Industrial Distribution | Industrial Technology | University of Nebraska at Kearney

The Industrial Distribution program at UNK prepares students for in-demand careers in technical sales and leadership positions across the industrial manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries. Industrial Distribution professionals play a vital role in keeping the supply chain moving, solving complex logistical problems for clients worldwide.

UNK's ID program has developed close relationships with industry leaders across all sectors, ensuring that the curriculum is always up to date and that graduates enter the workforce ready to tackle the industry's newest challenges.

Academic Programs

Meet the Faculty

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What is Industrial Distribution?

ID Career Event

Internships

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Scholarships

"I loved my time at UNK! Kearney has a very welcoming community to international students, it’s an intimate small town with wonderful people that are not stingy with their kindness. I made many friends on and off campus, some I consider life-long friends. It’s a place to make memories and savor them for the rest of your life.

Professors and academic related faculties are very accessible, they are there to help. UNK offers excellent value by guaranteeing great education without breaking the bank. It encourages me tremendously to see the changes UNK is making to invest in future generations. It is a great place to be planted and watch yourself grow."

Peijie Li

Industrial Distribution

Program Partners

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Associations

The Industrial Distribution program is proud to have strong relationships with a wide selection of industry-leading organizations.

MHEDA is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association that is dedicated to serving all segments of the material handling business community.

For over 65 years, MHEDA has provided material handling companies and their employees with business resources, leadership training, networking opportunities, benchmarking data, career development tools and insights on the latest industry trends. For the last several years, MHEDA has invited and funded UNKID students to attend their annual conference. This opportunity has provided UNKID students with both networking and educational opportunities to help develop their career.

Visit the MHEDA website

The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) is dedicated to helping progressive distributors overcome business obstacles by delivering resources so they can own their customer. We support our members through leading-edge approaches to effectively meet personalized educational and leadership development demands. Whether through online classes, expanded research, benchmarking and data analytics capabilities, or conferences and other networking opportunities, NAED empowers members – arming them with a competitive, long-term advantage. Electrical distribution is a $72 billion industry, made up of solution providers – from salespeople, product experts, skilled and technical professionals – to warehouse associates and drivers. The UNKID program has long been a member of this organization.

Visit the NAED Website

Founded in 1953, the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) is the only trade Association focused exclusively on fluid power technology with members representing the entire fluid power supply chain. Beginning with 35 fluid power companies at the inaugural meeting on May 1, 1953, NFPA has grown to over 340 member companies with an ever-growing impact towards ensuring fluid power is the customer’s technology of choice. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, NFPA continues to add value for its members and is working towards the continued success of the fluid power industry.

Visit the NFPA Website

Manufacturing is the second-largest sector in Nebraska, delivering 11% or $13 billion of Nebraska GDP annually. The National Association of Manufacturers estimates exports have increased more than 40% between 2010 and 2018. More than 1,990 firms employed more than 100,000 people. Nebraska’s highly productive workforce, affordable real estate and utility costs, low cost of doing business and high-quality transportation networks make the state a natural fit for manufacturing growth. Barriers to growth include the need for full integration of automation as a force multiplier and the ability to attract skilled labor.

Visit the NMA Website

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. PT/MC encompasses a broad variety of mechanical, electrical and fluid-driven equipment such as bearings, belts, drives, motors, gears, couplings, clutches and brakes, linear motion, and hydraulics and pneumatics. PTDA’s membership comprises power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $20 billion in sales and span over 2,700 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

Visit the PTDA Website

STAFDA is a not-for-profit educational trade association comprised of distributors, manufacturers, and rep agents of light construction, industrial, and related products. Founded in 1976 by 18 industry leaders who sought to create an organization where manufacturers and distributors of construction/industrial products could interface. In the past 42 years, STAFDA has grown from the initial 18 founding members to 2,200+ member companies comprised of distributors, associate/manufacturers, publishing affiliates, and manufacturer rep/agents. STAFDA has invited and funded UNKID students to attend their annual conference each year where students get an opportunity to network and learn more about the industry.

Visit the STAFDA Website