2011 Economic Outlook: Distributors' Road To Recovery

Often considered a recession-proof business, many jan/san distributors were blindsided by the “Great Recession.”

While facilities across the U.S. slashed cleaning budgets and eliminated personnel as cost-saving measures, distributors’ margins dipped into dangerous territory. As a result, some distributors saw their demise.

Although economists have deemed the recession over as of June 2009, distributors just aren’t buying it. After-effects are still being felt across the country and customers are still in a holding pattern.

Nick Bragg, Deputy Editor of Sanitary Maintenance magazine, recently caught up with Clint Hunter, WAXIE Sanitary Supply, Ed Stasiak, KSS Enterprises, Daniel Josephs, Spruce Industries and Carmen Casabielle, Dade Paper, to get their take on the current economy and to discuss how they plan to maneuver what may continue to be a rocky environment for businesses in 2011.

Q1) Do you believe the recession is over or coming to a close?
Q2) How has the economy affected your business?
Q3) How will you respond in 2011?

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posted on 1/31/2011