MDM Staff, Author at Modern Distribution Management

Today’s podcast and summary in this edition of MDM Update is Elizabeth Galentine's last contribution for MDM. We’re sorry to see her go but excited for the next opportunity she is pursuing. Elizabeth has been MDM’s editor-in-chief for four years and has guided our content through very disruptive times. (She banned the team’s use of "unprecedented" to describe events of 2020.) That’s just one example of her thoughtful approach to cutting through noise and jargon — one of the hallmarks of our coverage of this industry since 1967. The team at MDM will miss her, and we wish her the best in her next venture!

January 11, 2022

Operations

Grainger to Divest Grainger China

Company says divestment will help remained focused on profitable growth in key geographies.

June 22, 2020

Economic Trends

Chicago Fed National Activity Index Rises to +2.61 in May

All four broad categories of indicators used to construct the index made positive contributions in May, and all four categories increased from April.

June 22, 2020

Strategy

How Valin Corporation Managed an Abrupt Remote Work Transition

The industrial distributors Director of Organizational Development Cory Calderon sees a post-pandemic future with a hybrid remote/onsite work environment, contingent upon scalable software applications and technology upgrades.

June 22, 2020

Operations

WESCO Completes Merger with Anixter International

Electrical giants clear regulatory hurdles as Anixter becomes wholly owned subsidiary of WESCO.

June 22, 2020

Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution

Sonepar USA Announces Leadership Changes

Electrical distributor makes handful of executive appointments and promotions.

June 22, 2020

Human Resources in Wholesale Distribution

Ohio Transmission Appoints David Scheer to Replace Phil Derrow as CEO

After 22 years as CEO and 38 years with the company, Derrow will transition to chairman.

June 22, 2020

Economic Trends

U.S. Cutting Tool Consumption Plummets 31.1% in April

Latest report shows U.S. cutting tool consumption down 24.7% from previous month of March.

June 19, 2020

Operations

Carlisle Companies Terminates Acquisition of Draka Fileca

COVID-19 stymies regulatory approval, preventing deal from reaching finish line.

June 19, 2020

Free

Kimball Midwest Names Chief Marketing Officer

Ohio-based industrial distributor promotes Todd Karas to top marketing position.

June 19, 2020

Economic Trends

IRCG’s Weekly Pandemic Revenue Index Shows Decline

PRI dips 8.5% for the week of June 8-12, indicating distributors are still struggling during pandemic.

June 18, 2020

Sales & Marketing

Outside Sales Pricing Support During an Economic Slowdown

In many cases, distributor sales people report that they cant remember the last time they have reviewed their pricing with their leaders. MDMs John Gunderson shares five steps pricing teams take to maintain margins.

June 18, 2020

Economic Trends

Residential Building Permits Down 8.8% in May

Housing starts also down compared to year-ago period but up compared to April, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

June 18, 2020

Operations

Owens & Minor Completes Sale of Movianto

Company to use proceeds of $133 million for further debt reduction.

June 18, 2020

Top Distributor Sectors

Neenah Announces Refinancing Plans, 2Q Update

Paper and packaging manufacturer announced Wednesday a refinancing plan and an update on second-quarter sales.

June 17, 2020

Top Distributor Sectors

SKF Investing $42.8 Million in Ball Bearing Manufacturing in China

Latest investment from Swedish bearing and seal manufacturer will expand current Chinese plant.

June 17, 2020

Operations

4 Ways Distributors are Staying on Top of COVID-19 Business Changes

In a recent MDM webcast, Navigating the New Now as a Distributor, Epicors Emma Vas and Mark Jensen discussed key trends that are emerging to help distribution companies thrive. Distributors are finding ways to boost revenue, negotiate supplier relationships, optimize inventory and streamline social distancing.