Welcome to our rundown of the most in-demand industrial products and services in the U.S. right now. At MNI, as well as providing comprehensive profiles of 360,000 industrial business in the U.S., we also keep track of what equipment, parts, services millions of industrial buyers are searching for across 11,000 distinct product and service categories on our industrial marketplace IndustryNet.

The blank page. Every marketer hates it, yet AI has emerged unprecedented in its ability to fill the blank page and fuel marketing campaigns, helping everyone from the seasoned marketer to the email marketing newbie send out successful campaigns that help drive sales.



The catch? You only get back what you put into it. In other words, you have to interact with AI keeping in mind that it is a machine. It's not going to be able to read between the lines and so the prompts you feed it have to be crystal clear and angled exactly to what you're looking for, from tone of voice to specific calls to action.



Whether you're new to using AI for email marketing or a seasoned pro looking for new ideas, today we've compiled some effective prompts and tools to help get you started on your next campaign.

Sales teams are under constant pressure to do more with less. They need to find the right leads faster, personalize outreach at scale, and close deals more efficiently. Enter artificial intelligence. Once the realm of science fiction, AI is now transforming the way sales professionals operate. Tools powered by AI are helping teams uncover new opportunities, automate repetitive tasks, make smarter decisions, and turning the problem of scale on its head. But as with any powerful technology, AI in sales comes with both promise and pitfalls.

In March 2023, a Midwest-based Industrial Automation, IIoT, and Control Systems Integrator wanted to grow their business development efforts without adding to their internal sales team. Although the team has strong technical knowledge and a solid industry reputation, the sales team experienced difficulties with reaching the right contacts at key manufacturing sites to keep their sales funnel filled.

Wire harnesses are crucial to the functioning of modern machinery, bundling and routing the wiring that powers vehicles, medical devices, aircraft, appliances, and industrial systems. Often overlooked, these intricate assemblies are critical for safety and performance across a wide range of industries-- from fighter jets to farm equipment.

The second quarter of the year is a crucial time for both manufacturers and those who do business with them. While many industries take a breather as the weather warms, the manufacturing world hits the gas.For B2B salespeople targeting the manufacturing sector, Q2 presents a unique opportunity to make a real impact. This critical growth period presents a confluence of factors: ramping up production, budget evaluations, and strategic planning for the rest of the year. Understanding these challenges faced by your prospects is key to crafting a winning sales strategy.

Over the past few years, the rise of AI applications and SaaS products has been nothing short of transformative. From AI-powered analytics tools to custom-built SaaS platforms, developers are creating solutions that shape the way businesses operate and make decisions. But as these innovations progress, one critical factor becomes apparent: without high-quality data, even the most advanced applications can fall short of their potential.

Despite the widespread adoption of customer relationship management (CRM) systems, many businesses hesitate to invest in one due to common misconceptions. These myths can hold companies back from improving their sales, marketing, and customer engagement strategies. Today, we're debunking some of the biggest myths about CRMs and explain why they're essential for growing businesses.

Statistics on email marketing abound on the web and the data overwhelmingly suggests that as the highest ROI digital channel, email marketing is still the most effective way to drive traffic and conversions. Today, we're diving into specific stats on email marketing as we set sail into 2025.

How do you kick off a conversation with your B2B clients? The first thing that might come to mind is talking about the weather, sports or what you did this past weekend. Well, not so fast. The Academy of Management Journal reported on a study conducted with 151 workers that proved that small talk can be enriching, while a similar study found that genuine B2B small talk developed rapport and a better outcome when it comes to negotiations. If you want to close more business, learn how to small talk. Let's take a look at what value small talk can bring to industrial sales and marketing.

The industrial sales and marketing environment is undergoing change in 2025 like never before, led by technological innovations, shifting customer expectations, regulatory changes, and more. Today, we're unveiling the top industrial sales and marketing trends you'll want to know about, covering everything from AI advancements to changing customer behavior.

From mastering lead nurturing and optimizing email outreach to uncovering hiring trends and manufacturing pain points, 2024's most-read stories on IndustrySelect reflect the pressing challenges that industrial sales and marketing professionals faced this year. Today, we're exploring IndustrySelect's most popular stories of the year, from industrial sales and marketing features to critical manufacturing news.

In the fast-paced world of industrial sales, marketing, and business development, one thing is clear: effective outreach depends on quality data. While it may be tempting to believe that bigger is better when it comes to contact lists, the reality is that precision and accuracy are far more impactful. For industrial professionals targeting manufacturers, suppliers, or service providers, generic, bloated datasets can create more problems than opportunities. Here's why focusing on high-quality, verified data is not just smart--it's essential.

A benchmark study by Bluecore finds that personalization increases email click-through rates by 139%. Another Campaign Monitor study finds 94% of marketers said personalization is "extremely important" for meeting their email marketing objectives. No doubt about it, personalized email marketing, when executed correctly, can yield exceptional results.



But what about when personalization goes wrong, like really wrong? When it fails, your email becomes irrelevant or even insulting, significantly decreasing engagement and trust. And we're not just talking missed opportunities; these types of blunders can actively harm your reputation for future campaigns.

Trade shows and live events are tremendous opportunities for marketers to learn more about industry providers. Not only are key personnel from large enterprises presenting, but you can actually see the products and services different companies offer firsthand. For marketing and sales professionals, this level of immersion allows you to speak with authority when working with these companies.

