October 2024 News
PTDA welcomes new members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), announced two new members: distributor A&M Supply Inc. and manufacturer Helix Linear Technologies.
AMETEK acquires Virtek Vision
AMETEK Inc. announced it has acquired Virtek Vision International, a provider of advanced laser-based projection and inspection systems.
Core & Main completes Eastcom acquisition
Core & Main Inc. has closed its previously announced acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Eastcom Associates Inc., a distributor of underground utility protection equipment with a single location in Branchburg, New Jersey.
Wesco Intl. Q3 net sales down 2.7%
Wesco International reported its third quarter net sales were down 2.7% YOY, due primarily to the Wesco Integrated Supply divestiture, the company said.
Penflex receives CRN approval
Penflex Corp., a provider of flexible piping solutions, has received Canadian Registration Number (CRN) approval from the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) for its line of made-to-stock metal hose assemblies.
Manufacturing sectors exceed general economic growth
By Kristin Bartschi
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released their first estimate of GDP for the third quarter of 2024. According to the first estimate, GDP grew 2.8% at an annualized rate.
Columbus McKinnon reports 16% order growth
Columbus McKinnon Corp., a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, reported a 16% growth in orders for its second quarter 2025 ending September 30, compared to the prior year.
RBC Bearings named one of Fortune 100's 'Fastest-Growing Companies'
RBC Bearings Inc., an international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components and essential systems for the industrial, defense and aerospace industries, announced it has been named to the Fortune 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list for 2024.
Global Industrial Q3 sales decline 3.4%
Global Industrial Co. reported its third-quarter consolidated sales decreased 3.4% to $342.4 million compared to $354.6 million last year.
Omnicon expands US presence
Omnicon, a provider of industrial automation, smart manufacturing, consulting, and data integration solutions, announced the expansion of its U.S. presence with new operations based in Houston, Texas.
ASTRO America, FSU launch national manufacturing research center
The Applied Science & Technology Research Organization (ASTRO) of America announced its selection by Florida State University (FSU) to help establish the Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, and Education (InSPIRE) as a major center for aerospace and defense manufacturing research and education in northwest Florida.
Reuseable packaging supplier ORBIS acquires Creative Techniques
ORBIS Corp., a supplier of reusable packaging solutions, has acquired substantially all the assets of Creative Techniques, Inc. (CTI), which is headquartered in Orion Township, Michigan.
CSV Marketing names new regional managers
CSV Marketing Inc., a manufacturers’ representative agency offering diverse industrial and safety products, has added two new regional managers: Michael Davis and Stan Klatka.
Motion to buy Canadian hydraulics manufacturer
Motion Industries Inc. has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire the operating assets of Canadian-based Stoney Creek Hydraulics. The transaction is expected to close at the end of October, subject to customary closing conditions.
September wholesale inventories up slightly YOY
Advance wholesale inventories for September were estimated at an end-of-month level of $905.0 billion, down 0.1% (±0.2 %) from August 2024 and 0.5% (±0.5 %) up from September 2023.
Two ContiTech leaders honored at PTDA convention
Two leaders at Continental were honored at the annual Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) Convention in Colorado Springs last week.
Emuge-Franken hires national sales manager
EMUGE-FRANKEN USA, a manufacturer of high-performance taps, thread mills, drills, end mills, clamping devices and other rotary tools, has appointed Mike Patterson as national sales manager for the U.S. and Canada.
Transportation drags down durables
New orders for manufactured durable goods in September, down three of the last four months, decreased $2.2 billion or 0.8% to $284.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.
MSC sales decline 4.7% in fiscal Q4
MSC Industrial Supply Co. reported its Q4-24 net sales of $3,821.0 million decreased 4.7% YoY and includes a roughly 160 basis point headwind from non-repeating Public Sector orders in the prior year.
Applied Industrial Technologies sees drop in Service Center, Engineered Solutions segments
Applied Industrial Technologies reported its net sales of $1.1 billion for its fiscal 2025 first quarter are an increase of 0.3% over the prior year, but sales decreased 3.0% on an organic daily basis.
Kimball Midwest earns LearningElite recognition
Kimball Midwest has received an award for its learning and development efforts for the fourth year in a row. They were among 35 organizations honored October 21 in Tucson, Arizona, as part of Chief Learning Officer’s 14th LearningElite Awards program, appearing alongside organizations like Cardinal Health, Cleveland Clinic Health System and Nationwide.
