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April 2024 News

Study: Enable drives millions in rebate ROI
A new study by Canalys found that companies using Enable’s rebate management platform captured significant ROI in terms of financial savings, revenue growth, streamlined timelines, and rebate program expansion.

ARG Industrial names new chief digital and technology officer
ARG Industrial has promoted Mike Powers to the position of chief digital and technology officer (CDTO). He joins ARG Industrial’s executive team as its fifth member in as many years, marking another milestone in the company’s significant growth.

Global Industrial sales increase 18.1%
Global Industrial Co. reported an 18.1% increase in first-quarter consolidated sales – $323.4 million compared to $273.8 million last year. Excluding Indoff, acquired on May 19, 2023, sales increased 4.2% and 4.3% on an average daily sales basis.

3M's first quarter sees $8 billion in sales
3M reported $8 billion is sales for its first-quarter––the company initiated its 2024 financial earnings outlook reflecting Solventum as a discontinued operation for the full-year, including Q1.

Applied Industrial Technologies reports slight sales uptick, buys Mexican automation company
Applied Industrial Technologies reported net sales of $1.1 billion for its third quarter ended March 31, a 1.3% increase over the prior year.

Grainger Q1 sales up 3.5%
Grainger today reported results for the first quarter of 2024 with sales of $4.2 billion, up 3.5%, or 4.9% on a daily, organic constant currency basis, and diluted EPS of $9.62, up 0.1% compared to the first quarter of 2023.

PTDA hosts Industry Immersion Conference
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) held the first Industry Immersion Conference in Hollywood Florida on February 29.

Marshall Wolf Automation certified by Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
Marshall Wolf Automation, Inc, an industrial automation distributor, is proud to announce their national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and certified member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Vallen Canada opens new DC
Vallen Distribution has opened its new distribution center at 3256 - 56 Avenue in Edmonton, Alberta.

Durable goods orders up again
New orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up two consecutive months, increased $7.3 billion or 2.6% to $283.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today.

BlackHawk expands national vending operations with two key appointments
BlackHawk Industrial has appointed Jesse Mestas as West Coast regional vending solutions manager and Troy Deans as redeployment center supervisor.

NBA legend Chris Mullin to keynote DPA conference May 2
Distributor Partners of America (DPA), a buying group serving the janitorial, safety, industrial supply industries, announced NBA All-Star, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Chris Mullin, will keynote its upcoming buying and networking conference May 1-3 in Indianapolis.

ATA: 'truck freight volumes remain lackluster'
American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index declined 2% in March after increasing 4% in February. In March, the index equaled 113.4 (2015=100) compared with 115.7 in February.

New survey: B2B web stores drive buyers away
B2B buyers want to keep shopping online, but B2B e-commerce capabilities are not keeping up with the complex needs of B2B buyers. A recent Sapio Research survey of 1,000 B2B buyers commissioned by Sana Commerce found a surprisingly high rate of errors for B2B online orders, and B2B buyers getting frustrated by inaccurate, impersonal user experiences on B2B web stores.

KMC Global partners with Design Systems, BC Construction Group on Li-ion battery recycling
In a strategic move to transform the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery recycling industry, KMC Global has announced a new partnership with Design Systems Inc. and BC Construction Group. The collaboration is set to develop state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to recycling Li-ion batteries, which are pivotal in powering everything from electric vehicles to portable electronics.

World Electric announces new leadership roles
World Electric announced five leadership changes as the company celebrates recent expansion – in the last three years, World has acquired Electric Supply (Florida) and Advance Electric (Georgia), opened two new branches – with two more on the way – and built a 260,000-square-foot distribution center in Hialeah Gardens, Florida.

PTDA welcomes new member
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) has welcomed Service First Processing as a new associate member.

Income declines for Genuine Parts
For its first quarter ended March 31, Genuine Parts Company reported net income declined to $249 million compared to $304 million in the prior year period. 

