EXPERTISE is at the Core of the Noble Calling of Distribution
Distributors play a unique and important role in our society because they are, quite literally, in the middle of everything. Distribution is in the middle of every industry. There is a myth that those in the middle, standing between manufacturers and the businesses that serve consumers—middlemen—don’t add value.
Looking Back on Episode 2: An Interview with Wiseway Supply Co.
As I continue on this final leg of the We Supply America tour, I’ve been thinking a lot about what we’ve accomplished. One thing I keep coming back to is telling the stories of distributors. The last episode of the We Supply America eight-part docuseries aired last week. With each stop of our tour, we continue to hear about the importance of championing the noble calling of distribution.
“Generous” Air and Doing the Ordinary Extraordinarily Well
I rolled into the headquarters of General Air in Denver, Colorado in the early morning last week. Even though it was the industrial part of the city, it was still beautiful with the majestic mountains in the backdrop. Immediately upon my arrival, the team at General Air whisked me through the locker room and on in to meet with the team.
The Granite Group Is a Durable Growth Engine
The Granite Group is “in the service business, 100%,” according to Bill Condron, President and CEO. But he isn’t just talking about their customers. During my visit with The Granite Group, the “service business” was redefined to encompass everyone that the company serves, and at the center of that are employees.
The 7 Ethos That Define The Noble Calling Of Distribution
Championing the noble calling of distribution—this has been our mission from the moment the We Supply America tour rolled onto the streets of America. For too long distribution—the backbone of America—has been the silent partner in making this country work. Each of the 30,000 distributors in this country (mostly independent and family-run businesses) provide the goods that keep America running while creating a $6.9 trillion economic engine and 6 million jobs.
Driving A Collaboration Between Legacy and Innovation: Hovis Auto
Many consumers think of Amazon as the top innovator in the industry—and they have certainly accomplished a lot (take a look at my letter to the new CEO of Amazon). But Amazon wouldn’t exist were it not for the distribution companies who paved the way. In reality, distributors have been paving the way for better technology, more compelling customer service, and higher quality products for years—long before Amazon transitioned from a bookseller to a massive multi-product sales platform and distribution company.
Riling People Up About Distribution
If I were to describe the We Supply America journey in the simplest and perhaps most humorous terms, I’d say this: I’m traveling across America to rile people up about distribution. There’s something about getting into the We Supply America RV and traveling the country that makes me feel like the best type of cheerleader, the type of cheerleader our industry needs (but, you know, minus the mini-skirt and pom-poms).
On the Road with Dirk – 07.25.21
The We Supply America tour had a GREAT week visiting Coburn’s Supply in Lafayette, Louisiana, participating in a customer appreciation day, and then heading north to St. Louis (with a little accident thrown in—see below). I had two great visits with Holt Electric (you have to check out their branding!) and Cee Kay.
An Open Letter To Amazon’s New CEO Andy Jassy As Jeff Bezos Lifts Off Into Space
Dear Andy,
Congratulations on your appointment to CEO of Amazon. You certainly have big shoes to fill, as light as they might seem at this moment, with Jeff Bezos and his shoes at zero gravity traveling into space today.
On The Road With Dirk 07.18.21
The We Supply America tour had a terrific week, and I enjoy my solitude between stops, but my wife Gail joined me on the tour this week. Having picked her up at the Harrisburg, PA airport, I informed her that her romantic husband had planned to spend our first full day together getting the toilets of the RV fixed for the third time. Who needs fancy gifts when you can show your spouse you love them by ensuring they have access to working plumbing?
