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August 2023 News

Kano Laboratories president named among Nashville manufacturing's 'most influential'
Kano Laboratories President Mark Klein has been named among the most influential in the Nashville manufacturing industry. The Nashville Post released its annual list and recognized Klein for helping push the city toward a brighter future.

anyseals Americas taps new sales talent
anyseals Inc. has named Austin Walker sales director and Zachary Moncrieff inside sales representative.

Emerson accelerates factory automation capabilities with acquisition agreement
Emerson has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Afag Holding AG (Afag), an innovative leader in electric linear motion, feeding and handling automation solutions.

3M appoints new president, CFO
Monish Patolawala has been named 3M president and chief financial officer, effective Sept. 1.

Airgas donates nearly $2 million of PPE to emergency preparedness organizations
Airgas, an Air Liquide company, has donated PPE items that were obtained for the COVID-19 pandemic to local emergency preparedness and disaster response organizations throughout the U.S.

Core & Main opens new facility in Spokane, Washington
Core & Main Inc., a provider of reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide, announced this week it has opened a new facility located in Spokane, Washington.

Winsupply's support services campus continues to expand
The Winsupply Support Services campus in Moraine, Ohio, continues to expand with the addition of another local company. Winsupply of North Dayton, under the leadership of President Scott Ballard, will move from its current location at 3739 Inpark Circle in Dayton, Ohio, to Winsupply's Support Services Campus on Kettering Blvd. between Wilcon and Winsupply of Dayton/The Richard W. Schwartz Center for Innovation.

PTDA welcomes three new distributor members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) has welcomed three new distributors to its membership: Gordon Russell Limited, MROSupply.com, and W.W. Grainger Inc.

Leuze turns 60
In 1963, the electronics division of the Leuze Group came into being. In 2023, the international sensor expert is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Nominations open for SME's Excellence in Manufacturing Training Award
SME, a nonprofit committed to accelerating new manufacturing technology adoption and building North America’s talent and capabilities, has opened nominations for the 2024 SME Excellence in Manufacturing Training Award.

Utility selects Blackline Safety Corp. for wearable multi-gas monitors
Committed to the safety of its workforce – and ensuring top quality, undisrupted water and sewage services to almost 1.8 million customers across the country, Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) has purchased more than 700 connected wearable devices by lead from Blackline Safety Corp. for its frontline workers.

FPT Industrial names distributor for Puerto Rico, Caribbean
FPT Industrial has announced a new partnership with RK Power in Puerto Rico as a distributor of engines for power generation, construction, and industrial applications throughout Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

AMADA WELD TECH to highlight technologies at The Battery Show
AMADA WELD TECH will promote its battery and EV welding technologies at The Battery Show, September 12-14, 2023, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan.

'Careers in Welding' mobile exhibit heads to FABTECH
The Careers in Welding Trailer, a 53-foot mobile exhibit presented by the AWS Foundation and sponsored by Lincoln Electric, will be parked on the FABTECH show floor September 11- 14, 2023. Schools, media, the general public, anyone interested in learning more about welding is welcome to visit and learn more about this crucial skilled trade.

July new orders slip 5%
New orders for manufactured durable goods in July, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $15.5 billion or 5.2% to $285.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced August 24.

UPS workers approve 5-year contract, capping contentious negotiations
By The Associated Press
The union representing 340,000 UPS workers said Tuesday that its members voted to approve the tentative contract agreement reached last month, putting a final seal on contentious labor negotiations that threatened to disrupt package deliveries for millions of businesses and households nationwide.

Kennametal receives R&D 100 Award
Kennametal Inc. was named a winner of a prestigious R&D 100 Award for its innovative additive manufactured machining tool made with new KENionic technology.

Gartner recognizes Tecsys WMS
Tecsys Inc., a provider of supply chain management software, announced its Elite WMS platform has been recognized in the 2023 Gartner Critical Capabilities for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) report.

Starrett names manager over industrial products
The L.S. Starrett Company, a global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, metrology systems, saw blades, power tool accessories and more, has recently appointed Seth Downing as its new strategic accounts manager North America, industrial products.

Fasnap makes key leadership changes
Fasnap Corp is making key changes in management positions at several levels at its Elhart, Indiana, corporate office. Top among them is the promotion of Jeff Kendell to the role of president as of August 1.

