The Leading Source for Industrial Distribution News
Conn. Distributor Shooting Spree Raises Racial Questions
August 5, 2010 4:36 am | by John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsENFIELD, Conn. (AP) — A woman hiding under her desk tells an emergency dispatcher that a co-worker is in the midst of a shooting spree. The dispatcher presses for any information about the man. "I don't know anything," the woman says, according to a 911 tape released Wednesday. "He's a tall black guy.
Ford: UAW Deals Save Jobs From Going To Foreign Suppliers
August 5, 2010 4:33 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsTRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Competitive contracts with the United Auto Workers union are helping Ford Motor Co. bring nearly 2,000 jobs back into its factories that would have gone to parts supply companies — some in other countries, the company said Wednesday. The Dearborn, Mich.
Do Your Customers Value Your Services?
August 4, 2010 10:54 am | by Bill Moore, Senior VP, Channel Management for SKF | Articles | CommentsIn an era where purchasing departments often place lowest cost among their primary buying criteria, it’s up to specialist distributors to prove their worth. Job #1 is to sharply define your specialty and then convey it to customers in ways that clearly demonstrate a competitive advantage.
AS/RS Means More Yogurt To Go Around
August 4, 2010 10:51 am | Articles | CommentsYORK, Pa. — FAGE USA’s yogurt manufacturing venture in the USA has been a great success, so much so they are already expanding the facility. Back in early 2008, FAGE USA opened their new manufacturing plant and attached distribution center in Johnstown, NY. The original facility includes a Westfalia High Density Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) and Savanna.
Back In Black
August 4, 2010 8:17 am | Videos | CommentsToyota recently announced a $2.2 billion quarterly profit, which indicates the company has reversed the red ink of 2009 and is on its way toward recovering from a wealth of bad publicity. Though widespread concern regarding the safety of its vehicles still lingers, the world's largest automaker appears poised for a sustained comeback.
Factory Orders Fall For Second Straight Month
August 4, 2010 5:34 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Factory orders fell in June for the second straight month due to lower demand for steel, construction machinery and aircraft. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that factory orders dropped by 1.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted $406.4 billion. Analysts expected a much smaller drop.
Nine Killed In Shooting Rampage At Beer Distributor
August 4, 2010 5:33 am | by Stephen Singer, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsMANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) — A warehouse driver who was asked to resign his job at a beer distributor went on a shooting rampage Tuesday morning that left nine people dead, including himself, and others wounded, company and government officials said. The number of dead was confirmed by a Connecticut government official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
Toyota Reports $2.2 Billion Quarterly Profit
August 4, 2010 5:32 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Toyota reported a quarterly profit of $2.2 billion, reversing from red ink a year earlier as the world's top automaker benefited from a global sales recovery that offset lingering doubts about the safety of its cars. The company, which makes the Camry sedan and Prius hybrid, raised its full year earnings forecast Wednesday, and said it now expects to sell 7.
Cognex Honors 400th Channel Partner
August 3, 2010 10:48 am | News | CommentsNATICK, Mass. - Cognex Corporation recently announced that it has achieved an important milestone in the development of its system integrator and distributor partner program. The Electrical Equipment Company of Richmond, Virginia, USA has become the company’s 400th channel partner. The Electrical Equipment Company is a leading provider of electrical supplies and automation equipment throughout the southeastern United States.
Manufacturing Sector Grows For 12th Straight Month
August 3, 2010 5:14 am | by Martin Crutsinger and Tali Arbel, AP Business Writers | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — It's a rare bright spot in an otherwise troubled economy: The U.S. manufacturing sector has now grown for a solid year, and more of its companies say they're ready to hire. Chip maker Texas Instruments says its business has recovered to pre-recession levels. Intel, which makes semiconductors, posted its best quarterly profit in a decade.
At Least 3 Shot At Conn. Beer Distributor
August 3, 2010 5:13 am | by Stephen Singer, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsMANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) — Authorities say some people were seriously injured when a warehouse worker who had been called in to resign opened fire at a beer distributor in Connecticut. A company executive says at least three people were shot Tuesday morning in Manchester, about 10 miles east of Hartford.
GM, Ford See Sales Growth Slowdown
August 3, 2010 5:11 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — General Motors and Ford said Tuesday their Chinese sales growth slowed sharply in July in a new sign China's rapid economic expansion is cooling. China is the biggest auto market by number of vehicles sold, and automakers are looking to the country to drive revenues amid weak global demand.
Always Reliable
August 2, 2010 12:31 pm | Product Releases | CommentsHilti (Tulsa, OK) recently added the new TE 4-A18 cordless rotary hammer to its cordless tool platform. Ideal for drilling anchor holes or through holes, the TE 4-A18 has an optimum drilling diameter range of 1/4’-1/2’. Its CPC battery technology protects the battery, switch, and motor for increased durability and longer battery life, and it comes standard with a high-efficiency motor.
Enhanced Version
August 2, 2010 8:20 am | Product Releases | CommentsDDI Systems (Sandy Hook, CT) recently released Version 23 of its inform software for use in the distribution industry. The software now incorporates transaction auditing, visual financial reporting, inform analytics, and advanced report writer features. "Transaction auditing" allows the user to automatically record changes, "visual financial reporting" is a drill-down to transaction-based details, "inform analytics" provides graphical dashboards for executive business reporting, and the "advanced report writer" visually designs customized report fields and layouts.
The Road Toward Economic Recovery
August 2, 2010 6:46 am | Videos | CommentsAccording to numerous reports, the pace of the U.S. economic recovery has slowed over the course of the past few months. Cautious spending by businesses and high levels of unemployment are considered major contributors to rocky road toward recovery. While strong earnings reports from companies have lifted spirits, it has not been enough to drive up consumer and investor confidence.
China Sees Manufacturing Slowdown
August 2, 2010 5:39 am | News | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Expansion of Chinese manufacturing activity slowed for the third month in July, as production, new orders and purchasing prices all declined, a survey showed Sunday. The state-affiliated China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said its purchasing managers index, or PMI, fell to 51.
AP: U.S.'s Economic Stress Worsens
August 2, 2010 5:37 am | by Jeannine Aversa and Mike Schneider, Associated Press Writers | News | CommentsAfter easing for four months, the nation's economic stress worsened in June because more bankruptcies in the West and foreclosures outside the Sun Belt outweighed lower unemployment, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions around the country. The setback halted a drop in month-to-month stress readings that had begun in February.
ISM Says Manufacturing Index Slipped
August 2, 2010 5:35 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — An industry trade group says growth in the manufacturing sector weakened in July to the slowest pace this year. The Institute for Supply Management says its manufacturing index slipped to 55.5 in July from 56.2 in June. A reading above 50 indicates growth. Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast a lower reading of 54.
Commerce Dept: Economic Growth Has Slowed
July 30, 2010 5:53 am | by Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The recovery lost momentum in the second quarter as growth slowed to a 2.4 percent pace, its most sluggish showing in nearly a year and too weak to drive down unemployment. Weaker spending by consumers, less growth coming from companies restocking shrunken stockpiles and a bigger drag from the nation's trade deficits were the main factors behind the second quarter's slowdown.
Obama To Weigh In On Auto Bailout
July 30, 2010 5:51 am | by Charles Babington, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is going to the heart of the U.S. auto industry to push an important election-year claim: his administration's unpopular auto industry bailout has turned into an economic good-news story. With Americans facing a still-limping economy and potentially pivotal congressional elections in three months, the White House sees progress in the auto industry as a concrete area of improvement, and one with direct ties to the president's own actions.
