September 2013 News
Midwest manufacturing gets a boost
The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index increased 1.5% in August, to a seasonally adjusted level of 96.7.
Breen named Motion Industries president
Motion Industries has named Tim Breen president and chief operating officer.
H.B. Fuller sales up 2.8 percent
H.B. Fuller Company said its net income for the third quarter was $27.2 million, or 53 cents per diluted share, versus $24.6 million, or 48 cents, in last year's third quarter.
Sandvik acquires Precorp
Sandvik has reached an agreement to acquire the remaining 51 percent of the shares in Precorp Inc., based in Spanish Fork, Utah.
MSC opens NC co-headquarters
MSC Industrial Supply announced the grand opening of its co-headquarters in Davidson, N.C.
ISA Economic Index growth slows
The monthly Economic Indicator Report (EIR) from the Industrial Supply Association dipped somewhat in August following a big increase in July.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index rises
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index increased to +0.14 in August from -0.43 in July.
Cutting tool consumption down slightly
July U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $159.5 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
Mercer moves corporate headquarters
Mercer Abrasives announced the move of its corporate headquarters to Ronkonkoma, New York.
MAPI: Moderate growth forecast
Following a strong first quarter, manufacturing production eased in the second quarter but should accelerate growth.
WinWholesale opens new locations
Two Winsupply and a Winwater Works are the latest locations opened by WinWholesale, making a total of 10 to date in 2013.
Industrial production rises
Industrial production advanced 0.4 percent in August after having been unchanged in July.
Kennametal to buy ATI's Tungsten Materials
Kennametal signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Tungsten Materials Business of Allegheny Technologies Incorporated for $605 million.
ICP develops three-year plan
The Industrial Careers Pathway Steering Committee approved a new three-year plan at its recent annual retreat.
Brady Corporation posts 4Q loss
Despite a double-digit gain in sales, Brady Corporation posted a loss of $176.2 million for its fiscal 2013 fourth quarter.
Kennedy Manufacturing names Martin VP
Kennedy Manufacturing Co. named Craig Martin to the position of vice president of sales and marketing.
Southwest Fastener acquires Bolt Co.
Southwest Fastener agreed to acquire The Bolt Company of New Mexico, headquartered in Albuquerque.
Grainger August sales up 4%
Grainger said its sales for the month of August increased 4 percent versus August 2012.
Atlas Copco acquires Pneumatic Holdings
Atlas Copco has acquired Pneumatic Holdings Inc., a provider of pneumatic light construction tools.
Cutting Tool Consumption down 0.2%
July U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $159.5 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
McDougal named Airgas Great Lakes president
Airgas announced that Kevin McDougal has been named president - Airgas Great Lakes Region.
BDI moves Maine branchBearing Distributors Inc. announced the relocation of its Maine branch from Mars Hill to Easton.
Brennan opens Houston DC
Brennan Industries expanded its distribution capabilities in Texas with the addition of a distribution center in the Houston area.
HD Supply sales up 10%
HD Supply made progress on paying down its debt as second quarter net sales increased 10 percent to $2.3 billion.
Manufacturing technology orders fall in July
July U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $351.21 million, down 23.6% compared to July 2012.
nexAir opens demonstration lab
nexAir, a distributor of atmospheric gases and welding supplies, recently opened an Advanced Welding and Cutting Demonstration Lab in Memphis.
PTDA Index shows slower growth
The 2Q13 PTDA Business Index produced a reading of 54.7, which represents a decrease over last quarter’s reading of 61.1.
MAPI: Moderate growth expected
After a slow first half of 2013, expectations are for the U.S. economy to gradually return to moderate growth in the second half and through 2014, according to a new forecast.
Factory jobs added in August
The nation's factories added 14,000 workers in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Timken to spinoff steel business
The Timken Company announced a plan to spinoff its steel business from its bearings and power transmission business, creating two publicly traded companies.
Fastenal August sales up 2.5 percent
Fastenal reported that its August sales climbed 2.5% to $297.7 million compared to $290.4 million for the same month last year.
SKF to acquire Kaydon Corp.
Kaydon Corporation and SKF have signed a definitive agreement for SKF to acquire Kaydon for approximately $1.25 billion.
Murphy named president of NetPlus Alliance
NetPlus Alliance named Jennifer Murphy as the company’s new president.
Graybar opens Champaign branch
Graybar announced the opening of a new full-service branch in Champaign, Ill.
Construction spending hits four-year high
Total construction spending hit a four-year high in July, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Manufacturing expanded in August
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in August for the third consecutive month, according to the Institute for Supply Management.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Joyce Lansdale and Vallen. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and David Kahle, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
