November 2011 News

Equity firm buys Capital Safety
Global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Capital Safety from Arle Capital Partners for $1.12 billion.

Saint-Gobain buys South American companies

Saint-Gobain finalized the acquisition of Abrasivos Argentinos S.A. and Dancan S.A. in Argentina, together with their subsidiaries in Brazil and Uruguay, which specialize in the production of coated abrasives and masking tapes.

Beacon Roofing Supply sales up 19.3%

Beacon Roofing Supply said its fourth-quarter sales increased 19.3% to $575.6 million in 2011 from $482.6 million in 2010.

Grainger shuffles leaders

Grainger announced changes in leadership assignments of three senior business leaders.

Midwest manufacturing rises in October

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index increased 0.7% in October, to a seasonally adjusted level of 85.5, according to the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank.

MAPI: GDP to expand in 2011

Investment in business equipment and increased exports will be the drivers for economic growth over the next five years according to a new report.

DGI Supply acquires Tru-Cut

DGI Supply, a DoALL Company, has acquired Tru-Cut Tool and Supply Company of Alsip, Ill., and its subsidiary, Supreme Saw & Service Co. Inc.

Chicago Fed National Activity Index edges up

One important economic barometer provided good news in October.

IDG co-founder Doug Smith dies

Doug Smith, one of the founding members of the Industrial Distribution Group, died at his home surrounded by family on Nov. 14 after an extended battle with lymphoma. He was 70 years old.

Manufacturer earnings reports
ITW and Brady reported sales gains for the most recent quarter.

Grainger to close 25 branches
Despite an anticipated 11% to 12% sales increase for the year, Grainger told financial analysts that it plans to close 25 branches by the end of December.

PTDA Index rises for sixth straight quarter
The PTDA Business Index indicated the sixth consecutive quarter for business growth among PTDA members, with a reading of 68.1.

Lawson Products to relocate headquarters
Lawson Products announced plans to move its corporate headquarters from Des Plaines, Ill. to the City of Chicago by early summer 2012.

Technology orders climb
September U.S. manufacturing technology orders climbed 51.9% to $606.56 million.

Logistics opens new warehouse
Logistics announced the grand opening of a new warehouse location in Orlando, Fla.

Grainger October sales up 16 percent
Grainger reported that sales in October increased 16 percent versus October 2010.

Manufacturer earnings reports
Ironclad Performance Wear, RBC Bearings, Rockwell Automation and Allied Motion among companies reporting earnings growth in the latest quarter.

Graybar sales rise 16.7 percent
Graybar reported record-setting net income of $32.5 million for the third quarter, while net sales increased 16.7 percent to $1.45 billion.

Lawson Products sales fall 7.6 percent
Lawson Products said its net sales for the third quarter of 2011 decreased 7.6% to $75.4 million compared to $81.6 million in the prior year quarter.

Interline Brands sales up 19.7 percent
Interline Brands reported third quarter sales were $331.3 million, a 19.7% increase compared to $276.8 million in the comparable 2010 period.

Factory jobs rise in October
Manufacturers added 5,000 jobs in October according to the latest jobs report from the Department of of Labor.

ERIKS acquires Lewis-Goetz
ERIKS NV, a Netherlands-based industrial service provider of a variety of industrial products, announced the acquisition of Pittsburgh-based Lewis-Goetz.

AD names 2011 award winners
Affiliated Distributors (AD) recognized several companies at its annual Industrial Division North American Meeting Oct. 17-19 in Las Vegas.

IBC award winners named
IBC's IndustrialSupplyPlus division recognized several companies at its recent annual national meeting in Rosemont, Ill.

Employee group acquires Alaska Bearing
Alaska Bearing Corporation announced the sale of the business to ABCO LLC, a new entity formed by two long-time employees.

KIT sales up 7.2%
Kaman Industrial Technologies reported that sales increased 7.2% in the 2011 third quarter to $239.1 million compared to $223.1 million a year ago.

Beacon Roofing acquires Fowler & Peth
Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. has acquired Fowler & Peth Inc., a distributor of residential and commercial roofing products and related accessories headquartered in Denver.

Praxair acquires American Gas
Praxair Distribution Inc. has acquired American Gas Group (AGG), a supplier of specialty gases worldwide.

ISM: Manufacturing expansion continues
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in October for the 27th consecutive month, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.