Catfish are native to North America. Since you may know, catfish are bottom feeders with slick, shiny skin and no scales, often referred to as “Mr. Whiskers.” They feast upon algae and prefer “dead stinky bait” rather than better, live alternatives. They feed through the night and may be predators. Most are sleek and quick, but some have now been recognized to grow over 50 pounds. Catfish referred to as Bull Heads are a lot more of a scavenger and feast upon decaying organic matter. Bull Heads aren’t the fighters that Channel Catfish are and become a simpler catch.
Some manufacturers may consider their distributors in the exact same vernacular. They might believe distributors are slick, quick, and desperate to feast upon the almighty dollar. They say distributors “bottom-feed” on rebates, discounts and special promotions, preferring lowered prices (i.e., dead stinky bait) instead of the work of selling value. Manufacturers believe some distributors have grown large and lazy, demonstrating the “Cadillac and Boat” syndrome. “I’ve all I want, a Cadillac and my bass boat, so why break my neck trying to fully capture a lot more market share?”
After spending significantly more than 35 years in the distribution business, I must admit that I’ve encounter a couple of distributors who fit that description. But they are the exception, not the rule. Most distributors work quite difficult, and are honest and loyal for their manufacturer. They recognize they are only just like the support they receive from their manufacturer. But in addition they recognize the reciprocal nature of the relationship. Put simply, the more support that distributors give manufacturers through investments in market share growth, then a more support they’ll receive from the manufacturer.
Distributors provide tremendous value. Most manufacturers appreciate this and will openly admit it, though some do this begrudgingly. Manufacturers who truly operate in a partnership relationship not merely acknowledge the distribution value, nevertheless they seek to leverage that value at every opportunity. What value does distribution provide? The value can differ by industry and product, but it offers some or even all the following:
Some manufacturers don’t acknowledge this value openly and live in a “Love-Hate” relationship making use of their distributors. They can’t deal with ’em and they can’t live without ’em. Needless to say it’s true that the few distributors deserve this negative opinion. There are those who have made fortunes since they had products with exceptional brand equity in exclusive or selective territories that required simply answering the phone to get rich. Several of those distributors have didn’t reinvest within their business, putting personal needs ahead of business needs. Proper the conclusion of the product life cycle nears and innovative distribution is required for new service introduction and support, the commitment, desire and competence on the distributor level is usually lacking. These circumstances just fuel the fire of manufacturers’ low opinion of distribution. Fortunately we believe these scenarios make-up merely a small minority, so we must work to alter any negative generalizations.
Different Perspectives
We must recognize that there’s an alternative business mindset between the distributor and the manufacturer. By understanding the two perspectives better, each party can perhaps work toward a better partnership relationship. The maker prefers to really have a contract with point-of-sales information. Their contract would state, you will do “this,” and in the event that you don’t, “these” are the results, and by the way, our deal may be cancelled with a thirty-day notice. On another hand, the distributor prefers a partnership covenant that says should you “this,” we will do “that,” and together we shall grow market share.
Naively, throughout a lot of my distribution career, I believed that I was an individual of the manufacturer. I bought their product and resold it. I did not comprehend the thought of not being their customer until 1998. I was 8 weeks on the task as COO of a $400 million distributor. Initially I met our major supplier, a company of pumps, it had been at a cocktail party. I was speaking with their Vice President of sales. I had done my homework and knew our company was on their top ten account list as we had purchased over $45 million dollars of product from their store the entire year before. I made an opinion to this Vice President about our company taking pride in being among their top ten customers. I expected at least a smile, kudos, or perhaps a grateful nod. He looked at me in disbelief and with a rather firm, arrogant voice said, “Rick, you are not just a customer-you are a supplier!”
During the time I was offended by his attitude but have since come to appreciate that in the eyes of the manufacturer, distributors aren’t customers. 토토총판 They are just a link in the supply chain. Ideally, they are channel partners. Manufacturers have huge capital demands to cover high fixed costs. Their call to continually increase market share is essential, yet distributors sometimes get frustrated with the volume-driven needs of their manufacturers.
Increasingly, manufacturers have little choice but to explore all opportunities to fully capture market share, and distributors may become just one vehicle in the supply chain. Many manufacturers even seek out the ability to service some major customers direct. Transactional the websites on the Internet are playing an ever-increasing role in the supply chain. Add manufacturers’ reps, integrators and catalog houses, and you begin to comprehend the confusion and noise that may exist as a result of numerous channels. This can and often does frustrate distributors. They believe in themselves and prefer market exclusivity – a phenomenon that’s dying off in many industries.
What keeps the Distributor up through the night?
Distributor rationalization has become a hot topic in several manufacturer executive staff meetings across North America. Most manufacturers believe they’ve a lot of distributors. Mass retail complicates this situation and working with the service demands of the big box retailers continues to be a significant headache for the manufacturer. If a company sat down today and designed his distribution model from scratch, odds are very good that few would retain their existing channel structure. Distributors know this and often feel threatened by it.
However, just like profit covers many sins, performance covers most frustrations. Manufacturers like big purchase orders, increased sales and market share growth. Distributors like exclusivity, rebates, co-op funding, technical support and innovative, creative manufacturing partners. When both partners get what they want, it’s a fit produced in heaven, and matches similar to this do exist. However, additional require constant nurturing. Both partners need to work at it.
Distributors and manufacturers often disagree on what is vital that you the customer. Distributors believe the manufacturer is out of touch and the manufacturer believes the distributor isn’t providing adequate coverage and developing market intelligence. Manufacturers believe the intelligence that distribution does gather is highly biased.
Manufacturers observe that channel rationalization can be a positive thing because of their long-term relationships with distributors who’re ready to be true partners and operate within the bounds of what is wonderful for both. A garden can’t flourish without pulling the weeds. The key is always to catch the “catfish” in the rationalization process, rather than the productive distributor partner.
