As 2003 draws to a close, it's a good time to take a look at some of the events that occurred in the industrial distribution channel this year.

In January, the National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors showed its political clout when attendees at its Executive Summit met with President Bush at a special White House briefing on the economy.

The Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn./Industrial Distribution Assn. unveiled a new format for its spring convention in May. For the first time, the convention was open to all industrial distributors, rather than just I.D.A. members. And also for the first time, the convention included an industrial distribution career fair. Next year, the event will be called the Industrial Supply Convention, or ISCON.

Meanwhile, I.D.A. renamed its fall convention I.D.A.'s Annual Distributor and Manufacturer Business Expo. The convention is open to master distributors, foreign manufacturers and manufacturers' representatives.

I.D.A.'s Business Expo last month was a success, but there was a lingering sense of sadness due to the death in July of long-time I.D.A. executive director Gary Buffington.

There was an upswing in attendance at many of the industry's conventions in 2003. The Power Transmission Distributors Assn.'s annual meeting in October, for instance, saw a strong increase over last year, possibly indicating a resurgence in the economy. We'll have to wait and see.

Safety Week 2003, held in July, saw change of a different sort: the convention was moved from Canada to Miami because of the SARS outbreak in Toronto, the group's original destination.

In company news, Hagemeyer consolidated its management operations to Charleston, S.C. The company also announced that Jim Warren, COO, would be retiring at the end of the year. Also heading for retirement this month is Ralph Buntyn of Motion Industries, a veteran of the distribution business.

There were a number of mergers and acquisitions in 2003, as well. Airgas acquired 14 branches of Union Industrial Gas Group, Whitecap Industries purchased Nail Fast, Meier Transmission purchased Samson Industrial, and Baldwin Supply purchased Arrowhead Belt Service.

Another story that broke late this year will have a big impact on distribution. W.W. Grainger, the largest industrial distributor in North America, announced a major branch expansion program over the next five years. We'll keep you informed.

Here's to a healthy and prosperous new year, with hopes that 2004 will be much better than the past few years.

jkeough@reedbusiness.com