According to an email we just received from NAED, confirmed by press releases on Trade Service’s website and IDEA’s website, the two companies are moving on from their 10 year agreements. Click the links above to see the press releases […]
With commodity pricing soaring, many manufacturers are pushing price increases down to distributors who are scrambling to enter the information into their systems to update costs and then pass them on to their customers where ever they can. Sometimes they […]
A little levity for the weekend, and a comment on the value of change orders to contractors … where the real money is. It helps when the “normal” change order price differential is some 40 to 60% higher material cost […]
Just some things we’re hearing in the marketplace that are doing a good job of eroding margin for many… While much has been discussed about private labeling and some chains continue to pursue this, some things to consider: HD Supply […]
We were reviewing Purchasing magazine this morning and noticed that there were a number of articles relating to various metals markets. With metals (copper, zinc, aluminum, steel) having significant impact on the electrical industry, we thought a recap and some […]
Lowes is getting more aggressive in pursuing the commercial market by taking a page from distribution … using counter days and pricing to drive traffice.Recently they sent a mass mailer to addresses within a specific diameter around their stores. They […]
There are essentially three strategies to survive, and thrive, in a slowdown or recession (whichever term you prefer). They are: Take advantage of opportunities and “sell” your way through the economic challenge, hence positioning yourself for the inevitable upturn. This […]
Indications from distributors throughout the country is that margins are eroding. Daily, distributors are fighting to capture business and retain, or grow, market share. Retention is needed to “feed the engine” and generate revenue and cash flow. Some are using […]
Over the past month we’ve talked to a number of companies regarding their “sales projections” for 2008. Surprisingly, a number of manufacturers talked about sales increases in the high single digits / low double digits. Given that this didn’t compute […]
With an eye towards a slow growth economy, recently we launched a three part series in Electrical Wholesaling entitled “Back to Basics”. The premise is that in a slow growth economy it is important to “tighten” the back of the […]
