December 2016 News
Chicago Fed: Economy grew slightly in November
Led by declines in production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index decreased to –0.27 in November from –0.05 in October.
Maroon Group acquires Cadence Chemical
Maroon Group LLC has acquired Cadence Chemical, a national distributor of specialty chemicals based in Stamford, Connecticut.
ISA member growth slowed in November
The December ISA Economic Indicator Report (EIR) from the Industrial Supply Association showed that growth slowed for manufacturers and distributors in November after a strong October.
Ohio Transmission acquires two distributors
Ohio Transmission Corporation, an industrial equipment service provider and distributor headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has acquired C&C Industrial Sales and Midway Industrial Supply.
Actuant sales decline 13 percent
Actuant Corporation reported sales for its fiscal 2017 first quarter were $266 million, 13% lower than the $305 million in the comparable prior year quarter.
Superior Abrasives holds ribbon cutting
Superior Abrasives celebrated its official opening in November with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the company's new location in Vandalia, Ohio.
Linde and Praxair to merge
Linde AG and Praxair Inc. today announced that the companies intend to combine in a merger of equals under a new holding company through an all-stock transaction.
Southwire acquires Sumner Manufacturing
Southwire Company announced the acquisition of Sumner Manufacturing of Houston, a manufacturer of material lifts, jack stands, welding tools, material carts and other tools and equipment for the construction market.
Lawson Products names chief compliance officer
Lawson Products announced the appointment of Rick Pufpaf as chief compliance officer and vice president of compensation and benefits, reporting to general counsel Neil Jenkins.
Tencarva opens Arkansas branch
Tencarva Machinery Company opened a new branch office in El Dorado, Arkansas.
U.S. cutting tool consumption falls in October
October U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $168.99 million according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
Pelican Products names group president
Pelican Products has appointed Phil Gyori as group president.
Industrial production declined in November
Industrial production declined 0.4 percent in November after edging up 0.1 percent in October.
Grainger sales decline in November
Grainger reported daily sales were down 3 percent in November of 2016 versus November of 2015.
Motion & Flow Control Products expands into ND
Motion & Flow Control Products announced the opening of a new location in Williston, North Dakota.
Manufacturing technology orders grow slightly
Manufacturing technology orders saw year-over-year gains for the third consecutive month in October 2016.
H.B. Fuller announces restructuring
H.B. Fuller Company announced a restructuring initiative that will eliminate up to 220 positions and generate annual savings of approximately $18 million.
PIP acquires Century Glove
Protective Industrial Products announced the acquisition of Century Glove Inc. of Summerville, Georgia.
Atlas Copco to acquire German distributor
Atlas Copco has agreed to acquire hb Kompressoren Druckluft- und Industrietechnik GmbH, a German distributor and service provider of industrial air compressors and related systems.
Columbus McKinnon to acquire STAHL Crane Systems
Columbus McKinnon Corporation has reached an agreement to purchase STAHL CraneSystems, a business of Konecranes Plc.
Plains Bearing rejoins IDC-USA
Plains Bearing, a full line bearing and power transmission distributor in Lubbock, Texas, has rejoined the distributor-owned purchasing and marketing cooperative IDC-USA.
Lift-All names director of national sales
Lift-All Company announced the appointment of Jason Dively as the director of national sales for the manufacturer of slings, tie down assemblies, sling protection and specialty straps.
3M to sell safety prescription eyewear business
3M announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its safety prescription eyewear business to HOYA Vision Care, a global leader in the eyeglass lens industry.
Walter to close Wisconsin production facility
In an announcement sent to its distributors, cutting tools manufacturer Walter announced plans to close its special tools production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
HD Supply 3Q sales up 3.4 percent
HD Supply said its fiscal third quarter net sales of $2.0 billion increased 3.4 percent compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015.
Fastenal November sales up 6.3 percent
Fastenal reported that its sales in November of $316.8 million were up 6.3 percent from $298.1 million in November 2015.
NewAge Industries expands board
NewAge Industries recently appointed several new members to its board of directors.
Construction industry added jobs in November while factory hiring stalled
Manufacturing employment dipped during the month of November but the construction industry showed good progress in hiring.
Parker Hannifin to acquire CLARCOR
Parker Hannifin Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CLARCOR, a manufacturer of mobile, industrial and environmental filtration products.
Manufacturing expanded in November
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in November according to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
Construction spending rose in October
Construction spending during October was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.17 trillion, 0.5 percent above the revised September estimate of $1.16 trillion.
Fed: Economic expansion continues
The Federal Reserve said that reports from its 12 districts show the economy continued to expand across most regions from early October through mid-November.