Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, Kevin and Tom tackle the economic, political, and technological shifts shaking up the wholesale distribution and manufacturing world. From skyrocketing tariffs to volatile markets to the return of onshoring, this episode weaves together sharp insights and real-time headlines to deliver one big takeaway: transformation is happening fast, and those who adapt will thrive.

Even as Kevin battles a flu and Tom busts out a mid-show solo monologue, the duo dives deep into the nuances of U.S.–China trade tensions, the potential military implications of tariff disputes, and the quiet but powerful resurgence of American manufacturing. They also highlight a shift in the sales mindset—from expansion through M&A to growth through untapped customer potential—anchored by a discussion of Tom’s latest article on organic growth.

The episode closes with a look at AI hiring policies, Amazon’s China dependency, and why Walmart may quietly be preparing to dominate B2B distribution.

While this episode features no outside guests, the “regulars” return:

Bob Britton & Scott Leith, frequent contributors from the audience, add real-time industry and financial perspective that elevate the discussion.

Key Takeaways:

AI-driven market activity is reshaping Wall Street—and few are ready for the consequences.

New tariffs are shaking global trade norms; their scope is broader than most businesses anticipated.

U.S. manufacturers are outpacing expectations in their tech adoption and pipeline activity.

Walmart is positioning itself to challenge Amazon in the B2B space, quietly and strategically.

Organic growth is becoming the smarter play for distributors facing uncertain capital markets.

Tariff and trade negotiations could become geopolitical flashpoints—and the market is watching.

Amazon may be vulnerable, as 70% of its marketplace products come from China.

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Wait...was there something about tariffs in the news?

In this week’s fast-paced episode of Around The Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton bring clarity to chaos as they tackle the sweeping global tariff changes announced this week. Broadcasting from an airport wine bar (yes, really), Kevin joins Tom to break down the immediate and long-term implications of the tariff overhaul, the ripple effects on manufacturing and sourcing, and how distributors can prepare for what’s next.

The discussion includes real-time analysis of shifting supply chains, economic predictions from thought leaders at the Industrial Supply Association (ISA) conference, and what this all means for pricing, margins, and operational resilience. Special attention is given to strategic insights shared by Ryan Wild of the National Association of Wholesalers and economist Taylor St. Germain of ITR Economics.

If you’ve been caught off guard by the policy shifts, this episode offers critical takeaways and a forward-looking mindset. This isn’t just another recap—this is a roadmap for understanding what’s happening and how to navigate it with strategy, not fear.

Key Topics and Timestamps:

00:00 – 03:20 – Opening banter from a Nashville airport wine bar and why Kevin is podcasting on the go
03:21 – 06:30 – Economic updates: jobs data, market movement, and interpreting short-term volatility
06:31 – 10:15 – Tariff surprises and policy warnings from Ryan Wild (NAW) at the ISA Conference
10:16 – 15:05 – Tariff implications: countries impacted, commodity pricing shifts, and supply chain exposure
15:06 – 19:40 – The bigger strategy behind tariff policies: reshoring, tax offsets, and U.S. competitiveness
19:41 – 24:50 – Economic optimism from Taylor St. Germain (ITR Economics): why Q3 and Q4 could boom
24:51 – 28:30 – Talent, wages, and the urgency to hire before inflation hits
28:31 – 32:00 – Final thoughts: long-term vision, playing the long game, and what to watch next

Key Takeaways:

Tariffs hit harder and wider than expected: The administration’s sweeping policy includes a surprising number of countries, leaving distributors and manufacturers scrambling.

Short-term pain, long-term plan: The hosts emphasize a broader strategy at play—tariffs, reshoring, and eventual tax relief designed to make U.S. manufacturing more competitive.

Pricing pressure is coming: Commodities like nitrile gloves could nearly double in price; companies need to prepare now.

Strategy beats volatility: Focus less on daily market swings and more on the underlying playbook behind the economic shifts.

Invest in 2025: If ITR’s projections hold, the time to hire and expand is now before costs climb next year.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

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Tariffs: here one day, gone the next. How do you plan for that?

In this week's episode, we take a deep dive into the major industry trends (and political decisions) impacting wholesale distribution and manufacturing. We examine the latest updates on tariffs, supply chain resilience, and economic shifts, providing insights that can help distributors and manufacturers navigate an uncertain landscape.

And as always, we look at how AI is reshaping B2B sales and marketing at a break-neck pace. 

Key Topics & Timestamps

⏳ [00:00] Introduction & Industry Updates

• Kicking off with a lighthearted conversation before diving into tariffs, supply chains, and market shifts.

