Turbulent year forces key shifts in wholesale distribution industry in 2009
Year in Distribution Read More »
Employment will be a key factor in recovery, according to wholesale distribution industry expert Adam Fein.
2010 Economic Outlook for Wholesale Distribution Read More »
Fourth quarter sales for the manufacturer of adhesives, sealants, paints and other specialty chemical products were up 8% over third quarter.
H.B. Fuller 2009 Sales Down 11% Read More »
Realignment of Kaman Aerospace Group supports the company’s strategic growth plans.
Kaman Aerospace Establishes New Composites Division Read More »
It’s tough to plan for rehiring when the economic outlook remains muddled.
Managing Your Staffing Levels: What’s the Next Move? Read More »
Acquisition of Universal Supply Company brings new building materials/lumber distributor up to 23 locations.
US LBM Holdings Acquires Former Stock Building Supply Location Read More »
The announcement that Industrial Distribution was folding was a blow to the entire distribution industry.
A Tribute to Industrial Distribution Magazine Read More »
Manufacturers and distributors should work together to reduce costs, writes Rick Harris of DECO Tool Supply.
Don’t Just Cut Waste: Create Value Read More »
Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI study forecasts growth of 2.6% for the Canadian economy.
Report: Canada Poised for Marginal Improvement in 2010 Read More »
Swiss fasteners distributor sees fourth quarter sales decline 24.5% year over year.
Bossard 2009 Sales Fall 30.2% Read More »
Canada Raw Materials Price Index also goes up, thanks to higher prices for petroleum and metals.
Canadian Industrial Product Price Index Rises in November Read More »
But the permit value is still 23.1% higher than November 2008, Statistics Canada reports.
Canada Building Permits Fall 4.6% in November Read More »
Sale to a private investor backed company impacts 67 branches and about 650 employees.
Wolseley Agrees to Sell Irish Businesses Read More »
Year-to-date total is down 63.4% when compared with 2008.
November Machine Tool Consumption Up 16% from October Read More »
The author of this article, the 20-year owner and CEO of a fluid sealing distributor, talks about the rewards and challenges in transforming the culture of his company to one where the employees took ownership and went beyond their normal daily activities to do what is best for the company.
I once had the pleasure of hearing Retired General Arnold Schwarzkopf speak on the topic of leadership. To paraphrase, leadership is getting others to do what they would not ordinarily do, voluntarily. In an ownership culture, employees voluntarily do activities they would not normally be expected to perform.
In visiting hundreds of companies, I have observed wildly different corporate cultures. It doesn’t take long in a visit to sense a strict authoritarian …
Creating an Ownership Culture Read More »
Profitability has become the key focus for distributors over the past 12 months, as top-line sales growth has dropped off due to a severe decline in many end-markets in 2009.
Most respondents to a recent Modern Distribution Management-Activant survey are optimistic and expect individual company profitability to be greater in 2010 versus 2009.
In the survey, respondents also outlined where they would focus in each of four areas to improve profitability in 2010.
To improve processes and personnel productivity, …
Exclusive Summary: MDM Readers Outline Plans to Improve Profitability Read More »
News briefs from Dec. 26 – January 10, 2010.
MDM News Digest 4001 Read More »
Modern Distribution Management’s Industrial Inflation Index measures a cross-section of industrial supplies.
MDM Industrial Inflation Index: October 2009 Read More »
Airgas, Radnor, PA, outlined its growth strategies and successes in its annual analyst meeting in December. Here is an overview of the key areas covered by the gases and welding hardgoods distributor.
Product and Segment Focus
According to Airgas, about 30 percent of its total sales go to customer segments that are “growing faster than GDP.” Strategic products, a group of five product areas, account for 40 percent of sales. Those are: Bulk, Medical, Specialty Gas, CO2/Dry Ice, and Safety Products. These product areas have grown faster than Airgas’ other core business, COO Michael Molinini told analysts, and the areas cater to “favorable customer segments.”
One growth driver for these areas is cross-selling. For example, …
Airgas on Strategic Accounts, Private Label, & Acquisitions Read More »
Analysis of Canadian market for MRO Products by end-user and region.
Canadian Market Analysis: MRO Products 2009 Read More »
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