December 10, 2010

MDM recently conducted its annual Reader Survey. On that survey, MDM asked questions about top business concerns for 2011 and what distributors, manufacturers and others have done to adapt to changing business conditions over the past two years. This article is a synopsis of those responses and provides insight into the mindset of the distribution industry as we move into the new year.

In the 2010 MDM Reader Survey, not surprisingly, the economic recovery and uncertainty that has accompanied it was one of the top three business concerns for many respondents.

Some readers are concerned the economy will decline again, while others are just not sure what's coming next for their markets – despite mostly positive …

In this article, Profit Planning Group's Al Bates illustrates how top companies across sectors were able to deliver strong profit results relative to their peers during the recession. He explains the four profit drivers that often are the differences between typical and high-profit firms, and with that data, he shows what typical companies can do to recession-proof their firms.

The so-called Great Recession created a unique set of financial challenges for distributors. In many lines of trade, sales didn't just decline, they fell precipitously. Overall, profits sank to the lowest point since distributor financial benchmarking was established in the 1970s.

Despite the challenges, a large number of firms continued to generate strong profits. A few even produced exceptional results. Understanding how they did that is essential …

Mergers & acquisitions activity has picked up in the fourth quarter of 2010 in wholesale distribution and manufacturing. And if a series of surveys out recently are any indication, pent-up demand for acquisitions will push consolidation on a global level to take off in 2011.

In the U.S., according to Robert W. Baird & Company's November global M&A report, there was a 22.7 percent increase in the number of transactions in October, and announced …

News briefs from Nov. 26 - Dec. 10, 2010.