WAYNE, PA — AD Industrial hosted the 2017 AD North American Meeting at the Gaylord Texan, in Grapevine, TX from September 17-20. It was a record-breaking year for the division with more than 800 attendees. Members and Suppliers are also trending towards record breaking numbers to finish out 2017. For the second year, AD Industrial combined its North American Meeting with the AD Bearings & Power Transmission Network meeting.
The theme for this year is #ADSTRONG. During the keynote address by AD’s Chairman and CEO, Bill Weisberg, he shared the top three attributes that define AD Members and Suppliers as smart, driven and unwavering in their beliefs. Weisberg also introduced the AD Disaster Relief Foundation which now allows AD Members and Suppliers to help one another when a natural or man-made disaster strikes.
AD continues to leverage economies of scale to help their members and suppliers stay ahead of the curve. Programs such as AD eCommerce Solutions, AD HR Services, and AD Procurement Services are our most recent examples of how the group continues to support the future of independents. Additional highlights of the AD North American Meeting included best in class networking, strategic partner briefings, young leaders’ events and one on one booth appointments.
Jack Templin, President of AD Industrial Divisions said, “This year’s’ AD North American Meeting was especially satisfying as we are setting records in virtually every measurable category. Our members’ commitment to reward AD suppliers by converting business to them is at the heart of the strong performance. Our success has enabled us to expand the programs and services we can offer to Members and Supplier Partners. Witnessing the enthusiastic engagement was nothing short of inspiring.”
The 2017 AD Spirit of Independence honorees are:
- Best Annual Planning Process – Quality Mill Supply
- Best MRO Conversion to an AD Supplier: All Integrated Solutions, Sia Abrasives & Cribmaster, Inc.
- Best Tool & Material Handling Conversion to an AD Supplier: – Black & Company & Milwaukee Tool
- Best Safety Conversion to an AD Supplier – Industrial Supply Company Inc. & Kimberly Clark
- Best Metalworking Conversion to an AD Supplier – Sterling Supply Co. & Dormer Pramet
- Supplier of the Year – Performance – Tier 1 – Tingley Rubber Corp
- Supplier of the Year – Performance – Tier 2 – Stanley Black & Decker, DeWalt, Proto
- Member of the Year – Performance – Tier 1 – S.L. Fusco
- Member of the Year – Performance Tier 2 – P&I Supply
- Member of the Year – Leadership – Dan Amatruda, Senior Vice President – Weber Supply Company Inc.
- AD MVPs – Kevin Ketter and Jeff Ketter – T&A Industrial Distributors
- Giving Back Award – Weber Supply Company Inc.
The following were honored for their dedication and services as outgoing Industrial Board Members and Product Committee Members:
Industrial Board Members:
- Scott Shively, President – Shively Bros.
- Dale Hahs II, CEO – AIS Industrial & Construction Supply
- Don Ireland, President – Industrial Supply Company
Industrial Product Committee Members:
- Mike Stevenson, President – Powell Tool Supply
- Eric Wessinger, President - Richards Supply Company
See a photo gallery of the AD Industrial North American meeting award winners below:
John Wiborg (center) and members of Stellar Industrial Supply accept AD Industrial's first ever Best Workplace Award at the AD Industrial North American meeting in Grapevine, TX. (AD photo)
Members of Industrial Supply Company and Kimberly Clark accept AD Industrial's award for Best Conversion for Safety.
Members of All Integrated Solutions, Sia Abrasives and CribMaster accept AD Industrial's award for Best Conversion for MRO.
Members of S.L. Fusco accept AD Industrial's award for Tier 1 Member of the Year.
Members of All Integrated Solutions, Sia Abrasives and CribMaster accept AD Industrial's award for Best Conversion for MRO.
Members of Tingley Rubber accept AD Industrial's asward for Tier 1 Supplier of the Year.
Members of Weber Supply accept AD Industrial's Giving Back award for their 150 Good Deed Program.
Members of Milwaukee Tool and Black & Company accept AD Industrial's award for 2017 Best AD Conversion for Tools & Material Handling.
Weber Supply's Dan Amatruda accepts AD Industrial's award for Member of the Year for Leadership.
Members of Quality Mill accept AD Industrial's award for Best Annual Process.
Members of P&I Supply accept AD Industrial's award for Tier 2 Member of the Year.
Jeff and Kevin Ketter of T&A Industrial accept AD Industrial's MVPs award.
Members of DormerPramet and Sterling Supply accept AD Industrial's award for Best Conversion for Metalworking.
Members of Stanley Black & Decker and DeWalt Tool accept AD Industrial's Tier 2 Supplier of the Year award.
