The MDM Podcast: Recent Episodes
Modern Distribution Management
The distribution industry is changing, with new players and technologies that will shape how you compete and sell. Stay ahead of your competitors with this regular series from Modern Distribution Management, and learn the trends and strategies that will keep you in the lead for the long haul.
Engineered assembly components distributor Supply Technologies, a subsidiary of ParkOhio, is making the largest investment in its history.
What does it take to launch a implement a new ERP system and open a $20 million distribution center at the same time? Supply Technologies President Brian Norris — who became president in 2021 after a long career at Grainger — joins MDM Senior Editor Vesna Brajkovic to explain how the company is tackling both while preparing for the future of industrial distribution.
Epicor CMO and SVP of Product Kerrie Jordan joins the MDM Amplify Podcast to discuss ERP’s shift from a system of record to a system of outcomes, the company’s latest agentic AI announcements and what distributors should prioritize as business software enters its next chapter.
Map My Customers’ JT Rimbey joins the podcast to discuss the evolving role of field sales in distribution — exploring territory management, account segmentation, CRM adoption and why relationship-driven outside sales remains a critical competitive advantage despite growing digital buying trends and advances in AI-powered sales technology.
AI is reshaping B2B commerce faster than most distributors are prepared for. Tom McFadyen of McFadyen Digital joins the MDM Ampify Podcast to break down why AEO & GEO are suddenly critical web search components, AI use cases and the rise of agentic commerce — and what it all means for distributors right now.
Pricing has taken center stage in distribution. Zilliant’s Jim Vaughn joins the MDM Amplify Podcast to discuss how AI, volatility and smarter segmentation are reshaping pricing strategy — and why understanding customer value is more critical than ever.
Max Meister, Co-CEO of Germany-based power transmission distributor Ludwig Meister, joins the MDM Podcast to break down why innovation is less about adopting new tools and more about execution discipline. He explains the risks of rushing into AI without strong data, the importance of sequencing transformation efforts, and previews his upcoming SHIFT conference session. Ludwig Meister was the subject of MDM's latest Case Study report published in April.
Many distribution companies assume they're not interesting enough for social media. Kevin Keigley, Marketing Manager at IPS Packaging and Automation, disagrees. In this episode of the MDM Podcast, Keigley shares how he built a brand presence for a 50-year-old packaging distributor and emphasizes the power of storytelling in connecting with customers and attracting talent.
Takeaways:
- Authentic storytelling builds brand trust and attracts top talent.
- Brand storytelling is more urgent than ever, especially in the age of AI and digital marketing.
Kevin Keigley will be presenting "The Power of Storytelling" at NAW's SHIFT Conference in Denver on May 13. Register here: https://www.naw.org/events/shift-2026/
In this sponsored MDM Amplify podcast episode, Canals Co-Founder and CTO Erez Arnon joins to unpack what MDM’s latest AI research reveals about customer service as one of distribution’s highest-impact use cases. Just as importantly, Arnon shares practical guidance on how to vet AI vendors in a crowded, hype-filled market, including key red flags and must-have proof points.
AI is reshaping distributor CRM — but only when backed by the right platform strategy. In this episode of MDM Amplify, LeadSmart Co-Founder CEO 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.
As platform acquisitions continue to reshape industrial distribution, Singer Industrial is taking a different path. In this episode of the MDM Podcast, President Pete Haberbosch explains the company’s “coordinated autonomy” model — a strategy designed to preserve local leadership, legacy brands and entrepreneurial culture while still capturing the benefits of scale. The conversation covers Singer’s M&A philosophy, leadership development, systems integration approach and what the company is seeing across its core industrial end markets as it looks toward 2026.
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.
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 to tell us about what the company’s next couple of 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.
We cut through the common misconception that digital transformation and commerce is purely about technology. Joined by distribution, eCommerce and AI experts Devashish Saxena and Lance Owide, we explore why successful transformation is ultimately a human-first journey — driven by people, culture and alignment across the business. The discussion also covers how distributors can approach AI with intention, the evolving role of digital leadership and why clarity of purpose matters more than chasing the latest tools.
Steve Snower joined Parts Town as its sixth employee in 2004. Today, the company is a leading distributor of OEM replacement parts, now on pace for nearly $2.8 billion in annual revenue. He joins to reflect on how Parts Town got here, what it's been up to lately — which includes an employee ownership program, service expansion and digital innovation — and where it's going.
Sponsored by Grant Thornton, this podcast episode features a trio of specialists to discuss the moves that distributors and transportation providers are making to go from reacting to the new normal of constant disruption, to getting the head of the curve to be ready for whatever comes next. Tariffs are only one piece of that puzzle.
We chat with Rexel USA and Canada leader Roger Little on what the company has been up to lately and what's on the horizon. This includes recent acquisitions, Rexel's North American financial outperformance vs. the group's Europe counterpart, investments in talent development and digital transformation, Little's thoughts on tariff impacts, and more.
A little over 2 years since his previous appearance on the podcast, LGG Industrial CEO Jeff Crane joins to discuss his company's 2024 rebrand from ERIKS North America; how the company is navigating the tariffs situation; its recent branch network and technology upgrades; and how LGG is approaching AI.
QXO and Beacon frequented MDM's headlines during the first five months of 2025, culminating with QXO's $11 billion purchase of the distributor. With the landmark deal now completed, Craig Webb and Mike Hockett analyze how it happened and what it means for the building materials sector as QXO is poised to continue its ambitious, acquisitive growth strategy.
SHIFT 2025 speaker Donya Rose joins to discuss the intricacies of sales compensation plans, particularly in the B2B sector. We tackle the evolution of sales compensation, recent trends post-pandemic and common challenges and questions that companies are pursuing solutions for. Our discussion also emphasizes the role of analytics and human motivation in designing effective compensation strategies.
Contrary to popular belief, culture isn't a soft skill. It's a competitive advantage, says executive leadership consultant Darcy Blessing-Williams, who is set to speak at MDM's SHIFT conference in May. She joins the podcast to discuss a zookeeper framework geared for understanding and fostering team behavior. This framework simplifies complex behavioral science.
Former Wesco leader Ben Albu shares why so many sales tools end up in the "technology graveyard" in this preview to his SHIFT Conference session on leveraging sales technology for success.
Amid a rapidly changing tariffs environment, a trio of experts from Grant Thornton stop by to discuss the strategic moves distributors and transporation providers can make to best position themselves to protect margins and supply chain operations no matter what comes next.
Ahead of speaking at MDM's May SHIFT conference, Redwood Advisors' John Nantz stops by to discuss major industry changes driven by market forces, technology advancements and changing customer expectations. He outlines five key imperatives that high-performing distributors are using to stay competitive and differentiate themselves.
We chat with talent recruitment and retention guru Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam - who leads Texas A&M's Master of Industrial Distribution program - about a range of vital talent topics and to preview his culture-focused roundtable discussions at our May SHIFT conference and a standalone session there based around fostering an environment where diverse teams can thrive.
Kevin Reid-Morris has led much of MDM's qualitative AI industry research over the past few years, and he's set to share the results of his major two-year project at our SHIFT conference. Here, he and Tom Gale discuss the transformative impact of AI in distribution and that project which identified over 50 practical AI use cases that distributors can implement to enhance operational efficiency and gain a competitive edge.
From Wall Street to the warehouse — twice. Two executives from A&M Industrial's leadership team share their parallel journeys back to their (now third generation) family-owned distribution business. Hear how innovation, value-added sales and market expansion are built on the foundation of deep company values that forged its reputation in industrial distribution.
