Grow or Go? Tariffs, Tech & Turbo Growth with DSG's Paul Kennedy

What happens when wholesale distribution meets a shifting global economy, AI-driven technology, and a full-court press on organic growth? In this extended episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, co-hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are joined by industry leader Paul Kennedy, President & CEO of DSG and Chair of NAED. Together, they dive into the economic, geopolitical, and operational dynamics shaking up manufacturing and distribution in 2024.💡 What You’ll Learn:How tariffs, supply chain volatility, and global politics are reshaping pricing and demand planningThe inside story on DSG’s expansion and organic growth strategies across 10 statesHow manufacturers and distributors are adapting to uncertain trade scenarios with scenario planning and automationWhy now is the time to “grow or go”—and how leading distributors are leveraging AI, tech, and data for strategic growthPractical steps for aligning sales compensation, unlocking revenue leakage, and empowering teams with digital tools#WholesaleDistribution #SupplyChain2024 #OrganicGrowth #TariffsAndTrade#LeadSmartTech #B2BSalesEnablement⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters (Run Time: 1:38:00):00:00 – What’s impacting wholesale distribution in 2024?06:42 – Weekly tariff update: chaos, tweets, and supply chain disruptions19:08 – DSG’s response: scenario planning, pricing overload, and manufacturer bottlenecks31:17 – Is U.S. reshoring real—and how will it affect labor, equipment, and tariffs?44:02 – Copper, aluminum, and precious metals: how commodity pressures are impacting cost52:55 – Grow or Go? Why distributors must lean into expansion during volatility1:08:40 – AI and sales enablement: how data and automation are fueling organic growth1:22:30 – The future of AI hardware, humanoid robots, and the next wave of innovation1:33:20 – Final takeaways on inflation, policy, and staying competitive in uncertain times👤 Guest Bio:Paul Kennedy is the President & CEO of DSG (Dakota Supply Group), a diversified distributor operating across electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and waterworks sectors. With 1,000 employee-owners and 62 locations, Paul also serves as Chair of the NAED (National Association of Electrical Distributors) and is on the board of Affiliated Distributors. His leadership bridges strategic foresight and hands-on execution in a rapidly evolving industry.Connect with Paul Kennedy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulkennedy763/Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/around-the-horn-newsletter-7184085807274553345/ Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.