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Quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey
Years of supply chain disruption haven’t triggered the sourcing pivot many expected. New Baird-MDM survey findings explore why industrial distributors are largely holding steady — and what’s really standing in the way of faster reshoring and nearshoring decisions.
February 5, 2026
Now is the time for distributors to abandon their “just-in-case” mindset, argues Nelson Valderrama. Today’s (and future) markets and competition require strategic inventory management that optimizes the return on investment in countless SKUs with shifting...
For many mid-size distributors, the warehouse is the biggest asset — a huge “bank account,” if you will. But unlike savings you can easily access, this inventory is a financial pain point. It’s a trap...
Staples is implementing the Manhattan Active Warehouse Management system across its U.S. fulfillment centers to enhance operational efficiency, and the company shared updated stats on its warehouse network.
This piece gathers commentary and insights from nearly a dozen various distributors to get a clearer picture of how and why they choose a WMS and what they look for in one.
Get the details on the platform’s new vending program and what it means for distributors in terms of a potential threat.
Accurate forecasting is a persistent challenge, and a lot stands in the way of improving visibility. This piece addresses how distributors are making headway on that front.
To improve lead time accuracy, Border States electrical supplies distributor will implement a AI-based prediction tool.
As customers continue to work down inventory levels into 2024, James Dorn and John Gunderson outline action items for optimizing inventory levels in partnership with suppliers to stay nimble and gain share.
Following his three-part article series, we had John Gunderson on the podcast for a deeper dive into Fastenal’s move from a company dependent on a nationwide branch network to one that emphasizes embedded customer service.
A Wall Street Journal report details how Amazon has revamped its vast U.S. logistics network to one leveraging eight distinct regions.
Jon Byrd advises on the costs of various challenges standing in the way of distributors’ inventory strategies, and how to overcome them.
Material resource planning has sufficed in distribution for decades, but it’s time to invest in technology that will further improve procurement strategies.
