The Leading Source for Industrial Distribution News
Factory Orders Increased By 0.7 % In November
January 5, 2011 4:23 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Businesses ordered more factory goods in November, responding to stronger consumer demand for household appliances, computers, and furniture. The Commerce Department says that total orders increased 0.7 percent in November. That follows a 0.7 percent drop in October.
Pinpoint Industrial Leaks
January 4, 2011 9:05 am | Product Releases | CommentsSpectronics Corporation (Westbury, NY) recently unveiled its BIB-150P ultraviolet inspection lamp. The lamp features a 150-watt Built-In-Ballast bulb, and is it designed to pinpoint industrial leaks. Examples include, oil, refrigerant, gasoline, diesel fuel, and water.
Synchronous Belt Drive System
January 4, 2011 9:04 am | Product Releases | CommentsBaldor (Fort Smith, AR) introduces a new synchronous belt drive system utilizing Dodge HTR and HTRC Tracker belts. According to the company, the belts have a reinforced parabolic profile tooth design, which allows for synchronous transmission of power, eliminating slippage and speed variation in high-torque applications.
Continuous Lubrication
January 4, 2011 9:02 am | Product Releases | CommentsDayton Progress (Dayton, OH) offers DayLube nano-ceramic grease in five-gallon pails. The grease uses nano-ceramic particles that act as sub-microscopic ball bearings to provide continuous lubrication for steel surfaces. According to the company, the grease maintains its viscosity across full temperature range, provides friction reduction and wear resistance, and does not soften or run out.
Meet Specialty Fastener Needs
January 4, 2011 9:00 am | Product Releases | CommentsHYTORC (Mahwah, NJ) offers an integrated system that allows the company’s Clamp-Nut connection device to be used effectively for specialty fastener needs in industrial process applications. The HYTORC system begins with the Clamp-Nut, a three-piece fastener that includes an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a washer.
Increase In U.S. Factory Orders Bodes Well For 2011
January 4, 2011 4:06 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Orders to U.S. factories are expected to strengthen in November outside of transportation in a further sign that manufacturers will be cranking up production in anticipation of greater spending by businesses and consumers in 2011. Economists at JPMorgan Chase are forecasting that factory orders will post a 0.
Why The Groupon Model Will Work For Industrial Distributors
January 3, 2011 10:20 am | by Bill Wade, Wade & Partners | Articles | CommentsGroupon, an internet start-up that negotiates huge discounts with popular consumer businesses and emails coupons to thousands of subscribers, employs a business model that hasn't caught on in the industrial distribution marketplace (yet). Groupon is a two-year-old Chicago-based internet startup that recently rejected a $6 billion… yes, BILLION… offer from Google.
Using The Supply Chain To Promote Company Growth
January 3, 2011 9:53 am | by Taylor Jones, Sales Executive, BridgeNet Solutions, Inc. | Articles | CommentsMany companies miss out on not only some of the money-saving opportunities that might present themselves if they were to look at their supply chains a little differently, but on the money-making opportunities they might be able to uncover. Even companies that are adept at running their supply chains efficiently and cost-effectively tend not to see the supply chain as an area of the company which might enable them to achieve actual company growth.
Manufacturing Sector Sees Its 17th Straight Month Of Growth
January 3, 2011 3:52 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Manufacturers likely increased output at the same pace in December as the previous month, notching the 17th straight month of growth. The Institute for Supply Management's index of manufacturing activity is expected to remain unchanged at 56.6. Any reading above 50 indicates that the sector is growing.
Ford Plans To Expand Use Of Its Gas Technology
December 29, 2010 6:23 am | News | CommentsDEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. said Monday that it plans to include its fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop technology — originally designed for and used in its gas-electric hybrids — in a wider range of vehicles sold in North America starting in 2012. The technology automatically shuts off the engine when a vehicle stops, which Ford says improves fuel economy at least 4 percent.
