Why Grainger Spent 7 Years on Data Infrastructure | CPO Brian Walker Explains
Thu Jan 29 2026
Discover how Grainger, one of the world's largest industrial distributors, built competitive advantage with data infrastructure. In this episode of Driven by DCKAP, Brian Walker, Chief Product Officer, reveals how Grainger transformed from 50% branch-based operations to over 90% digital business through strategic investments in custom software, data modeling, and AI implementation. Learn about their approach to the build vs. buy decision, how they're leveraging artificial intelligence and data analysis across operations, and why "the thing we make is data" became central to their distribution strategy.
Brian shares insights on creating information advantage in distribution, lessons from investing too early in computer vision technology, building a learning organization, and the future of self-service in industrial procurement. Whether you're a distribution leader navigating digital transformation, a product manager evaluating technology investments, or a B2B professional interested in AI applications, this conversation on business intelligence, analytics, data management, and more, offers practical frameworks for competing in the age of AI.
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Discover how Grainger, one of the world's largest industrial distributors, built competitive advantage with data infrastructure. In this episode of Driven by DCKAP, Brian Walker, Chief Product Officer, reveals how Grainger transformed from 50% branch-based operations to over 90% digital business through strategic investments in custom software, data modeling, and AI implementation. Learn about their approach to the build vs. buy decision, how they're leveraging artificial intelligence and data analysis across operations, and why "the thing we make is data" became central to their distribution strategy. Brian shares insights on creating information advantage in distribution, lessons from investing too early in computer vision technology, building a learning organization, and the future of self-service in industrial procurement. Whether you're a distribution leader navigating digital transformation, a product manager evaluating technology investments, or a B2B professional interested in AI applications, this conversation on business intelligence, analytics, data management, and more, offers practical frameworks for competing in the age of AI.