February 2022 News
Dorner names new director of marketing
Lindsey Muchka has been appointed the new director of marketing for Dorner.
Tompkins Solutions names new president/CEO
Tompkins Solutions, a supply chain consulting and services firm, named David Latona president and CEO, effective Feb. 28.
Lawson Products sales up by 18.8 percent
Lawson Products reported that its net sales for 2021 increased 18.8 percent to $417.7 million compared to $351.6 million in 2020.
Nautic Partners to acquire Vallen North America
Rhode Island-based Nautic Partners LLC has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vallen Distribution from the Sonepar Group, and in partnership with Vallen management.
Ingersoll Rand sales climb 19 percent
Ingersoll Rand posted revenues of $5.2 billion in 2021, a 19 percent improvement from $4.0 billion in 2020.
4Q GDP increased 7.0 percent
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 7.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the "second" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index grew in January
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index rose to +0.69 in January from +0.07 in December.
Home Depot '21 sales up 14.4 percent
The Home Depot said its sales for fiscal 2021 were $151.2 billion, an increase of 14.4 percent from $132.1 billion in fiscal 2020.
JLG adds product director
JLG Industries announced that Bob Begley has joined the company as director of product management for scissor, vertical and low-level access lifts.
Whittemore Co. expands partnership with Lyndex-Nikken
Manufacturers’ representative The Whittemore Co. has expanded its partnership with Lyndex-Nikken to include the state of Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan.
NOW Inc. revenues flat
NOW Inc. 2021 revenues of $1.63 billion were essentially flat compared to 2020 revenues of $1.62 billion, a difference of 0.8 percent.
NAHAD Convention registration opens
Registration is now open for the Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution (NAHAD) 2022 Convention, scheduled for May 14–18 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Streamlight names new national sales manager
Streamlight Inc. announced the promotion of Mike Garrett to national sales manager-West for the company’s Industrial/Fire division.
Motion Industries sales climb 12.8 percent
Motion Industries, the Industrial Parts Group of Genuine Parts Company, reported fourth-quarter sales of $1.6 billion, up 12.8 percent from $1.4 billion in 2020.
Omega Flex sales up 22.9 percent
Omega Flex Inc. announced that its 2021 annual sales of $130.01 million increased 22.9 percent from $105.796 million in 2020.
JGB Enterprises rebrands as Echelon Supply and Service
Liverpool, New York-based JGB Enterprises, a distributor of industrial, hydraulic and stainless steel braided metal hose and fittings, has rebranded as Echelon Supply and Service.
IDWC staff updates
The Independent Welding Distributors Cooperative announced a new hiring and a recent promotion.
Milton Industries acquires Global-Flex
Chicago-based Milton Industries, a provider of pneumatic and hydraulic accessories, has acquired Global-Flex Manufacturing, a maker of flexible stainless steel, bronze and PTFE hose assemblies and metal and rubber expansion joints.
MRC Global 2021 sales rise 4 percent
A strong fourth quarter helped MRC Global Inc. achieve sales of $2.7 billion in 2021, a gain of 4 percent compared to $2.6 billion the previous year.
Global Industrial 2021 sales grew 3.3 percent
Despite a 4.3-percent decline in the fourth quarter, Global Industrial Company's 2021 sales increased 3.3 percent to $1.06 billion compared to $1.03 billion last year.
Relevant Industrial to acquire Rawson/ICD
Relevant Industrial, a distributor of instrumentation and automation, rotating equipment, valve, purification, and thermal equipment solutions, has agreed to acquire Houston-based Rawson/ICD Inc.
Weiler donates $25K to Workshop for Warriors
Weiler Abrasives announced its continued support of the mission of Workshops for Warriors with a donation of $25,000.
WESCO International Q4 sales up 17.5 percent
WESCO International reported net sales of $4.9 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $4.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of 17.5 percent.
