Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 2.9% in March
Manufacturing technology orders up 0.9 percent year-to-date.
Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 2.9% in March Read More »
May 2014
MDM News Digest 4409
News briefs from April 26-May 10
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MDM News Digest 4409 Read More »
Disruptive Technologies: Bridging the Digital & Physical through Augmented Reality
Google Glass is the most visible example of augmented reality, but a business case for the emerging technology is building. According to Gartner research analyst Tuong Huy Nguyen, the technology could be most valuable where workers do not have immediate access to information such as remote sites or in jobs that require one or both hands. While it’s still early, manufacturers are already using augmented reality for factory planning and equipment repair. Applications are also being developed for use in distribution centers for more efficient order-picking and delivery.
This article is part of MDM’s Disruptive Technologies Special Report.
This article includes:
- What Augmented Reality is
- How it can be used in the warehouse, field and factory
- The potential impact on distributors and their customers and suppliers
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- The State of E-Commerce in Distribution: 2014
- The State of Analytics in Distribution: 2014
- Redefining Competitive Advantage
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Disruptive Technologies: Bridging the Digital & Physical through Augmented Reality Read More »
Download this Issue in PDF: May 10, 2014
This is the PDF of this issue of Modern Distribution Management.
Table of Contents:
- Disruptive Technologies Special Report: Introduction to Technology that Could Transform the Supply Chain
- Commentary: Distribution 3.0 – The Next Cycle
- Disruptive Technologies Report: 3-D Printing Drives Supply Chain Shift
- Disruptive Technologies Report: Bridging the Digital & Physical with Augmented Reality
- How to Clear 2014’s Economic Hurdles
- News Digest
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Download this Issue in PDF: May 10, 2014 Read More »
Disruptive Technologies: Introduction – Looking to the Future
The May 10, 2014, issue of MDM kicks off a series of articles on disruptive technologies. This article provides an introduction to the series, examining how distribution executives should think about the potential impacts of these technologies – 3-D printing, augmented reality, robotics and innovations like drones and driverless cars – on their businesses, as well as those of their customers and suppliers.
This article includes:
- Advice for executives on how to think about emerging technologies
- Definition of disruptive technologies
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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- The State of E-Commerce in Distribution: 2014
- The State of Analytics in Distribution: 2014
- Redefining Competitive Advantage
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Disruptive Technologies: Introduction – Looking to the Future Read More »
How to Clear 2014’s Economic Hurdles
After a year of slow, uneven recovery in 2013, distributors should focus on meeting the challenges posed in 2014, as well as positioning for growth in 2015 and beyond, according to Alan Beaulieu, president of ITR Economics. Beaulieu was featured in the recent MDM Webcast, The Path to Profitability in 2014. This article is an exclusive summary of the webcast, which is available on-demand and on DVD at mdm.com.
This article includes:
- Forecast for 2014-2015
- Key indicators to watch
- Challenges distributors may face, including margin pressure
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- First Quarter 2014 MDM Pricing Trends Report
- MDM-Baird Distribution Survey
- Redefining Competitive Advantage
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How to Clear 2014’s Economic Hurdles Read More »
Disruptive Technologies: 3-D Printing Drives Supply Chain Shift
The media is talking about 3-D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, more than ever. But adoption of the technology in everyday use is far from widespread. This article examines the role of 3-D printing in manufacturing today and how it might change the supply chain in the future.
This article is part of MDM’s Disruptive Technologies Special Report.
This article includes:
- Current applications for 3-D printing
- Barriers to widespread use of 3-D printing
- The potential impact on the supply chain of the future
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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- The State of E-Commerce in Distribution: 2014
- The State of Analytics in Distribution: 2014
- Redefining Competitive Advantage
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Disruptive Technologies: 3-D Printing Drives Supply Chain Shift Read More »
March Wholesale Trade Up 6.5% Year-Over-Year
Total inventories up 5.9 percent year-over-year.
March Wholesale Trade Up 6.5% Year-Over-Year Read More »
Beacon Roofing Sales Down 7.5% in 2Q
Year-to-date sales up 0.8 percent year-over-year.
Beacon Roofing Sales Down 7.5% in 2Q Read More »
5 Tips for Recruiting & Retaining the Best Employees
Give your human resources plan time and energy to reap rewards from this critical asset.
5 Tips for Recruiting & Retaining the Best Employees Read More »
Wausau Paper Sales Down 1% in 1Q
Company reports a loss of $4.9 million in first quarter.
Wausau Paper Sales Down 1% in 1Q Read More »
Commentary: Distribution 3.0 – The Next Cycle
In this article, Publisher Tom Gale writes: This is my fourth post-recession cycle since I first starting working in industrial and distribution markets in the mid-1980s. The current cycle has been the longest for us all, but has some interesting parallels to other cycles. Here are a few thoughts from a file I keep labeled: I might just learn something if I listen hard enough. (Apologies/credit to fellow St. Louis native Yogi Berra.)
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- The State of Analytics in Distribution: 2014
- The Shifting Competitive Landscape in Distribution
- Redefining Competitive Advantage
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Commentary: Distribution 3.0 – The Next Cycle Read More »
United Electric Supply Company Acquires County Electric
Acquisition includes County Electric’s subsidiaries.
United Electric Supply Company Acquires County Electric Read More »
VEC to Open New Branch in Ashland, VA
New branch will serve Richmond metropolitan area.
VEC to Open New Branch in Ashland, VA Read More »
Precision Castparts Full-Year 2014 Sales Up 15%
Fourth-quarter sales up 3.9 percent year-over-year.
Precision Castparts Full-Year 2014 Sales Up 15% Read More »
BlueLinx Sales Up 11.8% in First Quarter
The building products distributor reported a loss of $8.6 million for the quarter.
BlueLinx Sales Up 11.8% in First Quarter Read More »
Graybar Sales Up 2.3% in 1Q
Profit increases 42.5 percent in first quarter.
Graybar Sales Up 2.3% in 1Q Read More »
Neenah Paper Sales Up 5.6% in 1Q
Profit decreases 10.2 percent year-over-year.
Neenah Paper Sales Up 5.6% in 1Q Read More »
Louisiana-Pacific Sales Drop 16% in First Quarter
Severe weather was attributed to the first-quarter net loss of $14 million.
Louisiana-Pacific Sales Drop 16% in First Quarter Read More »
Tip: Communicate Clearly with Channel Partners to Avoid Conflict
Successful partnerships require clear understanding of partner motivations.
Tip: Communicate Clearly with Channel Partners to Avoid Conflict Read More »