At NAW's marquee annual event, we had mini-interviews with 10 different distributor executives about their company's biggest initiatives in 2025; the industry's top challenges and reasons for optimism; and what they get out of the event.
Two longtime power transmission/motion control industry veterans, Brian Short and Bill Shepard, join to discuss career retrospection; what’s changed in the market over the past four decades; their thoughts on AI; and the role of product information management, including how two leading associations are driving it forward.
Our MDM Case Study series rolled out finished reports on Ferguson and Watsco down the stretch of 2024, with plenty more to come in 2025. Here, the author of those case studies, John Gunderson, joins to debrief on his key takeaways from researching those two companies and a preview of his next deep dive on MSC Industrial Supply.
With the dust settled on the merger of Lawson Products, TestEquity and GexPro Services to form Distribution Solutions Group, it's time for a then-and-now investigation. LKCM Headwater Investment's Brad Wallace — a DSG board member who helped spearhead that transaction — joins to discuss the rationale behind the company's creation, what's ahead for DSG and why distribution is so attractive for PE investment.
As one of the most recognizable figures in industrial distribution, Mike DeCata joins to reflect on his career in the channel, of which the first 18 years were spent at General Electric and the last 10 at Lawson Products. We cover what he misses about day-to-day CEO life (and what he doesn't); the biggest changes in the industry in his tenure; what he's most proud of; and what he's keeping an eye on today.
Port operators and the union representing U.S. East and Gulf Coast dockworkers reached a tentative labor deal, but the underlying issues remain. Here, the MDM Editors and NAW's CEO share their perspectives and how distributors are navigating the situation.
With our marquee thought leadership event fresh in mind, MDM Editors Mike Hockett and Vesna Brajkovic debrief the messages, themes and anecdotes from the event that stood out to them and take a look forward to SHIFT 2025 next May.
During July, MDM published a three-part article series that profiled electrical distributor Wesco and its transformative strength. That series culminated with a more robust case study report that is now in the MDM Store. Here, the author of that series and case study, John Gunderson, joins to discuss key takeaways from his research into Wesco and what stood out to him.
1st Ayd Corp. continues to see success with its field-based sales model that centers on providing its staff with the tools and entrepreneurial freedom to pursue the earnings potential they desire. We chat with company President Tommy Schreiner on what that looks like for the 50-year-old, family-owned MRO and JanSan distributor, and what it takes for reps to thrive in that environment.
Safety equipment is an evolving product category that touches every distribution vertical. ISEA CEO Cam Mackey joins the MDM Podcast to take us through the safety standards and regulations that will inform future product demand.
You've seen our promotions for it, but here, MDM Editors Mike Hockett and Vesna Brajkovic break down the extensive value that this year's SHIFT conference provides; recap their biggest takeaways from the 2023 version; highlight our 2024 agenda items; and discuss why you should be there.
Wesco's "all things digital" leader Akash Khurana joins us to discuss what digital transformation has meant for the electrical distributor, which ramped up its initiatives on that front upon its 2020 landmark acquisition of Anixter. He also sheds light on Wesco's AI use and other recent investments.
Tom Gale and Mike Marks discuss the biggest challenges distributors face as they transition from a traditional outside-generalist sales process to a more adaptive digital-forward go-to-market model, with clearly-defined, team-based selling and service roles.
With our September SHIFT event rapidly approaching, McKinsey & Company Senior Partner Kevin Sachs stops by to preview the keynote he will co-present with fellow McKinsey Partner Victoria Bough. We also re-visit last year's keynote takeaways and what the firm sees as the top underlying factors driving wholesale distribution in the year ahead.
Many distributors have spent the past several years re-structuring, re-sizing and re-tooling their sales teams.
Here, Dorn Group's James Dorn and John Gunderson discuss how to optimize these refreshed sales teams and align them in a single direction toward high-level revenue performance.
New PVF distribution group Venturi Supply was formed in 2023 through the combination of six independent companies. CEO Michael DiMino stops by to discuss how the company has maintained those firms' independence while also fostering cohesiveness across the combined organization, and what the path forward looks like.
Ted Cowie retired at the end of May after four decades leading distribution and manufacturing sales teams, including at Motion, Safety Today and Barnes. He and Tom Gale examine how sales strategies evolved during his career, particularly during his 10+ years at Motion, and reflect on the relationships that made his time in the industry successful.
In advance of MDM's July 10 Virtual Sales Summit, Tom Gale, Tony Pericle and Nick Pericle dive into what high-performance distribution sales models look like in 2024 and the deeper challenges that sales reps face in the marketplace today. Their discussion covers changing roles and customer expectations and the ways in which technology, including AI, can help reps elevate their game.
Like for any distributor making frequent acquisitions and headcount additions, it takes a high degree of communication, strategic planning and integration coordination to ensure the train stays on the tracks. That’s just what Vermont-based Green Mountain Electric Supply has done, with about a dozen bolt-on deals made since 2021. Two of its executives stop by to share how the distributor has made it work and share the company’s story.
Artificial intelligence in distribution carries a combination of hype, hope, promise and peril. Long-time technology analyst Justin King, the Global Director and Analyst of the B2B eCommerce Association, helps cut through the noise to get more precise on the short- and long-term impact of how AI is being deployed in distribution. Hear real-world AI use cases from the industry and where he sees the technology going.
AIS Industrial & Construction Supply is a single-location distributor, but its innovation in sales, marketing and eCommerce has outdone that of many larger industry counterparts. President & CEO Dale Hahs joins to discuss what AIS has been up to lately, what he's seen change in his 40 years with the company, and what he'd do differently in a career restart.
MRO supplies distributor Vallen has undergone major changes over the past few years, including its $350 million acquisition of Wesco Integrated Supply that closed April 1. But that deal is just the latest move. A former Sonepar subsidiary, Vallen became independent in 2022, has joined AD and NAW and was named ISA’s 2023 Innovator of the Year. CEO Chuck Delph stops by to discuss the company’s aggressive moves and the strategy behind them.
MDM brought a staff contingent to the Industrial Supply Association’s annual spring convention, ISA24, held April 15-17 in Charlotte. This compilation podcast features eight mini interviews Executive Editor Mike Hockett conducted at ISA24, gathering perspectives from ISA’s CEO, two distribution CEOs, three service providers and two college students. These attendees share their thoughts on the show, the business climate outlook, the biggest challenges facing the industrial supply channel, and more.
Wajax Corp. has significantly expanded its Industrial Parts unit during the Iggy Domagalski's first two years as CEO, and he stopped by to discuss key drivers for that business. We also touch on Wajax's ongoing ERP rollout and technology initiatives, the company's PPE enhancements, and the tailwinds and headwinds for fellow Canadian industrial distributors.
Distribution hasn't seen a deal the magnitude of Home Depot's pending $18.25 billion acquisition of SRS Distribution in quite some time — maybe ever. Mike Hockett and Craig Webb break down the key details of the combination, why it makes sense for Home Depot and why this was likely the long-term play for SRS all along.
Customers continue to work down inventory levels into 2024. James Dorn and John Gunderson outline action items for optimizing inventory levels – in partnership with suppliers – to stay nimble and gain share as competitors stumble on A and B items.
Industrial supplies distributor Mars Supply is celebrating 100 years in business throughout 2024, and it didn’t achieve that milestone by happenstance. The company’s President, Bob Mars, has been there for 47 of those years, giving him a wealth of perspective on what’s changed in the industry, and what hasn’t. We discuss Mars Supply’s history and what it’s up to today, how the company has eliminated hidden costs and why customers choose it over larger competitors.
