Grainger’s sales increase in the U.S. was 7%.
Grainger Daily Sales Up 8% in January Read More »
In the age of automation, the challenge is creating jobs that only people can perform.
The Challenge of Technology in Job Creation Read More »
Sales growth for the global electrical distributor driven by strategic acquisitions; on a constant, same-day basis, sales were down 1.8 percent.
Rexel Sales Up 5.8% in 2012 Read More »
Acquisition would expand Bossard’s reach in electrical engineering products.
Bossard to Acquire Intrado Read More »
Third-quarter sales for the manufacturer declined 3 percent.
Rexnord Exploring Possible Sale of Company Read More »
De-emphasize activities that do not take full advantage of core competencies and motivate managers to operate with a new performance discipline.
The 3 Elements of Building a Profit-Driven Management Team Read More »
ERIKS expands in the South and in Poland in acquisitions made over the past month.
ERIKS Makes Three Acquisitions in U.S., Europe Read More »
Danbury Winsupply will serve plumbing and heating contractors in western Connecticut and southeast New York state.
WinWholesale Opens Danbury Winsupply Read More »
December manufacturing technology orders, as reported through the USMTO program, were up 17.8% from November.
Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 2.6% in 2012 Read More »
Most other segments had more moderate pricing shifts in the fourth quarter and in 2012 overall.
4Q Inflation Trends: Building Products See Strongest Gains YOY Read More »
The company announced in January that it would explore options for divesting its paper segment to focus on development of its tissue business.
Wausau Paper Sales Flat in 2012 Read More »
Jonathan Byrnes: Few companies use the cost of capital correctly in deciding whether to invest.
2 Critical Questions to Ask When Assessing Strategic Investments Read More »
ASAP manufactures high-pressure flow control products for the oil and gas industry.
ASAP Industries Acquired by American Capital Read More »
The new e-commerce website offers information on more products than in the print catalog.
Lawson Products Launches New E-Commerce Website Read More »
Articles look at how distributors can avoid being held hostage to old ways of doing business.
Recommended Reading: New Competitive Pressures Demand a Fresh Look at Your Markets Read More »
Robert W. Baird & Co., in partnership with Modern Distribution Management, conducted a survey of more than 500 distributors and manufacturers to gauge business trends and the outlook for the distribution industry in diverse sectors. Here is a summary of fourth-quarter results and distributor and manufacturer expectations for 2013.
Even with uncertainty and a disruptive mid-week holiday schedule, respondents to the fourth-quarter 2012 MDM/Baird Distribution Survey passed the revenue expectations they had in the third-quarter survey. Fourth-quarter revenues were up a modest 3 percent overall for respondents, slightly higher than the forecast 2.4 percent growth. All segments represented in the survey reported positive growth in the quarter.
Respondents expect revenues to grow 3.4 percent in first quarter 2013 and raised full-year expectations to …
MDM-Baird Distribution Survey Reveals ‘Choppy’ 4Q Read More »
I’ve been a hockey fan since the 1960s. But someone has to say it: Stop paying attention to Wayne Gretzky’s advice about skating to where the puck will be. It’s been beaten to death countless times by consultants and motivational speakers.
For a long time, it worked well to follow the Great One’s advice. Good distribution companies played where the puck was – they executed well in established markets. Great distribution companies could see where the puck was going – they dedicated resources to find and monetize emerging growth opportunities.
Growth is harder to come by today; market …
Commentary: The Puck Stops Here Read More »
Mike Marks of Indian River Consulting Group says distributors need to break out of the traditional mold of doing business and think differently about how to stand out in an increasingly busy market. In today’s business climate, distributors must do more to maintain their edge.
This is an exclusive summary of the recent MDM Webcast, What Distributor Innovation Looks Like in 2013: Rethinking Your Business Model. The program is available on-demand or on DVD at www.mdm.com/innovation.
Market share incumbents held hostage to the old ways of doing things are losing ground to “rule-breakers,” innovative market share challengers with a fresh perspective, according to Indian River Consulting Group’s Mike Marks in the recent MDM Webcast, What Distributor Innovation Looks Like in 2013: Rethinking Your Business Model.
History shows us that incremental improvements to the same business model can lead to success. The successful automotive company Porsche, for example, has focused on continuous product development along the same platform for years. And Marks says …
New Year, New Approach to Business Read More »
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Download this Issue in PDF: Feb. 10, 2013 Read More »
News briefs from Jan. 26-Feb. 10, 2013
MDM News Digest 4303 Read More »
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