While our 2015 Big 50 List hangs in the Top 5 for one more week, it was presentations by executives regarding two Big 50 companies that led the way on ID as of late. Grainger COO D.G. Macpherson gave an extensive report on the company's intentions, while Home Depot CEO Craig Menear discussed the company's recent major acquisition of Interline Brands.
Here's this week's Top 5:
Grainger COO Talks Company Outlook, Struggles & Successes In Friday Presentation: Last Friday, Grainger Chief Operating Officer D.G. Macpherson gave a presentation at the third annual Morgan Stanley Conference in Laguna Beach, CA, where he gave an overview of Grainger's business focus, where it's current successes are, as well as its struggles, before fielding questions from analysts. Macpherson elaborated on how Grainger is focusing more on North America, and its ongoing challenge to grow mid-tier companies like it has with large and small companies. In the Q&A session, Macpherson spoke rather candidly about the MRO market as a whole and the challenges it faces, pricing vs. inflation, Grainger's continued SKU expansion, and how it views Amazon.
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Jack Keough: Home Depot CEO On Interline Purchase, E-Commerce Offering: In contributing editor Jack Keough's latest blog, he details Home Depot CEO Craig Menear's recent conference call with attendees at Goldman Sachs 22nd Annual Retailing Brokers Conference. In the call, Menear discussed what led to Home Depot's $1.63 billion acquisition of Interline Brands – No. 19 on our Big 50 – and how it expands Home Depot's capabilities. Menear also went on to discuss how the company sees an opportunity to increase its business with contractors through E-commerce.
Distributor Profile: Fastenal: Also in the Top 5 last week, our September/October Distributor Profile by ID executive editor Anna Wells' continued to gain traction with readers. Wells examines how keeping customers as close as possible while still providing strong fulfillment, inventory, and service levels make Fastenal the ultimate “big small” company. Winona, MN-based Fastenal – No. 12 on the Big 50 – is looking to improve its relationship with top customers with its new Fastenal Onsite program.
Kennametal To Move Corporate HQ, Names Infrastructure & Supply Chain Operations Leaders: Kennametal recently announced that it plans to relocate its world headquarters to an urban location as it repositions the company for growth in global markets, recruits new talent and strengthens innovative partnerships with leading universities. The company has expanded its presence in Pittsburgh, Pa., and will move its corporate leadership team to the U.S. Steel Tower in downtown Pittsburgh while maintaining a substantial presence at its current headquarters in Latrobe, Pa. On Monday, Kennametal announced two changes to its executive management team. Effective Oct. 1, Peter Dragich will become Kennametal vice president and executive vice president of the Infrastructure business segment. Effective Sept. 30, Greg Temple will become vice president and chief supply chain officer.
The 2015 Industrial Distribution Big 50 List: Our Big 50 List was the top item last week, and stays in the Top 5 again. Our Big 50 Video Countdown debuted on Aug. 27 and held the top spot on the Top 5 for three straight weeks. This list version doesn't include commentary like in the video, but rather serves as a quick reference source. Commentary about, and by, Big 50 companies can be read in our Big 50 List feature in our September/October digital edition.
