July 10, 2009

A Demographic Shift in Distribution

Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only / Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier

As baby boomers speed toward retirement, managers are preparing for the next generation of workers eager to move up the ladder. They follow in the footsteps of retirees who have worked in distribution for decades – if not their whole careers. MDM spoke with and surveyed juniors and seniors at three universities about what they are looking for as they start their careers in distribution.

Times have certainly changed, and much has been made of the differences between the baby boomers and generations X and Y. While it is true that younger generations may value different attributes and incentives in the workplace, many younger workers also recognize they have a lot to learn from long-time distribution veterans …

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Commentary: Focus on the Now, But With a Strategic Plan as Your Guide

Free, Management, Perspective, Strategy, Subscriber Only / Lindsay Konzak

Michael Jackson's death has spurred nonstop coverage from CNN, the tabloids, and everything in between. The King of Pop is all over the Web. And it's rare to turn on a TV news program without Jackson at its center.

Since the launch of CNN and 24-hour news, we have been able to get our news whenever we want it. As the World Wide Web has grown, we've been able to get updates almost literally by the second – as we did earlier this week during the Los Angeles-based Jackson memorial service.

It really is incredible how we can garner information about an event halfway across the country close to real-time; it was not that long ago when we would have had to wait for the full report and pictures of the memorial service until the next morning's paper was delivered.

These days, we are …

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MDM Interview: Breaking Through the ‘Grass Ceiling’

Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

More women are entering the field of distribution than ever before. And more women are taking on leadership roles. Tammy Miller, CEO of Border States Electric, Fargo, ND, was the first chairwoman of the National Association of Electrical Distributors, serving from 2007 to 2008. Miller recently spoke with MDM Associate Editor Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier about the Women in Industry conference – established during her tenure at NAED, preparing young people for a career in distribution, and the changing role of technology in the industry.

MDM: During your tenure as the first chairwoman of NAED, the Women in Industry forum was launched. How did that come about?

Tammy Miller: I was proud to be the NAED Board chairwoman the year the first Women in Industry conference was …

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Grainger’s Plans: Grow DC Network, Expand Product Lines, Make Acquisitions

Companies, Facilities Maintenance (MRO), Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier

Even as some companies are pulling back in response to current economic conditions, Grainger has taken a different tack: aggressively pursue market share. At the William Blair & Company Growth Stock Conferencein June, Grainger CEO Jim Ryan laid out Grainger’s plan to gain market share in the highly fragmented MRO market.

Focus on service is essential to gaining and keeping market share, Ryan says. For Grainger, this includes expanding its network of distribution centers in North America, adding square feet in existing and new branches, and investing in its IT network.

"Our IT network and phone systems are integrated across the network, meaning we can respond more efficiently to customer needs," Ryan says. For example, during the H1N1 flu outbreak in Mexico, Grainger was able to …

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MDM News Digest 3913

Free, Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Melville, NY, a distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations supplies to industrial customers throughout the U.S., reported sales of $350.5 million for the third quarter ended May 30, 2009, a decrease of 23.3% from the prior year. Profit declined 45.9% to $27.8 million. For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, sales were $1.135 billion, down 14.7% from the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Profit fell 32% to $99.1 million. More

London, UK-based Bunzl plc, an international distribution and outsourcing group, reported sales for the six months ending June 30, 2009, will be up 17%, with core sales slightly down. Sales in the UK and Ireland …

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MDM July 10, 2009

Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

This is the pdf of this issue of Modern Distribution Management. Apply the full $24.95 pay-per-view cost toward an annual subscription (within 30 days of purchase), which includes two issues a month plus access to more than seven years of online archives and market data. Call 1-888-742-5060 or email info@mdm.com to …

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U.S. Power Transmission/Motion Control Manufacturers See Slight Increase in May Sales

Free, News, Power Transmission/Motion Control/Fluid Power, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Canadian manufacturers of power transmission/motion control products experienced another drop in sales while U.S. manufacturers experienced a slight increase in May 2009 according to sales data released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA). Confidence in the market (as measured on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being most optimistic) remained the same this month, holding a current negative position between 4.3 and 4.8.

U.S. manufacturers’ sales rose slightly by 0.3% in May 2009 when compared to April 2009. Sales in May 2009 fell 26.5% compared to the same period last year. Orders in May 2009 decreased by 2.8% over April 2009 orders.

Canadian manufacturers’ sales were down 6.9% compared to April 2009. Sales were down 29.4% when compared to the same period …

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