Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier Archives

Zandi: Economy to Pick Up Through 2015

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, and Bradley Holcomb of the Institute for Supply Management provide their perspectives on economic conditions in 2014-2015.

This article includes:

Why Zandi is optimistic for 2014-2015
Raw material and commodity price impacts
Impact of uncertainty on the economy

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MDM-Baird Quarterly Distribution Survey
MDM Pricing Trends Report
College Recruiting Best Practices

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May 25, 2014

Companies

Disruptive Technologies: 3-D Printing Drives Supply Chain Shift

The media is talking about 3-D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, more than ever. But adoption of the technology in everyday use is far from widespread. This article examines the role of 3-D printing in manufacturing today and how it might change the supply chain in the future.

This article is part of MDM’s Disruptive Technologies Special Report.

This article includes:

Current applications for 3-D printing
Barriers to widespread use of 3-D printing
The potential impact on the supply chain of the future

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The State of E-Commerce in Distribution: 2014
The State of Analytics in Distribution: 2014
Redefining Competitive Advantage

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May 10, 2014

Companies

Access Now: Market Analytics – Not Your Father’s Analytics in the Latest Episode of Executive Briefing

Distributors that adopt a more sophisticated analytics program can gain significant competitive advantage.

April 22, 2014

Companies

MSC Launches ‘More Robust Focus’ on Barnes Distribution North America Integration

Second-quarter sales growth for MSC primarily a result of BDNA's sales.

April 16, 2014

Companies

MDM-Baird Survey: Most Distributors’ Business Stable or Accelerating

Harsh weather in first quarter dampens 1Q results, but not distributors' outlook.

April 11, 2014

Companies

Forecast: Probability of Recession in U.S. ‘Almost Zero’

MAPI chief economist outlined the outlook for the U.S. in recent webcast.

April 4, 2014

Companies

Report: Courting Large Manufacturers Not Enough to Grow Mexico’s Economy

Prevalence of less productive "traditional" companies hampers economic growth.

March 28, 2014

Building Materials/Construction

Pockets of Positivity Provide Optimism for HD Supply in 2014

Construction activity in key markets provides positive outlook.

March 26, 2014

Companies

Behind the Deal: Kaman’s Plans for B.W. Rogers

In late February, Bloomfield, CT-based Kaman announced an agreement to acquire fluid power distributor B.W. Rogers, Akron, OH. Steve Smidler, president of the Kaman Distribution Group, recently spoke with MDM about the reasons for the acquisition and plans for integrating the distributor into Kaman’s business.

This article includes:

How acquisition deepens the Parker relationship
How acquisition will expand Kaman's end-market reach
How Kaman will integrate B.W. Rogers

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MDM Interview: Kaman's Expansion Strategy
Applied Industrial: Fluid Power a Growth Area for Distributor
Special Report: The Industrial Vending Boom

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March 25, 2014

Companies

Kaman Targets Oil & Gas, Automotive with B.W. Rogers Acquisition

Kaman's presence in energy and automotive currently "negligible."

March 12, 2014

Companies

Private Label & Channel Conflict

While the margin and branding benefits of selling private label products may be attractive to distributors, such a move can create tension in the channel. This article examines the potential challenges and how distributors and manufacturers may be able to mitigate them.

This is the third in a series of articles from MDM on private label in the wholesale distribution industry.

This article includes:

Drivers of conflict between manufacturers and distributors
How distributors balance private label and national brands
Why some manufacturers offer contract manufacturing for private label and others avoid it

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The Drivers of Private Label in Distribution
Strategies for Private Label Success
Special Report: The Industrial Vending Boom

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March 10, 2014

Companies

MDM Interview: Why Customer ‘Delight’ is the Wrong Goal

The desire to “delight your customers” is a noble one. But the effort involved may be better used elsewhere. Rick DeLisi, senior director of advisory services for CEB’s sales and services practice and co-author of The Effortless Experience: Conquering the New Battleground for Customer Loyalty, spoke with Associate Editor Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier about how distributors could better focus their efforts to provide a better customer service experience for all customers online and off.

This article includes:

A strategy that works better than the strategy of delighting customers
The worst question a customer service agent can ask
New challenges to customer loyalty

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MDM Interview: How to Stand in Your Employees’ Shoes
Where Managers Blunder
Yes, Customers Want to Hear from You

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March 10, 2014

Companies

As Economy Improves, Attention Turns to Unemployment

Skills gap a rising concern for global economies.

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March 10, 2014

Companies

Challenge for Women in Industry: Overcoming Personal Stereotypes

Wojanis: 'As in any industry, one must prove that they can do the job.'

March 4, 2014

Companies

Strategies for Private Label Success

Creating a successful private label strategy requires more than just putting the distributor’s name on the products. This article looks at key elements of building a private label strategy and the decisions distributors need to make to successfully implement that strategy.

This is the second in a series of articles from MDM on private label in the wholesale distribution industry.

This article includes:

The role of branding and positioning in private label success
The importance of having the right skills in place for implementing a private label strategy
The question of control versus liability for distributors

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