AC Technology, a manufacturer of variable frequency AC motor drives, opened a combined service center, evaluation and repair facility in Toronto, Ontario, to give Canadian customers faster evaluation and repair service.

Eaton Corp. will close or move several facilities to integrate the recently acquired Boston Weatherhead businesses into its fluid power segment. Eaton will: close its hose manufacturing plant in Norwood, N.C., by the end of the fourth quarter and consolidate production into the Newbern, Tenn., hose plant acquired in the Boston Weatherhead purchase; close the Boston Weatherhead hose manufacturing plant in Ludlow, Mass., in the third quarter, moving production to Eaton's Middlesex, N.C., hose plant; close the Boston Weatherhead administrative office in Brentwood, Tenn., in the third quarter; and move the Boston Weatherhead metal fittings and hose assembly operations in Pelahatchie, Miss., and Antwerp, Ohio, to a new facility in Gainesboro, Tenn. For the full story and latest news updates, go to www.inddist.com.

Jason, Inc. acquired Astro Brushes S.L. and Cepillos Solvaces S.L., which will merge to form Osborn International S.L. under the auspices of the Jason Brush Group. Jason Brush Group includes Osborn International-North America, Osborn International-International Operations Sealeze, and Atlanta Brush…SKF acquired Twentieth Century Machine Co. (TCM), a U.S. manufacturer of ground ball screws … Plymouth, Mass.-based Richards Micro-Tool, Inc., a TriMas company, acquired the industrial tool business of Cutting Edge Technologies, Bridgewater Corners, Vt. … Distributor Ferguson Enterprises acquired Triangle Supply Co., which operates in the Dallas area, for $3.4 million. Ferguson also acquired certain assets of the Corona, Calif., branch of York International Corp. for approximately $1.8 million.

Stone Construction Equipment received the Sales & Marketing 2002 Access Award from Hughes Supply. The award honored Stone for achieving the greatest sales volume increase in 2002 … Houston-based HISCO, a distributor of electrical/electronic and industrial OEM products, was named ESOP Company of the Year–Southwest Chapter by the ESOP Assn. …I.S.K. Industries was named Sales Agency of the Year by the Kimberly Clark Professional Division. I.S.K. is a manufacturer's rep agency in Rolling Meadows, Ill. …Peel Industrial Supplies of Brampton, Ontario, was named IDI Independent Distributors Inc. Member of the Year … Nebraska-based distributor Fuchs Machinery, Inc. recognized two suppliers for exceptional performance in 2002: Simonds Industries was honored for having the largest dollar increase in 2002 over 2001 and L.S. Starrett was recognized for the largest percentage sales increase in 2002.

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

Make no mistake about it, the National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors has clout in Washington. A case in point: Attendees of the recent NAW Executive Summit were treated to a special White House briefing on the economy led by President George W. Bush. The briefing was held on Wednesday, January 29, just one day after Bush delivered his State of the Union address to Congress.

Bush reportedly thanked NAW for its support of his economic stimulus program and pointed to tax relief as a crucial part of his plan, noting that it will aid businesses, consumers and thus the entire economy.

"Our members have been very energetic supporters of the President," NAW president Dirk Van Dongen said after the meeting. "…It was a privilege to have this opportunity to express our enthusiasm."

This was the second time Bush spoke to NAW members in a private briefing. Two years ago, a similar delegation was the first business association to visit with him at the White House following his inauguration.