White Cap to acquire Triumph Geo-Synthetics
White Cap has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Triumph Geo-Synthetics Inc., a geosynthetics and erosion control distributor based in Anaheim, California, serving non-residential and infrastructure end markets.
Airline Hydraulics expands into Georgia and Florida
Airline Hydraulics Corp., a distributor of industrial technologies, has expanded its Omron Automation technology distribution to Georgia and Florida.
Four new power transmission/motion control categories introduced for PIE Technology Platform
Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) and the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) announce the introduction of conveyors/material handling, couplings, motors and linear bearings (round shaft) to the PIE Technology Platform (PIE).
3M sales increase 0.4% YOY
3M reported third quarter sales of $6.3 billion, a 0.4 increase year over year.
PTDA welcomes two new manufacturers, one associate member
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) welcomed new manufacturer members ComInTec North America and UNIMEC North America and new associate member BearingBank, Inc.
Sandvik Coromant supports future leaders at awards ceremony
Sandvik Coromant recently participated in the annual awards ceremony at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Held earlier in October, the ceremony recognized the exceptional achievements of students in the Machinist Program, spotlighting the bright futures and potential of the award recipients.
Fastenal names new executive vp, strategy and communications
Fastenal Company has promoted Donnalee K. Papenfuss to the position of executive vice president of strategy and communications effective November 1.
Turner Supply acquires Alabama Industrial Distributors
Turner Supply has acquired Alabama Industrial Distributors, which serves industrial, construction, institutional, and governmental markets.
First Supply launches Employee Value Proposition
First Supply has launched a new Employee Value Proposition (EVP), following a week of activities celebrating what makes the company a unique and fulfilling place to work.
ZYGO team members win ASPE awards
Zygo, a business unit of AMETEK Inc. announced two of its distinguished team members, Dr. Peter de Groot and Dr. Vivek G. Badami, have been recognized by the American Society for Precision Engineering (ASPE) for their significant contributions to the field of precision engineering. The awards will be presented during the 39th ASPE Annual Meeting, November 4-8 in Houston.
August US cutting tool orders rise 9.1% from July
By Chris Chidkik
Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), totaled $209.3 million in August 2024.
Wright taps Brand Spec as new manufacturer rep
Wright has appointed Brand Spec as a new manufacturer representative covering Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and the Florida Panhandle.
IDCO announces five new members
IDCO, the premier co-op for independent hose and fittings distributors, has welcomed five new members. Distributors are: Air Hydro Power, Elevated Service and Supply, and Snake River Hydraulics; Preferred Suppliers are: Specialty Saw, and Trident Marine Systems.
Global Industrial rolls out its branded drum handler
Global Industrial Co. announced the newest product from its Made To Exceed line of Global Industrial Exclusive Brands: the Global Industrial Hydraulic Drum Handler with Universal Grip and Adjustable Support.
White Cap buys ERSCO Construction Supply
White Cap has acquired ERSCO Construction Supply, a distributor of concrete accessory products and paving supplies serving non-residential, infrastructure and residential end markets in Michigan.
NAHAD unveils new logo
This week, NAHAD released its new logo, designed to reflect the future of the hose manufacturing and distribution industry.
Orders of manufacting technology up 22.7%
Orders of manufacturing technology totaled $360.8 million in August 2024, an increase of 22.7% from July and a 12% decrease over August 2023, according to the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
Fastenal Q3 net sales increase 3.5%
Fastenal's September net sales increased 3.2% year over year, and for the third quarter, the company reported net sales increased 3.5% compared to the third quarter of 2023.The quarter's net daily sales increased 1.9% versus the same period in 2023.
BlackHawk Industrial makes key leadership appointments
BlackHawk Industrial announced two key leadership appointments: the promotion of Brooke Bedford to category director and the appointment of Matt Roers to lead the packaging product category. These strategic moves reinforce BlackHawk’s commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and driving growth and innovation.
Core & Main to acquire two N.J. distributors
Core & Main Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Eastcom Associates Inc., a distributor of underground utility protection equipment with a single location in Branchburg, New Jersey. They also announced the impending acquisition of ARGCO Northeast LLC, a distributor of fire protection products with a single location in Saddle Brook, New Jersey.
Sonepar restructures Americas leadership
Sonepar has announced a new leadership team structure. The changes include Senior VIce President Finance North America Jerome Baniol assuming the global role of Sonepar deputy chief financial officer, effective January 1, 2025.
