March 2021 News
Huot celebrates 95 years in business
Huot Manufacturing, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based manufacturer of cutting tool storage systems, is celebrating its 95th year in business.
Dynabrade announced the appointment of Michael Buffamonti as the company’s new president, effective April 1.
Logistics announces two promotions
Logistics announced the promotion of William Colby to vice president of sales and Tanya Scarborough as director of sales.
Walter forms joint venture with Vargus
Walter AG has established a joint venture named VWR Cutting Tools S.R.L. with Vargus Ltd.
PTDA Foundation seeking nominations for Callahan award
The PTDA Foundation is now accepting nominations for the inaugural Robert (Bob) K. Callahan Future Leaders Award.
IWDC announced the promotion of Vic Wilson to director of Marketing & Gas Program, and the upcoming retirement of Rich Mansmann.
JLG Industries names regional VP
JLG Industries announced that Joe Kleiner has been named regional vice president for the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada.
Optimas Solutions relocates headquarters
Optimas Solutions has moved its global corporate headquarters from Glenview, Illinois, into its manufacturing operations in Wood Dale, Illinois.
Q4 GDP increased by 4.3 percent
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 4.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to the "third" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
NAW and distributors support NFL vaccination sites
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) and wholesaler-distributors nationwide announced a partnership supporting mass vaccination sites at multiple NFL stadiums.
Winsupply acquires Discount Drainage Supplies
Winsupply Inc. has completed the purchase of Discount Drainage Supplies, a waterworks distributor with three locations in Ohio.
NetPlus Alliance adds marketing specialist
NetPlus Alliance has added Emily VanDerEems to its team as marketing specialist.
Motion celebrates 75th year in business
Motion Industries announcef that it has achieved the 75-year milestone of business success.
MCA Talk podcast series launched
MCA Associates has launched its new MCA Talk podcast series with episode one, Distribution on the Cusp of Metamorphosis.
Enerpac Tool Group sales fall 11 percent
Enerpac Tool Group posted net sales of $121 million for the second quarter, an 11 percent drop from $133 million in the same period last year.
Cutting tool consumption fell in January
January 2021 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $152.2 million, down 3.2 percent from December's $157.3 million and down 21.8 percent when compared with the $194.8 million reported for January 2020.
Dakota Supply Group (DSG) has appointed Julianne Turk as its chief financial officer.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index fell to -1.09
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index fell to –1.09 in February from +0.75 in January.
Osborne named president/CEO of SBP Holdings
Craig Osborne has been promoted to president and CEO SBP Holdings.
Würth Industry North America acquires ORR Safety
Würth Industry North America announced the acquisition of Louisville-based ORR Safety, one of the largest privately held safety companies in the United States.
NetPlus Alliance members anticipate strong 2021
NetPlus Alliance distributor members are optimistic about 2021 sales compared with 2020, according to the latest NetPlus Alliance quarterly Industry Outlook survey.
Winsupply of East Tennessee opens
Winsupply Inc. has opened Winsupply of East Tennessee in Seymour, Tennessee.
Air Products opens Arizona air separation unit
Air Products announced that its newest air separation unit (ASU) in Chandler, Arizona is onstream and under long-term contract supplying key electronics and other customers.
Applied Products Inc. acquired by Arsenal Capital Partners
Applied Products Inc., a portfolio company of Goldner Hawn, has been acquired by Arsenal Capital Partners.
February Industrial production decreased 2.2 percent
Severe winter weather in February impacted industrial production, which declined 2.2 percent during the month.
Tofino Software releases new app
Tofino Software, an e-procurement and MRO management software company, has released its all-new app for both Android and iOS.
DSG to open South Dakota branch
Dakota Supply Group (DSG) announced plans to open a new branch in Watertown, South Dakota, in April.
STAFDA names convention keynote speaker
Entrepreneur, best-selling author and co-founder of Fast Company William Taylor has been announced as keynote speaker for STAFDA’s General Session on Oct. 25.
Piezo Motion acquires Discovery Technology International
Piezo Motion Corp. announced the acquisition of Discovery Technology International Inc., a provider of standing wave-type piezo technology for rotary and linear motion products.
STAFDA moves convention date and location
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association is relocating its 2021 Annual Convention & Trade Show from Charlotte to Orlando.
Motion announces two EVP promotions
Motion Industries announced two executive vice president level promotions.
Georgia-Pacific has named Kim Price as vice president – market sales for its Consumer Products Group.
Millard named to Women's Business Enterprise Hall of Fame
Jayne Millard, executive chairman of the board of Turtle & Hughes, made women’s history of her own this month with her induction into the Women’s Business Enterprise Hall of Fame (WBEHF) in a virtual ceremony hosted by the American Institute of Diversity & Commerce (AIDC).
