Customer Segments Archives

Customer Segments / Industry News / Lighting / Lighting2 / Manufacturers / Marketing Groups / More Insights / Technology

Lights On, Lights Off – The Tale of Cree and Acuity

David Gordon Posted On November 1, 2016

You may remember the tv ads for The Clapper. The device where you clapped and the lights went on; clap again and they went off. It appears to be making a comeback, albeit as an analogy for Acuity and Cree. […]

Customer Segments / Industry News / Manufacturers / More Insights

Encore and Schneider / Square D highlight construction market

David Gordon Posted On October 30, 2016

Some insights from Encore Wire and Schneider Electric / Square D third quarter earnings. First from Encore and their analyst call: Unit volume for copper was up 1% in pounds and 4% in aluminum pounds in the quarter (while it results […]

Contractors / Customer Segments / Growth Strategies / Industry News / Lighting / Lighting2 / Manufacturers / More Insights / Productivity / Research Reports

Construction Process Disruption & 2017 Dodge Construction Forecast

David Gordon Posted On October 25, 2016

Many at last week’s Dodge Data & Analytics Construction Outlook conference, which coincided with the AD North American Meeting at the same hotel, over 170 manufacturers and retailers attended to gain insights into 2017. While many came for the outlook […]

Customer Segments / Growth Strategies / Industry News / More Insights

2017 Planning – Macro Outlook, Wood Building Construction & Oil

David Gordon Posted On September 21, 2016

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 […]

Channel Strategies / Customer Segments / eBusiness / eMarketing / Growth Strategies / Marketing Groups / More Insights / Technology

Is Amazon An Alternate Channel or Just Meeting Customer Needs?

David Gordon Posted On September 12, 2016

Yes, Amazon Business is a competitor to distributors. It is also an opportunity for manufacturers given that it represents an additional distribution channel to reach customers. Why? Because some customers desire to purchase through a different mode. Why are they […]

Customer Segments / Growth Strategies / Lighting / Lighting2 / Marketing / More Insights / Supplier / Products

Energy Efficiency & Evolution of Utility Rebates

David Gordon Posted On September 8, 2016

A continued growth area for distributors is energy efficiency. While new construction, almost by definition, will utilize “energy efficient” products, the renovation market is where there is continued growth potential. It requires companies to be aware of the benefits, their […]

Channel Strategies / Customer Segments / Distributors / Growth Strategies / Industry News / Manufacturers / More Insights

Welcome to 2017 Planning Season

David Gordon Posted On September 6, 2016

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 […]

Customer Segments / Growth Strategies / Industrial Market / Lighting / Lighting2 / Manufacturers / Marketing / More Insights / Sales Channel / Supplier / Products / Training

Industrial LED Lighting … An Opportunity?

David Gordon Posted On August 30, 2016

2016 has been a challenging year for many industrially-oriented electrical distributors. Between the decline and ripple effects of oil and gas markets, the strength of the dollar constricting the OEM market, the agricultural equipment market stagnating and economic growth being […]

Customer Segments / Lighting / Lighting2 / Manufacturers / More Insights / Sales Channel

What’s Going on With Cree?

David Gordon Posted On August 21, 2016

Earlier this week Cree announced its 2016 fourth quarter fiscal year performance. The following are notes from their investor call but, the end result was essentially “what’s going on with Cree?” given that the stock essentially tanked thereafter. From their […]

Channel Strategies / Customer Segments / eBusiness / eMarketing / Growth Strategies / Industry Consolidation / More Insights / People in the News / Technology

What can be learned from Crescent Electric and Walmart?

David Gordon Posted On August 10, 2016

What do Crescent Electric and Walmart have in common? They both have recently made eCommerce acquisitions … and probably for the same reasons. And both, probably, have been frustrated with the pace of their eCommerce initiative. Consider this: Walmart just […]