Hy-Brid Lifts appoints director of sales in western region
Hy-Brid Lifts has named Charlie Haskin director of sales covering the Western U.S. Haskin’s responsibilities include providing customer support as well as continuing the growth and channel development of the Hy-Brid Lifts line of low-level scissor lifts.
Honeywell and Qualcomm collaborate on AI solutions for energy sector
Honeywell and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. announced an expanded collaboration to develop new artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled solutions for the energy sector.
Construction employment trends up
Both the unemployment rate, at 4.1%, and the number of unemployed people, at 6.8 million, changed little in September. These measures are higher than a year earlier, when the jobless rate was 3.8%, and the number of unemployed people was 6.3 million.
ISA Fall Summit 'exceeds expectations'
ISA’s Fall Summit, held September 25–27 in Orlando, Florida, was a gathering of industry professionals that combined high-energy networking, engaging learning sessions, and ISA's unique brand of fun.
DSG's TestEquity to acquire test, measurement equipment provider
Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. announced its operating company, TestEquity, has signed an agreement to acquire ConRes Test Equipment, a division of Continental Resources, Inc.
Services sector expands in September, wholesale trade contracts
Economic activity in the services sector expanded for the third consecutive month in September, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Services ISM Report On Business.
Global Industrial expands marketing with NHL team
Global Industrial Co. announced a multi-year marketing partnership with the New York Islanders and UBS Arena.
Alliance Hose & Rubber joins TIPCO Technologies
TIPCO Technologies announced its new partnership with Alliance Hose & Rubber Co., which will continue its operations under the third-generation leadership of Dave Heckler, former president of NAHAD.
Milwaukee Tool opens Mississippi facility
Milwaukee Tool has opened its largest U.S. manufacturing facility in Grenada County, Mississippi.
Volunteer leadership named for ISA's Emerging Leaders Network
The Industrial Supply Association (ISA) has appointed Darryl Woods, senior sales operations manager at Stanley Black and Decker, as the new chair of the ISA Emerging Leader Network, and Caroline Hains, senior manager of exclusive brands at Vallen, as vice chair.
Grainger breaks ground on huge DC in Houston
Grainger joined community members and officials from the greater Houston metropolitan area to ceremonially break ground for the company's 1.2 million-square-foot Houston Texas Distribution Center in Harris County on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Ingersoll Rand expands portfolio with three acquisitions
Ingersoll Rand Inc., a global provider of mission-critical flow creation and life science and industrial solutions, has acquired Air Power Systems Co., LLC (“APSCO”), Blutek s.r.l. (“Blutek”), and UT Pumps & Systems Private Limited (“UT Pumps”) for a combined purchase price of approximately $135 million.
Avid Solutions launches program to support operational technology assets
Avid Solutions has launched its new AvidCare Service and Support Program, developed to address the challenges of maintaining Operational Technology (OT) assets, including process control systems, server infrastructure, and information solutions.
Honeywell deploys AI to buoy industrial workforce
Honeywell is introducing new artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled solutions designed to help employees work smarter, make systems more efficient and allow plant operations to accelerate the path to autonomy.
Kimball Midwest named a top industrial distributor
Kimball Midwest, a national industrial supplier based in Columbus, has climbed to its highest ranking ever on a leading annual list of American industrial distributors. Recently, the company came in at No. 29 on Industrial Distribution’s Big 50, up one spot from 2023.
Atlas Lifting & Rigging brings 'safest' hoist technology to US
Atlas Lifting & Rigging (ALR) has signed an agreement to import innovative hoists from William Hackett in the UK. The hoists feature William Hackett’s patented Quad Pawl technology, which the company says makes them the safest in the world.
PTDA welcomes two new members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, welcomes new distributor member Eastern Sales and new associate member Proton.ai.
IPS Adhesives aquires L&L acrylate/MMA technology
IPS Adhesives (IPSA), a global manufacturer of structural and surfacing products, has acquired a range of adhesives based on acrylate and methyl methacrylate (MMA) technology from L&L Products.
Manufacturing again contracts in September
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in September for the sixth consecutive month and the 22nd time in the last 23 months, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
One percent dip in August construction spending
Construction spending during August 2024 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,131.9 billion, 0.1% (±1.2%)* below the revised July estimate of $2,133.9 billion.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The September/October issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Kurz Industrial Solutions. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and Mike Hockett, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
