Trends in Industrial Distribution

Industrial distributors are facing an identity crisis, uncertain of their value-add and profit model. This is concerning, because their most important customers and suppliers know what they want from distributors and are working hard to get the results they expect. If industrial distributors want to have a hand in determining their future, they will need to reconnect with critical customers and suppliers, understand their goals, and work aggressively to carve out a new approach for adding value from the middle of the supply chain.

These conclusions emerged from an analysis of Industrial Distribution’s 59th Annual Survey of Distributor Operations. The study chronicles a wide spectrum of distributor experiences, predictions, and business results. Over 750 executives offered their views on market trends, operations, investments, profitability, and the actions of their most important customers and suppliers.

Read more from the survey analysis.