Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast

Let's face it: when it comes to the tech adoption curve, wholesale distributors and manufacturers can be a little behind (Are you ? Hint: if you don't know what "adoption curve" means, you are). On this episode, we dive into the critical role that digital resources play in driving both growth and customer engagement. From providing valuable digital content, to the challenges of...

AI may be the most recent technology game-changer for wholesale distribution and manufacturing, but it's by no means the only one. In this week's episode, we're joined by guest Lin Chase, Ph. D., a 35-year veteran of enterprise technology and artificial intelligence and University Administrator. Together, we discuss the evolving landscape of technology in the manufacturing and distr...

A monster acquisition is reshaping wholesale distribution and manufacturing: Home Depot's acquisition of SRS distribution, a move that expands their reach to tradesmen and building materials across 47 states. What's the real magic behind this move? It  emphasizes the importance of meeting buyers where they are and adapting to their preferences. In this episode, we dive into this developm...

In this week's episode, Kevin and Tom are joined by Scott Costa, Publisher of the Electrical Distributor magazine (tED). Scott gives his unique insight to the importance of data-driven decisions in B2B marketing and the false allure of solely relying on intent data, emphasizing the need to focus on creating demand earlier in the process rather than just capturing existing intent. We also delv...

These are tumultuous times in wholesale distribution: U.S. small business sentiment fell in February to the lowest level since May due to continued concerns around inflation. In addition, the consumer price index, a broad measure of goods and services costs, increased 0.4% for the month and 3.2% from a year ago. Combine this with strikes at East Coast ports and shipping restrictions through the Pa...

According to Reuters, U.S. wholesale inventories fell more than initially thought in January of 2024, which could negatively impact economic growth estimates for the first quarter. Inventories dropped 0.3% instead of dipping 0.1% as estimated last month.  At January's sales pace it would take wholesalers 1.36 months to clear shelves, up from 1.34 months in December. So what does this mean for...

In the competitive world of wholesale distribution, businesses are increasingly recognizing the transformative power of tailoring their marketing efforts to meet the unique needs of individual clients and stakeholders. It's no longer a "one size fits all" marketplace: personalizing your customer journey and customer experience is key to retaining business. This week, Tom and Kevin,...

In 2006, there were less than 80 B2B marketplaces in the world. Within the next two years, that number will top 1,000. At the same time, Generative AI is reshaping the job market, subtly influencing job postings rather than triggering widespread layoffs. The tools for wholesale distribution and wholesale manufacturing are increasing exponentially...so how does this effect your wholesale channels?...

 For the first time in two decades, the U.S. has purchased more goods from Mexico than it has from China, providing further evidence for how much global trading patterns have shifted. Indeed, supply chain managers have seen an increasing need to adopt new technologies, including a growing initiative to increase nearshoring or onshoring efforts. Disruptions in wholesale distribution and manufacturi...

The fragility of the world’s supply chains has been underscored again by escalating tensions in the Red Sea and decisions by major shipping companies to bypass the Suez Canal in favor of a longer and safer route around Africa. But "longer" can mean two things: delays in delivery and more expense. What does this mean in the face of other economic factors that point to a booming recovery (...

U.S. business activity picked up in January and inflation appeared to abate, with a measure of prices charged by companies for their products falling to the lowest level in more than 3-1/2 years. Combined with a GDP report indicating growth at a whopping 3.3%, it appears the economy kicked off 2024 on a strong note. So what does that mean for wholesale distributors and manufacturers? This week, Ke...

The conflict in the Middle East has had repercussions throughout the wholesale distribution industry. According to Reuters, global trade declined by 1.3% from November to December 2023 as militant attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea led to a plunge in the volumes of cargo transported in that key region, while CNBC reports that Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are not only driving up sea freigh...

For a very special episode of Around The Horn, we've assembled a top-notch roundtable of experts in wholesale distribution and manufacturing: Dirk Beveridge, Founder of UnleashWD; Ian Heller of the Distribution Strategy Group; and Mike Marks, Founding Partner at Indian River Consulting Group. Together with Tom & Kevin, we go "Around The Horn" to discuss the key takeaways from 20...