Kyndryl tapped to increase NIBCO workforce productivity
Kyndryl, a large IT infrastructure services provider, announced an agreement with NIBCO INC., a fifth-generation, family-owned business and industry-leading provider of flow control solutions, to increase productivity and connectivity across its workforce by implementing network technology and digital workplace services.

Ace Industrial Supply unveils bold expansion
As part of its strategic growth, Ace Industrial Supply, Inc. says it is adding over 1,000 new products to its inventory of 6,000 items.

Shurtape hires senior vice president of marketing
Shurtape Technologies, LLC, whose subsidaries serve industrial/MRO among other industries, has appointed Mark Hodgins as its new senior vice president of marketing.

February cutting tool orders up 9% YOY
By Christopher Chidzik
February 2024 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $214.6 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was up 4.9% from January’s $204.5 million and up 9% when compared with the $196.9 million reported for February 2023. With a year-to-date total of $419.1 million, 2024 is up 6.5% when compared to the same time period in 2023.

BlackHawk names new Mid-States GM
BlackHawk Industrial has appointed Brad Stewart as general manager for the Mid-States region, a strategic move that aligns with the company’s commitment to diversifying product offerings and expanding its reach to serve a broader customer base.

IDCO names Commerce Hose Member of the Year
IDCO announced that Commerce Hose is the 2023 Dixon LeGros Member of the Year award, a recognition celebrating their exceptional achievements and contributions over the past year.

Purvis Industries acquires PTE Drives
Effective April 15, Purvis Industries acquired substantially all the assets, brand rights, websites, personnel, and intellectual property of PTE Drives, a family-owned and operated industrial distributor that operates a single branch in Akron, Ohio.

Jennifer Murphy wins ISA Women’s Influence Award
Industrial Supply Association (ISA) presented its Women’s Influence Award to Jennifer Murphy, president and CEO of NetPlus Alliance.

Midwest Automation named a Women Business Enterprise
Midwest Automation Inc., an electrical control panel fabricator in the Midwest, is proud to announce it has been certified as a WBE (Woman Business Enterprise) by the Missouri Office of Equal Opportunity.

Radians appoints new director of marketing
Radians, a top-tier global PPE manufacturer, is excited to announce the appointment of Cal Bontemps as its new director of marketing.

New Yorker, Geyer Electronic sign distribution agreement
New Yorker Electronics, global distributor of electronic components, recently announced a new franchised distribution agreement with Geyer Electronic. Geyer is an international manufacturer of quart crystals, oscillators and resonators.

March industrial production declines 0.4%
Industrial production rose 0.4% in March but declined at an annual rate of 1.8% in the first quarter, the Fed reported.

OSCO Safety becomes exclusive ReadySeries source
OSCO Safety, a provider of safety solutions, announced a strategic partnership with Bedford Reinforced Plastics, acquiring the rights to be the exclusive source for ReadySeries pre-engineered modular composite products.

ISA awards Tom Gale
The Industrial Supply Association (ISA) announced Tom Gale, CEO of Modern Distribution Management (MDM), is the recipient of its respected John J. Buckley Lifetime Achievement Award during the ISA24 convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Airgas expands high school welding education program
Airgas, an Air Liquide company, will welcome 65 schools into the company’s High School Welding Education Initiative for the 2024 academic year, expanding the ongoing program to help students across the country prepare to enter welding, engineering and technical careers. This year, 31 returning schools and 34 new schools from a record 29 states have been selected to be part of the program.

ALI hosts free safe ladder trainings
Ladders are ever-present tools for a variety of jobs and projects, making them extremely common in construction, contracting, and building trades. Whether you own a construction company, manage and supervise a crew, or are a sole proprietor, safety should be important to you. It’s a matter of keeping your employees and/or yourself productive and free from harm.

Martin Supply acquires Trinity Hardware Headquarters
Martin Supply has acquired Trinity Hardware Headquarters (THHQ) from Agrisolutions (AGS), a leading global manufacturer of wear parts, components, and accessories.

