This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
Premium Member Dashboard
All your exclusive premium content in one location.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REPORTS
This comprehensive MDM 2Q26 Forecast 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. Its economic indicator data is updated through May 15.
This comprehensive MDM 1Q26 Forecast 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. This report was freshly updated in late February.
Premium Monthly
Our May issue is packed with articles that cover the margin pressure gap between large and small distributors; a deep dive into Grainger’s impressive 1Q; parts 2 and 3 of Tom Gale’s data analytics series; updates on DNOW’s MRC Global integration and ERP headaches; our monthly MDM Forecast and M&A Roundup; a Wiring products Market Profile; and more.
Market Insight Reports
See our breakdown of M&A activity by product category, the latest EBITDA trading multiples for 27 publicly traded industrial distributors; our latest Premium articles, which take deep dives into the M&A strategies of two prominent companies; and our detailed recap of dealmaking activity during January-March, which was the busiest three-month stretch since May-July 2024.
MDM’s 1Q26 MarketPulse Report consists of the quarterly results, analysis and commentary from the latest Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey — conducted early April — that explored revenue performance, pricing and business expectations for the current quarter and rest-of-year. It includes a wealth of market-specific data and commentary from survey respondents.
Case Studies
This MDM Case Study examines how Stellar Industrial Supply built a differentiated growth model around documented customer savings, service-first selling and digital execution — turning measurable value creation into a durable platform for customer loyalty, expansion and operational excellence.
How has Singer Industrial grown into a 55-plus-company platform while preserving local leadership and culture? This MDM Case Study explores the industrial rubber, fluid power and automation distributor’s coordinated autonomy model, acquisition strategy and technology investments that are helping drive scale, efficiency and long-term growth.
Premium Articles
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
Mike Hockett analyzes Sonepar's 26-year North American expansion that has led to over $15 billion in 2023 sales, with most of that in the U.S.
Distributors are dealing with more potential business risks today than ever before. We polled hundreds of them to determine what the biggest risks are, and dissected plenty of interesting commentary.
We gathered polling data and commentary from hundreds of respondents to find out. Find our analysis on the results here.
We analyze the qualitative results of our 1Q24 Baird-MDM Distribution Survey question that asked distributors about current or expected impacts from geopolitical issues.
A key question in the latest Baird-MDM Distribution Survey addressed whether there is a real trend in suppliers changing minimum purchasing requirements, and who it's impacting most.
We update on where Ferguson is at in its MDC rollout plan that will place smaller distribution centers closer to pro customers in major metro areas.
The U.S. Census Bureau's annual March revisions to wholesale trade revenues considerably lifted its largest sector - oil & gas - which likewise raised the latest MDM forecast modeling.
We share insights from distributors on how they've been affected by the tragic March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Port of Baltimore, and examine its broader logistics impacts.
It’s time to think differently. Guest author Dirk Beveridge wants distributors to join his mission to improve the lives of 51% of the distribution workforce by 2051.
Mike Hockett analyzes different angles of this $18.25 billion megadeal in building materials distribution and the questions it raises for the markets it touches.
The distributor's major acquisition of Dominion Electric is just the latest piece in what has been a rapid 13-year expansion. Mike Hockett breaks down what Dominion adds to Border States and how it aligns with its growth history.
The massive supply chain expo and conference showcased the latest and greatest in warehouse tech, with much of it aimed at augmenting labor woes.
While oil & gas led the March downward revision for 2024, 10 of 19 total industry verticals likewise trended more pessimistic.
While adoption rates for both sides are relatively slow-going, this piece examines new data that shows the gap between them.
The company’s biennial Grainger Show customer event perfectly demonstrated how the distributor is hyper-focused on customer solutions — just one of which is its expansive product assortment.
While application possibilities understandably drive AI discussions, the ethics component has been overlooked. This piece dives deep into the guardrails distributors will want to keep in mind as they navigate their AI journey.
While distribution has been slow to embrace the game-changing technology that tech giants have pioneered and exploited, the industry can still take advantage of the AI infrastructure that exists.
Hear from Ferguson's CFO on its growth strategy and the acquisitions keeping the plumbing and industrial distribution giant in the headlines.
