ProBuild Opens Specialty Building Products Business
ProBuild Specialty Building Products will operate two locations in California.
ProBuild Opens Specialty Building Products Business Read More »
September 2009
Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index Declines
Auto sector production declines offset gains in other regional sectors.
Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index Declines Read More »
Actuant Sales Down 23% for FY 2009
Energy segment sales posted 5% growth during the fourth quarter as a result of acquisitions made.
Actuant Sales Down 23% for FY 2009 Read More »
Real GDP Falls 0.7% in Second Quarter
The decrease was much milder than the first quarter's GDP drop.
Real GDP Falls 0.7% in Second Quarter Read More »
Electroindustry Business Confidence Index Rises 5.3 Points in September
Future EBCI for North America at highest level since August 2005.
Electroindustry Business Confidence Index Rises 5.3 Points in September Read More »
RBC Bearings Acquires Lubron Bearing Systems
Acquisition of Lubron expands RBC's offerings in infrastructure repair and construction.
RBC Bearings Acquires Lubron Bearing Systems Read More »
Waiting on a Sign
Recent article suggests we are in limbo, an uneasy phase of the 'Great Recession.'
Behind the Sept. 25 Issue of MDM
A closer look at strategic pricing; why some distributors are in alternative energy markets.
Behind the Sept. 25 Issue of MDM Read More »
NAHB Survey: Tight Credit Markets Delay Housing Rebound
In survey, nearly two-thirds of single-family home builders report "severe lack of credit."
NAHB Survey: Tight Credit Markets Delay Housing Rebound Read More »
Follow the Green Money Trail
Some online resources to help distributors and manufacturers keep on top of new green spending incentives in their states.
Follow the Green Money Trail Read More »
New Durable Goods Orders Fall 2.4% in August
The decrease is the second for durable goods new orders in the past three months.
New Durable Goods Orders Fall 2.4% in August Read More »
Chicago Fed National Activity Index Falls Slightly in August
Three-month moving average indicates growth below historical trend and low inflationary pressure.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index Falls Slightly in August Read More »
Europe Industrial New Orders: July 2009
Download the pdf below for the July 2009 data from Eurostat on Industrial New Orders. Click Here Download
Europe Industrial New Orders: July 2009 Read More »
Europe Construction Output: July 2009
Download the pdf below for the July 2009 data from Eurostat on Construction Output. Click Here Download
Europe Construction Output: July 2009 Read More »
Europe Industrial Producer Prices: July 2009
Download the pdf below for the July 2009 data from Eurostat on Industrial Producer Prices. Click Here Download
Europe Industrial Producer Prices: July 2009 Read More »
Wolseley Records £1.17B Loss for FY 2009
The building materials and plumbing supplies distributor reduced headcount by 9,848 globally during the year.
Wolseley Records £1.17B Loss for FY 2009 Read More »
Eaton: ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Impact Felt Beyond the Automotive Industry
Eaton CEO discusses economy at J.P. Morgan Diversified Industries Conference
Eaton: ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Impact Felt Beyond the Automotive Industry Read More »
The Art of Executing Strategic Pricing
This article looks at the roles of each part of the organization in strategic pricing. Using a sports analogy, the author refers to the Sales Function as the offense, the Operations Function as the defense, and the Purchasing Function as special teams. IT, Finance, Credit and HR play support roles, enabling the team to be in a position to win. And management is the coaching staff. Running a complex "play" like strategic pricing requires all functions to work in concert.
Much has already been written about the "science" of strategic pricing. I have written some of it, including Strategic Pricing for Distributors, published by the NAW Institute earlier this year. I intended the book as a do-it-yourself explanation of strategic pricing.
The magicians Penn & Teller famously perform a magic act that reveals the secrets of magic tricks. But even if you know the secrets, learning how to execute those illusions requires skill and experience. And even if you understand the relatively simple concepts behind strategic pricing, successful implementation is challenging work.
The Art of Executing Strategic Pricing Read More »
Commentary: Grinding Out Growth in 2010
More good financial news keeps strengthening the outlook for distributors. A big surprise to many in August was the flipping of the purchasing manager index to the positive side of 50 (52.9 from 48.9 in July). That reinforces much of what we at MDM have been hearing about production and corresponding orders in August being more positive than expected. That said, this is not shaping up to be your grandfather's recovery from previous sharp economic cycles.
Commentary: Grinding Out Growth in 2010 Read More »
