Technology Challenges to Tackle in 2014
MDM readers identify their biggest technology challenges for the new year.
December 2013
Construction Employment Up in 211 of 339 Metro Areas in November
Year-over-year, employment declined in 67 and was stagnant in 61.
Minnesota Flexible Acquires General Rubber
The industrial hose manufacturer has been planning to expand in Wisconsin.
Podcast: Enabling Greater Manufacturing Precision
Manufacturing Revival Radio talks with Tom Muccino of Nordson EFD.
Eaton CTO on Creating Competitive Advantage
A combination of three factors has fueled Eaton's success.
Avnet Acquires Rest of MSC Investoren GmbH
Avnet acquired a majority interest in MSC Group in October.
Textron Agrees to Acquire Beechcraft
The acquisition will expand Textron's general aviation business.
WinWholesale Acquires Wyatt Irrigation Supply
WinWholesale also opened two new Winsupply locations on the East Coast.
Top 10 Most-Read MDM Blogs of 2013
MDM's most popular blogs highlight the importance of adapting to changes in technology.
Top 10 Distribution Trends to Watch in 2014
The year 2013 was a mixed bag. Some distributors saw growth, but many saw less growth than they expected. It was a year of finally looking forward – reluctantly in some cases – to growth-inspired initiatives rather than efficiency-driven initiatives. Though lean operations were still top-of-mind for many and will continue to be important, interest seems to have increased in tools that would allow distributors to be more proactive in reaching the right customers in different ways: e-commerce, CRM and more.
This article, based on interviews with distributors and manufacturers and the 2013 MDM Industry Outlook Survey, outlines and analyzes key trends and issues affecting how distributors will do business in 2014.
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- Conflict Minerals Rule Has Unexpected Consequences for Distributors
- Bridging the Value Gap
- Amazon & Googles B-to-B Play
Commentary: The Year That Will Be
As 2013 comes to a close, Publisher Tom Gale's perspective shares his bold predictions for how 2014 will shape up to be a year filled with great opportunity.
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- MDM Interview with Guy Blissett: Uncertainty + Change = Opportunity?
- Where Managers Blunder
- How Distributors Say They Measure Up to the Competition
Forecast: Manufacturing Growth Expected
Economic growth in the U.S. will continue in 2014, say the nation’s purchasing and supply management executives in their December 2013 Semiannual Economic Forecast. Expectations are for a continuation of the economic recovery that began in mid-2009, as indicated in the monthly Institute for Supply Management’s Report on Business.
This article includes:
- An overview of key indicators in the manufacturing sector
- An overview of key indicators in the non-manufacturing sector
- Outlook for 2014
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- MDM Interview: Countering Price Pressure in Distribution
- Go or No Go: The Value of Due Diligence
- MDM Interview: Redefining Competitive Advantage
MDM Industrial Inflation Index: November 2013
Modern Distribution Management's monthly Industrial Inflation Index measures a cross-section of industrial supplies.
This index includes:
- Abrasives Products
- Cutting Tools
- Power Transmission Equipment
- Fasteners
- Valves, etc.
- Power Tools
- Material Handling Equipment
- Belting
- Hand Tools
- Misc. Metal
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- MDM 3Q13 Pricing Trends Report
- MDM Interview with Guy Blissett: Uncertainty + Change = Opportunity?
- Auto Industrys Return from Collapse
Download this Issue in PDF: Dec. 25, 2013
This is the PDF of this issue of Modern Distribution Management.
Table of Contents:
- Top 10 Trends to Watch in 2013
- Commentary: The Year That Will Be
- ISM Semiannual Forecast: Growth to Continue in 2014
- Wholesale Trade Data: October 2013
- MDM Industrial Inflation Index: November 2013
- News Digest
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Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: October 2013
Sales and inventories data for wholesaler-distributors in October 2013.
This article includes:
- Wholesale trade revenues for durable and nondurable goods in October 2013
- Monthly inventories/sales ratio for the industry
- Sales & inventory trends for durable and nondurable goods
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following articles:
- Distribution Financial Metrics & Trading Multiples: November 2013
- Distribution Profitability Case Study
- Building on Already Profitable Business
MDM News Digest 4324
News briefs from Dec. 11 - 25, 2013.
Happy Holidays! Thank You for Your Readership in 2013
We look forward to continuing to serve your information needs in 2014.
Top 10 Management Tips of 2013
List highlights the importance of executing critical business strategies better.
Top 10 MDM Interviews of 2013
Highlights from a year of interviews with distribution and manufacturing executives, as well as other thought leaders.