All three parts of John Gunderson's November series on Fastenal's "big pivot" — which examined the distributor's decade-long transformation from a distributor dependent upon nationwide branches to one that emphasizes embedded customer service — ended up in MDM's 10 most-read free blogs of 2023. That makes it well worth further discussion. So, we invited Gunderson onto the Podcast for an even deeper dive on Fastenal and what's led to its current state of success.
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ 2024 Executive Summit was its best-attended such event in years, and NAW’s content lineup was ready for it. This compilation podcast features mini interviews with four distributors, one consultant and two NAW executives on what their biggest takeaway was from the summit and their top initiatives for this year.
In the past two years, industrial rubber and fluid power products distributor Singer Industrial has sold off a business unit, rebranded and made over a dozen acquistiions alongside greenfield expansion. CEO Craig Osborne tells us how his company managed so many moving pieces. We also touch on distribution's labor situation, technology and AI, and what's on the horizon for Singer.
MDM posted 403 news items in 2023 involving distributors, or manufacturers that sell into distribution. That blew away 2022 and 2021. So, how much M&A runway is still left, and what’s driving it? We chat with Brown, Gibbons & Lang Managing Director Kevin Sargent on that, as well as why distribution M&A is running much hotter than the greater manufacturing sector.
Leadership has been a critical differentiator for how well a distribution firm has performed over the past three years of disruption. Leadership consultant, coach and author Alain Hunkins discusses the transition from old- to new-school leadership, employee-customer experience, and how to build an energized work culture.
NetPlus Alliance has served industrial distributors and suppliers as a buying group since 2002, but its roots date back nearly 200 years. Its Owner, President and CEO, Jennifer Murphy joins to discuss how that history has shaped the group and the role that buying groups play in distribution today. She had great perspective on the state of diversity throughout the industry supply space and why it continues to serve the channel well.
The conversation also touched on the value of Women in Industry groups, what NetPlus has been up to lately and what Murphy is hearing from members for their 2024 outlook.
Time for a check-up on the state of the industry as 2023 ends. Mike Marks and Tom Gale review the shifts – seismic and otherwise – that have shaped the competitive landscape across the dimensions of sales channels, digital, data analytics and culture.
BradyIFS and Envoy Solutions are behind much of the consolidation in distribution's JanSan, foodservice and packaging supplies verticals, and they took it to another level with their landmark merger at the end of October.
Chairman and CEO Ken Sweder joins to discuss the strategy behind that deal and its moving pieces, and why the combined company has no plans of slowing down its expansion. The conversation also touched on the demand outlook for those markets that the distributor serves.
In just a dozen years, Kodiak Building Partners has gone from inception to No. 11 on MDM's Top Building Materials Distributors List, acquiring over distribution 100 locations along the way and now has over 6,000 employees. CEO Steve Swinney details how enabling local autonomy has been crucial in the company's growth strategy.
The relative importance customers assign to the equation of price, availability and support has shifted in Q3, with important implications for distributors. And now digital is in the mix. James Dorn summarizes Dorn Group’s latest survey results with some surprising insights.
Amazon Business surpassed $35 billion in annualized sales in early 2023, and it has plenty of further expansion on its mind. The marketplace’s worldwide director, Todd Heimes, joins us to discuss how Amazon Business is constantly innovating to cater to today’s B2B buyer, and why it sees immense opportunity ahead.
It’s strategy season, and even optimistic predictions are for flattish overall industry growth in 2024. Mike Marks and Tom Gale talk through the bottom-line impact of focus in dealing with whatever form your big gorilla(s) looks like.
As distributors transform business models to stay competitive and close to customers, innovation has become a critical differentiator. NAW Chief Innovation Officer Bart Tessel and Applico CEO Alex Moazed share thoughts on where innovation is today in distribution, and where it’s headed.
In this continuing series on executing a Profitability Playbook, James Dorn outlines ways to leverage manufacturer incentives, create strategic tiered suppliers at a product category level, and capture every single dollar available before year end.
Mike Marks and Tom Gale discuss the data points from Q3 and what the front lines in distribution are saying about how the fourth quarter of 2023 is shaping. Plus five proactive things distributors can do now to grow faster than the single-digit growth forecast for 2024.
With softening demand trends going into Q4, my conversation with James Dorn of Dorn Group busts the myths of not being able to grow both top-line revenue and margin in challenging market conditions. Deeper customer-product segmentation and full leverage of your internal and external data resources are key to winning share today.
In a debrief on core themes from MDM’s 2023 SHIFT conference, Mike Marks and Tom Gale talk about a clearer vision for the future of distribution emerging, the transformation levers to get there, getting traction with AI, and more.
Michael Knight became CEO of Wisconsin-based Endries International in late 2022 after a long tenure with an electronic components distributor. He joins the podcast to discuss his first year leading the fast-growing OEM fasteners supplier and that career market pivot, his thoughts on AI ethics, the power of coaching your staff and why we can expect to hear a lot more out of Endries in the near future.
This conversation between Dorn Group President & CEO James Dorn and MDM CEO Tom Gale centers on how data analytics will prove crucial to distributors’ profitability in the year ahead, as the inflation tide that lifted all boats has now left. Here are the elements of a distributor profitability playbook.
The notion of "no one wants to work anymore" persists amid today's challenging labor pool in distribution, but Dr. Donte Vaughn - an expert in organizational leadership - says that's a major misconception alongside "The Great Resignation". He joins the podcast to discuss the state of culture today in industrial organizations, and how to bridge gaps between leadership and front-line workers.
The notion of "no one wants to work anymore" persists amid today's challenging labor pool in distribution, but Dr. Donte Vaughn - an expert in organizational leadership - says that's a major misconception alongside "The Great Resignation". He joins the podcast to discuss the state of culture today in industrial organizations, and how to bridge gaps between leadership and front-line workers.
Research lead Kevin Reid-Morris and Tom Gale discuss the insights, surprises and hopes for AI this 2023 research into artificial intelligence surfaced. We also map out five behaviors and supporting building blocks for distributor AI success, with comments from our research partners.
STAFDA Chief Executive Georgia Foley stops by to discuss the association's new educational initiative, the state of industry demand how it's being impacted by U.S. Infrastructure Bill rollout and factory building boom, as well as a preview of the group's annual convention in early November.
With budgets and operational planning already eyeing the year ahead, Mike Marks and Tom Gale explore where distributors have the most leverage, and where their common gaps are.
What can we learn from distributors that have achieved a higher EBITDA multiple value on a sustained basis? McKinsey partner Kevin Sachs shares a preview of his team’s keynote at SHIFT 2023 on the differentiators of those who are convincing shareholders they are growing revenue faster, expanding profit margins and improving the efficiency in which they leverage their capital base.
The post-2020 era has seen distributors make enormous strides in technology adoption and application across their organization. Hisco VP of IT Ana Bennett - one of MDM's upcoming SHIFT conference speakers - joins Tom Gale for a conversation about the evolving role of technology and where it's headed.
Speed wins in distribution. The ability to recognize and respond to threats and opportunities defines winners. Mike Marks talks about culture as the critical differentiator in periods of uncertainty, and the industry transition from traditional command-and-control leadership.
While distributors are proud of the culture they've crafted, far less discussed in that topic is mental health. This episode joins The Granite Group's Tracie Sponenberg and mental-health-at-work specialist Melissa Doman as they explore why mental health is a critical business conversation, how this industry can address growing mental health expectations and the benefits that can result.
The power of AI as a competitive differentiator is far from being defined. In this conversation, James Dorn and Tom Gale look at the bigger picture of data analytics in distribution, the stages of competency, building blocks and ways organizations are building world-class capability.
Fairfield, Ohio-based AFC Industries has burst onto MDM's Top Industrial Distributors scene, charting for the first time this year at No. 34 after several years of frequent acquisitions. We chat with AFC CEO Kevin Godin on how the company has successfully managed all of its recent growth and what's on the horizon.
