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NAW Research: What Distributors and Manufacturers Want Each Other to Improve on Most

NAW Research suggests manufacturers want distributors to communicate more and plan more strategically. Distributors, meanwhile, are asking for many of the same things from suppliers. Explore commentary from both sides in the latest 2Q26 NAW-Baird Industrial Distribution Survey.

August 5, 2026

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Ask distributors and manufacturers where they want their business partners to improve and a pattern emerges: stronger communication, greater transparency and more strategic partnership. While distributor-supplier relationships have

remained stable over the past two years

, and the partners largely align on what would make for a better business relationship, expectations are defined differently, according to analysis of commentary in the 2Q26 NAW-Baird Industrial Distribution Survey.

More from NAW Research: Distributor-Supplier Relationships Hold Steady 

The latest NAW Research suggests…

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