A successful industrial supply company does not neglect its long time local customer base, either. These customers are the foundation of its business. At the same time, it seeks out new customers and offers them the same service that it gives its loyal long-time customers.
At the same time that the industrial supply company takes these measures, those manufacturers they buy from and warehouses who buy from them who take similar measures weather out the recession. One thing a recession is good for is that it makes a good company even better.