Digital sales up 20 percent during quarter, while overall sales grew only 3 percent.
Eric Smith
Senior Editor Eric Smith is an award-winning business journalist whose coverage focus includes economic news and insights, industry trends, M&A, and analysis of small businesses and public companies across the wholesale distribution marketplace. Reach him at eric@mdm.com or 720-207-0335.
Posts By Eric Smith
Robert W. Baird & Co., in partnership with Modern Distribution Management, conducted a survey of about 500 distributors and manufacturers to gauge business trends and the outlook for the distribution industry in diverse sectors. Here is a summary of second-quarter results and distributor and manufacturer expectations for 2015.
This article includes:
- Revenue, inventory and pricing expectations
- Sector breakdown
- Analysis of trends affecting sales and operating performance
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- MDM Industrial Inflation Index
- Market Analysis: Plastics Consumption in North America
- 2Q2015 Financial Metrics & Trading Multiples
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
Distributors still view Amazon as a threat, despite the company’s overture to them as a B2B e-commerce option.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Amazon’s B2B Move Reduces Threat
- The Cost of Not Providing E-Commerce
- Is Your Company Disrupter or Disrupted?
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
International manufacturers have their eye on the U.S. market, especially as the economy continues to strengthen, but an extensive investment in technology and services could give them a competitive edge.
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- M&A Competition Heating Up
- Destination: Mexico
- Good News, Bad News for U.S. Economy
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
Organic growth, greenfield openings and acquisitions drive roofing company's expansion.
Company honored as MDM Market Mover for unique approach to making customers "insanely happy."
MAPI report: Sluggish economies throughout world providing headwinds for U.S.
Company again ramping up FAST Solutions installation to engage with customers of all sizes.
Broadening U.S. industrial weakness takes toll on distributors' revenues.
Unpredictable supply chain disruptions such as natural disasters and labor disputes garner the biggest headlines, but the predictable disruption of a channel partner changing its business system can cause some of the biggest headaches. Despite a potential for upheaval, distributors and manufacturers can take strategic precautions to minimize problems.
This article includes:
- How to assess the problem
- Solutions for minimizing predictable disruptions
- Supply chain strategies for success
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Distributors Seeking ‘Lean’ Supply Chain
- Case Study: The Disruptive Holiday
- MDM Interview: Redefining Competitive Advantage
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
Plan for disruptions such as warehouse relocation, inclement weather and labor disputes.
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Strategic Options for Shipping Efficiency
- Case Study: The Disruptive Holiday
- Distributors Adapt to More Sophisticated Supply Chain
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
Reasoning for and consequences of not investing in e-commerce.
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Prioritizing Big Data
- 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution, Part 2: Integrate or Stagnate
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
Stock Building Supply-BMC merger announced, while Sysco-US Foods deal falls apart.
ISM Report shows manufacturing expansion, yet concerns linger.
At the same time, technology adoption continues to gain speed.
This article is part of MDM's 2015 Distribution Trends Special Issue. It provides a look at how some distributors need to rein in any ambitions that exceed their current capabilities and focus on business fundamentals.
The annual feature was researched and written by MDM editors based on interviews with dozens of wholesaler-distributors, as well as industry experts and manufacturers. MDM also conducted a survey of its readers to uncover the trends outlined in this issue.
The full special issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers. Subscribe below for full access. Or log-in if you are already a subscriber.
Trends outlined in the 2015 report include:
- Good News, Bad News for U.S. Economy
- Distributors Get Back to the Basics
- ‘Doubling Down’ on Distributor Relationships
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Distributors Seeking ‘Lean’ Supply Chain
- Distributors Adapt to More Sophisticated Supply Chain
- Distributors Combine Traditional, New Means for Recruiting
- Distributors Change Tune on Generational Shift
- Trend Snapshots for 13 Sectors
The report also includes the following case studies and interviews:
- 2015 MDM Market Movers
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
- Plumbers Supply’s “Win-Win-Win-Win”
- MDM Market Leader Profiles
- Culture Drives Success for ERIKS North America
- TTI’s Strategic Approach to Global Growth
This article is part of MDM's 2015 Distribution Trends Special Issue. It examines a return to the "lean" principles popularized by Toyota to streamline a supply chain.
The annual feature was researched and written by MDM editors based on interviews with dozens of wholesaler-distributors, as well as industry experts and manufacturers. MDM also conducted a survey of its readers to uncover the trends outlined in this issue.
