Supply chains built on fragmented systems and manual processes can’t keep pace with rising complexity. This article outlines a practical roadmap to supply chain autonomy — from unified data and system integration to intelligent automation that boosts visibility, resilience and operational performance.
The first of this three-part series explores how a mid-market distributor built the leadership discipline, internal foundations and cultural alignment to make innovation scalable, repeatable and durable.
Ludwig Meister’s Innovation Foundation: Strategy Before Technology Read More »
SRS Distribution gained roofing share in a historically weak market as Home Depot’s Pro business outperformed DIY in Q4. From HD’s earnings call, we extract executive details shared on pricing strategy, GMS integration and cross-selling momentum across the company’s expanding contractor-focused offering.
Home Depot’s Pro Ecosystem Shows Resilience in Soft Market Read More »
Data is supposed to be your most valuable asset. But without context, governance and clear action triggers, even the best data becomes noise. Learn how cut through the clutter.
Your Data is Worthless… Until You Give it Purpose Read More »
MDM’s Mike Hockett is set to moderate a can’t-miss technology & innovation panel to kick off Day 2’s agenda and NAW’s Brian Wild will help close the conference with policy and regulation insights from Capitol Hill. Get the details here.
MDM & NAW to Bring Tech, Policy Insights to ISA26 Mainstage Read More »
AI is reshaping distributor CRM — but only when backed by the right platform strategy. In this episode of the MDM Amplify Podcast, LeadSmart’s Kevin Brown breaks down smart AI adoption, data integration and how distributors can turn customer intelligence into measurable growth. We also touch on his 30 years of perspective in the industrial supply channel and share takeaways from NAW’s 2026 Executive Summit.
Tech Platform Strategy, AI Adoption and CRM that Actually Works Read More »
AI can make room for the human connection that actually wins business. Read how artificial intelligence in distribution can reengineer highly manual processes into ones that are faster, more accurate, and yes, more human.
AI that Makes Sales More Human Read More »
January’s issue contains articles that cover how to manage inventory like a retirement portfolio; our research on data center market opportunities and distributors’ 2026 tech investment plans; MSC Industrial’s new chapter marked by sales efficiency; analysis of Fastenal’s financials; a market profile on packaging supplies; and more.
MDM’s January Premium Monthly Issue Now Available Read More »
Singer Industrial President Pete Haberbosch joins the MDM Podcast to explain how the rubber, fluid power and automation distribution platform’s “coordinated autonomy” model balances scale with local control. This episode explores the company’s decentralized operating philosophy, M&A strategy, leadership development and what the company is seeing across its industrial end markets heading into 2026.
Coordinated Autonomy: How Singer Industrial Scales While Staying Local Read More »
Our latest MarketPulse Report shares a wealth of data and analysis from the 4Q25 Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey – conducted Jan. 5-12 – that covered respondents’ revenue performance, pricing updates and business expectations for 1Q26 and the rest of the year, plus plenty of market-specific commentary.
Tariffs are no longer episodic shocks — they are structural operating costs for transportation and distribution companies. With margins tight and sourcing uncertainty set to last, the question now is how leaders manage them profitably. In this sponsored MDM Amplify podcast, three Grant Thornton leaders cover how T&D organizations are managing tariff exposure, protecting cash flow and building flexibility under sustained pressure.
MDM Amplify: Tariffs as a Structural Cost – Strategies for 2026 and Beyond Read More »
More than a handful of companies on MDM’s Top Distributors Lists garnered the reputation-based honor from Fortune.
Here’s Which Distributors Made Fortune’s 2026 “Most Admired” List Read More »
This comprehensive MDM 1Q26 Forecast Report is a guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution economy, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place along with our exclusive sector-specific forecasts for 19 different product categories.
Now Available: MDM’s 1Q26 Forecast Report Read More »
MDM’s latest whitepaper — in partnership with OroCommerce — provides practical case study examples to show what technology debt looks like in practice and how distributors can unify and consolidate the tools they need to get their commerce foundation under control. Get the synopsis here.
The Silent Cap on Growth: Why B2B Tech Stacks Stop Scaling Read More »
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.
From Grainger to Growth Platform: E&R Industrial Charts its Independent Future Read More »
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
Stop the Strategy Stall: How Distributors can Win in 2026 by Closing the Execution Gap Read More »
See the extensive slate of industry events during the first half of 2026 that are on MDM’s radar.
MDM’s 2026 1st Half Industry Events Preview Read More »
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.
MDM’s December Premium Monthly Issue Now Available Read More »
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.
A New Look at Account Management: Where It Creates Value, and Where It Doesn’t Read More »
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.
MDM Wrapped 2025: What We Learned from a Pivotal Year in Distribution Read More »
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