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February 4, 2009 News for the wholesale distribution industry   News and Trends    Durable goods orders drop for fifth month in a row New orders for durable goods dropped 2.6% in December compared to November levels, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, marking the fifth month in a row of declines. "The consumer-led recession has lowered factory operating rates and created economy-wide slack," said Daniel Meckstroth, chief economist for the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. Industrial Distribution online (1/29), Modern Distribution Management (1/30) Survey: Majority of industrial manufacturers expect zero or negative growth: A majority of U.S.-based industrial manufacturers are expecting zero or negative growth in the next 12 months, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Manufacturing Barometer. The survey found 34% of manufacturers surveyed expect zero growth, 33% expect negative growth and 25% expect positive growth. Modern Distribution Management (1/29) Freight slowdown reminds industry analyst of 1970s The freight free-fall of the past three years recalls an earlier era, according to an industry analyst. "We have such low capacity, as low as we've had since the 1970s -- nobody working in the industry right now has experienced these levels," said Noel Perry, managing director of FTR Consulting. Perry predicts some small and medium-sized trucking fleets may go bankrupt in 2009. Fleet Owner (1/30) Ryerson plans to expand U.S. footprint Ryerson Inc. may buck the economic trend this year, as the metals distributor and processor moves to expand its business. The Chicago-based company plans to open two new service centers, one in Utah and one in Texas, by the end of the first quarter of this year. Ryerson also has doubled its stake in the joint venture VSC-Ryerson China Ltd. from 40% to 80%. Modern Distribution Management (1/30)   The 2009 Economic Forecast for Wholesale Distribution Dr. Adam J. Fein, distribution industry expert, presents an exclusive first look at how economic trends are shaping up for wholesaler-distributors in 2009. This 30+ page report contains Fein's seasoned analysis of the economic situation and the 2009 macroeconomic forecast. Click here to learn more and download your complimentary report today.     Best Practices  How to put a professional face on social sites Social networking is a great way to expand business contacts, but site operators need to keep in mind that what they say and show can come back to haunt them. Experts say a site should not contain vulgar language or photos, criticisms of other people should be avoided and log-in names should sound professional. MSNBC/Entrepreneur.com (1/28) Consider the consumer when setting a green strategy Companies are rushing to find ways of calling themselves green just as consumers are becoming obsessed with saving some green, as in cash. As such, companies might do best to think about how to make sustainable products more affordable. E-Commerce Times (1/29)   Sales  Tough times call for new strategies Tough times can call for a shift in strategy, and for companies, that means narrowing the focus to cut out what's not profitable, writes Dave Kahle. This entails taking an entirely objective look at every aspect of the business and not letting your ego prevent you from making cuts where they are called for. DaveKahle.com (1/27)   Distribution Trends Blog  Strategies for surviving the recession As we dig out of the current economic pit, the winners will be "those companies with the will, the skill, and the till to survive this recession," writes Pembroke Consulting President and NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Adam J. Fein, Ph.D. He also discusses five tips to make sure your company ends up in the winners' circle. Distribution Trends (2/3)   Small Business Manager  Is your company right for a business coach? As companies struggle to find solutions to new problems brought on by the tough economy, business coaches can come to the rescue. Unlike business consultants, who may have a narrow area of expertise, coaches tend to have a broader perspective, this article says. Manage Smarter (1/28)   Sponsored Content    How is This Economy Like Your Computer or Like the Weather? Self-Employment Assistance Benefits - Is Your State One of the 7 Offering Them? Tip: Learning In The New Era Of Work How Activists Make or Break Radical Innovations Managing Customer Frustration   Executive Life  Caribbean a hotbed of bargains as travel sees a big chill The Caribbean, like so many other vacation spots, is offering cut-rate bargains, even during its peak season, as the region struggles with slow tourism amid a tough economy. Caribbean packages have been seen on the major online travel sites priced at 30% to 50% off, and the U.S. Virgin Islands has an Extended Winter Escape promotion offered through March. NYTimes.com (1/25) A new GPS unit for just about anything that goes missing Location Based Technologies has introduced the PocketFinder, a small, disc-shaped GPS device that can be located (within 30 feet of accuracy) anywhere in the U.S. The company is marketing the PocketFinder as a way to keep tabs on just about anything that goes missing, including people, pets and luggage. NYTimes.com (1/28)   NAW Insider  Become Lean and Become More Profitable and More Effective Becoming lean in distribution is more important than ever in today's challenging economic market. Applying lean concepts makes sense because becoming lean means becoming a more effective distributor. And becoming lean will lead to higher profitability. Lean Operations in Wholesale Distribution focuses on the lucrative operations area and discusses steps distributors must take to design and manage a lean culture. Health insurance for your changing business needs NAW Health Insurance Program offers group health insurance and additional savings opportunities with High-Deductible Plans, FSAs, HRAs, HSAs and more. New in 2009, individual health insurance plans for uninsured employees. Request a quote today; there is no cost or obligation! Billion Dollar Company Roundtables -- peer groups like none other NAW's Billion Dollar Company Roundtables provide a unique networking experience. Join your peers to speak in a noncompeting atmosphere about the issues and topics that affect your business today. Join the groups and learn more about the upcoming events here. Learn more about NAW -> Join NAW  |  Business Products  |  Publications  |  Meetings  |  Govt. Relations   Weekly Poll  What sort of travel do you expect to do most this year? After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like. Domestic for work Domestic for pleasure Overseas for work Overseas for pleasure I don't plan to travel at all this year. Regional Sales Manager J.J. Haines & Company, Inc. Georgia / Northern Florida Business Development Manager Compass Forwarding Co., Inc. New York, NY Operations Manager Ryder Los Angeles, CA   SmartQuote  No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." --Hal Borland, American author     Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Advertise National Account Director:  Jim Pataki (202) 407-7850 Download Media Kit Job Board:  Celia Rothschild (202) 470-1159   Read more at SmartBrief.com A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including: Industry Home Readers' Choice Search Archive Who's Hiring? 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