| April 3, 2008 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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| News and Trends |  |  |
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- HD Supply buys Calif. firm, anticipates other acquisitions
In its first acquisition since splitting from The Home Depot last year, HD Supply has bought D&M Fabrication Inc. of Lodi, Calif. The designer and installer of sprinkler systems will be folded into HD's Waterworks, which has 260 branches nationwide. CEO Joe DeAngelo says HD Supply has plenty of "headroom" to expand via additional acquisitions. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (free registration)
(3/31)
    
- W.W. Grainger shifts CEO role
Richard L. Keyser will relinquish his title and duties as CEO of W.W. Grainger, effective June 1. Though Keyser will remain as chairman, James T. Ryan will take over the CEO role in addition to his current position as president. CNNMoney.com/Thomson Financial
(3/31)
- Rexel to double its size through Hagemeyer acquisition, CEO says
Rexel's $4.77 billion buyout of Hagemeyer will essentially double the company's size, and European markets will account for roughly 60% of total revenues, up from 45% currently, said the French electrical distributor's CEO, Jean-Charles Pauze. He also said the acquisition will give Rexel a presence in areas such as the Baltics and increase Rexel's overall sales for 2007 by some 30%. Industrial Distribution
(3/31)
| Best Practices | | |
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- Consider key elements to make sure e-mails get opened
Four key e-mail marketing elements are essential in getting people to open your marketing messages. They are using a consistent from name that your customers will instantly recognize; using a concise, well-thought-out subject line; extending the subject line into the preview window with a text pre-header; and considering how the e-mail will look in the recipient's preview window. MarketingProfs (free registration)
(3/25)
| Sales | | |
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- Women excel at sales
 Data suggest that women are the fastest growing segment in sales, and sales expert Greg Winston says they tend to excel at the job because they frequently possess the skills and qualities -- including the ability to listen and forge strong relationships -- that make sales professionals successful in their field. Inc.com/Sold! blog
(3/30)
| Small Business Manager | | |
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- Entrepreneurs may not understand all insurance options
Small companies often overlook the need to buy business interruption insurance and employment practices liability insurance, which can protect them against catastrophes and employee mistakes. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Insurance Information Institute have online information sites that provide overviews of insurance types and needs associated with specific industries. Los Angeles Times/Associated Press
(3/31)
| Executive Life | | |
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| NAW Insider | | |
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Register for NAW's Large Company Financial Networking Conference
NAW's Large Company Financial Networking Conference is in Chicago, May 13 to 14. It joins top-level financial executives from wholesale distribution companies with sales of $100 million and above to network and learn. Agenda topics are based on responses from the financial community and address specific needs of the group, including risk management, strategic pricing and generational demographics. Get the details and register.
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Branch managers: Master the 5 fundamentals
What does it take to become a "superstar" manager of a wholesale distribution branch? 5 Fundamentals for the Wholesale Distribution Branch Manager, a book from NAW, advises current and aspiring branch managers on how to succeed and excel through the mastery of five fundamental skills.
| Weekly Poll | | |
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Would you like to have in-flight broadband access?
After voting once, check out the real-time poll results on NAW's All Access page as often as you'd like.
 | Yes -- I hate feeling as though I am disconnected. |
| No -- I enjoy the solace. |
| Maybe -- if the option was free. |
| I do not travel by air enough for it to matter. |
| SmartQuote | | |
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- Monday, March 31, 2008
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- Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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