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Regional electrical distributors hire top talent at one of nation's largest Job fairs in arlington. Crawford Electric, Irby, and Summit Electric Supply connected with candidates at the North Texas Job Fair, an event that hosted more than 670 employers representing 68,000 positions in the region. August 19, 2026 10:11 ET | Source: Sonepar ARLINGTON, TX, Aug. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Regional electrical and utility distributors Crawford Electric, Irby, and Summit Electric Supply participated in the 2026 North Texas Job Fair at Globe Life Field, highlighting their commitment to workforce development, military hiring and community engagement throughout North Texas. Hosted by U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne, the annual event is one of the largest workforce and hiring events in the United States. This year's fair brought together 50,000 attendees with more than 670 employers representing approximately 68,000 open positions across the Greater Dallas, Fort Worth and Irving markets. Crawford, Summit and Irby are subsidiaries of the world's leading electrical distributor, Sonepar. Hiring managers from the companies conducted prescreening interviews and recruitment conversations for positions spanning operations, sales, customer service, logistics and more. "The quality of talent at this year's North Texas Job Fair was exceptional," said Michelle Blair, Vice President of Human Resources for Summit. "Our team was able to speak with and prescreen enough qualified candidates that we fully expect to fill all of our current openings throughout our Fort Worth and Irving markets." In addition to its presence at the North Texas Job Fair, Sonepar teams participated in the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and RecruitMilitary Career Fair at AT&T Stadium, expanding outreach to veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses. The coordinated effort reflects Sonepar's ongoing commitment to attracting and supporting military-connected talent. "We were able to connect exceptional talent with opportunities across our operating companies and give candidates direct access to hiring managers and decision-makers," said Chris Miles, Military and Veteran Relations Manager for Sonepar USA. The event also highlighted Sonepar's partnership with Klein Tools, raising funds for the Bob Woodruff Foundation. A portion of proceeds from exclusive American flag-engraved Klein Tools lineman's pliers sold through Sonepar operating companies is being donated to support programs benefiting wounded veterans, service members, and their families. Sonepar's military recruiting efforts are also supported through partnerships with organizations like the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), P3 Private Public Partnership-Army Reserves, Vets2Industry, Veterans in Energy, Workforce Development Boards, and Work for Warriors. In 2026 the company received the DAV Patriot Employer of the Year Award for its support of veterans and their families. Through events like the North Texas Job Fair, Crawford Electric, Irby, and Summit continue to invest in talent, strengthen community partnerships and create pathways to meaningful careers. About Crawford Electric Supply Crawford is an electrical product and solutions provider serving the eight states in the Southeastern United States. Crawford empowers customers with its inventory levels, technical expertise, and exceptional customer service. www.crawfordelectricsupply.com. About Irby Celebrating 100 years as a leader in utility fulfillment and solutions, Irby delivers innovative materials and customized services to customers across distribution, transmission, substation, generation, renewable energy, EPC, broadband, and gas. With a network of 58 locations and more than 1,000 associates, Irby serves customers in all 50 states. www.irby.com About Summit Electric Supply Summit Electric Supply is a leading distributor of electrical products and solutions. Founded in 1977 in Albuquerque, NM, Summit operates 22 service centers in the US, along with its Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EP&C) division in Houston, TX, and its Industrial Marine division in New Orleans, LA. summit.com. Crawford, Summit and Irby Are Part of Sonepar Sonepar is an independent family-owned company standing as the world leader in B2B distribution of electrical equipment, solutions, and services. In 2025, Sonepar achieved sales of $37.9 billion. Present in 40 countries with a dense network of brands, the Group is leading an ambitious transformation to make its customers' lives easier providing them an omnichannel experience and sustainable solutions in the building, industry, and energy markets. Sonepar's 46,000 associates are committed to accelerating the world's electrification and driven by a shared Purpose: Powering Progress for Future Generations. www.sonepar.com *Figure converted to dollars from €33.6 billion at 1.129 EUR/USD average rate. Contact Info

