Mike Hockett, Author at Modern Distribution Management

ERP

How Epicor Sees AI Moving ERP Toward Business Outcomes

Epicor CMO and SVP of Product Kerrie Jordan joins the MDM Amplify Podcast to discuss ERP’s shift from a system of record to a system of outcomes, the company’s latest agentic AI announcements and what distributors should prioritize as business software enters its next chapter.

June 2, 2026

Mergers & Acquisitions

May M&A Roundup: Ferguson Adds a Half Dozen & Rexel Inks Midwest Boost

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June 1, 2026

Contractor

HVAC, Electrical & Plumbing Service Platform Apex Nets $2B Investment from Apollo

The funding for the rapidly scaling residential home service platform reportedly values Apex at $10 billion, and signals continued appetite for such platforms that are reshaping contractor buying power across key distribution end markets.

May 28, 2026

Association/Buying Group News

Evergreen Supply Network to Dissolve. Here’s What to Know

The independent construction and industrial distribution cooperative has served its members for 37 years. Get the details here, including where those members are likely heading.

May 27, 2026

News

No MDM Update Newsletter Monday

We're off Monday in observance of Memorial Day in the U.S., so Update will be back in action Tuesday morning.

May 21, 2026

Technology Provider News

Epicor Debuts Agentic AI Platform, Promises 90-Day Cloud ERP Deployments

At its annual Insights user conference, Epicor unveiled a new agentic AI platform designed for distribution and manufacturing workflows while also launching a program promising cloud ERP go-lives in 90 days for qualifying customers. Get the details here.

May 19, 2026

Economic Trends

MDM Forecast: May Update

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May 19, 2026

MDM Blog

Our Biggest Takeaways from SHIFT 2026, Where Change Management was Center Stage

SHIFT 2026 delivered three days of candid conversations, practical insights and powerful leadership moments. Here, Mike Hockett shares what stood out most upon departing Denver.

May 15, 2026

Power Transmission/Motion Control

PTDA Adds Industrial Concepts & Solutions as New Distributor Member

Newly-formed ICS supplies speed drives, belt and chain drives, motors, shaft couplings, u-joints and specialty chemicals in Western Michigan.

May 15, 2026

Expert Perspective

Graybar’s Mazzarella on AI, Advocacy and Distribution’s Human Advantage

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May 12, 2026

Power Transmission/Motion Control

Bearings Makers NSK, NTN Sign MoU for Joint Business Integration

Japan-based NSK and NTN announced plans to pursue a business integration through a joint holding company, a move that would create one of the world’s largest bearing and power transmission suppliers with combined annual revenue approaching $12 billion.

May 12, 2026

Mergers & Acquisitions

QXO Maps Out Post-Deal Playbook as it Integrates Beacon, Kodiak and Adds TopBuild

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May 11, 2026

Sales & Marketing

Podcast: Field Sales is Far From Dead – It’s Evolving

Map My Customers’ JT Rimbey joins the MDM Amplify podcast to discuss the evolving role of field sales in distribution — exploring territory management, account segmentation, CRM adoption and why relationship-driven outside sales remains a critical competitive advantage despite growing digital buying trends and advances in AI-powered sales technology.

May 11, 2026

Market Analysis

Oil & Gas Drives March Jump in March U.S. Wholesale Inventories & Sales

Frontloading on petroleum products ahead of price shocks tied to the Iran war skewed the industry's overall figures, but here, view product vertical-specific figures for monthly and year-over-year sales, inventories and inventory/sales ratios pulled from the Census Bureau's latest wholesale trade report.

May 8, 2026

ERP

DNOW Says MRC ERP System Has Stabilized as Optimization Work Continues

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May 8, 2026

Market Analysis

Deep Dive: Inside Grainger’s Best Quarter in 3 Years

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May 7, 2026

Industrial Supplies

Metrics: Fastenal’s Sales Acceleration Rolls Through April

It was the company's 10th straight month of double-digit daily sales grwoth year-over-year and its best month since August 2022 in the height of post-COVID market recovery. We give a full breakdown of Fastenal's April sales metrics here and the context around them.

May 6, 2026

Digital Commerce

Podcast: Tom McFadyen on How AI Is Reshaping B2B Commerce

AI is reshaping B2B commerce faster than most distributors are prepared for. In this sponsored episode of the MDM Amplify Podcast, Tom McFadyen of McFadyen Digital breaks down AEO and AI-driven search, how to prioritize high-impact use cases and why agentic commerce could redefine how distributors compete in the years ahead.

May 5, 2026

Operations

Amazon Opens its Logistics Network to All Businesses. Here’s What Distributors Should Know

The move positions the company as a full-service supply chain provider — raising the bar for delivery speed, integration and competition across distribution. Get the details here and our analysis of what it means for distributors.