The Leading Source for Industrial Distribution News
Federal Judge Okays Visteon's Plan For Bankruptcy
September 1, 2010 5:29 am | News | CommentsWILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A federal judge has confirmed auto parts supplier Visteon's reorganization plan, clearing the way for the company's emergence from bankruptcy. Visteon, a major supplier of parts to Ford Motor Co., said Tuesday that it expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by Oct.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Improves In August
September 1, 2010 5:28 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) -- Americans' confidence in the economy improved slightly in August, but the mood is still gloomy amid job worries, according to a monthly survey. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index improved slightly to 53.5, up from a revised 51.0 in July.
Sample Air Accurately
August 31, 2010 9:40 am | Product Releases | CommentsCasella USA (Amherst, NH) recently expanded its Apex line of personal air sampling pumps to include the Apex Standard and the Apex Pro I.S. They are designed to undertake personal and area sampling for dusts, fumes, gases and vapors in hazardous areas. When used with a low-flow adapter assembly the pumps have flow rates between 5 and 200 ml/min.
VOC-Free Degreaser
August 31, 2010 9:32 am | Product Releases | CommentsSolvent Kleene (Peabody, MA) now offers a VOC-free, non-alkaline industrial degreaser/cleaner for high-performance and eco-friendly products. According to the company, D-Greeze 7880 offers performance comparable to that of a conventional-based product. Furthermore, it doesn’t expose users and the environment to toxic components or emissions.
Detect Even The Smallest Leaks
August 31, 2010 9:29 am | Product Releases | CommentsSpectronics (Westbury, NY) has introduced OIL-GLO™ 50, a fluorescent dye designed for detecting leaks in petroleum or synthetic-based fluid systems. OIL-GLO™ 50 pinpoints leaks in a wide variety of oil-based fluid systems. Examples include hydraulic fluid, lubrication fluid, compressor oil, engine oil, and gearbox oil.
Better Torque Support
August 31, 2010 9:27 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe “Torque Supporter” Precision Rack & Pinion Drive Systems from ATLANTA Drive Systems, Inc. (Farmingdale, NJ) handle dynamic and heavy loads, according to the company. Precision planetary reducers with an integral output housing and outboard bearing provide a rigid support.
Airgas Continues To Battle Potential Air Products Takeover
August 31, 2010 5:23 am | News | CommentsRADNOR, Pa. (AP) — Airgas Inc. on Monday told shareholders that if Air Products & Chemicals Inc.'s buyout plans don't receive majority support, Airgas will call a special meeting of its stockholders on June 21 next year. At that meeting, Airgas said it will take action to assure that Air Products or other stockholders will be able to nominate a number of individuals to its board.
Obama Expected To Criticize Chinese Aluminum Export Industry
August 31, 2010 5:19 am | by Foster Klug, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Analysts say the Obama administration, under congressional pressure to take a tough stance on Chinese trade policies, is expected to declare that China unfairly helped its aluminum industry. The finding, which could spark higher import duties, was anticipated Tuesday as the White House attempts to strike a delicate balance ahead of November congressional elections that will be dominated by the weak U.
Ford Settles Lawsuit Over Employee Stock Losses
August 31, 2010 5:18 am | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. has settled a lawsuit over losses suffered by nonunion employees and retirees who held company stock in retirement accounts. The company will offer free investment advice for four years but no money will be paid except to lawyers. In a court filing Friday, lawyers for plaintiffs say Ford Motor's improved health and stock price could have helped the company win the lawsuit or defeat some claims.
R.B. Mosher Picks PUMP-FLO Selection Software Solution
August 30, 2010 11:19 am | News | CommentsLACEY, Wash. -- PUMP-FLO™ Solutions, a provider of software solutions to the pump and fluid handling industry, recently announced that R.B. Mosher, a distributor of products and services to the petrochemical, oil, power and municipal industries, has awarded PUMP-FLO Solutions a contract for its ePUMP-FLO™ web-based selection software.
Eaton Names New Chief Technology Officer
August 30, 2010 5:27 am | News | CommentsCLEVELAND (AP) — Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp. said Friday it named Lennart Jonsson executive vice president and chief technology officer. Jonsson joined Eaton in its Powerware acquisition in 2004 and served as a senior engineering manager. He was named vice president of technology and chief technology officer for the Electrical Group in 2007.
Ford Recalls 575K Windstar Vans
August 30, 2010 5:23 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. says it is recalling 575,000 older model Windstar vans in the United States and Canada because of the possibility that the rear axles can corrode and potentially break. The recall covers vehicles in the model years 1998 to 2003 sold in states where the heavy use of road salt can cause more corrosion.
Auto Industry Expected To See Sales Slowdown
August 30, 2010 5:14 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — August auto sales are expected to be much lower than the year-ago month, a time when sales were pumped up by the federal government's Cash for Clunkers vehicle trade-in program, according to analyst predictions. The seasonally adjusted annual rates for the month may also suggest that the auto industry's steady recovery in the first half of the year is losing steam, the analysts predicted.
Boeing Sees Another Delay In Delivery of 787
August 27, 2010 5:48 am | by Samantha Bokamp, AP Airlines Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Boeing Co. postponed the delivery of its first 787 to the middle of the first quarter of 2011, compounding a string of delays for the jetliner that is already more than two years past its original scheduled debut. The latest delay is the result of engine delivery problems, Boeing said in a statement early Friday.
Auto Supplier Visteon Teams Up With Russian Firm
August 27, 2010 5:46 am | News | CommentsVLADIMIR, Russia (AP) — Auto parts supplier Visteon Corp. said Thursday that it has formed a joint venture with a Russian company, Avtopribor, to provide vehicle cockpit electronics to the Russian auto market. The venture, called OOO Visteon Avtopribor Electronics, will make products such as audio equipment, infotainment devices and driver information and control electronics.
Toyota Recalls 1.33M Corollas, Matrixes
August 27, 2010 5:45 am | by Dan Strumpf, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Toyota recalled 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada Thursday because their engines may stall, the latest in a string of quality problems at the Japanese automaker. The recall covers vehicles from the 2005-2008 model years sold in the U.
Wolseley Sells Brandon Hire Limited To Rutland Partners
August 26, 2010 5:15 am | News | CommentsREADING, UK -- Wolseley announced today that it has agreed to dispose of Brandon Hire Limited, its UK tool and equipment hire business, to Rutland Partners. Total cash consideration of £43 million will be payable on completion, subject to normal closing adjustments. Completion is expected within 30 days.
Businesses Cut Back Investments In Machinery
August 26, 2010 5:13 am | by Alan Zibel and Daniel Wagner, AP Business Writers | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — It's starting to feel like another recession. Businesses are ordering fewer goods. Home sales are the slowest in decades. Jobs are scarce, and unemployment claims are rising. Perhaps most worrisome, manufacturing activity, which had been one of the economy's few bright spots, is faltering.
MRC Agrees To Buy Dresser Oil Tools & Supply
August 26, 2010 5:12 am | News | CommentsHOUSTON -- McJunkin Red Man Corp., has agreed to acquire operations and assets from Dresser Oil Tools & Supply. Dresser currently has five branches. The operations and assets to be bought by McJunkin Red Man relate to the business of the sale and distribution of pipe, valves and fittings, oilfield production, and drilling supplies and related products.
Labor Department: U.S. Job Market Still Unstable
August 26, 2010 5:10 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — New requests for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, the first decline in a month and a hopeful sign after a raft of negative economic reports. New claims for jobless aid dropped by 31,000 to a seasonally adjusted 473,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.
