The 2013 HARDI Annual Conference gathered hundreds of wholesale distributors, suppliers, manufacturers reps and other industry players on Dec. 7-10.

The distribution industry is reliant on the people who receive, pick, pack and ship the goods that we deliver to our customers. Our profitability depends on their productivity. Industry is investing in equipment, software and processes to drive productivity, but the best investment is the continuing health and safety of its workers.

I have been involved with numerous CEOs and presidents in a variety of capacities from being a personal executive coach to sitting on the board of directors to being a consultant on specific leadership and sales projects. In fact, I have walked in those executive shoes myself.

The emphasis on technology making our lives easier started with the convenience of the pay-at-the-pump credit-card service. Little did I expect that the timesaver of not having to walk into the store clerk‘s line to pay for gas (imagine the impulse purchasing revenue they’ve lost) would be overshadowed by cellphones and Internet technology that would change our lives!

Nest Labs makes The Nest Thermostat and other smart home appliances.

Johnstone Supply and DDI System have signed a letter of intent on the transfer of Johnstone Supply’s Data Services subsidiary, including its DSPro distribution software to DDI System, creating a new DDI-DSPro division.

Gastite launches new website at www.gastite.comfor its yellow flexible gas piping, FlashShield ‘enhanced protection’ flexible gas piping, and underground polyethylene systems.

Bleeding occurs in many ways. External bleeding is most commonly the result of cuts, abrasions and lacerations, but in severe cases may arise as the consequence of avulsions, puncture, impalement or amputation. 

What could the recent sale of The Washington Post have to do with PHCP, PVF and HVACR supply houses? Once you understand who bought the newspaper that brought down a U.S. president and what this individual has accomplished, you will understand the threat he poses to supply houses.  

Over the past few decades, business-to-business enterprises have done a marvelous job managing complexity in their physical operations by taking advantage of new technologies.