January 2012

U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 73.9% YTD in November

Economic Trends, Featured Breaking News, Free, News, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Orders were down 6.9 percent from October but up from November 2010.

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U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 73.9% YTD in November Read More »

Acuity Brands Sales Up 12% in First Quarter

Electrical, Free, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Profit for the lighting distributor increased 23 percent.

Acuity Brands Sales Up 12% in First Quarter Read More »

Message from MDM’s Publisher: Thank You

Free, Management, MDM Blog, Strategy, Subscriber Only / Tom Gale

Thank you for your readership in the past year.

Message from MDM’s Publisher: Thank You Read More »

How to Know If Your Strategy Is Bad

Free, Management, MDM Blog, Strategy, Subscriber Only / Lindsay Konzak

A bad strategy may be worse than no strategy at all.

How to Know If Your Strategy Is Bad Read More »

Eurozone Financial Crisis Far From Over

Economic Trends, Free, MDM Blog, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only / Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier

Key pieces still missing from the discussion, according to the latest MAPI economic update.

Eurozone Financial Crisis Far From Over Read More »

Zep Sales Down 2.5% in 1Q

Companies, Free, News, Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

Profit fell 27.5 percent.

Zep Sales Down 2.5% in 1Q Read More »

Mitch Williams Named Senior Vice President Rexel Asia-Pacific

Companies, Electrical, Free, Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution, News, Operations, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Jim Hibberd, vice president global sales and business development, will replace Williams as the head of Gexpro.

Mitch Williams Named Senior Vice President Rexel Asia-Pacific Read More »

Construction Employment Improves in December

Building Materials/Construction, Economic Trends, Free, News, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Economist: Too early to determine is boost is the result of warm weather or the beginning of a rebound.

Construction Employment Improves in December Read More »

Affiliated Distributors Names Heads of New Strategic Business Units

Electrical, Free, Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution, News, Operations, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

New structure provides for more autonomy within the divisions.

Affiliated Distributors Names Heads of New Strategic Business Units Read More »

2012 Forecast: Structural Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers Will Hold Industry Back

Economic Trends, Free, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only / Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier

While manufacturing is leading the economy in recovery, other changes must be made to return to a leading place globally.

2012 Forecast: Structural Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers Will Hold Industry Back Read More »

Canadian Industrial Product Price Index Up Slightly in November

Economic Trends, Free, News, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

The Raw Materials Price Index rose 3.8 percent, with both indexes led by higher petroleum prices.

Canadian Industrial Product Price Index Up Slightly in November Read More »

MSC Sales Up 15% in First Quarter

Companies, Facilities Maintenance (MRO), Featured Breaking News, Free, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Profit grew 26% for the metalworking, MRO distributor.

MSC Sales Up 15% in First Quarter Read More »

Roofing Supply Group Acquires Intermountain Supply

Building Materials/Construction, Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Intermountain Supply has locations in Seattle and Spokane.

Roofing Supply Group Acquires Intermountain Supply Read More »

5 Management Lessons from MDM Webcast Speakers in 2011

Free, Management, MDM Blog, Strategy, Subscriber Only / Lindsay Konzak

Industry experts provide advice on profitability, technology, inventory management, change and lean for distributors.

5 Management Lessons from MDM Webcast Speakers in 2011 Read More »

McJunkin Red Man Agrees to Buy OneSteel Piping Systems

Companies, Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Acquisition continues McJunkin Red Man’s growth internationally.

McJunkin Red Man Agrees to Buy OneSteel Piping Systems Read More »

Tip: Keep Sales Leads from Going Cold

Free, MDM Blog, Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

Create a plan to prevent inaction on hot leads.

Tip: Keep Sales Leads from Going Cold Read More »

2011 Management Tips

Subscriber Only / MDM Staff

MDM’s 2011 Management Tips of the Week, compiled into one convenient pdf.

2011 Management Tips Read More »

NetPlus Alliance Names VP of Supplier Development

Free, Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution, News, Operations, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Washburn most recently served as vice president of industrial supplies for DXP Enterprises.

NetPlus Alliance Names VP of Supplier Development Read More »

Barnes Group Sells Barnes Distribution Europe

Companies, Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Berner SE buys the distribution business for $33 million in cash.

Barnes Group Sells Barnes Distribution Europe Read More »

North American HVACR Sales Down 1.7% in November

Economic Trends, Free, HVACR, News, Plumbing Products & PVF Distribution, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors / MDM Staff

Growth occurred in four of eight North American regions, according to HARDI’s monthly TRENDS report.

North American HVACR Sales Down 1.7% in November Read More »