It may be hard to find opportunities for growth, especially when the market you are targeting is relatively new. But associations and other industry organizations that support these markets may provide information that can help distributors stay on top of where new business is. Take advantage of these resources.

For the wind energy industry, for example, the American Wind Energy Association provides quarterly and annual reports on where manufacturers are locating, as well as data on recently completed wind projects and utility companies buying the power. 

Applied Industrial Technologies, an industrial distributor that serves the wind energy market, uses AWEA reports to track installed turbines. “Where there are more turbines, there is more opportunity,” says Ken Rohr, industry marketing manager, in the article Wind Market Grows; Challenges Remain. 

Get more on opportunities in alternative energy markets in MDM's latest series, the 2013 Alternative Energy Markets Update.