Ownership culture and digital tools reshape customer and employee experience
Austin, TX — On a new episode of the Driven by DCKAP podcast, Stephan Fulop, Chief Product & Technology Officer of DSG, reflects on how the distributor is blending a 125-year legacy with a forward-looking technology strategy. From its unique structure as a 100% employee-owned company to its disciplined approach to AI and digital investments, Fulop shares how DSG is raising expectations for both employees and customers in industrial distribution.
Key Highlights
- Employee ownership drives culture and decision-making: As a 100% employee-owned company, DSG ensures that every employee has a direct stake in the company’s success, shaping leadership decisions and strengthening day-to-day accountability.
- Practical AI in action: From capturing institutional knowledge to automating everyday processes, DSG is piloting AI tools designed to make employees more efficient and customers better served.
- Tech investments must show ROI within 6–12 months: By holding new technology projects to a strict return-on-investment timeline, DSG focuses on initiatives that deliver measurable value quickly and raise the standard for both customers and employees.
Employee Ownership at the Core
DSG’s 125-year history is matched by a strong culture of employee ownership. Fulop explains that being 100% employee owned changes how decisions are made because “with DSG, I walk out of my office, and I see my shareholders sitting around me.” This daily connection to employee-owners ensures leadership stays focused on creating value for both the organization and the individuals who make it run.
Practical AI to Retain Knowledge
With an aging workforce, DSG is turning to AI to preserve expertise while boosting efficiency. Longtime employees are introduced to new digital tools that make their jobs easier while simultaneously capturing their knowledge. “We’re not asking them to do anything different; we’re asking them to use a more efficient system, and in the process, we’re also learning from them,” Fulop says. The approach helps new employees ramp up quickly and ensures customer service remains strong.
ROI Discipline in Technology Investments
Fulop emphasizes that DSG applies a disciplined standard to technology spending, expecting projects to prove value quickly. “I typically have the expectation that it’s going to pay for itself in six to twelve months,” he notes. By holding investments to that benchmark, DSG avoids chasing shiny objects and instead focuses on technology that measurably improves efficiency and customer experience.
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Balancing Culture and Technology
Employee ownership, practical AI pilots, and strict ROI expectations are guiding DSG’s technology roadmap. Fulop’s approach demonstrates how distributors can modernize while staying grounded in the culture and values that drive long-term success.
More Information
- For more details, visit the Driven Podcast portal or tune in on YouTube or Spotify.
- For information about ERP integration, check out the DCKAP Distributor Blog.
- Subscribe to the Driven by DCKAP Podcast.
About the Driven Podcast
The Driven by DCKAP Podcast is an audio and video show that explores leaders’ stories, digital journeys, and insights on trends in B2B and distribution. The podcast is hosted by Karthik Chidambaram, Founder & CEO of DCKAP, who grew the company from a startup to a global team of more than 200 employees. DCKAP earns several trust badges by G2.com, including category “Leader”, “High Performer Americas” and “Users Most Likely to Recommend.”
About DCKAP
DCKAP is a leader in digital solutions that help distributors’ systems talk to each other. Its technology simplifies software integrations, e-commerce, and product information management for B2B companies. DCKAP’s flagship product, DCKAP Integrator, helps distributors and manufacturers automate data between ERP, e-commerce, and CRM systems. Founded in 2005, DCKAP is a global and distributed team headquartered in Austin, TX. Visit dckap.com or follow on LinkedIn.
About DSG
DSG is one of the Midwest’s largest employee-owned distributors, serving electrical, plumbing, HVAC, communications, utility, automation, waterworks and on-site sewer and well industries. Founded in 1898, DSG provides products and solutions from leading manufacturers with a focus on service, expertise, and building futures for its customers, employee-owners, and communities. DSG operates across Montana to Michigan with corporate headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota. Learn more at dsgsupply.com.