GM Stock Jumps As Wall Street Swoons
December 28, 2010 4:54 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Shares of General Motors jumped 2.4 percent Tuesday in premarket trading after several investment groups initiated coverage of the reinvigorated automaker. Credit Suisse set an "Outperform" rating for GM with a 12-month price target of $43 per share, saying that the company's stint under bankruptcy protection cleansed its balance sheet.
China To Reduce Rare Earth Exports By 10 Percent
December 28, 2010 4:54 am | News | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — China said Tuesday it is reducing the amount of rare earths it will export next year by more than 10 percent — likely to be an unpopular move worldwide since the minerals are vital to the manufacture of high-tech products. China accounts for 97 percent of the global production of rare earths, which are essential to devices as varied as cell phones, computer drives and hybrid cars.
Architect Of Airline Deregulation Under Carter Dies At 93
December 28, 2010 4:53 am | by Ben Dobbin, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsROCHESTER, New York (AP) — Alfred E. Kahn, who presided over the historic deregulation of the U.S. airline industry during President Jimmy Carter's administration, paving the way for JetBlue and other low-cost carriers, died Monday. He was 93. Kahn, an economics professor at Cornell University, died of cancer at his home in Ithaca, New York, the school said in a statement.
Where Are All The Jobs For American Workers?
December 28, 2010 4:52 am | by Pallavi Gogoi, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Corporate profits are up. Stock prices are up. So why isn't anyone hiring? Actually, many American companies are — just maybe not in your town. They're hiring overseas, where sales are surging and the pipeline of orders is fat. More than half of the 15,000 people that Caterpillar Inc.
Demmer Investments Buys Quality Tool
December 23, 2010 4:34 am | News | CommentsST. PAUL, Minn.—Quality Tool, Inc. ("Quality Tool") has been acquired by Demmer Investments IV, Inc., an entity formed by the shareholders of Demmer Corporation ("Demmer"). Terms of the sale were not disclosed. HIGHLIGHTS For over 50 years, St. Paul, Minnesota-based Quality Tool has been a leading provider of engineering-focused precision metal fabrication, stamping, machining, bus bar and design services to diversified industrial, medical, technology, telecommunications and defense industries.
Airgas Rejects $70 Per Share Offer From Air Products
December 22, 2010 4:44 am | News | CommentsRADNOR, Pa. - Airgas, Inc. recently announced that its Board of Directors, after careful consideration with its independent financial and legal advisors, unanimously rejected the revised unsolicited tender offer from Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. to acquire all outstanding common shares of Airgas at a price of $70.
Applied Named One Of 'The 50 Best Companies To Sell For'
December 22, 2010 4:43 am | News | CommentsCLEVELAND, OH – Applied Industrial Technologies ;has been named to Selling Power magazine’s annual list of “The 50 Best Companies to Sell For” in the U.S. Out of the 25 “Service” companies on the list, Applied again was the highest ranked distribution company on the list and ranked third overall in the service category for the third consecutive year.
Anixter International Announces A Pair Of Acquisitions
December 22, 2010 4:41 am | News | CommentsGLENVIEW, Ill., -- Anixter International Inc., a leading global distributor of communication and security products, electrical and electronic wire & cable, fasteners and other small parts, recently announced that it has acquired all the outstanding shares of Clark Security Products, Inc. and the assets and operations of General Lock, LLC (collectively "Clark").
Grainger Sells Supplier To Demco
December 22, 2010 4:39 am | News | CommentsCHICAGO (AP) — W.W. Grainger Inc. sold its library supplies provider Highsmith to Demco Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Highsmith was part of Grainger's U.S. specialty brands portfolio. Grainger, a supplier of industrial maintenance and safety products, said Monday that it said it is considering the potential sale of four other brands in the portfolio including Professional Equipment, Construction Book Express, McFeely's and Rand.
Motion Industries Helps To Launch TheMotorSpecialist.com
December 22, 2010 4:38 am | News | CommentsBIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Motion Industries, a leading distributor of industrial maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, along with leading motor manufacturers Baldor, and U.S. Motors, have launched TheMotorSpecialist.com . The site assists industrial users in understanding the impact and upgrade requirements of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), which went into effect December 19, 2010.