Most prognosticators agree: the economic outlook seems pretty rosy as we head into 2024. Construction spending during November 2023 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 11.3% above November 2022, while revenues are expected to increase in 15 of 18 manufacturing industries and 16 of 18 services-sector industries. But do disruptions in global supply chains, fueled by geopolitical cr...

As 2023 wraps up, wholesale distribution finds itself in a period of unprecedented technological advancement...along with cyber threats to match. While Generative AI and other machine learning tools are being added to ERP at a rapid pace, bringing new levels of automation and efficiency to business processes across the enterprise, threats still continue to grow. Threats to cybersecurity continue t...

Providing product on time, on budget, and on spec is driving suppliers and retailers at every level to rethink their production and sourcing outside the United States. This onshoring has the potential to benefit not just wholesale distributors, but all kinds of small and mid-cap companies. On this week's podcast, we take a deeper dive into the new phenomenon of onshoring, and look at how it a...

Cyberattacks surged this year, with millions of companies falling victim to ransomeware attacks. Ransomeware "gangs" are getting even more sophisticated, targeting organizations with critical user data, such as government and healthcare facilities. How do you keep your all-important data safe, especially as you integrate more AI into your systems? This week, Kevin and Tom break down all...

Last week, the government upgraded its estimate for quarterly economic growth to a 5.2% annualized rate. But what really drove that growth? Meanwhile, Amazon quietly became the biggest parcel delivery business in the United States...but how? And what will happen to the economy downstream when the economic impact of the UAW strike hits manufacturers and suppliers? This week, we're joined by gu...

With the UAW strikes getting resolved, hiring for the holiday season, falling mortgage interest rates, and a 10% rise in the stock market, are we seeing a real turnaround in the economy? If so, what will the impact be for wholesale distribution? This week, we take a closer look at the latest news on the late-year economy. We also look at AI advancements for managing the supply chain and automating...

All things AI took some twists and turns this week. After the Biden Administration announced plans to help regulate AI, some companies are left scrambling for answers on what it all means. Meanwhile, Amazon disclosed an ambitious effort to train Large Language Models in a manner that will allow them to compete with the biggest names in AI technology. What does it all mean? This week, we take a clo...

According to Reuters, small and medium-sized companies in Germany are turning to automation as the gradual exit from the workplace of Germany's post-war "baby boom" generation tightens the labor squeeze. Can we expect to see the same thing here in the U.S., and will further increases in automation create a new boon for wholesale distributors? This week, Kevin and Tom are joined by M...

Everyone talks about using data to help generate sales, but what does that really mean in a B2B environment when your data is spread out all across the supply chain? This week, Kevin and Tom feature guest Ron Paulson, a 30-year veteran of Granger and now the Founder of Paulson Advisory, to give an insider's view about the best way to find, mine, and leverage your B2B customer data. We also di...

Do you assume that a prospective customer moves seamlessly from awareness to consideration to conversation in a pre-determined way? If so, you may be in for a shock. According to a new report, many B2B marketing experts agree the traditional marketing funnel is no longer fit for purpose. This week, we're joined by Dan Vanacore, Director of New Business Development at Cloud 9 ERP Solutions, to...

According to Reuters, U.S. manufacturing took a step further towards recovery in September as production picked up and employment rebounded, while prices paid for inputs by factories fell considerably. In fact, B2B buyers are placing more frequent orders online, according to Forrester Research. Is this post-COVID recovery real, and how will this potential economic boom land with new concerns over...

Ever notice how news stories about the economy increasingly appear side-by-side with stories about AI? There's a link between these two very important elements, as well as with their big brother: data. On this week's episode, we're joined by Will Quinn,  Director of Industry Solution & Strategy at Infor, to reveal this fascinating interconnection and its relationship to wholesal...