Channel Thinking for ManufacturersWho Compete Through Their Partners
Practical guides for manufacturers who sell through distributors and dealers. Each article covers one decision in the channel lifecycle, from finding and vetting partners to onboarding them and measuring performance.
Building and managing a dealer or distributor network involves more decisions than most manufacturers anticipate before they start. Which markets deserve dedicated channel coverage? Which partner model fits the territory? How do you evaluate a candidate before committing? How do you move a signed partner from agreement to active pipeline?
The articles here are written for B2B manufacturers and industrial companies navigating exactly these questions across the full channel lifecycle.
Research-driven perspective on channel decisions, written for manufacturers who need to get it right the first time. New articles added as they publish.
Channel ModelsFeatured
Distributor vs Dealer vs Agent
A distributor buys and resells product and typically carries inventory risk; a dealer usually operates a fixed retail or service location; an agent represents the manufacturer commercially without owning stock.
An exclusive agreement gives one partner sole territory rights in exchange for stronger commitment, while a non-exclusive structure allows multiple partners but may reduce individual investment.
This section is being built out over time. Check back for more channel-lifecycle resources, or get in touch if you have a specific channel question today.
If you're navigating a distributor decision, a coverage gap, or a partner performance issue, a direct conversation is usually faster than reading about it. Tell us where you are and we'll tell you whether we can help.