Tip: Update Your Sales Strategy for the Next Generation
While distributors are slow to hire the next generation, their customers arent.
May 2018
Ferguson Opens Washington, D.C., Location
Plumbing distributor opens boutique showroom in citys Friendship Heights neighborhood.
Grainger’s Laura Brown to Retire
SVP communications and investor relations steps down, effective July 1; company to transition communications and investor relations functions.
Leadership Changes at TTI
Distributor expands roles, combines product teams in the Americas.
Second Estimate: Real GDP Up 2.2% in Q1
Growth decelerates in first quarter, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data.
Praxair Receives Diversity Award
Industrial gases distributor named a DiversityInc Noteworthy company for third consecutive year.
Consumer Confidence Improves in May
Index registers 128, up from 125.6 in April.
MDM News Digest 4810
MDM's top news stories from May 11 - May 25, 2018.
Commentary: Amazon Business: Partner, Competitor or Both?
As the lead analyst for Amazon Business at MDM, Ian Heller tries to discern the companys intentions and market performance. But Amazons plans for its B2B division as well as its results are murky, partly because the company doesnt say much about them especially the results.
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- Top Trends for 2018
- When Good Distributors Do Bad Branding
- Key Drivers for E-commerce Demand
MDM Industrial Inflation Index: April 2018
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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- 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
Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: March 2018
Wholesale revenues, inventories and ratios from March 2018
Business Transformations
Business transformations are large-scale changes to your companys business capabilities and behaviors to create significant improvement in performance. This article using a case study of a distributor transforming their direct sales and customer service functions outlines the biggest challenges in business transformation projects and offers a structure to ensure their success.
This article includes:
- Business Transformation Readiness
- Scope Readiness
- Decoding the business transformation lifecycle
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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
Download this Issue in PDF: May 25, 2018
This is the PDF of this issue of Modern Distribution Management.
Table of Contents:
- Amazon Business VP Prentis Wilson
- Commentary: Amazon Business: Partner, Competitor or Both?
- Business Transformations
- MDM Industrial Inflation Index: April 2018
- Monthly Wholesale Trade Data: March 2018
- MDM News Digest 4810
Are you a subscriber? Simply log-in to view this issue.
Pricingdisconnectivia May Be Harmful to Your Health
Pricing power is the ability to sell at higher prices without losing volume.
Amazon to Open Fulfillment Center in Oklahoma City
Companys first fulfillment center in the state will employ 1,500.
All Industrial Tool Adds to Service Offering
Distributor partners with GlobalShopex to add international e-commerce and shipping options.
MDM Interview: Amazon Business VP Prentis Wilson
In part 1 of this MDM exclusive interview, Prentis Wilson, Vice President of Amazon Business, shares his thoughts on the value proposition of Amazon Business, its current focus and the polarized view many distributors and suppliers have for the company’s market position. A complete version of this interview will be available on MDM’s new podcast series, Disrupting Distribution.
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
Lawson Opens Distribution Center in Alberta
New center will reduce product delivery time to customers in Western Canada.
