1/21/2014 10:44:00 PM
FIN SURVEY
Distributor inventory declined in 2013, with the inventory index dropping to 3.9, down from 4.5 in 2012.
After slipping last year, distributor gross margins edged up slightly in 2013 to 38% compared to 36% in 2012.
“Concerned about possible price increases from suppliers due to some mergers in the past year,” noted a distributor.
“Consolidation and more to come,” a second distributor commented.
Among consolidations in 2013 was Brighton-Best’s acquisition of Porteous Fastener Co. in November.
“Prices will rise with less competition,” a FIN Survey participant observed.
The FIN Survey found fasteners widely available in 2013, with 82% of distributors claiming no problems obtaining fasteners, up from 68% claiming no difficulty the previous year.
About 14% reported moderate difficulty obtaining certain fasteners in 2013, and 2% had significant difficulty.
Distributors were the largest group of FIN Survey respondents, comprising 43% of the total.
Importers comprised 5% of overall survey participants.
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