Over the last month, MDM received dozens of nominations from distributors across the U.S., Canada and Europe for our inaugural Digital Innovator Awards. Designed to recognize companies investing in cutting-edge digital initiatives to boost their e-commerce capabilities and streamline internal processes, the awards are intended to showcase leaders who display the next-level thinking required in today’s technology-driven marketplace. 

Join us to celebrate the winners as we recognize their achievements at MDM’s upcoming Digital Distributor Summit, and follow along in the next several issues of MDM Premium, where we will feature an in-depth profile of each 2019 Digital Innovator Award winner. 

Here’s a sneak peek at the accomplishments of each company:

Allied Electronics

This marketing-driven distributor is a leader in omnichannel sales. No longer field sales-centric, Allied Electronics, based in Fort Worth, Texas, excels at web-based interactions with a strong team of internal customer service reps to back it up. 

Charles D. Jones Company 

By committing to improve its online ordering platform, this Kansas City, Missouri-based HVAC distributor added spec sheets and installation guides while enhancing its speed and search capabilities. Now accepting credit cards on its mobile platform, the company is seeing a resulting spike in sales. 

FleetPride 

Through its industry-leading electronic catalog, customers can easily search for the items they need from this Irving, Texas-based company. FleetPride’s thriving online parts business is the definition of excellence in e-commerce. 

Hill & Markes 

In a very competitive sector, this Amsterdam, New York-based family-owned distributor is making excellent use of its marketing capabilities to become a leader in the field — approaching 30% e-commerce revenue.

Hisco 

A years-long commitment to collecting and acting on sales and pricing data down to each customer transaction promotes a one-team philosophy of excellence at this employee-owned distributor based in Houston. [Read Hisco’s profile here, in the latest issue of MDM Premium]

Jergens Industrial Supply (JIS) 

In the last couple of years, this Cleveland-based company has significantly invested in IoT technology to improve customer inventory management. Installed at more than 40 customer locations, its JIS Express Wi-Fi enabled button-based ordering system allows for a one-push re-supply (similar to Amazon’s Dash button in the consumer market) that’s led to tremendous growth for JIS. 

Ludwig Meister 

Beginning with the installation of an automated storage system, this Munich-based distributor has taken a systematic approach to data-management and digitizing business with profit-accelerating consequences. [Read Ludwig Meister’s profile here, in the latest issue of MDM Premium]

Ohio Power Tool 

This Columbus, Ohio-based distributor has been the forefront of digital development and e-commerce for years. Online sales make up a significant percentage of the company’s total sales. Additionally, the company is committed to a robust SEO-driven content marketing initiative.

Precision Medical Products 

Innovation is a core value for Precision Medical Products, based in Rocklin, California. In the past year, the distributor has successfully integrated e-commerce platforms, implemented an analytics platform, built a data warehouse and grown its internal operational initiatives. The efforts resulted in higher levels of accuracy, more customer visibility and infrastructure that is positioned to substantially grow company revenue. 

WebstaurantStore

Described by distribution e-commerce specialist Justin King as “one of the most innovative distributors I know,” this Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based company is in the vanguard of the next phase of digital innovation in distribution.