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About 84% of distributor respondents in the latest Baird/NAW survey report an impact from political uncertainty, while manufacturers more often describe it as major. We break down the figures for distributors and manufacturers and analyze what they suggest.
October 27, 2026
New NAW survey data show that sub-$100M distributors respond to cost pressure with a single blunt instrument, even as that pressure arrives through at least three different channels at once.
The 2Q26 NAW-Baird Industrial Distribution Survey reveals what distributors are most excited — and most concerned — about over the next 12 months, from demand recovery to geopolitical uncertainty.
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...
Most distributors report stable supplier relationships over the past two years, while manufacturers report significantly greater improvement. See commentary and results from the latest 2Q26 NAW-Baird Industrial Distribution Survey.
This piece analyzes recent MDM survey data to compare pricing power divergence between large and small distributors. It’s measurable, and most small companies haven’t seen it yet, says author Nelson Valderrama.
Distributors say national players and PE-backed consolidation are challenging the competitive landscape. Check out commentary and survey results from the latest MDM-Baird Industrial Distribution Survey.
In an analysis of the latest Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution survey, distributors signaled concern that geopolitical conflict, such as the Iran War, could trigger cascading effects across pricing, operating costs and customer demand.
The 1Q26 Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution survey shows pricing power holding steady, but commentary reflects a more divided market shaped by competition, costs and customer behavior. We analyze the data here.
We share our latest survey-driven snapshot of what distributors and manufacturers indicated their digital sales are, plenty of commentary from distributors on the matter and our analysis and context on underlying factors.
One-third of distributors polled in the 4Q25 Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution survey say recruiting skilled labor is their biggest workforce challenge this year — and rising wages are forcing some to make cuts. We analyze the...
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...
Driven by continued AI adoption and ERP upgrades, more than half of the distributors/manufacturers polled in the 4Q25 Baird-MDM survey expect to increase IT investment in 2026.
