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2022 forecast strong despite inflation
The latest MDM Forecast reflects an overall downward revision in 2025 revenue expectations in the wake of tariff impacts, though still in line with the industry's historical average. As always, results vary across the 19 industry sectors tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau. Get your sector-specific insights here.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REPORTS

This comprehensive MDM 1Q25 Forecast is a guide to the industrial economy for wholesale distribution executives, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place.
Our 2024 EOR is a comprehensive economic reference guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution industry and its many different verticals. It is comprised of 20 different subreports.

Premium Monthly

This mega-issue’s content is packed with a wealth of MDM Research on how tariffs are impacting distributors’ cost of goods sold, investment plans and what they’re doing about it; and the return of MDM’s Women in Distribution feature.

Market Insight Reports

MDM’s 1Q25 MarketPulse Report consists of the quarterly results, analysis and commentary from the Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey that explored revenue performance, pricing and expectations for the current quarter and rest-of-year.
See our new breakdown of M&A activity by product category, the latest EBITDA trading multiples for 30 top industrial distributors, and our detailed recap of dealmaking activity during January-March, which was notably subdued compared to previous quarters.

Case Studies

The metalworking and MRO supplies distributor has successfully transitioned from a catalog-driven product house that relied on spot-buys to its role today as a digitally-driven, “Mission Critical” company. Here’s how.
Watsco has achieved a marketing-leading position in HVACR distribution through a combination of deep supplier partnerships, a buy-and-build philosophy and a technology-first mindset. We examine the company’s recent evolution and where it’s going.
Products on inventory shelves storage
The latest MDM Forecast had a modest continuation in downward revision in April overall, with growth still expected but at a slower pace than previously projected. As always, the projection varied throught the 19 different industry verticals tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau. Get your sector-specific outlook here.
MSC Industrial

Over 60% of MSC Industrial Supply’s sales are eCommerce-based, making it one of the leading web-driven distributors in North America. The final piece of this three-part series explores the progression of that digital business to meet changing market and customer demands.

After a challenging 2024, the metalworking and MRO supplies distributor continues to work through a critical web pricing realignment. Part 1 of this MDM Case Study article series examines what caused the issue and how MSC is progressing through this initiative that’s tied to nearly two-thirds of its revenue stream.

Frustrated Businessman During A Business Meeting In Office

The age-old conflict of sales vs. revenue operations doesn’t have to be a combative relationship. Mike Hockett distills takeaways from an ISA23 session on ways to make this dynamic more collaborative.

Sanctions Political Trade War

We analyze the results of our early January survey that polled 350 distributors and manufacturers about their expectations of how tariffs could impact both margins and demand. Along with data, it produced plenty of commentary.

Products on inventory shelves storage
The latest MDM Forecast had a modest continuation in downward revision in April overall, with growth still expected but at a slower pace than previously projected. As always, the projection varied throught the 19 different industry verticals tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau. Get your sector-specific outlook here.
wholesale trade June 2021

Our overall 2025 industry revenue forecast narrowed from January, dragged down by a downshift for oil & gas. Nevertheless, strong growth appears in store for most verticals. See your sector-specific outlook here.

Night Map of USA with City Lights Illumination. 3D render

Capital investments in electric infrastructure, including upgrades and renewable energy integration, fueled a double-digit rise in utilities’ electricity spending from 2003 to 2023. We break down the figures here.

The path is interrupted by uncertainty. Uncertainty, threat and danger. Resolve the problem before continuing your journey. Bring a gap.

There’s no better time to find out what keeps distribution executives up at night than at the start of the year. We analyze more than 250 write-in responses to our early January survey question asking about their top concerns.

Investment Banking Directory

Work with a banking partner that knows your business. Get detailed information on investment banks with expertise in the wholesale distribution industry.

Featured Content

Building Contractor Loyalty

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In Pursuit of Practicality: 52 real use cases for AI in wholesale distribution today

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Essential Financial KPIs – Unlock the Power of Financial Metrics

This new guide from MDM provides real-world examples from companies that recently innovated on…

MDM Guide: Tailor Your Tech Strategy to Win in Any Market

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