SPAs, whether you define them as special pricing agreements or ship and debit initiatives, are a way to simultaneously capture business and ensure, perhaps improve, gross margin ... if you manage them right. But like most things, the devil is in the details and, with SPAs, because the administrative process touches so many people within a distributor, many distributors do … [Read more...] about Unlock Margin and Cash Flow Through SPA Enterprise Governance
Pricing
Pentagon Pricing Series – A Pricing Reset is the Most High-Risk and High-Reward Activity in B2B Industrial Distribution
As a former pricing leader for three billion-dollar distributors in North America, I can share from experience that a major pricing reset is simultaneously a dangerous activity, yet when done right, the best driver of top-line sales growth in this industry. Earlier this year, I wrote a Case Study for Modern Distribution Management (MDM) on the pricing reset MSC Industrial … [Read more...] about Pentagon Pricing Series – A Pricing Reset is the Most High-Risk and High-Reward Activity in B2B Industrial Distribution
Pentagon Pricing Series – Part 1 – Sell Side is everything
For the past number of months, David Gordon and I have been talking non-stop about pricing and have been busy helping many Industrial distributors and manufacturers with their “buy side” and “sell side” programs. As a former pricing leader for two of the largest distributors in North America, I have been remiss in writing as much as we should about buy-side and sell-side … [Read more...] about Pentagon Pricing Series – Part 1 – Sell Side is everything
Q2 2025 Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey is Now Open
2025 Q1 for Industrial Supply might have set a record for news impacting the channel that rivals the amount of change and uncertainty that was happening during COVID. The political winds from Washington, DC are also, to use a term have been...turbulent Tariffs on again, delayed, and semi-implemented having been affecting planning and causing uncertainty On, then off, then on, … [Read more...] about Q2 2025 Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey is Now Open
MDM-NAW Shift highlights Data Analytics the key to market share growth
Modern Distribution Management (MDM) Shift event was held last week (May 13-15th in Englewood, Colorado). The event has continued to evolve over the past 9 years, and it was once again attended by who's who of distribution leaders. As an attendee and speaker, it has been fun to watch the event grow. Many leading distributors also presented at MDM Shift ranging from large … [Read more...] about MDM-NAW Shift highlights Data Analytics the key to market share growth
Grainger – Stanley Black and Decker – WESCO Q1 Earnings from 3 publicly traded ISA members – IST analysis
This past week plus three publicly traded Industrial Supply Association Members shared quarterly earnings, and we wanted to share the quick highlights on the releases from Grainger, Stanley Black and Decker and WESCO. Grainger Q1 2025 Earnings Grainger announced 1Q25 earnings on May 1, 2025 of sales of $4.3 billion, up 1.7%, or 4.4% on a daily, constant currency … [Read more...] about Grainger – Stanley Black and Decker – WESCO Q1 Earnings from 3 publicly traded ISA members – IST analysis
Fastenal Sales Segmentation Insights – Opinion
It is unusual for a large B2B publicly traded distributor to share details at the level Fastenal has recently provided during their Investor Day, their quarterly results, and annual report. In this column we will cover Fastenal's recent releases on Sales, Customer Segmentation, and their Focus 40 program. We follow them closely on Industrial Supply Trends as they are one of … [Read more...] about Fastenal Sales Segmentation Insights – Opinion
Fastenal Q1 Earnings – Tariffs take Center Stage
Fastenal’s reported first quarter 2025 earnings with revenues above slightly above expectations, growing 3.4% year-over-year to $1.96 billion, and meeting earnings per share expectations. In addition, Fastenal experienced increases from large customer signings, growth in the number of customer sites spending $10K or more per month and growth in the average monthly sales per … [Read more...] about Fastenal Q1 Earnings – Tariffs take Center Stage
Part 2 – Fastenal Investor Day Insights – Opinion
Fastenal Investor Day Slide - March 13, 2025 It is unusual for a large B2B publicly traded distributor to share details at the level Fastenal did on their Customer Segmentation metrics recently. In this analysis of Fastenal's Investor Day presentation, I wanted to focus on the customer segmentation part of the presentation and on the very large end of the distribution … [Read more...] about Part 2 – Fastenal Investor Day Insights – Opinion
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
