The Wholesale Change Show

Watch on-demand for an exclusive pre-conference conversation with Don Sarno, Senior Vice President of Digital Enterprise Americas at Sonepar, as he shared insights ahead of his session at the Applied AI for Distributors Conference in June. In this engaging discussion, Don explored the transformative role of AI in distribution, how Sonepar is leveraging AI to drive digital innovation, and what the future holds for AI-powered supply chain and customer experience strategies. Get a sneak peek into the key themes and takeaways from his upcoming presentation at the AI conference. Key Takeaways: * How AI is reshaping the distribution landscape * Sonepar's approach to digital transformation and AI adoption *Practical AI applications that enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement *What to expect from Don's session at the Applied AI for Distributors Conference in June Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the industry's leading voices on AI and digital transformation. Register now to gain early insights into AI's impact on distribution and prepare for the conference in June!

Listen to this episode of The Wholesale Change Show, featuring special guest Brendan Breen, CEO of the Industrial Supply Association (ISA). ISA's annual convention, ISA25, starts March 31 in Nashville. The organization – which serves distributors, manufacturer reps and manufacturers – continues to introduce new initiatives to drive growth and support members in the industrial channel. The conversation dug into: The importance of building and maintaining strong channel partnerships How ISA members are tackling the challenges the industry faces today The role ISA is playing in educating and engaging with the channel around critical issues such as tariffs and the talent gap ISA's newest initiatives, including the building of a veteran network How distributors can leverage ISA's resources and insights Don't miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights from Brendan, who because of his role, brings a holistic view of the industry to the table.

Voomi is an ecommerce HVAC distributor that works with OEMs and other distributors to provide an extremely wide assortment of products to customers across the U.S. The company gives their supply partners access to new customer segments and regions so they can expand their markets. Listen now to hear Voomi CEO RJ Cilley discuss the company's unique value proposition. As distribution channels and partnerships continue to evolve, it's essential to hear from the leaders building new business models that meet customers' increasingly demanding requirements.

Over the past four years, The Wholesale Change Show has featured CEOs from MSC Industrial, Global Industrial, Zoro, Lawson Products, Johnstone Supply and dozens of other leading distributors. It's the most informative and entertaining webcast and podcast in distribution! Watch on-demand for a special milestone event as we celebrated our 100th episode! We looked back on what we've learned and talked about the state of the distribution industry today and where it's going. Distribution Strategy Group's own Ian Heller, Jonathan Bein and Brian Hopkins were joined by long-time distribution executives and frequent guests Ron Paulson, who spent decades at Grainger, Eric Wessinger of Richards Supply and Dirk Beveridge, Executive Producer of We Supply America. Whether you're a longtime listener or new to the series, this event is a must-watch.

The second half of 2024 has been defined by uncertainty, with the election looming and economic indicators wavering. Alex Chausovsky, a highly experienced market researcher and analyst, clarified the murky forecast when he joined Wholesale Change hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein to talk about what distributors can expect in the rest of 2024 and beyond. He provided practical and actionable advice to help you chart a course in the new year. We discussed: The impact of the U.S. presidential election Economic growth projections The impact of interest rate fluctuations Labor market trends The supply chain outlook Sector-specific insights And more You won't want to miss this. Listen now!

Watch on-demand as hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein sit down with Wes Smith, the president and CEO of the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED). Wes started his current position in January 2024, but he's no stranger to the electrical industry or the association. He spent more than 34 years with Mayer Electric, including 14+ years as president before they were acquired by Rexel. At Rexel, he served as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer. After three decades in the industry, he was named NAED's chairman from 2020-2022 and remained on the executive committee until he was appointed to lead the association. We talked with Wes about: *NAED's mission in the electrical industry *What's driving the electrical distribution industry, including challenges and opportunities *How NAED collaborates with other groups in the channel *How NAED is tackling key issues, including energy policy, workforce development, supply chain transparency, data standards and more *The future role of organizations like NAED in the distribution industry

