In this week’s episode, hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are joined by John Gunderson, a distribution industry veteran and partner at Channel Marketing Group. The trio dives deep into the shifting economic landscape, major M&A developments—especially the QXO/Beacon deal—and the rising importance of data, AI, and digital transformation in wholesale distribution. 

From interest rates and tariffs to distributor strategy and evolving ecommerce trends, this episode is packed with insights for navigating uncertainty and identifying competitive advantage in 2024.  

Guest Spotlight: John Gunderson 

With a background in category management, pricing, sales, and marketing at Crescent Electric, HD Supply, and Motion Industries, John brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the conversation. Now a key contributor at Modern Distribution Management (MDM) and Channel Marketing Group, John is shaping the conversation on industry trends through content, consulting, and direct engagement with leading companies across distribution channels.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Uncertainty Creates Opportunity: Distributors can gain market share during volatile times by leveraging strong inventory positions, buying power, and smart pricing strategies.
• QXO’s Bold Moves: The recent acquisition of Beacon by QXO signals a new phase in distribution, where technology, private equity, and legacy markets collide.
• Tariffs and Policy Shifts: New tariffs, deregulation, and potential tax breaks signal a broader governmental strategy to boost domestic manufacturing—a move that may mark a historic inflection point.
• Data-Driven Strategy is Essential: Companies like Graybar are taking the lead by leveraging ERP integrations and customer data to streamline operations and deepen customer relationships.
• Digital Transformation Isn’t Optional: The top-performing companies are not just digitizing—they’re integrating AI, ecommerce, and real-time intelligence into their operations to stay ahead.
• AI is Moving from Concept to Action: Conversational commerce and agentic AI are reshaping how B2B buyers interact with distributors. Success will depend on moving beyond surface-level applications.

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