Research & Analytics Archives

Commentary: Fighting the Digital Disruption War

For more than 20 years, technology adoption in distribution has lived with this axiom: The distribution industry moves at its own pace, and it reflects the wants and needs of its customers. On the other side is this: distribution, particularly industrial channels, is on the slow end of the technology adoption curve. As with most things, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

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Distribution M&A Playbook, pt. 2: The 8 Fatal Flaws in M&A
Top Trends for 2017
MDM Interview: Watsco Aims for ‘Bigger, Better, Faster’

August 25, 2017

Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution

Tip: Keep Employees by Helping Them Develop New Skills

Retention strategies should begin with making employees feel invested.

August 24, 2017

Economic Trends

Chicago Fed National Activity Index Decreased in July

The index's three-month moving average, CFNAI-MA3, decreased during the month.

August 24, 2017

Building Materials/Construction

Home Depot ‘Trouncing’ Lowe’s in Battle for Pro Customers

Report: Big-box competition for B2B business a blowout so far.

August 23, 2017

Economic Trends

Canadian New Housing Construction Investment Up 7.2% in June

Single-family dwellings led the increase.

August 22, 2017

Economic Trends

Ready for the ‘Workforce of the Future’?

Make sure your company is keeping pace with automation, other advances.

August 21, 2017

Economic Trends

Canadian Wholesale Sales Down 0.5% in June

Sales were down in five of the seven subsectors.

August 21, 2017

Economic Trends

Canadian Wholesale Services Price Index Up 2.3% in 1Q

In eight wholesale sectors, margins were up in five and down in three.

August 18, 2017

Economic Trends

June Construction Production Decreases in Europe

Production in the construction sector down 0.5 percent in EA19 and down 0.2 percent in EU28.

August 18, 2017

Economic Trends

Canadian Manufacturing Sales Down 1.8% in June

Declines attributed to lower sales in the petroleum and coal product, transportation equipment and chemical industries.

August 17, 2017

Economic Trends

Conference Board Leading Economic Index Increased 0.3% in July

Coincident Economic Index and The Lagging Economic Index also increased.

August 17, 2017

Economic Trends

U.S. Housing Starts Drop 4.1% in July

Single-family housing starts were unchanged over June.

August 16, 2017

Economic Trends

June U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Climbed 6.5% Over May

Expansion in U.S. manufacturing technology orders accelerating.

August 14, 2017

Economic Trends

June Wholesale Revenues Up 5.5% YOY

Sales of durable goods up 5.8 percent from the previous year.

August 14, 2017

Economic Trends

European Industrial Production Down 0.6% in June

Industrial production down 0.5 percent in the EU28.

August 14, 2017

Economic Trends

CFOs Embrace Optimism in Spite of Uncertainty

Deloitte survey highlights positive business outlook for the near-term.

August 14, 2017

Economic Trends

Manufacturing Productivity Up 2.5 % in 2Q

Productivity increases 3.8 percent in durable goods, decreases 0.1 percent in nondurable goods.

August 10, 2017

Economic Trends

Producer Price Index Down 0.1% in July

Prices for final demand services up 0.1 percent in June.

August 10, 2017

Finance

Distribution M&A Playbook, pt. 2: The 8 Fatal Flaws in M&A

Many distribution verticals are seeing consolidation; those that haven’t are ripe for it. This article, the second in a three-part series, will help buyers avoid common pitfalls that can derail M&A transactions.

Part 1 discussed how distributors can prepare for the inevitable by understanding the landscape, their place in the consolidation cycle and the new measures of shareholder value.

This article includes: