March 25, 2011 - Modern Distribution Management

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March 25, 2011

MDM Interview: MSC Positions for Long-Term Growth

Leave a Comment / Top Distributor Sectors, Subscriber Only, Companies /

MDM Associate Editor Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier recently spoke with MSC Industrial Supply President & CEO David Sandler and COO Erik Gershwind about trends in the industry, MSC’s recently announced succession plan, company culture, and plans for expansion. MSC Industrial Supply had $1.69 billion in sales in fiscal 2010.

MDM: Economic recovery finally seems to be gaining a real foothold in the U.S. How did MSC manage through the recession?

David Sandler: The last couple of years really provided one of the best opportunities to position MSC for long-term growth …

MDM Interview: MSC Positions for Long-Term Growth Read More »

Commentary: Recent Global Events Are a Good Reminder to Plan for Uncertainty

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p>Regardless of how “American” your company is, odds are that you are feeling the impact of recent global events on your business. From the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that left a wake of destruction to the political unrest in the Middle East, events on the other side of the globe are highlighting how small our world really has become.

For example, GM recently announced it would suspend operations …

Commentary: Recent Global Events Are a Good Reminder to Plan for Uncertainty Read More »

A More Favorable Environment for M&A

Leave a Comment / Subscriber Only, Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance /

Not a premium subscriber? The entire series on 2011 distribution M&A conditions is available in downloadable pdf in an MDM Special Report for $59.95. Save off the individual pay-per-view price. Download now or learn more. Or subscribe today for access to these and all future articles.Consolidation in independent distribution channels is heating up again after a couple of sluggish years. In this series of articles, MDM will look at the factors contributing to increased M&A activity by analyzing not just overall activity, but also the goals of the different groups contributing to this trend. This includes large strategic buyers such as HD Supply and Grainger; financial buyers; and regional distributors. Over the next couple months, MDM will also analyze valuation trends, integration challenges and cross-border activity.

This article – the first in the series – provides an overview of current trends in distribution M&A.

The last half of 2010 saw an uptick in acquisition activity …

A More Favorable Environment for M&A Read More »

Distribution Financial Metrics and Trading Multiples: 4Q 2010

Leave a Comment / Subscriber Only, Research & Analytics /

This table highlights key financial metrics and trading multiples for 25 publicly traded distributors in the industrial and building products industries up to Dec. 31, 2010. Download this data below. Also find graphic illustrating median EBIDTA multiples for the same distribution companies.

These materials, prepared by Robert W. Baird & Co. for MDM, are for informational purposes only.

Distribution Financial Metrics and Trading Multiples: 4Q 2010 Read More »

Grainger’s Online Goals, Service Plans, and Footprint

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Sales online for Chicago-based Grainger comprised 25 percent of business in 2010, with a total of $1.8 billion in sales.

At the recent Raymond James Institutional Investor Conference, Grainger CFO Ron Jadin discussed the distributor’s ongoing plans for its rapidly expanding eCommerce platform, its most profitable channel.

“People aren’t using the catalog…

Grainger’s Online Goals, Service Plans, and Footprint Read More »

Download this Issue in pdf: March 25, 2011

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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: March 25, 2011 Read More »

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