|
|
This article details two
mid-sized distributors’ experiences with global sourcing.
Here’s how. Use the email and password provided in the ISA Advisor
welcome email to access this article. Tap into other articles like this
at Modern Distribution Management's ISA
Research Center.
The 2008 Employee Compensation
Study will provide a detailed review of compensation and benefit
programs for approximately 2,500 distributors from over 35 distribution
organizations. Due to the extensive sample in this study, there will be
a wide range of information available on compensation, not only for your
industry, but also for 22 sales volume categories and over 100
geographic areas (including 50 metro markets). Participate here.
Industrial distribution
professionals committed to ongoing education and professional
development: Plan to attend the 2008 University of Industrial
Distribution, the industry's premiere distribution-specific education
program. Presented by leading experts with distribution-based
backgrounds, the UID program is in its 15th year, and has been
recognized as "the source for distribution management education and
cross-industry networking." Register here.
The ISA eBusiness Committee announces availability of the ISA
eBusiness Implementation Guideline. Click here for more information.
Send name, title, email address and company
name of each colleague to info@mdm.com. Only employees of ISA member companies
will be added to the list to receive this weekly association update.
Top Gun Survival School for Distributor Salespeople – Up to
Nov. 19 Details
One-on-One Sales Management Seminars: Dave Unplugged Details
For more information on upcoming ISA events, go to isapartners.org.
KEEP READING! Breaking industry news and articles on
distribution trends follow your association news each week in ISA
Advisor. Articles six months and older are available free of charge
to ISA members. Subscription or pay-per-view required for newer content.
|
|
|
|  |
|
|
| |
|
MDM NEWS UPDATE: October 25, 2007
Economists are mixed in their forecasts for U.S.
prospects through 2010. Editor Lindsay Young says that while well-known
economist Alan Beaulieu (of the Institute for Trend Research) has a
frightening Recession in 2009-2010 theory, there are detractors to that
idea. As she points out here, economists are all over the board. Some
say there will be not a recession, but a "more prolonged period of
subpar growth." Others don't expect much of a slowdown at all after the
housing market rebounds and credit markets stabilize. What are you
seeing? Start the conversation at this blog.
More...
Related from MDM
Weighing In On the Economy
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
The drama continues. In early
October, French-based electrical distributor Sonepar offered to buy
Netherlands-based Hagemeyer for close to $3.5 billion (2.5 billion
euro). (See article here.) Hagemeyer replied with a meeting but said the
bid undervalued the company. Rexel has always been in the rumors as a
possible bidder, and now it seems those rumors could be close to coming
true. According to this article, Rexel has hired banks to explore the
possibility of a bid for Hagemeyer. The options: not making a bid for
Hagemeyer; bidding at a slight premium to Sonepar's offer; or buying
part of the business with a partner.
More...
In a related article from Financial Times, the
author says that the probability for a rival bid for Hagemeyer from
Grainger, Wolseley or Wesco was unlikely.
Hagemeyer's 3Q sales report
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Arbitration is not always the
speedy and inexpensive forum that many believe, but there are other
options. In fact, in the dealer case in this article, the dealer first
asserted its claims in federal court, and found itself on the receiving
end of a motion to order the case to be heard in arbitration, which was
not only granted, but cost the dealer a good chunk of change to litigate
that procedural issue.
To prevent that, pre-dispute resolution provisions should be
carefully considered, along with much of the other seemingly “legal
boiler-plate” provisions that show-up at the end of distribution
and other contracts, before signing off on a contract that can affect a
business relationship for years.
More...
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
In his latest blog, Adam Fein
touches a raw nerve – sharing point-of-sale data with suppliers. He
notes that it requires more than just faith. “I increasingly
believe that wholesaler-distributors should only share point-of-sale
data with supplier organizations that have rigorous internal security
policies for data management.” The real issue isn’t a
manufacturer taking business direct, as much as abuse of data in the
form of shifting sales to another distributor or a supplier employee
(i.e. channel manager) misusing the data.
Fein cites the data sharing prediction from the new Facing the Forces of Change: Lead the Way in the Supply
Chain book. The research found that suppliers will get more
visibility into actual customer demand because wholesaler-distributors
will share more point-of-sale data.
More...
Related from MDM
Channel Data Sharing: Supply Chain Can Benefit from
Demand-Driven Philosophy
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Wholesale baker Multi-Grains,
Lawrence, NH, has been hit by skyrocketing flour prices, which in turn
has forced it to raise its bread prices to clients including small
restaurants and grocery store chains. Co-owner Chuck Brandano says:
"Wheat is the new gold," according to this article in the Eagle-Tribune.
"In a normal year, our prices would go up 1% to 2% a year. From the end
of 2006 to August 2007 prices have gone up 8% to 10%." Grain prices have
continued to rise over the past few months; the dramatic increases have
made it difficult for the companies affected to keep pace with costs.
Some of the reasons for the jump:
Production is down, and worldwide demand is growing.
Droughts and freezing temps have reduced crop yields in various
parts of the world.
Farmers are planting corn instead to take advantage of demand for
ethanol.
And Wall Street speculators are driving up prices by buying up grain
in large quantities and selling it for a profit.
More...
IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF MDM: THIRD-QUARTER INFLATION TRENDS BY
COMMODITY GROUP
Look for these add-ons to MDM's quarterly report – Dozens more
products including more Construction and Industrial Products, and Foods.
Issue out Oct. 25.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Though housing continues to
decline, machine shops have been growing at a rapid clip, according to a
recent survey reported in American Machinist. The survey, done by Agie
Charmilles and U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finance, says that the delinquency
rate on machine tool leases reached an all-time low in August, about
one-third the rate on home mortgages. The Agie Charmilles Machining
Activity Index increased to 68 in August. The index is created by
surveying machine tool users concerning their current business level
versus three months earlier. Any reading above 50 indicates that
business activity has improved.
Related from MDM
August 2007 Machine Tool Consumption
More...
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
MDM BLOG: MAKING THE CASE FOR INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION
Most Popular Stories at mdm.com:
Grainger Sales Up 9% in 3Q
Danaher to Buy Tektronix
SKF's View of Global Distribution
SKF Sales Up 12.8% in 3Q
Private Equity Firm to Buy HVAC Supplier Goodman for
$2.6B
|
| |
| |
|  |
|
SIGN UP YOUR ASSOCIATES
Sign up other members of your staff to receive breaking news, industry
and association information. To sign them up, click here.
VISIT THE
ISA RESEARCH CENTER
ISA members receive access to more than five years of research and
articles on trends and best practices for wholesale distribution
companies through an exclusive agreement with Modern Distribution
Management, a newsletter and information service. For more information,
visit the ISA Research Center.
ABOUT ISA ADVISOR
ISA Advisor is a weekly news and industry update provided as a member
service of the Industrial Supply Association. More information about ISA
member benefits and services is available at the web site of the Industrial Supply
Association.
ISA Advisor is published weekly by Gale Media, Inc., publisher of Modern Distribution
Management, on behalf of the Industrial Supply Association. 100
North 20th Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103. All rights
reserved. To unsubscribe from this e-mail newsletter, please use the
links below.
|
| |
| |
|
