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Ferguson Houston
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Ferguson to Position Closer to Contractors with Market Distribution Centers

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.
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MDM 4Q 2023 M&A Report

The report features in-depth articles that recap the year that was 2023 in distribution dealmaking, a full rundown of every deal we covered in October-December, the latest EBITDA trading multiples and more.

MDM 4Q 2023 MarketPulse Report

Find a wealth of data and analysis extracted from the 3Q23 Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey, including trending charts and figures for revenue and expectations, plus plenty of interesting commentary.

MDM 3Q 2023 MarketPulse Report

Find a wealth of data and analysis extracted from the 3Q23 Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey, including trending charts and figures for revenue and expectations, plus plenty of interesting commentary.

MDM 3Q 2023 M&A Report

Our 2023 third quarter M&A report features in-depth articles on activity by Ferguson and Veritiv, and chronicles the overall quarterly pace of new deals.

MDM 2Q 2023 M&A Report

See MDM’s analysis of 2Q23 M&A activity pertaining to wholesale distributors, plus M&A financial benchmarks and recent Premium articles that had an M&A focus.
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Economic Trends
Machine Tool Consumption Up 8.7% YTD
April U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $281.54 million, according to The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the American Machine Tool Distributors'Association. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 27.2% from March, but up 2.2% from the total of $275.43 million reported for April 2006. With a year-to-date total of $1,259.09 million, 2007 was up 8.7% compared with 2006.

These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTC program.

Strength in the oil field and auto sectors has brought increased demand in the Central region of the country," said John B. Byrd III. "Through April this region has the greatest increase in ...
Free
Barnes Distribution Opens Shanghai Sourcing Center
The Barnes Distribution business segment of Barnes Group Inc. has opened an international sourcing center in Shanghai, China. The international sourcing center is in the Xujiahui District in Shanghai, the commercial capital of China.

China has a well-established supplier base for key products such as fasteners, electrical components, and various transportation product lines. The Shanghai sourcing center will complement Barnes' previously established sourcing center in Taiwan.

Our continued efforts to service our customers as effectively and efficiently as possible will be enhanced with the opening of the international sourcing center in Shanghai," said Idelle K. Wolf, President, Barnes Distribution. "Our presence in Shanghai will provide a competitive edge for Barnes ...
Economic Trends
Canadian 1Q Capacity Utilization Edges Up 1Q

Canadian industries slightly increased the use of their production capacity during the first quarter of&nbsp ; 2007, halting four consecutive quarters of decline.

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Capacity utilization edged up from&nbsp ; 82.4% in the fourth quarter of&nbsp ; 2006&nbsp ; to&nbsp ; 83.0%. This level was&nbsp ; 3.0&nbsp ; points below the rate posted in the fourth quarter of&nbsp ; 2005, before the quarterly drops observed in&nbsp ; 2006.
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The industrial capacity utilization rate is the ratio of an industry's actual output to its estimated potential output. For this release, rates have been revised back to the first quarter of&nbsp ; 2005&nbsp ; to reflect the revised source data.
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Production rose slightly in the large manufacturing sector, but capacity use ...
Free
HD Supply Downsizes Plans in South Carolina
HD Supply, The Home Depot's wholesale division, is cutting back on plans to grow in Charleston, SC. HD Supply's lumber and building materials unit announced this week it will open a warehouse for contractors in North Charleston, according to the Charleston Post and Courier.
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The project replaces a larger one the company was planning. The location will be in an existing 65,000-square-foot building on five acres near Interstate 26.
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The scrapped project was to include a new lumber distribution center and manufacturing plant on 51 acres off of U.S. Highway 78, the paper reported.

In February, Home Depot announced it was considering strategic alternatives for HD Supply, including a possible sale or IPO. Home Depot has also - like other building ...
Finance
Mayer Electric Buys Southeast Supply
Mayer Electric Supply Inc. has acquired Southeast Supply in Calhoun, Ga., as its 58th branch, the Birmingham Business Journal reported.
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Mayer Electric Supply is a distributor of electrical equipment and supplies, lighting, factory automation, tools and communications. Mayer serves eight states in the ...
Economic Trends
Industrial Producer Prices Up 2.4% in Euro Area

The industrial producer price index rose by 0.4% in the euro area in April 2007. In March, prices increased by 0.3%.


In April 2007, compared with April 2006, industrial producer prices gained 2.4% in the euro area.


