In 2012, Sheffield, AL-based Martin Industrial Supply’s leaders – three brothers – talked with me about the industrial distributor’s investments during the downturn. The distributor started a new safety division in 2011, made acquisitions and continued to build out its integrated supply offerings. MSCO is the parent company of Martin Industrial Supply, Martin Safety Solutions and four other divisions.
Due to these investments, MSCO was recognized as a 2012 MDM Market Mover. (The 2014 MDM Market Mover nominations are now open. Learn more.)
Recently I spoke with David Ruggles for the latest 7 Minutes With … executive interview, available here. Ruggles, who serves as the president and CEO of Martin Industrial Supply, provided an update on Martin Safety Solutions, which he said continues to grow.
While the distributor had been selling safety products for a long time, Martin decided to build the division from scratch with a focus on becoming known as safety professionals. And now, Ruggles says, “it’s actually one of the fastest growing divisions within Martin Inc.”
Martin is attracting Fortune 500 companies as customers for its safety supplies and services. “I feel pretty confident that if we had not made the move to bring on the safety professionals, we would not have been considered for the business. They wouldn’t have thought of Martin Industrial Supply as being a safety solutions provider,” Ruggles says.
In the 7 Minutes With … interview, Ruggles also talks with me about:
- The challenges in launching a new ERP system
- Martin’s acquisition of J&K Sales & Engineering
- Advice for young professionals entering the distribution industry
Nominate your company or one you know as a 2014 MDM Market Mover here.
Listen to the full 7 Minutes With … interview below or visit the MDM Executive Briefing page for the full program.
