February 2015 News
Stellar named 2014 Supplier of the Year
Stellar Industrial Supply named 3M as its 2014 Supplier of the Year.
Bill Stevens retires from Motion Industries
After 37 years at Motion Industries, chairman Bill Stevens announced his plans to retire effective March 1.
NexAir acquires Welders Supply & Equipment
Memphis-based nexAir, a distributor of atmospheric gases and welding supplies, has agreed to acquire Welders Supply & Equipment Co. Inc.
F.W. Webb Process Controls Division expands
The F.W. Webb Company Process Controls Division appointed Eric Koski as the new account manager for the Central New York region.
DistributionNow sales and earnings fall
NOW Inc. reported that fourth quarter revenue decreased 3.4 percent to $1.0 billion, compared to $1.04 billion in the same period in 2013.
Kaman Industrial Technologies sales up 11.7%
Acquisitions helped propel Kaman Industrial Technologies to an 11.7 percent sales increase in 2014.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index edges up
Led by improvements in production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index edged up to +0.13 in January from –0.07 in December.
MRC Global 4Q sales up 12.5%
MRC Global Inc. said its sales were $1.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2014, 12.5% higher than the fourth quarter of 2013.
Matheson acquires Sims Welding Supply
Matheson has acquired Sims Welding Supply of Long Beach, Calif.
Epicor acquires Insite shipping solutions
Distribution software provider Epicor Software Corporation has acquired certain operating assets and intellectual property of Insite Software.
U.S./China trade deficit widens
The widening rift between the U.S. deficit and Chinese surplus in trade in manufactures showed no sign of abatement in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Sales decline at Brady Corporation
Brady Corporation reported that sales for its fiscal 2015 second quarter decreased 2.9 percent to $282.6 million compared to $291.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014.
Lawson Products sales up 6%
Lawson Products reported that 2014 sales grew 6.0% to $285.7 million, compared to $269.5 million a year ago.
NewAge Industries announces new directors
NewAge Industries announced the promotions of Mary Marcus and Mary Vander Neut.
Graybar returns to historic NY location
Graybar announced that it has opened a new sales office in the historic Graybar Building in Manhattan, New York.
United Stationers to become Essendant
United Stationers Inc.and its partner brands ORS Nasco, LagasseSweet and Azerty, announced their intent to reposition under a single brand, Essendant.
Motion Industries sales up 7.7%
Motion Industries reported sales of $4.7 billion in 2014, a 7.7% increase over $4.4 billion a year earlier.
United Stationers sales up 8.9%
United Stationers reported fourth quarter sales increased 8.9% to $1.33 billion compared to the fourth quarter of last year.
Northern Safety acquires Southland Industrial
Northern Safety Co. Inc. has acquired Southland Industrial Supply Inc., a distributor of safety and industrial supplies based in Flowery Branch, Ga.
IDC-USA adds two suppliers
IDC-USA announced the addition of two new companies as preferred suppliers.
Anixter to sell fasteners business
Anixter International Inc. announced plans to sell its fasteners distribution segment to American Industrial Partners for $380 million.
NetPlus Alliance adds distributors, suppliers
Buying and marketing group NetPlus Alliance added five new distributor members and three new suppliers.
Grainger January sales up 3%
Grainger reported sales in January increased 3 percent compared to January 2014.
Cutting tool consumption rises
December U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $168.2 million, up 7.2% from November and 20.3% higher than December 2013.
BDI acquires Munnell & Sherrill
Bearing Distributors Inc. of Cleveland announced that it has acquired Portland, Ore.-based Munnell & Sherrill.
Manufacturing and construction jobs added last month
Employment gains in manufacturing and construction helped boost total employment by 257,000 jobs in January.
Manufacturing technology orders up 3.1%
December U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $506.89 million according to AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
PTDA Index shows slowing growth
The PTDA Business Index for the fourth quarter of 2015 indicates slowing but continued positive growth.
Snap-on sales up 7.5 percent
Snap-on Incorporated reported sales of $857.4 million in the quarter increased $59.9 million, or 7.5%, from 2013 levels.
Motion Industries expands in Alaska
Motion Industries acquired Oil & Gas Supply of Anchorage, Alaska, effective Feb. 2.
Fastenal reports strong January sales numbers
Fastenal reported sales of $313.47 million in January, a 6.9 percent increase over $293.17 million in January 2014.
Fairmont Supply sold to private equity
Consol Energy reported in its fourth quarter financial statement that it has sold its Fairmont Supply subsidiary.
WinWholesale hires two executives
WinWholesale Inc. has hired two people to lead supply chain and logistics and talent acquisition.
Tech Air to acquire Prest-O-Sales and Prest-O-Peconic
Tech Air has signed a definitive agreement to acquire New York-based Prest-O-Sales & Service Inc. and Prest-O-Peconic Inc.
Eaton 4Q sales up slightly
Eaton Corporation announced sales in its fiscal fourth quarter were $5.6 billion, up 1 percent over the same period in 2013.
Emerson sales flat for Q1
Emerson reported that net sales in the first quarter were flat, as underlying sales growth of 6 percent was offset by 3 percent declines each from currency translation and divestitures.
Airgas 3Q sales increased 7 percent
Airgas said its third quarter sales increased 7 percent over the prior year to $1.33 billion.
RBC Bearings sees 5.7% sales gain
RBC Bearings said its third quarter sales increased 5.7 percent to $106.3 million, compared to $100.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
Ryan Herco Flow Solutions acquires GFI Stainless
Ryan Herco Flow Solutions has completed the acquisition of GFI Stainless, headquartered in Modesto, Calif.
Manufacturing expansion slowed in January
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in January than in December 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.
