Eric Smith

The old, manual methods of price negotiations can cost the average distributor upward of 5% in profit, according to a recent study by Zilliant, but a company could recoup those lost dollars — and even grow profitability — by implementing an automated, intelligent price negotiation system.  That was the message from Todd Pate, business solutions consultant, Zilliant, in the recent MDM Spotlight video, “Step Up Your Pricing Game with Automated Negotiation.” This latest […]

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $50.7 billion in June, down $4.1 billion from $54.8 billion in May, revised. Exports and imports increased in June following monthly declines since March that were, in part, due to the impact of COVID-19, as many businesses […]

Veritiv Corp. (NYSE: VRTV), Atlanta, reported sales for the second quarter of $1.4 billion, a 28.3% decrease from the prior year, or 28% decrease excluding the negative effect of foreign currency. The company reported a loss of $18.5 million, compared to a loss of $11.3 million the same quarter a year ago. “We had solid […]

NOW Inc. (NYSE: DNOW), Houston, TX, reported sales for the second quarter of $370 million, down 52.3% year-over-year. The company reported a loss of $30 million, compared to a profit of $14 million a year ago. Second-quarter sales in the U.S. were $260 million, down 57% year-over-year. Sales in Canada were $41 million, down 44.6%. […]

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Seattle, Washington, on Wednesday announced plans to build an Amazon fulfillment center in Temple Terrace, Florida. The new fulfillment center, which is anticipated to launch in 2021, will create 750 new, full-time jobs. Amazon currently operates seven fulfillment and sortation centers in the state in Jacksonville, Davenport, Orlando, Miami, Ruskin, and […]

The Home Depot, Atlanta, Georgia, announced that it will open three new distribution centers in Georgia over the next 18 months to support the growing demand for flexible delivery and pick-up options for Pro and DIY customers. The expansion is projected to bring approximately 1,000 additional jobs to the Atlanta area, including full-time and part-time positions. “Retail has changed […]

3M (NYSE: MMM), St. Paul, Minnesota, announced that it appointed Jeffrey R. Lavers executive vice president, Consumer Business Group. “Jeff is a highly accomplished leader with a demonstrated track record of delivering results throughout his career,” said Mike Roman, 3M chairman and CEO. “He is an ideal leader for our Consumer business, having successfully led […]

Avnet Inc. (Nasdaq: AVT), Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday announced that Bill Amelio is moving on from his role as CEO and as a member of the Avnet board of directors. Rodney C. Adkins, chairman of the board, said, “Bill has been a great asset since joining Avnet’s board of directors in 2014 and for the past […]

Nationwide Plastics Inc., a division of Orchard Park, New York-based plastics distributor Curbell Plastics Inc. since its acquisition last August, on Monday announced it has rebranded as Curbell Plastics Arlington. “This is a unique transition for us because Curbell has an Arlington, Texas, location less than a mile from the Nationwide Plastics facility. Our sales […]

Wayne, Pennsylvania-based buying group AD on Monday announced that on a same-store basis, member sales across all of its divisions and countries were down 6% to $21.6 billion for the first six months of 2020 compared to the same period a year ago. The decline was driven by a 13% dip during Q2. By business […]

Motion Industries Inc., Birmingham, Alabama, a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) replacement parts and a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Co., on Monday announced two acquisitions. Motion has entered into agreements to acquire TRC Hydraulics, a Canadian-based supplier of hydraulic products and services, and F&L Industrial Solutions, Inc., a distributor of T-slotted […]

Heritage Landscape Supply Group Inc., a subsidiary of building materials distributor SRS Distribution, has acquired Stone Center of Indiana Inc., an independent distributor of hardscapes, architectural stone and landscape products. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, with a second location in Sheridan, Indiana, Stone Center services builders, architects […]

The wholesale distribution industry notched a second straight month of deals in the double digits after a spring of discontent due to the coronavirus stopping — or at least slowing — M&A activity across all verticals.  Ten transactions were announced in July, representing a range of sectors and a mix of strategic and financial buyers. Though well short of the […]

Over the last four months, COVID-19 swiftly carved a destructive path through the U.S. economy, and the return to growth will be a slog for many industries — including wholesale distribution.  That was the message from Brian Lewandowski — executive director, business research division, University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business — on the recent MDM Webcast, The 2020 Mid-Year Economic Update.  Lewandowski, who was joined on the webcast by host Tom Gale, CEO […]

Winsupply Inc., Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday named Jeff Dice president of Winsupply Equity Group and Chris Schrameck vice president of information technology, Winsupply. John McKenzie, president of Winsupply Inc., said “These key leadership promotions reflect our preference for promoting from within the organization and I believe position us well for the future growth of Winsupply.” Both […]

MDM’s new report, Markets Forecast, offers quarterly revenue projections for the wholesale distribution industry, plus breakouts for select categories, for the current calendar quarter and the next fiscal year. The inaugural Forecast looks at post-pandemic projections for distributors as a whole, plus specific sectors. To continue reading this article you must be a paid subscriber. […]

MDM’s quarterly survey in partnership with investment banking firm Baird reveals that distributor revenues decelerated sharply in 2Q but not as bad as feared at the beginning of the pandemic shutdown. One consensus among more than 550 participants: Distributors began rethinking the way they manage talent. To continue reading this article you must be a […]