Acquisitions continue to transform the Industrial Distribtuion industry. PE (private equity) are expanding their portfolio companies and others are seeking to enter the market. National distributors are expanding into new territories and also acquiring smaller companies as "fill-ins" or, in some cases, are diversifying their businesses and building new divisions. Regionals, and … [Read more...] about Structuring Acquisitions in the Industrial Channel
Market Insights
AI for Customers … and the Industrial Channel
Manufacturers and distributors have lately been having many conversations about “technology”. But not in the conventional sense of the tools / software, more as it relates to functionality / capability for the future. They are asking "Does their IT department (which could be their ERP / software provider) have a tech roadmap that includes AI?" And sales and marketing management … [Read more...] about AI for Customers … and the Industrial Channel
Increasing Warehouse Output While Managing Costs
With business in 2025 looking like “slow growth” looking forward, leading industrial distributors are focused on improving the operational / warehouse aspects of their business. While national chains, over the years, quickly moved to a CDC or RDC model, larger independents have also adopted this approach. This achieves a dual mandate of “improved” inventory management and … [Read more...] about Increasing Warehouse Output While Managing Costs
Where is the channel headed in 2025 and beyond? Thoughts from MDM SHIFT
I was fortunate to once again be able to attend and present at the NAW/MDM SHIFT conference, and it is interesting to see how the construction and industrial channel continues to evolve. Modern Distribution Management (MDM) has been hosting this annual event for Distribution Leaders called SHIFT (originally MDM Sales GPS) for the last decade. Some of the best and … [Read more...] about Where is the channel headed in 2025 and beyond? Thoughts from MDM SHIFT
Inventory Planning Approaches for Industrial in 2025
As we enter the final 2 months of 2024, I am having many conversations with Industrial distributors and manufacturers about their into stock inventory positions. Industrial Channel growth rates have slowed from double digits % from April 2021 to April 2023 days and now are slightly down to at best flat (2023 vs 2024). Inflation and price increases have continued to climb … [Read more...] about Inventory Planning Approaches for Industrial in 2025
