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
insights
IST Analysis – Grainger Q2 2025 Earnings Release
ISA Member and Industrial Leader Grainger released their Q2 Results on August 1st, which provided insight into their pricing actions and continued above market growth in their Endless Assortment business unit. At this years, ISA Fall Summit Gowri Natarajan - Director Procurement & Supplier Management at Grainger will be speaking at the event. Our Channel Marketing Group … [Read more...] about IST Analysis – Grainger Q2 2025 Earnings Release
ISA Member Spotlight – Cali Air Tools
I had a chance to start a series on large ISA members and wanted to broaden it to a wide range of manufacturers and new members of ISA. I appreciate the feedback that Nicole Foster from Cali Air Tools provided. 1.Tell us about your company. What markets do you serve, and how do you differentiate yourself from the competition? In 2002 we decided that there was a market … [Read more...] about ISA Member Spotlight – Cali Air Tools
Part 3 – Manufacturers and Distributors need to do better than a C+ on their report cards
Last week I was on a fun webcast where Mark Jackmore CEO of Precision, and I were diving into real-world examples of how manufacturers and distributors could use data more effectively to report progress and take meaningful action together to improve their business. We covered a lot of ground on the webcast, shared best practice examples, and tactical information on how you … [Read more...] about Part 3 – Manufacturers and Distributors need to do better than a C+ on their report cards
ISA Fall Summit is expanding content and tracks for the Industrial Channel
Late last week, the Industrial Supply Association sent out for the full details for the ISA Fall Summit November 3-5, 2025 in Memphis. The ISA Fall Summit has evolved over the years, and I am excited about this year's enhancements. The event still has it's bedrock programming for Emerging Leaders, Women in Industry, and the Veterans Empowerment Network of course, but … [Read more...] about ISA Fall Summit is expanding content and tracks for the Industrial Channel