With 2023's final wholesale trade numbers accounted for, see how the sector fared compared to previous years, and our latest 2024-2025 revenue expecations by industry vertical.
With cyber attacks being a matter of when rather than if it happens to you, Nick Pericle concludes his 3-part series here with initial response steps to take when your organization suffers an attack and longer-term recovery.
Mike Hockett analyzes Sonepar's 26-year North American expansion that has led to over $15 billion in 2023 sales, with most of that in the U.S.
Distributors are dealing with more potential business risks today than ever before. We polled hundreds of them to determine what the biggest risks are, and dissected plenty of interesting commentary.
We gathered polling data and commentary from hundreds of respondents to find out. Find our analysis on the results here.
We analyze the qualitative results of our 1Q24 Baird-MDM Distribution Survey question that asked distributors about current or expected impacts from geopolitical issues.
A key question in the latest Baird-MDM Distribution Survey addressed whether there is a real trend in suppliers changing minimum purchasing requirements, and who it's impacting most.
We update on where Ferguson is at in its MDC rollout plan that will place smaller distribution centers closer to pro customers in major metro areas.
The U.S. Census Bureau's annual March revisions to wholesale trade revenues considerably lifted its largest sector - oil & gas - which likewise raised the latest MDM forecast modeling.
We share insights from distributors on how they've been affected by the tragic March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Port of Baltimore, and examine its broader logistics impacts.
It’s time to think differently. Guest author Dirk Beveridge wants distributors to join his mission to improve the lives of 51% of the distribution workforce by 2051.
Mike Hockett analyzes different angles of this $18.25 billion megadeal in building materials distribution and the questions it raises for the markets it touches.
The distributor's major acquisition of Dominion Electric is just the latest piece in what has been a rapid 13-year expansion. Mike Hockett breaks down what Dominion adds to Border States and how it aligns with its growth history.
The massive supply chain expo and conference showcased the latest and greatest in warehouse tech, with much of it aimed at augmenting labor woes.
While oil & gas led the March downward revision for 2024, 10 of 19 total industry verticals likewise trended more pessimistic.
While adoption rates for both sides are relatively slow-going, this piece examines new data that shows the gap between them.
The company’s biennial Grainger Show customer event perfectly demonstrated how the distributor is hyper-focused on customer solutions — just one of which is its expansive product assortment.
While application possibilities understandably drive AI discussions, the ethics component has been overlooked. This piece dives deep into the guardrails distributors will want to keep in mind as they navigate their AI journey.
While distribution has been slow to embrace the game-changing technology that tech giants have pioneered and exploited, the industry can still take advantage of the AI infrastructure that exists.
Hear from Ferguson's CFO on its growth strategy and the acquisitions keeping the plumbing and industrial distribution giant in the headlines.
With 2023's final wholesale trade numbers accounted for, see how the sector fared compared to previous years, and our latest 2024-2025 revenue expecations by industry vertical.
With cyber attacks being a matter of when rather than if it happens to you, Nick Pericle concludes his 3-part series here with initial response steps to take when your organization suffers an attack and longer-term recovery.
Featured Content
Executive Summary: Thriving Through Change: How Distributors Build Workforce Resilience in a Disrupted Supply Chain
Labor shortages, rising complexity and constant disruption are forcing
distributors to rethink how work gets…
AI Readiness in Distribution: How to Unlock Value from the Systems You Already Own
Artificial intelligence has moved quickly from an interesting possibility to operating near-requirement across wholesale…
Before You Automate: Why Lead Time Accuracy Is the Foundation of Smarter Purchasing
Lead time accuracy has become one of the most critical and overlooked challenges facing…
In Pursuit of Value: Where 400+ Distributors are Investing in AI Today
Nearly every distributor is investing in AI. The question has shifted from “What can…
Market Prospector
Build strategic sales plans.
Determine market and demand.
Create smart prospect lists.
Turn your sales data into actionable data with Market Prospector. A web-based SAAS tool that gives you insight into your market, your territories, your customers and new prospects too.
Sign Up for the MDM Update Newsletter
Our daily newsletter is your best source for news and trends in the wholesale distribution industry.
