The 3M Q4 2025 earnings report delivered solid numbers, but the story that matters for industrial distributors goes beyond the headline figures. The Safety and Industrial segment outperformed the rest of the company, innovation is accelerating, and management is openly discussing potential divestitures of product lines that sit in a lot of distributor … [Read more...] about 3M Q4 2025 Earnings: What Distributors Should Know
Insights
Why Your Industry 4.0 ROI Remains Elusive
The Execution Edge:Building an Industry 4.0 Model That Actually Delivers Craig Martin, C3 Team President The promise of Industry 4.0 ROI has been dangled in front of manufacturers and distributors for over a decade as the "Great Equalizer" for manufacturing and distribution. The promise was clear: invest in IoT, AI, and Big Data, and you will unlock unprecedented levels … [Read more...] about Why Your Industry 4.0 ROI Remains Elusive
Fastenal Q4 Earnings: Growth Surges, Margins Slip
Fastenal closed out 2025 with accelerating momentum, posting double-digit sales growth in Q4 while navigating margin headwinds tied to its large-account strategy. The Fastenal Q4 earnings report, released January 20, showed quarterly revenue up 11.1% year-over-year to $2.03 billion. But the numbers also revealed the tradeoffs embedded in the company's … [Read more...] about Fastenal Q4 Earnings: Growth Surges, Margins Slip
Visual Workplace Doubles Revenue with Forward Solutions’ Multi-Channel Transformation
ALPHARETTA, Ga., Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Forward Solutions today released a new case study showcasing how embracing a multi-channel sales and marketing strategy can deliver breakthrough growth for industrial manufacturers. With business buyers now expecting a seamless experience across distributor, direct, and digital channels, many mid-market manufacturers are … [Read more...] about Visual Workplace Doubles Revenue with Forward Solutions’ Multi-Channel Transformation
The AI-Enabled Distributor: From Pilot to Profit
Channel Marketing Group will release a new eBook, The AI-Enabled Distributor: From Pilot to Profit, on January 16. The guide is designed specifically for distributor leaders who are trying to make sense of artificial intelligence in a practical, business-focused way. AI is no longer confined to innovation teams or IT departments. For … [Read more...] about The AI-Enabled Distributor: From Pilot to Profit
