# 163: The Evolving Role of Industrial Distribution in a Manufacturing Ecosystem with E&H Electric Supply's Nate Bucklew

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2023-12-12
- Length: 40m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Nate Bucklew, district manager at E&H Electric Supply (a division of CED), explains how industrial distribution has evolved from simple box-shipping to providing critical service, inventory management, and digital transformation support for manufacturers. He details the importance of local inventory customization, value-added services like panel modification, and addressing the skilled labor gap through training and partnerships. Bucklew emphasizes that trust, transparency, and understanding customer pain points are the linchpins for staying relevant in the ecosystem.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [6:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi#t=364) Career Advice and Patience in Manufacturing
- [10:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi#t=644) Manufacturing's Role in Louisville and Material Handling
- [13:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi#t=816) The Critical Role of Distribution and Inventory
- [16:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi#t=983) Value-Added Services and Panel Modification
- [18:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi#t=1110) Addressing the Skilled Labor Gap
- [22:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi#t=1336) Digital Transformation and Future of Distribution
- [30:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-12-163-the-evolving-role-of-industrial-distribution-in-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-wi#t=1822) Louisville Culture and Final Takeaways

## Topics

- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- E&H Electric Supply (company)
- CED (company)
- Amatrol (company)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- Ford (company)
- GE (company)
- E-Plan (tool)
- 3M (company)
- Woodford Reserve (product)
- Basil Hayden (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Stronger Relationships, Stronger Manufacturing: The Power of Trust w/ Michael Kornuta](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-17-stronger-relationships-stronger-manufacturing-the-power-of-trust-w-michael-kornu) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Supporting Advanced Manufacturing at a State Level w/ Bryce Carpenter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-05-05-supporting-advanced-manufacturing-at-a-state-level-w-bryce-carpenter) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [SmartSol's Journey: Growth, Service, and Speed with SMarTsol's Ruben de Anda](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-13-smartsols-journey-growth-service-and-speed-with-smartsols-ruben-de-anda) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Ep. 15 | The Emergence of the Virtual Supply Chain in a COVID-19 World](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-12-17-ep-15-the-emergence-of-the-virtual-supply-chain-in-a-covid-19-world) (Moore's Lobby)
- [The Great Equalizer: How Digitalization is Changing Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-11-08-the-great-equalizer-how-digitalization-is-changing-manufacturing) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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