Over the past few weeks, I’ve been observing the quarterly reports and other communiques by distributors in a number of industries – Sonepar, Rexel, Watsco, Fastenal, Grainger, Ferguson and similar – and there has been a recurring trend … growth […]
Q2 started with some personnel announcements and an acquisition announcement so we wrapped up Q1 with an overview of People, Products, and Companies. People McNaughton-McKay In a move that surprised many, McNaughton-McKay announced that Steve Guidry is now the new […]
The last several months have been tumultuous for the electrical industry as tariff policy gyrated to such an extent that the market has effectively paused awaiting more clarity. This was validated by the 1Q25 Pulse of Lighting results, where much […]
Given feedback from our Q1 Pulse of Lighting Report and Acuity’s Q2 earnings report, we can say with confidence, “the lighting market was flat last quarter with business slowing as the quarter progressed.” The quarter was initially hit with weather […]
If we’re to believe, AI is going to solve all our problems! It’s going to manage the sales organization, handle quoting, respond to customer service calls, make product recommendations, manage inventory, recommend and adjust pricing, analyze the business, simplify marketing, […]
MANA (the Manufacturers’ Agent National Association) recently had a very interesting article in their magazine on the need for manufacturer representatives to market themselves to their manufacturers as this can help reduce the risk of terminations caused by manufacturer personnel […]
When lighting companies show up at AHR to exhibit and talk about lighting controls, as well as hold educational sessions / press briefings, you know the lighting market is changing. This is what Acuity / QSC and Delta Intelligent Building […]
When tariffs were announced in February, we cautioned that the best strategy for distributors was to focus on their processes so that they could facilitate passing through the price increases. Part of our guidance was to automate implementation of price […]
One thing you can say about the NFL is that the role of the player (aka “the employee”) is heightened due to the compensation level. The importance of the players (aka “the product”) also enables them to have a voice. […]
There are some tariffs we know (China, imported steel and aluminum) and then those (at least at the time of this writing) that are proposed (Canada / Mexico) and then others that are “floated” for consideration, or at least media […]
David Gordon
Channel Marketing Group
919-488-8635