Distribution's AI leaders showcase strategic execution and ROI insights. DSG's report uncovers how top distributors leverage AI not through exclusive technologies, but by mastering governance and data management. As many remain stalled in pilot stages, the gap between ambition and execution widens, posing risks for their future competitiveness. Key facts. * 93% of distributors prioritize AI, but only 16% deploy it widely, revealing execution gaps. * Sonepar's €1B AI initiative exemplifies executive ownership driving strategic transformation. * Border States achieved a 976% ROI with disciplined data management, showcasing competitive advantage. * MSC Industrial Direct anticipates $10-15M savings from AI, highlighting financial implications of deployment. * Companies integrating AI across functions see compounding benefits, indicating strategic market shifts. Summary. The Distribution Strategy Group (DSG) recently released its AI Top 25 benchmark report, revealing critical insights into how wholesale distributors are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency. The study found that leading firms are not necessarily utilizing advanced technologies unavailable to their competitors; rather, they excel through effective governance, robust data management, and disciplined execution. This distinction is crucial as it highlights a widening gap between distributors that have integrated AI into their operations and those still confined to pilot projects. The report, published in July 2026, surveyed 233 distribution executives, revealing that while 93% regard AI as a strategic priority, only 16% have successfully deployed it across multiple business functions. This 77-point gap signals a significant challenge within the industry, where ambition is not translating into action. DSG's analysis of over 300 North American distributors indicated that the primary barrier to effective AI deployment is not technological but rather organizational. Companies that remain in the pilot stage risk falling further behind as competitors begin to realize compounding operational gains from their AI initiatives. The AI Top 25 includes 26 distributors that have moved beyond initial trials to demonstrate sustained, measurable business value. DSG identified six key management practices that differentiate these leaders from their peers: executive ownership, a commitment to moving beyond pilot projects, disciplined data management, cross-functional deployment, outcome-based measurement, and long-term investment. Notably, executive ownership emerged as a pivotal factor; successful companies typically assign a single executive to oversee AI strategy and results, ensuring accountability and focus. For instance, Sonepar has appointed Fabrice del Aguila to lead a €1 billion transformation project aimed at integrating AI into its operations. This initiative exemplifies how dedicated leadership can drive significant change. Similarly, Wesco International has automated a substantial portion of its invoicing processes, showcasing the operational efficiencies that can be achieved when organizations fully commit to AI deployment. Data quality has surfaced as a critical competitive advantage. Many executives cited skills gaps and organizational resistance as significant challenges, yet companies like Border States demonstrate how disciplined data management can yield impressive returns. Their machine-learning lead-time prediction system has reportedly generated a 976% ROI, underscoring the financial benefits of prioritizing data integrity. The report also emphasizes the importance of deploying AI across multiple business functions rather than in isolation. Leading companies are integrating various AI applications to create synergistic effects that enhance overall performance. For example, Grainger has developed a shared AI platform that supports both product search and contact-center operations, allowing for seamless data flow and improved customer service. As AI capabilities continue to evolve, the firms that have laid the groundwork through years of investment in analytics and infrastructure will be better positioned to scale new technologies effectively. This foresight is evident in companies like Cencora, which has established formal governance structures to oversee AI initiatives, ensuring that new tools are integrated thoughtfully and strategically. The findings of DSG's research send a clear message to the distribution sector: AI leadership is less about the technology itself and more about organizational discipline and execution. Midsize distributors can adopt the practices of the AI leaders by establishing clear executive ownership, enhancing data quality, and measuring success against tangible business outcomes. As the competitive landscape shifts, those who fail to act may find themselves increasingly disadvantaged, while those who embrace a disciplined approach to AI will likely thrive. The path forward is clear: organizations must focus on execution to close the AI execution gap and unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence in their operations. Entities mentioned. Wesco International Ingram Micro Border States Cardinal Health MSC Industrial Direct Publicis Sapient Hitachi Solutions Nucleus Research