RBC Bearings acquires Specline
RBC Bearings Inc., an international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components, and essential systems for the industrial, defense and aerospace industries, has acquired the business assets of Specline Inc., a manufacturer of precision bearings for the commercial and defense aerospace markets, for $18.7 million.

INDEVCO Packaging Solutions brings products solutions to Pack Expo 2023
INDEVCO Packaging Solutions, a global provider of innovative packaging solutions, will unveil its latest advancements in sustainable packaging materials at Pack Expo 2023 (Booth #N9254) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, September 11-13.

Metallurgical Sensors Inc. signs distributor agreement with Artoc
Metallurgical Sensors Inc. (Metsen) has signed a new distributor partnership agreement with Artoc, a distributor, representative, and service provider for the cranes and hoist market.

Ingersoll Rand closes Roots deal
Ingersoll Rand Inc., a global provider of mission-critical flow creation and industrial solutions, has completed the acquisition of Howden Roots LLC (Roots) from Chart Industries Inc. in an all-cash transaction of approximately $300 million.

The Lawless Group acquires Hobart Associates
The Lawless Group, a manufacturers representation agency, has acquired Hobart Associates headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas.

Rotor Clip awarded GM Supplier Excellence Award
Rotor Clip has been awarded the prestigious 2022 General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award (SQEA).

Momentive releases '22 Sustainability Report
Momentive Performance Materials Inc. has released its 2022 Sustainability Report highlighting many of the company’s innovative solutions contributing to a more sustainable future, and its progress toward achieving 2025 Sustainability Goals.

Stellar Industrial Supply to purchase Tool Crib
Stellar Industrial Supply, an MRO and tools distributor, has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire Knoxville, Tennessee-based metalworking distributor The Tool Crib, Inc. (TCI).

ALIO endorses new ASME B5.64 motion standard
ALIO Industries – an Allied Motion Company — released a statement acknowledging the recent publication of the ASME B5.64 standard “Methods for the Performance Evaluation of Single Axis Linear Positioning Systems” as a significant step in the redefinition of measurement of precision in motion systems.

JAX Inc. hosts headquarters grand opening
JAX Inc., a manufacturer of industrial and food grade lubricants, celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters located in Menomonee Falls on August 15. 

Wright joins Evergreen Supply Network
Wright, a manufacturer of professional-grade hand tools for the industrial, contractor, and MRO markets, has joined the Evergreen Supply Network of more than 100 suppliers of industrial tools and equipment.

Cutting tool industry continues strong sales growth
June 2023 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $217.3 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Blended businesses form 'Bison
AMETEK Dynamic Fluid Solutions and the former Bison Gear and Engineering Corp. today combine to create a more robust, customer-centric business named Bison.

Dorner & Garvey unveil the AquaGard GT Conveyor at PACK EXPO
If you are looking for a sure bet in Las Vegas, it’s the AquaGard GT, a new conveyor system that combines the strengths of Dorner and Garvey, both Columbus McKinnon brands. The AquaGard GT leads an impressive lineup of conveyors in action in booth C-1455 at PACK EXPO 2023, September 11-13, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Container market forecast: sentiment signals rebound for shippers
The majority of 2,570 supply chain professionals surveyed in July are hopeful of a container market rebound, according to the Container xChange's market forecaster.

Viega names new CFO
Viega, a provider of press technology, has appointmented Sarah Simpson as chief financial officer.

Allied Motion changes corporate name
Allied Motion Technologies Inc., a global designer and manufacturer of precision and specialty motion, controls, and power products and solutions for targeted industries and applications, said shareholders approved its corporate name change to Allient Inc. at a special meeting on August 11.

Manufacturing tech orders slide from peak but remain above historical averages
New orders of manufacturing technology totaled $411.3 million in June 2023, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Sandvik Coromant to host in-person training event on automotive aluminum
Sandvik Coromant, a manufacturer of cutting tool solutions, is hosting an interactive educational event focused on advancing automotive aluminum machining techniques. Open to automotive and industry professionals who work with aluminum, “Accelerating Into the Future of Aluminum Machining” will take place August 24, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET at the Sandvik Coromant Center Mebane, 295 Maple Lane, Mebane, N.C. 

