Ludwig Meister Co-CEO Max Meister joins the Podcast to explain why innovation fails without execution — and why AI won’t fix bad data. We also preview his SHIFT main stage session on benchmarking digital, data,...
Stellar Industrial Supply blends third-party platforms with in-house development to deliver a more seamless, data-driven customer experience. We continue our company deep dive as this piece explores how its buy-vs.-build strategy, automation efforts and digital...
The 2026 edition brought together enough Grainger customers, suppliers and staff to fill a small town, but the real story is how the event showcases the company’s evolving value proposition. Mike Hockett shares his key...
The first of this three-part series explores how a mid-market distributor built the leadership discipline, internal foundations and cultural alignment to make innovation scalable, repeatable and durable.
We take a deep dive into the industrial rubber, fluid power and automation distributor’s “coordinated autonomy” model — a strategy designed to balance shared scale advantages with true local decision-making. Here’s how Singer preserves legacy...
GPC announced the pending move alongside reporting 4Q25 and full-year financial results, which showed annual sales at Motion finish just shy of $9 billion.
Stellar’s DCS program has delivered approximately $250 million in verified customer savings over the past 16 years while taking the Tacoma, WA-based distributor from a regional player to a national standout. Here, we explain how...
Wipfli’s new 2026 distribution outlook warns that pricing pressure, supply uncertainty and labor strain are intensifying — and that digital tools now separate those who stay ahead from those who fall behind. Here, we distill...
Fasteners supplier Optimas Solutions has growth in its sights for 2026 and beyond. Here, COO Mark Korba tells MDM about the company’s roadmap, strategic priorities and market opportunities, and how its hybrid distributor-manufacturer model and...
How are your peers thinking about growth vs. resilience? The 3Q25 Baird-MDM survey reveals nearly half of distributors balance both equally.
New tariffs and shifting trade policies are causing wholesale distributors to adapt through data-driven planning and supply chain risk management. Here’s how to maintain effective pricing strategies and meet customer obligations as the ground beneath...
Distributors face a critical choice between building custom software and adopting off-the-shelf solutions, each with distinct costs, risks and benefits. Here’s a guide for determining which path is right for your organization.
