Focused on generating demand for their manufacturers and delivering support for end-users that drives product usage (sales) for distributors, is the core value proposition for independent manufacturer representatives. As described in NEMRA’s 2020 Rep of the Future Report (and if […]
The first US acquisition of the second half of the year and the third Canadian acquisition since July 1st were announced yesterday. Rexel’s Mayer division and Lawson Products, Canada, made acquisitions. Mayer Electric Acquires Electrical Supplies Inc , an operating […]
The second half of the year has started and the first week brought acquisitions / mergers and news that will, and could, influence many other factors. In most industry acquisitions, the acquisition of one company by another typically has most […]
Electrical distributors, manufacturer representatives, and lighting agents face a continuous challenge with project quotations … the need for speed. Contractors, and specifiers, want everything yesterday. And once they finally place an order, they want the submittal information “yesterday.” In addition […]
Everyone wants growth and loyalty. While companies strive to achieve this with quality products, service, and people (relationships), frequently the role of incentives to drive growth and/or engender loyalty come into play. I’ve been involved in the incentive industry since […]
The market for many is reportedly “slow”, especially when compared to the supply-chain, inflation-driven market of the past few years. We’re hearing the market in the southeast and southwest are better and that those with intentional strategies in other markets […]
The rep world continues to change. While the past few years have been marked with rep consolidation, the emergence of the mega / “national” rep (really, they are all quasi-national), and reps expanding into new contiguous territories, we’re seeing a […]
The concern that persistently “high” interest rates would affect the acquisition market are proving unfounded. So far this quarter, the electrical distribution industry continues on the acquisition trail. Deals have included: HD Supply acquiring SRS. Graybar’s Valin business acquiring Dynamic […]
Spring is known throughout distribution as the time to get together with customers. For many it is an excuse to pull together a golf outing or, if you are a lighting agent, an opportunity to take customers to a factory […]
Recently Graybar announced record sales of $11 billion and, more importantly, a sales increase of 4.8%. Net income increased to $463 million. A “record” is nice, but any growth will generate a new record. While they serve some of the […]
