This is part of the MDM series, The Shifting Competitive Landscape. Here are two more stories of distributors who are collaborating with competitors to bring value to customers or expand their reach. Read the other case studies from the Dec. 10, 2012, issue here.
PM Industrial Supply: Sharing Inventory with Competitors
Collaboration with competition can be a sensitive area, but for some distributors, it can help them serve their customers more effectively and efficiently. PM Industrial Supply Co., Chatsworth, CA, works with two “friendly competitors” in the area to get products they don’t carry, such as certain cutting tools.
“It really helps us compete with larger distributors, because it helps us be more of a one-stop shop for our customers,” says Zack Gerin, IT and marketing manager.
The service is not an advertised benefit
