Mike Hockett analyzes different angles of this $18.25 billion megadeal in building materials distribution and the questions it raises for the markets it touches.
Market Analysis
Article
Inside Border States’ Remarkable Expansion
The distributor’s major acquisition of Dominion Electric is just the latest piece in what has been a rapid 13-year expansion. Mike Hockett breaks down what Dominion adds to Border States and how it aligns with...
Expert Perspective
Article
Thoughts from MODEX: The Expo Epicenter of Warehouse Technology
The massive supply chain expo and conference showcased the latest and greatest in warehouse tech, with much of it aimed at augmenting labor woes.
Economic Trends
Article
MDM March Forecast: Oil & Gas Drives Weakened 2024 Outlook
While oil & gas led the March downward revision for 2024, 10 of 19 total industry verticals likewise trended more pessimistic.
While adoption rates for both sides are relatively slow-going, this piece examines new data that shows the gap between them.
The company’s biennial Grainger Show customer event perfectly demonstrated how the distributor is hyper-focused on customer solutions — just one of which is its expansive product assortment.
Expert Perspective
Article
An Ethical Examination of Business AI
While application possibilities understandably drive AI discussions, the ethics component has been overlooked. This piece dives deep into the guardrails distributors will want to keep in mind as they navigate their AI journey.
Technology
Article
Ride the AI and Data Wave: Your Business Success Secret Sauce
While distribution has been slow to embrace the game-changing technology that tech giants have pioneered and exploited, the industry can still take advantage of the AI infrastructure that exists.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Article
Behind the Deal: Ferguson’s Bolt-On Acquisition Strategy Amplifies Growth
Hear from Ferguson’s CFO on its growth strategy and the acquisitions keeping the plumbing and industrial distribution giant in the headlines.
Economic Trends
Article
MDM Forecast: Back to Normal After 2023 Wholesale Revenue Dipped Below $8T
With 2023’s final wholesale trade numbers accounted for, see how the sector fared compared to previous years, and our latest 2024-2025 revenue expecations by industry vertical.
Cybersecurity
Article
So You’ve Been Cyber-Attacked. Now What?
With cyber attacks being a matter of when rather than if it happens to you, Nick Pericle concludes his 3-part series here with initial response steps to take when your organization suffers an attack and...
Quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey
Article
Survey: How Will Supplier Pricing Impact Distributors’ Gross Margin in 2024?
Distributors won’t be able to pass along price increases in 2024 at nearly the rate of 2021-2023. So, the 4Q23 Baird-MDM Survey asked distributors how they see supplier pricing impacting gross margin.

