2019

The road to true, transaction-enabled ecommerce is fraught with obstacles, with many right paths to success. But there are proven best practices. Read the results of MDMs latest survey on e-commerce implementation and learn from the story of how one of North Americas largest sports novelties distributors, with more than 50,000 SKUs, quickly built a strong e-commerce platform with integrated inventory management capability.

Distributor Ecommerce Lessons: Barriers & Best Practices Read More »

Atlas Copco’s Sales Rise 12% in 4Q

Leave a Comment / Companies, News, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Annual sales rose 11 percent.

Atlas Copco’s Sales Rise 12% in 4Q Read More »

Cardinal Health Names EVP, CIO

Leave a Comment / Companies, Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution, News, Operations, Pharmaceutical & Health Care, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Company hires Brian Rice as executive vice president, chief information officer and customer support services.

Cardinal Health Names EVP, CIO Read More »

Revenue Growth Well Above Expectations as Pricing Moderates

Quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey, Research & Analytics / Declan Joyce

Since 2010, Robert W. Baird & Co., in partnership with Modern Distribution Management, has conducted quarterly surveys of distributors and manufacturers to gauge business trends and the outlook for the industry. This quarter’s survey polled approximately 500 industry leaders to determine the latest indicators on revenue and pricing based on fourth-quarter 2018 results and distributor and manufacturer expectations for first-quarter and full-year 2019.

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Revenue Growth Well Above Expectations as Pricing Moderates Read More »

Outlook for 2019: a Soft Landing Ahead?

Research & Analytics / Declan Joyce

A year ago, at the beginning of 2018, all indicators suggested that the economic and stock market fundamentals were in place for a year of solid growth in the U.S. economy. And while that turned out to be the case for the first three quarters of the year, as 2018 ended the economic signals became more mixed, suggesting that the economy might be entering a period of slowdown. However, whether we are in for a soft landing or something more painful remains to be seen and depends on a number of moving parts.

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Outlook for 2019: a Soft Landing Ahead? Read More »

MDM Pricing Trends Report: Fourth Quarter & Annual 2018

Uncategorized / MDM Staff

This report is researched and produced by MDM editors. View the Third Quarter 2018 report here.

These product groups provide a snapshot of inflation trends based on the Producer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fourth quarter 2018 pricing levels are compared with third quarter 2018 and fourth quarter 2017. Year-end 2018 levels are compared to year-end 2016 levels.

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Industrial

Abrasives
Adhesives & Sealants
Metal Cutting Machine Tools
Metal Forming Machine Tools
Pumps, Compressors, & Eqmt
Ind. Material Handling Eqmt
Rubber & Plastic Hose
Rubber & Plastic Belts & Belting
Ind. Rubber Products, nec
Metal Valves (not fluid power)
Personal Safety Equipment & Clothing
Steel Mill Products

Construction

Softwood Lumber
Hardwood Lumber
General Millwork
Gypsum Products
Hardboard, Particlebd, Fiberbd
Plywood
Plastic Construction Products
Wood Ties, Siding, Shingles,
Shakes

Electrical

Electrical Machinery & Eqmt
Electronic Components & Accs
Integrating and Measuring Instruments
Motors & Generators
Wiring Devices
Transformers & Power Regulators
Switchgear, Switchboard, etc., Eqmt
Communications & Related Eqmt
Electric Lamp Bulbs & Parts

Other Related Electrical

Lighting Fixtures
Nonferrous Wire & Cable
Fabricated Ferrous Wire & Cable

Power Transmission/Bearing

Mechanical Power Transmission Eqmt
Ball & Roller Bearings
Plain Bearings & Bushings
Speed Changers, Drives & Gears

Fluid Power

Fluid Power Eqmt
Fluid Power Valves
Fluid Power Hose/ Tube Fittings
Fluid Power Pumps & Parts
Fluid Power Actuators/ Accum/ Cylinders

Plastics

Plastic Resins & Materials
Plastic Products (Overall)

Fasteners

Nuts, Bolts, Screws, Rivets, Washers (overall)
Aircraft Fasteners
Externally Threaded Fasteners
Internally Threaded Fasteners
Nonthreaded Metal Fasteners

Hardware

Hardware (overall)
Builders’ Hardware

Tools

Hand & Edge Tools
Power-Driven Hand Tools
Tools, Dies, Jigs, Molds, Fixtures
Cutting Tools & Accs (overall)
Precision Measuring Tools
Small Cutting Tools

Gases/Welding

Industrial Gases
Welding Machinery/ Equipment

Paper

Pulp, Paper & Allied Products (overall)
Sanitary Paper Products
Boxes
Packaging Products from Plastic

HVACR/Plumbing

Air Cond. & Refrigeration Eqmt
Heating Eqmt
Plumbing Fixtures & Fittings

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MDM Pricing Trends Report: Fourth Quarter & Annual 2018 Read More »

Commentary: Preparing for a Turbulent Year

Research & Analytics / Tom Gale

This issue features the results of our first Baird/MDM quarterly survey of 2019. Though the picture it paints is far from crystal clear and there are still many reasons to be optimistic about the industrys immediate future, its looking more likely that in 2019 well be reaching the end point of the current business cycle and heading into some unsettled times economically.

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Commentary: Preparing for a Turbulent Year Read More »

Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Metrics & Trading Multiples

Uncategorized / MDM Staff

In this two-page report, available to download in PDF after log-in, we feature data on merger and acquisition trends and financial metrics for the largest publicly traded distributors across diverse sectors in the fourth quarter of 2018.

In partnership with Houlihan Lokey, an investment banking firm, the report includes data on M&A activity trends across all industries (not just distribution), as well as valuation multiples for deals in all industries.

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Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Metrics & Trading Multiples Read More »