During a quiet period for acquisitions across the industrial distribution market, news of Amazon Business stating it views Grainger as one of its top two competitors dominated traffic on ID this past week.
Here's this week's Top 5
Reports - Amazon Business Views Grainger As Top Threat: Multiple reports last week indicated that Prentis Wilson, the chief of Amazon Business, identified Grainger and office supply giant Staples as his division's rivals and designated the B2B supply market a "must-win" for the company.
FedEx Follows UPS With Shipping Rate Increase: FedEx has announced plans to plans to raise its shipping rates starting next year, following UPS annoucing a rate increase that went into effect Sept. 19.
Why Succession Planning Is So Crucial: When all Baby Boomers turn 65 years or older by 2029, they will represent 20 percent of the U.S. population. However, a recent study found that only 12.5 percent of companies engaged in formal succession planning — a figure that is far too low.
Ferguson Continues Acquisitive Growth Strategy: Ferguson recaps its 2016 acquisitions — numbering 13 in its recently-completed fiscal year — and discusses its entry into the Michigan waterworks market.
These Advanced Warehouse Robots May Transform The Distribution Industry: A New England grocery billionaire believes that his side business of advanced robots could upend the warehouse and distribution industry within five years. The robots — which resemble "driverless go-carts" — can move freely throughout warehouses at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour to stack and retrieve boxes.