The highest monthly increases were registered in Bulgaria and Greece (1.9%) and Denmark (1.8%). Decreases were recorded in the United Kingdom (-0.8%), Slovakia (-0.3%) and Belgium (-0.1%).


The highest year-over-year increases were recorded in Luxembourg (8.7%), Hungary (8%), Bulgaria (7.9%)&nbsp ; and Lithuania (7.3%). A decrease was registered in Denmark.


For more on European economic statistics, including industrial production, price indexes, construction output and industrial orders,&nbsp ; visit the MDM ...

Technology
Channel Data Sharing

In the new research study Facing the Forces of Change: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain," the author found that the demand-driven supply chain philosophy is taking root in the business-to-business supply chains in which wholesaler-distributors play a major role.

Usually, manufacturers only see orders from wholesaler-distributors, and the distributors, in turn, only see orders from their customers; neither party has visibility into the market consumption (true demand) for a product.

The uncertainty and variability caused by a lack of true demand information leads every participant in the supply chain to stockpile extra inventory. It is caused by a combination of poor or inaccurate forecasts, promotional purchases by the channel, and other failures to provide true ...

Technology
Case Study: Engage Partners in ERP Transitions

Company Snapshot:




  • Global manufacturer with three Loctite Industrial production facilities in North America

  • 4,000 Loctite Industrial Group employees

  • Adhesives, sealants, and application equipment for OEM and MRO markets



When most distributors and customers hear about a supplier going through an ERP system change, their blood runs cold because, potentially, it can be devastating to business. There are far more stories about bad implementations than there are about good implementations.


When we learned we would be changing our ERP system, we were determined to make it as smooth a transition as possible. Since we sell approximately 95 percent ...
Economic Trends
Monthly Wholesale Trade: Sales and Inventories for April 2007

April 2007 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers'sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price changes, were $351.9 billion, up 1.3 percent from the revised March level and were up 8.8 percent from the April 2006 level. April sales of durable goods were up 0.8 percent from last month and were up 7.8 percent from a year ago. Compared to last month, sales of hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies were up 2.7 percent. April sales of nondurable goods were up 1.8 percent from last month and were up 9.7 percent from last year. Compared to last month, sales of petroleum and petroleum products increased 6.7 percent.


Inventories. Total inventories of merchant ...

Perspective
Commentary: Fine-Tune Your Company’s Value Offering

Defining and selling value is a critical skill set in markets where customers have a range of sourcing options. Yet how well does your company analyze its market position in terms of value? How well are your associates trained in communicating and delivering this key differentiator that keeps you ahead of competitors?


The article on page 4 of this issue explores how manufacturers, distributors and sales representatives view the state of&nbsp ; value-add." It offers some tools to analyze your company's ability to perform extended value activities in key customer segments.


Survey results indicate that value-add definition and communication is just as tough a battle as five years ago. But there seems to be a broader recognition of its importance to staying competitive. ...
Free
MDM News Digest 3711

Private equity firm Audax Group has acquired industrial rubber distributor Lewis Goetz and Company Inc., Pittsburgh, PA. Lewis-Goetz operates from 48 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. It sells industrial, hydraulic, and metal hose, conveyer belts, gaskets and seals, and related accessories and services. Audax recently purchased UTEX Industries, Inc., Houston, TX, a manufacturer of complex gaskets and highly engineered seals. Lewis-Goetz with recently acquired Goodall Rubber Co. has more than $200 million in annual revenues. More ...



Grainger, Chicago, IL, a $5.9 billion industrial distributor, announced its Lab Safety Supply subsidiary has acquired McFeely's Square Drive ...
Economic Trends
U.S. Market Analysis: MRO Pneumatic Products
The industrial product group listed here - MRO Pneumatic Products - represented a market in 2006 of $1.9 billion, according to estimates by Industrial Market Information, Minneapolis. These charges show the top 10 industries, by SIC code, consuming these products and the 2006 end-user consumption of these groups sorted by the nine government market ...
Subscriber Only
MDM June 10, 2007
This is the pdf of this issue of Modern Distribution Management. Apply the full $24.95 pay-per-view cost toward an annual subscription (within 30 days of purchase), which includes two issues a month plus access to more than six years of online archives and market data. Call 1-888-742-5060 or email info@mdm.com to ...
Sales & Marketing
The Value of Value-Add

At the May Industrial Supply Association annual meeting in Las Vegas, industry consultant William McCleave presented the results of a survey of ISA members, The Future Impact of Size and Value Content on Industrial Distribution." This article outlines one of the key findings of that report: the importance of value-add in distribution.


