What Modern Distribution Management does

Modern Distribution Management (MDM) is a U.S.-focused business intelligence, research, and events provider serving the wholesale distribution industry, operating as a division of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW). Founded in 1967 and headquartered with editorial offices at 1325 G St NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, MDM has built a multi-decade content archive (3,334+ articles, 185 podcasts, 41 whitepapers, 22 events) organized across research, strategy, operations, technology, sales and marketing, and leadership categories, and produces the annual Top Distributors rankings covering 220+ North American distributors across 20 product sectors — a program now in its 17th year and built on confidential, independently verified company-submitted data.

The product portfolio is anchored by the MDM Premium Membership (monthly and annual subscriptions to the gated content library, case studies, Market Insight Reports, the Premium Monthly publication, and research), complemented by the Market Prospector web-based SaaS analytics tool for market sizing, demand forecasting, and prospect listing. Layered on top is a research catalog that includes the MDM Annual Economic Outlook Report ($1,995), the MDM MRO Market Trends Report ($2,995 full / $1,295–$1,495 by sector), the MDM Quarterly Forecast, the MDM Quarterly M&A Report, and the MDM Quarterly MarketPulse Report ($195 each), all underwritten by the quarterly Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey polling ~400 distributors and manufacturers. A six-per-year case study series on major distributors (Singer Industrial, Ludwig Meister, LINC Systems, Watsco, MSC Industrial, Ferguson, Wesco, Fastenal), a podcast and sponsored Amplify series, the SHIFT | The Future of Distribution conference, and a calendar of sponsored webinars round out the media properties.

MDM monetizes through a mix of recurring subscriptions (Premium, Market Prospector), one-time report and case study sales ($195 each), selective advertising and sponsorship (newsletter, webcasts, whitepapers, tiered Top Distributors sponsorships with Hawksearch, Epicor, and Klipboard), and event/conference revenue. Premium content and case studies are bundled at no cost to NAW members, and the editorial team is led by Executive Editor Mike Hockett (since 2022) and Senior Editor Vesna Brajkovic (since May 2023). The company has 11–50 employees, is privately held within NAW, has no disclosed external funding, and is not a candidate for near-term equity capital markets activity.

Name

Modern Distribution Management

Legal name

Modern Distribution Management

Website

https://mdm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Modern Distribution Management is a U.S.-focused B2B research, analytics, and media firm serving wholesale distribution executives, founded in 1967 and operating as a division of NAW. It sells subscription research, case studies, a Market Prospector SaaS analytics tool, and the annual Top Distributors rankings covering 220+ distributors across 20 sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Distribution Research & Intelligence

akta.pro primary industry

Content Distribution & Syndication Services (BPAFAIAK)

Keywords

• Wholesale distribution research
• Distribution industry benchmarking
• Market intelligence reports
• M&A tracking reports
• Industry forecasting analytics

Headquarters

HQ city

Lafayette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Premium Membership Subscriptions: Recurring monthly and annual subscriptions to MDM Premium, providing unlimited access to the MDM Library of member-exclusive articles, case studies, Market Insight Reports, Premium Monthly, and research. Free to NAW members.
2. Market Prospector SAAS Tool: Web-based SAAS subscription product that allows users to run customized reports for market sizing, demand forecasting, and prospect listings, sold as a separate analytics product.
3. Individual Research Report Sales: One-time purchase of individual reports including the MDM Annual Economic Outlook Report ($1,995), MRO Market Trends Report ($2,995 full / $1,295–$1,495 by sector), Quarterly Forecast, Quarterly M&A Report, and MarketPulse Report ($195 each). Free to Premium and NAW Members.
4. Case Study Report Sales: One-time sale of in-depth case study reports on individual distributors (e.g., Singer Industrial, Ludwig Meister, LINC Systems, Watsco, MSC Industrial, Ferguson, Wesco, Fastenal) at $195 each; free to MDM Premium and NAW Members.
5. Advertising and Sponsorships: Selective advertising on the website, daily MDM Update newsletter, E-Blast Program, webcasts, podcasts, research partnerships, whitepapers/guides, and digital and live events. Includes tiered Top Distributors Report sponsorships (Gold Hawksearch, Silver Epicor, Bronze Klipboard).
6. Sponsored Webcasts and Webinars: Single- and multi-part sponsored webinar series delivered with partners such as McKinsey & Company, Epicor, Grant Thornton, Distro, PROS, McFadyen Digital, Akeneo, Mined XAI, and Oracle NetSuite.
7. Conferences and Live Events: Live industry events such as SHIFT | The Future of Distribution in Denver, often co-produced with NAW, generating registration, sponsorship, and exhibition revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Modern Distribution Management is the leading research, analytics, and educational content provider for the U.S. wholesale distribution industry, operating as a division of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW). Its offering centers on subscription-based premium content, the Market Prospector SaaS analytics tool for market sizing and demand forecasting, and a layered catalogue of recurring and one-time research reports covering 19-20 distribution product sectors.

