2017 - Modern Distribution Management

2017

MDM Industrial Inflation Index: November 2017

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

  • Distribution M&A Playbook, pt. 3: Integration Best Practices
  • Grainger’s Pricing Initiative, pt 2: The Quest for Optimization
  • Commentary: Harvey’s Stark Reminder on Disaster Planning

MDM Industrial Inflation Index: November 2017 Read More »

Forecast: Economy to Grow in 2018

The Institute for Supply Management provides a semiannual forecast that distributors can use to gauge the health and expectations of manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries. This article provides the highlights from the latest forecast, which was released in December.

This article includes:

  • Economic growth expectations for 2018
  • Manufacturing sector expectations
  • Non-manufacturing sector expectations

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

  • MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Storms Stunt Distributor Growth
  • Distributors Up Search Marketing Efforts
  • Amazon Business: The Burning E-Platform

Forecast: Economy to Grow in 2018 Read More »

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How Should Distribution Respond to Amazon Business?

Amazon Business represents more than a new competitor its an entirely new business model. To address new rules Amazon continually rewrites for traditional channel competition, distributors need to develop new strategies. This article, part 4 in our series, outlines key response alternatives for distributors and the industry collectively to define value, keep customers engaged and avoid displacement.This article includes:

  • Compete or capitulate?
  • Is there an alternative?
  • Adaptive strategies for distributors

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-Baird Distribution Survey: Storms Stunt Distributor Growth
  • Distributors Up Search Marketing Efforts
  • Amazon Business: The Burning E-Platform

How Should Distribution Respond to Amazon Business? Read More »

Commentary: An Industry at an Inflection Point

Innovation will alter competitive dynamics. Selling products that are highly technical is a pretty good strategy to keep Amazon Business at bay today. But for how long will that be good enough? Thats the type of question every distributor needs to ask right now.Subscribers should log in below to read this article.

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Top Trends for 2018

Distributor fortunes improved last year and are projected to continue through the first half of 2018 but the rest of the year remains uncertain, as economists project the economy to slow in the third and fourth quarters before enduring a more drastic decline in 2019.This article includes:

  • A mostly upbeat outlook will take a downward turn later in the year.
  • The Amazon Threat
  • Addressing the talent gao

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-Baird Distribution Survey: Storms Stunt Distributor Growth
  • Distributors Up Search Marketing Efforts
  • Amazon Business: The Burning E-Platform

Top Trends for 2018 Read More »

Download this Issue in PDF: December 25, 2017

This is the PDF of this issue of Modern Distribution Management.

Table of Contents:

  • How Should Distribution Respond to Amazon Business?
  • Commentary: An Industry at an Inflection Point
  • Top Trends for 2018
  • Forecast: Economy to Grow in 2018
  • Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: October 2017
  • MDM Industrial Inflation Index: November 2017
  • MDM News Digest 4724

Are you a subscriber? Simply log-in to view this issue.

Download this Issue in PDF: December 25, 2017 Read More »

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