensed lines (including Cat material handling) through a multi-channel model spanning an e-commerce storefront at GlobalIndustrial.com, a printed catalog, an outside sales force, and phone sales, serving businesses and public-sector buyers across North America.
Is Global Industrial a public or private company?
Global Industrial is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Global Industrial founded?
Global Industrial was founded in 1950. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Global Industrial based?
Global Industrial is headquartered in Port Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Global Industrial make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Industrial Equipment and Supplies Sales are the primary driver. The others are private Label Products and strategic Accounts.
Who are Global Industrial's main competitors?
Zoro Tools is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Fastenal Company, DXP Enterprises, Kaman Distribution Group, MSC Industrial Direct, W.W. Grainger, HD Supply Holdings (now White Cap), McMaster-Carr and Applied Industrial Technologies. WESCO International is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Global Industrial have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Industrial.
What industry is Global Industrial in?
Global Industrial's product category is Industrial Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFAHAN, Metals, Plastics & Fabrication Materials Marketplaces, with a secondary code of CRAFAJAE, International Fulfillment, Forwarding & Consolidation Services. Its NAICS code is 3332 and its SIC code is 5084.