The Leading Source for Industrial Distribution News
Reel In Cord And Cable Of All Lengths
October 4, 2010 8:37 am | Product Releases | CommentsReelcraft (Columbus City, IN) now offers an expanded Series 30000 line of heavy duty cord and cable storage reels. Designed to handle long lengths of 10/3, 12/3, and 16/3 cable, the reels are constructed of heavy-gauge steel and assembled with vibration-proof, self-locking fasteners to ensure assembly integrity.
Take The Right Angle
October 4, 2010 8:35 am | Product Releases | CommentsMetabo (West Chester, PA) introduces the WP11-125 Quick 5” angle grinder for industrial and welding applications. Ideal for cutting and grinding metal and concrete, Metabo's new angle grinder features a long-lasting 9.6 A motor with 1,100 watts of power, 26.9 inch-lbs.
Auto Supplier Visteon Emerges From Bankruptcy Court
October 4, 2010 5:04 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsVAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — After more than a year in bankruptcy court, auto supplier Visteon Corp. emerged from Chapter 11 protection on Friday with $2.1 billion less debt on its balance sheet. Visteon, which makes automotive interior products, filed for bankruptcy protection in May 2009 as the auto industry suffered from the economic downturn and a severe slump in sales.
Allied Electronics Signs Distribution Pact With Pentair
October 4, 2010 5:03 am | News | CommentsFORT WORTH, Tex. – Allied Electronics has signed a distribution agreement with Pentair Technical Products, a leading provider of worldwide product and service solutions for enclosing, protecting, and cooling electrical and electronic systems. Allied will carry Pentair’s industry-leading brands – Hoffman, Schroff, and McLean Cooling Technology.
Kirby-Smith Machinery Carries Atlas Copco Products
October 1, 2010 5:36 am | News | CommentsCOMMERCE CITY, Col. – Kirby-Smith Machinery, Oklahoma City, is the latest dealer to carry Atlas Copco’s line of compressors, generators, and tools for sale and rent. Kirby-Smith Machinery was established in 1983 and is recognized as one of the premier new and used heavy construction equipment and crane dealers in the country, serving the construction, earth moving, paving, road building, materials handling, compaction, and demolition markets.
Caterpillar To Raise Prices As Much As 2 Percent
October 1, 2010 5:25 am | News | CommentsDALLAS (AP) — Heavy-equipment maker Caterpillar says it will raise prices up to 2 percent worldwide starting in January. The company said Thursday the price increase was due to "industry factors" and the economy. Caterpillar says price hikes will vary by product and location. It plans to give dealers the details soon.
Boeing Gets $11.9B Air Force Contract
September 30, 2010 5:18 am | News | CommentsThe U.S. Air Force has signed an eight-year contract with Boeing Co. worth $11.9 billion for upgrades to B-52 bombers. The Defense Department says that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is handling contract activities. Shares of Chicago-based Boeing rose 79 cents to $66.76 in after-hours trading, after finishing regular trading up $1.
Unemployment Drops For Third Time In Four Weeks
September 30, 2010 5:17 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Applications for jobless benefits dropped last week for the third time in four weeks, a sign that employers are cutting fewer jobs. Initial claims for unemployment aid fell by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 453,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. Wall Street analysts had expected a smaller drop.
What SaaS Can Do For You
September 29, 2010 12:14 pm | Videos | CommentsWhy should you consider purchasing and implementing a SaaS solution? Mark Symonds, President and Chief Executive Officer for Plex Systems Inc., answers that question and explains what specific areas of a distribution enterprise can benefit from the implementation of a SaaS solution. If you're having trouble watching this video, try downloading the latest version of Flash Player or contacting your IT department.
Wolseley Sees 10-Percent Decline In Year-End Sales
September 29, 2010 5:32 am | News | CommentsREADING, U.K. -- Wolseley recently announced the final fiscal results for the year ended 31 July 2010. The distributor of building materials and construction supplies offered the following financial highlights in its release to the media: Revenue of £13,203 million, 10% below last year on a constant currency basis.
