New companies competing in the distribution industry are proving that there’s still room in the market for entrepreneurs. Through technology improvements and increased sources of supply, some have even been able to grow without big investments in inventory and physical locations. This article features new distributors, including a private equity-backed platform, distributors focused on niche markets, online-only businesses and a distributor that restarted his business after selling to a consolidator.

This is the final article in MDM’s Shifting Competitive Landscape Series. Get the full report in the MDM Store or subscribe today.

Consolidation and aggressive expansion over the past few decades in wholesale distribution channels have resulted in tougher competition for the local independent from regional, national and even international distributors.

But a growing number of new companies are finding success, bringing a flexible business model and a fresh perspective on what it takes to compete in today’s wholesale distribution markets. Some distributors …