Cleveland-based Olympic Steel Inc. (Nasdaq: ZEUS) announced that Brian C. Harkins has been promoted to vice president – aluminum. Harkins will continue to report to Andy Markowitz, the president of specialty metals. Olympic Steel said Harkins promotion was the result of the company’s specialty metals expansion efforts. “Brian’s extensive knowledge of the aluminum market has […]
Mike Robuck
Sales and Marketing Teams Plan to Build on Pandemic-Induced Flexibility
To continue reading this article you must be a paid subscriber. Subscribe to MDM Already Subscribed? Click here to log-in | Forgot your password? • Distributors are shifting their focus on the traditional inside sales team model to create an approach that better supports customers across e-commerce websites. • A hybrid sales model can include […]
Tech Investments at the Core of Distributors’ 2022 Growth Strategies
To continue reading this article you must be a paid subscriber. Subscribe to MDM Already Subscribed? Click here to log-in | Forgot your password? • Those with basic e-commerce capabilities look to move from plug-and-play to customized solutions. • Distributors are focused on building more robust online catalogs. • Artificial intelligence and machine learning […]
IWDC Promotes Werkley to VP of Sales and Vendor Management
The Independent Welders Distributors Cooperative (IWDC) recently announced the promotion of Keith Werkley to vice president of sales and vendor management, which was effective Sept. 1. Werkley joined IWDC in 2016 and IWDC said he has played a key role in its growth over the past five years. As a member of the welding cooperative’s […]
Optimas Moves Mexico DC to California
Fasteners distributor and manufacturer Optimas Solutions, Wood Dale, Illinois, announced on Thursday that it has moved a distribution center in Mexico to a 32,400-square-foot facility in the Monterrey, Calif. suburb of Apodaca Optimas said it made the move to be closer to customers, suppliers and employees and to support the economic growth in the region. […]
Autonomous Trucking May Break Supply Chain Shackles
The trucking industry was shorthanded before the pandemic. In the past 18 months, the dearth of drivers has only worsened. Autonomous trucking could serve as a means to remove one of the weakest links in supply chains, according to a recent MDM webcast. Self-driving trucks create operational and economic benefits for distributors, such as longer […]
L&W Supply Merges Two Florida Facilities into New Branch
L&W Supply Corp., Chicago, recently announced it has consolidated the company’s Englewood and Punta Gorda locations into a new facility serving Port Charlotte, Florida. L&W created the new branch to better serve its customers in the greater Port Charlotte area. Located at 10852 Peace River Street, Arcadia, the new branch is now open to the […]
Advent International Strikes a $1 Billion Deal to Sell Distribution International
Private equity firm Advent International announced on Wednesday that it has entered into an agreement to sell Distribution International Inc. (DI) to TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD) in an all-cash transaction valued at $1 billion. TopBuild, an installer and distributor of insulation and building material products to the U.S. construction industry, expects to fund the acquisition using […]
Fastenal’s August Sales Increase 14.2%
On Tuesday, Fastenal Co. (Nasdaq: FAST), Winona, Minnesota, reported August sales of $531 million, up 14.2% from the same month a year ago. The company reported daily sales of $24.1 million, which was a 9% increase versus a year ago. By region, U.S. sales increased 7.2% while Canada/Mexico sales improved by 18.2 % and “rest […]
Masonite Names Ball as President for Global Residential
Tampa Bay-based Masonite International Corporation (NYSE: DOOR), a manufacturer and distributor of interior and exterior doors, announced Tuesday that Chris Ball has joined the company as president of global residential. Ball replaced James A. Hair, who submitted his resignation in August. “Chris has an extensive background leading global teams to drive growth,” said Masonite President […]
LMC Names Kane as SVP of Finance and Technology
LMC, which is based in Wayne, Pa. has named Paul Kane as its senior vice president of finance and technology. Kane takes over that role after it was vacated by Paul Ryan, who was promoted to president and CEO after John Somerville retired from those positions in June. Kane spent 16 years at Omega Flex […]
White Cap Expands into Northeast Region with Deal to Buy Tri-Supply
Atlanta-based White Cap Supply Holdings expanded its footprint in the Northeast Region of the U.S. by striking a deal to buy Tri-Supply & Equipment. Based in New Castle, Del. with two other locations in Salisbury, Md. and Dover, Del., Tri-Supply & Equipment will join White Cap in the Northeast Region to serve local customers. Financial […]
HARDI Distributors Report ‘Modest’ 9.3% Revenue Increase in July
Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), Columbus, Ohio, released its monthly TRENDS report on Thursday, which showed the average sales performance by HARDI distributors increased 9.3% in July after posting an increase of 22.1% in the prior month. The average annual sales growth for the 12 months through July was 17.2%. “9.3% growth looks […]
GMS’ 1Q Sales Improve 30%
On Thursday, GMS Inc. (NYSE: GMS), Tucker, Georgia, reported first-quarter sales of $1 billion, which marked a 29.8% increase over the same quarter a year ago. The company’s net income was $61.2 million, or $1.39 per share, compared to $27.2 million, or $0.63 per share, last year. Adjusted EBITDA of $128.1 million increased 54.2% in […]
In an E-Commerce World, Content is King
During the salad years of the dot.com bubble, an oft repeated phrase was “content is king,” before the bubble popped. That phrase has taken on new meaning as distributors work to populate their burgeoning e-commerce sites with advanced product content for ease of use and increased sales. At the recent AD eCommerce Summit in Maryland, […]
ISM: Manufacturing Sector Grows Slightly in August
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector continued to grow in August as the overall economy grew for the 15th consecutive month, according to the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. The August Manufacturing PMI registered 59.9%, which was an increase of 0.4 percentage point from the July reading of 59.5%. “The New […]
L&W Supply Appoints 12 Branch Managers to its Managing Partner Program
L&W Supply Corp., Chicago, recently announced the induction of 12 branch managers into its Managing Partner Program. The program is highest level of achievement for the company’s branch managers and places them in positions of leadership at L&W Supply. To be picked as a managing partner, the branch managers “have met rigorous standards in the […]
L&W Supply Appoints 12 Branch Managers to its Managing Partner Program
L&W Supply Corp., Chicago, recently announced the induction of 12 branch managers into its Managing Partner Program. The program is highest level of achievement for the company’s branch managers and places them in positions of leadership at L&W Supply. To be picked as a managing partner, the branch managers “have met rigorous standards in the […]
Rexel Canada Signs Up with ETIM North America
ETIM North America (NA) announced Tuesday that Rexel Canada, which is one of the largest distributors of electrical products in Canada, has joined the product classification standards organization. As a Direct Distributor Member, Rexel Canada will be able to participate in the various ETIM NA Product Expert (PE) Groups, including the current groups for Power […]
H.B. Fuller Tacks On 11% Surcharge on Shipments
H.B. Fuller took a transparent approach to a price hike by announcing it will implement an 11% surcharge on shipments of its products globally. The surcharge goes into effect on Wednesday. H.B Fuller (NYSE: FUL), St. Paul, MN, said the surcharge was driven by the “continued short supply and significant cost escalation of certain chemical […]