Despite the recent ups and downs of the industry, U.S. manufacturing is a major force behind the national economy, contributing nearly $2 trillion to the GDP in 2024 alone. And the best news for sales and marketing teams? Manufacturers buy stuff. A lot of stuff. They have big budgets and require tons of products and services to keep operations running smoothly, ranging from machinery, technology, and raw materials to staffing, logistics, and professional services. And while this constant demand makes manufacturers an attractive target market all year round, the final stretch of the year can be particularly lucrative--if you look in the right places.

It is common business knowledge that it costs your company more time and money to attract new customers than it does to keep your current customers returning. Industry experts estimate that it is five times more expensive to chase new customers, which is borne out by customer retention statistics.



This article will provide you with some suggestions for your company's customer retention efforts, which will improve your bottom line.

E-Pax Systems, an environmental technology company founded in 2000 in Los Angeles, California, specializes in bailing and compaction equipment for commercial and industrial waste handling applications. While the company has an established product line, it also has a unique offering--rolling compactors for reducing air pockets in dumpsters for significant cost savings. However, they faced a sales challenge.

Doesn't it seem like talk of a recession has been going on for years now? Though it has yet to materialize in the post-COVID era, businesses are keeping a wary eye on the news, and that news can be confounding. One day, we have a great jobs report, the next a terrible industrial production report. The Federal Reserve finally lowered rates--great! But is it enough? And then there' s the election: could we be facing worse inflation? More tariffs? Boom times or recession? All of it leaving many in business development to ponder if they should pause investment until things get better--or at least more certain.

While it seems just like yesterday we were waiting for prospects to get back from summer vacation, here it is: the fourth quarter and the race is on. The window to close deals is about to narrow quickly, but with a sharp plan and the right tools, this can be your most profitable quarter yet.

In the fast-paced industrial sector, where relationships and timing can make or break deals, we often emphasize the big moves -- massive outreach campaigns, market expansion strategies, or product launches. But there's an underappreciated aspect of success in sales and marketing that many overlook: the impact of small, seemingly insignificant data updates.



It's easy to dismiss a job title change or an updated phone number as trivial, but in reality, these little details can dramatically affect how you approach a prospect, your success rate, and how you close deals. Plus missing out on these changes can cost your organization big money. Let's take a look at some real-world scenarios that show how small data shifts can give you a competitive edge in the industrial sector.

In our post On the Road Again: The Power of Face-to-Face Meetings in Industrial Sales, we shared some intriguing stats on the value of in-person meetings for industrial salespeople, finding that even as the business world continues to embrace digital tools, in-person meetings are experiencing a resurgence in the post-pandemic world.

Are you struggling to close deals in the competitive industrial sector? Just as businesses began to recover from the pandemic's massive economic impact, a new looming recession in 2024 began to bring on more uncertainty. This involves layoffs and budget cuts. Because of this, B2B sales in 2024 requires a more thorough approach and needing a clear strategy to win more deals in the B2B industrial sector.

Email remains one of the most powerful tools for B2B marketers, especially in the industrial sector. However, the effectiveness of email campaigns heavily depends on the ability to reach the intended recipients' inboxes. With the increasing sophistication of spam filters and the ever-present threat of phishing and spoofing, ensuring that your emails are authenticated properly is crucial. This is where SPF, DKIM, and DMARC come into play.

In the fast-paced world of industrial sales and marketing, data is the currency that fuels decision-making, strategic planning, and closing deals. For professionals working with manufacturers, the quality of contact data is essential. However, a silent threat looms over the integrity of this data: data decay.

In the competitive landscape of industrial sales, the power of a referral cannot be overstated. A referral acts as a bridge of trust between a potential client and your business, often leading to appointments that are more likely to convert into sales. Today, we're unpacking some effective strategies for increasing sales referrals to help you significantly boost your appointment bookings, enhance sales efficiency, and increase customer acquisition.

The digital age has ushered in a plethora of tools and platforms that have transformed the way salespeople interact with potential clients. Emails, video conferences, and social media have become staples in the sales toolkit, offering convenience and a broad reach. This, of course, intensified during the pandemic, leaving in-person meetings out in the cold. Now, however, face-to-face meetings in industrial sales are making a strong comeback. Today, we're exploring the latest statistics that support the enduring value of in-person interactions in industrial sales and examining some tricks and tools for maximizing the impact of your in-person meetings, and the #1 key to securing more in-person meetings.

Cold calling. It conjures fears of awkward pitches, immediate hang-ups, or outright rejection. But what if we told you it could be a powerful tool for generating leads and building relationships with potential customers? The truth is, many myths cloud the effectiveness of cold calling.

Most people think of the warming months of Q2 as a special and unique time. However, spring brings several seasonal obstacles to sales, such as holidays inviting both retrospection and celebration, distracting from business, prospects often choosing Q2 to take personal time off (PTO), making it difficult to close sales, and the uncertainty of tax season making companies more hesitant to commit funds to purchase. While your closings may temporarily plummet, you can lay the foundation for future success by honing your Q3 sales strategies for B2B.

Roadblocks in appointment setting is a challenge you or your industrial sales team has likely come across. Roadblocks can come in many flavors such as long sales cycles, problems with identifying and reaching the right contact or working from an outdated database. Appointment setting is vital if you want the sales process to begin. It allows sales professionals to connect with potential clients, understand the needs of the prospect, and based on the needs, briefly discuss why this may be a good fit. A good way to secure the appointment. There are other effective appointment setting strategies. Let's take a look at a few more.