Allied Motion 2020 sales down 1 percent
Allied Motion Technologies finished 2020 with revenues of $366.7 million, which was down 1 percent from $371.1 million a year ago.
Curb Roller Manufacturing appoints GM
Curb Roller Manufacturing appointed Jesse Smith as its new general manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations and helping drive production goals.
Final Pandemic Revenue Index shows 9.1 percent gain
Indian River Consulting Group’s (IRCG) weekly Pandemic Revenue Index for the work week of March 1-5 indicated a 9.1 percent increase compared with the same week a year ago.
DXP Enterprises 2020 sales decline 21 percent
DXP Enterprises reported sales of $1.0 billion for 2020, a decline of nearly 21 percent from $1.3 billion the previous year.
MAX USA has named Dan Durant vice president of sales for Eastern North America.
Manufacturing Technology Orders see year-over-year gains
U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders totaled $322.5 million in January, a 29 percent decrease from December 2020, but a 12 percent increase over January 2020.
Cary Company exits raw materials and specialty chemicals business
The Cary Company has divested its Raw Materials and Specialty Chemicals distribution business as part of a strategic restructuring to focus on its Containers & Packaging business.
PTDA seeking Wendy B. McDonald nominations
On International Working Women’s Day, the PTDA Foundation is seeking nominations for the Wendy B. McDonald Award.
Trillium Flow Technologies acquires Red Point Alloys BV
Trillium Flow Technologies announced its acquisition of Red Point Alloys BV.
Grainger appoints chief information security officer
Grainger announced that Julie Myerholtz joined the company as vice president, chief information security officer (CISO).
Manufacturing employment improves, construction suffers
Manufacturing employment increased by 21,000 in February, led by a gain of 10,000 jobs in transportation equipment. Employment in manufacturing is down by 561,000 over the year.
Pandemic Revenue Index increases by 13 percent
Indian River Consulting Group’s (IRCG) weekly Pandemic Revenue Index for the work week of Feb. 22-26 indicated a 13 percent increase compared with the same week a year ago.
Dynabrade president/CEO Hamann to retire
Dynabrade Inc. announced the planned retirement of president and chief executive officer Hardy Hamann.
Productivity decreased 4.2 percent in Q4 2020
Labor productivity decreased 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020, as output increased 5.5 percent and hours worked increased 10.1 percent.
Fastenal's February sales up 1.5 percent
Fastenal posted sales of $437.7 million in February, a 1.5 percent improvement from $431.2 million in February 2020.
Mallory and Dirteeze win San Diego contract
The City of San Diego has awarded Mallory Safety and Supply a municipal fleet cleaning contract for the Dirteeze Rough and Smooth Heavy Duty Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer Wipes.
Winsupply opens Texas HVAC location
Winsupply Inc. has opened Winsupply of Rio Grande Valley, in Mission, Texas.
Sherwin-Williams president/COO to resign
Sherwin-Williams Company president and chief operating officer David B. Sewell plans to leave the company to become president and CEO of WestRock Company.
Osborn has appointed Brian Cassady as its new chief executive officer.
Turtle & Hughes hires new VP of sales
Turtle & Hughes announced that Wendy Buchholz has joined the company as vice president of sales.
Private equity firm forms Fencing Supply Group
The Sterling Group, a middle market private equity firm, has formed Fencing Supply Group, a new platform focused on building a group of industry-leading, independent fencing distributors.
Columbus McKinnon to acquire Dorner Manufacturing
Columbus McKinnon has agreed to acquire Dorner Manufacturing Corporation from global private markets firm EQT.
NOW Inc. has agreed to acquire the Flex Flow business from GR Energy Services, a portfolio company of Pine Brook.
Wooster Products celebrates 100th anniversary
Wooster Products, a supplier of anti-slip safety stair treads and walkway products, is marking its 100th anniversary with a year-long celebration of activities and promotions.
LINC Systems acquires FlexPAC’s Quad Cities operations
LINC Systems has completed the acquisition of FlexPAC’s Quad Cities operations.
Manufacturing strengthened in February
Manufacturing grew in February, as ISM's Manufacturing PMI registered 60.8 percent, 2.1 percentage points higher than the January reading of 58.7 percent.
Construction spending rose 1.7 percent in January
Construction spending during January 2021 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,521.5 billion, 1.7 percent above the revised December estimate of $1,496.5 billion.
NEFCO launches new brand to celebrate 40 years in business
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of its founding, NEFCO is launching a new branding initiative.
Core & Main completes Triple T Pipe & Supply acquisition
Core & Main LP has closed on its previously announced agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Triple T Pipe & Supply of Lubbock, Texas
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine is off the press. It features an in-depth cover story about how ISA is evolving to provide strategies, tools and education for members. Plus articles by contributing writers that include Troy Harrison, Howard Coleman, Randy MacLean and other leading experts in the distribution community.
