Industrial distributor Fastenal saw its sales mix continue to return to normal in August, and the company again reduced its total workforce, this time by 7.5%, which is part of a larger industry trend toward omnichannel selling.
Latest In Featured Blog
Customer managed inventory technology is far faster, eliminates price shopping and reduces the risk of error, says eTurns’ Rock Rockwell.
These reps are now in position to play a key role in distributor revenue recovery plans.
Align your online and offline presence, stop putting product first and prioritize user experience, recommends distribution marketing veteran Lindsay Young.
Three steps distribution managers can follow to boost the profitability of your existing book of business, from Profit Isle’s Jonathan Byrnes and John Wass.
M&A volume hasn’t completely returned to pre-COVID volume, but last month saw decent activity and some multibillion-dollar deals, including two in building materials & construction and one involving a distribution ERP provider.
It is not business as usual in distribution, as reflected by the most-read blogs on MDM.com this month.
For the second time in two weeks, the building materials and construction sector saw major consolidation with Builders FirstSource Inc.’s Thursday announcement that it would acquire BMC Stock Holdings Inc. in a $2.5 billion, all-stock merger. Here’s what we know about the deal so far.
For the last six months, distributors have been dealing with an unprecedented disruption to their sales and business operations. The abrupt arrival of hurricane season is another reminder of the need for robust supply chain planning and an airtight disaster mitigation plan.
Ludwig Meister took an uncommon path on its digital journey, beginning with the backend processes and then focusing on the front-facing, sales-friendly site. CEO Max Meister explains why.
The 2019 revenue statistics in MDM's 2020 Market Leaders top distributors lists are going to serve as an important benchmark while wholesale distribution recovers from COVID-19.
August has brought some more good news to the U.S. economy in general and distribution in general based on the latest round of data reports showing continued momentum, but the industry has plenty of work yet to complete.
Now is the time to double down on virtual sales coaching, says sales leadership trainer Colleen Stanley.
Digital offering for customers is one of the four levers that distributors can pull to help them take share during the pandemic — or amid any disruption.
The B2B market is looking for better e-commerce tools and a wider product assortment. Applico’s Alex Moazed outlines three avenues for distributors to meet customer needs and achieve channel enablement in the process.
The B2B distribution business is dealing with plant shutdowns, supply chain disruptions and a whole new way of doing business. Rocket Industrial navigated both an ERP upgrade and automation of its AR/AP with a clear plan: Take cost out while improving service levels.
The post-COVID environment, which could become the worst recession in our lifetimes, will require a new approach to customer service and distributors need to begin adapting now. Ray Grady, the CEO of cloud-based solutions provider Conexiom, explains why.
It’s a new era at WESCO International, which rode the acquisition of Anixter International to a 2Q revenue and EPS beat in its first earnings report since the epic deal closed in June. But pitfalls remain as a massive integration looms for the two distribution giants.
Market conditions weren’t favorable for Applied Industrial Technologies Inc. in the fiscal fourth quarter, but the distributor navigated the COVID-plagued business landscape as well as possible thanks to cost-reduction measures it will extend into 2021.
Now that HD Supply has shifted gears to sell White Cap to private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier and Rice for $2.9 billion, look for more shifts within the industrial distribution landscape.