Product overview

Modern Distribution Management (MDM) is the leading research, analytical and educational provider in U.S. wholesale distribution, a division of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW). Its offering is a platform-plus-content portfolio rather than a single unified product, anchored by the MDM Premium Membership (the gated content subscription) and the Market Prospector web-based SaaS tool (the data/analytics product that turns sales data into market sizing, demand forecasting and prospect listings). Around that core, MDM publishes a layered research catalogue: the MDM Annual Economic Outlook Report, the MDM MRO Market Trends Report, the MDM Quarterly Forecast, the MDM Quarterly M&A Report, the MDM Quarterly MarketPulse Report and the MDM Premium Monthly — all available bundled inside Premium or sold individually. Long-form intelligence is delivered through the MDM Business Case Studies Series (Singer Industrial, Ludwig Meister, LINC Systems, Watsco, MSC Industrial, Ferguson, Wesco, Fastenal) and the annual MDM Top Distributors Report, while industry programming is carried by the MDM Podcast / MDM Amplify Podcast, MDM Webinars, the SHIFT | The Future of Distribution Conference, the Women in Distribution and Industry Titans recognition programs, the MDM Whitepapers library and the daily MDM Update newsletter.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MDM Premium: MDM's subscription-based premium membership offering providing exclusive articles, case studies, research, forecasts, M&A activity, peer insights and the Premium Monthly publication.
• The MDM Podcast
• Market Prospector
• MDM Top Distributors
• Women in Distribution
• Industry Titans

Products and services

• MDM Premium Membership
• Market Prospector
• MDM Annual Economic Outlook Report
• MDM MRO Market Trends Report
• MDM Quarterly Forecast
• MDM Quarterly M&A Report
• MDM Quarterly MarketPulse Report Quarterly research report based on the Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey, polling approximately 400 distributors and manufacturers on past and projected revenue, business conditions, and pricing impacts. $195 each, issued 4/year.
• MDM Business Case Studies Series
• MDM Top Distributors Report
• MDM Podcast / MDM Amplify Podcast Podcast series featuring distributor executive interviews, industry expert discussions, and sponsored episodes on topics including AI, sales, M&A, tariffs, and digital commerce. Distributed via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Audible; monetized through sponsorship.
• MDM Webinars Live and on-demand webinar program covering distribution topics including AI, AEO/GEO, digital commerce, M&A, e-commerce, labor, and operational priorities. Sponsored by partners such as McKinsey, Epicor, Akeneo, McFadyen Digital, Grant Thornton, Oracle NetSuite, Distro, PROS, and Mined XAI.
• SHIFT | The Future of Distribution Conference Annual industry conference produced by NAW and MDM in Denver, bringing together distribution leaders for keynotes, panels, and case-study presentations on AI, change management, pricing, digital commerce, and workforce topics. Generates registration, sponsorship, and exhibition revenue.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 5,800 articles, podcasts, white papers, and events available in the MDM Content Library.
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major, moderate and minor.

