TULSA, OK (December 3, 2025) – BlackHawk Industrial, a market-leading distributor of metalworking and other mission-critical industrial products, today announced the appointment of Steve Gettleman as Vice President of Category Management.

Gettleman brings three decades of industrial supply distribution experience, including over 20 years in senior leadership roles.

As Vice President of Category Management, Gettleman will oversee BlackHawk’s category strategy across metalworking, fastener, MRO, and industrial product lines through the sales and digital channels. His focus will include enhancing product assortment, optimizing category and supplier performance, and leveraging data insights to drive profitability and market differentiation.

His appointment underscores the company’s commitment to deepening product expertise, expanding technical capabilities, and delivering a best-in-class experience to customers across North America and beyond.

Before joining BlackHawk, Gettleman served as Vice President of Global Private Brands at ADI Global, where he built the company’s first global sourcing team in Shanghai and significantly improved private brand profitability by reducing sourcing costs and strengthening supplier partnerships. Under his leadership, ADI’s private brand revenue grew 25% year-over-year, marking the company’s strongest performance in five years.

“Steve brings a rare combination of category expertise, global sourcing experience, and demonstrated success building world-class supplier strategies,” said John Mark, President & CEO of BlackHawk Industrial. “His leadership will play an essential role in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and strengthening our category performance, deepening supplier collaboration, and delivering the technical excellence and value our customers expect from BlackHawk.”

Prior to ADI, he spent nearly two decades at MSC Industrial Supply Co., where he led the Metalworking Strategy Team, Enterprise Pricing Team, Capital Machinery Division, and West Coast Wholesaling Operation. Gettleman also spearheaded MSC’s first Asia sourcing operation, driving more than $100 million in sourced volume and achieving 30–60% cost reductions through strategic supplier partnerships. His leadership helped evolve MSC’s traditional product department into a modern, high-performing Category Management organization.

“I am honored to join BlackHawk Industrial at such a pivotal moment in the company’s history,” said Steve Gettleman, Vice President of Category Management. “BlackHawk’s commitment to innovation, customer success, and data-driven decision-making aligns perfectly with my passion for building high-performing category strategies. I look forward to partnering with our suppliers, teammates, and customers to drive long-term value and category excellence.”

A results-driven executive with deep expertise in supplier strategy, category optimization, private brand development, and global sourcing, Gettleman has a proven track record of transforming category structures and driving profitable growth for global industrial distributors. His experience spans North America, the UK, India, and China, with extensive success developing high-performing teams and building global sourcing capabilities.

About BlackHawk Industrial

Known as the “across the production floor” partner, BlackHawk distinguishes itself as the number one choice for industrial manufacturers seeking technical service and production savings. The company operates across the U.S., Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines, offering over 2.5 million products from the industry’s top brands, with a strong emphasis on metalworking products.

BlackHawk Industrial is a leading industrial distributor specializing in metalworking products, including carbide cutting tools, abrasives, and saw blades. It also provides a full line of MRO, industrial fasteners, and packaging products. BlackHawk has the expertise and capability to provide custom industrial vending solutions and creative design, build, and supply chain solutions.

For more information about BlackHawk Industrial, visit www.BHID.com.

Media Contact
Laurie Janu
BlackHawk Industrial
1-855-610-1001
[email protected]