The National Assn. of Electrical Distributors awarded 26 college scholarships, for $1,000 to $2,000 each, to NAED distributor members' employees and their children. More than 260 students applied for the scholarships, funded by annual contributions from distributors and manufacturers in the electrical industry. Scholarships included those for current college students, and students who have just recently graduated from high school. For more information, call (314) 991-9000 or visit www.naed.org.

The FPDA, Serving Fluid Power and Motion Technology Distributors, has released the 2003 PROFIT Report, which analyzes distributor performance based on sales growth, return on investment, gross margin and other financial data. The survey results provide comparative financial statistics on sales volume size, sales in particular geographic areas and performance of warehouse assembly operations. Participating companies also receive a personalized report on how to improve their company's bottom line. For more information, call (856) 424-8998 or visit www.fpda.org.

The Electrical Apparatus Service Assn. honored Denver J. Wiegel as the 2003 recipient of the EASA Exceptional Achievement and Service Award. Established in the mid-'90s, the award recognizes an individual who has provided exceptional service to the electrical apparatus sales and service industry over a lifetime. Wiegel was recognized because of his selfless devotion and commitment to volunteer service in the association for nearly 30 years.

"It is the highest honor an individual can receive from our association," said Linda Raynes, EASA president and CEO. "We view it as our Nobel Prize for achievement and service." For more information, call (314) 993-2220 or visit www.easa.com.

The Western Assn. of Fastener Distributors will offer an afternoon seminar on the trend toward reliance on suppliers in Mainland China and the impact on business, the afternoon of Nov. 3 during the National Industrial Fastener Show West at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. Global-savvy individuals led by Tim Taylor, president of MacLean-Fogg Fastening Division, will offer ideas on the future of manufacturing, not only in the U.S. and Asia, but Europe and elsewhere around the world. For more information, call (562) 425-1721 or visit www.wafd.org.

The boards of both the National Industrial Glove Distributors Assn. and the International Hand Protection Assn. voted to merge into a new association, to be known as the International Glove Assn. The IGA Board of Directors, jointly selected by the members of both NIGDA and IHPA, held its first board meeting, and has elected its officers. IGA's officers include: Paul Ervin, president; Rob Wekell, vice president; and Libby Parish, secretary/treasurer. Other board members include: Randy Beard, Gary Guertin, Scott Leatherman, Charles Miller, Tom Ragan and Craig Wagner. For more information, call (215) 564-3484 or visit www.iga-online.com.