White Cap aqcuires Bend Construction Supply
White Cap, a leading distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, has closed on an agreement to acquire Bend Construction Supply, Inc., a specialty distributor of products for concrete, mechanical, and electrical contractors located in Bend, Oregon.

Dakota Fluid Power expands into Council Bluffs, Iowa area
Dakota Fluid Power, a Singer Industrial Company, announced it has opened a new storefront in Council Bluffs, Iowa as of February 1.

Blackline Safety wins $1.4 million deal
Blackline Safety Corp. announced a new deal valued at $1.4 million to supply its lone worker safety app, Loner Mobile, and G7c cloud-connected devices to an Australian water utility provider.

Vallen Distribution appoints Vallen U.S. president
Following the completed acquisition of Wesco Integrated Supply (WIS), Vallen Distribution announced a strategic, combined executive leadership structure, effective immediately. 

Adverse weather factors into Fastenal Q1 results
Fastenal reported net sales increased $36.1 million, or 1.9%, in the first quarter of 2024 when compared to the first quarter of 2023.

Suncor Stainless appoints East region sales manager
Suncor Stainless Inc., a manufacturer for stainless steel hardware in the industrial, marine, government, architectural, OEM and commercial industries, has promoted Janelle Veiga to the position of East region sales manager.

February manufacturing technology orders up 2.1%
By Christopher Chidzik
Orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $343.3 million in February 2024. This was a 2.1% increase from January 2024 but a 26.5% decline from February 2023. Year-to-date orders reached $679.6 million, a decline of 16.9% from the first two months of 2023.

White Cap buys Crimson Steel Supply
White Cap has acquired Crimson Steel Supply, LLC, a value-added distributor and fabricator of engineered steel rebar and structural steel products serving non-residential and infrastructure end markets.

AD recaps joint US, Canada meeting
AD’s Electrical & Industrial (E&I) - US and the Canadian Business Units celebrated a historic Spring Network Meeting in Houston, uniting members across the Electrical-US, Electrical-Canada, Industrial & Safety-US, Safety Network, and Bearings & Power Transmission divisions. 

PTDA Foundation opens award nominations
The PTDA Foundation is seeking nominations for its Wendy B. McDonald Woman of the Year Award and Robert K. Callahan Advancing Leaders Award.

New president announced at Motion
Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) announced April 8 that its board of directors has appointed James F. Howe to the position of president at Motion, the company's industrial business, effective April 1, 2024.

E Tech Group appoints life sciences vice president
E Tech Group, a leader in providing high-quality automation, control, and engineering services for industrial clients and Gold Certified Rockwell Automation Partner, today announced hiring Trent Meyers, P.E., as the new vice president of life sciences central and process industries.

Sonepar acquires Electrozad
Sonepar announced it has acquired Electrozad Supply Co. Limited. With a market presence in Ontario, Electrozad will strengthen Sonepar’s OEM/industrial business across southern Ontario.

Dirk Beveridge launches distributor event
Dirk Beveridge, executive producer of We Supply America and founder of UnleashWD, has opened up registration for his newest event, Force For Good Live Virtual. The full-day event, dedicated to distributors and manufacturers will be on May 1.

ISA certification program reaches capacity, second cohort opens
The Industrial Supply Association (ISA) announced the overwhelming success of the opening enrollment for the 2024 Emerging Leaders Channel Certification (ELCC) program. The first cohort for 2024 is already at full capacity, reflecting the enthusiastic response from industry professionals and companies eager to invest in the development of their rising leaders.

Little change in March manufacturing, warehouse employment
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 303,000 in March, higher than the average monthly gain of 231,000 over the prior 12 months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported April 5. In March, job gains occurred in health care, government, and construction. The unemployment rate changed little at 3.8%.

