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over and over to continually meet market demands . These values are embedded in our institutional memory , and we still feel very connected to them even today .”
One particular value , the ability to adapt and ‘ reinvent ’ to use Sid ’ s term , has been especially advantageous for MSC , which has frequently changed tack to suit evolving market needs . “ The way we look at the business is as though we ’ re writing a book ,” Erik explains . “ It ’ s a story with no ending and each decade is a different chapter . The only constant is our values , which are fixed at our core like the deep roots of an oak tree .
“ We have several chapters in our book , the first of which saw us go from being a tiny storefront to a catalog company . In fact , we were the first company to bring a catalog concept to the cutting tools and metalworking industry .
“ After the success of catalogs , my uncle recognized the need for a sales force to get closer to our customers . We became more technical ; our product offering expanded from metalworking tools to include a broader range of industrial supplies , and we became a distributor of MRO services .
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“ Our most recent chapter began when I took over as CEO in 2013 ,” Erik continues . “ The last decade , or chapter , if you will , has been about reconnection , both with our legacy and our customers . While each decade has a new chapter , they ’ re all anchored by the same principles : focusing on people , caring for the community , and embracing integrity .
“ Digital transformation has also characterized our last decade ,” Erik adds . “ Today , over 60 percent of our revenue is generated through e-commerce , but our
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