January 2012

Download This Issue in pdf: Jan. 25, 2012

This is the PDF of this issue of Modern Distribution Management.

Table of Contents:

4Q11 MDM-Baird Distribution Survey
Commentary: Customer Service Lessons
Interview: Rexel’s Service Model in U.S. Capitalizes on New Markets
Global Markets Not Just for Large Companies Anymore

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Download This Issue in pdf: Jan. 25, 2012 Read More »

MDM-Baird 4Q11 Survey: Things Are Looking Up

Economic Trends, Free, MDM Blog, Quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only / Lindsay Konzak

Latest results show renewed sense of optimism from distributors and manufacturers for 2012.

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MDM-Baird 4Q11 Survey: Things Are Looking Up Read More »

Grainger Sales Grow 12% in 2011 to $8.1B

Companies, Facilities Maintenance (MRO), Featured Breaking News, Free, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

In 2011, Grainger introduced 80,000 new products.

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Grainger Sales Grow 12% in 2011 to $8.1B Read More »

Praxair Sales Up 7% in Fourth Quarter

Companies, Free, Gases & Welding Equipment, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Higher prices and volumes drove the sales increase.

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Praxair Sales Up 7% in Fourth Quarter Read More »

Rockwell Automation Revenues Up 8% in Fiscal 2012 First Quarter

Free, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Control Products & Solutions segment sales grew 10% in the quarter.

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Rockwell Automation Revenues Up 8% in Fiscal 2012 First Quarter Read More »

Textron Sales Up 4.1% in Fourth Quarter

Free, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Manufacturing sales increased 4.6 percent in the quarter.

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Textron Sales Up 4.1% in Fourth Quarter Read More »

Tip: Embrace Negative Thinking in Strategy

Free, Management, MDM Blog, Strategy, Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

Ignoring critical constraints could all but guarantee a failed strategy.

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Applied Industrial Technologies 2Q Sales Up 8%

Companies, Free, News, Power Transmission/Motion Control/Fluid Power, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Profit declined 1.4 percent in the quarter.

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Applied Industrial Technologies 2Q Sales Up 8% Read More »

State of the Union: Obama’s Manufacturing Focus

Economic Trends, Free, Legal Issues in Wholesale Distribution, MDM Blog, Operations, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only / Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier

Plus HARDI takes on the DOE, and NAW issues a legal advisory.

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MSC Agrees to Buy ATS Industrial Supply

Companies, Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

ATS Industrial Supply had sales of $34.5 million in 2011.

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MSC Agrees to Buy ATS Industrial Supply Read More »

Kaman Industrial Technologies Names Ahlfinger to Head Minarik Division

Companies, Free, Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution, News, Operations, Power Transmission/Motion Control/Fluid Power, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Ahlfinger previously served as chief marketing officer at Flowserve Corp.

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Kaman Industrial Technologies Names Ahlfinger to Head Minarik Division Read More »

Air Products Sales Up 1% in First Quarter

Free, Gases & Welding Equipment, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Profit for the manufacturer of atmospheric, process and specialty gases fell 7 percent.

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Air Products Sales Up 1% in First Quarter Read More »

Packaging Corporation of America Sales up 8% in 2011

Free, News, Operations, Paper Products & Packaging Distribution, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Profit for the full year was $162 million for PCA.

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Packaging Corporation of America Sales up 8% in 2011 Read More »

Crane Co. Reports $125M Loss in Fourth Quarter

Free, News, Power Transmission/Motion Control/Fluid Power, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Core sales for the diversified manufacturer increased 7 percent in the quarter.

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Crane Co. Reports $125M Loss in Fourth Quarter Read More »

BDI Opens Two New Branches

Free, News, Power Transmission/Motion Control/Fluid Power, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

BDI expands in North Carolina and Tennessee.

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BDI Opens Two New Branches Read More »

Good News: Survey Shows Far Fewer Construction Firms Planning to Make Layoffs in 2012

Building Materials/Construction, Economic Trends, Featured Breaking News, Free, News, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

AGC reports outlook for industry remains mixed and depends on market segment.

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Good News: Survey Shows Far Fewer Construction Firms Planning to Make Layoffs in 2012 Read More »

Canadian Wholesale Sales Down 0.4% in November

Economic Trends, Free, News, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

Wholesale sales fell in six provinces in November, led by declines in Saskatchewan, Quebec and Alberta.

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Canadian Wholesale Sales Down 0.4% in November Read More »

Readers Respond: Hot Technology Trends in Distribution

Free, MDM Blog, Subscriber Only, Technology / Lindsay Konzak

MDM LinkedIn Group discussion: The cloud and mobility noted as key trends for distributors in 2012.

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Readers Respond: Hot Technology Trends in Distribution Read More »

Canadian Manufacturing Sales Up 2% in November

Economic Trends, Free, News, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

Gain reflects higher sales in machinery, petroleum and coal product, and motor vehicles industries.

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Canadian Manufacturing Sales Up 2% in November Read More »

Mobile Marketing & QR Codes: What NOT to Do

Free, MDM Blog, Sales & Marketing, Subscriber Only, Technology / Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier

B2B marketing expert John Sonnhalter shares common mistakes with QR codes.

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Mobile Marketing & QR Codes: What NOT to Do Read More »

January 2012

Download This Issue in pdf: Jan. 25, 2012

MDM-Baird 4Q11 Survey: Things Are Looking Up

Grainger Sales Grow 12% in 2011 to $8.1B

Praxair Sales Up 7% in Fourth Quarter

Rockwell Automation Revenues Up 8% in Fiscal 2012 First Quarter

Textron Sales Up 4.1% in Fourth Quarter

Tip: Embrace Negative Thinking in Strategy

Applied Industrial Technologies 2Q Sales Up 8%

State of the Union: Obama’s Manufacturing Focus

MSC Agrees to Buy ATS Industrial Supply

Kaman Industrial Technologies Names Ahlfinger to Head Minarik Division

Air Products Sales Up 1% in First Quarter

Packaging Corporation of America Sales up 8% in 2011

Crane Co. Reports $125M Loss in Fourth Quarter

BDI Opens Two New Branches

Good News: Survey Shows Far Fewer Construction Firms Planning to Make Layoffs in 2012

Canadian Wholesale Sales Down 0.4% in November

Readers Respond: Hot Technology Trends in Distribution

Canadian Manufacturing Sales Up 2% in November

Mobile Marketing & QR Codes: What NOT to Do

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