When the annual Industrial Distribution Big 50 is put together, we always have a keen awareness that there are a multitude of companies doing impressive, innovative work that don’t have quite the breadth to breaking into the ranking. With that in mind, the Watch List was created.
Now in its eighth year, the Watch List gives us a chance to spotlight those companies that might not yet have reached the scope necessary to slip into the Big 50, but are still making a positive impact in the field. Nominations were solicited online and from major trade organizations, and below is part one of our list of the companies that stood out.
Check out part 2 of the Watch List.
Mallory Safety and Supply
What are the key product categories for the company?
Mallory supplies products in the following categories: safety, industrial MRO, training, staffing, and service.
What are the defining qualities of the company culture?
At Mallory, we have a passion for safer and more productive workplaces that are backed by respect, curiosity, and follow through.
What makes current or potential customers choose you over your competitors?
We provide high-quality safety services with leading edge supply chain solutions, including intensive vending, VMI, and on-site engagements.
When the company needs to hire, where does it look for talent?
Mallory is open to talent from nearly anywhere; however, referrals are our best resource.
What goals does the company have moving forward?
As the external threats of Amazon, automation, and consolidation grow, we strive to remain resilient by building a great culture that delivers value for our customers, employees, and suppliers.
MDS - Manufactured Duct & Supply
What are the key product categories for the company?
We specialize in HVACR supplies for residential and light commercial. We custom build any size duct board system for our contractors.
What are the defining qualities of the company culture?
MDS is committed to serving our customers to the best of our ability. If we do not have what the customer is looking for, we will try our best to get it for them. In addition, our employees work as a team to help each and every one of our customers.
What makes current or potential customers choose you over your competitors?
We offer same day delivery to job sites or warehouses, and if we commit to a delivery, we will have it there on time, complete, and accurate.
When the company needs to hire, where does it look for talent?
We look to our employees first to see who can move to a new role or to see if they know of any potential employees. We often find new hires through our current employees.
What goals does the company have moving forward?
Our goal has always been to be the one stop shop for all HVACR supplies in Metro Atlanta. We want contractors to think of us first when purchasing their supplies. We can better serve our customers with our new B2B website. Our in house estimating department, which provides job quotes to customers, is growing by offering more supplies to our customers in a job quote package.
Cline Tool
What are the key product categories for the company?
Cline Tool supplies custom cutting tools, metal working tools, abrasives, hand and power tools, safety, work holding, metal working fluids and chemicals, gages, and measurement and engineering services.
What are the defining qualities of the company culture?
Providing the “ultimate customer experience” is at the center of our company culture. Since starting this initiative, this term is used by everyone in our company, and when positive feedback is received from customers and vendors we share the positive notes with all in the company and highlight the employees’ achievements.
What makes current or potential customers choose you over your competitors?
Our customer-centric approach, and focus on service and support sets us apart from our competitors. We have built what we call the 360 degree total solution. Cline Tool provides comprehensive engineering services, indexable tool repair, regrind services, and complete project management for new machine tool programs, all in-house.
What is the company’s approach to growth strategy? Is it organic-based, acquisition-based, or both?
In 2015, we opened three new branches. We were, and still are, always looking for potential acquisition opportunities. We found our unique market strategy has allowed the green field expansions to be very successful because we offer much more than the traditional transactional industrial distributor.
When the company needs to hire, where does it look for talent?
We utilize our network of customers and OEM representatives for referrals. On the manufacturing side of our business, we work closely with DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) CNC and Tool and Die Programs. We offer scholarships and part-time employment, so they can get real world experience as they are learning.
What goals does the company have moving forward?
Our financial goal is to double our size in the next three years. Our employee goal is to provide a rich and rewarding work environment that challenges our folks to continually develop and expand their skills to provide better solutions for our customers.
HiVis Supply
What are the key product categories for the company?
HiVis supplies high visibility safety apparel (HVSA).
What are the defining qualities of the company culture?
HIiVis Supply continues to maintain the long-term customer relationships not commonly associated with an online-only distributor—a commitment to product expertise backed up by personal service. This level of commitment is only possible when each and every one of our employees truly believes their role in the company makes a difference. This ultimately helps us achieve our vision of protecting the American workforce.
What makes current or potential customers choose you over your competitors?
HiVis Supply is hyper focused on the HVSA product category, so we have a selection of products second to none. The breadth of our offering extends well beyond simple high visibility, but also recognizes the expanding needs of the American work force to also include protective apparel for other hazards (i.e., seasonal temperatures, working at heights, electrical hazards, etc), while still maintaining worker visibility.
What goals does the company have moving forward?
We hope to implement new software/technology to improve service levels to our customers, expand our footprint of product warehouse location(s) to provide faster delivery service, and further develop product offering to stay aligned with new safety standards and the growing demand of the U.S. labor force.