Teams that pivoted faster and managed disruption, change and transition to get to transformation have out-performed competitors over the past three years. Tom Gale and Mike Marks channel the movie City Slickers as they discuss how to assess your team’s transformational capabilities across the dimensions of sales process, technology, data analytics and people.
We chat with former MSC Industrial Supply veteran Steve Gettleman on the topic of category management, for which he says a formal plan is severely lacking across the distribution sector. We cover the ins and outs of category management and how distributors of all kinds can leverage such a plan.
In May, Mike Marks and Tom Gale talked about what the shift from a gen-one to gen-two distributor looks like. This conversation goes into the deeper dimensions of a larger business model transformation this industry is navigating, and where share and competitive advantage is being won and lost.
“Why didn’t we make budget and how can we fix it?” The volatility of recent years has made budget variance a demanding challenge for all distributors. Jonathan Byrnes of Profit Isle discusses the profitability concepts he developed – with better detail and real-time information – that are helping management teams make better decisions, more accurately meet budget, and achieve step changes in profitability.
Distribution consultant and serial entrepreneur Brent Grover joins MDM’s Tom Gale to discuss customer immersion as a best practice for developing breakthrough products and services. He also gives us a look into a very different distribution business model led by a Millennial and run by Gen Z managers and shares his take on distribution’s M&A landscape.
Electrical distribution veteran executive Scott Schuenke discusses Sonepar North America’s growth in his 16 years with the company, which culminate with his retirement this month as VP of Strategic Development. He touches on how the company has evolved and continuously innovated during his tenure.
We condense the guest interviews and analysis from our Top Distributors webcast into a compilation podcast about the economic and industry factors that dictated who appeared where on our 17 different rankings lists. Guest voices include Grainger's Paige Robbins, BlackHawk Industrial's John Mark, Kimball Midwest's Patrick McCurdy III, Channel Marketing Group's David Gordon, Webb Analytics' Craig Webb and MDM's Tom Gale.
James Dorn and Tom Gale explore how to collect qualitative data to ensure distribution associates are in tune with what their end customers most value.
While ChatGPT is all the rage, MDM's Tom Gale and Indian River Consulting Group's Mike Marks tackle the broader applications that AI-backed software can make more efficient and soon become widespread in distribution.
MRO parts distributor Kimball Midwest isn’t slowing down upon achieving 100 years in business. President Patrick McCurdy III stops by to discuss the company’s training and development efforts, digital initiatives and business performance so far in 2023.
One of the biggest factors limiting the success of B2B distributor eCommerce is pricing. James Dorn looks at pricing strategy and two schools of thought on how distributors look at the ROI equation for their eCommerce revenues.
Mike Hockett asks Consight Marketing Group’s Alan Hale about what grinds his gears in distribution marketing, and it’s a lot. Their discussion covers how marketing is a point of channel conflict, and how the situation can be improved. They also explore social media do’s and don’ts, as well as the vital role of customer insights.
Mike Hockett interviews a handful of industry executives at NAHAD's recent 2023 Convention in the Bahamas. Amid the tropical weather and island vibes, attendees were happy to discuss the the state of industry demand and give updates on the labor and supply chain situation.
The industry is in a disruptive business model revolution with traditional (gen-one) distributors threatened by new competitors with radically different financial and go-to-market models. IRCG’s Mike Marks shares thoughts on how distributors can build a next-generation distributor that can grow profitably and take share from the new competitors.
Customers are experiencing price increase fatigue and looking for new ways to reduce costs in their operations. James Dorn shares thoughts on how distributors can manage their manufacturer suppliers more strategically to protect margins going forward as supply chains normalize.
Mike Hockett interviewed a handful of industry executives on the expo floor of ISA23 in Phoenix, where a focus on networking events was the talk of the show. The resulting series of brief interviews also touched what those are hearing on the product demand front, supply chain and labor situation.
This week Tom Gale and IRCG’s Mike Marks debrief on the Industrial Supply Association Summit, with a deeper discussion on what’s new for 2023 as more distributors engage in transforming sales processes and go-to-market models. Key question: What year will inside sales outnumber outside sales industrywide?
Katie Poehling Seymour might be the busiest executive in distribution. But she made time to stop by and discuss her path to leading family-owned First Supply, the progress on women’s representation in distribution and why “this is distribution’s moment.”
One quarter through 2023 the pricing pendulum appears to be reversing with volume moderating across most distribution sectors. Dorn Group's James Dorn and Tom Gale discuss sell-side, buy-side and program improvements distributors can make in this year’s environment of contraction to protect and improve profit.
CEO Jeff Crane joins to discuss a year of change for ERIKS North America, which divested from ERIKS NV in early 2022. We discus the company's new-look leadership team, a recent acquisition and how the company is looking to grow as standalone entity.
Great ideas sometimes turn into train wrecks. No company bats 100% when it comes to initiatives or projects. But too often management is reluctant to admit a mistake, holding out hope that a positive outcome might be salvageable. In this week’s Quicktake, Indian River Consulting Group’s Mike Marks outlines strategies for minimizing damage and creating best possible outcomes.
We chat with The Master Group President Neil McDougall about the Quebec, Canada-based HVACR distributor's recent growth and greater North American expansion roadmap, as well as how product demand and the labor situation compares between Canada and the U.S.
In the distribution sector, there’s arguably no bigger champion for the skilled trades than Andrew Brown, who founded eCommerce-based industrial distributor Toolfetch in 2002. This episode dispels misconceptions about the skilled trades, why Brown is so passionate about supporting them and how they tie in with distribution.
Sponsored by White Cup
GPT-4 released this week and with it another wave of hype, hope and hysteria over the ways artificial intelligence, search and chatbot technologies will change our world. Indian River Consulting Group’s Mike Marks joins Tom Gale to examine the impacts and implications for distributors.
Leadership teams have several options for increasing long-term enterprise value. This week Dorn Group’s James Dorn and Tom Gale recap some of the key themes from MDM’s recent Distribution M&A Summit and outline the most pertinent areas of improvement for EBITDA margin, growth and value.
We are in the midst of profound industry structural changes for how distributors create profit and remain competitive. MDM’s Tom Gale and IRCG’s Mike Marks discuss three things – talent inertia, artificial intelligence and culture – that are defining the competitive landscape of 2023.
Mike Hockett chats with Terry Albrecht, who has been led Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Packer Fastener since co-founding the company when he was 22. They discuss how the distributor's culture and unconventional hiring and retention practices have worked wonders.
From a trio of short interviews at the recent NAW Executive Summit, distributor leaders tell us about their top challenges and how demand is faring as of early 2022.
We chat with ISA President Brendan Breen to preview ISA23 in April, how the association has evolved to focus on year-round engagement and what he's hearing from members about business conditions.
Like the industry it serves, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors is undergoing a powerful transformation as an organization. MDM’s Tom Gale and IRCG’s Mike Marks debrief on their takeaways from an energizing program of content, networking and sharing of ideas on innovation, transformation and much more.
As a primer to MDM's Feb. 22-23 Virtual M&A Summit, we chat with MSC Industrial Supply President & CEO Erik Gershwind and Business & Commercial Development leader Jim Drohan about the company's M&A strategy, which has moved aggressively in the past 2 years.
Private label market share traditionally increases in a downturn. James Dorn of Dorn Group sees a perfect storm brewing as softening inflation and supply chain pressures add some tailwinds to that equation. But brands are not going away. Our conversation reviews strategic options for large and small distributors to consider, as well as brand manufacturers.
