Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast

With the United Auto Workers strike in full swing at 3 facilities, production at U.S. factories barely rose in August as motor vehicle output dropped, and further activity could plunge in the months ahead. What does this mean for the near term and long term outlook for wholesale distribution? This week, Kevin and Tom are joined by Mike Mortensen, President & CEO of ARG Industrial, to lend thei...

Did you miss ISA Summer Sessions? Then we've got you covered! This week, Tom & Kevin are joined by Kristin Kraai-Keely and Brandon Breen, who organized these informative ISA sessions. We'll review the most important topics and key takeaways from these talks and get you up to date. And if you were able to attend, you won't want to miss these unique, personal insights from the ses...

According to a recent Digital Commerce 360 survey, B2B eCommerce growth is continuing in the wholesale distribution sector...yet only 17% of those surveyed said they offered full end-to-end integration of commerce transactions. Is your company one of those, and are you missing out on this exciting growth trend? This week, Tom and Kevin dive into the facts and figures to show the trends in B2B eCom...

Manufacturing activity in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region grew at its strongest pace since April 2022, as new orders surged amidst robust consumer demand. But at the same time, government data reveals that for the first six months of 2023, all distribution and manufacturing sales were flat at about $10.93 trillion. What's the deal here? To find out, we brought in manufacturing consultant Bart Sc...

 Understanding the relationship—and unintended consequences—of how economic factors intertwine is not an easy thing to wrap your head around. But this week, Tom & Kevin are joined by Ian Heller, founder of Distribution Strategy Group, to talk about how ongoing economic changes impact wholesale distribution. We also discuss the risks associated with lower prices and deflation, and how "dat...

Is the metaverse just the next wave of video gaming, or the future of wholesale distribution? The industrial metaverse enables more resilient supply chains and localized manufacturing through the use of existing tools such as digital twins. In an interesting contrast, four in ten people expect AI to improve work quality and creativity, while three in ten expect a deterioration. This week, Kevin an...

Believe it or not, we've been producing Around The Horn in Wholesale Distribution for a year now! To celebrate, we're joined by David Gordon, President of Channel Marketing Group, to take a look at the state of wholesale distribution. Consumer confidence is up, unemployment is down, but fears of recession are still on the horizon. How does that make sense? Are those fears regional, natio...

Some distributors are choosing to go beyond the traditional e-commerce channel and venture into the B2B marketplace space, and they are seeing a massive ROI as a result. Are you prepared to make the same leap? This week, Kevin and Tom discuss how your data—and the way you manage it—is key to making successful eComm moves. Spoiler alert: if distributors are not willing to adapt to the changing need...

This week, Kevin and Tom are proud to feature guest Dirk Beveridge, the visionary entrepreneur and the founder of UnleashWD, the premier design, strategy, and innovation firm in wholesale distribution. In an in-depth, hour-long conversation, Dirk discusses his takes on topics ranging from AI in manufacturing to online buyers and much more. It's a conversation that's both informative and...

There's no two ways around it: every wholesale distributor will eventually need a B2B Amazon strategy. This week, Tom & Kevin feature author, consultant, coach, and all-around B2B guru Brian Beck to Around The Horn to talk about what this all-important customer journey should look like. In addition, Brian shares his insights to supply chain logistics and how AI is rapidly changing the ent...

Data integrity, data security, and supply chain efficiency may be three of the most important issues facing wholesale distribution in the 21st century. And with the advent and proliferation of AI, security and integrity take on new challenges we could not have predicted even two years ago. In this episode, Kevin and Tom take a deep dive into how wholesale distributors can face these challenges hea...

Where is the data kept in your business? Is it...all over the place? Then you're not alone, but a little clean-up would do your business good. Marketing automation software, ERP, CRM, data warehouses, are just some of the different place where your valuable data can be stored, but the importance of "clean data" and managing that data properly can mean the difference between success...

