In the first of a two-part series, John Johnson examines the key factors leading manufacturers to domesticate more of their production and what distributors should keep an eye on.
We polled distributors to ask if those that lost customers amid the height of supply chain issues in the past few years are starting to see those customers return. See the exclusive results and commentary...
Operations
Article
4Q Survey: Distributors Lay Out 2023 Digital Priorities
Baird and MDM polled distributors about what digital projects they’ll prioritize this year. Read the exclusive analysis and commentary here.
Economic Trends
Article
Data: Distributors Share Their 2023 Labor and Freight Cost Expectations
We polled distributors about how they expect their labor and freight costs to change from 2022 to 2023. See the exclusive results and commentary here.
We polled distributors about how much pricing influenced last year’s revenue numbers. See the exclusive results and commentary here.
Economic Trends
Article
Inflation, Freight, Output & Demand: Where Things Stand to Begin 2023
Ahead of MDM’s Economic Outlook webcast, Mike Hockett gave a snapshot of a handful of key indicators showing current trajectories.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Article
After 2 Years of Healthy M&A, What Can We Expect in 2023?
With slumping economic indicators and a forecasted demand slowdown, can we expect M&A deal volume to follow suit? Mike Hockett analyzes the current state of activity as we start 2023 and the factors involved.
Technology
Article
IT, as in Integral to Transformation
Successful digitalization requires a change agent. Here’s why distributors would be wise to give that role to their IT teams.
Human Resources
Article
Tired of Job-Hopping Staff? It May Soon Get Worse
Keeping staff from seeking greener pastures has been a major challenge for distributors in recent years, and a proposed FTC rule to end noncompete clauses could take it to another level.
Strategy
Article
Inside Werner Electric’s Digital Evolution
Mike Hockett recounts a case study that walked through the distributor’s four-year and ongoing journey that defined a digital strategy catering to an omnichannel customer experience.
Expert Perspective
Article
MDM’s Top Premium Content of 2022: Supply Chain Updates Lead the Way
We continue our year-end retrospective series with a look back at MDM’s top Premium content of 2022.
Digital Commerce
Article
Analysis: Zoro’s Explosive Marketplace Growth
Mike Hockett dives into the numbers behind Grainger’s $1 billion U.S. digital marketplace, what Zoro has done to support its rapid growth and why there’s no slowdown in sight.