On this episode of The Wholesale Change Show, we welcomed Zoro President Sandy Mattinson. Zoro is an ecommerce platform that helps businesses thrive by offering an endless assortment of products for every business need. Launched in 2011, the Grainger subsidiary has grown rapidly to over 600 team members and over $1 billion in annual revenues.  Sandy joined Zoro in 2019 as the company's first female vice president and established its business development, category management and digital merchandising capabilities, which were instrumental in expanding Zoro's assortment to more than 13 million products. Sandy continues to invest in the culture that has seen Zoro recognized repeatedly as a great place to work. “My ‘North Star' is helping people in businesses thrive,” she says. “Our business customers, our distributor partners and our team members. That's how Zoro thrives, too.” In this conversation, we explored the company's value proposition and how Sandy is helping build on its success by investing in the success of other distributors.

Watch as Distribution Strategy Group's Ian Heller is joined by some of the technology leaders who participated in our recent conference, Applied AI for Distributors. During an information-filled, action-packed event, attendees spent two and a half days immersed in the latest information and education on AI and how it can help distributors grow sales, drive productivity, improve CX and provide better services. During this discussion, panelists reviewed: General session speakers: Zack Kass was at OpenAI when they launched ChatGPT and now he's a futurist with an inspiring and profound message about the future of AI. Theresa Payton is a former White House CIO who spoke on how AI impacts cybersecurity threats. Brooks Hamilton spoke on how AI can drive profitability and Jonathan Bein gave an overview of AI applications for distributors. We'll also talk about the eyebrow-raising presentation Grainger's Chief Product Officer Brian Walker. Networking: Always the best part of a great conference, the networking was amazing at the Applied AI event. The starry-eyed looks we saw at the last event are gone; now, distributors are in the market for applications to help them run better businesses – now. Breakout sessions. Dozens of technology companies demonstrated existing AI applications or offered sneak peaks about what's coming soon. Learn about the conference if you couldn't attend or participate in a review discussion to refresh your memory if you were there.

Can AI truly make a real-world difference, today, in a mid-sized distribution company? The answer is yes and Millcraft is one company who did it by focusing on adopting the latest technology and recruiting and training a workforce that understands how to use it. Among other solutions the company has implemented AI tools for order automation that has increased touchless ordering to 60%. Watch the Wholesale Change Show on-demand with hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein, Ph.D. as we welcomed our guest Travis Mlakar, president of Millcraft. Learn how Travis incorporated AI to make a significant difference, freeing up employee time to focus on what is truly valuable to the customer. Travis also discussed the next steps for the company. Using advanced analytics along with AI, Travis will be optimizing cross selling, supply, and other areas for ready for advancement.

On this episode we welcomed Tim Brooks, CEO and co-owner of Lohmiller & Company, an HVAC distributor in Denver, Colorado. Tim has built a highly successful company based on extensive employee training, aggressive expansion of value-added services, a willingness to invest in new technologies and a focus on building an exceptional culture. These capabilities offer customers the best high-touch experiences with personal interactions but also top-notch digital tools that resulted in 27% of sales coming through electronically in 2023. Listen now to hear from the CEO of a fast-growing, privately-held HVAC distributor who shares his tips for success.

We welcomed Renata Morgan to this episode of the Wholesale Change show. Renata was recently promoted to President of Rheem Northeast Distribution, which is a combination of four previously independent distributors: United Supply Company, P&N Distribution, Mechanical Supply and MCN Distributors. The new division will incorporate 32 branches selling both Rheem and Ruud products across Eastern Pennsylvania, all of New Jersey, and parts of New York and Connecticut. Renata will be tasked with defining core values and setting a vision for the combined enterprise to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. As in any merging of companies, establishing a new culture that takes in the best aspects of each individual organization will be a key challenge. An HVAC industry veteran with experience driving organizational change and leading diverse cross-functional teams, Renata's leadership has been recognized by being named a Top 20 Woman in HVAC in 2021 along with a HARDI 40 Under 40 honor in 2016. Renata received a Master of Industrial Distribution degree from Texas A&M University, where she currently serves as a member of the MID Advisory Board, along with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston.

BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions, a national distributor of janitorial-sanitation, foodservice disposables and industrial packaging products, just unveiled their new name: BradyPLUS. The new corporate identity follows the October 2023 merger of the two companies and is a step toward realizing the company's priority of operating as one.  Get an inside view of the rebranded distributor's story as we welcomed BradyPLUS Chief Marketing Officer Ian Gresham to the Wholesale Change show. His specialty in marketing, omnichannel strategy and corporate communications is critical in a time of transformation for the merged organization. Hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein talked with Gresham about: *The power of the combined distributors and their member companies *How BradyPLUS will leverage data to understand customers better *Building a digital experience to enable more efficient buying *How the distributor balances digital with in-person expertise and value-added services

Traditional and emerging competitors make it more difficult than ever for distributors to hold on to their role as manufacturers' primary partners in going to market. Marketplaces, large retailers and even options for selling direct to end-users become more tempting to manufacturers when distributors offer poor digital capabilities or are weak at marketing. In this episode of Wholesale Change, representatives from two major manufacturers – ABB and Signify – shared how distributors can become more important to them. Instead of taking defensive action to hold onto existing market share, we discussed how distributors can go on offense and take share from other channels. Watch on-demand for a unique opportunity to hear directly from major manufacturers on how you can become more important in the channel.

During his two-decade tenure with Grainger companies, Kevin Weadick demonstrated his versatility across multiple countries and diverse divisions including supply chain, marketing and product management. However, the pinnacle of his Grainger career was the role of president for the company's B2B marketplace, Zoro. Given his remarkable track record, it's no surprise that when FleetPride embarked on its quest for a new CEO, Kevin emerged as an exceptional candidate. Few can boast of extensive experience within a prominent branch-based distribution business coupled with a history of accomplishments in digital commerce, exemplified by his achievements at Zoro, a 100% online company. At Zoro, it wasn't just about sales growth; the company's outstanding culture earned it accolades as an exemplary employer. Now CEO of FleetPride, Kevin is committed to replicating this culture success. He is also focused on strategically integrating digital solutions alongside FleetPride's existing branch and sales strategy and expanding the company's emerging service channel. All of this is in service to the company's core purpose: “FleetPride keeps the country running.” Listen to this episode of the Wholesale Change show we talk to Kevin about what he's learned over his long distribution career, how he's adapting to a new industry, and how he plans to leverage his experience to achieve big goals at FleetPride.

AI is powering a new wave of applications in supply chain and warehouse, finance, HR, sales, marketing and customer service. These promise to deliver not just greater efficiency, but also greater effectiveness for distributors. The key, according to AI expert Brooks Hamilton, is to “understand where humans act like machines. That's where the opportunities lie.” At the first-ever event on AI for distributors this month, Hamilton, who helps distributors build and implement AI strategies, gave our attendees the tools to get started with AI. Tapping into his extensive real-world experience, Brooks instructed distributors to embrace, educate and then expand their use of AI – building a solid foundation to reap the rewards of this game-changing technology. Hamilton joined Wholesale Change hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein to share his takeaways from our Applied AI for Distributors event. They also dug into what comes next – after distributors decide to take their first steps.

Supply Chain Equity Partners (SCEP) is “North America's only committed private equity firm focused exclusively on making investments in the distribution and logistics industry,” says Jay Greyson, the firm's co-founder and partner. He joined hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein, Ph.D. of Distribution Strategy Group to discuss industry trends in M&A, along with how distributors can prepare for an equity event. Jay, Ian and Jonathan discussed how factors like strategic vs. financial buyers, company size, and many other elements impact valuation. They discussed how a hot second quarter of distribution M&A activity was followed by the “summer doldrums” of fewer deals, as well as how positioning your company to be a “platform” player can help you acquire more effectively and be more valuable when it's time to sell. Listen now to hear Ian and Jonathan spend time with one of the leading experts in distribution M&A.

Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein, Ph.D. were joined by distribution technology expert, Klaus Werner, on the Wholesale Change Show. Klaus is also preparing to deliver a keynote presentation, “AI Applications and Use Cases for Distribution," at our upcoming Applied AI for Distributors Conference. Klaus discussed how distributors can use AI to improve productivity, quality and profitability in areas like: > Customer service > Supply chain > Sales automation > Personalization > eCommerce Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an early AI pioneer in distribution by watching now on-demand.

