Trying to define a blog is a little bit like trying to describe the taste of water. It's not easily definable. In preparation for this blog--which I guess is the first of its kind in the distribution business--I talked to several people who write such blogs. Basically I found this: A blog is anything you want it to be. In writing this blog, I'll be talking about distribution issues as well as a host of other things. My wife suggested that the blog be called the ravings of a mad man but I think I'll take the safe road and call it ''Keough's Korner.'' en-us http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053.html?nid=3959 Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use May 12, 2008 http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1990026399.html?nid=3959 As president of IDC-USA, Jack Bailey has submitted more than a few proposals to the distribution co-op members. But the one he submitted at the group’s gala dinner event last Wednesday night drew unanimous support from the IDC’s shareholder-members and preferred suppliers. After hand… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/340026034.html?nid=3959 When Cory Meyer took over as president and CEO of Catalina Lighting in 2006, he realized he had to change the company’s business model to drive profits at the struggling company. Catalina Lighting, a designer, manufacturer and distributor, had experienced back-to-back years of losses and the c… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/840025884.html?nid=3959 There seems to be no good news for the housing sector. The Commerce Department reported today that construction spending in March dropped by 1.1%, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.12 trillion, the fifth decline in the past six months. The sharp drop off was fueled by a decrease of 4.6% in … http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/830025883.html?nid=3959 For the third consecutive month, manufacturing activity contracted in April, according to a report issued today by the Institute of Supply Management. Employment in the manufacturing sector also dropped to its lowest level in five years, the report said. “Manufacturers are in a situation w… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1740024774.html?nid=3959 Here’s a little bit of this and that from the recent NAHAD convention April 5-9 in historic Williamsburg, Virginia: * NAHAD’s Web site will soon be updated, according to executive vice president Joe Thompson. NAHAD’s site makes it easy for manufacturers and distributors to get … http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/540023654.html?nid=3959 Housing starts in Canada during January rose back over 220,000 units on an annualized basis. That’s above December’s 185,000 units, according to Canada’s Mortgage and Housing Corp. Strong housing markets have been one of the saviors of the Canadian economy over the past few year… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1660023566.html?nid=3959 A new market research report says global sales for welding equipment and supplies will grow to $13.2 billion by the end of this year. It is expected to increase to $16.8 billion by 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 5 percent. The report, conducted by BCC Research of Wellesley, Mass., breaks do… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1180023518.html?nid=3959 The U.S. Commerce Department said today that new construction on single-family homes dropped 6.7 percent in February to an adjusted annual rate of 707,000, the lowest point in 17 years. Permits for single-family homes dropped 6.2 percent to a 639,000 annual pace. The report shows that home build… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1670023367.html?nid=3959 Purchasing executives are continuing to slash their supplier base and are forming closer relationships with a smaller number of key suppliers, according to a survey conducted by Purchasing magazine. In fact, one large diversified manufacturer told Purchasing that only a few years ago each of the… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/620023262.html?nid=3959 W.W. Grainger’s daily sales grew 7 percent in February compared to February of 2007, the company reported today and also noted that sales at the Acklands-Grainger Canadian business grew 25 percent for the same time period. The company said Canadian sales grew in the government, mining and … http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/840021884.html?nid=3959 Okay, I’m coming out of my depression about the New England Patriots losing the Super Bowl, mainly because baseball season is right around the corner and the beloved Boston Red Sox will be defending their World Series championship. (To be honest with you I liked it better years ago when you co… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/700021870.html?nid=3959 Small businesses will receive some tax benefits under the economic stimulus bill signed into law by President Bush yesterday. A key provision of the bill is an expansion of “bonus appreciation” which allows investments in tangible property, computer software, or improvements to lease… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/420021642.html?nid=3959 Several months ago we featured an article on a distributorship in the Northeast that had eliminated commissions for its sales force. It’s worked well for this company and has led to the sales force-both inside and outside-to work more closely. And we heard from other distributors who were inte… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1940021394.html?nid=3959 W.W. Grainger is in the midst of its multi-year expansion plan as it adds new locations, expands existing facilities, closes some operations and improves its delivery system through same-day delivery of products. In Pennsylvania, Grainger has added new facilities in Greenburg and Cranberry Townships… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1650021365.html?nid=3959 I’m depressed. The depression isn’t because of the weather, even though it’s been raining steadily. It isn’t because of the cold and the fact that everyone here in Boston is walking around dazed and confused. Very few people are smiling and when they do it is forced— th… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/720021272.html?nid=3959 A new survey shows that job cuts increased nearly 70 percent last month compared to December. The study, conducted by Challenger, Gray and Christmas, an international consulting firm, said planned layoffs increased to 74,986 from 44,416 in December. The housing and financial sectors were the har… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/650021265.html?nid=3959 Stephen Moore, an economics and editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal, caused some heads to spin during his presentation to the National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors. Consider some of the points he made to a large group of NAW members at their annual convention at the Fairmont Hotel i… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1420021142.html?nid=3959 We are not in a recession yet and will probably not be this year. But there will be a recession beginning in 2009 that will continue in 2010, before a recovery the following two years, according to well-known industry economist Alan Beaulieu of the Institute for Trend Research. Beaulieu, speakin… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1210020921.html?nid=3959 There’s just no good news on the housing front. New home sales posted the biggest drop on record in 2007, according to a new government report issued yesterday. Economists are now saying that it doesn’t appear that the housing market will rebound anytime soon. Some are predicting the mar… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/1300020730.html?nid=3959 Not too many years ago, there were skeptics who questioned whether W.W. Grainger, the behemoth MRO supplier of products in the United States, was on the right path for growth. Not any more. Grainger reported record sales and earnings for 2007 today and looks forward to another strong year i… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/640020664.html?nid=3959 Let’s see if I’ve got this straight about the Big Dig project in Boston: Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, the consortium that oversaw the design and construction of the country’s costliest public works project, yesterday agreed to pay the state of Massachusetts $407 million to cov… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/490019849.html?nid=3959 Last Sunday I ventured to a number of stores looking for an HD television. After visiting several outlets, I bought a 46-inch Sony from Sears. Little did I know what was ahead for me with this purchase. The clerk was helpful, rang in the sale and said it would be delivered Wednesday. It was in stock… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/630019063.html?nid=3959 If you’ve listened to any of the presidential debates, you’ve heard the candidates discuss everything from immigration to taxes. The one issue that no one seems to be talking about is manufacturing in the United States. Actor John Ratzenberger, known for his role as Cliff, the kn… http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/150018615.html?nid=3959 A vacant four-story building next to the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago is about to become the Green Exchange, the first business community in the U.S. committed to environmental sustainability, according to SupplyLink, a magazine produced by W.W. Grainger. The first tenants are expected to move … http://www.inddist.com/blog/530000053/post/60018406.html?nid=3959 In order to retain employees, distributors are offering a number of benefits, according to Industrial Distribution’s 61st Annual Survey of Distributor Operations. Here is a breakdown of employee benefits offered: Health Insurance coverage: 90 percent 401K/Pension plans: 77 percent …