Much news in the wire business today with Southwire, AIW, Encore and General Cable all making financial news … acquisitions and debt payoffs. Starting with the big announcement, as many know, Southwire acquired “certain assets” of AIW (okay, the assets […]
After a little hiatus for the holidays, it’s time to get back to work. First order of business … Happy New Year and may your 2010 bring your sales and profit growth, or at least stability, and may 2009 remain […]
As most will remember, a few years ago Home Depot went on a buying spree, acquiring a number of wholesalers in the construction industries. After purchasing Hughes Supply, they went on to purchase a couple of electrical distributors before Home […]
Last Thursday, Rexel held an Investor Day in Lyon, France. During this meeting, Rexel updated analysts, and probably other investors on its 2010-2012 growth strategy.The report can be found, and downloaded, here. And coincidentally, Rexel announced today that it is […]
We’re starting to see, and hear, rumblings in the M&A market. Many have wondered when this would start in the distribution industries. With credit tight, it has been a challenge. And banks loath the word “construction” (must be that they […]
A little bit of a “mishmash” of things we’ve been thinking and seeing recently that we’d like your thoughts on marketing funds, Infor and GE Automation (and Industrial). Marketing Funds (Co-op and MDF) – distributors love them (and think they […]
It appears that companies in a number of industries are starting to shop … for other companies. Witness Dell buying Perot, Kraft making an offer to Cadbury, Emerson buying Avocent, Lewis Goetz buying International Gasket, HD Supply and ORCO Construction […]
We’re hearing from a number of sources that a number of the national chains, specifically Graybar, WESCO and Rexel (and possibly more) are selectively closing branches, primarily in what one manufacturer calls the “sand states” (Southwest / West Coast). This […]
Some interesting information has been shared by public companies over the past couple of days as well as some construction forecast information. Hubbell purchased Burndy this week, netting itself a $225M company for $360M. On the surface this appears to […]
