From the NAW blog:

Distributors must have a strategy for winning in the virtual world by offering differentiated online customer experiences. Today’s distributor webstores do not fit the bill. In most ways, they are imitations of the experience available to customers on virtual marketplaces. Distributors have been told that this is the goal through an oft-repeated mantra — customer expectations forged through consumer buying experiences will migrate to preferences for business buying practices. But why is this true? Is it right for all business customer purchase occasions?

From the NAW Blog:

Looking ahead to the coming connected world, consider a scenario in which all transactions are digital. Orders are received from a variety of virtual channels including a distributor’s online store and mobile apps, as well as customer e-procurement platforms and online marketplaces. Data transparency is nearly ubiquitous. Suppliers, distributors and customers succeed on what they do with data, not by hoarding it. Distributors no longer shield their customer data as a means of preventing disintermediation and disruption. Artificial intelligence and data-driven services enhance customer experiences and redefine collaborations with suppliers. Breakthrough results are achieved by sharing data up and down the value chain and by aggregating data across the market.

From Rotor Clip

Pneumatic robotic parallel grippers are used in applications that require automated picking up of parts and assemblies.  They can be configured to grip the outside edges of a work piece, or open out to put pressure on the inside of a work piece. READ MORE

EFC International, a leading supplier of engineered fasteners, is pleased to announce the approval of Sherex Fastening Solution’s Large Size rivet nuts for use in steel utility poles by a leading energy company. The approval is in accordance with the Specification for Tubular Steel Pole Transmission Line Structures SES-PD-027. The specification covers the minimum requirements for the design, drawings, material, fabrication, welding, coating, inspection, and delivery of tubular steel pole structures.

Sherex Large Size rivet nuts eliminate the welding process and reduce the number of components for installation. They also allow for a safer, one-handed installation of the step bolts in the field. “This is a significant cost savings for pole and tower manufacturers and we are excited to bring this product to the market,” states Paul Musgrove, Industrial and Distribution Sales Manager.

Today we reflect on our memories of Bob Lehman, honorary Pac West member.  He was a longtime contributor to our organization, and will be missed.

Jeff Gusdorf will be speaking at our 2019 MWFA/NFDA/Pac-West Joint Conference about artificial intelligence.  To get a preview of this topic, you can check out Jeff's article here .

The NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence, the research arm of the National Association of WholesalerDistributors (NAW), is pleased to announce the release of Creating Innovations and Shaping the Future of Business: A Look at Commerce, Technology, and Human Forces in Distribution, the first-ever Facing the Forces of Change® challenge paper, based on research to date, including 25 innovation ideas to kick-start internal management discussions.. Please visit www.naw.org/creating-innovations or call 202.872.0885 to learn more and order copies. Quantity discounts of 15–50% apply when ordering two or more copies.

About this Challenge Paper

From Leadership Freak

If the most powerful thing leaders do is connect, the most dangerous is isolation. READ MORE

From Rotor Clip

The next time you see the jaws of an alligator figure open and snap shut or a haunted house monster reach for you as you pass by, chances are you are seeing a pneumatic actuator in action. READ MORE

From Inc.

Planning, Preparation, Process and Personnel. Are you managing all four? READ MORE

From Harvard Business Review

A few weeks ago, we were asked to analyze a competency model for leadership development that a client had created. It was based on the idea that at different points in their development, potential leaders need to focus on excelling at different skills. For example, in their model they proposed that a lower-level manager should focus on driving for results while top executives should focus on developing a strategic perspective. READ MORE

Custom Rivet Nuts

Do you have a fastening challenge that you need help with? Our Sherex engineering team has a deep understanding of base materials, fastening technology, and manufacturing processes, and can create custom designed solutions for your specific application. After design approval, we manufacture your custom parts in one of our ISO certified production facilities. Here are a few examples of custom engineered rivet nuts our team has designed:

From Entrepreneur

Back in 2008, a team of researchers at Google started a fascinating project called Project Oxygen, in order to determine the qualities of their highest-performing managers. Recently, that team updated its research and modified and added some qualities. READ MORE

ROCKY RIVER, OH–-Earnest Machine is now offering DIN spec metric hex head cap screws in response to increased demand in the marketplace.

“ISO metric hex head cap screws have been part of our product line for years,” said Kirk Zehnder, CEO of Earnest Machine. “However, we’re seeing a rise in the demand for metric product, due to globalization and the increase of imported heavy equipment. Many repairs now call for metric pieces.”

September 12, 2018 (Santa Fe Springs, CA) - Judging for the 2018 Pro Tool Innovation Awards completed this week and Brighton-Best International received two PTIA awards for products from the new Proferred line. 

The winning products include Proferred Drywallerz™ (P64040) and the Proferred 8” Ratcheting Adjustable Wrench (T09002).

St. Louis, Missouri – September 11, 2018. Guenter Retkowski, Vice President of International Sales, is pleased to announce the team expansion for global growth. New team members will support EFC’s expansion in targeted regions and markets, including Autonomous Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, and Industrial markets.

Shanghai EFC Fasteners Col. Ltd. added seven team members: Director of Sales, Zhanchun Gu; Tina Li, Buyer; Dan Gong, Sales Engineer; Inside Sales Account Managers, Sunny Li, Gloria Shen, and Seven Shen; Logistics Coordinator, Carina Liang. Their collaboration with the existing EFC team, customers and suppliers within China has been significant to growth.

Compression Limiters

California Proposition 65