March 2015 News
DGI Supply to acquire East Metro Supply
DGI Supply has agreed to acquire East Metro Supply of Monroe, N.C., a specialty tool and full line industrial distributor.
Graybar names new CIO
Graybar announced that David Meyer has been named vice president and chief information officer.
Airgas to build Ala. air separation unit
Airgas signed a long-term agreement to build an air separation unit (ASU) in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Graybar to acquire Advantage Industrial Automation
Graybar has entered into an agreement to acquire Advantage Industrial Automation of Duluth, Ga.
WinWholesale opens Miami Winsupply
WinWholesale announced the opening of Miami Winsupply to serve wholesale plumbing contractors in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
BK Industrial joins IDC-USA
BK Industrial Solutions, Beaumont, Texas, has joined the distributor cooperative IDC-USA.
Airgas names Whitton region president
Airgas Inc. announced that Matthew B. Whitton has been named President - Airgas Northern California & Nevada (NCN) Region, reporting to Douglas Jones, President - Airgas West Division.
NetPlus Alliance adds three members
NetPlus Alliance welcomed three new distributor members to the buying and marketing group for industrial and contractor supplies distributors.
Falcon Fastening names account manager
Falcon Fastening Solutions named Craig Jones as account manager for its Louisville, Kentucky office.
PIP appoints new executives
Protective Industrial Products announced the appointments of a new vice president of global marketing and a new chief financial officer.
Walter Surface Technologies wins award
Walter Surface Technologies, a provider of surface treatment technologies, was awarded the prestigious “Best Supplier with the Greatest Commitment” by Grainger Mexico.
Growth accelerates for ISA members
The March ISA Economic Indicator Report (EIR) from the Industrial Supply Association indicated accelerating growth in February for both Manufacturers and Distributors.
February economic growth slightly below average
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index edged lower to –0.11 in February from –0.10 in January.
AD names charter members of PT Division
Affiliated Distributors announced the first wave of charter members in its newly formed Bearings & Power Transmission (PT) Division.
Interline Brands merges find brands into SupplyWorks
Interline Brands announced the launch of a new national brand, SupplyWorks (supplyworks.com).
Harper joins Jamaica Bearings
Jamaica Bearings Group (JBG) appointed Peter Harper Director of Business Development - Rail.
Industrial production up 0.1%
Industrial production increased 0.1 percent in February after decreasing 0.3 percent in January.
PTDA Canadian Conference
Registration is now open for the PTDA 2015 Canadian Conference, to be held June 4-5, 2015, at the Four Seasons Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia.
BSA convention to focus on relationships
Relationships Matter is the theme for the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) 2015 Annual Convention.
Name change for Tour de Force
Tour de Force CRM Inc. has changed its name to Tour de Force Inc.
Graybar sales up 5.7%
Graybar reported that the company finished 2014 with record gross sales of $6.0 billion, a 5.7 percent increase compared to 2013.
January cutting tool consumption falls
January U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $181.9 million, down 1.7% from December’s total but up 1.9% from January 2014.
Grainger February sales up 2%
Grainger reported sales in February increased 2 percent versus February 2014.
Allied Motion posts big gains
Allied Motion Technologies said its net income increased 266% to $4.9 million, or 53 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter.
Pelican Products adds to management team
Pelican Products, a manufacturer of high-impact protective case solutions and advanced portable lighting is strengthening its operations management team.
Kimball Midwest opens Savannah DC
Kimball Midwest, a Columbus, Ohio-based MRO distributor, celebrated the grand opening of a new Savannah, Ga., distribution center with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 6.
January manufacturing technology orders down
January U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $341.17 million according to AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
Factory and construction job gains in February
Manufacturing employment continued to trend up in February, adding 8,000 jobs.
Claypool named president of Airgas North Division
Airgas named Pamela J. Claypool president of its Airgas North Division, reporting to Andrew R. Cichocki, president of Airgas USA.
4Q manufacturing productivity decreases
Manufacturing sector productivity decreased 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, as output increased 4.3 percent and hours worked increased 4.4 percent.
Fastenal sales up 8.6% in February
Fastenal reported that its February sales of nearly $298.2 million were up 8.6% compared to $274.5 million in 2013.
PIP expands account team
Protective Industrial Products (PIP) announced the expansion of its national accounts team.
KNIPEX names marketing specialist
KNIPEX Tools LP named Nancy Szankowski as new senior marketing specialist.
IWDC names new product manager
The IWDC announced that Sean Norton has joined the independent welding distributor cooperative as Hardgoods Product Manager.
DXP Enterprises 4Q sales climb 21.9%
DXP Enterprises said its fourth quarter sales climbed 21.9% to $382.5 million, compared to $313.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2013.
CTP Transportation becomes Carlstar Group
CTP Transportation Products, a producer of specialty tires, wheels, and industrial belts, has changed its name to The Carlstar Group LLC.
GHX Industrial acquires Fugitt Rubber and Supply
GHX Industrial has acquired Tennessee based Fugitt Rubber and Supply Co.
Saint-Gobain sales fall by 1.7%
Saint-Gobain reported sales of 41.05 billion euros ($45.9 billion) in 2014, 1.7 percent lower than the 41.76 billion euros ($46.7 billion) reported in 2013.
New tool helps reps gain insights about distributors
Channel Marketing Group introduced a new program designed to help manufacturers representatives gain insight into the needs of distributors.
Manufacturing expansion slows
Manufacturing expansion slowed in February as the monthly Institute for Supply Management index registered 52.9 percent.
AD launches power transmission division
Affiliated Distributors announced plans to expand into the power transmission and motors market.
Pace of growth slows for ISA members
The February ISA Economic Indicator Report (EIR) from the Industrial Supply Association indicated that growth slowed in January for both Manufacturers and Distributors.
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.