Ahead of NAW's Jan. 31-Feb. 2 Executive Summit in Washington D.C., CEO Eric Hoplin stopped by to discuss how distributors are handling the labor market, economic headwinds, supply chain conditions and more.
If you’ve ever attended a Mike Marks presentation, odds are he referenced one of the most influential thinkers on management in the 20th century. For good reason. In this Quicktake conversation, Marks shares thoughts on time spent with Peter Drucker as his graduate student, insights that fueled his consulting career, and what advice Drucker might have for distributors today.
In our first MDM Podcast of the year, Tom Gale chats with author and Day1Ready Founder Jennifer Fondrevey on who must be involved in the M&A communication process and when, along with other intangibles.
What’s out? Doom-scrolling. What’s in? Distribution industry executives will make more data-informed decisions supported by stronger technology and analytics. In our first Quicktake podcast conversation of the year, IRCG’s Mike Marks and MDM’s Tom Gale look at the opportunities for distributors to take what the business cycle and competitors provide in the year ahead.
In this episode, you’ll hear from leaders at Vallen Distribution, Stanley Black & Decker, LineDrive and the Founder/CEO of 12 Ace Hardware stores in the Mid-Atlantic region. MDM Program Director & Producer Spencer Gale captures industry perspectives on what’s best left behind in 2022 and where the industry is moving in 2023.
Spreading resources too thin in a downcycle is a common trap. In a discussion on threats, themes and strategic planning for 2023, James Dorn of the Dorn Group and MDM’s Tom Gale discuss thinking beyond rebates, the rise of customer self-serve, the power of segment focus and pain relief, and a call to rewrite the operating manual for distributor-supplier relationships and value creation.
Kathleen Shanahan stops by to discuss her unique path to becoming Turtle & Hughes' CEO; the electrical distributor’s emphasis on diversity in both its workforce and supplier base; and how investment in sustainable energy storage has positioned the company for continued success in the age of electrification.
Predicting the future is folly, but market transitions are where competitive advantage is won. No, that’s not some famous saying, but the fine line Indian River’s Mike Marks and MDM’s Tom Gale tread in this conversation. How will distributors outperform market conditions and competitors? What will change the industry?
Net Results Group Managing Partner Lance Gilbert discusses the state of indirect spend at large facilities from his team’s expertise in the analytics, technology and process improvement for MRO inventories, usage and purchasing behaviors. We explore the current supply chain challenges and opportunities for distributors to help customers “right-size” their inventory.
James Dorn of the Dorn Group joins MDM’s Tom Gale to discuss ‘shoring’ opportunities and strategic implications for distributors. We’re moving from digital defining seamless service to a broader supply-chain transformation that mitigates risk for customers by creating better transparency and deeper engagement.
President & CEO John Mark discusses BlackHawk’s go-to-market strategy, how it differentiates in the markets it serves and its continued aggressive growth strategy. We also discuss the importance of culture and leadership challenges today.
Disruptive market conditions breed opportunity. In this episode, IRCG’s Mike Marks and MDM’s Tom Gale look past the horizon at the larger macrotrends shaping growth opportunities for distributors over the next several years – electrification, infrastructure, energy transition, sustainability and demographic shifts.
The content at PTDA’s Annual Summit in late October went heavy on recruiting and retaining best practices. Editor Mike Hockett chatted with association CEO Ann Arnott to discuss key takeaways from the event, which included the non-traditional methods distributors can leverage to find and keep needed staff in a time when labor is hard to come by.
When markets soften, surprises tend to be of the negative variety. But downturns can also open up opportunities to strengthen key supplier partnerships. MDM’s Tom Gale and IRCG’s Mike Marks talk about the key performance indicators in supplier relationships that can be either early warning signals or telltales for competitive opportunity across inventory and cash management, backlogs, support and strategic alignment.
Decades before digital transformation became an imperative, Jay Platt, CEO of Blue Volt and former CEO of Platt Electric, was on a mission to improve how his customers, team members and vendors could access information – whether for training, customer support or building a stronger company culture. He’s still at it.
Beyond tried and true strategies for managing the back side of economic downturns, MDM’s Tom Gale and IRCG’s Mike Marks look at unique and deeper factors the current market outlook is triggering for distributors – inventory exposure and opportunity, scenario planning, resetting sales costs and the underlying longer-term positive trends where near-term opportunity may also exist.
The Crescent Electric Supply leader tells us how employee engagement has kept the distributor pointed at its customer-based north star.
Our team has been on the fall conference tour. MDM’s Tom Gale and IRCG’s Mike Marks compare notes from conversations at Affiliated Distributors, NetPlus, ISSA, MDM’s own SHIFT event, and the latest Baird-MDM quarterly MarketPulse survey. Most distributors report double-digit growth, few signs of slowdown.
In an exclusive interview, Optimas Solutions Co-CEOs Mike Tuffy and Daniel Harms join the MDM Podcast to discuss how their elevation and newly announced roles provide additional stability to the global fasteners manufacturer and distributor.
John McKenzie joins the MDM Podcast to discuss the distributor’s new drone delivery program and Innovation Center, as well as the strategy behind its frequent acquisitions. We also dove into how Winsupply’s employee-ownership opportunity pays dividends across the organization.
MDM’s Mike Hockett chats with Bluon CEO Peter Capuciati about the company’s formation and transformation from a refrigerant R&D company to providing a new database and app to remove friction between HVAC distributors, technicians and contractors.
In this latest MDM Quicktake podcast conversation, IRCG’s Founding Partner Mike Marks and MDM’s Tom Gale examine a California lawsuit against Amazon, the trade practices at play for distributors, and the broader issues for how distributors can differentiate with stronger value propositions.
Our latest QuickTake podcast discusses how distributors' roles go beyond reacting to threats and opportunities that many have been preoccupied with since the pandemic arrived.
We chat with Dee Merriwether, CFO of Grainger, which took the top spot on MDM’s Top 2022 Industrial Distributors list. Our conversation covers the MRO giant’s risk mitigation, pricing strategy, how analytics have shaped its digital offerings, and much more.
Serving as President of Martin Supply and chairman of ISA, David Ruggles stops by to discuss digital initiatives from both his company and the association, as well as the progress the greater industrial distribution sector has made on that front.
Tom Gale chats with Max Meister, the CEO of Germany-based power transmission products distributor Ludwig Meister, a family-run company that took an inside-out journey to transform its operations over the past decade.
In this MDM Podcast, our analytics manager interviews ETIM North America Executive Director Mary Shaw, who provides expert insight into the current state of data standardization for manufacturers, distributors and end users. The discussion explores the benefits of standardizing product data and taking the next step into your data journey.
We all know the distribution sector is highly fragmented, but to what extent? A chat with McKinsey partners Alex Abdelnour and Kevin Sachs dives into the state of fragmentation within various markets and the factors that separate leading distributors from laggards.
Ranga Bodla, NetSuite's head of Industrial Marketing, stops by to discuss how the role of distribution associations and buying groups has evolved over the past decade — particularly from 2020 onward — and his company's newly-launched initiative to better support those groups with education and networking opportunities.
Ranga Bodla, NetSuite's head of Industrial Marketing, stops by to discuss how the role of distribution associations and buying groups has evolved over the past decade — particularly from 2020 onward — and his company's newly-launched initiative to better support those groups with education and networking opportunities.
Mike Marks and Tom Gale explore the impact of recent landmark acquisitions and how the mission of strategic deals runs counter to that of private equity.
Ferguson's Vice President of Sustainability discusses the plumbing, PVF and waterworks distribution giant's bold emissions reduction goals and what it will take to reach them, as well as Ferguson’s now-completed primary listing move from the London Stock Exchange to the New York Stock Exchange and what it means for the company.
