2005 marks the 125th anniversary of the L.S. Starrett Co., the Athol, Mass.—based maker of precision measuring tools, shop tools, saw blades and metrology equipment. Founded in 1880 by Laroy Sunderland Starrett, the firm began making and marketing the combination square—a toolbox staple to this day—and has become a global supplier of more than 5,000 products.

In honor of the milestone, the company hosted a gala event for its distributors at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto on May 15. The event was held in conjunction with ISCON 2005, the annual spring convention of the Industrial Supply Assn.

More than 180 distributor guests attended the event, which was hosted by Starrett president Douglas A. Starrett and several other company executives.

"During our long history, we've been very fortunate to have the backing of many of the world's finest distributors, which have played an integral role in the success of the company," Starrett said in welcoming attendees to the event. "This is a special way for us to express our thanks to them."

Guests were treated to four gourmet dining stations and music by the band, "Sax Appeal," and were shown a 125th anniversary video that highlighted the company's history, its employees, state-of-the-art products, and manufacturing capabilities.

David Queller & Co., master distributor of industrial cutting tools, precision tools, hand tools and fasteners, celebrated its 100th year in business with a gala dinner reception on June 16 at its office and warehouse in Kenilworth, N.J. The Queller staff hosted more than 200 suppliers and industrial distributor customers from across the country at its 32,000-square-foot facility...Master distributor Heartech Precision Inc. opened a warehouse facility in Vista, Calif., which will house more than $500,000 worth of HPI inventory...Manufacturer Southco Corp. integrated its fast-access fastener products and technology with its recently acquired quick-access hardware solutions from DZUS and Hartwell-DZUS. All of the company's quick access/quick release products now will be known as the DZUS Quick Access line of fasteners from Southco. August 1 marked the launch of 1sourcesupplies, Inc., a distributor alliance headquartered in Memphis. Founding members include Ball Supply, Blanchard Industrial, Ideal Machinery and IMC Supply. Industry veterans Cary Rawlings and Michael Baygood are leading the group, as vice president of sales and director of business development, respectively. 1sourcesupplies has a field office in Indian Creek, Ill...Ironclad Performance Wear launched its "Ironclad Action Hero Contest," in which consumers can compete to become the firm's next "action hero," featured in the company's catalog and advertising materials. For more information, visit www.iclad.com... Master distributor UASI broke ground on a new warehouse facility in Wilmington, Ohio. The site, located at 105 American Way, will feature increased height ceilings, allowing for more efficient storage and increased per-foot capacity.

Distribution software provider Infor acquired Intuita Holdings Ltd. of Manchester, U.K...The Home Depot will acquire National Waterworks Holdings, Inc., a distributor of products used to build, repair and maintain water and wastewater transmission systems. The deal was expected to close by the end of August... Canadian distributor SB Simpson Group, Inc. acquired fellow Canadian firm Peel Industrial Supplies...Safety Today, a safety supplies distributor based in Groveport, Ohio, acquired Colonial Industrial Products South, of Deerfield Beach, Fla...Ozark Fluid Power, Inc., of Little Rock, Ark., merged with fluid connectors distributor Fluid Air, of Memphis, Tenn....

Fluid sealing distributor Valley of Birmingham was awarded the Outstanding Sales Growth award for the Southeast by Garlock Sealing Technologies.