Grainger COO: February sales slow; meeting with Feds likely

James Ryan, president of W.W. Grainger, told analysts that a meeting with U.S. Justice Dept. officials over allegations of overcharging the government is likely within a month.  More

ITW CEO: Sales from acquisitions could top $1.2 billion this year

Illinois Tool Works CEO David Speer tells analysts at the Reuters Manufacturing Summit the company could add more than $1.2 billion in revenues from acquisitions this year.  More

Lincoln Electric CEO hints at more ’08 acquisitions

John Stropki says he is less pessimistic about the U.S. economy than most colleagues.  More

Emerging markets are focus of Reuters Manufacturing Summit

Emerging markets are “the steroids” that can enable U.S. companies to keep profits steady, one analyst says.  More

Interline Brands execs detail growth plans for 2008

Interline plans to make further inroads into the apartment maintenance market, expand its sales to the government and military markets and debut three distribution centers this year.  More