Executive Briefing: State of the Channel 2024

https://youtu.be/DGljeKapVSY Our 2024 State of the Channel Executive Briefing dives into key trends and challenges in distribution and manufacturing, drawing on surveys across both sectors to underscore the importance of understanding market dynamics. From pricing pressures to talent shortages, the presentation urges adaptation to changing conditions, while also exploring growth opportunities like infrastructure investment. It concludes with strategic insights on sales, inventory management, and digital enablement, equipping participants with actionable recommendations for staying competitive in today's evolving landscape. Key Takeaways: The Dorn 2024 briefing addresses key trends and challenges in the [...]

Executive Briefing: State of the Channel 20242024-02-20T11:20:17-06:00

Fastenal’s Big Pivot, Part 3: Investments, Line Expansions & Digital Growth

This article was reprinted with permission from Modern Distribution Management (MDM). It is a great publication and we highly recommend becoming an MDM Premium subscriber, for over 50 years MDM has provided industry leading content for B2B Manufacturers and Distributors. Become an MDM Premium subscriber at https://www.mdm.com/subscribe_premium/ In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series detailing how Fastenal made the Big Pivot, I covered how the company achieved record-setting growth through a multi-sided transformation: reconfiguring their branch network by closing branches, growing onsite embedded branches and developing new sales strategies. [...]

Fastenal’s Big Pivot, Part 3: Investments, Line Expansions & Digital Growth2023-12-01T12:22:27-06:00

Fastenal’s Big Pivot, Part 2: Sales Specialization & Realignment

This article was reprinted with permission from Modern Distribution Management (MDM). It is a great publication and we highly recommend becoming an MDM Premium subscriber, for over 50 years MDM has provided industry leading content for B2B Manufacturers and Distributors. Become an MDM Premium subscriber at https://www.mdm.com/subscribe_premium/ In Part 1 of this detective series on how Fastenal made the “Big Pivot,” we covered how the distributor achieved record-setting growth while resetting its brick-and-mortar network by closing 1,000-plus branches over a decade. This move to fewer locations while adding more Onsite resources at [...]

Fastenal’s Big Pivot, Part 2: Sales Specialization & Realignment2023-11-27T11:08:19-06:00

How Fastenal Made the ‘Big Pivot’ that Paid Big Dividends

This article was reprinted with permission from Modern Distribution Management (MDM). It is a great publication and we highly recommend becoming an MDM Premium subscriber, for over 50 years MDM has provided industry leading content for B2B Manufacturers and Distributors. Become an MDM Premium subscriber at https://www.mdm.com/subscribe_premium/ A decade ago I worked for a large B2B distributor 151 miles down the Mississippi River from a B2B distributor in Winona, Minnesota that you might know… named Fastenal. We were not in the same channel, but we operated our businesses in a similar [...]

How Fastenal Made the ‘Big Pivot’ that Paid Big Dividends2023-11-20T12:07:58-06:00

Using Active Category Management to Drive Profitability

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8hcQLIK118 Many distributors have seen double-digit growth with historic profit levels over the past three years that are now moderating. So they are largely focused on shoring up profitability. Manufacturers have weathered severe supply chain challenges over the same period, have invested in automation and other efficiencies, and now are growth-oriented. How do you reconcile these opposing mindsets and goals? In a cycle with slowing demand and increased pricing pressure, James Dorn and Tom Gale outline Active Category Management as a timely year-end strategy. You can also listen to this episode [...]

Using Active Category Management to Drive Profitability2023-11-27T11:26:55-06:00