Not a premium subscriber? The entire series on 2011 distribution M&A conditions is available in downloadable pdf in an MDM Special Report for $59.95. Save off the individual pay-per-view price. Download now or learn more. Or subscribe today for access to these and all future articles.Consolidation in independent distribution channels is heating up again after a couple of sluggish years. In this series of articles, MDM will look at the factors contributing to increased M&A activity by analyzing not just overall activity, but also the goals of the different groups contributing to this trend. This includes large strategic buyers such as HD Supply and Grainger; financial buyers; and regional distributors. Over the next couple months, MDM will also analyze valuation trends, integration challenges and cross-border activity.

This article – the first in the series – provides an overview of current trends in distribution M&A.

The last half of 2010 saw an uptick in acquisition activity …