What does the increasing pace of M&A activity mean for distributors, manufacturers and reps? How will this change the ecosystem of the industry? * Will the role of manufacturers' reps evolve so they're more like VARs? * What happens to associations as distributors consolidate? * How will manufacturers adapt as M&A activity continues? In this episode of Wholesale Change our guest was distribution expert David Gordon. Outspoken, candid, expert and industry insider – David is all of these and more. He's been the President of the Channel Marketing Group for more than 22 years and began publishing the leading independent blog in the electrical distribution industry, ElectricalTrends, 15 years ago. David also publishes US LightingTrends and, with Dorn Group, HVACRTrends. David joined Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein for another spirited, unscripted conversation.

On this episode we welcomed Ben Hensler, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Motion & Control Enterprises (MCE), to the Wholesale Change show. Ben joined MCE in 2021. During that time MCE has seen significant growth, including the acquisition of 10 businesses, enhancing their technical product and service offering. MCE's ability to recognize the talents of acquired companies is a key strength of their business model. Beyond the consolidated buying power, optimized pricing and value-added services within MCE's platform, these acquisitions provide an abundance of talented individuals and innovative solutions. By fostering collaboration and synergies, MCE enables these talented teams to flourish, broadening their market reach and expanding their product lines for exciting cross-selling opportunities. This integrated approach not only adds value to MCE but also provides customers with comprehensive solutions throughout every stage of the product lifecycle. Ben has had executive roles at C.R. Lawrence, Test Equity, FCX Performance and Grainger.

Keller Logistics Group is killing it. The logistics and distribution business is targeting $165 million in sales this year, nearly double the sales of a decade ago. Their Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)? $1 billion by 2032. But for CEO Bryan Keller, his work isn't just about revenue. It's about how his company can give back to the communities in which they work. That's what really drives him. Keller joined us for the June 28 episode of Wholesale Change. In addition to talking about the logistics and warehousing market landscape with our hosts, Keller shared his philosophy of delivering for employees, customers and communities. Keller Logistics Group invested $300,000 in sponsorships to community organizations last year, created a non-profit to help local veterans in crisis and collaborated with a local organization to help at-risk students find their purpose in life while learning skilled trades to prepare them for a successful future.

This episode of Wholesale Change featured Newton Sears, Managing Director at Greenhill & Co., an advisory-focused investment bank dedicated to M&A, restructurings, financings and capital raising. Newton and his firm work with many distribution firms and publish data about M&A activity within the industry. A frequent advisor to distributors, Greenhill offers expert insight executives can use to make better decisions about acquisition opportunities, recapitalizations, valuations and much more. In our conversation with Newton, we talked about: The state of the M&A market in distribution How industrial distribution is perceived in the capital markets What buyers of distribution markets focus on What sellers should be prepared for when they consider putting their companies on the market Whether you're a buyer or a seller, a current or prospective investor or if you just want to know how an expert investment banker identifies what makes a distribution company great, you don't want to miss this conversation.

On this episode of the Wholesale Change show, we welcomed Robyn Pollina, CEO of Palmer-Donavin. Robyn ascended to the CEO position in 2020 after 25 years at the building materials wholesale distributor, including serving as the company's CFO. “I shifted from managing day-to-day tasks to establishing six growth initiatives,” she notes. As the head of a leading distributor of building materials and an ESOP, Robyn's job is to meet and manage the expectation of its many employee-owners while adapting the company to succeed in an evolving channel. Some long-term investments can affect short-term profitability but will pay off over time. A key part of Robyn's job is to enroll the whole company into these strategies to ensure Palmer-Donavin's success for many years. Robyn views building a strong culture as fundamental to the success of the company. Her leadership team has distilled 28 “Purpose-Driven Principles” to serve the Palmer-Donavin's mission “to deliver more and guide our everyday interactions with each other and our business partners.” As one of a small number of women in a CEO role in distribution, Robyn serves as a great example to others who aspire to leadership roles in what has been a male-dominated industry.