Sponsored by Epicor
Our latest QuickTake podcast focuses on the importance of maintaining perspective and paying attention to actions and tangible data, rather than taking broad economic downturn talk at face value.
Monique Elliott, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Industrial Automation for Schneider Electric, explores successful customer engagement strategies in an increasingly distracted world. Not only crafting an effective customer experience – digital and otherwise – but as importantly how to help your own team overcome the internal challenges and develop a digital-first mindset and culture.
The latest ontheoutlook for second half of the year for distributors, ways to manage inventory and inflation volatility, and a popcorn shortage. In this weekly review of current events and themes in distribution channels, Tom Gale & IRCG’s Mike Marks cut through the noise to share thoughts on what’s important, what’s not, and a peak around the corner on what really matters in creating value for customers.
During the recent NAHAD Convention May 14-17 in Miami Beach, MDM Editor Mike Hockett was able to sit down with NAHAD Executive Vice President Molly Mullins for an interview to discuss the key factors that went into planning this year’s event, why members like attending it and being a part of the association, as well as how those members are handling market challenges.
Summit Electric’s Vice President of Marketing and Supplier Relations Sheila Hernandez’s latest role in leading the company’s marketing efforts includes category management, supplier relations, digital presence and customer lifecycle. We talk marketing plus her contributions to the industry over 35 years with her generous leadership and mentorship.
At the age of 19, Doug Savage, President of Bearing Service, Inc., unexpectedly took over running the distribution company his grandfather started. In this podcast, Doug talks about his passion for education, his early adoption of the Entrepreneurial Operating System, the opportunities for independent distributors ahead, and his many leadership roles across a 47-year career.
Sponsored by Epicor
Gartner’s Maria Boulden, Mike Marks of Indian River Consulting Group and Tom Gale tackle all things sales transformation: Massive shifts in customer buying behavior, digital-first go-to-market strategy, supplier partnerships and the new sales skills needed to compete, including situational awareness, data literacy and digital dexterity.
Fastenal CEO Dan Florness and MDM Editor Mike Hockett chat from the company’s recent Fastenal Expo about the company’s considerable digital growth and how it’s continued to find ways to become closer with its customers. We also touch on Fastenal’s manufacturing capabilities, how the company is addressing labor and lessons learned from the pandemic.
Sponsored by Epicor
Dirk Beveridge, founder of UnleashWD and executive producer of We Supply America, and Tom Gale talk about research into the changing nature of leadership post-Covid. We also touch on Dirk’s mission of telling the stories of wholesale distribution teams across America – the spirit, the heart, the humanity of what has built the strongest and most resilient economy in the world.
Tom Fournier, president of Shade’s Mills Group, a sales strategy consultancy based in Cambridge, Ontario, shares insights from a career managing sales channels in Canada and the U.S. with an international jan-san products manufacturer. Topics discussed include unique sales coverage characteristics of Canadian markets, and recent shifts as the sector has commoditized and targeted by Amazon Business and other non-traditional competitors.
Chester Collier, Walter Senior Vice President, shares four decades of international sales management and business development experience across industrial distribution channels. Collier is deeply passionate about the value of distribution and leadership. We discuss the current state of channel dynamics and ways in which sales management has and has not changed in the face of rapid change the past few years.
IRCG’s Mike Marks talks with Tom Gale about core elements of sales transformation, distilling six years of research from distributors innovating their sales process to a more profitable model. We preview our virtual Sales Transformation Bootcamp series this spring and outline the three keys to successful sales transformation: Benchmark current state, rethink the process, execute the change.
Global Industrial is investing in key strategic initiatives, in sales, marketing, private brand, digital transformation and distribution, that they believe will drive sales, including its new NASCAR partnership. Litwin discusses 2021 financial performance, the critical importance of B2B e-commerce to Global’s strategy, and where the industry is headed in 2022.
We catch up with John Gunderson to learn what he’s hearing on how 2022 is shaping up and ways executive teams are managing inventory, pricing, margin expansion, digital and more. With a 20-year career in distribution sales and marketing, John has one of the most extensive networks across distribution verticals, including electrical, datacom, general-line MRO and construction supplies.
Tony Pericle started in distribution sales 204th out of 207 sales reps. Three years later he ranked in the top 25. After increasing sales, marketing and margin management leadership roles, he formed ProfitOptics in 2008 and has been passionate about how distributors can use analytics and technology to make better decisions. We discuss prescriptive analytics, AI, workflow automation, profit optimization and more.
Randy Breaux shares details on how the deal came together, synergies and future growth opportunity in this deeper dive into the $1.3-billion transformative acquisition combining the No. 1 and No. 3 power transmission/motion controls distributors in North America. The combination of the two companies is estimated to generate $7.8 billion in pro forma 2022 revenue.
Larry Davis has strong opinions on change and opportunities to make the supply chain work more effectively as customers have moved quickly to digital procurement. We discuss hybrid sales roles, the power of digital content, value creation and the era of collaboration that is defining new models of competitive advantage going forward.
Peggy Carrieres has worked more than 20 years in the semiconductor industry, including the past six at global electronic components distributor Avnet. An expert in supply chain issues, customer management contracts, pricing negotiations and other industry elements, Carrieres talks about how distributors can ensure a financially healthy inventory mix while working with customers to enrich end-to-end design functions.
After a career leading digital transformation for large distributors and B2C firms, Williams launched networking platform Factrees to digitize and modernize distributor-rep-manufacturer relationships. Think ‘LinkedIn meets a dating app’ to streamline how industrial/construction products sellers find sourcing partners.
Shift7 Digital CEO Andrew Walker draws on his extensive B2B consulting experience with distributors and manufacturers — including Global Industrial — to share what makes for an effective technology strategy. Listen to hear why a product-first focus doesn’t work in distribution e-commerce, the benefits of content storytelling and other ways to differentiate your company’s online experience.
In this episode, Al Bates, principal of Distribution Performance Project and guru of financial performance benchmarking, shares three factors for how smaller distributors can gain competitive advantage against larger competitors as he sees high-touch customer opportunities developing. He also discusses why he wrote his latest book, Profit Guide for the Small Distributor, where he details a profit-first methodology and playbook.
In this podcast, Tracy Buelow, senior director of business development at Zoro, talks about the business elements that are essential to the success of e-commerce platforms and the pandemic's lasting effect on distributors' approach to e-commerce.
What separates businesses that are successful at recouping inflationary pressures versus those that aren't? Drawing from more than a decade of experience in B2B pricing, sales and strategy consulting, Will Humsi, partner at consultancy Simon-Kucher, shares ways distributors can be strategic about their pricing strategy to combat inflation and other margin-reducing factors.
A lot has changed in distribution training best practices in the decade-plus since Jinny Kcehowski took over internal employee training at Curbell Plastics. And that was before the pandemic sent everything virtual. In this podcast, Kcehowski discusses how to use training as a retention technique, pitfalls to avoid and the future of employee development.
Distribution sales strategist Mark Roberts has one question for you: Do you really need more sales people? Perhaps the real question should be: How can I make the most out of my existing sales team? Roberts breaks down the latest thinking on distribution sales team effectiveness, including how to determine who might be better placed in another position.
In this podcast, Motion President Randy Breaux talks about the lessons learned last year and this year, and what he sees coming down the pipe in 2022. There has been an abundance of lessons learned by distributors ever since the pandemic hit last year, but Motion President Randy Breaux says some of the biggest include a better human touch with employees and keeping a laser focus on what customers want.
