SKIRTING DISASTER

摘要

For decades electrical distributors have heard predictions of catastrophes. Right now, the two big catastrophes facing small distributors are B2B e-commerce and the big chains getting bigger through acquisition. Nonsense, I say! Electrical distributors have faced predicted tragedy before. Past near calamities include: ending product consignment, changing cash-discount policies from 5% to 2%, establishing local manufacturers' warehouses, founding the National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA), buying/marketing groups, competition from Home Depot and the possible loss of MRO/industrial business to integrated supply. At the time, these catastrophes were considered as serious as those we face today.