February 2025 News
Streamlight names new president
Streamlight Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance lighting, has promoted Michael F. Dineen to president.
Kimball Midwest earns Training APEX Award
Kimball Midwest, a national industrial supplier based in Columbus, again has been recognized for excellence in its training and development programs by a leading publication.
Global Industrial reports 5.6% decrease in Q4 consolidated sales
Global Industrial Company, a value-added national distributor of industrial equipment and supplies, reported fourth quarter sales of $302.3 million.
Parker releases 2024 Sustainability Report
Parker Hannifin Corp., a global provider of motion and control technologies, has released its fiscal year 2024 Sustainability Report.
William Hackett buys Forge Lifting Gear
UK-based William Hackett, a global supplier of safety-critical lifting, rigging and chain solutions, has purchased Forge Lifting Gear, a UK specialist in the custom manufacturing of bolts, shackles and forgings.
Dallas Industries hires service engineer
Dallas Industries, a manufacturer of coil handling, press feeding equipment and controls for the stamping industry, has appointed David Espino as service engineer. He will be based at the Troy, Michigan, headquarters.
Grainger releases 2024 10-K report
W.W. Grainger Inc. released its 2024 10-K report, detailing the company's financial and operational performance over the past year. The report highlights Grainger's strategic initiatives, business segments, and the challenges it faces in the competitive MRO industry.
Genuine Parts Co. grows sales 3.3% in Q4-24
Genuine Parts Company, a global service provider of automotive and industrial replacement parts and value-added solutions, announced sales of $5.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $23.5 billion for the full year.
DNOW reports strong finish to '24
DNOW Inc. – a Houston-based supplier of energy and industrial products and packaged, engineered process and production equipment – reported revenue was $571 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $2,373 million for the full-year 2024.
Wesco joins Military Spouse Employment Partnership
Wesco announced its official partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense's Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), a program within the Department of Defense's Spouse Education and Career Opportunities initiative. The induction ceremony on Jan. 29 formally welcomed Wesco into the program.
Enpro Q4 sales increase 3.7%
Enpro Inc. announced its 2024 sales of $1.05 billion were down 1.0% YoY, and organic sales for the year were down 3.9%. For the three months ended December 31, the company reported sales of $258.4 million, an increase of 3.7%, and organic sales increased 1.2%.
STAFDA releases 'Concierge Customer Service 2.0'
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) has released "Concierge Customer Service 2.0," an updated manual based on research from Dr. Jeanne Hurlbert, whose first edition was published in 2018.
New EXAIR Catalog 36 available
EXAIR has introduced Catalog 36—a full-color, indepth resource designed to help businesses tackle conveying, cooling, cleaning, blowoff, drying, coating and static control challenges.
PTDA welcomes new member, ESR Motor Systems
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), has welcomed new distributor member ESR Motor Systems in Rockhill, South Carolina.
Custom Equipment rebrands to AXCS Equipment
Custom Equipment LLC, the manufacturer of Hy-Brid Lifts, announced a rebranding to AXCS Equipment.
Ingersoll Rand reports record 4th quarter and full-year 2024 results
Ingersoll Rand Inc., a global provider of mission-critical flow creation and life sciences and industrial solutions, reported record results for both the fourth quarter and the full-year 2024.
Motion to acquire California distributor
Motion Industries Inc., a distributor of MRO replacement parts and provider of industrial technology solutions, has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire the net operating assets of Thompson Industrial Supply Inc. The transaction is expected to close at the end of February 2025.
AD announces Independent Electrical Supply Division board
The AD Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), formed as a part of the 2024 merger with IMARK Electrical, has achieved the milestone of welcoming over 530 former IMARK Electrical members into IESD since the end of January. AD says the division's membership of 700 independent distributors represents 30% of the overall electrical channel in the U.S.
PTDA Foundation raises $148,000 in campaign's first phase
The PTDA Foundation has raised $148,000 in the beginning of its 2025 Fund Drive. The foundation uses the funds to help power transmission and motion control (PT/MC) companies enhance recruitment and retention through the Building Awareness Campaign, student and employee scholarships, and other resources.
December cutting tool orders down 2%
Shipments of cutting tools totaled $179.5 million in December 2024, a 2% decrease from November and a 4.3% decrease YoY, according to the latest Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI).
Coastal Hose opens facility in Clute, Texas
Coastal Hose and Supply, headquartered in Baytown Texas, has opened asecond facility in Clute, Texas.
Columbus McKinnon reports 7.9% net sales decline, announces acquisition
Columbus McKinnon Corp. reported net sales decreased $20.0 million, or 7.9% for its fiscal third quarter ended December 31.
Wesco International reports quarter net sales up 0.5% YOY
Wesco International, a provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, reported its Q4 2024 net sales were $5,499.7 million, an increase of 0.5%.
Big Ass Fans unveils next-gen cooling solutions at AHR Expo
Big Ass Fans, a leader in HVLS (high volume low speed) fan technology, and wholly-owned subsidiary of Madison Air, announced it will launch two new products this spring and summer.
H.H. Barnum receives Banner Engineering 2024 Distributor of the Year
H.H. Barnum has been presented with the 2024 Distributor of the Year award by Banner Engineering.
Parker's EMEA president to retire in June
Parker Hannifin Corp. announced Joachim Guhe, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Group, will retire after 32 years of dedicated service.
Global Industrial names new CEO
Global Industrial Co. has appointed Anesa Chaibi as chief executive officer, effective February 17.