In the latest MDM Podcast, Dave Flitman, president and CEO of Builders FirstSource, discusses on a wide range of topics, including where the company sees organic growth white space, how M&A — most notably the 2020 merger with BMC Stock Holdings but other smaller deals, too — is reshaping the company and how it views technology as a differentiator.
Sustainability is more than a buzzword at Ferguson. It's an integral part of the distributor's business practices that touches on all areas of company operation. It's also key to the organization's community outreach efforts. Hear Kelsey Bergan, director of sustainability, and Denise Vaughn, SVP of sustainability and communications, address their key focus areas and share advice for other distributors who want to improve environmental efforts.
In the latest MDM Podcast, Dan Tinker, president and CEO of McKinney, Texas-based building materials distributor SRS Distribution, dishes on a wide range of topics, including the company’s private equity backing, its unique and aggressive acquisition strategy that complements SRS’s greenfield approach, and what’s been driving growth since the company was formed in 2008.
In this podcast, Winsupply President John McKenzie talks about how his company is addressing supply chain constraints, the labor shortage and hybrid training, as well as how Winsupply is driving more of its business to digital.
Jon Schreibfeder has received more calls in the last six months from distributors looking for inventory management consulting than at any other time in his 40+ years in the field. Listen in as the Schreibfeders share their insider tips on practical, data-based solutions to handle today's supply chain disruptions.
There are many elements in life and business that we cannot control. But when it comes to tackling talent management challenges like recruiting and retention, board-certified coach Will Matthews explains how we can adjust our behavior in order to play to the strengths of our best employees and recruits. Matthews shares simple ways for distributors to create a rapport that builds on working relationships and increases job satisfaction on all sides.
With decades of experience in distribution technology application between two of them, David Oldfather and Mike Wentz of the Industry Data Exchange Association discuss the importance of clean data in the future of distribution technology. Listen as the pair share how to handle the latest developments in areas such as 360-degree imaging, improved data standards and how technology can help with challenges like manpower shortages.
Harry Dochelli has both experienced and orchestrated plenty of change at Essendant, the Deerfield, Illinois-based wholesaler of office products, furniture, breakroom, JanSan and Safety product categories. In addition to navigating the disruption of the last 18 months, Dochelli has guided the company through new ownership and other organizational shifts in recent years. In this MDM Podcast, Dochelli discusses lessons learned during COVID-19 and how Essendant is well-positioned for the post-pandemic economy.
Intentional organizational development that includes a company restructure is often discussed but rarely followed through. Along with the help of her business coach Lori Miller of Developing Professionals, NetPlus Alliance President and Owner Jennifer Murphy pulled off the task with satisfying results. Listen to the pair discuss the change process and provide tips on how to make it happen for you.
Hundreds of e-commerce marketplaces have popped up in the last few years. How can a distributor distinguish those that are more likely to last? Digital platform consultancy Applico's CEO Alex Moazed and Managing Director Nick Johnson address the details behind their company’s top marketplaces ranking and how they see distributors using such platforms to compete with Amazon and other online giants.
Klaus Werner, the chief marketing officer at Global Industrial Co., was named one of MDM’s Digital Innovator Award winners because of the numerous initiatives he has helped drive at the industrial distributor in this last pandemic-plagued year. In addition to leading the company’s rebranding efforts, including a website redesign, Werner oversaw the creation of a Knowledge Center that provides customers with expert advice and product info. He also managed a new social media campaign that saw Global Industrial venturing into the unlikeliest of channels for a distributor — TikTok. In this edition of the MDM Podcast, Senior Editor Eric Smith speaks with Werner about the busy year for him and his team, and how their initiatives resulted in measurable improvement for Global Industrial’s bottom line.
Building materials distributor Palmer-Donavin is feeling the crunch of labor shortages and supply constraints that many distribution companies now face. But despite those obstacles, it's been a banner year for Palmer-Donavin. In this MDM podcast, CEO Robyn Pollina shares the secret to the company's success in handling ongoing challenges, and discusses operational improvements the company is embarking on to ensure a strong future.
Starting his role with ORS Nasco in early 2020 after a 25-year career in other industrial distribution sectors, Kevin Short discusses how the company – with a diverse set of customer segments and 450,000 SKUs – navigated 2020, its transformation and unique positioning as a wholesaler, how its value proposition is evolving and the nature of leadership in 2021.
The pandemic accelerated distributors’ digital transformations with artificial intelligence, machine learning, edge compute, IoT and 5G poised to play key roles going forward for supply chains and e-commerce platforms. Next-gen technology can help improve the customer experience and provide independent distributors with an edge in differentiating themselves from digital disruptors.
With a background in event ticketing, Scott Barrows got a front row seat to witness how e-commerce platforms can affect distributor performance. Although in a different market sector, the lessons Barrows learned carry into the way he manages BluePallet, a B2B e-commerce platform currently serving the chemicals vertical. Listen in as Barrows discusses the pros and cons of how digital transformation can impact distributors.
Profitability, pricing and supply chain strategy consultant Jonathan Byrnes discusses the core concepts from his latest book on how distributors can target profitable customer segments and create differentiated services and experiences that can’t be replicated by the tech giants. He outlines a roadmap and most important steps to take now to reclaim control of your markets.
Former distribution CMO and expert in B2B customer loyalty programs Doug Press believes the core differentiators distributors have always had are the personal, deeply engaged relationships with customers. We talk about the strategy, tactics, monetization and metrics for how to best translate that critical asset post-pandemic into the realm of online engagement.
With a bright outlook shaping 2021 for pandemic and economic recovery, now is a critical time to look hard at what a distributor’s new value proposition looks like. Mark Dancer talks about what distributors are learning as they compete more effectively in the digital age, and the three emerging business models shaping the future of distribution.
In this conversation, President & CEO Jeff Cloud shares how this 72-year-old Midwest distributor with 36 locations has navigated the challenges of 2020 and continues to build a more digital- and data-driven organization. As part of the third-generation leadership team, Jeff talks about the core values and culture that continue to form its differentiated value propositions across a diverse customer base.
In this episode, MDM Future Leader Matt Miller, VP of Corporate Development at Jupiter Communications, discusses four critical projects he led as Commercial Operations Manager at IEWC and the need to transform customer experience from the inside-out. As a Future Leader, Miller shares his perspective on attracting top emerging talent, and the future of distribution.
PART TWO: In this episode, industry consultant (and MDM contributor across five decades!) Bruce Merrifield discusses post-COVID-19 scenarios for distributors and the imperatives to transform into more customer-centric, profit-driven entities to compete effectively with digital sellers. Key question: What if customers want digital first, then virtual support as needed, and finally physical visits by the “experts” they select? What will you and your assigned, regular-calling rep do?
As veterans of the B2B e-commerce world, Brian Beck and Andy Hoar know a boring online presentation when they see one. That’s why the pair are framing their new MasterB2B online video series as “the un-webinar.” Launching March 30, the series of un-webinars will unfold approximately every three weeks, providing distributors, manufacturers and other industry stakeholders with the tools and insider knowledge needed to run a successful e-commerce operation.
Visit masterb2b.com/ for more information.
In this episode, industry consultant (and MDM contributor across five decades!) Bruce Merrifield discusses post-COVID scenarios for distributors and the imperatives to transform into more customer-centric, profit-driven entities to compete effectively with digital sellers. Key question: What if customers want digital first, then virtual support as needed, and finally physical visits by the “experts” they select? What will you and your assigned, regular-calling rep do?
In this episode, longtime M&A advisor Brent Grover shares his perspectives on how distribution M&A markets are shaping up in 2021. Short story: Financial buyers may have the edge over strategic acquirers, and overall buyers may want to be more patient than most sellers like this year. But as in every previous...
