Real-time Answers Under Jobsite Pressure: How AI Is Shaping Distribution

And So It Flows is a podcast by the Supply House Times, the official publication of the American Supply Association. Follow them for all the latest news on the supply chain & logistics industries. The following article was originally published on their site in January of 2026.

In this episode of And So It Flows, Tim Savage, electrical outside sales representative at Locke Supply Co., shares a ground-level view of how artificial intelligence is actually being used in distribution today. With firsthand experience in the trades — including electrical, HVAC and general contracting — Savage understands the urgency contractors face when materials, answers or substitutions are needed immediately. He explains that AI tools like Canals have transformed his workflow by eliminating time spent digging through catalogs, chasing part numbers or guessing what a customer means. Instead, AI accelerates product identification, checks compatibility, flags mistakes and finds alternatives, allowing him to respond at the same speed contractors work.

Savage emphasizes that AI’s value isn’t hype-driven automation but practical problem-solving. Whether identifying products from photos, building large material lists in real time or confirming availability while sitting in a customer’s office, AI has dramatically improved quoting speed and accuracy. That efficiency translates directly to stronger customer relationships. Rather than delaying responses or calling back later, Savage can provide answers on the spot — reinforcing trust, keeping jobs moving and positioning distribution partners as true extensions of the contractor’s operation rather than a bottleneck.

Looking ahead, Savage believes AI’s greatest impact will be closing training and knowledge gaps across distribution organizations. By capturing institutional knowledge and customer-specific nuances, AI tools reduce dependence on individual experience and help teams operate more consistently — even amid turnover. He pushes back on fears of AI replacing jobs, arguing instead that it enables smarter staffing decisions and reallocates resources to areas that improve service and efficiency. In the near future, Savage predicts AI will fade into the background, becoming as standard as email — quietly powering quotes, product lookups and data flow for distributors willing to adopt early and focus on solving real operational pain points.

Listen to the full podcast here: