Featured Archives

QuickTake: Report Card on Distribution Business Models

Time for a check-up on the state of the industry as 2023 ends. Mike Marks and Tom Gale review the shifts – seismic and otherwise – that have shaped the competitive landscape across the dimensions of sales channels, digital, data analytics and culture.

December 8, 2023

MDM Blog

See Which Distributors Made Newsweek’s ‘Most Responsible Companies’ List

The rankings feature awards companies for their ESG efforts and supporting their local communities.

December 7, 2023

Perspective

MDM Podcast: BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions See Many Ways to Win

Ken Sweder, CEO of the now-combined JanSan, foodservice and packaging supplies distributor, stops by to discuss the strategy behind the merger, the path ahead and the outlook for the company's product markets.

December 6, 2023

Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution

Your Talent Strategy Goes Far Beyond HR

Amid a sea change in employer-to-employee power dynamics, distributors have had to be much more strategic with their hiring and retention practices. We gather key takeaways on this front from Alex Chausovsky.

December 5, 2023

Technology

How to Leverage Intelligent Automation for Streamlined Order Processing

With distributors unsure about the business case for AI, Tim Yates explains how these companies can leverage its automation capabilities so that the technology pays for itself, and then some.

December 4, 2023

Data & Analytics

AI, Meet My Best Friend, Data

AI is already fueling next-gen sales models, but data analytics are the foundation to better engage, sell and service customer needs. Here’s the growth roadmap MDM is exploring at our Data Analytics Summit.

December 1, 2023

Economic Trends

November PMI Holds as Less Production Offsets More Orders

The figures indicate that demand remains soft and production execution was slightly down compared to October.

December 1, 2023

Strategy

Fastenal’s Big Pivot, Pt. 3: Investments, Line Expansions & Digital Growth

In the last of his three-part detective series, John Gunderson examines the role that Fastenal's investments, product line expansions and digital growth have played to drive a decade-long performance increase.

November 30, 2023

Mergers & Acquisitions

November M&A Roundup: Strong Pace Halts at Thanksgiving

We reported on 28 industrial, commercial and building supply M&A deals during the month by distributors and manufacturers, with all but two of them before Nov. 23.

November 30, 2023

Perspective

MDM Podcast: How Kodiak Grows through Local Empowerment

In just 12 years, Kodiak Building Partners has gone from inception to No. 11 on our Top Building Materials Distributors List. CEO Steve Swinney details how enabling local empowerment has keyed that growth.

November 29, 2023

MDM Blog

Here’s Where Distributors Rank on Forbes’ 2023 List of America’s Largest Private Companies

See which industrial, commercial and building supply distributors charted on Forbes' annual list of the largest privately-owned companies by revenue.

November 28, 2023

eCommerce

How to Use eCommerce CRM Integration for Lead Conversion, Personalization and Analytics

Distributors using eCommerce but not integrating it with their CRM software are missing out on segmentation and analysis of their customer base and using what they learn to maximize marketing and service.

November 28, 2023

Cybersecurity

Henry Schein Hit Again by Same Ransomware Group

The same bad actor re-encrypted previously stolen sensitive information, apparently just as the distributor had recovered from the initial breach.

November 27, 2023

Market Analysis

Amazon is Now the Top Delivery Business in the U.S., and its Lead is Set to Expand

While the company didn't celebrate it with fanfare, it’s still a significant milestone for Amazon's vast logistics network.

November 27, 2023

Technology

NAW Innovators Summit Showcases Leading Tech

Tom Gale recaps the unique industry event that connected distributors exploring disruptive tech and emerging solution providers, including insights from Grainger and Graybar's CEOs.

November 22, 2023

Strategy

Fastenal’s Big Pivot, Pt. 2: Sales Specialization & Realignment

In part two of his three-part detective series, John Gunderson examines the role Fastenal's sales specialization and realignment programs played to drive a decade-long performance increase.

November 21, 2023

Economic Trends

2024 is Your Investment Year, and 2019 is Never Coming Back: Takeaways from Alan Beaulieu

As a primer for 2024, Mike Hockett condenses ITR Economics’ Alan Beaulieu’s latest industry keynote presentation into seven key points.

November 20, 2023

Pricing

QuickTake: Price is Now a Priority for Customers

James Dorn summarizes Dorn Group’s latest survey results that hold some surprising insights for distributors on the pricing front.

November 17, 2023

Strategy

Wesco Targets Operating Margin Improvement with Anixter-Era Plan

When Wesco merged with Anixter in 2020, it took on a margin improvement plan, which may help the company reach its 10% EBITDA margin target.

November 16, 2023

Marketplaces

How to Overcome the Challenges of Selling Through Marketplaces

Access to marketplaces' growing demand may seem attractive, but juggling their distinct sets of shipping and delivery requirements can be tricky. Andrew Stephens advises on best practices.

November 15, 2023

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