PHILADELPHIA, PA — The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) and Pembroke Consulting Inc. have completed a new research study titled “Facing the Forces of Change: Future Scenarios for Wholesale-Distribution.”

“This sixth edition of ‘Facing the Forces of Change’ employs a completely fresh methodology in showing wholesale-distribution executives alternative paths to the future,” said Ron Schreibman, executive director of NAW’s Distribution Research and Education Foundation. The study was written and researched by Pembroke Consulting president Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., and provides manufacturers, wholesale-distributors, suppliers, and their customers with insight into shifts in the industry environment through 2006. Among the findings, it is expected that the customer’s power in the supply chain will grow exponentially and new competitors will challenge the role of distributors in the supply chain.