On this episode, we're joined by Marty Daley, CEO of Marco Rubber. In two years, Marty's team has tripled the size of the business – organically and through acquisitions. Whether it's a $400 seal for a critical application or a tri clamp gasket a customer needs quickly, Marco Rubber offers the kind of service that brings in new customers and keeps existing accounts coming back. “Technology is woven into our DNA,” Daley notes. “Not just the front end, which is a source of technical information for serious buyers and engineers. We also aggregate supplier data, have an automated quoting tool for our internal team, interactive toolkits for customers and business intelligence tools to measure what we manage across all departments.” While Marco offers great digital capabilities, they'll take the order how the customer wants to place it and work closely with customers on specific applications. Business development managers perform a sales engineer role, and a group of technical sales consultants service thousands of customers all over the world. After working for companies like Wesco, Sonepar, Interline Brands and True Value, Marty was ready to drive rapid growth in a smaller company by leveraging leading-edge technology in a technical business. He found that opportunity at Marco Rubber and he's making the most of it. “All customers should be treated special, just not necessarily the same…” -Marty Daley, CEO, Marco Rubber

Watch the Wholesale Change show on-demand as distribution legend Dirk Beveridge shares talent strategies he has learned in decades of working with the world's best distributors. You need the best team to surpass competitors – and meet customer expectations, especially in the dynamic world of distribution. As new challenges and opportunities arise, it's crucial to evolve the way you lead. Dirk has compiled the top 10 human resource strategies for 2023: From solving the talent shortage to building a strong employer brand, adopting these principles will ensure you develop an energized, inspired and customer-focused team that wins in the market through an empowering, collaborative culture.

In this episode of Wholesale Change, host Ian Heller has a frank conversation with Kevin Short, President and CEO of master wholesaler ORS Nasco. He shares his take on the importance of trust in the distribution channel as it relates to better serving the end-customer. He also shares an update on ORS Nasco's focus from 2023 onward, as they look to refine their value proposition to better support distributors of all types.

ConEquip Parts & Equipment is a rapidly growing B2B marketplace. They offer 500,000 parts, represent 3,000 suppliers and $52B in inventory – but you can't order a thing online! How is this possible and why do they do it? We talked with Ryan Loos, Chief Financial Officer of ConEquip Parts & Equipment, about the construction equipment parts distributor's go-to-market strategy – including a decision not to invest in a transactional ecommerce system. ConEquip has seen consistent growth over the past 10 years. Ryan shared their secrets, as well as lessons learned. It's the perfect conversation to sit in on if you want to hear another point of view on channel strategy.

Watch on-demand as we're joined by the CEO of COE Distributing, J.D. Ewing. J.D. grew the company to $100M+ in 13 years by building a company that creates terrific customer experiences. Most of this growth has been organic. J.D. described COE's culture as “inclusive, open door, good at listening and gathering feedback from across the organization,” and “adept at implementing ideas and suggestions in real time.”

In only three years, CEO Eric Chernik has grown Building Controls & Solutions by 700% while retaining the entrepreneurial culture of each company BC&S has acquired. Eric knows that employee engagement drives customer engagement, so he enrolls his team in the company's goals and strategy with transparency and a healthy culture. He embraces great internal communication and employee recognition. In this episode of Wholesale Change we talked with Eric about his path to becoming a CEO and the leadership principles he has applied to achieve fast growth and strong financial results.

Tony Harris, founder of THINC B2B, brought his energy and passion for growth to the Wholesale Change Show. He held nothing back in his conversation with hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein on how and why distributors need to realign business intelligence, sales and marketing, finance and IT to drive growth in 2023. He's a highly regarded CEO coach, senior executive mentor and thought leader. He's also the author of “FADS Marketing: Food, Alcohol, Drugs, Sex and the New Marketing World Order.” His career includes providing executive counsel to some of the most recognized global brands. Harris also advises for private equity firms, investment firms, family offices, and venture capital entities, evaluating and preparing recommendations on the viability of potential acquisitions, divestitures and roll-ups.

