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Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue grew 11.0% year over year: Revenue rose to $557.7 million from $502.4 million in the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Lawson Products operating income fell: Lawson Products operating income was $2.5 million, down from $8.0 million. TestEquity rose to $10.8 million from $4.8 million, and Canada Branch Division to $3.8 million from $1.8 million. Source
  • Gross margin fell to 32.3%: Gross margin was 32.3% against 33.9% a year earlier, on customer and vertical sales mix shifts and higher tariff rates on inbound shipments, partly offset by pricing benefits. Source
  • Operating cash flow was $22.0 million: Cash provided by operations was $22.0 million for the quarter, with net capital expenditures of $7.7 million. Source
  • Liquidity of $420.2 million: Total liquidity was $420.2 million: $75.5 million of cash and $344.7 million available under the credit facility. Net debt leverage was 3.4x, against 3.8x in the first quarter. Source
  • Cash offer of $35.00 per share: LKCM Headwater and its affiliates, which own about 79% of the common stock, would acquire the remaining shares for $35.00 per share in cash. Source
  • Premium of about 81% to March close: The price is an approximately 81% premium to the $19.31 closing price on March 13, 2026, the last trading day before public disclosure of the initial proposal. Source

“Improved profitability and working capital management in the quarter drove cash flows from operations to $22.0 million for the quarter”

Distribution Solutions Group, Inc., press release

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The company entered into a definitive merger agreement with LKCM Headwater on July 15, 2026, after the quarter ended. Source
  • New: The credit agreement was amended to allow revolving loans to be used to finance the merger and related amounts. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue grew 11.0% year over year: Revenue rose to $557.7 million from $502.4 million in the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Operating income rose 3.9%: Operating income was $27.9 million against $26.8 million a year earlier, a 5.0% margin compared with 5.3%. Source
  • Net income and diluted EPS rose: Net income was $8.5 million and diluted EPS $0.18, against $5.0 million and $0.11 a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS reached $0.47: Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS was $0.47, compared with $0.35 a year earlier and $0.24 in the first quarter of 2026. Source

Segment results

  • TestEquity led segment revenue growth: TestEquity revenue rose to $229.0 million from $195.0 million; Gexpro Services reached $140.1 million from $127.8 million; Canada Branch Division $63.7 million from $55.9 million; Lawson Products $125.5 million from $124.3 million. Source
  • Lawson Products operating income fell: Lawson Products operating income was $2.5 million, down from $8.0 million. TestEquity rose to $10.8 million from $4.8 million, and Canada Branch Division to $3.8 million from $1.8 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA by segment: Lawson Products adjusted EBITDA was $11.9 million, against $15.7 million; TestEquity $20.0 million against $13.5 million; Gexpro Services $18.3 million against $17.1 million; All Other $(2.0) million against $(1.3) million. Source

“Profitability improved sequentially on higher sales. Adjusted EBITDA margin as a percentage of sales was 9.7%, a sequential improvement of 210bps”

Distribution Solutions Group, Inc., press release

Products and customers

  • Serves MRO, OEM and industrial technologies: The company describes its offering as high-touch, value-added distribution for the MRO, OEM and industrial technologies markets. Source
  • Three business lines: C-parts, supply chain, test: Lawson Products distributes MRO C-parts; Gexpro Services provides supply chain services to manufacturing customers; TestEquity offers electronic test and measurement solutions. Source
  • Ships to customers across several regions: Shipments go from distribution and service centers to customers in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East. Source
  • Eastern Valve added $4.1 million: Eastern Valve, acquired in the first quarter, contributed approximately $4.1 million of revenue in the second quarter. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin fell to 32.3%: Gross margin was 32.3% against 33.9% a year earlier, on customer and vertical sales mix shifts and higher tariff rates on inbound shipments, partly offset by pricing benefits. Source
  • Amortization and non-recurring items netted: Operating income was net of $11.1 million of non-cash intangible amortization and $6.2 million of severance, retention, stock-based compensation, acquisition and other non-recurring items. Source
  • SG&A rose to 27.3% of sales: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $152.3 million, against $143.3 million a year earlier, or 27.3% of revenue against 28.5%. Source

Demand and sales trends

  • Revenue rose 12.4% sequentially: Revenue rose 12.4% from the first quarter, with two additional selling days in the second quarter. Source
  • Organic average daily sales grew 8.1%: Organic average daily sales grew 8.1% over the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • Six-month revenue up 7.5%: Six-month revenue was $1,053.7 million, against $980.5 million a year earlier. Source

Cash, liquidity and capital

  • Operating cash flow was $22.0 million: Cash provided by operations was $22.0 million for the quarter, with net capital expenditures of $7.7 million. Source
  • Liquidity of $420.2 million: Total liquidity was $420.2 million: $75.5 million of cash and $344.7 million available under the credit facility. Net debt leverage was 3.4x, against 3.8x in the first quarter. Source
  • Receivables and inventories increased: Accounts receivable rose to $331.6 million from $271.3 million at December 31, 2025, and inventories to $378.7 million from $353.4 million. Source
  • Acquisitions and rental purchases: Six-month business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, were $16.5 million, and purchases of rental equipment were $11.7 million. Source
  • Interest expense declined: Interest expense was $13.0 million for the quarter, against $14.2 million a year earlier. Source

Proposed merger with LKCM Headwater

  • Cash offer of $35.00 per share: LKCM Headwater and its affiliates, which own about 79% of the common stock, would acquire the remaining shares for $35.00 per share in cash. Source
  • Premium of about 81% to March close: The price is an approximately 81% premium to the $19.31 closing price on March 13, 2026, the last trading day before public disclosure of the initial proposal. Source
  • Price $5.50 above initial proposal: The $35.00 price is $5.50 per share above LKCM Headwater’s initial non-binding proposal of $29.50 per share. Source
  • No financing condition: The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. Source

People and governance

  • Special committee of disinterested directors: A special committee of disinterested directors evaluated the proposal and negotiated with LKCM Headwater; it unanimously approved the transaction. Source
  • Board approval with recusals: The Board, with certain directors recusing themselves from the vote, approved the transaction. Source
  • About 4,300 dedicated employees: The company reports approximately 4,300 dedicated employees and vendor partnerships supporting its customers. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 August 2026

  • Privately held on completion: On completion, the company becomes privately held and 100% controlled by LKCM Headwater and its affiliates. Source
  • Proxy and Schedule 13E-3 filings: The company plans to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, and it and LKCM Headwater plan a joint Schedule 13E-3 filing. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Organic sales growth, year over year Source10.2%

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Merger closing depends on expiry or termination of the HSR Act waiting period, no legal restraints, and stockholder approvals. Source
  • Regulatory: Mr. King’s dual roles with the company and LKCM Headwater were cited as a reason the board formed a special committee. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.