Maintaining a perfect balance between customer service, inventory management, and pricing optimization is no small feat. Distributors face constant challenges in tracking shipments, managing data, and ensuring accuracy without any room for errors. The complexity of these tasks often leaves little time for the critical data analytics that drive business growth. However, as Gary Cravens,…
Read More
As we get close to the end of 2025, manufacturers and distributors face an increasingly digital landscape that demands vigilance. Cybersecurity is no longer a back-office concern—it’s a cornerstone of protecting your operations, customer trust, and profitability. While you focus on maximizing ROI through streamlined inventory and pricing processes, don’t let a preventable cyber incident…
Read More
Last year we attended DSG's Applied AI for Distributors 2024 show. At the industry-leading event, our CEO, Nelson Valderrama, shared insights on their podcast, The Wholesale Change Show, alongside White Cup's Kristen Thorn and ORS Group's Dush Ramachandran. Here are five key takeaways they discussed that can help project managers and business leaders transition smoothly…
Read More
Distributors know that staying ahead means making smarter, faster decisions about inventory and pricing. Last November, Kirk Zehnder, CEO of Earnest Machine—a master distributor of large-diameter and specialty industrial fasteners—joined Nelson Valderrama on stage at STAFDA 2024 for their presentation From Ideas to Success: Real-World Growth with AI. Kirk shared how innovative pricing and inventory…
Read More
Real distributors reveal the systematic approach that transforms tariff chaos into profit opportunities—with specific results from actual implementations After June 11’s "From Tariff Chaos to Control" workshop, one thing became crystal clear: the distributors who are thriving in this tariff environment aren't just managing the chaos—they're systematically turning it into a competitive advantage. A $45M…
Read More
What is Inventory Optimization for Distributors? Inventory optimization is the process of managing inventory levels to meet customer demand while avoiding stock-outs and inventory buildups. Savvy distributors know that not managing inventory effectively can lead to storage, labor, and other costs. Inventory management today has become complex due to global supply chains that are vastly…
Read More
Last week's workshop revealed the three critical breakpoints causing tariff chaos for mid-market distributors—and the 5-step framework that's helping companies turn uncertainty into competitive advantage. Plus: Why 90% of distributors are missing a goldmine hiding in their data. From Tariff Chaos to Control: Key Insights from Our June 11th Workshop How industrial distributors are turning…
Read More
In a notable issue of Industrial Supply, our CEO Nelson Valderrama, explores the substantial opportunity that lies in optimizing pricing strategies for industrial distributors. He emphasizes that while many distributors focus on increasing sales volume, refining pricing strategies can yield three to four times greater profit growth. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways…
Read More
The recent U.S.-China trade truce has reduced tariffs from an eye-watering 145% to 30%, but mid-market distributors aren't out of the woods yet. According to the Yale Budget Lab, even with this reduction, average U.S. tariff rates remain at 17.8% – the highest since 1934 – with projected impacts including $2,800 reduction in household purchasing…
Read More