• National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDM is a division of NAW, sharing editorial offices at 1325 G St NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC. NAW members receive MDM Premium content at no cost. The two organizations co-produce flagship events such as SHIFT | The Future of Distribution and collaborate on webinars (e.g., the NAW Webinar: Analyzing 2026's Top Distributors, the March 2026 NAW webinar on workforce resilience with Epicor). MDM also refreshed its logo in February 2026 as part of NAW brand integration.
• Baird (Robert W. Baird & Co.)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of the quarterly Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey, which polls ~400 distributors and manufacturers on revenue performance, pricing, and business expectations. The survey underpins MDM's MarketPulse, M&A, and Forecast reports, and Baird Senior Research Analyst David Manthey co-presents the annual MDM Industry Outlook webcast.
• Hawksearch by BridgelinemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor of MDM's Top Distributors Report. Sponsorship of MDM's flagship annual research deliverable positions the partner with distributor executives and influencers.
• EpicormajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor of MDM's Top Distributors Report; repeat sponsor of MDM webcasts and webinars (e.g., the March 2026 'Thriving Through Change' webinar, the April 2026 'Where 400+ Distribution Leaders Are Investing in AI' webinar). Epicor CMO and SVP of Product Kerrie Jordan also appears on the MDM Amplify Podcast discussing AI in ERP.
• KlipboardmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Sponsor of MDM's Top Distributors Report. Co-marketing placement in MDM's flagship annual research deliverable targeting distributor decision-makers.
• McKinsey & CompanymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-produces a 3-part quarterly webinar series with NAW and MDM, including 'The Road to Future-Ready Distribution: Operational Priorities' (June 2026) and previously hosted webinars on M&A, profitability, the labor crunch, and e-commerce. Also partnered on the SHIFT keynote.
• Grant ThorntonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of multiple MDM Amplify podcast episodes, including 'Rerouted and Resilient' (July 2025), 'Tariffs as a Structural Cost' (January 2026), and 'OB3's Financial Flexibility for Distributors' (October 2025), delivering tax, tariff, and finance insights to MDM's distribution audience.
• Oracle NetSuitemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2026 Annual Distribution Industry Outlook webcast (February 18, 2026), featuring NetSuite VP Ranga Bodla alongside MDM and Baird's senior research analyst.
• McFadyen DigitalmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 'A Guide to AEO + GEO' webinar (May 7, 2026) and a sponsored MDM Amplify podcast episode with Tom McFadyen on AI in B2B commerce.
• AkeneomoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 'Fueled by Product Data — How Banner Solutions is Using PIM to Accelerate eCommerce' webinar (May 21, 2026) and B2B product data webcasts.
• DistromoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 'Your Best Salesperson is About to Quit' webcast (October 14, 2025) featuring Distro Founder & CEO Jason Sullivan and MDM Executive Editor Mike Hockett.
• PROSmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 'Meet the Moment — How Distributors Can Meet and Exceed Evolving Buyer Expectations' webcast (October 9, 2025) featuring PROS expert John Bruno and ADI Global's John Carberry.
• Mined XAImoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 'The Executive AI Playbook — Scaling Intelligent Supply Chains & Distribution Networks' webcast (August 7, 2025) featuring Winsupply's Robert DiTommaso and Mined XAI's Rajesh Naik.
• CanalsmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor (alongside Epicor, Descartes, and Revalgo) of the 'Where 400+ Distribution Leaders Are Investing in AI' webinar (April 9, 2026); Canals Co-Founder/CTO Erez Arnon also appears on the 'AI's Customer Service Impacts' sponsored podcast (April 3, 2026).
• DescartesmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of the 'Where 400+ Distribution Leaders Are Investing in AI' webinar (April 9, 2026) on AI adoption in distribution.
• RevalgomoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of the 'Where 400+ Distribution Leaders Are Investing in AI' webinar (April 9, 2026) on AI adoption in distribution.
• BGL (Brown Gibbons Lang & Company)moderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed partner in MDM's Investment Banking Directory, providing M&A advisory services with expertise in the wholesale distribution industry.
• Harris WilliamsmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed partner in MDM's Investment Banking Directory, providing M&A advisory services with expertise in the wholesale distribution industry.
