It's time to promote the distribution business
By Jack Keough -- Industrial Distribution, 9/1/1999
INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION, BY MANY ACCOUNTS, IS THE WORLD'S BEST-KEPT SECRET. If you tell someone you're an industrial distributor, you'll probably draw a long stare followed by "what's that?" Few people, it seems, are familiar with our industry.Yet, distribution, as we know, is a vital business. Distributors stock and sell products to keep plants humming, production lines
running and contractors supplied with tools and other accessories necessary to build and remodel homes. Its importance cannot be overemphasized. Take, for example, our story in last month's issue on the spectacular job distributors performed in helping rebuild sections of Oklahoma after a series of devastating tornadoes.
Unfortunately, few schools in this country offer degrees in industrial distribution. That is surprising since instructors at these universities tell us that they receive many inquiries from companies looking for new distribution recruits. This month, we talk to students majoring in industrial distribution and their professors in a special report (p. 59). We point out that despite a growing interest in I.D. programs at schools like the University of Alabama at Birmingham, demand for these students far outstrips supply.
And most of those who enter the industrial distribution business are more than satisfied with their career choice, according to the results of a survey we recently conducted (p. 42). In fact, 91 percent of the respondents to the survey report they are at least "somewhat satisfied" with their job in the distribution sector. Nearly 75 percent of the respondents say they would make the same career choice again.
It's up to us -- the trade press, distributors, manufacturers, and others in our industry -- to promote distribution by letting students at the high school and junior college level know about our business. One Midwest distributor has a relationship with his local junior college and lets students use his CNC machinery for training purposes. More companies should offer internships and summer employment opportunities to prospective candidates.
Probably one of the best reasons for choosing a career in distribution was written by one of the respondents to our survey. He wrote: "If you are looking for a field full of free enterprise opportunities, working hard in industrial distribution is very rewarding." Distribution is a great business. Let's not keep it a secret any longer.
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