December 2014 News
F.W. Webb names Mucciarone COO
F.W. Webb Company announced the appointment of Robert Mucciarone to the newly created position of chief operating officer.
H.B. Fuller to acquire Continental Products
H.B. Fuller Company has signed an agreement to purchase Continental Products Limited, a provider of industrial adhesives in East and Central Africa.
Kaman sells Mexican subsidiary
Kaman Corporation announced that it has sold its Mexico business unit Delamac de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. to Rodamientos y Accesorios S.A. de C.V of Mexico.
Polyconn expands Minneapolis office
Polyconn, a master distributor of fluid control and connection products, announced the expansion of its Minneapolis office.
MAPI: Widespread growth expected
Job gains and business investment are the two lead drivers keeping manufacturing on a solid growth path, according to the MAPI Foundation's U.S. Industrial Outlook.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index rises
Led by improvements in production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index rose to +0.73 in November from +0.31 in October.
ISA index shows slower growth
The December ISA Economic Indicator Report (EIR) from the Industrial Supply Association showed slower growth for Manufacturers and Distributors in November.
United Stationers sells MBS Dev
United Stationers Supply Co. has sold MBS Dev, a subsidiary focused on software solutions for distribution companies.
Carr Supply opens Michigan branch
Carr Supply has opened a new branch in Taylor, Mich., its fourth in the state and its 19th overall.
Graybar names new regional, district vice presidents
Graybar appointed Robert C. Lyons and David G. Maxwell as regional vice presidents, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
Regal Beloit to acquire Emerson's power transmission business
Regal Beloit Corporation has entered into an agreement to acquire the Power Transmission Solutions business of Emerson Electric Co. for approximately $1.4 billion.
Grainger to pull out of Chicago Stock Exchange
Grainger announced plans to voluntarily withdraw the listing of its common stock from the Chicago Stock Exchange.
Ohio Transmission acquires Ohlheiser
Ohio Transmission Corporation, an industrial equipment service provider and distributor headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has acquired Ohlheiser Corporation.
Midway Industrial acquires Contrast Equipment
Midway Industrial Supply, a Minneapolis-based distributor of fluid handling and spray finishing systems and equipment, has acquired Contrast Equipment Company.
Graybar's Giglio to retire
Graybar announced that senior vice president-Operations, Lawrence R. Giglio will retire, effective Feb. 1, 2015, after more than 36 years with the company.
Apache ponders expansion options
Apache Inc. is considering a $7.5 million expansion to its facility in Cedar Rapids that, if built, would preserve nearly 30 existing jobs in Iowa’s Creative Corridor and create 15 new ones.
Grainger posts 8% November sales gain
Grainger reported sales for the month of November increased 8 percent versus November 2013.
Applied Industrial Technologies pledges gift to University of Akron
Applied Industrial Technologies has committed $30,000 to The University of Akron's College of Business Administration.
Ferguson acquires HP Products
Ferguson Enterprises has acquired HP Products Corporation, an Indianapolis distributor of janitorial, packaging, safety, laundry and dietary, lighting, equipment, food & beverage and textiles.
U.S. cutting tool consumption rises
October U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $193.6 million, 9.7% higher than September’s total and up 3.3% from October 2013.
ISM: Expect continued growth in 2015
Purchasing executives expect continued economic growth in 2015, according to a semiannual forecast by the Institute for Supply Management.
HD Supply sales up 9 percent
HD Supply Holdings reported net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 of $2.5 billion, an increase of 9 percent compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
NetPlus adds two distributors
NetPlus Alliance added Gamco Services Inc. and SteelCore Industrial LLC as distributor members.
October manufacturing technology orders fall
Although October U.S. manufacturing technology orders were down 6.2% from October 2013, the year-to-date numbers showed improvement over last year.
Manufactured goods orders decline
Orders for manufactured goods fell by 0.7 percent in October, to $496.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.
Manufacturing and construction jobs grew in November
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 321,000 in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Airgas to build liquid hydrogen plant in Kentucky
Airgas announced plans to build a liquid hydrogen plant in Calvert City, Ky.
A&M Industrial celebrates new DC
Rahway, N.J.-based A&M Industrial recently welcomed more than 350 customers, visitors, suppliers, and industry leaders to the grand opening of its 160,000 sq./.ft state-of-the-art distribution center located in Cranbury, N.J.
HD Supply to sell hardware business to Home Depot
HD Supply announced plans to sell its HD Supply Hardware Solutions, formerly known as Crown Bolt, to The Home Depot.
Fastenal's November sales rise 9.6 percent
Fastenal reported that sales in November were nearly $286.3 million, a 9.6 percent increase from $261.3 million in the same month last year.
Manufacturing productivity rises
Manufacturing sector productivity increased 2.9 percent in the third quarter of 2014, as output increased 4.2 percent and hours worked increased 1.3 percent.
BSA opens convention registration
The Bearing Specialists Association announced that registration is open for the 2015 BSA annual convention.
Construction spending rose in October
Construction spending in October was 3.3 percent higher than in October 2013, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Mi-T-M completes headquarters move
Mi-T-M Corporation announced the completion of construction and relocation of its fabrication, production and corporate headquarters in Peosta, Iowa.
Manufacturing expansion slows
Manufacturing expanded in November at a slower pace than in October, according to the Institute for Supply Management.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Joyce Lansdale and Vallen. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and David Kahle, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
