Another blockbuster deal looms for gases & welding equipment distribution.
Eric Smith
Senior Editor Eric Smith is an award-winning business journalist whose coverage focus includes economic news and insights, industry trends, M&A, and analysis of small businesses and public companies across the wholesale distribution marketplace. Reach him at eric@mdm.com or 720-207-0335.
Posts By Eric Smith
Obama presses Pacific trade deal while candidates, Congress resist.
Not enough distributors listen to their customers, and this is a problem in the era of the customer. With the rise of Amazon and other unknown disruptors possibly on the horizon, B2B companies must map their customers experience to uncover deficiencies and then work to solve them.
This article includes:
- The new model of distribution
- How to talk to your customers
- Consequences of inaction
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:
- Are You Really Customer-Centric?
- Customer Engagement: Dont Be Amazon
- 2015 State of Distributor Marketing: Effective Strategy Solves Challenges
Legacy and name recognition arent enough to take home the gold, only distributors that put the necessary work into their business will succeed.
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:
- A Growing Competitive Threat
- 2016 Distribution Remodel: Refocus on the Core
- Work ON Your Business, Not Just IN Your Business
Sonepar, Crescent Electric acquire growth amid tepid start to 3Q.
Optimize existing technology with right processes, commitment from upper management.
Acquisitions have helped company prosper since its creation in 2008.
HVAC distributor seeing increase in e-commerce, mobile app traffic.
Robert W. Baird & Co., in partnership with Modern Distribution Management, conducted a survey of more than 600 distributors and manufacturers to gauge business trends and the outlook for the distribution industry in diverse sectors. Here is a summary of second-quarter results and distributor and manufacturer expectations for the remainder of 2016.
This article includes:
- Revenue, inventory and pricing expectations
- Sector breakdown
- Analysis of trends affecting sales and operating performance
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:
- 2016 State of E-Commerce: E-Commerce Races to Maturity
- 1Q2016 Financial Metrics & Trading Multiples
- 2016 Distribution Remodel: Refocus on the Core
Don't just sit around waiting for an economic recovery, focus on improving your business in order to prosper in the future.
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:
- Industry Muddling Along in 2016
- 2016 Distribution Remodel: Refocus on the Core
- Customer Engagement: Dont Be Amazon
Distributors can expect more expensive warehouse space on top of increased HR costs.
This report, now available in PDF format, is a benefit for MDM Premium subscribers. Simply log-in below to access and download this series of articles. Not a subscriber? Subscribe below.
Understand what forces are shaping a quieter M&A landscape in 2016, as well as the trends that are surfacing for the rest of the year. This report will help you prepare for future M&A opportunities and pitfalls.
Articles included in this special report:
- M&A Mirrors Economy
- Navigating the M&A Landscape
Click on the link below to download this special report in PDF format.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more.
Fresh off rebrand, distributor continues to script success story.
More shops within customer facilities helps distributor increase engagement.
With M&A poised for a strong finish this year, distributors on either side of a deal should strategically prepare now for the opportunities that will arise. Buyers must carefully examine how a targeted asset fits, and sellers must ensure maximum value before entertaining offers.
This article includes:
- Strategies for sellers to get maximum value
- What buyers should look for in an asset
- M&A pitfalls to avoid
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:
- M&A in Distribution, Part 1: M&A Mirrors Economy
- Industry ‘Muddling Along’ in 2016
- A Growing Competitive Threat
Sonepar, Graybar, Border States Electric make acquisitions during month.
Industry trends and remaining competitive top priorities for distributors.
Listen to your customers and invest in talent and technology.
This article is part of MDM's 2016 Distribution Trends Special Issue.
With the forgettable first half of 2016 now behind them, distributors hope to bid farewell to a tepid sales climate that has stunted industry growth since late last year.
This article includes:
- An overview of distributor revenue
- How distributors are adapting to economic conditions
- Insights from industry executives on economic trends
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. The full 2016 Distribution Trends Special Issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers.
This article is part of MDM's 2016 Distribution Trends Special Issue.
The B2C shopping concept, in which people can get anything they need anytime they want it, is clearly influencing B2B buying. But a distributors customer has certain needs from superior product knowledge to service and sales reps available to answer phone calls that the Amazon experience cant provide.
This article includes:
- Why a customer-focused experience is better than an "Amazon experience"
- How distributors are improving their customer experiences
- Tips for shifting your focus from products to customers
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. The full 2016 Distribution Trends Special Issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers.