| January 31, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Airgas aims to capture larger share of its core market
Peter McCausland, CEO of Airgas Inc., which has been increasing its market share via a number of acquisitions, said the company is intent on growing its core packaged gas and welding supplies distribution business in the U.S. "We think we can grow significantly from 23 to 25%, to possibly as high as 40 to 45% of our [core] market, without running afoul of any antitrust laws," McCausland said. Reuters
(1/28)
- Sysco sales, net earnings up
Fiscal second-quarter net earnings at Sysco Corp. increased from $246.5 million in the year-ago period to $264.1 million, helped by a strong customer support organization, this article says. Quarterly sales at the Houston-based food distributor reached $9.24 billion compared to $8.57 billion a year ago. CNNMoney.com/Dow Jones Newswires
(1/28)
- Anixter posts strong quarterly results
Anixter International Inc. surpassed analyst expectations with a 35% surge in its fourth-quarter profit, owing to stronger sales and certain tax benefits, this article says. Quarterly revenue at the cable and electrical products distributor increased from $1.3 billion in the year-ago period to $1.49 billion, also outdoing analyst forecasts. CNNMoney.com/Associated Press
(1/29)
 | Wholesale Distribution Benchmarking Studies: Complete any of these benchmarking surveys and receive Free Industry Benchmarking Reports comparing your company to overall metrics of the entire surveyed group. Register for the Benchmarking Study to receive an e-mail and get started now! |
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- Wrong words can cause trouble at work
Just as in relationships, saying the wrong thing at work can get you in trouble. A list of some classic things that can cause friction at the workplace include "That's not my job"; "Yeah, no problem," (without meaning it); "Don't tell anyone I said this, but...," and "It's not my fault." CNN/CareerBuilder.com
(1/30)
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- Business plan can be flexible as successes are tracked
Tim Berry, "Business Plans" coach at Entrepreneur.com, suggests substituting a "plan-as-you-go" tool for the conventional business plan to shift focus to managing, keeping track of progress and accounting for change. This plan is more about navigating than mapping, Berry says, and sets monthly and quarterly review dates to reassess. MSNBC/Entrepreneur.com
(1/28)
| Executive Life | | |
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- Consumers rejoice as next wave of technology appears
Consumer-friendly technology may be the next huge trend in the consumer-electronics industry, according to this prediction from The Edmonton Journal. Televisions that connect to the Internet, along with computer applications that let users access office applications from anywhere, are a few of the user-friendly technologies on the horizon. The Edmonton Journal (Canada)
(1/30)
| NAW Insider | | |
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NAW and The Hartford
NAW has partnered with The Hartford to offer insurance expertise and comprehensive coverage tailored to the specific needs of wholesaler-distributors. The Hartford also offers expedited claims-handling services and a countrywide network of loss control and risk management experts to help wholesaler-distributors protect their businesses and minimize loss costs. More information available here.
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Order best-selling Facing the Forces of Change report
Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain by the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence is a best seller! This all-new study provides practical insights into key trends impacting the wholesale distribution supply chain and is packed with specific action ideas and planning tools that executives can use today to lead the way in their supply chains.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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What technology do you find most useful in doing business?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | PDA/Blackberry...so I can communicate anywhere |
| Laptop...so I can work anywhere |
| GPS device...so I can get anywhere |
| Other |
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