Nice Ball Bearings, Inc., recently celebrated its 100^th birthday. In 1902, William Nice, Jr., founded the Pressed Steel Manufacturing Co. In 1914, the company changed its name to The Nice Ball Bearing Co. It was acquired by RBC Bearings, Inc. in 1997. Located in Kulpsville, Pa., it is one of 12 RBC Bearings divisions.

The Lincoln Electric Co. achieved ISO 14001 certification. It is the first company in the welding industry to meet the international standard for environmental management tools and systems. ISO 14001 provides a process for establishing and defining environmental plans and policies.

MarketMile, LLC, added MRO suppliers to its supplier network. MRO suppliers include GE Supply, Lab Safety Supply, Inc., Maintenance Warehouse, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., WESCO International, Inc., Motion Industries and Newark Electronics. Based in Mountain View, Calif., MarketMile offers procurement process control solutions and provides access to more than 80 suppliers of office products, MRO and industrial supplies, and computer hardware and software.

For the full story and the latest news updates, go to www.inddist.com

Manugistics Group, Inc. acquired the assets of Western Data Systems ... Kennametal Inc. agreed to purchase Milacron Inc.'s Widia Group ... Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd. acquired a 51 percent interest in Superay, a Chinese tool manufacturer ... George K. Baum Capital Partners, L.P. with ASI Management purchased Columbus McKinnon Corp. 's subsidiary Automatic Systems, Inc. ... Westcott Distribution acquired South African company, Davis & Deale ...

Cincinnati Machine received a Q100 Supplier Quality Recognition Award from The Boeing Co. ... Rockwell Automation was named a Vulcan Materials Co. 2001 Silver Level Supplier Award winner and WEG Electric Motors Corp. was awarded a Bronze Alliance Supplier Award ... Dana Brake and Chassis recognized Peer Bearing Co. with the Dana Diamond Award ... Rafael Benitez Carrillo, Inc. received a CRC Industries, Inc. 2001 Sales Excellence Award ... The Timken Co. received a 2001 Key Supplier award from Motion Industries, Inc. ... PRO Group recognized Cooper Tools as a 2001 Key Supplier of the Year.

Send Update information to associate editor Richard Trombly, 275 Washington St., Newton, Mass., 02458; call (617) 558-4289; fax to (617) 558-4327; or e-mail rtrombly@cahners.com.

W.W. Grainger contributed $25,000 to the National Minority Supplier Development Council's Advanced Management Education Program which is held annually at Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Phyllis Valdez, president of The Valdez Group, received the company's annual scholarship award.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering a free, comprehensive Internet-based entrepreneurship course for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The 11 session course is offered in conjunction with the non-profit firm, My Own Business, Inc. Courses include audio segments, quizzes and an online business plan tool. Find this course online at: www.sba.gov/classroom.

Personal protective equipment manufacturer ERB Industries, Inc., hosted the fifth annual Shepherd Center Picnic. ERB founders Florrie and Bill Erb established an injury prevention fund in conjunction with the Atlanta, Ga.-based Shepherd Center, a not-for-profit hospital specializing in the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries and neuromuscular disorders.