How MDM determined rankings for the 2015 top distributors lists.
Posts By Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier
ERIKS North America president & CEO: Do a better job of promoting opportunities in distribution
Distributor overcomes negative impact of weather, foreign exchange to grow sales, profit in 1Q.
Expansion to continue in 2015, though slowing is expected.
Distributors courted by private equity and strategic buyers.
Unlike previous cycles of strong merger and acquisition activity in distribution, todays market is unique in that strategic buyers and private equity firms are going after the same targets, setting the stage for an especially compelling consolidation story in the second half of 2015.
This article includes:
- The role of strategic buyers and private equity firms in M&A
- Distribution sectors currently seeing the most M&A activity
- Potential negative influences to M&A
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- First Quarter 2015 Financial Metrics & Trading Multiples
- IDGs Journey to Sonepar
- Tackling the Profitability Yo-Yo
Line between B2B and B2C continues to blur.
Retired four-star general shared his lifetime of leadership at ISA's 2015 Convention.
Looming transformation involves tying together technology & data.
More than half (56 percent) of respondents to the latest MDM-Baird Distribution Survey plan to increase overall investment levels in analytic capabilities, which doesnt mean just an investment in technology platforms. It requires investment of time and people to effectively utilize the amount of data available, regardless of the level of maturity.
This article includes:
- Challenges associated with investment
- Problems with incorrect or incomplete data
- Priorities for analytics application
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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Overcoming the Barriers to Analytics
- Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
- 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution: E-Commerce on Path to Maturity
Technology continues to introduce new disruptions to the supply chain. Jim Barnes, ISM Services managing director, recently spoke with MDM about the potential these disruptive technologies have for fundamentally changing how the supply chain operates.
This article includes:
- The current stage of technology adoption
- How the Internet of Things is being adapted
- The effect of automation
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- MDM Interview: Creating a Culture of Innovation
- Strategic Options for Shipping Efficiency
- Overcoming the Barriers to Analytics
Despite disruptions, respondents expect to increase investment spending in 2015.
CEO: Long-term impact of low energy prices may be positive for U.S. manufacturing.
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 or purchase online access below.
This report provides an in-depth look at succession planning, a growing issue in the distribution industry. It is no secret that the industry is facing a worker shortage, but that isn't the only challenge distributors face when creating a succession plan. This report examines the various hurdles of succession planning, ways to overcome them, how to develop a strategy and the best practices for implementing that strategy, including tips from industry executives and a case study on Mayer Electric.
Articles included in this special report:
- Positioning for the Future
- Executing the Strategy
- Mayer Electric: Protecting the Goose
Click on the link below to download this special report in PDF format.
Companies increasing focus on North America and China.
Online strategy, succession planning remain top of mind for distributors.
Price increases are a part of doing business. The challenge is getting sales reps and customers on board with the changes. This article offers a road map for getting buy-in from the sales team and, as a result, a better return on the price increase initiatives.This article is a summary of the MDM Webcast: How to Help Your Sales Team Execute Price Changes Successfully.
This article includes:
- Providing the right information to sales reps
- How to engage and train the sales team
- Measuring the impact of price increase initiatives
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- The Case for Proactive Inside Sales
- Improve Market Access to Unlock Potential
- Who's My Coach? The Changing Role of Sales Managers
Analytics tools are playing an increasingly important role in distribution. But many distributors recognize that they lack the capabilities to implement an effective analytic strategy in their businesses.
This article includes:
- Dealing with ERP system problems
- Hiring people with the right analytics skills
- Considering software-as-a-service providers
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Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
- Use & Abuse of Customer Profitability Analytics
- MDM Interview: Creating a Culture of Innovation
