Acuity Brands 1Q Sales Up 8.5%
Excluding acquisitions, sales for the distributor of lighting systems increased 7 percent.
Acuity Brands 1Q Sales Up 8.5% Read More »
January 10, 2011
2011 Economic Forecast: Expect a Modest Recovery
This is an exclusive summary of the MDM Webcast, the 2011 Economic Forecast. The recent webcast provided a forecast for two key distributor end-markets, construction and manufacturing. Growth is expected in both. The webcast is available on DVD at www.mdm.com/2011economicforecast.
For many, this recovery has not felt like what most expected when the recession ended.
“The economy’s grown over the past five quarters, but not at a rate that gives somebody a feeling of a real recovery,” said Don Norman, economist for MAPI/Manufacturers Alliance in the recent MDM Webcast, the 2011 Economic Forecast.
“In fact, the pace of recovery is somewhat of an anomaly. Sharp recessions in the post-World War II period have usually been accompanied by a very sharp recovery. The difference this time is the nature of the cause.
“Namely we had a financial crisis.”
Norman, in his forecast for the manufacturing sector, says he expects a modest recovery in 2011.
2011 Economic Forecast: Expect a Modest Recovery Read More »
The Political Outlook for 2011
Tax reform, health care legislation, and other issues that could have a significant impact on how business is done in the U.S. likely will be brought before the new Congress that opened its session earlier this month. Jade West, senior vice president – government relations for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, recently spoke with MDM about the top issues for distributors.
After a contentious legislative session in 2010, a changing of the guard in the U.S. House of Representatives presents a new slate of questions about the direction of legislation and regulation in 2011. What does it mean for business? “Nobody really knows for sure,” says Jade West, senior vice president – government relations for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors.
The Political Outlook for 2011 Read More »
Lessons Learned from the Past
While the recent recession exceeded all others in recent history, several of the issues companies are now dealing with are the same concerns they faced just nine years ago as the country was pulling out of the industrial slowdown of 2001.
Looking back at issues on Modern Distribution Management at that time provides a clear reminder that we’ve been here before, and due to the cyclical nature of business, we may face similar issues in the future.
Here are some excerpts from articles that appeared in 2002, providing perspective and thoughts to consider as you formulate your strategy for 2011 and beyond. The full copy of these articles from the MDM Archives are linked below.
Lessons Learned from the Past Read More »
Industrial Inflation Index: November 2010
Modern Distribution Management's Industrial Inflation Index measures a cross-section of industrial supplies.
Industrial Inflation Index: November 2010 Read More »
Download This Issue in pdf: Jan. 10, 2011
This is the pdf of this issue of Modern Distribution Management. Apply the full $24.95 pay-per-view cost of this issue toward an annual subscription, which includes two issues a month plus access to more than eight years of online archives and market data. Call 1-888-742-5060 or email info@mdm.com to subscribe. Subscribers log-in to download this issue.
Download This Issue in pdf: Jan. 10, 2011 Read More »
Commentary: Farewell to the Bubble Decade
Will first quarter of 2011 will be remembered as when we truly started to climb back?
Commentary: Farewell to the Bubble Decade Read More »
Hurd Windows & Doors Acquires SuperSeal
Acquisition was driven by Hurd's need to expand product mix.
Hurd Windows & Doors Acquires SuperSeal Read More »
November Manufacturing Technology Consumption Down from October
But year-to-date, 2010 manufacturing technology consumption is up 82.7 percent compared with last year.
November Manufacturing Technology Consumption Down from October Read More »
Rockwood Holdings Completes Sale of Plastic Compounding Business
Business sold for $300 million in cash.
Rockwood Holdings Completes Sale of Plastic Compounding Business Read More »
Tip: Improve Services by Including All Departments in the Sales Process
Do the services you offer differentiate your company from the competition?
Tip: Improve Services by Including All Departments in the Sales Process Read More »
