January 10, 2014 - Modern Distribution Management

January 10, 2014

Distributor Profits in a Year of Strong Growth

In 2012, distributors experienced strong growth, but that growth did not necessarily translate into strong profits. This article, provided by long-time industry expert Al Bates, provides insight into this trend and provides recommendations to improve profitabiltiy.

This analysis looks at historical data from the past five years and particular trends in 2012, the last year for which full data is available.

This article includes:

  • Trends from across 30 lines of trade in wholesale distribution
  • The best overall measure of distributor profitability
  • The single most important issue distributors should address in 2014

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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:

  • 10 Distribution Trends to Watch in 2014
  • Bridging the Value Gap
  • The 'New' Distribution Company

Distributor Profits in a Year of Strong Growth Read More »

Commentary: New Year’s Resolutions and ‘Truthiness’

"Truthiness" describes using intuition or gut feeling to define "truth" without regard to facts, data or even logic. Today, there's a lot of truthiness surrounding big data, market planning and customer relevance.

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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:

  • MDM Interview with Guy Blissett: Uncertainty + Change = Opportunity?
  • Where Managers Blunder
  • How Distributors Say They Measure Up to the Competition

Commentary: New Year’s Resolutions and ‘Truthiness’ Read More »

Tech, Talent & Efficiency: Distributors’ Top Concerns for 2014

This article provides an overview of distributors’ top business and industry concerns as we move into 2014. The results in this report are based on the 2014 MDM Industry Outlook Survey, sponsored by NetSuite.

More details from the 2014 MDM Industry Outlook will be provided in the upcoming Jan. 16, 2014, webcast, the 2014 Distribution Industry Outlook.

This article includes:

  • Changes distributors made in 2013 to be successful
  • The top concerns identified by distributors for 2014
  • Revenue expectations by sector for 2014

Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.

Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:

  • Conflict Minerals Rule Has Unexpected Consequences for Distributors
  • MDM Interview with Guy Blissett: Uncertainty + Change = Opportunity?
  • The Hiring Disconnect in Distribution

Tech, Talent & Efficiency: Distributors’ Top Concerns for 2014 Read More »

Distributors’ Technology Plans in 2014

Many distributors have struggled with where to invest limited dollars to meet the demands resulting from the rapidly growing role of technology in the industry. This article looks at distributors' current technology challenges and plans, identified by respondents to the 2014 MDM Industry Outlook Survey, sponsored by NetSuite.

More details from the 2014 MDM Industry Outlook will be provided in the upcoming Jan. 16, 2014, webcast, the 2014 Distribution Industry Outlook.

This article includes:

  • Distributors' plans for technology investments in 2014
  • Key challenges related to new technologies
  • How to overcome some of those key challenges

Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.

Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:

  • Beyond Amazon: E-Commerce's Impact on Wholesale Distribution Markets
  • Grainger's E-Commerce Evolution
  • MDM Interview: Breaking Down the Barriers for CRM

Distributors’ Technology Plans in 2014 Read More »

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