Mike Hockett, Author at Modern Distribution Management

AI’s Customer Service Impacts, and How to Choose the Right Tech Partner

In this sponsored MDM Amplify podcast episode, Canals Co-Founder and CTO Erez Arnon joins to unpack what MDM’s latest AI research reveals about customer service as one of distribution’s highest-impact use cases. Just as importantly, Arnon shares practical guidance on how to vet AI vendors in a crowded, hype-filled market, including key red flags and must-have proof points.

April 3, 2026

MDM Blog

MDM’s Ludwig Meister Case Study Report Now Available

Ludwig Meister shows how disciplined sequencing — not flashy tech — drives real innovation. Authored by former longtime MDM CEO and Editor Tom Gale, this case study details how the German distributor built a data-driven, AI-enabled operation by prioritizing internal processes, clean data and execution before transforming sales and customer experience.

April 2, 2026

Mergers & Acquisitions

March M&A Roundup: Major Deals Aplenty

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April 1, 2026

Facilities Maintenance (MRO)

MSC’s Dec-Feb Sales Growth Decelerates While Volume Remains Subdued

Gross margin topped expectations with an uptick, while pricing continues to comprise nearly all of year-over-year sales growth.

April 1, 2026

Leadership

What Our Women in Distribution Honorees Say About Joining – and Thriving – in the Industry

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March 30, 2026

Grocery & Foodservice Distribution

Sysco Strikes $29B Deal to Acquire Restaurant Depot

Marking one of the largest transactions in the history of wholesale distribution, it's set to push Sysco’s annual revenue to near $100 billion and diversify its offering with a strong push into the cash-and-carry segment. Get the details and context here.

March 30, 2026

Strategy

Inside Grainger Show: How a 12,000-Person Event Reinforces the Distributor’s Customer-Centric Model

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March 27, 2026

Top Distributor Sectors

LAST CALL: MDM 2026 Top Distributors Submissions are Due March 31

Want your company to be considered and accurately ranked? We need its revenue info by March 31. The easiest way to submit it is via the survey linked in this blog.

March 24, 2026

Electrical

Sonepar Sees Annual Sales Hit $38B as Americas Jump 15%

The electrical supplies giant credited its strong growth to its transformation strategy launched in 2021 alongside demand tied to electrification trends that include data center requirements.

March 24, 2026

HVACR

SRS Distribution to Make HVAC Splash, Acquire Mingledorff’s

Set to complete by mid-year, it represents a new product vertical for building materials-oriented SRS, netting it 42 locations across the Southeast U.S.

March 24, 2026

Economic Trends

MDM Forecast: March Update

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March 23, 2026

Contractor

Home Depot Expands AI-Powered Digital Tools for Pro Contractors

The updates are designed to help Pros more efficiently manage projects by improving how they build material lists, place orders and coordinate deliveries. It further blurs the line between retail and distribution for a customer base heavily focused on contractors.

March 20, 2026

Technology

How Singer Industrial Is Using Technology to Connect – Not Control – its Platform

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March 19, 2026

Economic Trends

January U.S. Wholesale Sales Growth Decelerates and Inventories Drop

It was another monthly sales gain, though far less robust than in December.

March 19, 2026

News

LKCM Aims to Take Distribution Solutions Group Private with $2B Offer

LKCM Headwater Investments currently owns about 79% of DSG’s stock.

March 17, 2026

Fasteners

Fastenal to Build New Southeast U.S. Logistics Hub in Georgia

Breaking ground March 24, it will replace the company’s current Atlanta-based “AHUB” and could eventually be nealry four times the size.

March 14, 2026

Leadership

Presenting NAW’s 2026 Women in Distribution Honorees

Presented by MDM and recognizing a collection of women pivotal to their company's growth, innovation and leadership, see our class of 20 honorees, to be followed by a series of profile articles.

March 13, 2026

JanSan

Imperial Dade, BradyPlus Complete JanSan Megamerger

Go-forward branding of the combined company hasn’t been disclosed, but it now stands as a JanSan, foodservice and industrial packaging products distribution giant with over $10 billion in annual revenue.

March 12, 2026

JanSan

Together at Last: Cintas to Acquire UniFirst for $5.5B

It follows at least two previous attempts for Cintas to buy UniFirst and is set to result in a company with more than $12 billion in combined annual revenue.

March 11, 2026

Market Analysis

UPS Leaning into B2B Opportunity Amid Amazon Reduction

The strategic shift comes alongside what UPS describes as the largest network reconfiguration in its 118-year history. Here’s the key details and what distributors should watch for.

March 11, 2026

Posts By Mike Hockett

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