When the housing market collapsed and recession followed, everyone suddenly had to take stock and understand the basic dynamics of the economy. While most workers and many business people rely on second-hand news about the all-important industrial sector, those who work for an industrial supply company see first-hand how recession and growth operate in the real economy. Standing as they are between manufacturers and distributors, they see how others deal with the changes and learn how to not only cope with them, but how to use them as an opportunity for growth.
A good example of this is an industrial supply company that serves the warehouse industry. Because retail sales are down, so is activity in the warehouse. This slowing down of activity is passed on the the warehouse supplier from whom they buy their essential goods and equipment.