Some inside sales programs produce marginal results, while others are veritable home runs. What is different in the execution of these home run programs? The superior performance happens in their day-to-day activities as inside sales reps contact customers and prospects, understand their needs, position your products against those needs, close sales and ultimately build strong long-term customer relationships. Hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein welcome Mark Peck to discuss the following core elements in highly successful inside sales programs. Building and using a structured sales coverage model and plan • Allocate your most valuable asset • Apply the pareto principle • Set expectations with inside sales staff Managing with a systemic inside sales performance model • Manage the elements of sales rep performance that drive revenue performance • Develop an understanding of individual sales staff strengths and weaknesses • Use the performance model to coach to achievement of high sales goals Listen now to learn how these two business models can help drive superior execution in your inside sales program.

When done properly, proactive inside sales should: Grow midsize accounts 15% to 20% Increase gross profit through revenue in higher margin accounts Reduce sales comp for midsize accounts 30% to 40% Increase retention In our experience creating proactive inside sales programs, we have seen the best – and worst - practices for achieving these results. In this episode we look at six keys in creating a successful proactive inside sales program including organization design, management support, compensation, account selection, selecting the right people and technology support.

Ed Gerber, CEO of Summit Electric Supply, joins us on this episode of Wholesale Change. Before joining Summit Electric, Ed was the CEO of the Industrial Supply Association (ISA) after holding a number of senior executive roles for industrial distributors. We ask Ed what it was like to switch from the industrial industry to electrical. During our conversation, we explore topics like sales force optimization, digital transformation, value-added services and what it takes for a regional distributor to compete effectively against global players. Ed has been highly successful during his tenure at Summit, even though he joined the company less than a year ago. It's his first CEO role with a distributor, so he'll tell us what it's like to be in the top seat compared to other senior executive roles he's held.

Every distributor does an annual budget – but that's not the same thing as formulating a strategy. The budget process is very tactical, focused on current operations and does not typically account for broad industry trends, disruptors or major technology changes. If you don't want to get blindsided, you need a strategic plan. A strategic planning process will allow you to think about the positioning of your company and how you need to adapt your value proposition over time. On this episode of Wholesale Change, Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein, Ph.D., talk about the strategic planning process they've developed to help distributors formulate long-term plans. This feeds into the short-term budget process but also enables changes that empower a company to thrive in the long term.

In this episode of Wholesale Change we are joined by Alex Tomey, the Senior Vice President of Merchandising for Global Industrial. Global Industrial is a billion-dollar value-added industrial distributor. Global Industrial offers customers more than a million products — from material handling to packaging and supplies — including its own proprietary brands. Alex was previously the Co-Chief Merchandising Officer at Petco. Before that, he served as Senior Vice President and GMM of Merchandising at DICK'S Sporting Goods and has held merchandising leadership positions at major retailers including Kohl's and Walmart. We asked Alex about his transition from retail to B2B, how he developed merchandising strategies for industrial and commercial customers, and the role of value-added services in differentiating Global Industrial from competitors.

Most distributors we talk to are disappointed in the ROI of their ecommerce investments. When we dig into their complaints, we find that while they know their expenses, the sales attributed to their websites are way off because they only look at shopping-cart revenue. But the shopping cart is usually the smallest part of the direct revenue generated by your website. Customers must use purchase orders, so instead of checking out, they shop on your website and then buy through other channels – including “lights out” methods like email, EDI and punchout. Listen now as Distribution Strategy Group co-founders Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein, Ph.D., reveal how you can build a better website that drives more revenues and how you can do a better job measuring the return on your current investment. Your ROI is probably much better than you think, and we can show you how to increase it even more.

