The PTDA Business Index fell 2.1 points to 68.1 in the third quarter.
Power Transmission/Motion Control Industry Expansion Continues to Slow Read More »
Capacity utilization moved up to 92.7 percent in October, 5.3 percentage points above its long-run average.
Industrial Production Expands 0.7% in October Read More »
Lawson Products will also consolidate three Illinois facilities into one state-of-the-art packaging and distribution center in McCook, IL.
Lawson Products to Move Corporate Headquarters to Chicago Read More »
Distributors are challenged to determine the role catalogs will play in an increasingly digital world.
Is Print Marketing Dead in Distribution? Read More »
Latest MDM-MAPI podcast highlights strengths, weaknesses in today’s economy.
Economic Update: Bright Spots Offset Uncertainty Read More »
Uncover new out-of-the-box ideas by approaching planning meetings differently.
Tip: Escape Groupthink at Your Next Planning Meeting Read More »
Prices see smallest year-over-year advance since March.
Wholesale Prices Decline 0.3% in October Read More »
Home Depot comparable store sales increased 4.2 percent in the quarter.
Home Depot 3Q Sales Up 4..4% Read More »
Many distribution companies have an informal plan to target key customers or develop growth opportunities. But too often a focus on the monthly numbers leads to inefficient sales behavior contrary to management’s plan. This article outlines a straightforward and disciplined process that establishes clear priorities in terms of customers and products, strategy for differentiating among different types of customers, and the role and functions to be performed by the sales force.
Frequently we find a disconnect between what an organization perceives its strategy to be and what the sales force is actually doing in the field. The disconnect is between what the management of the organization thinks the sale force should be doing to execute company strategy and what they are actually doing. …
Align Sales Force with Strategy Read More »
Year to date, U.S. manufacturing technology orders are up 91.9%.
U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Increased in September Read More »
Grainger U.S. President Mike Pulick tells MDM economy provides opportunity to discuss MRO costs with customers.
Why the Economy Doesn’t Worry Grainger Read More »
Don’t be fooled by common thinking that can actually lead to a major drain on profitability.
Profit Pitfalls in Distribution Read More »
Organic sales for Grainger grew 11 percent in the month.
Grainger October Daily Sales Up 16% YOY Read More »
Acquisition expands Ferguson’s waterworks business.
Ferguson Acquires Groeniger & Co. in California Read More »
Distribution Executives Hear Recommendations at Forum Hosted by Epicor
Expert Panel Explores Future of Wholesale Distribution Read More »
This report was formerly called the Inflation by Commodity Group Report.
These product groups provide a snapshot of inflation trends based on the Producer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Third quarter 2010 pricing levels are compared with third quarter 2011, and second quarter 2011 with third quarter 2011. This report is researched and produced by MDM editors.
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Industrial:
Construction:
Electrical:
Power Transmission & Fluid Power
Fasteners
Tools
Jan-San & Packaging
Hardware
HVAC/Plumbing
Gases/Welding
Plastics
MDM Pricing Trends Report: Third Quarter 2011 Read More »
Chicago-based W.W. Grainger reported sales in the third quarter were up 11 percent, and sales in the U.S. up 7 percent, an ongoing positive trend for the distributor of MRO products. MDM Editor Lindsay Konzak spoke with Grainger Senior Vice President and U.S. President Mike Pulick about how the distributor views current market conditions, where it sees strength, product line and sales force expansion, and the impact of the recession on the role of the distributor.
MDM: How is the year going for Grainger?
Mike Pulick: Grainger’s having a great year. Overall in the U.S., our sales are up 8 percent year-to-date, and I really attribute that to the investments that we made during the downturn. These were investments that we made by adding more sellers. We’ve been rapidly expanding our product line and more importantly, I think, we have really protected our service to …
MDM Interview, Part 1: Grainger’s Take on the Market Read More »
Too often, people forget to clearly identify the real problem before beginning to plan solutions.
Tip: In Lean Initiatives, Start by Defining the Problem Read More »
This is the pdf of this issue of Modern Distribution Management. Apply the full $34.95 pay-per-view cost of this issue toward an annual subscription, which includes two issues a month plus access to more than eight years of online archives and market data. Call 1-888-742-5060 or email info@mdm.com to subscribe. Subscribers log-in to download this issue.
Download This Issue in pdf: Nov. 10, 2011 Read More »
News briefs from Oct. 26 – Nov. 10, 2011.
MDM News Digest 4121 Read More »
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