Precision Industries, distributor of bearings/power transmission products and fluid power components, opened an 80,000 square-foot master distribution center in Omaha, Neb. The center holds $15 million in inventory, representing over 1,000 manufacturers, with 300,000 SKUs, according to the company.

Clamps and connecting systems manufacturer Norma Products (U.S.) strengthened its network of stocking distributors by adding Suministros y Distribuidores Automotrices, s.a. de c.v. of Mexico City as a distributor for Mexico.

Distributor alliance IBC added S.L. Fusco, Inc. of Rancho Dominguez, Calif., and Kendeco Tool Crib of St. Cloud, Minn., to its group of industrial supply distributors located throughout North America. IBC also added Thompson Industrial Supply of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., to its group of bearing and power transmission distributors, known as BearingSupplyPlus. For the full story and latest new updates, go to www.inddist.com.

York, Pa.-based Military and Commercial Fasteners Corp., a hardware distributor and manufacturer, acquired Omega Thread Rolling of Plainville, Conn. …The Stanley Works completed its acquisition of Best Lock Corp. dba Best Access Systems …Airgas, Inc. acquired Welding Metals, Inc. , a Detroit-based distributor of gases and welding supplies …Eaton Corp. acquired the power systems business of Commonwealth Sprague Capacitor … Swiss manufacturer sia Abrasives acquired Coated Abrasive Products Co., dba CAPCO Abrasives, of Anoka, Minn. … Wisconsin-based Endries International purchased Interstate-Fastener Division from Interstate Welding Sales Corp. … Canada's S.B. Simpson Group acquired Mark Industrial Ltd. of Burlington, Ontario.

Mine Safety Appliances Co. awarded Airgas Inc. a 2002 Pinnacle President's Award. The award honors the distributor that has generated the greatest sales volume growth based on sales volume and percentage increase of MSA safety products …Applied Industrial Technologies announced ISO 9001 registration of the company's Cleveland corporate headquarters, six distribution centers and 70 service center locations throughout the United States …Ansul Corp. named Orr Safety Corp. Double Diamond Alliance Partner for the 2002 Fiscal Year ... The Timken Co. was recognized as a certified supplier by the Landoll Corp . ... TW Metals received Pratt and Whitney Canada's Most Improved Supplier award.

Send Update information to Managing Editor Victoria Fraza, 275 Washington St., Newton, MA 02458; call 617-558-4791; fax to 617-558-4327; or email vfraza@reedbusiness.com.

It's not every day an employee celebrates 60 years with the same company. But the milestone arrived for Jim Gramling in December when he marked his Diamond Anniversary with The Bostwick-Braun Co. Gramling is a catalog helper in the Bostwick-Braun Print Shop, but he's held many positions with the company over the last 60 years. He began as an order clerk in the company's Toledo warehouse in 1942, later became assistant warehouse superintendent, and held other supervisory jobs in the company's Toledo and Ashley, Ind., locations. Gramling lives in Toledo with his wife, Jean, who also works for Bostwick-Braun.