Bottom Line Up Front: While 90% of distributors overlook the untapped potential of their data, the forward-thinking 10% are harnessing AI to unlock significant value. For a $25M distributor, this means generating over $450K in additional gross margins, cutting manual tasks by 80%, and creating sustainable competitive advantages that traditional distributors simply cannot replicate. The…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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The first MDM SHIFT conference, held since the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors acquired MDM in January, brought distribution leaders together earlier this month to address key challenges, learn, and network. The event offered valuable insights to help distributors rethink innovation and position themselves for long-term success. The Intuilize team, including CEO/Founder Nelson Valderrama, Strategic Partnerships…
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This article was originally featured in the March 2025 issue of MDM Premium Exclusive. Nelson Valderrama is the CEO of Intuilize, helping mid-size distributors transform data into profits with more than 25 years of experience in the industrial distribution industry. Why Innovation Matters Now Recent MDM research revealed a striking insight: 63% of distributors see…
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