Eaton CEO discusses economy at J.P. Morgan Diversified Industries Conference
Eaton: ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Impact Felt Beyond the Automotive Industry Read More »
Distributors speak at Morgan Keegan Industrial/Transportation Conference about the impact the economy has had on business.
Grainger, Fastenal & DXP on Strategy and the Economy Read More »
Anniversary of economy’s collapse has year-over-year comparables leveling out
Economic Update: Year-Ago Comparisons Start to Look Better Read More »
This article is part of an occasional MDM series on alternative energy markets.
Distributors and manufacturers responding to a recent MDM survey seemed practical in their approach to opportunities in alternative energy markets.
Some said they were not interested in going after these markets, not knowing where they were headed. But others were more optimistic, saying the niche is a growing one, will likely grow for some time, and they want a piece of the pie. As one manufacturer said: “The growth rate is hard to ignore.”
The growth rate may be hard to ignore, but with a rapid growth rate comes growing pains. And as detailed in the Sept. 10 issue of MDM, no one knows whether that growth rate will be sustainable leaving many to question how much and when they should invest in the space.
Alternative Energy Draws Distributors Read More »
More good financial news keeps strengthening the outlook for distributors. A big surprise to many in August was the flipping of the purchasing manager index to the positive side of 50 (52.9 from 48.9 in July). That reinforces much of what we at MDM have been hearing about production and corresponding orders in August being more positive than expected. That said, this is not shaping up to be your grandfather’s recovery from previous sharp economic cycles.
Commentary: Grinding Out Growth in 2010 Read More »
This article looks at the roles of each part of the organization in strategic pricing. Using a sports analogy, the author refers to the Sales Function as the offense, the Operations Function as the defense, and the Purchasing Function as special teams. IT, Finance, Credit and HR play support roles, enabling the team to be in a position to win. And management is the coaching staff. Running a complex “play” like strategic pricing requires all functions to work in concert.
Much has already been written about the “science” of strategic pricing. I have written some of it, including Strategic Pricing for Distributors, published by the NAW Institute earlier this year. I intended the book as a do-it-yourself explanation of strategic pricing.
The magicians Penn & Teller famously perform a magic act that reveals the secrets of magic tricks. But even if you know the secrets, learning how to execute those illusions requires skill and experience. And even if you understand the relatively simple concepts behind strategic pricing, successful implementation is challenging work.
The Art of Executing Strategic Pricing Read More »
News briefs from Sept. 11 – 25, 2009
MDM News Digest 3918 Read More »
Trend of “reverse globalization” expected to continue for several years.
Survey Predicts Shortening of Supply Chain Read More »
Electrical and communications product distributor to open new distribution center, administrative offices.
Graybar Expands in NJ, NY Read More »
Moving an industry toward such a big change will be a challenge for company leaders: Here are some tips learned at the IDEA e-Biz Forum this week.
Leading Change to Smooth Way for Data Standardization Read More »
Sales showed a 5% increase over 2Q for the manufacturer and marketer of adhesives, sealants, paints and other specialty chemical products.
H.B. Fuller 3Q Sales Down 12.9% Read More »
Industry execs discuss the outlook for M&A.
M&A Discussions Starting to Reappear Read More »
Residential construction expected to expand beginning in the second half of 2009.
Forecast: Construction Spending Will Continue to Fall in 2010 Read More »
Businesses have recently used the medium for communicating about Web site crashes or delivery delays.
A Practical Approach to Twitter for Distributors Read More »
Automotive products sales drive the increase for Canadian wholesalers.
Canadian Wholesale Sales Up for Second Straight Month Read More »
Canadian manufacturing sales were up from June, but down 22.4% from the year-ago period.
Motor Vehicle Sector Boosts Canadian Manufacturing in July Read More »
Because employees want to know it’s OK to stay home when they are sick.
Why Businesses Should Plan for H1N1 Read More »
August’s Leading Economic Index increased for the fifth consecutive month.
The Conference Board Indexes Continue to Improve in August Read More »
Managers/Executives among the top three in Gallup’s Well-Being Index.
Survey Says: Business Owners Happiest of All Occupations Read More »
Acquisition boosts Carlisle’s position in military and commercial aerospace markets.
Carlisle Companies Acquires Jerrik Read More »
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