Maximize Your Co-Op ROI—No Matter How You Spell It
Co-op vs. co op vs. coop: Whatever you want to call it, we’ve got the solutions Is it co-op, co op, or coop? Yes. We’ve seen every version in the wild: co-op marketing (the classic) co op marketing programs (a mouthful, but accurate) coop branding (again, unless you’re a chicken, probably not what you meant) […]
What is the Difference Between MDF and Co-op Marketing?
In the fast-paced world of industrial and electrical distribution, every advantage matters, especially when it comes to marketing. Independent distributors often juggle tight margins and lean teams, which makes vendor-funded support more than helpful. It can be a real growth driver. Still, terms like co-op marketing and Market Development Funds (MDF) are often confused. When […]
Short-Form Video: The Key to Engaging Distributor Audiences
by Kristen Foth Rivet|MRO Director of Marketing Services For independent distributors in the industrial, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and construction sectors, connecting with busy professionals requires a strategy that’s quick, engaging, and memorable. Short-form video—content typically under 60 seconds—has emerged as a powerful tool to achieve this. Drawing on insights from Rivet|MRO’s Co|optimizer program and industry […]
SCARING UP THE GHOSTS: Reclaiming Engagement With Silent Prospects for Your Distributorship
by Kristen Foth, Rivet|MRO Director of Marketing Services In today’s digital landscape, independent distributors in the industrial, electrical, safety, plumbing, and construction sectors face a common challenge: unresponsive prospects. Despite well-crafted emails and persistent follow-ups, potential clients often go silent, leaving sales efforts stalled. Being ghosted is every distributor sale rep’s plight. And it’s happening […]
Leveraging Voice of Customer Research for Growth: A Guide for Independent Industrial, Electrical, and Building Products Distributors
By Kristen Foth, Rivet|MRO Director of Marketing Services In the competitive world of industrial, electrical, and building products distribution, understanding and responding to customer needs is crucial. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through Voice of Customer (VoC) research. By systematically collecting and analyzing customer feedback, independent distributors can refine their […]
5 Reasons Independent Distributors Choose Rivet|MRO
In the evolving distribution industry, independent distributors aren’t fading—they’re thriving. They bring unmatched flexibility, technical expertise, and deep customer relationships to a market that increasingly values local service, fast response times, and human connection. At Rivet|MRO, we’ve built our entire business around helping independent and industrial, safety, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and construction products distributors grow. […]
Optimizing B2B Prospecting Emails for Independent Industrial, Electrical, Safety, Plumbing, HVAC, and Construction Distributors
by Kristen Foth, Rivet|MRO Director of Marketing Services In the competitive landscape of industrial and construction supply distribution, B2B prospecting emails remain a crucial tool for reaching new customers and growing revenue. A recent study analyzing 97.9 million emails and surveying 400 B2B buyers revealed which messaging themes perform best. Here’s how independent distributors in […]
A Distributor’s Guide to SEO in 2025: Empowering Independent Distributors Across Industries
By Kristen Foth, Rivet|MRO Director of Marketing Services At Rivet|MRO, we recognize the unique challenges independent distributors face in the industrial, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and construction products sectors. Competing with larger players and manufacturers for online visibility can be tough, but Search Engine Optimization (SEO) offers a powerful way to level the playing field. […]
Yes, Social Media is Important—Even for Distributors
In today’s digital landscape, independent distributors face the challenge of standing out in a crowded market. An effective strategy to enhance visibility and engagement is through active participation on social media platforms. However, many distributors remain hesitant, often due to concerns about the time investment and uncertain returns. Why Social Media Matters for Distributors Industry […]
Rivet|MRO Earns Affiliated Distributors’ First-Ever Service Provider Award
CHICAGO—Affiliated Distributors (AD) has awarded Rivet|MRO with AD’s first-ever Service Provider Excellence Award at its annual meeting. While AD has recognized member distributors and their suppliers (manufacturers) with awards for decades, the buying group had never recognized a service provider with recognition at its annual meeting until this year. “Congratulations to Rivet | MRO, on […]