December U.S. cutting tool consumption rose 9.5 percent
December 2021 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $164.3 million, up 2.2 percent from November's $160.7 million and up 9.5 percent when compared with the $150.1 million reported for December 2020.
ISA reimagines its convention model
by Christina Bertino
The Industrial Supply Association’s annual convention is back in-person this year after having to shift to a virtual format 2020-2021 due to COVID-19.
Ino USA opens Buffalo facility
Ino Industrial Belting Co. Ltd., based in Shanghai for more than 30 years, opened an Ino USA facility in Buffalo, New York, on Jan. 1.
MRC Global chair to retire
MRC Global Inc. chairman Rhys J. Best plans to retire in May upon completing his term as a director at the annual meeting.
Kimball Midwest receives NAW award
Kimball Midwest received an industry award earlier this month from the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors.
SW Anderson Company acquires two distributors
The SW Anderson Company, a specialty and Class C component distributor, has acquired two fastener distributors.
Reed celebrates 125 years in business
Reed Manufacturing in Erie, Pennsylvania, is celebrating 125 years of supplying industry with pipe tools and vises for the professional trades.
January FDI 'slightly softer'
The January seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) was "slightly softer" at 52.7, compared to 56.2 in December.
RelaDyne acquires lubricant supplier Farley
Cincinnati-based RelaDyne, a provider of lubricants, fuel, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and industrial reliability services, has acquired The Farley Company, a distributor of lubrication and chemical products.
Twin Spring Coupling announces NA sales reps
Twin Spring Coupling announced its North American sales representatives serving the United States and Canadian marketplace.
Fastenal's January sales soared 20.7 percent
Fastenal reported sales of $540.5 million in January, a gain of 20.7 percent from $448 million in January of 2021.
Factory jobs rose in January but construction employment declined
Manufacturers added 13,000 jobs during January, with durable goods manufacturing adding 8,000 jobs while non-durable goods manufacturers added 5,000 workers.
Proton.ai appoints two executives
Proton.ai, the AI-powered growth engine for distributors, announced the appointment of two executive positions.
New Distribution One website showcases ERP-ONE
Distribution One's newly redesigned website showcases the new release of ERP-ONE distribution software as well as customer testimonials, informational resources, and the new spotlight on user roles.
McGill Hose and Coupling moves to new location
McGill Hose and Coupling has relocated its headquarters, fabrication center and retail store to a 86,000 sq. ft. upgraded facility in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Productivity increased 6.6 percent in Q4
Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 6.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021, as output increased 9.2 percent and hours worked increased 2.4 percent.
Grainger's 2021 sales up 10.4 percent
Grainger reported that sales of $3.4 billion in the fourth quarter 2021 increased 14.2 percent compared to $2.9 billion in the fourth quarter 2020.
Motion Industries debuts MotionAi
Motion Industries announced the formation of its automation business brand: Motion Automation Intelligence (MotionAi).
Essity acquires maker of Everwipe wiping products
Essity, manufacturer of the Tork brand hygiene products, has acquired Legacy Converting Inc., a U.S.-based cleaning and wiping company and manufacturer of the EPA-regulated Everwipe brand of disinfecting and wiping products.
Industrial Supply Company names new EVP
Industrial Supply Company has named Bob Evans as executive vice president.
Pelican Products names chief HR officer
Pelican Products Inc. announced the appointment of Fabienne Smolinski-Lopez as chief human resources officer (CHRO), reporting to CEO Phil Gyori.
AD member sales up 30 percent
AD reported that its total 2021 member sales were $58.5 billion, a 30 percent increase from 2020.
SBP Holdings sells Bishop Lifting Products
SBP Holdings has sold Houston-based Bishop Lifting Products Inc. (BLP) to Altamont Capital Partners.
Construction spending rose in December
Construction spending during December 2021 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,639.9 billion, 0.2 percent above the revised November estimate of $1,636.5 billion.
Manufacturing growth slowed in January
Manufacturing grew for the 20th consecutive month in January, but at a slower pace than in December, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business