Mark Klein named a Top Leader in Manufacturing
Kano Laboratories President Mark Klein is named among the top leadership in the Nashville manufacturing industry. The "Nashville Post" released its annual list and recognized Klein as leader who makes the city the best it can be.

New 3M app helps tackle counterfeit PPE
When it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE), there's no place for fraud or counterfeit. So, 3M has established the new 3M Verify app to help companies ensure their PPE is authentic. 

Kurt Hydraulics expands with new warehouse
Kurt Hydraulics, a provider of high-quality hydraulic hose and fitting solutions, announced the opening of its new, centrally-located warehouse in Fridley, Minnesota.

DPA partners with DDS on new product content offering
Distributor Partners of America (DPA), a buying group serving the safety, industrial supply, and JanSan industries, has partnered with DDS (Distributor Data Solutions) to power their innovative Product Content Hub.

AD Mexico celebrates decade of success at spring meeting
AD Mexico commemorated its 10th anniversary at the 2024 AD Mexico Spring Network Meeting, hosting the AD Mexico Divisional Board, Industrial and Safety Steering Committee, and Supplier Advisory Council, along with 120 AD Mexico electrical and industrial and safety members and suppliers. 

Hose of South Texas joins TIPCO Technologies
TIPCO Technologies and Hose of South Texas (HOST) have announced a partnership in which Hose of South Texas will join TIPCO in its mission to become the largest independent distributor of fluid conveyance and sealing solutions in the U.S. HOST will continue to operate under the leadership of Tripp Batey as president.

Tom Sellars recognized as a Top Impact CEO
Tom Sellars, CEO of Sellars Absorbent Materials, has been recognized as a 2024 MO 100 Top Impact CEO. The award identifies the 100 most impactful leaders who are driving positive social and environmental change through their companies.

Durable goods orders inch up
New orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $3.7 billion or 1.4% to $277.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

Bison gets patent for novel blower motor
Bison, an innovator in motor technology, announced the issuance of a patent for the revolutionary RAM Reverse Air Movement Blower Motor. This cutting-edge invention, spearheaded by Senior Director of Technology David Finkenbinder, overcomes the performance shortcomings of traditional thru-flow air blower motors through its novel design.

Galco forges supplier partnership with Balluff
Galco – an MRO-focused distributor of industrial and commercial electrical and electronic control, automation, motion control, and power transmission products – announced an enhancement to its product lineup through a new partnership with Balluff, which provides high-quality sensor, identification, and network solutions for a wide range of automation requirements.

Kimball Midwest named 2024 Top Workplace
Kimball Midwest has been named one of Central Ohio’s Top Workplaces for 2024. It is the 12th consecutive recognition for Kimball Midwest from Columbus CEO magazine.

Sonepar appointed new president of Capital Electric
Most recently, Rexel USA, where he served as Senior Vice President of the Gulf Division.

February construction spending beats January's estimate
Construction spending during February 2024 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,091.5 billion, 0.3% (±0.8%)* below the revised January estimate of $2,096.9 billion. The February figure is 10.7% (±1.3%) above the February 2023 estimate of $1,889.6 billion. During the first two months of this year, construction spending amounted to $298.1 billion, 11.9% (±1.3%) above the $266.5 billion for the same period in 2023.

NorthEast Electrical launches annual scholarship, grant program
NorthEast Electrical, a Sonepar Company, announced that the 2024 Community Scholarships and Grants program is now accepting applications.

Manufacturing contracts for 16th month
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in February for the 16th consecutive month following one month of “unchanged” status (a PMI reading of 50%) and 28 months of growth prior to that, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

Vallen closes Wesco purchase
Vallen Distribution has completed its previously announced acquisition of Wesco Integrated Supply from Wesco International.

MSC acquires IP of Schmitz Manufacturing Research & Technology
MSC Industrial Supply Co. has completed the acquisition of intellectual property (IP) assets from Schmitz Manufacturing Research & Technology LLC (SMRT) related to its technology solutions for the U.S. manufacturing industry.