In this episode, longtime M&A advisor Brent Grover shares his perspectives on how distribution M&A markets are shaping up in 2021. Short story: Financial buyers may have the edge over strategic acquirers, and overall buyers may want to be more patient than most sellers like this year. But as in every previous cycle, there are great opportunities across these highly fragmented markets.
In this episode, Brian Gardner, founder of SalesProcess360, demystifies the Sales Process Audit that industrial sales organizations can implement to get ROI from CRM. While CRM can be an impactful technology, Gardner stresses that organizations need the right processes in place to capitalize on their CRM investment. With over 25 years of experience in sales management and CRM, hear Gardner’s insight on how companies at all stages can get the most out of their sales process.
Over the course of a 50-year career at F.W. Webb, a diversified HVACR, plumbing and PVF distributor serving nine Northeast states, and #21 in MDM's 2019 Top Distributors List, Ernie Coutermarsh has made an incredible impact on the industry, business associates and the lives of so many he has touched. In this interview, Ernie shares his thoughts on leadership, innovation, talent development and much more.
In this June 12, 2020 segment of MDM LIVE, John Caplan, President, North America & Europe, Alibaba.com, urges distributors to drive digital in their businesses and the need for a marketplace strategy going forward. Hear much more from Caplan — including inspiration for taking your business digital, tips on getting started with Alibaba.com and practical advice on how to sell internationally.
Hosts: MDM’s Tom Gale & Mike Marks, Indian River Consulting Group
In this June 5, 2020 segment of MDM LIVE, Barry Litwin, CEO of Systemax, parent of Global Industrial, talks about the company’s ongoing digital transformation, online customer service and how they are helping their customers prepare to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 with its R3 (Restore, Return, Rebound) program.
Hosts: MDM’s Tom Gale & Mike Marks, Indian River Consulting Group
Jonathan Byrnes, senior lecturer at MIT and founding chairman of Profit Isle, a profit acceleration SaaS company, talks about the key elements of profit segmentation to manage the shocks of the pandemic and strengthen customer relationships – better defined customer service levels by profitability, smart product substitution and inventory management, digital transformation and setting up resilient supply chain systems.
Hosts: MDM’s Tom Gale & Mike Marks, Indian River Consulting Group
Over the last few years, Milwaukee-based HVACR distributor Gustave A. Larson Co. has implemented an agile management operating system, revised its sales model and refocusing service offerings. From the May 22, 2020 MDM LIVE episode, hear CEO Andrew Larson talk about how these work-in-progress transformation efforts have positioned the 430-employee company to weather the immediate impacts of the pandemic, and to accelerate growth going forward.
Hosts: MDM’s Tom Gale & Mike Marks, Indian River Consulting Group
In this special one-hour edition of MDM LIVE (May 29, 2020), hear the latest intel on how distributors are shifting from face-to-face to low-touch sales engagement – remote selling, resetting roles for outside/inside/customer service teams, building a more digitally-enabled sales force, sales comp challenges, analytics and more.
Hosts: MDM’s Tom Gale & Mike Marks, Indian River Consulting Group
Products, features and benefits. How are we doing (or not doing) on monthly goals set up with Supplier A or Supplier B? These are the day-to-day conversations that, while particularly urgent in the current uncharted pandemic-infested waters, can get in the way of deeper strategic conversations about how to create more value for customers. In this third podcast of our three-part series on innovation, Dorn Group’s J Schneider maps how to rethink your business model to build a more customer-centric and innovative organization.
In this second of our three-part conversation on innovation in distribution, J Schneider of strategy and consulting firm Dorn discusses what innovation looks like in 2020 for distributors and manufacturers. In this episode, we look at the ways smaller distributors often have an advantage to identify opportunities for innovation, the need to be selective in building manufacturer-distributor partnerships around a shared vision for innovation, and how to build a culture of innovation.
Host: Tom Gale
While this privately-held industrial supplier with more than 300 employees may not be a Harvard Business School case study in management structure, the three-brother leadership team has managed to buck the odds of many third-generation businesses by nurturing an entrepreneurial culture in an 85-year-old company. Listen to Doug Ruggles share what’s worked to drive growth with a customer-centric solutions approach.
Host: Tom Gale
In the first of a three-part series, J Schneider, Vice President of Strategy for Dorn, a strategy and consulting firm located just outside Chicago, discusses how distributors and manufacturers can develop new innovations. In addition to outlining varieties of product, service and delivery innovations, he talks about how to drive growth by building a culture of innovation defined by customer needs.
Host: Tom Gale
Matt McCorkle, Manager of U.S. Branch Operations, Kaeser Compressors, discusses how he used a combination of conventional and micro- sales training methods to build a culture of prospecting and grow new accounts for Kaeser’s 100-person distribution sales force in the U.S. We also hear from Steve Meyer, president and CEO of Rapid Learning Institute, a provider of sales and leadership micro training, on how micro-training is different.
Host: MDM CEO Tom Gale
Justin King of B2X Partners talks about how change management is one of the biggest challenges of any digital transformation project and the critical need to build digital experiences that are customer-first oriented. He also addresses how to leverage the knowledge and expertise in an organization to create better online experiences that drive revenue.
Mark Dancer of the Network for Channel Innovation talks with Tom Gale about the challenges distributors are addressing as they undertake digital transformation programs. As author of the upcoming edition of the Facing the Forces of Change report series published by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, Mark has been in research mode for more than a year and shares some of that insight in this edition.
Four years after transitioning its sales and digital models, Lawson Products President and CEO Michael DeCata gives MDM's Tom Gale a progress report on the company's service-intensive approach and talks about its SAP implementation, salesforce transformation and its unique go-to-market model.
This 72-year-old fastener distribution company out of Cleveland disrupted its outside sales model, creating a team-based sales department structure that had an immediate impact on culture and revenue.
Alan Adams speaks with Tom Gale on Amazon Business from an insider's perspective. This podcast references MDM's Amazon Business Forum conference, held in December 2018, that explored strategy and effective tactics for both partnering with and competing with Amazon Business.
Sponsored by MDM Analytics
After selling his family's paper distribution business 20 years ago, Brent Grover has been a consultant and prolific author on pricing, M&A and creating value in wholesale distribution businesses. Brent talks with MDM's Tom Gale on the next phase of his career and his take on the current challenges in the industry.
Sponsored by MDM Analytics
What's on the minds of distribution executives? In spite of a record year for most sectors of wholesale distribution in 2018, there is a growing sense of volatility across many areas – pricing, inflation, global trade, tariffs and an increasingly tough labor market. Industry veterans and MDM's President Ian Heller and VP of Analytics John Gunderson discuss what they're hearing from the front lines of distribution.
Sponsored by MDM Analytics
Dan Hill, President of Newark element14 and Becky McMorrow, Director of Marketing Newark element14 speak with MDM's John Gunderson about how to build an Omni Channel experience to take share and grow business.
The information contained in the podcast is for general information purposes only. Newark element14, part of the Premier Farnell Group, assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of this podcast. This podcast is for information and illustrative purposes only. It is not, and should not be regarded as “investment advice” or as a “recommendation” regarding a course of action, including without limitation as those terms are used in any applicable law or regulation.
Sponsored by MDM Analytics
Mike Marks, Managing Partner of Indian River Consulting Group (IRCG) talks with MDM's Tom Gale about the ways 2018 is being defined as the tipping point for digital transformation in distribution across all aspects of distribution organizations.
Sponsored by
Prentis Wilson, VP of Amazon Business, speaks with MDM's Tom Gale about Amazon Business's value proposition for distributors, current strategic initiatives and how he sees the customer defining the future of supply chains.
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