• Lincoln InternationalmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed partner in MDM's Investment Banking Directory, providing M&A advisory services with expertise in the wholesale distribution industry.
• StephensmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed partner in MDM's Investment Banking Directory, providing M&A advisory services with expertise in the wholesale distribution industry.
• Founders Investment BankingmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed partner in MDM's Investment Banking Directory, providing M&A advisory services with expertise in the wholesale distribution industry.
• PMCF (Pritzker Private Capital)moderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed partner in MDM's Investment Banking Directory, providing M&A advisory services with expertise in the wholesale distribution industry.
• StifelmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed partner in MDM's Investment Banking Directory, providing M&A advisory services with expertise in the wholesale distribution industry.
• Apple PodcastsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts the MDM Podcast ('Disrupting Distribution by MDM') on the Apple Podcasts platform.
• SpotifyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts the MDM Podcast on the Spotify platform.
• AudibleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts The MDM Podcast on the Audible platform.
• International Sanitary Supply Association (ISA)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced event partner with NAW and MDM at the ISA26 conference, with MDM's Mike Hockett moderating a technology & innovation panel and NAW's Brian Wild providing policy insights.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ACHR News: ACHR News is a BNP Media B2B trade publication covering HVACR distribution. It overlaps directly with one of MDM's core sub-sectors (HVACR distribution) and targets the same distribution-executive audience with news, research and benchmarking.
• Supply House Times: Supply House Times is BNP Media's B2B publication serving plumbing, heating and cooling distribution. It targets the same distribution-exec audience as MDM with news, research and benchmarking, making it a directly comparable vertical peer in PHCP distribution.
• Industry Week: Industry Week (Endeavor Business Media) is a B2B publication serving manufacturing and industrial leaders with news, research and events. It targets an overlapping audience with MDM (industrial decision-makers) and uses a similar content, research and event monetization model.
• Industrial Distribution Magazine: Published by BNP Media, Industrial Distribution is a B2B trade publication serving industrial/MRO distribution with editorial content, research and benchmarking — directly comparable to MDM's editorial and research model for the wholesale distribution vertical.
• Modern Machine Shop: Published by Gardner Business Media, Modern Machine Shop is a B2B vertical media brand serving metalworking and manufacturing with editorial content and research — a structurally similar content/subscription/research model aimed at a single industrial vertical.

Others

• HARDI: HARDI is the trade association for HVACR distribution. Like NAW, it serves as both an industry association and an intelligence provider to its members, intersecting with MDM's coverage of the HVACR distribution vertical.

Broad incumbents

• Endeavor Business Media: Endeavor Business Media is a B2B media conglomerate owning 20+ industry publications across manufacturing, industrial and other sectors. It competes with MDM as a larger player offering multiple vertical-specific media brands and events.
• BNP Media: BNP Media is a B2B media conglomerate that publishes multiple industry-focused trade publications including Industrial Distribution, ACHR News and Supply House Times — directly overlapping with MDM's verticals and distribution-exec audience at greater scale.
• Informa Markets: Informa Markets is a large B2B events and media operator serving multiple industries including manufacturing and distribution. It overlaps with MDM's events and research offerings at significantly greater scale and broader portfolio scope.

Emerging players

• Thomas Publishing: Thomas Publishing (Thomasnet) operates a B2B sourcing platform and supplier directory for industrial products and distributors. While its core is supplier discovery rather than editorial/research, it intersects with MDM's distribution-channel intelligence and prospect-list use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mdmnews
• Facebookfacebook.com/100400360032169
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/modern-distribution-management

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Modern Distribution Management