Distributor Outlook 2026: A Q&A with Frank Cavallaro, CEO of A2 Global

As distributors enter 2026, the electronics supply chain is navigating a landscape defined by normalization, lingering volatility, and evolving regional and trade dynamics.

As part of the Distributors Outlook 2026 published by Supply Chain Connect, industry leaders shared their perspectives on what lies ahead.

Below, A2 Global CEO フランク・カバラロ shares his outlook on market sentiment, tariffs, regional trends, and the role of resilience as distributors prepare for the year ahead.

Q: How would you describe your business outlook for 2026—bullish, cautious, or uncertain—and what key factors are driving that sentiment?

A: As 2026 approaches, we’re cautiously optimistic. The semiconductor supply chain is simultaneously showing momentum and fragility. Volatility may come from continued
trade frictions, resurging inflation in materials and logistics, or regional conflicts that threaten access to critical minerals. Our focus is less on predicting disruptions and more on building resilience through visibility, diversification, and velocity.

Q: What’s your outlook for the North American market in 2026? 

A: The North American market will continue to be driven by the “haves” and “have-nots” through the first half of 2026. Companies with exposure to the hyperscaler ecosystem—the
“haves”—will continue to experience rapid, unpredictable growth, while more traditional industrial supply chains—the “have-nots”—will continue to experience flat to medium
demand during this period.

In the second half of 2026, we anticipate that industrial supply chains will gain momentum, driven by a fully digested tariff environment and a more stable macroeconomic backdrop. For hyperscaler-related companies, however, the second half of 2026 presents a larger question mark, as capacity ramp-up plans will further be examined for “bubblelike” tendencies, which could introduce some hesitation in the market.

Q: How do European and Asian trends compare, given differing economic and regulatory pressures?

A: We expect the European market to behave similarly to the North American industrial sector, while Asia is likely to remain aligned with the 2025 “China +” strategy as long as tariff exposures are fully absorbed and remain stable.

Q: How are current or potential tariffs and trade shifts shaping your sourcing, pricing, or customer strategy heading into 2026?

A: Trade frictions and tariffs continue to shape sourcing and pricing strategies. Regional tensions and shifting trade policies have underscored the importance of multi-region sourcing intelligence and strategic supplier diversification. These dynamics make agility in procurement and logistics a necessity rather than a competitive advantage.

Q: What do you see as the greatest opportunity for distributors this year — and the biggest risk to growth?

A: The greatest opportunity lies in transforming volatility into a competitive advantage. Those who can detect and adapt to disruptions faster—through real-time data and diversified sourcing—will capture market share. The biggest risk remains overreliance on single regions or suppliers in a landscape still exposed to geopolitical and economic shocks.

Q: In your view, what will separate successful distributors from the rest by 2030?

A: By 2030, success will hinge on how well distributors design supply chains to absorb shocks and reallocate quickly. Those that build agility and intelligence into their operations will turn uncertainty into opportunity and set the pace for the next decade of growth.

As distributors look toward 2026, building resilience, visibility, and agility will be critical in navigating ongoing uncertainty across global supply chains.

This Q&A was originally published as part of the Distributors Outlook 2026 by Supply Chain Connect. Read the full report here.