Heading into 2023, experts remain optimistic about the health of the PHCP-PVF market despite a few impending factors: a possible recession, inflation, ongoing labor concerns, price increases and supply chain disruption.

As 2022 comes to a close it is now time to review my predictions from last year as well as predict ten more trends I see as we enter 2023. Just like last year, I will stay away from prognosticating about where the stock market will be at this end of the year; instead, I will stick to identifying trends that supply houses will find important in this upcoming year. With all that being said, let's jump right in and review my 2022 predictions.

In an industry where mergers and acquisitions often get a bad reputation, it’s important to recognize the cases where the merging of two companies is of the best interest of each party and their respective customer bases. This was on full display in 2019 when two longstanding PVF product suppliers decided to merge into one powerhouse.

As always, to hear first-hand from reps on the state of the market, challenges and the evolving role of manufacturers’ reps, Supply House Times held its annual Rep Council roundtable discussion where five engaged AIM/R members gather to discuss the hot-topics.

The MDCs, located outside of Denver, in Aurora, Colorado and outside Phoenix in Chandler, Arizona, house the innovative technology running a collection of “robots” that carry out tasks within a physical grid.

Freight forwarders play vital roles in keeping the supply chain moving by serving as intermediaries between the shippers and the carriers who will bring the goods to their final destination.

According to a recent research study from Epicor, a maker of industry-specific enterprise software designed to promote business growth, 96 percent of organizations surveyed worldwide have confidence in their ability to navigate the early stages of the ERP purchase process, from initial evaluation to requirements planning.

The report’s three main stories cover how PMI member companies are creating opportunities through their responses to challenges relating to sustainability and waste reduction, supply chain and workplace and labor.

With home buying at an extreme high, there is an increased desire to remodel the home to make the space the buyers’ own; by offering a range of design styles and finishes, Kohler encourages personalization in the home.

The Huntsville warehouse opening comes on the heels of Kohler announcing in February, the construction of a second Vikrell production facility and distribution center in Casa Grande, Arizona, which is set to be operational by August 2023.