Industrial Supply Association

The world of trade associations and trade shows is changing. Some participants are stuck in the old ways and some are searching for the new way to serve their industries and their members. Congratulations to IDA and ISMA (formerly ASMMA) for taking the bold step of combining a distributors association and a manufacturers association into a single association under the name Industrial Supply Association. The leadership of the two groups are to be congratulated. This was a difficult decision and there are no guarantees of success, but they made a decision rather than letting both associations continue down the same old path.
The future is unpredictable and more so now than ever before. Change is coming at such a rapid pace that anticipating the future is impossible. Consequently the future of the new association is unclear at best, but the cooperation that brought both associations to this point is a very strong base upon which to build in this time of heightened uncertainty.
Congratulations ISA!!!!

E-Commerce

I just put the final touches on the June issue of the "Taking Aim" newsletter. The main topic is about E-Commerce. There is also a note about an article in the Harvard Management Update where they quote yours truly. Kinda of neat being quoted in anything from Harvard. It should be available on my website, just click here.

Like you, I am looking forward to the long weekend, the race in Indy and the following race in Charlotte. Hope you all have a great Holiday weekend.

Interesting Hardware Day in the News

The Wall Street Journal reported the following:

Wal-Mart was cleared to build a Chicago Store!

Home Depot increased quarterly dividends by 21% and is increasing the stock buy back program.

Auto Zone sales were up 5.6% in total while same store sales were up 2%.

Hardware Show Alternative

The Chicago and Las Vegas Hardware Shows are behind us. I have already reported my thoughts on the the shows. With the Industry going through transition, it makes sense to explore all opportunities. Several years ago, I attended the National Retail Hardware Association Convention. I had a chance to catch up with old friends from the Co-op corporate offices and to meet many independent hardware retailers. It was a great experience for me and a handful of manufacturers. I remember thinking at the time what a missed opportunity for manufacturers to get close to the people who are actually selling their products. Today it looks like a golden opportunity.

The 2004 Convention is scheduled for July 12th to 14th at Resort Semiahmoo in Blaine Washington. As a manufacturer, unless you have a crystal ball already pointing out the best path to the future, it might be wise to take a look at this opportunity.

Hit the mute button

The older I get the more I am starting to realize that there is more to life than work.
Reflection is incredibly important in trying to make sense out of what we do and why. It is also important in undersanding who we are. For too long, I have been a human doing instead of a human being. I have been succesful in separating my weekends from my work (for the most part), but I go into a different doing mode that is focused on the house and yard. Slowly and with difficulty, I am trying to set aside 50 to 20 minutes a day for meditation. Sometimes it is in the form of just sitting quietly. Other times it is in the form of a walk. Still other times, I a blessed with access to a labyrinth nearby to walk. These times are when I hit the mute button on doing and just exist. These times and early in the morning are the times of inspiration for me. I gain insights into problems and steps to move toward solutions. I frequently gain from muting the outside world, but something in me fights against the "waste of time" of just being. It is a battle between my internal, trained monkey, worker constantly having to do something and the reflective being within that provides real wisdom.
It is my intention to frequently mute the voice on this blog and be a human being rather than a human doing. Don't think I have quit, but rather that I am out getting my bateries charged.

Atlas Copco to sell Power Tool Division (Milwaukee Electric Tool)

Wow! Big news in the Hardware Industry. Read the whole story at www.manufacturing.net/ind/ - 65k - May 19, 2004 . While the article talks about the profitability of the division, you kind of have to wonder a little about the impact of the Big Boxes on Atlas Copco's decision to sell. We know that Pentair (Porter Cable and Delta) has been having some financial troubles for a while. Black & Decker's earnings have not been so great either (DeWalt). Skil- Bosch has been very quiet as well.

It is common knowledge that power tools have been used as price leaders at the Big Boxes for some time and more Power Tool business is shifting to overseas production. Could this be the reason for the poor financial returns and the decision to sell? Will this be the precursor of things to come in the Hardware Industry.

Hardware Show Wars

In the Hardware/Hardlines Industry (hammers and screwdrivers and such) there has been a war brewing between The American hardware Manufacturers Association and Reed Exhibitions.

Round 1 of the Hardware Show Wars is over. The AHMA Show in Chicago in its present form is dead. It will take a total remake to have anyone consider spending the money to attend the Chicago Show in 2005. Even the food concessions were closed in 2004.
The Reed Hardware Show in Las Vegas had more exhibitors, more attendees and open food concessions. The show had plenty of problems including a confused new products area. Lawn and Garden and Home Decorating dominated. There were lots of Red badges even if some were on people other than buyers. Whether or not this show will be good for the traditional hardware/tool people remains to be seen. Venues like the Homebuilder Show, World of Concrete and others currently look like better options to me as they get the manufacturer closer to the end consumer.

Hello & Welcome

I have wanted a blog for a long time and only now found an easy and inexpensive way to accomplish that objective. I hope that my posts will elicit a dialogue that will be of interest to many.