TABLE 5: Sample Costs Suppliers $100M+ 3% Suppliers $25M-$100M 2% Suppliers $10M-$25M 2% Suppliers $3M-$10M 2% Suppliers Under $3M 4% The average percentage spent on samples has remained consistent since last year, suggesting that suppliers have maintained efficient systems for helping clients and distributors preview products. While producing and shipping samples is an essential aspect of the business, it’s reassuring that these expenses remain relatively minor overall. TABLE 6: Integrated Order Percentage Suppliers $100M+ 35% Suppliers $25M-$100M 35% Suppliers $10M-$25M 19% Suppliers $3M-$10M 38% Suppliers Under $3M 11% “The number of suppliers who are receiving orders digitally through integration is impressive, especially among the smallest firms who may have fewer resources to commit to those projects,” says Jim Dusbiber, interim vice president of sales at Champro, PPAI 100’s No. 58 supplier. Conversely, Asif Bandeali, co-CEO of FIEL, PPAI 100’s No. 53 supplier, considers the integration percentages relatively low. “This creates a clear opportunity for suppliers who invest in automation and operational efficiency to gain an edge,” Bandeali says. “At the same time, growth trends suggest that agile, midsized suppliers are currently best positioned to outperform. We feel well-positioned here, as we’re actively investing in automation, speed and scalable systems to better support our distributor partners.” TABLE 7: Factory Employee Turnover Rate Suppliers $100M+ 10% Suppliers $25M-$100M 16% Suppliers $10M-$25M 9% Suppliers $3M-$10M 11% Suppliers Under $3M 15% As in previous reports, turnover in factory positions tends to be higher than for office employees. Many employees are willing to look for opportunities that offer better pay or more favorable conditions than their current place of employment. TABLE 8: Office Employee Turnover Rate Suppliers $100M+ 6% Suppliers $25M-$100M 11% Suppliers $10M-$25M 12% Suppliers $3M-$10M 7% Suppliers Under $3M 0% TABLE 9: On-time Shipping Percentage Suppliers $100M+ 98% Suppliers $25M-$100M 97% Suppliers $10M-$25M 95% Suppliers $3M-$10M 97% Suppliers Under $3M 96% “Across all supplier sizes, I’m impressed by on-time shipping performance,” Dusbiber says. “Many distributors discuss poor performance of suppliers, but the reality doesn’t match their perception.” The State of Growth 2026 | Must Read Across the board, suppliers processed a lot more orders in 2025 than in 2024. For example, suppliers under $3M doubled the amount last year. Growth trends suggest that agile, midsized suppliers are currently best positioned to outperform. —ASIF BANDEALI, CO-CEO OF FIEL PPAI • JULY 2026 • 25
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