Platinum Tooling named North American distributor for Tecnicrafts
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. is now selling products from Tecnicrafts Industries, a manufacturer of collets and guide bushings for Swiss Type CNC Lathes.

Grupo Simec idles two steelmaking operations
Grupo Simec, an international producer of special bar quality (SBQ) steel, steel wire, rebar, and commercial and structural steel long products, says it will indefinitely idle steelmaking operations at its Republic Steel mills in Canton, Ohio, and Lackawanna, New York.

SmartRent selects ADI Global Distribution as preferred partner
SmartRent Inc., a provider of smart home and property operations solutions for the rental housing industry, has entered into an agreement with ADI Global Distribution, a Resideo Technologies, Inc. company, to serve as its preferred distribution partner.

Wells Fargo report: Can Fed stick a 'soft landing?'
By the Wells Fargo Ecnomics Group 
The continued resiliency of the economy and the decline in inflation has raised the probability that the Federal Reserve will be able to pull off a "soft landing."

Sonepar creates new role: VP of solar and e-mobility
Sonepar has appointed Kelly Berg to vice president of solar and e-mobility, Sonepar USA, responsible for developing and leading the organization’s solar and e-mobility vision and strategy.

Sphere 1 event raises half-million+ for 'Heroes' charity
The Sphere 1 family of members-distributors and preferred suppliers came together on raised over $270,000 at its Annual Awards Dinner in Indianapolis, Indiana, to support injured veterans and first responders.

Mi-T-M VP retires
The Mi-T-M Corp. announced its long-time vice president, Dana Schrack, has retired as of August 4. He was with the company for 33 years, 20 as vice president.

Continental wins contract for 42-mile Dune Express
After nearly five years of planning, Continental has been awarded a contract from Atlas Energy Solutions to supply the conveyor belt for the Dune Express, a 42-mile long, fully electric conveyor system originating from Atlas’ sand mine in Kermit, Texas, to the northern Delaware Basin in New Mexico.

Applied Industrial Technologies' sales increase 15.8%
Applied Industrial Technologies, a value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies, reported results for its fiscal 2023 fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2023.

Turtle opens new global headquarters 

CEO of Evergreen Supply Network resigns
Evergreen Supply Network has announced that CEO Bill Ward and the board of directors have reached a mutual agreement regarding Ward's resignation, which was effective August 8.

Enpro's thriving sealing segment carries second quarter
EnPro Industries Inc. announced its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, with essentiall flat sales for the second quarter. Record performance in the sealing sector offset declines in AST.

NAW announces Innovators Summit keynote
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), and Applico, an advisor to billion-dollar distributors and manager of the wholesale distribution industry’s first dedicated venture capital fund, announced Drew Oetting, founding partner at 8VC will be the investor keynote for the 2023 NAW Innovators Summit, powered by Applico. The event is November 14 to 16.

Avid Solutions, Rockwell Automation collaborate on green hydrogen
Avid Solutions, a specialist in process expertise and digitally-enabled solutions, is collaborating with Rockwell Automation, Inc., a provider of industrial automation and digital transformation. Together, they aim to accelerate and optimize the production of green hydrogen (H2) for companies worldwide.

Mobile welding exhibit heads to MN State Fair
The Careers in Welding Trailer, a 53-foot mobile exhibit presented by the AWS Foundation and sponsored by Lincoln Electric, will be at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul August 24-27.

Fastenal launches major recycle initiative
One of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives of Fastenal Co. is to reduce consumption and environmental impacts throughout its operations and provide solutions for its customers to do the same. To support this objective, Fastenal has entered into a scrap supply agreement with Trex Co. Inc., a manufacturer of wood-alternative composite decking, railing, and other outdoor building products made from recycled materials.

MRC Global records 3% sales increase
MRC Global Inc. reported second quarter net income attributable to common stockholders wasf $18 million, a significant jump from $8 million during the same quarter of 2022. Q2 gross profit was $175 million, or 20.1% of sales, as compared to the second quarter 2022 gross profit of $151 million, or 17.8% of sales.

AWS creates free student membership
In recognition of the importance of developing the next generation of welding professionals, the American Welding Society has announced it's making student membership complimentary.

