Distribution & the Internet

There is a discussion on the MHEDA Journal Blog and below is a comment I left .....if you are in the distribution chain this is an important discussion. There are 43 comments as of this writing.....I believe it has hit a nerve. Read the full article and comments........

I think this gets to the heart of the largest problem we have faced as an industry since our response to the imported products. If you think back on how much the material handling landscape changed as the imports were introduced and got better (quality). So much so that they are now part of the fabric of our daily business and personal lives.

Many companies were dramatically changed by imports and I think an equal or greater number will be changed in the “channel challenge” that will play out over the next few years. I think there can be good days ahead for dealers who make good decisions. There has to be a reason for them to be there, and it is up to them to develop their worth…..they will not become irrelevant unless they allow it.

Things are going to change…the secret is to manage the change and come out on top.