2000's FIFTY Outstanding Small Distributors

By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 7/1/2000

Industrial Distribution is pleased to present the 50 Outstanding Small Distributors of 2000. In the following pages, you'll find brief profiles of some of the best and brightest small distributorships in North America. Earlier this year, small companies from across the United States and Canada were nominated for this annual award.

ID presents this special report each year as part of an ongoing effort to examine the role of the small distributor in the industrial distribution marketplace. We begin the section with an overview story explaining how the study was conducted and how we arrived at the 50 winners. The story also takes a look at some of the challenges facing small distributors today, and examines some of the ways small distributors are meeting those challenges. The overview is followed by brief profiles of each of this year's winners.

Also included within this special section is our July cover story, a profile of J. Royal Co. of Barrington, R.I. J. Royal is a distributor of rubber and Teflonrproducts and is making its second appearance in the 50 Outstanding Small Distributors list. Known for its service and innovation, J. Royal has been on the expansion trail in the last few years. To combat a changing industrial landscape in the Northeast, J. Royal has followed some of its manufacturing customers south and found new markets for its products in New England, New York and Pennsylvania.ID editors Victoria Fraza, Ken Brack, Susan Srikonda, Sheri Qualters and Lisa Connell compiled this special report. For reprint information, please contact Vincent Taylor at (847) 390-2266.