Last week we shared information, highlighted the potential opportunities and discussed potential distributor involvement in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) arena while also featuring the first segment of input from Dick Friedman. As promised, below are additional thoughts from Dick: Part one of this series touched on the threat of … [Read more...] about Entering and Managing In the IoT Space
Industry Insights
2017 Planning – Macro Outlook, Wood Building Construction & Oil
It\'s now about 30 days to the AD and IMARK national meetings. Graybar just held their national meeting. Manufacturers and distributors should be well underway in their individual planning. 2017 joint business planning is quickly upon us and, in continuing with our planning series, below is some information, and thoughts, that may help you. In this edition we\'re covering … [Read more...] about 2017 Planning – Macro Outlook, Wood Building Construction & Oil
Welcome to 2017 Planning Season
Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer as well as the unofficial beginning of the 2017 planning season in the electrical industry. While we know a number of manufacturers and distributors who have started to embark on their planning journey, most who do planning will start in the next 30-60 days. And consider that the NAED Eastern is in nine weeks and that the AD and … [Read more...] about Welcome to 2017 Planning Season
Survey Finds Joint Business Planning Partners “Dissatisfied”
Following the completion of 2016 planning cycle, we heard a lot of frustration with the current Joint Business Planning (JBP) process. In response to this issue, Channel Marketing Group, in conjunction with Verde Associates, fielded a JBP survey to a wide group of planning process participants from both manufacturing and distributor companies. The purpose of this survey was … [Read more...] about Survey Finds Joint Business Planning Partners “Dissatisfied”
Grainger Q2 Earnings … Industrial slowdown continues
It\'s Q2 earning season, providing distributors (and manufacturers) with an opportunity to benchmark their performance, gain insights (or confirmation) on what they are seeing in the market and possibly learn a little from publicly held companies. First up is Grainger whose results reaffirm that the industrial slowdown continues, albeit it is no longer in free fall. Grainger … [Read more...] about Grainger Q2 Earnings … Industrial slowdown continues
An Industry Undergoing Change
We\'ve just passed the 6 month mark for the year and while there has been much change, the past month highlighted many and accelerated some. Consider: Consolidation Shealy sells to Border States to create a $2B ESOP. Grove Madsen sells to Sonepar Cape Electric sells to Graybar And we\'ve talked to others that have either expressed interest in selling (and have inquired … [Read more...] about An Industry Undergoing Change
Weak Jobs Report Impacting Electrical Industry?
Earlier this month the headline that many were commenting on was \"U.S. Hiring Slowed Dramatically in May; Jobless Rate Falls to 4.7%\". The story emphasized that non-farm payroll was up only 38,000 jobs and that March and April data were revised downward. In other words, a weak jobs report and outlook. While the jobless rate fell it was felt that this was due to individuals … [Read more...] about Weak Jobs Report Impacting Electrical Industry?
Grainger’s Q1 2016 Highlights Industrial Challenges
Grainger released its Q1 results today. Historically they represent a proxy for the industrial and industrial MRO market so we decided to review for insights...(italics are commentary). The bottom line is that business is essentially flat in the US with challenges in the industrial / natural resources segments AND the company is experiencing pricing pressures, which … [Read more...] about Grainger’s Q1 2016 Highlights Industrial Challenges
Increasing Pressure and Competition in the Industrial MRO Market
Grainger and WESCO are typically good industry benchmarks to get a sense of the industrial MRO market. Grainger also sometimes provides insights into the institutional market, so let\'s look at their end of year / quarterly reports where they also shed 2016 guidance. Grainger While their January headline was good \"up 4% for the month\", this included 4% for a UK acquisition … [Read more...] about Increasing Pressure and Competition in the Industrial MRO Market
