Mike Robuck

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter, real GDP increased 4.3%. The “third” estimate of GDP released on Thursday was based on more complete source data than were […]

To continue reading this article you must be a paid subscriber. Subscribe to MDM Already Subscribed? Click here to log-in | Forgot your password? • Local owners reacted quickly to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, helping Winsupply to have a strong 2020. • The company is investing in a new Oklahoma City-based distribution center to expand […]

The Home Depot (NYSE: HD), which is based in Atlanta, announced on Wednesday the launch of its new “Rent Online, Pick-up In Store” technology across 1,300 rental locations. The online platform enables pro or do-it-yourself (DIY) customers to reserve and rent equipment online up to 30 days in advance. Home Depot customers can also check […]

By embracing digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud computing, distributors can be better prepared to shift assets on demand while also improving customer experience, reducing costly onsite hardware and enabling faster response times. On June 29, Roy Chua, founder and principal of independent research and advisory service AvidThink, will dive into […]

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) announced on Tuesday that its PTDA 2021 Industry Summit will take place in Atlanta, Georgia on October 20-23. PTDA expects 550 delegates in the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry will attend the conference. The Industry Summit, which will be the first and largest in-person gathering of PT/MC delegates since […]

Led by improvements in production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) increased to +0.29 in May from –0.09 in April. Three of the four broad categories of indicators used to construct the index made positive contributions in May while three categories improved from April. The index’s three-month moving average, CFNAI-MA3, rose to +0.81 […]

It’s safe to say that 2020 was a year unlike any other for distributors as the pandemic created a seismic shift across the distribution sectors. With 2020 firmly in the rearview mirror as the industry bounces back, it’s time to take a sneak peek at how last year impacted MDM’s annual Top Distributors rankings. During […]

Global Industrial, the Port Washington, New York-based distributor of industrial products and MRO supplies and a subsidiary of Systemax (NYSE:SYX), announced on Thursday that it has partnered with The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) to support the National League of Cities (NLC). They’ve joined forces to provide small and mid-sized cities with supplies and personal […]

F.W. Webb Co., which is based in Bedford, Massachusetts, has hired Deanna O’Donnell as vice president of marketing. In her new role, O’Donnell will oversee the alignment of corporate, product and market strategies across the company’s wholesale business and more than 48 Frank Webb Home retail showrooms. At F.W. Webb, O’Donnell  will be responsible for the […]

The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for April, adjusted for seasonal and trading day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,621.1 billion, up 0.6% from March and 40% from the same month a year ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Manufacturers’ and trade inventories for April, adjusted […]

Total industrial production increased by 0.8% in May, according to the Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization Report, which was released Monday by the Federal Reserve. Manufacturing production advanced 0.9%, reflecting, due in part to a large gain in motor vehicle assemblies; factory output excluding motor vehicles and parts increased 0.5%. The indexes for mining and […]

Kaman Distribution Group, which is based in Bloomfield, Connecticut, on Tuesday announced the appointment of C. Todd Boone as the vice president and general manager of its automation business. Prior to Kamen, Boone served as the senior director of Wesco Distribution’s applied technology group. During his 15-year career at Wesco, he was also the director […]

According to a recent survey, NetPlus Alliance distributor members are optimistic about their sales growth this year as the recovery from last year’s pandemic continues. NetPlus Alliance, the Lockport, New York-based North American industrial and contractor supplies buying group, released the results of its quarterly NetPlus Alliance Industry Outlook survey on Monday. Among the findings, […]

Crawford Electric, a Houston-based electrical distributor and subsidiary of Sonepar, announced it has hired Tony Glynn as vice president of logistics. Glynn is responsible for improving the overall logistics functionality at Crawford, starting with creating a central distribution center in the Texas market. He will also develop and track warehouse KPIs, create processes around warehouse […]

U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders totaled $404.6 million in April, a decline of 12% from March but an increase of 72% from April 2020, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders report published on Monday by AMT. Total orders for 2021 reached $1.57 billion year-to-date, which marked a of 40% increase over orders placed in the […]

Building materials distributor ABC Supply Co. Inc., based in Beloit, Wisconsin, has partnered with building products manufacturer GAF to give contractors faster access to aerial roof measurements through their myABCsupply accounts. ABC Supply customers can now order a GAF QuickMeasure report, retrieve reports and place their materials order with ABC Supply without leaving the myABCsupply […]

To continue reading this article you must be a paid subscriber. Subscribe to MDM Already Subscribed? Click here to log-in | Forgot your password? The multi-year partnership between FedEx and Adobe includes sharing data across various stages of the e-commerce journey. By collaborating with FedEx, Adobe will be able to offer its customers free two-day […]

Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX), based in Port Washington, New York, announced on Wednesday that it will change its legal name to Global Industrial Company. Global Industrial Company will start trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GIC,” effective Monday, June 21. Global Industrial, a national distributor of industrial products and MRO […]

On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the goods and services deficit was $68.9 billion in April, down $6.1 billion from $75 billion in March. April exports were $205.0 billion, which were $2.3 billion more than March exports. April imports were $273.9 billion, $3.8 billion less than […]

After a somewhat dormant spring last year due to the pandemic, business is now blossoming for California-based distributor Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery. However, a labor shortage has crimped its ability to do deliveries. Devil Mountain was founded in 1995 as a wholesale brokerage company in San Ramon, California. It currently has seven stores in Northern […]