From how the threat of coronavirus COVID-19 might influence supply chains to insider insights on getting the most from digital platforms, MDM readers cast a wide net for industry wisdom during the month.
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Wholesale distribution, along with arts and entertainment, financial services and retail trade, slowed hiring efforts in January, according to a February report from the CBIZ Small Business Employment Index. Overall, the numbers for companies with 300 or fewer employees showed improvement over December statistics.
Robust PIM solutions can streamline the source of product data and all digital assets, positioning distributors to make the most of your unique value proposition by improving customer engagement, automating operational processes and swiftly executing a new value chain.
WESCO struck a deal to acquire Anixter in January, a transaction estimated at $4.5 billion.
Motivators to change come from three categories: competitive environment motivators, external environment motivators and internal environment motivators. Consultant Mike Vitale explains how identifying these origins can help distributors to choose the most effective path toward business transformation.
This transaction highlights Houlihan Lokeys continued success advising market-leading specialty distributors of mission-critical parts.
Todays business environment creates an imperative for change. But what exactly should you change in your business? Nothing, everything, something? Changing your distribution business is expensive and disruptive, and can be catastrophic if not properly planned and executed.
Brand value is a huge asset for both manufacturers and distributors. With continued homogenization, investments made in developing ones brand starts to erode and price becomes the primary differentiator.
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Increased competition from both traditional and non-traditional distributors coupled with technological advancements have put the power of analytics into distributors hands. Use your metrics to your advantage to measure company performance, make better decisions, understand customer activity and give customers exactly what they want.
Both transactions are expected to close in the spring of 2020.
Columbia Pipe is an independent distributor specializing in PVF, commercial mechanical, commercial plumbing, industrial, valve automation, engineered products and hydronics.
Companies like 3M are prioritizing distribution for those most in need, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai predicts a direct impact on 2020 revenues.
The two-year agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is focused on improving milling performance on new Computer Numerical Control machine tools through the use of impact-testing software.
A look at the legislative status of bi-partisan bill American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2019, its potential industry impactsincluding whether or not states will act to pass legislation on their own and the bills chances of reaching President Trumps desk.
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Already a growing strategy for larger global firms, small- to mid-size distributors can benefit the business by bringing HR into overall company planning. Distributors can start by rethinking the HR department label, bringing HR into safety initiatives, ensuring the right leaders are in place and embedding employee relations into recruitment and selection.
A sense of urgency in developing or enhancing a digital strategy for your business could be a core theme of 2020. The key word? Marketplaces.
