Featured Blog Archives

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

Data & Analytics

Market Analytics, Pt. 2: The Growth Engine – Sales Transformation Starts with Data

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May 4, 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.

May 4, 2026

Mergers & Acquisitions

MDM’s 1Q26 M&A Report is Here

See our breakdown of M&A activity by product category, the latest EBITDA trading multiples for 27 publicly traded industrial distributors; our latest Premium articles, which take deep dives into the M&A strategies of two prominent companies; and our detailed recap of dealmaking activity during January-March, which was the busiest three-month stretch since May-July 2024.

May 3, 2026

Mergers & Acquisitions

April M&A Roundup: QXO, Watsco Lead Less Active Month

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May 1, 2026

Quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey

Research: Pricing Power Holds Steady While Pressure Builds Beneath the Surface

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April 30, 2026

Pricing

Podcast — From Static to Dynamic: The Evolution of Distribution Pricing Science

Pricing has taken center stage in distribution. Zilliant’s Jim Vaughn joins the MDM Amplify Podcast to discuss how AI, volatility and smarter segmentation are reshaping pricing strategy — and why understanding customer value is more critical than ever.

April 29, 2026

ERP

Do You Really Need to Move On From Your Legacy ERP?

Does your ERP actually need replacing? This piece argues distributors should resist fear-driven upgrades and weigh timing, strategy and hidden migration risks — noting that modernization doesn’t always require a full system overhaul.

April 27, 2026

Economic Trends

Now Available: MDM’s 2Q26 Forecast Report

This comprehensive MDM 2Q26 Forecast Report is a guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution economy, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place along with our exclusive sector-specific forecasts for 19 different product categories.

April 27, 2026

Sales & Marketing

Why Stellar Industrial Supply Doesn’t “Sell” — and Wins More Business Because of It

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April 24, 2026

Research

MDM’s 1Q26 MarketPulse Report is Here, Showing Market-Specific Revenue Performance, Pricing & Expectations

MDM’s 1Q26 MarketPulse Report consists of the quarterly results, analysis and commentary from the latest Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey — conducted early April — that explored revenue performance, pricing and business expectations for the current quarter and rest-of-year. It includes a wealth of market-specific data and commentary from survey respondents.

April 24, 2026

Building Materials/Construction

From Order-Takers to Demand Generators: Building Materials’ Next Shift

Distribution always had rich data on new construction — but almost nothing on the market that's already standing. The replacement and renovation market has been a data desert for decades. That's starting to change with AI.

April 22, 2026

Data & Analytics

Distribution Market Analytics 101: What Building the Foundation Looks Like

Most distributors track internal performance — but lack a clear view of market opportunity. As the first in a three-part series, this article outlines how market analytics reframes growth by defining markets, estimating share and identifying where opportunity is underdeveloped.

April 21, 2026

Operations

ETIM, Supplier Sanity and the Distribution Data Tax

AI, standards like ETIM and evolving PIM workflows are rapidly lowering the long-standing “product data tax” in distribution. Here’s how manufacturers and distributors are accelerating item onboarding, improving data quality and reshaping the economics of getting products to market.

April 20, 2026

Building Materials/Construction

QXO Set to Land TopBuild in $17B Deal to Reshape Building Materials Distribution

It’s the second-largest purchase price we’ve ever seen in the market behind Home Depot’s $18 billion SRS deal and caps a remarkable 12-month span of aggressive growth for QXO.

April 19, 2026

Association/Buying Group News

MDM Wins 2 Business Journalism Awards for Case Study, Market Analysis

MDM won two Bronze Azbee Awards for its in-depth case study on LINC Systems and a market analysis on the PPE segment.

April 17, 2026

Featured Blog

Digital, Data and CX: How Stellar Industrial Turns Technology into Competitive Advantage

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April 15, 2026

Economic Trends

MDM Forecast: April Update

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April 14, 2026

Market Analysis

Fastenal Points to Market Improvement as its Outperformance Continues

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April 13, 2026

Branding for Distributors

MDM Podcast: Why Every Distributor Has a Story Worth Telling

Most distributors let their reputation do the talking. But what happens when buyers are searching online before they ever pick up the phone? The latest MDM Podcast, featuring SHIFT speaker and IPS Packaging Marketing Manager Kevin Keigley, explores how brand storytelling is becoming a competitive edge.

April 10, 2026

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