Companies remain cautious about increasing spending.
Cost Cuts Help Results, But Will They Help Economy? Read More »
Implementing an effective pricing strategy can be one of the best ways to achieve better gross margin. This article outlines a pricing model developed by Texas A&M University’s Supply Chain Systems Laboratory and provides a look at how some distributors are using it to update their pricing strategy. About three years ago, F.W. Webb, a regional
Pricing for Profitability Read More »
Kaiser’s annual Employer Health Benefits Survey shows that some firms adjusted benefits in response to the recession.
Survey Shows Increased Cost-Sharing, Reduced Health Benefits Read More »
Bulk of increase in construction intentions due to gains in Ontario and British Columbia.
Canadian Building Permits Up in August Read More »
But Canadian manufacturers see a drop in sales, according to PTDA report.
U.S. Power Transmission Manufacturer Sales Up in August Read More »
Launch of the WIDIA Products Group part of a brand realignment initiative for Kennametal
Kennametal Launches New Product Line Read More »
Year-to-date, the industrial and construction supplies distributor’s sales were down 19%.
Fastenal Sales Fall 21.7% in Third Quarter Read More »
National Association for Business Economics: Most business economists say expansion has begun.
Another Relatively Optimistic Economic Forecast Read More »
Future Expectations Index improves to an all-time high.
Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index Shows Current Conditions Worsening Read More »
Here’s what the latest premium issue of MDM has to offer.
Oct. 10 Issue: Credit & the Economy Read More »
Massive technology shifts have changed how business is done.
Another Milestone in Mobile Technology Read More »
Year-to-date, manufacturing technology consumption is down 67.7%.
Machine Tool Consumption Declines in August Read More »
This article provides an overview of current credit conditions for distribution companies, their suppliers and customers. Included are results from a recent MDM survey, which asked about challenges, if any, in acquiring credit. The article includes data from the Federal Reserve and other organizations that have surveyed banks and businesses on credit trends.
In a recent MDM survey on the economy, 39 percent of respondents said credit has become less available in the past six months. Nearly 54 percent said that access to credit has not changed significantly, implying credit remains tight for most.
In the survey, respondents noted banks have grown stricter, increasing collateral requirements, lowering credit lines and increasing rates and fees.
“Credit institutions are no longer willing to loan on …
Credit Conditions Still Tough Read More »
I’m finally hearing a few themes emerging for this recovery as I attend meetings and talk with wholesale distribution and manufacturing executives. Consensus: At least until third quarter next year, businesses will be grinding for growth. Companies are still focused internally on cost reduction, but they are looking ahead more than they were two months ago and adjusting to this “new normal.” Six months ago slightly down looked OK. At least for now “flat” is the new up. There are a lot of mixed signals.
Commentary: Key Issues Emerge for 2010 Read More »
Fairmont will now be Greenlee Utility.
Greenlee Rebrands Utility Products Line Read More »
Supplier will sell the business to Onyx Specialty Papers, a new company.
MeadWestvaco to Divest Specialty Papers Division Read More »
Employers in survey think employees playing hooky due to increased pressure at work.
Why Employees Need “Mental Health Days” Read More »
Dan Cantara, executive vice president of Commercial Services for First Niagara Financial Group Inc., Buffalo, NY, recently spoke with MDM about current banking conditions. First Niagara, with locations in New York and Pennsylvania, has benefited from the turmoil in the banking industry. While competitors big and small may be struggling, First Niagara has a healthy balance sheet and is looking for new customers. In fact, it will nearly double its assets when its second acquisition this year closes early 2010.
Here’s what Cantara says about banking in a difficult credit environment.
MDM: What do you want to see from a potential new customer?
DC: The key point is we’re looking for relationships, not …
A Bank’s Perspective: Why Communication Only Helps Read More »
Concern over the U.S. economy continues to be high among MDM readers, but more in a recent MDM survey expect the economy to be better than worse in the next six months.
Compared with one year ago, that’s an improvement. In the September 2008 survey of MDM readers, 28 percent expected the economy to grow worse; the September 2009 survey shows just 16.7 percent expect the economy to worsen. Most (47.5 percent) expect the economy to stay the same.
More than half are “very concerned” over the state of the economy, and a little more than a third are “concerned.”
Some respondents pointed to specific sectors: …
Survey: Concern Over Economy High Read More »
David McIlwaine, president of HVAC Distributors Inc., Mount Joy, PA, and Chrissy Nardini, president of American Metals Supply Co. Inc., Fenton, MO, recently spoke with MDM as part of an MDM interview series featuring association presidents. Nardini will replace McIlwaine as president of Heating, Airconditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International at the association’s annual conference, “Turning Up the Heat on Recovery,” Nov. 1-4 in Orlando, FL.
MDM: This has been an interesting year. What are some of the issues that HARDI members have been dealing with over the last year?
David McIlwaine: Other than the general economic malaise, many of our members are tied to residential new construction markets. And in many areas, those markets collapsed 50 percent or 60 percent or more. That definitely provided challenges to our members.
In general as an industry, we’re going through the phase-out of the R22 refrigerant …
MDM Interview: Legal Shifts Challenge HARDI Members Read More »
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