Take a company that mines bauxite. Now people will buy those things by open bidding. So the traditional suppliers must become more efficient, even though they are well established and have been doing the same thing for a number of years. It will impact their operations profoundly. Change the way they do business, or else.
Larger firms are already wide awake to the opening of their business to the Web.
General Electric is a good example. Outsource anything in which you cannot lead. They need to continually learn by doing. Take a careful look. See what e-commerce means to your niche and think where you can fit in.