Featured Archives

An Entrepreneurial Sales Mindset Can Work Wonders for Small Distributors

At 19, Bearing Service, Inc. President Doug Savage unexpectedly took over the distribution company his grandfather started. In a new MDM podcast, Savage talks about his passion for education, his early adoption of the Entrepreneurial Operating System, the opportunities for independent distributors ahead and his many leadership roles across a 47-year career.

May 10, 2022

Operations

What Distributors Are Saying About the Labor Situation

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May 9, 2022

CRM

Does Your CRM Really Help You Manage Customer Relationships?

Distributors may be missing out on a CRM system’s untapped potential: nurturing customer relationships to drive sales growth.

May 6, 2022

Mergers & Acquisitions

Imperial Dade Gains Investment Fuel for Further Expansion

Packaging and janitorial supplies distributor Imperial Dade has rapidly grown in recent years with acquisitions, and it just gained further major investment to do more of it.

May 5, 2022

Operations

Q&A: Here’s How Fastenal is Built to Handle Disruption

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May 4, 2022

MDM Blog

Industry Events, Private Equity Analysis Highlight April

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May 4, 2022

Sales & Marketing

The Mandate for Hybrid Sales Models in Distribution

In this week’s MDM Podcast, Gartner’s Maria Boulden, Mike Marks of Indian River Consulting Group and Tom Gale tackle all things sales transformation: Massive shifts in customer buying behavior, digital-first go-to-market strategy, supplier partnerships and the new sales skills needed to compete, including situational awareness, data literacy and digital dexterity.

May 3, 2022

Earnings

Grainger: 1Q Was Likely High-Water Mark for Current Growth

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May 2, 2022

Top Distributor Sectors

MDM’s 2022 Top Distributors Survey is Now Open

Want your company to be considered for MDM's Top Distributors List? We need your info! The best way to submit it is via our survey here. Get started now.

May 1, 2022

Mergers & Acquisitions

April 2022 M&A Roundup: Distribution Activity Ramps Up to Start 2Q

The number of mergers and acquisitions in distribution/manufacturing climbed in April after plateauing during the first three months of 2022.

April 29, 2022

Management

The Supply Chain Professional’s Elevated Role in Today’s Environment

Market constraints highlight the importance of supply chain and distribution experts. Here are four ways those experts can help mitigate the current crisis.

April 28, 2022

Mergers & Acquisitions

Why Private Investment is Driving So Much of Distribution M&A, Pt. 3

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April 27, 2022

Strategy

From its Expo, We Go Inside Fastenal with Dan Florness

Amid digital expansion, many distributors grew apart from customers during the pandemic. Fastenal did the opposite. In a new MDM Podcast, Mike Hockett and Dan Florness discuss how the company continues to grow closer to its customers.

April 26, 2022

Operations

Motion’s Momentum Goes Far Beyond KDG Addition

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April 25, 2022

Technology

6 Questions Distributors Can Ask to Improve Business Outcomes

How can companies enhance their bottom lines by employing better digital strategies? MDM chatted with Stellar Industrial Supply’s John Wiborg and Mass Ingenuity’s Aaron Howard during a recent webcast to answer this and similar questions facing distributors.

April 22, 2022

MDM Blog

Fastenal Expo: MDM’s All-Access Pass to the Innovative Distributor

MDM Executive Editor Mike Hockett recaps what he saw and learned at Fastenal Expo 2022, the distributor's first in-person company showcase in three years.

April 21, 2022

Mergers & Acquisitions

Why Private Investment is Driving So Much of Distribution M&A, Pt. 2

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April 20, 2022

Leadership

Redefining Leadership in Distribution

Distribution leaders have played a mostly reactive role as conduits for products and services — but more are now taking on proactive approaches as facilitators and value creators. In a new MDM podcast, Tom Gale and Dirk Beveridge talk about how evolving leadership dynamics are changing the industry.

April 19, 2022

Sales & Marketing

What Omnichannel Means for Today’s Distributors and Suppliers

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April 18, 2022

Operations

Fastenal Wants Digital to Comprise 55% of its Sales by End of 2022

Fastenal's 1Q growth considerably outpaced that of a year earlier and the last "pre-COVID" quarter of 1Q 2020. Digital is the biggest driver. We examine the numbers here.