Conventional thinking claims that only distributors larger than a billion dollars can build successful marketplaces. Bay Supply is much smaller than that, but its fastener marketplace is taking off. Like most wholesalers, Bay Supply is facing new marketplace entrants supported by tech startups, national distributors, manufacturers and even software providers that are fighting to reach the buyer directly through these rapidly evolving platforms. Unlike other distributors, Bay Supply jumped into the marketplace competition itself. And they're recruiting manufacturers and distributors to join their platform in a friendlier ecosystem than many of the alternatives. Mike Eichinger, Bay Supply COO, joined us on the Wholesale Change show on Aug. 31 at 9PT/12ET. He shared how Bay Supply is taking a collaborative approach to supporting distributors who want to reach sourcing professionals with an efficient solution while maintaining their brand and positioning as experts in the field.

In nearly 20 years with Specialty Building Products, Jeff has served as CFO, President and COO, and now CEO. Throughout his long career, which has included many acquisitions, a company name change (SBP was formerly known as U.S. LUMBER) and most recently, new ownership, Jeff has focused on building great teams. Jeff knows this means recruiting great new talent to go along with the experienced veterans. SBP has earned a reputation as a great place to work for Millennials and Generation Z employees – and not just because Jeff plays video games with them. In this episode Ian and Jonathan asked him about the part he has played in building such a successful company.

Eric Hoplin, CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), joined us on this episode of Wholesale Change. He shared his take on key concerns and trends – including labor, supply chain disruption, digital transformation and more – based on his ongoing conversations with dozens of senior distribution company leaders. He also provided an update on NAW, including the work they are doing to support distributors in Washington D.C.

Alex Moazed shared his unmatched experience working with major distributors, technology startups, venture capital firms and manufacturers as they formulate their marketplace strategies. He updated us on the latest trends in B2B marketplaces and share some key lessons distributors need to know as they choose how to compete in the fast-changing competitive landscape.

Monte Salsman, President of the Winsupply Acquisitions Group shared principles he has used to foster a successful entrepreneurial culture at WinSupply including:Take ownership.Adopt an expertise habit.Become a professional at developing relationships … especially with people who are difficult for you.Get paid what you are worth (not more and not less).Communication … beginning with mastering listening. Monte says, “I see those things in every successful business and individual.”

Inflation and supply chain disruption are wreaking havoc on distributors' ability to drive profitability. But the time has passed for stopgap fixes. Companies need a plan to mitigate the impact. Leaders' most urgent task is to secure their companies' long-term profitability by managing the effect of inflation and supply chain disruption on their customers.In this episode, our hosts spoke with profitability expert Jonathan Byrnes, senior lecturer at MIT and author of Islands of Profit in a Sea of Red Ink and Choose Your Customer: How to Compete Against the Digital Giants and Thrive. They discussed how distributors can take back control in this unpredictable market – slowing the profit drain and bolstering their bottom line with Enterprise Profit Management.Learn how distributors can evaluate and categorize their customer base – profit peaks, profit drains and profit deserts – and make a plan to act. Treating all customers the same won't cut it.

Tune in now to hear Erik Gershwind, President and CEO of MSC Industrial Supply Co., talk about how the company has reimagined its value proposition, driven digital transformation and learned to build its culture and retain talent in a virtual world. In 2021, MSC rolled out a three-year plan called “Mission Critical” to accelerate market-share gains and earn a higher return on invested capital. The company has transformed its sales force from focusing on spot buys to delivering on new, more complex and high-touch solutions that help customers achieve higher levels of productivity, profitability and growth. MSC is adding value deeper in its customers' organizations while simultaneously expanding the portion of its sales that come through digital channels. In our conversation with Erik, we walked through MSC's journey and asked him what he's learned along the way.

The very nature of leadership has changed because of COVID, supply chain uncertainty and other disruptive forces. And distributors know this. In his research, Dirk Beveridge, Founder of We Supply America and UnleashWD, found that most distributors recognize that the ground underneath them has shifted – and that leadership must shift their perspective, as well. In this episode of Wholesale Change, Dirk shared why distributors must adopt new ways of leading their companies to build a sustainable business today. Dirk believes distributors have a unique opportunity to bring deeper meaning and purpose to their organizations to create relevancy in the face of disruption. He shared some of the research he's done on the topic of leadership in a post-pandemic world, as well as stories from distributors he has met on the road during his We Supply America tour across the country.

