We’re finally through the planning season (yes, it is April and distributors now have less than 9 months to achieve supplier objectives!) and some of manufacturers discussed their new product launch plans (and maybe a distributor shared their approach to new […]
Grainger released its Q1 results today. Historically they represent a proxy for the industrial and industrial MRO market so we decided to review for insights…(italics are commentary). The bottom line is that business is essentially flat in the US with […]
Last week both Acuity and Cree shared calendar Q1 lighting success (defined as sales performance). So, let’s look at what they said and what it could mean. Acuity quarterly report (their Q2 fiscal year) Overall “outstanding results” Net sales increased […]
Yes, we’re talking about liens! They types that accounting / credit people like, not “lean” as in “lean processes” which we’ll touch on in the near future when we discuss innovation. Why liens? Basically because a couple of weeks ago […]
Over the past couple of months we’ve touched on the changes that the lighting industry is undergoing. While much of it relates to LEDs, the “lamp” business, lighting controls and connectivity, we also mentioned how lighting can become a data […]
As you sit around your corporate boardroom and and make decisions that impact growth either via acquisition or generating incremental sales, many don’t give consideration to PRODUCTIVITY (in the back office). Why is that? Well, many assume, albeit incorrectly, that all the […]
Last week Houston Wire & Cable held it’s Q4 / 2015 annual earnings call. As many in the industry know, Houston Wire and Cable, while categorized as a manufacturer, is, in reality, more of a master distributor given that they […]
Ever since Mayer Electric left AD and joined IMARK it has been rumored that IMARK, and its distributors, were going to enter into the national account arena and essentially compete with national chains as well as consortium such as SupplyForce […]
Last week was a busy week for the industry with the NAED South-Central. This week was a busy week for WESCO. First they announced the acquisition of Atlanta Electrical Distributors and then on Wednesday they had their Investor Day which is when […]
If you are stymied with geographical growth and think that many of your customers are not buying all they can from you, the odds are stacked in your favor that they aren’t. Why? Because you don’t know. Unless you have […]