The full special issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers. Subscribe below for full access. Or log-in if you are already a subscriber.
Trends outlined in the 2015 report include:
- Good & Bad News for U.S. Economy
- Distributors Get Back to the Basics
- ‘Doubling Down’ on Distributor Relationships
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Distributors Seeking ‘Lean’ Supply Chain
- Distributors Adapt to More Sophisticated Supply Chain
- Distributors Combine Traditional, New Means for Recruiting
- Distributors Change Tune on Generational Shift
- Trend Snapshots for 13 Sectors
The report also includes the following case studies and interviews:
- 2015 MDM Market Movers
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
- Plumbers Supply’s “Win-Win-Win-Win”
- MDM Market Leader Profiles
- Culture Drives Success for ERIKS North America
- TTI’s Strategic Approach to Global Growth
This article is part of MDM's 2015 Distribution Trends Special Issue. It provides a look at the strategies distributors are using to fill their benches with new talent.
The annual feature was researched and written by MDM editors based on interviews with dozens of wholesaler-distributors, as well as industry experts and manufacturers. MDM also conducted a survey of its readers to uncover the trends outlined in this issue.
The full special issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers. Subscribe below for full access. Or log-in if you are already a subscriber.
Trends outlined in the 2015 report include:
- Good & Bad News for U.S. Economy
- Distributors Get Back to the Basics
- ‘Doubling Down’ on Distributor Relationships
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Distributors Seeking ‘Lean’ Supply Chain
- Distributors Adapt to More Sophisticated Supply Chain
- Distributors Combine Traditional, New Means for Recruiting
- Distributors Change Tune on Generational Shift
- Trend Snapshots for 13 Sectors
The report also includes the following case studies and interviews:
- 2015 MDM Market Movers
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
- Plumbers Supply’s “Win-Win-Win-Win”
- MDM Market Leader Profiles
- Culture Drives Success for ERIKS North America
- TTI’s Strategic Approach to Global Growth
This article is part of MDM's 2015 Distribution Trends Special Issue. It looks at the new mindset distributors have about retaining employees and grooming the next generation of leaders.
The annual feature was researched and written by MDM editors based on interviews with dozens of wholesaler-distributors, as well as industry experts and manufacturers. MDM also conducted a survey of its readers to uncover the trends outlined in this issue.
The full special issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers. Subscribe below for full access. Or log-in if you are already a subscriber.
Trends outlined in the 2015 report include:
- Good & Bad News for U.S. Economy
- Distributors Get Back to the Basics
- ‘Doubling Down’ on Distributor Relationships
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Distributors Seeking ‘Lean’ Supply Chain
- Distributors Adapt to More Sophisticated Supply Chain
- Distributors Combine Traditional, New Means for Recruiting
- Distributors Change Tune on Generational Shift
- Trend Snapshots for 13 Sectors
The report also includes the following case studies and interviews:
- 2015 MDM Market Movers
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
- Plumbers Supply’s “Win-Win-Win-Win”
- MDM Market Leader Profiles
- Culture Drives Success for ERIKS North America
- TTI’s Strategic Approach to Global Growth
This article is part of MDM's 2015 Distribution Trends Special Issue. It analyzes how TTI Inc. is approaching global growth, the importance of culture to successful acquisitions and what's in store for the rest of 2015 and beyond.
The annual feature was researched and written by MDM editors based on interviews with dozens of wholesaler-distributors, as well as industry experts and manufacturers. MDM also conducted a survey of its readers to uncover the trends outlined in this issue.
The full special issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers. Subscribe below for full access. Or log-in if you are already a subscriber.
Trends outlined in the 2015 report include:
- Good & Bad News for U.S. Economy
- Distributors Get Back to the Basics
- ‘Doubling Down’ on Distributor Relationships
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Distributors Seeking ‘Lean’ Supply Chain
- Distributors Adapt to More Sophisticated Supply Chain
- Distributors Combine Traditional, New Means for Recruiting
- Distributors Change Tune on Generational Shift
- Trend Snapshots for 13 Sectors
The report also includes the following case studies and interviews:
- 2015 MDM Market Movers
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
- Plumbers Supply’s “Win-Win-Win-Win”
- MDM Market Leader Profiles
- Culture Drives Success for ERIKS North America
- TTI’s Strategic Approach to Global Growth
