BSA distributors say Web enhances image

By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 11/1/2000

Glen Ellyn, Ill.-For many distributors, the Internet and e-commerce are tools that can help raise their company's stature a notch or two.

As a case in point, the Bearing Distributors Assn. recently found that its members turn to e-business mainly to enhance their company's image. Fifty percent of BSA members surveyed checked off "enhance business image" when asked their top e-business priority. Other reasons for turning to e-business include: to increase channel efficiency (17 percent); gain new business (11 percent); add value to current sales (eight percent); and increase current business (four percent).

The survey, conducted in June, was BSA's first Quarterly E-Commerce Survey of distributors and manufacturers.

The survey also asked participants to rate overall and e-business performance. Seventy-six percent of distributors said overall business for the three months ending June 2000 was higher than the same period last year. Just 32 percent rated e-business levels for that period as higher than the same period last year.

Manufacturers were less positive about overall business. Just fifty-four percent said overall business was higher than during the same period in 1999. On the other hand, manufacturers reported stronger e-business activity, with 44 percent rating e-business levels higher in the second quarter as compared to year-ago levels.

In other BSA news, the association will hold its 2001 Winter Meeting February 5-6 in Las Vegas.