Itasca, Ill. – ASA member wholesaler-distributors reported a median sales growth of 6.2 percent for the month ending February 28, 2015, compared to the same month last year. Calendar year-to-date, all respondents reported a median sales increase of 4.4 percent; however, respondents in the industrial PVF segment reported a 5.9 percent decrease. The median increase for the trailing twelve months is 6.3 percent for all respondents.

Overall, the median increase in inventories was 4.5 percent for February, 2015 vs. 2014. The median three-months average days sales outstanding is 41.5 days for PHCP respondents, 45.9 for PVF and 47.0 for PHCP & PVF.  67.5 percent of all of the participating members reported having more full-time equivalent employees compared to a year ago. 12.1 percent reported less, with 23.8 percent in the northeast reporting the same.

44.4 percent of PHCP respondents and 64.7 percent of PVF respondents reported company’s gross margin percentages for the month are up compared to the same in 2014. YTD profit before taxes are reported up for 54.6 percent of PHCP respondents but down for 41.2 percent of PVF respondents compared to one year ago.

Based on the number of respondents reporting, this installment of the report also provides additional detailed performance results by the various demographic categories, including sales volume, primary business emphasis, regions and 20 specific market areas.

ASA’s Monthly Pulse Report provides a regular snapshot of performance for the PHCP and PVF industry.  For each month, the participation deadline for wholesaler-distributor members to submit data is typically on the 8th business day of the following month.  The participation deadline for the March, 2015, report is April 10th.

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