At a basic level, distributors facilitate the sale and delivery of products between suppliers and end users. In the adhesives and sealants sector, distributors represent various chemicals and raw materials producers in order to get those materials into the hands of formulators and manufacturers. Some distributors also represent manufacturers of the finished adhesive or sealant products.
This traditional relationship has existed for decades, and it works for a lot of companies. It’s pretty simple and straightforward: you can simply fax over your monthly order to the distributor and wait for the usual delivery of the same commoditized material you’ve used for years. No muss, no fuss. For some applications, truth be told, that might be all you need. However, it’s also like taking the Maserati out of the garage to go to the corner grocery store. The car can certainly get you there, but you’re seriously missing out on myriad amazing performance features.