March 2011 News
KC Fed: manufacturing 'accelerates rapidly'
Growth in Tenth District manufacturing activity accelerated rapidly in March, posting a record high for the second straight month.
Manufacturing jobs added
The nation's factories added 17,000 jobs in March according to the monthly employment statistics issued today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Brady names new president for Asia-Pacific region
Brady Corporation announced that Stephen Millar has been named president - Brady Asia-Pacific, effective April 1, 2011.
MSC names new EVP/CFO
MSC Industrial Direct announced that Jeffrey Kaczka will succeed Charles Boehlke as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective April 8.
Texas factory output increases
Texas factory activity increased in March, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Profits up for manufacturers, wholesalers
U.S. manufacturers generated after-tax profits of $135.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, up 9.5% from the third quarter, and up 2% from the same period in 2009.
Manufactured goods orders fall
New orders for manufactured durable goods in February decreased $1.9 billion or 0.9 percent to $200.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today.
H.B. Fuller Company income falls
H.B. Fuller Company said its net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $14.4 million, or 29 cents per diluted share, versus $19.0 million, or 38 cents per diluted share, in last year's first quarter.
Central Atlantic manufacturing expands
Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region expanded for the sixth straight month, according to the Richmond Fed's latest survey.
Graybar moves Missouri branch
Graybar relocated its Jefferson City, Mo. branch to a new facility.
Engis Corp. announces expansion
Engis Corporation announced expansion plans that will nearly double the size of its world headquarters in Wheeling, Ill.
Economic growth near average
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index ticked down to –0.04 in February from –0.01 in January.
Empire State manufacturing index rises
The Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicates that conditions for New York manufacturers continued to improve in March.
Metalformers bullish about future
Forty-nine percent of metalforming companies anticipate steady business conditions during the next three months.
Simonetta named president of Airgas East
Airgas Inc. announced that Tony Simonetta has been named president of Airgas East, reporting to Shaun Powers, Airgas Eastern Division president.
Philadelphia area manufacturing improves
Regional manufacturing activity continued to show improvement in March, according to the respondents to the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey.
February industrial production stumble
Industrial production declined 0.1 percent in February after having risen 0.3 percent in January, according to the Federal Reserve Board.
MAPI: Economy in expansion phase
The U.S. economy is now in an expansion phase, with the level of production exceeding the previous business cycle peak of fourth quarter 2007.
Actuant sales gain 24%
Hydraulic and electrical tool maker Actuant reported consolidated sales for the second quarter were $331 million, 24% higher than the comparable prior year quarter.
Midwest Manufacturing Index up in January
The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) increased 1.1% in January, to a seasonally adjusted level of 84.1.
DXP Enterprises sales up 23.1%
DXP Enterprises said sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased 23.1% to approximately $169.7 million from $137.8 million for the same period in 2009.
Canada manufacturers see growth
Manufacturing sales in Canada increased 4.5% to $47.7 billion in January, the highest level since October 2008.
Wesco acquires Reco LLC
Wesco International has acquired Cincinnati-based Reco LLC.
Manufacturing technology consumption report mixed
January U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $371.41 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association and AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
Lawson Products hires investor relations firm
Lawson Products has retained the services of MBS Value Partners LLC as the company's investor relations firm.
Grainger February sales up 11 percent
Grainger reported sales for the month of February increased 11 percent versus February 2010.
Strickland named Blackhawk CFO
BlackHawk Industrial Distribution named Parker L. Strickland as chief financial officer.
NN Inc. sales jump 23 percent
Precision bearings component manufacturer NN Inc. reported its net sales for the fourth quarter jumped 23.1% to $96.3 million compared to the same period in 2009.
Engel named Wesco chairman
WESCO International appointed John J. Engel as chairman of the board, effective May 25, 2011, in addition to his current role of president and chief executive officer.
Graybar sales up 15 percent
Graybar said it finished 2010 with fourth quarter sales growth of almost 15 percent when compared to the same quarter in 2009.
ISA American Eagle Award nominations open
The Industrial Supply Association is accepting nominations for its 2011 American Eagle Awards.
Private companies to begin hiring
According to a Pricewaterhouse Coopers survey, a majority of private-company CEOs plan to begin hiring in the next two years.
Craftsman introduces industrial tool line
Craftsman introduced Craftsman Industrial, a new line of mechanic hand tools available for the heavy-duty needs of industrial and maintenance professionals.
WinWare launches CribMaster AdvantageWeb
WinWare Inc., the makers of CribMaster, announced the launch of CribMaster AdvantageWeb.
SKF expands in China
SKF, the Sweden-based global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics and lubrication systems, announced plans to build a new factory in Jinan, in the Shandong Province, China.
Three firms pick Sonnhalter
Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, announces the addition of three new clients, Air King, Calculated Industries and Viega.
Manufacturing, construction jobs rebound
The manufacturing and construction industries both showed job gains in February according to the new jobs report issued today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Process Marketing Group wins STOKO award
STOKO Skin Care by Evonik named Process Marketing Group its Manufacturer's Representative Agency of the Year Award for 2010.
Labor productivity up 2.6 percent
Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 2.6 percent annual rate during the fourth quarter of 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Construction spending falls in January
The U.S. Census Bureau said today that construction spending fell 0.7 percent in January compared to December, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $791.8 billion.
Manufacturing expands in February
Manufacturing activity in February reached its highest level since 2004, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
Singer Equities acquires Spartan Industrial
Singer Equities Inc. acquired the operating assets of Spartan Industrial Products, Houma, La.
Purvis Industries acquires Bearing Solutions Inc.
Purvis Industries announced the acquisition of Bearing Solutions Inc. of Houston.
Praxair to raise prices
Praxair Inc. announced price increases of up to 20 percent on bulk and packaged industrial gas sold to customers in the United States and Canada.
IDC-USA sales up 30 percent
IDC-USA announced that the cooperative experienced 30 percent organic sales growth in 2010.
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.
