SG Supply Co. is a distributor of plumbing products, water heaters, hydronic heating, and pipe, valves and fittings.
Ferguson Acquires SG Supply Co. Read More »
Kaiser report also looks at impact of health insurance reform.
Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums Rise 9% in 2011 Read More »
Avoid unintended consequences of changes to your compensation plans.
Tip: Model Compensation Changes Before Implementing Them Read More »
The Federal Reserve Board’s industrial production index for manufacturing increased 0.4 percent.
Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index Up 0.6% in August Read More »
Good strategy will almost always beat a good product.
How Did Microsoft Become Microsoft? Read More »
Distributor builds common platform for standardized processes and smoother acquisition integration.
One Distributor’s Journey to a Billion Dollars Read More »
Three of the four broad categories that make up the index were negative for the month.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index Declines in August Read More »
Acquisitions strengthen the master distributor’s position in Brazil and the Netherlands.
Bunzl Completes Three Acquisitions Read More »
This is the third article in MDM’s Emerging Technologies Series. This article examines the growing role of mobile technologies in how distributors do business.
Full Emerging Technologies Series is available here.
Over the past two years, a significant shift has taken place in technology, away from the traditional home- or office-based tools to technology that offers portability and accessibility. And while the development of new technologies often takes place at the speed of light, the adoption rate of mobile technologies such as smartphones and tablets has risen at a nearly unheard-of pace.
Even in industries such as wholesale distribution where investment in the newest technologies is often approached conservatively, mobile devices have already …
Emerging Technologies Series: Distributors Embrace Mobile Technology Read More »
This is an exclusive summary of the latest episode of the MDM Executive Briefing webcast series, available on-demand at www.mdm.com/executivebriefing. In this episode, Bob Conti of The Alexander Group and Sales Apex defines partnership, the importance of leveraging strengths and understanding your partner’s motivations, and one tool channel partners can use to uncover profitability opportunities.
The word “partnership” may be one of the most overused terms these days when referencing a relationship between a manufacturer and distributor. Building a true partnership was the subject of the September MDM Executive Briefing webcast episode.
In the program, Bob Conti of The Alexander Group and Sales Apex, says that building a partnership is a big task and recommends distributors and manufacturers start small, working with a limited number of …
What Does ‘Partnership’ Really Mean? Read More »
Associations are increasingly focused on ensuring relevance in an ever-changing industry landscape marked by an aging workforce, consolidation and more groups than ever vying for members’ time. This article looks at how associations across distribution sectors are tackling the challenge to grow value by adding and refining services that cater to member needs.
During an annual association meeting earlier this year, an attendee wondered on Twitter whether that association could “survive as more than a social club.” It’s a question of shifting value and one that all associations today have to answer.
Networking remains a key selling point of associations, according to David Gordon, president of Channel Marketing Group. But …
Associations Compete for Mind Share Read More »
In a blog I wrote recently at mdm.com/blogs about HD Supply’s sale of its HVAC/Plumbing business to Hajoca, I talked about whether one company will ever be able to consolidate across many different industrial distribution sectors. Over the past half decade, HD Supply made the strongest run to consolidate the diverse sectors that define industrial distribution as it grew revenues past $10 billion.
But if you consider the total size of all the MRO sectors it penetrated …
Commentary: Thinking Differently About Consolidation Read More »
Modern Distribution Management’s Industrial Inflation Index measures a cross-section of industrial supplies.
Industrial Inflation Index: August 2011 Read More »
News briefs from Sept. 11-25, 2011.
MDM News Digest 4118 Read More »
Sales and inventories data for wholesaler-distributors in July 2011.
Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: July 2011 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 [email protected] to subscribe. Subscribers log-in to download this issue.
Download This Issue in pdf: Sept. 25, 2011 Read More »
Economist: Odds for a recession have increased, remain below 50-50.
Conference Board Leading Economic Index Up 0.3% in August Read More »
Is the company at risk of becoming a business school case study of what not to do?
6 Lessons for Executives from the Netflix Debacle Read More »
All too often egos get in the way by preferring flattery to candor from channel partners.
Tip: Trust Your Channel Partners Read More »
Organic sales grew 6 percent in the three-month period.
Illinois Tool Works 3-Month Sales Up 16% Read More »
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