Manufacturing technology orders fall for 3rd year, beat expectations
Orders of manufacturing technology totaled $513.8 million in December 2024, the highest level since March 2023, according the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
Dematic names new vice president of Americas software
Dematic has appointed Sowmya Ananthachary to vice president of Americas software. She will lead a team of more than 400 professionals responsible for driving Dematic’s software strategy to propel continued success for customers.
BlackHawk Industrial awards 3M, AMSOIL
BlackHawk Industrial, a distributor of metalworking and other mission-critical industrial products, recognized two top-performing suppliers during its second annual BlackHawk Supplier Performance Awards at the 2025 Sales Summit in Oklahoma City.
Fastenal reports January net sales grew 1.9% YoY
Fastenal reported January net sales of $6.5 million, a 1.9% increase from January 2024.
DXP completes purchase of Arroyo
DXP Enterprises Inc. has completed its acquisition of Arroyo Process Equipment.
PTDA volunteer leadership begin new terms
The 2025 Board of Directors and Manufacturer Council of the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) have officially begun their leadership terms.
January unemployment drops to 4%
The January unemployment rate edged down to 4.0% and nonfarm pyroll employement rose by 143,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
PEER custom bores sprockets and keyways
In addition to traditional commercial sprocket offerings, PEER Chain & Sprockets announced it can now custom bore any size sprocket that has an existing keyway – and deliver them within days of an order.
Service sector expands in January for 53rd consecutive month
Economic activity in the services sector expanded for the seventh consecutive month in January, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Services ISM Report On Business. The Services PMI registered 52.8%, indicating expansion for the 53rd time in 56 months since recovery from the coronavirus pandemic-induced recession began in June 2020.
Kennametal sales decline 2% in fiscal Q2
Kennametal Inc. reported fiscal second quarter sales of $482 million, a 3% decrease from $495 million in the prior year quarter – reflecting an organic sales decline of 6%, partially offset by a favorable business days effect of 3%.
White Cap acquires JLA Supply
White Cap, a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, has acquired JLA Supply in Portland, Oregon.
Manufacturing orders, shipments, inventories rise in December
New orders for manufactured goods in December, decreased $5.2 billion or 0.9% to $578.5 billion, following declines in four of the last five months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Orders decreased 0.8% in November.
Acquisition widens Ingersoll Rand's lane in wastewater treatment
Ingersoll Rand Inc. has acquired SSI Aeration Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively SSI) to extend its capabilities in wastewater treatment.
Metabo HPT announces reward promotion
Metabo HPT announced a new reward promotion for buyers that continues through February 28.
ORBIS Corp. opens new Texas plant
ORBIS Corp., a global maker of reusable packaging solutions, has opened a new manufacturing plant in Greenville, Texas.
Allient creates new 'Machining Center of Excellence'
Allient Inc. announced it will expand on current capabilities and skillsets with the creation of a state-of-the-art Machining Center of Excellence at its facility in Dothan, Alabama.
Malco kicks off 75th anniversary with sweepstakes
Malco Tools, a solution developer and manufacturer of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, announced its 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes.
Core & Main opens new Michigan facility
Core & Main Inc., a specialty distributor dedicated to advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide, announced the opening of its new facility located in Lansing, Michigan.
AD owner/members beat records in 2024
AD reported record results for 2024 in owner/member sales, member purchases from AD supplier partners, and net distributions to its owner/members.
December construction spending rises 4.3% YoY
December construction spending was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,192.2 billion, 0.5% (± 0.8%) above the revised November estimate of $2,180.3 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The December figure is 4.3% (±1.3%) above the December 2023 estimate of $2,101.3 billion.
Strong end to 2024 despite mixed signals for manufacturing technology
U.S. Q4 GDP grew 2.3% at an annualized rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's first estimate for the quarter, released January 30.
Emerson's RIDGID expands Ohio press jaw production
RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, recently completed an advanced manufacturing investment to expand its press jaw production at its world headquarters in Elyria, Ohio.
Singer adds Universal Hydraulics to Dakota Fluid Power brand
Universal Hydraulics has joined and adopted the name of Dakota Fluid Power, a Singer Industrial company. Universal has also relocated to a new, state-of-the-art facility.
Grainger sales climb 5.9% in fourth quarter
Grainger reported fourth quarter sales of $4.2 billion increased 5.9%, or 4.7% on a daily, organic constant currency basis versus the fourth quarter 2023.
RBC Bearings Q3 net sales increase 5.5% YoY
RBC Bearings Inc., international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components and essential systems for the industrial, defense and aerospace industries, reported its third quarter net sales of $394.4 million increased 5.5% over last year.
Air Systems International releases 2025 catalog
Air Systems International, Inc. introduces its new 2025 Catalog in print and digital forms.
Sonnhalter updates list of US vocational education programs
Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, has updated its free database of vocational education and technical programs across the U.S. The list includes over 1,000 schools and nearly 3,500 programs.
Private equity buys Ace Controls
Blackford Capital, a lower middle market private equity firm, has acquired Ace Controls, a Houston-based company that design and builds industrial control panels.
IDCO welcomes two new members
IDCO – The Hoser Network announced two new members: John M. Ellsworth Co. Inc. (JME), a distributor of fluid management products, and Abbott Rubber Co., a supplier of industrial hose and rubber products.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The January/February issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about MSC Industrial Supply. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
