Real GDP Grows 2.2% in 4Q
Real gross domestic product increased 2.4 percent in 2014.
February 2015
TTI Announces Management Restructure
Appointments include Mike Morton being named president, TTI Global Sales and Marketing.
MAPI Quarterly Forecast: Lower Oil Prices Spur Consumer Spending
Manufacturing production is expected to outpace GDP.
A.M. Castle Sales Decline 7% in 2014
Revenue drop, net loss of $134.7 million force company to appoint COO from third-party consulting firm.
Huttig Building Products Sales Up 11% in 2014
Fourth quarter sales increase 8 percent year-over-year.
Ferguson Makes Acquisitions in Colorado, Iowa
Company acquires Builders Appliance Center and Ar-Jay Building Products.
TriMas Sales Increase 8% in 2014
Company reports full-year profit of $68.5 million.
Durable Goods New Orders Up 2.8% in January
Transportation equipment led the increase, rising 9.1 percent.
Ingram Micro Sales Up 9% in Fiscal 2014
Technology distributor's fourth-quarter sales jump 18 percent.
Succession Planning: Executing the Strategy
Even if a company has a vision, strategy and talent for its succession plan, challenges remain for ensuring it will prosper beyond its current leadership. Distributors share their best practices for succession, from identifying talent to forming new C-suite positions to creating employee stock ownership plans.
This article includes:
- Assessing candidates for C-suite positions
- Creating positions focused on succession planning
- Other succession planning options
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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Manufacturing’s Millennial Dilemma
- Succession Planning: Positioning for the Future
- Training, Technology Take Front Seat in Employee Retention Strategies
MDM News Digest 4504
News briefs from Feb. 11-25, 2015.
3 Margin Levers of Customer Profitability Analytics
Customer profitability analytics are an effective way to drive improvements in gross and net margins. This article looks at how distributors can apply the information they have uncovered to improving profitability. Part 1 of this series covered the basic concepts behind customer and transactional cost analysis and presented some key limitations.
This article includes:
- Profit Improvement Plans
- Pricing Optimization
- Services and Channel Alignment
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- Use & Abuse of Customer Profitability Analytics
- Tackling the Profitability Yo-Yo
- Commentary: Analyzing Analytics
Commentary: Forecast – Mostly Cloudy and Competitive
2015 may be a tide turner, but with a higher level of complexity for distributors.
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- Is This the Next Normal?
- The Critical Role of Employee Training
- Top 10 Trends to Watch in 2015
Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
E-commerce remains a priority for Grainger, as sales through online channels continue to grow. Paul Miller, vice president of global e-commerce, customer information and innovation for Grainger, spoke with Editor Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier at the 2015 Grainger Show, a trade show for Graingers employees, customers and suppliers. Miller discussed how the $10 billion distributor is addressing data challenges that come from having such a broad portfolio and how it is trying to streamline the process for customers.
This article includes:
- E-commerce challenges
- Improving search functions
- Usability across platforms
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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Use & Abuse of Customer Profitability Analytics
- Overcoming a Technology Deficit
- Forecast: Continued Growth in 2015
MDM Industrial Inflation Index: January 2015
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 Interview: Creating a Sustainable Plastics Industry
- Cost-Effective Channel Alignment
- Market Analysis: Chemicals Consumption in North America
Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: December 2014
Sales and inventories data for wholesaler-distributors in December 2014
Download this Issue in PDF: February 25, 2015
This is the PDF of this issue of Modern Distribution Management.
Table of Contents:
- Succession Planning: Executing the Strategy
- Commentary: Forecast - Mostly Cloudy and Competitive
- 3 Margin Levers of Customer Profitability Analytics
- Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
- Monthly Wholesale Trade Date: December 2014
- MDM Inflation Index: January 2015
- News Digest
Are you a subscriber? Simply log-in to view this issue.
Myers Industries Sales Up 6.7% in 2014
Fourth quarter sales increased 9.4 percent year-over-year.
Atlas Copco to Acquire Kalibriercentrum Bayern
Acquisition expands company's service offering.
nexAir to Acquire Welders Supply & Equipment
Purchase will expand company's presence in Alabama.