⏳ [08:30] Tariffs & Global Trade Tensions

• China’s trade policies and the latest tariff updates affecting distributors and manufacturers.
• The “de minimis” loophole—how small package shipments bypass tariffs and why that’s a concern for policymakers.
• The geopolitical chess game between China, Canada, and Mexico, and how it’s impacting North American trade.

⏳ [21:50] Supply Chain Resilience & The Shift Away from China

• Why leading distributors are diversifying their supply chains, optimizing inventory management and shifting sourcing to Mexico and other regions.
• Insights from a top distributor: how strategic planning can offset tariff impacts.

⏳ [35:10] The Impact of Natural Disasters on Supply Chains

• California wildfires and the effect on construction materials and rebuilding efforts.
• Potential shortages in drywall, plumbing, and roofing supplies due to increased demand.

⏳ [48:30] Mergers & Acquisitions in Wholesale Distribution

• ORS NASCO’s acquisition of R3 and what it means for the industry.
• The challenges of growth through acquisition vs. organic growth strategies.

⏳ [1:02:40] The Role of AI in Distribution & B2B Marketing

• The rise of predictive personalization and hyper-individualized marketing in B2B sales.
• How AI is helping distributors use ERP data to personalize sales efforts and drive growth.
• Grainger’s investment in AI-driven e-commerce and what it means for mid-sized distributors.

⏳ [1:16:10] DeepSeek AI & Cybersecurity Risks

• Why major companies are blocking DeepSeek AI due to security concerns.
• How businesses should approach AI adoption while protecting sensitive data.

⏳ [1:32:00] Final Thoughts & Looking Ahead

• The importance of digital transformation for wholesale distributors.
• How companies can stay competitive by embracing AI and data-driven strategies.
• What’s coming in next week’s episode, in

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If you think Web3 and the Metaverse is something just for Gen Z, think again. Businesses hold face-to-face meetings remotely and virtually, and can don VR and AR headsets to train, visualize, and collaborate.  Several generations have become accustomed to digital interfaces, software and interactivity, and global connectivity. We immerse into the digital and increasingly draw it out across the physical world. In this episode, Kevin & Tom and their panel of WD thought leaders look at how the Metaverse will affect wholesale distribution, and how smart companies will take advantage of this exciting new technology.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

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Digital transactions, omnichannel sales, ChatGPT in wholesale distribution….we ain't seen nothing yet! In this episode, we're joined by Tom May, Will Quinn, and Brian Conley, who explain how the growth of digital sales is moving well beyond eCommerce. We also discuss how "Digital Brand Optimization" (DBO) may replace SEO as a new trend in the B2B marketplace. Finally, we wrap things up with a roundtable discussion on recent economic news and M&A activity in wholesale distribution.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

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The B2B marketplace continues to explode in 2023, and getting in on the trend is critical for wholesale distributors. In this episode, Kevin and Tom are joined by Brendan Breen with the Industrial Supply Association, who discuss this trend as well as ChatGPT’s coming impact on CRM. We also talk about two important upcoming events: NAW (the National Association of Wholesalers annual event) and ISA23 in Phoenix. You don’t want to miss these insights! 

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

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 On the heels of a better-than-expected jobs report, 2023 is off to a great start. We’ll explain why manufacturers are planning on spending big this year, and why so many M&A deals are happening now. We also give our some Supply Chain predictions for the year, as well as the pros and cons related to manufacturers selling direct, and how this impacts their distributor relationships. 

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

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The emergence of artificial intelligence in our daily work life—especially in the form of ChatGPT—is causing a revolution in wholesale distribution. Will it end up replacing jobs or creating more of them? In this episode, Tom & Kevin reveal why this future should be embraced and not feared, and the important ways AI can be used to both increase WD efficiency and create new customer channels. 

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We are joined by Lee Richards, VP of Sales from The Brooks Group. Lee gives his unique perspective on this week’s news in wholesale distribution and discusses the latest in sales training and motivation techniques his company uses to give clients a competitive edge. Tom, Kevin, and Lee also discuss the enthusiasm they continue to see within wholesale distribution and how the layoffs in tech should not expand to WD. Tom leads a discussion of how company culture impacts growth, employee retention, and much more. 

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

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In our latest episode, we take a deep dive into the biggest headlines affecting wholesale distribution, including massive layoffs at Amazon and Salesforce. We also discuss the hazards of keeping data siloed within your organization, and how Millennials—which now make up half of all B2B purchasers—are changing the distribution game. Finally, we look at the importance of your Tech Stack, as well as a few growth predictions for 2023.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

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