When Wesco merged with Anixter in 2020, it took on a margin improvement plan, which may help the company reach its 10% EBITDA margin target.
Economic Trends
Article
November Data: Wholesale Revenue Optimism Continues Uptick
Overall, revenue outlooks for 2023 and 2024 improved for a second straight month. Mike Hockett dives into the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest wholesale trade data.
Human Resources
Article
How to Cover Labor Costs with Sales
In the last of his three-part series, Randy MacLean says you’ll be surprised at what’s possible in using sales to gain at least some immunity from labor cost challenges.
Quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey
Article
What are Distributors’ Economic Expectations for 2024?
More than three-fourths of executives who responded to the 3Q 2023 Baird-MDM Industrial Survey said they expect either flat or modest growth in 2024.
Technology
Article
Where Distributors Stand Among AI’s Hype
Are you an early adopter? Are you falling behind the curve? Where do you stand among all the hype of generative AI in distribution?
Strategy
Article
How Global Industrial Became a Distribution Outperformer
Mike Hockett recounts his fireside chat with Barry Litwin at MDM’s SHIFT conference, where the CEO detailed how the company actioned its many recent initiatives.
Human Resources
Article
How to Apply Analytics for Smarter Distribution Labor
In the second of his three-part series, Randy MacLean shows the manageable metrics that drive operational efficiency and guide labor assignments.
Quarterly MDM-Baird Distribution Survey
Article
Data: Distributors Working Though Overstock Amid Slowdown
Mike Hockett examines where wholesale inventory levels are at today, where they are headed and MDM’s latest data on just how big of an issue excess inventory may be entering 2024.
Human Resources
Article
Data: Distributors, Manufacturers Seeing Slow Progress on Labor Front
The 3Q23 Baird-MDM Survey revealed new quantitative data on industry-wide frontline hiring/retention, and plenty of interesting commentary.
Economic Trends
Article
Wholesale Revenue Expectations Improve as Monthly Growth Continues
Mike Hockett examines the latest economic trending data as it pertains to wholesale distributors, including their revenue expectations through next year.
Sales & Marketing
Article
Tech as a Teammate: How to Use Automation to Lighten the Sales Load
Technology has the power to lighten the load on a distributor’s sales team, freeing time to focus on higher-quality deals, says Gartner’s sales VP.
Human Resources
Article
How Changing Demographics Are Killing Profits
In Part 1 of a three-part series, Randy MacLean uses government data to explain why labor has become scarce and expensive before outlining action to exploit the opportunity it actually presents.

