McKinsey report says manufacturers should be more focused on proximity to demand and innovation.
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Growth led by gains in residential construction during the quarter.
Robert W. Baird & Co., in partnership with Modern Distribution Management, conducted a survey of more than 500 distributors and manufacturers to gauge business trends and the outlook for the distribution industry in diverse sectors. This article provides a summary of fourth-quarter results and distributor and manufacturer expectations for 2014.
This article includes:
- Revenue, inventory and pricing expectations
- Sector breakdown
- Analysis of trends affecting sales and operating performance
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- 10 Distribution Trends to Watch in 2014
- Profits in a Year of Strong Growth
- Special Report: The Industrial Vending Boom
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From drones to 3D printing, new technologies may dramatically change distribution.
After years of uncertainty, has the global economy finally found its footing again?
Many distributors have struggled with where to invest limited dollars to meet the demands resulting from the rapidly growing role of technology in the industry. This article looks at distributors’ current technology challenges and plans, identified by respondents to the 2014 MDM Industry Outlook Survey, sponsored by NetSuite.
More details from the 2014 MDM Industry Outlook will be provided in the upcoming Jan. 16, 2014, webcast, the 2014 Distribution Industry Outlook.
This article includes:
- Distributors’ plans for technology investments in 2014
- Key challenges related to new technologies
- How to overcome some of those key challenges
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- Beyond Amazon: E-Commerce’s Impact on Wholesale Distribution Markets
- Grainger’s E-Commerce Evolution
- MDM Interview: Breaking Down the Barriers for CRM
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Vending and e-commerce continue to be growth drivers for the distributor.
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Demand for online customer service portals has risen, even as supply lags.
Latest episode of 7 Minutes With: Ted Stark of Dalco Enterprises on increased competition in the jan-san industry.
Disruptive technologies, better data management and multichannel initiatives will be on the front lines for distribution.
MDM readers identify their biggest technology challenges for the new year.
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MAPI Chief Economist: ‘We’re fortunate to have this job growth.’
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The first filing deadline for the conflict minerals provision of the Dodd-Frank Act is fast approaching. While the provision – requiring disclosure of the use of tungsten, tin, tantalum and gold sourced in and around the Democratic Republic of the Congo – only directly applies to public manufacturers, the actual impact is much broader than anticipated, and many distributors aren’t sure of the steps they need to take to comply.
This article examines the conflict minerals rule and how its effects are being felt all along the supply chain. It also provides practical information on how distributors can prepare for helping customers comply with the new rule.
This article includes:
- An overview of the SEC Final Rule on Conflict Minerals
- Analysis of the broader impact of the rule
- Steps for creating a game plan to address the rule's impact
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- The Growing Cost of Product Liability
- The Counterfeit Challenge
- Global Markets Are Not Just for Large Companies Anymore
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The U.S. automotive industry hit bottom in 2009, with total light-vehicle sales falling to 10.4 million units the lowest level since 1982. Chrysler and GM filed for bankruptcy that year; Ford, while avoiding the courts, had to make its own cuts.
Today, the industry is nearing full recovery, albeit with some significant changes. This article examines the current state of the automotive industry in North America, how the recovery has affected suppliers and distributors serving the market and the outlook.
This article includes:
- Distributors’ perspectives on the auto industry collapse and recovery
- Lessons learned
- Outlook for the auto industry in North America
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- Wallet Share, Demands Drive Acceleration in Channel Convergence
- Third Quarter MDM-Baird Survey: Slow But Steady Growth
- Wind Market Grows; Challenges Remain
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The U.S. auto industry has returned from its collapse, but the industry – and the the distributors who serve it – have made some big changes.
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Tool manufacturer launches toolsofthebrave.com website in response to demand for American-made products.
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CEO: Company will focus on three key areas to achieve goal by 2016.
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Manufacturers and distributors often think about data differently, leading to inconsistent data sharing.
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McCausland: ‘Growth is hard to come by in this economy.’
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