YTD cutting tool orders 20% up
May 2023 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $210.6 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Seventh District Midyear Review: Economic Growth Slowed Further in the First Half of 2023
By Elizabeth Kepner, Thomas Walstrum
The pace of economic growth continued to slow in the Seventh Federal Reserve District 1 (most of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and all of Iowa) during the first half of 2023. While total employment was still growing during the first six months of this year, the pace was slower than in 2022—and for manufacturing employment, even more so.

Wholesale trade gains 18,000 workers
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 187,000 in July, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.5%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported August 4. Job gains occurred in health care, social assistance, financial activities, and wholesale trade.

RBC Bearings's net sales climb 9.3%
RBC Bearings Inc., an international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components, and essential systems for the industrial, defense, and aerospace industries, reported first quarter net sales of $387.1 million, an increase of 9.3% over last year. Aerospace/defense rose 21.2%, and industrial jumped 4.7%.

Fastenal posts 3.7% increase
Fastenal Co. reported July net sales of $5.7 million, a 3.7% increase YOY. Its daily sales also grew 3.7% over July 2022.

Columbus McKinnon sales increased 7% for Q1'24
Columbus McKinnon Corp., a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, reported sales of $235.5 million for its first quarter of fiscal 2024, a 7% increase. Results include the addition of montratec, which was acquired on May 31.

Wesco ups sales synergy target following Q2 results
Wesco International achieved a second quarter net sales record of $5.7 billion, up 5% YOY.

DSG posts record Q2 revenue
Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. (DSG) has reported second quarter revenue of $378.0 million, an increase of $56.6 million or 17.6% over the same period of 2022.

Manufacturer orders, shipments out of step with inventories
New orders for manufactured goods in June, up six of the last seven months, increased $13.4 billion or 2.3% to $592.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. This followed a 0.4% May increase.

Allied Motion reports 60% operating income growth
Allied Motion Technologies Inc., a designer and manufacturer of precision and specialty controlled motion products and solutions for the global market, reported its second quarter revenue increased 20%, or $24.0 million, to a record $146.8 million and reflected higher demand across most target markets and incremental revenue from acquisitions completed during last year’s second quarter.

Ingersoll Rand raises revenue guidance after Q2 performance
Ingersoll Rand Inc. reported second quarter orders of $1,737 million, up 9%, or 5% organic; it's Q2 revenues were $1,687 million, up 17%, or 12% organic.

Kennametal increases sales 3% YOY
For its fourth quarter, Kennametal Inc. reported sales were $550 million compared with $530 million in the same quarter last year. Sales increased by 4%, driven by 7% organic growth, partially offset by an unfavorable currency exchange effect of 2% and an unfavorable business days effect of 1%.

Kimball Midwest honors centennial with more giving
National industrial supplier Kimball Midwest continued its centennial celebration recently with events at its headquarters in Columbus. Associates at the distribution center there chose the Columbus Dream Center for a charitable contribution of $10,000, part of the company's community campaign to donate $1 million across the country.

EMUGE-FRANKEN USA partners with Okuma
EMUGE-FRANKEN USA, a manufacturer of high-performance taps, thread mills, end mills, drills, and other rotary tools, announced it has partnered with Okuma America Corp., joining the Partners in Technology program, founded by Okuma.

STAFDA launches 'Excellence in Distribution' website
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) has launched the Excellence in Distribution program’s official website, ExcelinDist.org. Excellence in Distribution (EiD) is an intense 2.5-day program to be held at the Nashville Hilton, March 12-14, 2024. Registration will open from the new website in mid-November.

Global Industrial Co. reports modest sales growth
Global Industrial Co. said its second quarter consolidated sales increased 2.3% to $325.8 million compared to $318.5 million last year. Excluding Indoff, acquired on May 19, 2023, sales declined 5.2%.

Creform parent company marks 70 years
Creform Corp., a manufacturer of unique products for the design and building of material handling structures and AGVs, is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its parent company.

White Cap will acquire RENO Hardware and Supply
White Cap L.P. ("White Cap"), a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RENO Hardware and Supply, Inc., a distributor of construction supplies serving commercial, multi-family and residential contractors throughout Southern California.

U.S. trade deficit drops $4 billion
The U.S. Census Bureau announced the following international trade, wholesale inventories, and retail inventories advance statistics for June 2023: The international trade deficit was $87.8 billion in June, down $4.0 billion from $91.9 billion in May.