Industry Outlook Archives

Associations / Channel Strategies / Growth Strategies / Industry Consolidation / Industry Outlook / Lighting / More Insights / People in the News / Reps / Sales Channel

Southwest Agency Merger – Hossley and L&PS

David Gordon Posted On August 5, 2020

Hossley Lighting Associates, led by Al Near, and Lighting & Power Solutions, led by Don Henderson, agreed to merge last week, forming a powerhouse agency serving the Southwest / Gulf Coast area. The two agencies, with a number of lighting […]

Channel Strategies / Customer Segments / Distributors / eMarketing / Growth Strategies / Industrial Market / Industry Outlook / More Insights

Different Models Part 2: Grainger 2020 Q2

David Gordon Posted On August 3, 2020

Grainger’s 2020 Q2 differed significantly from Rexel. It’s lessons focus on diversification, sourcing flexibility as a sales tool, focusing on serving selected markets in a crisis. From it’s Q2 earnings call and presentation with a focus on what could be […]

Distributors / Industry Consolidation / Industry Outlook / More Insights / Profitability

Two Distributors. Different Models. Rexel and Grainger.

David Gordon Posted On August 3, 2020

It’s 2020 Q2 earnings season and recent reports from Rexel and Grainger provide an opportunity to consider two drastically different models. Rexel is a traditional electrical distributor challenged with a consistent business model and painstakingly slowly trying to evolve to […]

Industrial Market / Industry Outlook / Manufacturers / More Insights

Where is ABB Going?

David Gordon Posted On July 26, 2020

Feedback from a number of people within the channel is that ABB seems to be an enigma, especially its ABB ELIP group, Electrification Installation Products Business (the “old” Thomas & Betts brand.) The GE Industrial Solutions group is now part […]

Channel Strategies / Growth Strategies / Industrial Market / Industry Outlook / Marketing / More Insights / Sales Channel

Industrial Opportunities and Investments

David Gordon Posted On July 14, 2020

In talking with manufacturers, reps and distributors there is concern about the longer-term commercial construction market given a dearth of opportunities for Q4 and beyond, however, the industrial market may represent an opportunity. According to Susan Brooke Sutherland in her […]

Channel Strategies / Customer Segments / Industry Outlook / Lighting / Manufacturers / More Insights

Acuity Outperforms in Distribution in Q2 (their Q3)

David Gordon Posted On July 7, 2020

Last week Acuity shared their fiscal Q3 earnings report (Q2 performance). Overall, their lighting performance correlated with our 2020 Q2 Pulse of Lighting report and they outperformed in their “independent” (electrical distribution) channel. They will probably do good this summer […]

Channel Strategies / Industry Outlook / Lighting / Research Reports

Q2 Pulse of Lighting Findings

David Gordon Posted On June 30, 2020

Channel Marketing Group’s 2020 Q2 Pulse of Lighting Report (available for purchase for $19) projects that the lighting market, through electrical distribution, contracted by 20%. The survey, conducted the third week in June, received responses from 164 individuals who equally […]

Channel Strategies / Distributors / eCommerce / Growth Strategies / Industry Outlook / More Insights / Technology

Evaluating eCommerce Companies, Forrester-style

David Gordon Posted On June 23, 2020

COVID has heightened the benefit or, and interest in, eCommerce for electrical distributors. Our second and third COVID-19 Electrical Market Sentiment Reports have shown that those with an eCommerce offering have seen online sales increases. Further, from conversations with distributors, […]

Channel Strategies / Distributors / Growth Strategies / Industry Outlook / Manufacturers / More Insights / Research Reports

Electrical Industry Moving Ahead According to Survey

David Gordon Posted On June 16, 2020

The results of our fourth COVID-19 Market Sentiment study (click to purchase report) are in and the electrical distribution industry is back to work, and sales are improving and the electrical industry is moving ahead. Based upon feedback from over […]

Associations / Channel Strategies / Distributors / Growth Strategies / Industry Outlook / Manufacturers / Marketing Groups / More Insights / Reps

Moving Ahead in the Age of COVID-19 – 4th Survey

David Gordon Posted On June 4, 2020

For many the industry came to a screeching halt in mid-March. Companies stopped travel, states went into lock-down, most construction across the country stopped. Those in the industry in the North East, parts of the West Coast, Pennsylvania and Michigan […]