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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REPORTS
This comprehensive NAW 3Q26 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 July 17.
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.
Premium Monthly
Our synthesized September Intelligence Brief covers our three-part ADI Global deep dive; Rexel’s North American M&A push; Fastenal’s quiet acquisition of an AI startup; the time sequence distributors are overlooking on supplier price increases; and our monthly MDM Forecast and wholesale trade sales update.
Our new-look Intelligence Brief synthesizes all of our monthly Premium articles into a 6 to 8-page report that distills key takeaways from that content — a perfect quick read for busy executives.
Market Insight Reports
NAW’s 2Q26 MarketPulse Report consists of the quarterly results, analysis and commentary from the latest Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey — conducted early July — 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.
See our updated monthly deal counts; a year-to-date breakdown of M&A activity by product category; the latest EBITDA trading multiples for 27 publicly traded industrial distributors; our latest M&A-led Premium article; and our detailed recap of dealmaking activity during April-June, which saw decelerated but still healthy activity.
Case Studies
This MDM Case Study examines how Grainger continues to outgrow the MRO market through a connected operating model built on High-Touch customer solutions, curated assortment, private label, digital commerce, data intelligence and fulfillment scale.
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.
Premium Articles
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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).
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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).
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As we usher in the next year and decade, its timely to take a hard look at your own definition of value and whether its kept up with the changes in your customer segments, suppliers and internal capabilities. This current edition of MDM Premium provides multiple views on value proposition across the three main reports we include.
Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased 0.2%.
Most distributors dont view their inside sales team as a proactive sales force. Its relatively rare for inside sales reps to make outbound calls to generate more business or to employ active selling techniques. In fact, in a survey, nearly two-thirds of distributor respondents told Real Results Marketing their inside sales force spends less than 25% of their time proactively selling.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Distributors site improved efficiency as a panacea for growing competitive pressures in a slowing economy, but often dont know where to start.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Add recruiting to the list of processes that distributors should consider overhauling to successfully compete and engage the increasing numbers of Gen Z prospects perusing social media to find the ideal workplace.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
This multipart series will explore the convergence of trends that is both drawing and enabling these new competitors and others into the distribution market.
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Play the role of a critical customer, focusing on availability, urgency, reliability, accuracy and individual SKU characteristics.
William Stengel will have responsibility for the effective management of GPC's short- and long-term transformation.
Brian Stief plans to retire effective Dec. 31, 2020 following the expiration of his previously announced retention arrangement.
Sales for the first nine months of the year were up 13.6% over the same period in 2018.
Organic sales declined 17.3% primarily due to overall weaker end-market demand in both Engineered Components and Industrial.
On average, businesses reported year-over-year revenue growth at +2.4% in the third quarter of 2019, which is below the forecasted +3.1% level, according to the latest Baird Industrial Distribution Survey, conducted in partnership with Modern Distribution Management. Growth decelerated 80 basis points compared to last quarters survey, marking the third consecutive quarter of slowing growth. This trend reflects weaker momentum in the industrial sector.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Growth decelerated 80 basis points versus last quarters Baird survey.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
The Association Education Alliance, a collective of 40+ wholesaler-distributor trade associations, commissioned a report on behalf of its distribution association members to identify challenges and best practices in talent acquisition. The analysis and recommendations provided in the following article are based on interviews with distributors, HR and education experts, as well as results from an online survey of about 190 distributors and manufacturers. Member associations have access to the full report.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
No matter how a distributor may be impacted by factors such as the uncertain state of the economy, the growing reach of a competitor or even where their company sits on the technology scale, the end priority is always around finding the best ways to bring value to the customer.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
The industry is at an inflection point from a melting pot of trends that have been boiling over into more sectors of distribution. The biggest burner has been the technology revolution, which has us in this venturi of intensifying heat that is testing traditional distribution models like never before.
Distributors and manufacturers alike are facing similar challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining the right employees for their organization. Issues include the growing cost of wages, a shortage of available qualified laborers and an aging workforce.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Despite some softening in the first half of 2019, most MDM Trends survey respondents feel relatively optimistic about the coming year, but would like to see the tariff dispute come to an end.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Distributors and manufacturers are increasingly investing in digital capabilities to reach larger audiences, understand customer preferences and grow their business.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
As we usher in the next year and decade, its timely to take a hard look at your own definition of value and whether its kept up with the changes in your customer segments, suppliers and internal capabilities. This current edition of MDM Premium provides multiple views on value proposition across the three main reports we include.
Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased 0.2%.
Most distributors dont view their inside sales team as a proactive sales force. Its relatively rare for inside sales reps to make outbound calls to generate more business or to employ active selling techniques. In fact, in a survey, nearly two-thirds of distributor respondents told Real Results Marketing their inside sales force spends less than 25% of their time proactively selling.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Distributors site improved efficiency as a panacea for growing competitive pressures in a slowing economy, but often dont know where to start.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Add recruiting to the list of processes that distributors should consider overhauling to successfully compete and engage the increasing numbers of Gen Z prospects perusing social media to find the ideal workplace.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
This multipart series will explore the convergence of trends that is both drawing and enabling these new competitors and others into the distribution market.
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Play the role of a critical customer, focusing on availability, urgency, reliability, accuracy and individual SKU characteristics.
William Stengel will have responsibility for the effective management of GPC's short- and long-term transformation.
Brian Stief plans to retire effective Dec. 31, 2020 following the expiration of his previously announced retention arrangement.
Sales for the first nine months of the year were up 13.6% over the same period in 2018.
Organic sales declined 17.3% primarily due to overall weaker end-market demand in both Engineered Components and Industrial.
On average, businesses reported year-over-year revenue growth at +2.4% in the third quarter of 2019, which is below the forecasted +3.1% level, according to the latest Baird Industrial Distribution Survey, conducted in partnership with Modern Distribution Management. Growth decelerated 80 basis points compared to last quarters survey, marking the third consecutive quarter of slowing growth. This trend reflects weaker momentum in the industrial sector.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Growth decelerated 80 basis points versus last quarters Baird survey.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
The Association Education Alliance, a collective of 40+ wholesaler-distributor trade associations, commissioned a report on behalf of its distribution association members to identify challenges and best practices in talent acquisition. The analysis and recommendations provided in the following article are based on interviews with distributors, HR and education experts, as well as results from an online survey of about 190 distributors and manufacturers. Member associations have access to the full report.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
No matter how a distributor may be impacted by factors such as the uncertain state of the economy, the growing reach of a competitor or even where their company sits on the technology scale, the end priority is always around finding the best ways to bring value to the customer.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
The industry is at an inflection point from a melting pot of trends that have been boiling over into more sectors of distribution. The biggest burner has been the technology revolution, which has us in this venturi of intensifying heat that is testing traditional distribution models like never before.
Distributors and manufacturers alike are facing similar challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining the right employees for their organization. Issues include the growing cost of wages, a shortage of available qualified laborers and an aging workforce.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Despite some softening in the first half of 2019, most MDM Trends survey respondents feel relatively optimistic about the coming year, but would like to see the tariff dispute come to an end.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
Distributors and manufacturers are increasingly investing in digital capabilities to reach larger audiences, understand customer preferences and grow their business.
Subscribers should log-in to read this article.
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