Industrial Supply Trends is continuing our quarterly series of gaining marketplace insights and sharing it with you, helping you benchmark your performance. The Q3 Pulse of Industrial Supply survey is now open, until September 24th. Results will be shared the first week in October. We need input from distributors, manufacturers, and independent manufacturer … [Read more...] about Gain Industry Insights. Participate in the Q3 Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey
Customer Segments
Why the ISA Executive Network Matters More Than Ever
For the past few months, the ISA leadership team and the ISA Educational Council have been working behind the scenes on this project. It has been fun to be part of the project led by Brendan Breen, his entire ISA team, and all the great educational committee and board leaders (leaders who are working every day in the channel) who are committed to this program. So, getting … [Read more...] about Why the ISA Executive Network Matters More Than Ever
Durable Goods & CAPEX Issues + Tarriff and Policy Volatility = Uncertainty – IST
As an analyst for the past 20 years, I have relied on key economic indicators as foundational to prepare forecasts for leadership to make informed business decisions. Two of those key foundational indicators were Durable Goods Purchases and Business Capital Investment, but those indicators have had much change the past 5 years. The once bellwether and predictable indicator … [Read more...] about Durable Goods & CAPEX Issues + Tarriff and Policy Volatility = Uncertainty – IST
Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey early returns are eye opening
The impact of tariffs announcements is unsettling the market and the short term and long-term impact and prognostications are dominating the news cycle for the Industrial Channel. The tariff impact on sentiment is clearly having an effect on channel planning and programs. Our Industrial Supply Trends Q1 IST Pulse of Industrial Supply survey early returns are interesting and … [Read more...] about Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey early returns are eye opening
Is Your Team Curious? Are You Investing in “Ventures?”
Recently I was talking with a client about strategic planning as they are beginning their journey to define their path forward to 2030. They’ve set a goal, identified values, have a vision of their purpose, and currently have a strong business. The executive management team is being brought together to share insights and build the “framework” of the plan. After that, others … [Read more...] about Is Your Team Curious? Are You Investing in “Ventures?”
The world of industrial customer segmentation in 2025
This past month, I have been going through old boxes of work material and coming across some foundational material on customer segmentation and pricing that I used as a distributor. I found in the archives my personal pricing Encyclopedia Britannia (the Complex) and the Texas A&M Industrial Distribution Customer Stratification Model (the Simple) and it made me think … [Read more...] about The world of industrial customer segmentation in 2025
Creating lemonade at Institutional Accounts
What do market segments such as government, universities / higher education, life sciences, government/ municipalities, sports teams, hospitals, and agriculture have in common? While most are considered "institutions", they all are significant users of eProcurement / punchouts as part of their electrical buying process. They use companies such as Ariba, Coupa, Jaggaer, … [Read more...] about Creating lemonade at Institutional Accounts
A changing MRO environment?
Recently I participated in a networking group that included a number of MRO buyers. The subject was trends in the MRO space. Granted many of the attendees were larger MRO buyers, but the feedback indicated a change in buyer purchasing behaviors. Over the years I've sat in a number of these meetings, albeit with different attendees. The buying and eCommerce trends centered … [Read more...] about A changing MRO environment?