Profitability expert Dr. Al Bates joined us on the Wholesale Change show to talk about why distributors are stuck in a profitability “rut” and how they can escape. Al identified the three action steps distributors can take to improve profitability and explained why sales compensation practices, supplier “special deals” and ongoing price increases are contributing to the problem. Unlike some consultants who specialize in profitability, Al believes distributors should fire customers only in very rare cases. “I'm not anti-sales,” Bates likes to say, “I just want profitable sales.” Al also explained why distributor CFOs are often a key part of the problem and how they can instead contribute to the solution. Al is one of the most popular speakers in the industry and when you tune into this episode of the Wholesale Change show, you'll see why. He combines extensive experience, straight talk, an entertaining style and compelling arguments to provide insights and takeaways you can use to improve your company's profitability immediately and on an ongoing basis.

Randy Eddy, President and CEO of US Electrical Services (USESI), holds his leaders accountable for financial results, of course, but has equally high standards when it comes to building a great culture. Lots of leaders say that, but at this electrical distributor, it's not just about a mission statement or company values – the company uses a series of analytical tools to select the right candidates; measure culture success; and hold managers accountable. Watch this webinar now to learn how Randy's impressive focus on culture is directly tied to business results.

Dakota Supply Group grew more than 20% in 2021 – not counting inflation. Of this, the biggest driver was organic, same-store sales growth. During the pandemic, the company implemented, “DSG Let's Grow!” where sales teams proactively helped customers solve problems on the phone when they couldn't be in shops or jobsites. Dakota Supply Group differs from many other distributors because they focus on multiple types of contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, waterworks, telecom and utility). The distributor also has an extensive service menu that includes training on how customers can run better businesses, for example, including their P4 Learning Lab. On this episode of the Wholesale Change Show we talked with Dakota Supply Group CEO Paul Kennedy about how the company's focus on customer experience has driven profitable growth. Learn: • Why the company targets multiple segments • How they service such disparate needs • Why they doubled-down on inventory in 2021 – and how that helped them win business • How being an ESOP helps drive their success – and enhances their acquisition strategy Dakota Supply Group is growing quickly. Listen to Paul talk about how they're doing it. Come with your own questions for our speakers.

Most distributors know that losing customers costs them money. Despite this, few have specific plans for reducing defection – and even fewer have someone in charge of this important task. But losing customers costs more than you think for one very important reason: Customers that defect can only drop to zero sales dollars. Customers you retain tend to grow over time. That means when you improve retention, you not only keep the sales you would have lost, but you also add growing accounts over time. The multiplier effect of retaining more accounts means distributors should invest more in retention than they think. The opportunity cost is much greater than the lost sales alone. In this episode of Wholesale Change hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein share the true costs of customer defection – and the real upside of reducing it.

In a Distribution Strategy Group survey, 88% of distributors' customers reported buying from at least one B2B marketplace, and 33% bought from five or more. It's clear many distributors' customers are making simple purchases regularly from marketplaces, and this trend is likely to accelerate over time. Our research shows that Zoro is the most common marketplace these companies sell on, with Amazon Business a close second. In this episode Zoro President Kevin Weadick joined hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein for a discussion on the role third-party marketplaces can play in distributors' strategies today.

Brent Grover is one of the leading experts on mergers and acquisitions in the wholesale distribution industry. One of only four NAW Fellows, Brent has offered insight and expert counsel on hundreds of deals involving distributors. In this episode we had an entertaining and informative discussion with Brent about trends and best practices in M&A in the distribution industry.

Ian and Jonathan reveal the biggest mistakes distributors make that prevent marketing from becoming a driving force for growth and profits. Ian has led marketing for four large distributors and Jonathan has analyzed customer and financial data for dozens. Listen now to hear why distributors often fail at marketing — and how you can succeed.

Two major deals at the end of 2021 ensured the year would end with a bang. Lawson Products, Gexpro Services and Test Equity joined forces, and Motion Industries acquired Kaman Distribution Group. Do these deals signal a renewed round of mergers and acquisitions in the distribution industry? Our hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein reviewed these big deals and others. They also discussed what may be coming in 2022 and what it means for your business.