May 2015 News
United Stationers becomes Essendant
United Stationers Inc. will officially bring together several of its primary operating companies under the name "Essendant" on June 1.
Jamaica Bearings wins SBA award
Jamaica Bearings Co. was recently awarded the Small Business Administration's 2015 Region 2 Small Business Subcontractor of the Year award.
Winsupply opens Cedar Rapids location
Cedar Rapids Winsupply has opened in Iowa to provide plumbing contractors in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area with an inventory of plumbing products, supplies and services.
Acme Tools expanding corporate headquarters
Acme Tools, an online retailer of tools and equipment, today announced the planned expansion of its corporate headquarters in Grand Forks, N.D.
Kuriyama acquires Tipsa Group
Kuriyama Holdings announced the acquisition of the Tipsa Group of companies.
RBC Bearings sales down 0.3 percent
RBC Bearings said its sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015 declined by 0.3 percent to $113.4 million.
Durable goods orders decline
New orders for manufactured durable goods decreased 0.5 percent in April to $235.5 billion.
U.S. deficit in manufactures surges 30% in 1Q
First quarter trade data from 2015 show the United States and China continue to go in opposite directions.
EECO to acquire Eck Supply branch
Electrical Equipment Co., Raleigh N.C., has agreed to acquire the Lynchburg, Va.-based business of Eck Supply.
Brady sales decline 6.3 percent
Brady Corporation reported that sales for its fiscal third quarter decreased 6.3 percent to $290.2 million compared to $309.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
New NAW book on driving profitable growth
The NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence announced its newest research study,Driving Profitable Growth: A Distributor’s Playbook to Generate–Manage–Sustain Competitive Advantage.
Economy showed slight growth in April
Led by gains in employment-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index moved up to –0.15 in April from –0.36 in March.
Slower growth for ISA members
The May ISA Economic Indicator Report (EIR) from the Industrial Supply Association indicated moderating growth in April for Distributors and Manufacturers.
NetPlus Alliance adds members
NetPlus Alliance welcomed eight new distributor members to the buying and marketing group for industrial and contractor supplies distributors.
ISA convention sets attendance record
Nearly 1,800 delegates, prospective members and guests attended the recently completed annual ISA Convention in Cleveland.
Apache breaks ground on addition
Apache officially broke ground on a 90,000 square foot expansion to its primary production facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Cutting tool consumption rises
March U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $197.6 million, 4.6% higher than March 2014.
FCX Performance names new VP
Columbus, Ohio-based FCX Performance, a distributor of process flow control products and value-added services, has hired Jeff Caswell as vice president-corporate development.
Duracell Professional B2B Battery Market Insights Report
Duracell Professional, the business-to-business division of Duracell, released the 2015 Battery Market Insights Report.
Danaher to split into two separate companies
Danaher Corporation announced plans to separate the company into two independent publicly traded companies.
Grainger posts 1 percent April sales gain
Grainger reported sales for the month of April increased 1 percent versus April 2014.
Premier Building Solutions adds territory managers
Premier Building Solutions announced the addition of three new territory managers.
CGW names Taylor territory sales manager
CGW-Camel Grinding Wheels hired Breck Taylor as its new territory sales manager.
Airgas acquires Valley Air Supply
Airgas has acquired Valley Air Supply Inc. headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
DPA Buying Group adds members
The DPA Buying Group, Cincinnati, welcomed 14 new distributor members to its Industrial products division.
Manufacturing technology orders down year-to-year
March U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $399.83 million, down 18.7% compared with $491.73 million reported for March 2014.
DXP Enterprises sales decline 2 percent
DXP Enterprises reported that sales were $341.6 million for the first quarter of 2015, down 2% compared to $348.5 million for the first quarter of 2014.
Kaman launches automation brand
Kaman Corporation’s Distribution segment has launched a new brand, Kaman Automation, Control & Energy.
Midway Industrial names new president/CEO
Midway Industrial Supply Inc., a distributor of industrial fluid handling and spray finishing equipment and systems, appointed Greg Dvorsak president and CEO.
PTDA Index shows continued growth
The PTDA Business Index for 1Q2015 indicates slowing but continued positive growth.
Construction jobs gained in April
Manufacturers added just 1,000 jobs during the month of April, but employment in the construction industry surged.
Manufacturing productivity declines
Manufacturing sector productivity decreased 1.1 percent in the first quarter of 2015, as output decreased 1.2 percent and hours worked edged down 0.1 percent.
NOW Inc. reports 1Q loss
NOW Inc. reported a first quarter net loss of $10 million, or 9 cents per share.
Allied Motion earnings up on lower revenue
Allied Motion Technologies said its net revenues for the first quarter declined 1% to $59.58 million compared to $60.43 million last year.
Graybar sales up 6.2 percent
Graybar reported net sales of $1.4 billion for the first three months of 2015, a 6.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
United Stationers names Aiken interim CEO
United Stationers Inc. appointed board member Robert B. Aiken Jr., 52, interim president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Airgas opens new Utah facility
Airgas celebrated the opening of its new 20,000 square foot specialty gas facility in Tooele, Utah with a ribbon cutting ceremony and guided tours of the building.
Capital Safety acquires Python Safety
Capital Safety has acquired Python Safety Inc., a Woodstock, Ga.-based provider of dropped object prevention solutions for tools and equipment.
Kennametal sales decline
Kennametal Inc. reported sales for its fiscal third quarter of $639 million, compared with $755 million in the same quarter last year.
Emerson sales down 7 percent
Emerson announced that net sales in the second quarter of $5.4 billion decreased 7 percent, with underlying sales flat.
Fastenal April sales up 6.1 percent
Fastenal reported April sales of $334.4 million, a 6.1 percent increase over $315.1 million in April of last year.
Airgas sales up 5 percent for year
Airgas reported fourth quarter sales of $1.3 billion, an increase of 3% over the prior year.
F.W. Webb acquires Grant Supply Co.
F.W. Webb Co. has acquired the Grant Supply Company, a wholesale supplier of plumbing, heating and PVF products in Southern New Jersey.
Manufacturing actitivity holds steady
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the 28th consecutive month.
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.