Senate Blocks Bill Seeking To Tax Firms That Export
September 29, 2010 5:30 am | by Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Tuesday blocked tax legislation that would have punished U.S. firms that export jobs. But the political symbolism of trying to save American jobs, not passing a bill, was the Democrats' closing argument on the economy in the waning weeks of the congressional elections.
Airgas, Boeing Sign 3-Year Supply Contract Extension
September 29, 2010 5:28 am | News | CommentsRADNOR, Penn. --Airgas, Inc. recently announced it has signed a three-year extension to its safety products supply agreement with The Boeing Company representing $19 million of revenue in the first year of the contract. Airgas is the primary provider of safety and industrial-hygiene products for Boeing.
Eroding Confidence In Economy Leads To 'Unvirtuous Cycle'
September 29, 2010 5:27 am | by Anne D'Innocenzio, AP Retail Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Americans in both the living room and the boardroom are growing more fearful about the economy, creating a Catch-22 for the job market: Shoppers won't spend until they feel more secure, and business won't hire until people start spending. The eroding views were revealed Tuesday by two separate surveys, one that found everyday Americans are increasingly pessimistic about jobs and another that found CEOs have grimmer predictions about upcoming sales.
GM Plant Buyer Drops Bid After Union Rejects Pay Cut
September 29, 2010 5:25 am | News | CommentsINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The potential buyer for a General Motors stamping plant in Indianapolis has dropped its bid after workers overwhelmingly rejected pay cuts it sought. The 457-96 vote against the concessions also was a repudiation of a deal national United Auto Workers officials had backed in hopes of keeping the factory open after GM announced last year it planned to shut it down in 2011.
BlueLinx Holdings May Accept Buyout Offer From Cerberus
September 29, 2010 5:23 am | News | CommentsATLANTA (AP) — BlueLinx Holdings Inc., a distributor of building products, said Monday that it is recommending shareholders accept a $4-per-share buyout offer from Cerberus ABP Investors LLC. Cerberus raised the offer to $4 from $3.40 on Thursday. It also extended its offer until Oct.
An Underused Way To Control Inventory
September 28, 2010 10:35 am | by Dylan Persaud, Managing Director, Eval-Source | Articles | CommentsAttribute-based demand planning, a method by which distributors customize products by adding additional and value-added accessories to deliver a newly created product, is a underused method of inventory and cost control. by Dylan Persaud, Managing Director, Eval-Source As technology pushes forward and networks and systems become more complex, retailers are finding more innovative ways to control their inventories.
Five Steps To Safety
September 28, 2010 8:29 am | by Dana A. Weeks, Marketing Communications, Pilz Automation Safety L.P. | Articles | CommentsSafety doesn’t have to be complicated, confusing, or costly. Here are five steps you can take to keep employees safe and costs down. The most important commodity in a plant is not the machinery, but rather it’s the employees. A safe and healthy work environment positively influences employee morale, health and productivity.
Chrysler Fires 13 Plant Workers For Boozing On Job
September 28, 2010 5:20 am | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Chrysler Group LLC says it has fired 13 plant workers a Detroit TV station caught drinking alcohol and smoking what appeared to be marijuana during breaks. Chrysler manufacturing chief Scott Garberding told WJBK-TV in a Sept. 22 report that the automaker identified some of the workers from Detroit's Jefferson North plant on tape and was pursuing the others.
On The Grind
September 27, 2010 11:48 am | Product Releases | CommentsGeneral Equipment (Owatonna, MN) now offers the Pro Polish floor polishing system, designed for use with single- and dual-head, low-speed surface grinders. The Pro Polish system utilizes a series of seven 10-inch diameter diamond-polishing pads, which are secured to the appropriate surface grinder by Velcro.
Make Harder, Faster, Longer Cuts
September 27, 2010 11:46 am | Product Releases | CommentsArbortech (Leonminster, MA) introduces new high-performance blades for its AS170 brick and mortar saws. According to the company, the blades are designed to allow users to make harder, faster, and longer cuts. Featuring a carbide formula and tooth design and a higher temperature brazing, they are available in general purpose blades (4 1/2-inches deep and 1/4-inch wide) and plunge blades (4 3/4-inches deep and 1/4-inch wide).
