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Why 90% of Distributors Say Their Business Model May Be Broken—and What Comes Next
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Are U.S. tariffs helping or hurting your business model?
In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unravel the legal, economic, and operational chaos triggered by shifting U.S. tariffs, AI adoption, and distribution tech disruptions. From trade court rulings to Mexico’s manufacturing boom, they explore what every distributor, manufacturer, and channel leader needs to know to navigate today’s volatility with foresight and resilience.
Whether you’re reevaluating your CRM, mitigating supply chain risk, or decoding the implications of nearshoring, this episode delivers actionable insights rooted in the realities of B2B commerce and channel management.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why the future of U.S. tariffs may depend on Supreme Court decisions—and how that affects distributors
- The “First Sale Rule” loophole and why it’s both a cost-saver and a documentation headache
- Why 9 in 10 distribution leaders say their current business model is unsustainable
- The rise of Mexico as a nearshoring powerhouse—and what it means for supply chain strategy
- How AI and robotics are already reshaping workplace safety, marketing, and talent acquisition
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:
- ChannelCloud – LeadSmart Technologies’ AI-powered CRM for manufacturers and distributors
- First Sale Rule – A legal trade regulation impacting tariff calculation
- Platformization – The strategic move away from fragmented tools toward integrated platforms
Closing Insight:
“Platformization is the backbone of digital transformation.” – Tom Burton
To stay ahead in wholesale distribution, leaders must do more than react—they must rethink. Subscribe now for your weekly dose of pragmatic, AI-aligned insights built for the evolving B2B landscape.
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