victoria.kickham@reedbusiness.com

The Power Transmission Distributors Assn. recently released its 2005–06 Membership Directory. The directory includes the most recent contact information for PTDA's distributor members and manufacturers of power transmission and motion control products.

Among the directory's features are a distributor listing that includes address, phone and Web site information, along with executive contacts, branch information and manufacturers' lines represented by each distributor.

The manufacturers section includes complete contact and Web site information; top-level management contacts; and product category details. A quick-reference index of manufacturers by product also is included.

Other directory highlights include an associate member listing with contact information and company description; and a PTDA overview, with relevant contact information for key executives and PTDA volunteer leaders.

For ordering information, contact PTDA at (312) 876-9461, or visit www.ptda.org/store.

Vertex Fasteners has a new home for its metric product lines, having recently moved into a 110,000-sq.-ft. facility in Taunton, Mass. The new facility is approximately three times the size of Vertex's original site, in New Bedford, Mass., which housed the supplier's metric selections for almost 10 years. Vertex is a master distributor and specialty manufacturer of corrosion resistant standard inch and metric fasteners.... In support of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, Tompkins Industries is sponsoring OPERATION: UPLINK—a national calling-card donation program organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As donations are received, pre-paid calling cards are distributed to America's troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to help ease the financial burden of overseas calling time. Tompkins is sponsoring a national print ad campaign that will run from July through December, to bolster support and contributions. Contributions can be made online at www.kmbz.com—click on the OPERATION: UPLINK link....Binkelman Corp., based in Toledo, Ohio, has opened its second Michigan branch in Livonia. The 6,000-sq.-ft. location will service the Detroit region. The Livonia store is being viewed as a pilot store by Binkelman executives, who plan to open additional stores in the greater Detroit area based on its success... KUKA Robotics Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial robots, has become a member of EWI, a materials joining engineering and technology organization....The Sandur Tool Co., based in Waterbury, Conn., is observing its 50th anniversary in June. Sandur manufactures tools and die sets as well as performing turning, milling and grinding....An online store for small bulk and package-size standard industrial and building fasteners has launched. InStock Fasteners (www.instockfasteners.com) offers a full inventory of screws, nuts, bolts, washers, pins and related items. Its general product selection is tailored to serve the small manufacturer and job shop, building contractor, and MRO markets. InStock Fasteners will focus on the North American market initially, with a long-term goal of growing internationally.

The Bearing Specialists Assn. presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to James J. Fitzpatrick, Bearings Specialty Company, and John Nations, Bearings & Drives, at the BSA Annual Convention held May 14–17 in Vancouver. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry and the association.... HellermannTyton, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of automotive fasteners, was honored with a Pinnacle Award for supplier excellence by Delphi Global Supply Management... The Transportation Marketing & Communications Assn. named Dick Metzler, executive vice president of DHL Express, as its 2005 Marketing Executive of the Year at TMCA's annual conference held recently in Naples, Fla. TMCA presents the award in recognition of the professional who has demonstrated an exceptional role in leveraging the value of marketing to achieve organizational success.... W.W. Grainger Inc. presented its top-performing suppliers with its Customer Focused Quality Award (CFQ1) for 2004 at its Partners in Performance Supplier Conference held recently in Lincolnshire, Ill. CFQ1 Award recognizes suppliers who achieve excellence in several categories, including responsiveness, information integrity, on-time shipping, management commitment and order fulfillment. Approximately 2 percent of Grainger's 1,100 suppliers receive this award each year.