vfraza@reedbusiness.com

Association executives, manufacturers and distributors are breathing a sigh of relief following the decision by the Federal Communication Commission to put off implementing new regulations governing fax advertisements until Jan. 1, 2005. The regulations had been scheduled to take effect Aug. 25, 2003.

The FCC granted the stay request following complaints from many associations and businesses regarding the new rules. The American Society of Association Executives and the National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors, which had been among those groups leading the charge against the proposed regulations, argued that the fax regulations as written would significantly impede the marketing strategies and communications between associations and their own members.

Any fax sent by a company or association would have required the customer to sign off on a written consent form. The rule would have prohibited companies from sending any fax that contains an "unsolicited advertisement," which is defined as "any material advertising the commercial availability or quality of any property goods and services which is transmitted to any person without that person's prior express invitation or permission."

Nook Industries of Cleveland is now a preferred supplier for the Independent Distributors Cooperative-USA (IDC). IDC is a purchasing and marketing cooperative of independent distributors of industrial bearing, power transmission and industry-related products.

Congratulations to John Allenbach who has been named president of Delta Consolidated Industries, Raleigh, N.C. He had been vice president/general manager of industrial business for the Danaher Tool Group.

Waterloo Industries, a manufacturer of tool storage products, has opened a new distribution center in Fontana, Calif.

The Los Angeles Fastener Association sponsored a field trip in August to Mell's Fastener Museum in Julian, Calif. The museum's creator is Mel Kirsner, a veteran of the fastener industry. The museum contains fastener memorabilia including products, catalogs, brochures, ads, cartoons and promotional items.

Tricon Tool, Houston, is now affiliated with the National Supply Network, the industrial supply division of Ace Hardware Corp. Tricon has been a supplier to construction and industrial markets in Texas since 1982.

ORS Nasco has been recognized with the 2002 Crews Elite Organization Award for its overall performance and leadership in the protective eyewear market. This is the second consecutive year ORS Nasco has received the award from Crews, which is a major supplier of industrial strength eye protection.

Harrington Hoists has received the 2003 Safety Award from the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators. Harrington was recognized for offering multiple safety training classes for its employees and for having limited OSHA reportable injuries. The award was presented to Carlo Lonardi, vice president of sales, during A.W.R.F.'s annual convention in Washington, D.C.

Eastman Chemical Co. has presented the Airgas company with its 2003 Eastman Supplier Excellence Award. Airgas, which supplies Eastman with packaged gases and cylinder management services, was one of 17 suppliers to be singled out by Eastman from 3,200 suppliers.

Congrats to the two winners of INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION's "advertising connect" contest. Jackie Barker, marketing manager of ERB Industries and Stephen Theriault, marketing manager of Aervoe Industries, each will receive a Handspring Treo 300 that includes wireless e-mail and web access, plus a built in phone and keyboard.

A new training video from Master Lock Company helps educate personnel about the OSHA lockout/ tagout safety requirements. The video reviews the seven steps to properly lock down equipment and the five steps to re-energize from lockout. It demonstrates how to apply, remove and maintain the various lockout devices and provides instructions for maintaining lockout/tagout during shift changes. For further information, visit www.masterlock.com.

A new competitor has emerged in the industrial hand protection market. The Global Glove and Safety Manufacturing Co. will offer a compete line of industrial hand protection products and general-purpose gloves for many industries. The founder of Global Glove and Safety is Craig Wagner, formerly with Best Manufacturing Company. The new business is headquartered in Minneapolis.