When Distributor Advisory Councils Don’t Work
Just because a manufacturer has an advisory council does not mean it will have its intended effect.
When Distributor Advisory Councils Don’t Work Read More »
Just because a manufacturer has an advisory council does not mean it will have its intended effect.
When Distributor Advisory Councils Don’t Work Read More »
Industrial capacity utilization rate has continued to rise over the past year.
Canadian Industry at 76% of Capacity in Second Quarter Read More »
The HVAC distributor says it will continue to zone in on the Sun Belt.
Watsco Keeps Market Focus Read More »
The foodservice distributor denies any wrongdoing in five-year-old case.
U.S. Foodservice Agrees to $30M Settlement in Government Pricing Case Read More »
From July 2009, wholesale sales grew 12.7%.
July Wholesale Revenues Up 0.6% Read More »
HD Supply’s fiscal first-half sales down 2.8% from last year.
HD Supply Sales Down Slightly in Second Quarter Read More »
Including acquisitions and foreign exchange, sales grew 20%.
Grainger’s Organic Daily Sales Up 14% in August Read More »
Manufacturing technology consumption ‘exceeds expectations’ in July, according to AMTDA and AMT.
July Machine Tool Consumption Up 58.9% YTD Read More »
Report: U.S. economic recovery continues, but ‘has clearly slowed.’
Manufacturing Growth Outpaces General Economy Read More »
Remember those first-generation efforts in standardized numbering, bar-coding and other ways to automate through technology or process improvement? Remember the quality movement?
For those engaged in independent distribution channels 20 years ago, there was much discussion about how the channel had to tighten up to remain a viable part of the supply chain. Too many redundant activities were taking place at the manufacturer and distributor levels, and customers would migrate to more cost-effective supply sources if their current suppliers did not find ways to be more competitive. Oh, and distributor margins were going to have to squeeze to pay for this improvement.
Commentary: Evolving Models of Efficiency Read More »
Fasteners MRO represented a market in 2009 of $xxx billion, according to estimates by Industrial Market Information, Minneapolis.
These charts show the top ten industries, by SIC code, consuming these products; and the 2009 end-user consumption of these groups sorted by the nine government market regions.
U.S. MARKET ANALYSIS: 2009 Fasteners MRO Read More »
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Download This Issue: MDM Sept. 10, 2010 Read More »
Organic sales grew 12.4 percent during the fourth quarter.
Brady Sales Up 4% for Fiscal Year Read More »
For nearly a year now, Air Products has been fighting to buy industrial gases and hardgoods distributor Airgas. The fight has prompted the question: How likely is it that Air Products will succeed?
To learn more about the mechanics of undertaking a hostile takeover bid, MDM spoke with Jim Hill, executive chairman of Ohio-based Benesch and chairman of the law firm’s private equity practice. Hill provided background on the topic, examples of other deals, and the challenges inherent with this approach.
MDM Interview: The Mechanics of a Hostile Takeover Read More »
Distributor advisory councils can provide a more formal avenue for distributors to add value to the channel by providing local market knowledge to manufacturers in a structured setting. This article looks at best practices in implementing a distributor advisory council and why manufacturers and distributors have benefited from participating in these groups.
By formalizing a process for increased communication and partnership, Distributor Advisory Councils are one way some manufacturers have strengthened their relationships with distributors.
Welding, cutting and safety products manufacturer Thermadyne for example started a distributor advisory council in 2005 to move from informal ad hoc meetings to a more formalized process for getting distributor feedback on markets, products and policies. Thermadyne’s advisory council meets twice a year, but other manufacturers’ councils may just meet once a year. Most have more informal contact throughout the year through teleconferences or email.
The Value of Distributor Advisory Councils Read More »
This is an exclusive summary of Part 2 of the MDM Webcast series, Build an Effective Sales Organization for the recovery, available on DVD at www.mdm.com/store. This summary looks at the role sales incentives play in driving strategy.
Distributors have to balance a number of factors when designing incentive plans for their sales force. Among them: perceived fairness, sales goals, accountability and cost.
No ‘Perfect’ Sales Compensation Plan Read More »
Competing PT/bearing manufacturers hit 10th year of services joint venture.
CoLinx: An Efficiency Model to Celebrate Read More »
But some barriers have become easier for companies like Air Products to overcome.
Legal Shifts Have Made Hostile Takeovers More Difficult Read More »
Website encourages members and their channel partners to support extension of HVAC tax credit past 2010.
HARDI to Launch Website to Encourage Renewal of Tax Credit Read More »