Sales in the U.S. increased 10 percent.
Grainger Organic Daily Sales Up 11% in November Read More »
MDM’s annual economic forecast webcast provided insight into construction and manufacturing markets.
2011 Forecast: Some Growth Signs for the New Year Read More »
Should outside or inside sales handle a particular customer?
Tip: Assign Sales Resources Based on Customer Needs Read More »
Ledyard is a distributor of food, equipment and jan-san supplies.
Performance Food Group Acquires Ledyard Company Read More »
MDM recently conducted its annual Reader Survey. On that survey, MDM asked questions about top business concerns for 2011 and what distributors, manufacturers and others have done to adapt to changing business conditions over the past two years. This article is a synopsis of those responses and provides insight into the mindset of the distribution industry as we move into the new year.
In the 2010 MDM Reader Survey, not surprisingly, the economic recovery and uncertainty that has accompanied it was one of the top three business concerns for many respondents.
Some readers are concerned the economy will decline again, while others are just not sure what’s coming next for their markets – despite mostly positive …
Top Business Concerns in Reader Survey Read More »
MDM reported on a dozen announced acquisitions in the past month, and October was active, as well. It's interesting how diverse the deals are across sectors and size. Some companies are shedding units to focus on the core; some are buying market share, and others are extending product and service capabilities. Many companies are trying to get deals done before year-end. Credit markets are indeed improving, people are adjusting …
Commentary: Spurt of Distribution M&A Deals Indicate a Rebounding Industry Read More »
Manufacturing production and new orders continued to expand in November, according to the latest Purchasing Managers Index, signs that the recovery is underway. But not every distributor has been able to take advantage of increased demand, says Erik Gershwind, COO of industrial distributor MSC Industrial Direct, Melville, NY. Gershwind recently presented at the Robert W. Baird Industrial Conference.
The cuts many “mom-and-pop” local and regional distributors have had to make put them in a precarious situation now that demand in increasing, Gershwind says. “They face severe pressure on working capital in the form of inventory and receivables,” he says. “So many …
MSC Industrial’s Investment in Growth Read More »
Mergers & acquisitions activity has picked up in the fourth quarter of 2010 in wholesale distribution and manufacturing. And if a series of surveys out recently are any indication, pent-up demand for acquisitions will push consolidation on a global level to take off in 2011.
In the U.S., according to Robert W. Baird & Company’s November global M&A report, there was a 22.7 percent increase in the number of transactions in October, and announced …
Mergers & Acquisitions Set to Pick Up in 2011 Read More »
News briefs from Nov. 26 – Dec. 10, 2010.
MDM News Digest 4023 Read More »
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Download this Issue in pdf Now: Dec. 10, 2010 Read More »
Global is now part of Kaman Aerospace Group.
Kaman Acquires Global Aerosystems Read More »
In this article, Profit Planning Group's Al Bates illustrates how top companies across sectors were able to deliver strong profit results relative to their peers during the recession. He explains the four profit drivers that often are the differences between typical and high-profit firms, and with that data, he shows what typical companies can do to recession-proof their firms.
The so-called Great Recession created a unique set of financial challenges for distributors. In many lines of trade, sales didn't just decline, they fell precipitously. Overall, profits sank to the lowest point since distributor financial benchmarking was established in the 1970s.
Despite the challenges, a large number of firms continued to generate strong profits. A few even produced exceptional results. Understanding how they did that is essential …
Profitability in the Great Recession Read More »
In this 30-minute episode of Executive Briefing:
MDM Editor Lindsay Konzak spends 7 Minutes with … Joe Gallagher, president of Gallagher Fluid Seals, Inc., on low-cost vs. low-price and lessons learned on lean.
Bruce Merrifield, president of Merrifield Consulting Group, and MDM Publisher Tom Gale discuss profitability, including:
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Executive Briefing: December 2010 Read More »
Air Products CEO: New bid is ‘best and final offer’ for Airgas.
Air Products Increases Offer for Airgas to $70 per Share Read More »
Langtry Industries has six locations across Canada.
PrimeSource Canada Agrees to Buy Langtry Industries Read More »
The diversified wholesale distribution company recorded a net loss of $99 million for the quarter.
HD Supply 3Q Sales Up 3% Read More »
Paul M. Isabella, now the COO, will take the role at Beacon in January.
Beacon Roofing Supply Taps New CEO Read More »
But respondents to a McKinsey survey say they only expect that to be a challenge in the near future.
No. 1 Supply Chain Challenge: Demand Volatility Read More »
Motor vehicles and parts and machinery and equipment sectors lead the growth opportunities in Mercosur region.
MAPI Report: South American Countries Poised for Record High Production Read More »
CEO: Global demand increasing, while pricing competition remains ‘intense.’
Wolseley Sales Increase 2% in First Quarter Read More »
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