Grainger frequently is a good bellwether for the industrial market given their MRO focus on Fortune 500 industrial accounts. Grainger\'s performance highlights that the industrial MRO rate of growth decelerated significantly. Q2 Report From their quarterly report and slide presentation: Started off saying “the demand environment has softened throughout the year.”They … [Read more...] about Grainger Q2 Sales Slow … Industrial Indicator?
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Compete for Grainger’s Business: eProcurement
Many industrially-oriented distributors lament that they can’t compete versus Grainger for MRO business at their accounts. They say “we now the ‘decision’ makers and can beat them on price but we can’t get the business. The same occurs with large institutional accounts (educational and healthcare facilities.) And the reality is Grainger does $1-2 billion in electrical … [Read more...] about Compete for Grainger’s Business: eProcurement
What is e-Procurement?
The article we had last month introducing Greenwing Technology as a punchout / e-Procurement resource and a new ElectricalTrends advertiser generated much feedback. Part of the reason is it is perceived that “punchouts” is “old school” and perhaps reserved for industrial customers. But, here’s the reality: What is “old” is new. Punchouts are e-ProcurementThe industrial … [Read more...] about What is e-Procurement?
Slow Growth in Industrial MRO … Grainger Reports
The industrial MRO market appears to have slowed its rate of growth as evidenced by Grainger’s 2019 first quarter report. While Grainger is much more than electrical products, products commonly associated with the electrical industry (electrical, lighting, motors) represent 9% of sales with power and hand tools representing another 10% according to Grainger’s 2019 Fact Sheet, … [Read more...] about Slow Growth in Industrial MRO … Grainger Reports
Punchouts Drive eCommerce
eCommerce is more than, in the words of an Amazon and MRO analyst, “click and ship”. eCommerce is about a methodology and a mindset to do business more electronically. In fact, the commerce element can be very diversified, especially for medium to large MRO buyers. Consider Amazon Business, Grainger and MSC. Both Grainger and MSC report that over 40% of … [Read more...] about Punchouts Drive eCommerce
Manufacturing and Technology Trends
IndustryWeek\'s Manufacturing and Technology Conference, held last week in Raleigh, highlighted the continued infusing of technology into manufacturing ... onto the plant floor as well as through product design. And it\'s a trend that electrical distributors can be uniquely positioned to support and can benefit from. Key words that were used repeatedly included: Smart IoT … [Read more...] about Manufacturing and Technology Trends
Info to Help Your 2018 Planning
Occasionally we come across information that can assist your planning. Below is info regarding the MidAtlantic industrial market, the residential market and how to improve warehouse operations. Industrial Planning Information The Mid-Atlantic market region, which includes Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, is preparing for $49.8 billion in … [Read more...] about Info to Help Your 2018 Planning
Arrival of the “Alt Channels”- Amazon and Zoro Advertise
Much has been researched, written and talked about the emergence of alternate (alt) channels. Amazon Business is regularly mentioned and Grainger\'s eCommerce initiatives are lauded. Now comes Zoro Tools, which many may recall Grainger purchased and has been promoting here in the U.S. Both companies have influenced eCommerce spend among electrical distributors but not many have … [Read more...] about Arrival of the “Alt Channels”- Amazon and Zoro Advertise
Industrial Market Drivers, Can You Compete Differently
Over the past few weeks distributors and manufacturers are reporting an uptick in their industrial business and, in some cases, a significant increase. The reasons vary from \"general optimism\" to the increase in oil rigs; from replacing / upgrading aging equipment to responding to the need for increased capacity; from consolidation of operations requiring investment in a … [Read more...] about Industrial Market Drivers, Can You Compete Differently
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
