Featured Blog Archives

From Grainger to Growth Platform: E&R Industrial Charts its Independent Future

Divested from Grainger in late 2023, metalworking and industrial supplies distributor E&R Industrial is entering a new chapter marked by independence, modernization and rapid expansion. CEO Joe Stephens stops by the MDM Podcast to tell us about what the company’s next couple years might look like, as well as his broader thoughts on relationship selling, what it means to be tech-enabled and the role of vending today.

January 14, 2026

Expert Perspective

Stop the Strategy Stall: How Distributors can Win in 2026 by Closing the Execution Gap

Distributors often don’t lack strategy — they lack execution. Drawing from industry research and frontline realities, this piece outlines why good ideas stall and how leaders can close the execution gap in 2026 by prioritizing focus, process discipline and consistent action

January 9, 2026

Facilities Maintenance (MRO)

MSC Begins New Chapter Marked by Sales Execution & Efficiency

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January 8, 2026

Inventory Management

Managing Inventory Like a Retirement Portfolio: A Strategic Shift for Distributors

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January 7, 2026

MDM Blog

MDM’s 2026 1st Half Industry Events Preview

See the extensive slate of industry events during the first half of 2026 that are on MDM's radar.

January 6, 2026

MDM Blog

MDM’s December Premium Monthly Issue Now Available

December's issue contains articles that cover Singer Equipment's culture-centric M&A engine; how Stellar Industrial turned documented cost savings into a market-defining value proposition; Crane Group's recent sale to PE and lessons for distributors entering the 2026 M&A cycle; and more.

January 6, 2026

Sales & Marketing

A New Look at Account Management: Where It Creates Value, and Where It Doesn’t

Account managers have long been seen as essential. But in many cases, they’re unintentionally creating friction instead of removing it. This piece opines why the role works for only a small subset of customers — and what a more effective, specialist-driven model looks like.

January 5, 2026

Building Materials/Construction

QXO Nets $1.2B in New Investment to Fuel Growth as Deal Talks Advance

A person familiar with the deal told MDM that QXO is in talks with seven companies with between $1 billion and $20 billion in revenue. Get the details here.

January 5, 2026

Mergers & Acquisitions

December M&A Roundup: Solid Activity in Holiday-Shortened Month

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December 31, 2025

Expert Perspective

MDM Wrapped 2025: What We Learned from a Pivotal Year in Distribution

You’ve seen our recaps of the top news, free articles, Premium articles and podcasts we’ve published this year (if not, you really should). Here, we take a comprehensive look at our key takeaways from 2025 across MDM’s various content forms.

December 30, 2025

MDM Blog

MDM’s Top News of 2025

Check out the news that drove conversation in 2025 and painted a picture of an industry in flux, from billion-dollar deals to the sudden collapse of a $4B distributor.

December 29, 2025

MDM Blog

MDM’s Top Premium Content of 2025

Premium has always been the best of MDM's content offering, showcasing our exclusive research, market analysis, in-depth case study pieces and industry commentary. Here, see the best of our best of 2025, based on which articles were most-read and had the most value — judged by our editors.

December 24, 2025

MDM Blog

Here’s Which Distributors are on Forbes’ 2025 Top Private Companies List

The list of 200 included nearly two dozen wholesale distributors, and many of them are both MDM Top Distributors and members of NAW.

December 24, 2025

MDM Blog

MDM’s Top Free Articles of 2025

Get a glimpse into the topics that help shaped strategy and drive conversation with this list of 2025's most-read free articles published on MDM.

December 23, 2025

MDM Blog

MDM’s Top Podcasts of 2025

Whether you’re a fan or new to the MDM Podcast, discover the episodes that made waves this year with distributor interviews and insights.

December 22, 2025

Mergers & Acquisitions

How Singer Equipment Built a Disciplined M&A Engine — With Culture at the Core

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December 19, 2025

Finance

Why Profitability, Not More Sales, Gives Distributors Freedom

Profit is what truly gives distributors the freedom to grow, reinvest and build lasting businesses. This piece reframes profitability as a strategic advantage that fuels flexibility, resilience and legacy.