How to Differentiate Your Company with Lower Shipping Costs
Technology tools can help distributors identify efficiencies and capitalize on them.
September 2014
Mallory Safety and Supply Acquires Interstate Safety and Supply
Acquisition expands Mallory's footprint to the adjacent Nevada market.
Wolseley Sales Up 2.2% in FY2014
U.S. revenue increased 8.2 percent year-over-year to 7 million (US$11.4 million).
Canadian Industrial Product Price Index Up 0.2% in August
The Raw Materials Price Index declined 2.2 percent in August
Morrison Supply Acquires Western Wholesale
Acquisition expands Morrison Supplys presence in El Paso.
Alibaba Sets Sights on Diverse U.S. Markets
Knowledge of what customers want will play a big role in future success.
Training, Technology Take Front Seat in Employee Retention Strategies
This article is a part of MDM's 2014 Distribution Trends Report. The article looks at how training programs are helping employers hold on to their most skilled employees, and increasing the potential of others.
The annual report was researched and written by MDM editors based on interviews with dozens of wholesaler-distributors, as well as industry experts and manufacturers. MDM also conducted a survey of its readers to uncover the trends outlined in this report.
The full report is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers. Subscribe below for full access. Or log-in if you are already a subscriber.
Trends outlined in the 2014 report include:
- Leaving Economic Uncertainty Behind
- Connecting the Dots Online and Offline
- Need for Access Whenever, Wherever, However Drives Mobile Adoption
- Avoiding Information Overload Essential with Analytics
- Making the Case for Millennials in Distribution
- Training, Technology Take Front Seat in Employee Retention Strategies
- Better Inventory Management Through Data, Collaboration
- Distributors Seek More Complete Strategy for Vending
- Private Equity Consolidating Markets
- A More Practical Approach to Product Expansion
- Trend Snapshots for 13 Sectors
The report also includes the following case studies and interviews:
- 2014 MDM Market Movers
- Engman-Taylors Cost-Saving Teams
- Capitol Coffees Proactive Problem-Solving
- Redwood Plastics Online Success Story
- MDM Market Leader Profiles
- DGI Supply: Building on the Core
- F.W. Webb Takes Diverse View of Market
NSi Industries Announces Executive Appointments
The company promoted John Watson to regional vice president of sales for its central region.
Tip: When it Comes to Data, Don’t Boil the Ocean
Working with data, even if its data you already have in-house, can quickly become overwhelming if you try to do too much all at once.
Real Gross Domestic Product Up 4.6% in 2Q
GDP up after declining 2.1 percent in the first quarter.
Channellock Names New President & COO
Jonathan DeArment is advancing from his previous position as vice president of manufacturing and engineering.
MDM Premium Extra: Fighting Disintermediation (Webcast Transcript)
To thank you for your business and add value to your MDM Premium subscription, MDM offers bonus content each month exclusively to premium subscribers.
This month we feature a transcript of Fighting Disintermediation: How Distributors Develop, Deliver and Measure Value, an MDM Webcast from September 2014 created in partnership with Grant Thornton.
Get the results from a survey conducted earlier this year on how distributors are fighting the threat of disintermediation and expert thoughts on the best ways to continue to differentiate your business.
This content is exclusively available as bonus content to MDM subscribers. Log-in below to download the PDF of this month's report.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe now starting at $195.
Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: July 2014
Sales and inventories data for wholesaler-distributors in July 2014.
MDM Interview: Stellar Industrial’s Strategic Focus
Earlier this year, Tacoma, WA-based Stellar Industrial Supply announced the addition of Larry Davis, former president of ORS Nasco, to its executive team as executive vice president and chief commercial officer. The move was part of a strategy by Stellar to grow “faster and more effectively.” MDM Publisher Tom Gale recently spoke with Stellar’s executive team, including President & CEO John Wiborg, Executive Vice President & COO Steve Slater and Davis, about the shifts in the market that drove the shift in strategy and where the company is heading.
This article includes:
- Why Stellar Industrial hired Larry Davis
- The goals the distributor has for shifting its strategic focus
- How the move will impact Stellar's customers and partners
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:
- Cost-Effective Channel Alignment
- Who's My Coach? The Changing Role of Sales Managers in Distribution
- Redwood Plastics: Success through Online Engagement
Commentary: Analyzing Analytics
At this point, it has become pretty well accepted that data should be a part of big decisions.There are many challenges to becoming highly data-driven, though, from technology limitations to information overload. But one common challenge is the tendency to view an indicator or measurement as something that it’s not.
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:
- Differentiate to Combat Disintermediation
- 2014 State of Distributor Marketing: Distributor Marketing Shifts to Digital
- Disasters Can – and Will – Happen
Making Money with Small Customers: Balancing Margin & Cost
Predicting profitability of an order by measuring average margin is ineffective. Averages are susceptible to outliers and rarely represent the true value of any individual measure within the set. In this article, the authors examine flaws in conventional thinking about margin and provide practical ways to better manage small orders.
This article includes:
- Common misconceptions about how to measure customer profitability
- Better ways to measure the impact of small orders
- Tips for how to improve profit from small customers
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:
- Making Money with Small Customers
- Measuring the Customer Experience
- Cost-Effective Channel Alignment
Strategic Options for Shipping Efficiency
Supply chain optimization is a goal with so many moving parts, it’s sometimes difficult to nail down what places to begin addressing potential changes. In this article, industry experts simplify the options and set the stage for an efficient, long-term process for freight movement.
This article includes:
- Challenges to mitigating shipping costs
- The role of technology in improving shipping efficiency
- How distributors can use shipping to differentiate
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:
- Differentiate to Combat Disintermediation
- 2014 State of Distributor Marketing: Distributor Marketing Shifts to Digital
- Disasters Can – and Will – Happen
MDM Industrial Inflation Index: August 2014
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
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:
- MDM 2Q14 Pricing Trends Report
- MDM/Baird Survey: Distributors See Measured Growth in 2Q
- The State of Analytics in Distribution
MDM News Digest 4418
News briefs from September 11-25.
Download this Issue in PDF: September 25, 2014
This is the PDF of this issue of Modern Distribution Management.
Table of Contents:
- MDM Interview: Stellar Industrial's Strategic Focus
- Commentary: Analyzing Analytics
- Making Money with Small Customers: Balancing Margin & Cost
- Strategic Options for Shipping Efficiency
- MDM Industrial Inflation Index: August 2014
- MDM Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: July 2014
- News Digest
Are you a subscriber? Simply log-in to view this issue.