How is value-add being defined in distribution today? As noted in these pages before, the term has been used so heavily that it risks losing meaning. At the same time, most wholesale distribution executives agree that market battles ahead will center on how well their companies define and sell value.


In a recent survey of Industrial Supply Association members by consultant William McCleave, most respondents felt that value-add ...
Strategy
New MDM Audio Conference: Succession Planning for Distributors

Join Brent Grover on Thursday, June 21, 2007 for a 90-minute audio conference, 1 p.m. Eastern.

What's your exit strategy? No matter when or how you plan to leave your business, there are key issues to address now to ensure a smooth transition. Whether you plan to sell or pass the torch to your son, daughter or key employee, this 90-minute audio conference presents the options to consider and fundamental decisions you need to make to have the right pieces in place at the right time.

Join Brent Grover as he shares his unique experience as the former CEO of the paper distribution business his grandfather started, as well as the varied knowledge gained through his current consulting business focused on wholesale distribution ...
Economic Trends
April Wholesale Revenues Rise 8.8%

April 2007 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers'sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price changes, were $351.9 billion, up 1.3 percent from the revised March level and were up 8.8 percent from the April 2006 level. The March preliminary estimate was revised upward $1.1 billion or 0.3 percent.

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April sales of durable goods were up 0.8 percent from last month and were up 7.8 percent (+/-2.0%) from a year ago. Compared to last month, sales of hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies were up 2.7 percent.
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April sales of nondurable goods were up 1.8 percent from last month and were up 9.7 percent from last year. Compared to last month, sales of ...
Finance
Audax Group Buys Lewis-Goetz
Private equity firm Audax Group has acquired industrial rubber distributor Lewis Goetz and Company Inc., Pittsburgh, PA. Lewis-Goetz operates from 48 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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It sells industrial, hydraulic, and metal hose, conveyer belts, gaskets and seals, and related accessories and services.
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We are excited to have Audax Group as our partner," said David R. Goetz, Lewis-Goetz CEO. "Their experience sourcing and integrating add-on acquisitions will be an important asset for us as we continue to grow our business."
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Vetus Partners, featured in a recent MDM audio conference, advised Lewis-Goetz.
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Audax recently purchased UTEX Industries, Inc., Houston, TX, a manufacturer of complex gaskets and highly engineered ...
Finance
3M Buys Diamond Productions Inc.

3M, St. Paul, MN, has acquired Diamond Productions Inc., Wayne, NJ, a manufacturer of superabrasive diamond and CBN wheels and tools for dimensioning and finishing hard-to-grind materials in metalworking, woodworking and stone fabrication markets.

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Diamond Productions Inc., &nbsp ; brings industrial metalworking strengths as well as new applications for stone processing to 3M's strong offering of grinding and finishing tools for the industrial and commercial markets.
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The combination of 3M and DPI expands the capabilities for dimensioning hard-to-grind materials to include stone, marble and concrete.
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The addition of DPI's metal, resin and vitrified superabrasives enhances 3M's cutting and grinding capabilities for such things as kitchen ...
Free
Premier Farnell Sales Up 4% in 1Q
UK-based Premier Farnell plc, global distributor of electronic MRO products and specialist services in Europe, North America and Asia, reported sales increased 4% in the first quarter ended April 29, 2007.
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The first quarter has seen progress against last year in revenue, operating profit and cash generation," said Harriet Green, Group CEO. "We expect that the second quarter will continue to reflect the results of the investments we are making and will deliver further revenue growth with our focus on EDE, the Web and internationalizing our high service ...
Finance
JVA Partners Buys Kennedy Manufacturing
JVA Partners has acquired Kennedy Manufacturing Company, Van Wert, OH. Kennedy manufactures industrial tool storage products and medical carts.
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In the first half of 2005, Kennedy had emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The 100-year-old manufacturer had been hit hard by a tough manufacturing economy, global competition and tighter requirements with its bankers. It also faced rising steel prices.
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JVA Partners is a strategic investment company that has acquired a number of manufacturing companies throughout the Midwest. One of its holdings, HMC Holdings LLC dba Homak, is also in the tool storage business.
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We are excited about the prospect of adding Kennedy Manufacturing to our family of companies," said John Veleris JVA's Chairman. ...

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