Six months after ChatGPT became an overnight success, The U.S. and the EU are racing to develop rules and draft laws to address both the benefits and risks of generative AI. At the same time, CNBC reports that Generative AI in supply chains will be able to forecast demand, predict when trucks need maintenance, and work out optimal shipping routes, virtually eliminating human touchpoints in the sup...

If you thought that wholesale distributors didn't need to concern themselves with ChatGPT and the whole AI phenomenon, think again. Buyers are using ChatGPT—even in their cars—to do research and price shopping. In this episode, Kevin and Tom look at this and other surprises in the eCommerce purchasing space. As nine out of 10 manufacturers intend to hike prices in the second half of this year...

The effects of COVID are still taking their toll on wholesale distribution. The bad news? The maritime supply chain is beginning to break, with delays at processing terminals along the west coast. But the good news? Manufactured goods orders saw their 4th rise in 5 months. So how do wholesale distributors profit long term in an environment where buying is still strong, but delivery has issues? Thi...

72% of respondents in a 225 U.S. executives survey recently conducted by KPMG said that generative AI could play an important role in increasing productivity.  So whose role is it: business divisions or IT? In this episode of Around The Horn, Kevin and Tom discuss how B2B marketers are hopeful about AI, and the reasons why some are even upbeat about the economy.  We also take a look at the sluggis...

U.S. economic activity rose to a 13-month high in May, despite a cooldown in the manufacturing sector. How much of a cooldown? Container volumes slumped at ports on the East and West coasts, as some of the largest facilities saw year-over-year double-digit drops. It's a Yo-Yo economy, and if you're not planning for it, you could find your business on the bottom end of the string. On toda...

Confusion between distributors, dealers, and manufacturers can wreak havoc on the customer channel, costing you valuable business. On this week's episode, Kevin and Tom are joined by Brandon Lee to talk about how fixation on the customer experience is key to the success of your wholesale distribution model. In our continuing discussion on artificial intelligence in WD, we look at how Microsof...

The future is here whether we like it or not: 73% of companies use generative AI tools to create text, images, videos, or other marketing content, while Forbes predicts that companies that can successfully leverage the opportunities offered by automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and other pillars of the “fourth industrial revolution” have everything to gain. Is "Gen2" too far ahead...

Artificial Intelligence negotiating price and purchasing terms? Industry 4.0 technologies creating immediately sustainable practices? Nearshoring, automation, and supplier diversification? It's not science fiction...it's the wholesale distribution environment of today. On this week's episode, Kevin and Tom take a look at how the digital world of WD is changing fast, and how you can...

It may seem upside down, but it's the question that everyone is asking: are distributors growing faster than the manufacturers that supply their goods? In this episode, Kevin and Tom discuss the implications of this growing trend. In addition, we take a look at "Near Shoring" in the supply chain - the rising popularity of taking things from off-shore to on-shore - as well as the eve...

Revenues generated through Amazon Business have grown by 40% as its global customer base increased by 20% over the past two years. Meanwhile, McKinsey's research finds that 70% of B2B decision makers are prepared to spend up to $500,000 in a single ecommerce transaction. What does this mean for wholesale distribution? That the times are indeed a-changin'. Join Kevin and Tom as they make...

As a business owner or marketer, have you ever taken your own customer journey? Have you gone down the path your company developed from sale to fulfillment and beyond? In this episode, Kevin and Tom are joined by Marty McLaughlin, CMO of Affiliated Distributors, to discuss the importance of a smooth, enjoyable customer experience. What are the essential elements of a successful customer journey, a...

This week, Kevin and Tom are joined by Brendan Breen to talk about the big shindig coming up: ISA23. The Industrial Supply Association's annual conference takes place April 17th to 19th in Phoenix - one of the biggest wholesale distribution conventions of the year. We preview the conference, talk about networking opportunities, and then discuss the week in WD news. See you at the 'con! L...

New research revealed that most firms are struggling to effectively implement supply chain technology. This comes at a time when visual commerce technology is making its mark in B2B digital commerce, and brands face increased pressure to level up against competitors with a digital shelf strategy to help consumers easily find product pages. In this episode, Kevin and Tom discuss how tech strategy p...