Distribution Industry News

Pandemic Revenue Index continues positive trend

Indian River Consulting Group’s (IRCG) weekly Pandemic Revenue Index for the work week of Jan. 11-15 indicated a 4.6 percent increase compared with the same week a year ago.

Martin Inc. names VP of finance

Martin Inc. has named Doug Mannion to the role of vice president of finance.

MSC to close 73 branch offices in favor of digital hubs

MSC Industrial Supply plans to close 73 branch offices and move to virtual customer care hubs as part of a plan to enhance the in-person and virtual support provided to customers.

ORS Nasco names Boyle SVP

ORS Nasco announced Andy Boyle as senior vice president of sales and marketing reporting to Kevin Short, president and CEO.

Bearings Headquarters names new president/CEO

Bearings Headquarters announced that Jimmy Timble has assumed the role of president and CEO, along with other executive appointments.

Rockford Systems names new VP of machine safeguarding

Rockford Systems announced the promotion of Matt Brenner to the position of vice president and general manager, Rockford Systems Machine Safeguarding.

Distributors form Kansas Distribution Alliance

Five Kansas-based distributors have formed The Kansas Distribution Alliance, a network of business leaders dedicated to a thriving distribution industry that boosts local economies and provides good jobs and career growth opportunities for Kansans.

Motion Industries announces rebranding

Motion Industries Inc. announced that effective immediately the company will operate under the brand name of “Motion.”

Fastenal annual sales up by 5.9 percent

Fastenal reported that 2020 sales of $5.6 billion increased by 5.9 percent from $5.3 billion in 2019.

PTDA to host virtual trade show

PTDA is hosting its first Virtual Trade Show on March 16, giving power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) manufacturers and distributors the opportunity to focus on PT/MC product knowledge and channel partner relationships.

Kimball Midwest adds three senior leaders

Kimball Midwest recently named three individuals to senior leadership positions.

Van Dongen joins Proton board of advisors

Dirk Van Dongen, former president and CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, has joined the board of advisors for Proton, a provider of AI-powered distribution sales management.

NetPlus Alliance ownership transitioned to Murphy

NetPlus Alliance announced that it has transitioned ownership of the industrial and contractor supplies buying group from founder and chairman Dan Judge to president Jennifer Murphy.

Industrial production gained 1.6 percent in December

Industrial production advanced 1.6 percent in December, with gains of 0.9 percent for manufacturing, 1.6 percent for mining, and 6.2 percent for utilities.

Pandemic Revenue Index climbs 18.4 percent

Indian River Consulting Group’s (IRCG) weekly Pandemic Revenue Index for the work week of Jan. 4-8 indicated a 18.4 percent increase compared with the same week a year ago.

Speedtech International acquires Toleeto Fasteners

Speedtech International Inc. has acquired Toleeto Fasteners International located in San Diego.

Houston Wire & Cable to sell Southwest Wire Rope

Houston Wire & Cable Company has entered into an agreement to sell its Southwest Wire Rope business for $5 million.

Continental Western acquires G/A Safety Supply

Continental Western Corporation (CWC) has acquired Virginia-based G/A Safety Supply.

AD elects 2021 board

AD announced that its member-owners have elected two new directors and re-elected one director to its 2021 LLC board of directors.

Optimas Solutions earns global IATF Certification

Optimas Solutions announced it has completed IATF Certification for its worldwide operations.

Turtle & Hughes promotes four executives

Turtle & Hughes electrical and industrial distributors has promoted four executives with close to 90 years of combined service to the company.

Kaman Distribution Group names VP of Business Development

Kaman Distribution Group announced the appointment of Chris Henson as the vice president of Business Development.

Grainger announces executive appointments

Grainger announced the appointments of a new chief financial officer and president of the Grainger Business Unit.

Global Industrial launches new brand identity

Global Industrial announced the launch of a new brand identity that it says honors the company's 70-plus year history, and aligns with its strategic direction.

Nov. Manufacturing Technology Orders higher than year ago

U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders totaled $330.3 million in November 2020, a decrease of 13.3 percent from October, but an increase of 1.4 percent from November 2019.

WESCO recognized as 'One of Best Employers'

WESCO International has been recognized by Forbes as one of the World’s Best Employers and one of America’s Best Employers for Women.

Manufacturing and construction jobs added in December

The nation's factories and construction sites continued to claw back some of the jobs lost since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, but overall employment declined in December.

Motion Industries breaks ground at Alabama shop facility

Motion Industries held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its planned shop facility in Irondale, Alabama. 

Olosky named COO of Simpson Manufacturing

Simpson Strong-Tie announced the appointment of Mike Olosky to Simpson Manufacturing Co. Inc.’s executive leadership team as chief operating officer.

MSC's Q1 sales fall 6.3 percent

MSC Industrial Supply said its net sales of $771.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 decreased 6.3 percent from $823.6 million last year.

Van Meter acquires Mid-West Electrical Supply

Van Meter Inc. has acquired Mid-West Electrical Supply Inc., a single-branch, electrical distributor located in Wichita, Kansas.

Manufacturing grew in December

Economic activity in manufacturing grew in December according to the Manufacturing ISM Report On Business from the Institute for Supply Management.

Applied Industrial Technologies acquires Gibson Engineering

Applied Industrial Technologies has acquired Gibson Engineering Company Inc., a provider of automation products, services, and engineered solutions.

Walter Surface Technologies acquires Drillco and Triumph Twist Drill

Walter Surface Technologies announced the acquisitions of cutting manufacturer Drillco, and Triumph Twist Drill, a manufacturer of tooling and drilling solutions.

AD completes two mergers

AD has completed the planned mergers with SafetyNetwork and Delta Distributors, the group’s 11th and 12th mergers since 1981 and its fourth and fifth in the last two years.

Webinar: Building a Resilient E-Commerce Business

Join us for an informative webinar on Jan. 26 to learn how to build an e-commerce system to meet the needs of your customers.

Marshalltown acquires Gatorback

Marshalltown, a supplier of masonry tools and equipment, announced its acquisition of Gatorback, which specializes in producing mortar boards and mortar pans.

Andy Nations retires from B&D Industrial

B&D Industrial Inc., a family and employee-owned industrial distributor and service provider in Macon, Georgia, announced the retirement of CEO Andy Nations.

Construction spending up 0.9 percent

Construction spending during November 2020 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,459.4 billion, 0.9 percent above the revised October estimate of $1,446.9 billion.

CD&R to acquire Wolseley UK

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has agreed to acquire Wolseley UK from Ferguson plc.

DXP Enterprises makes acquisitions

DXP Enterprises announced that it has completed the acquisitions of Total Equipment Company, APO Pumps & Compressors including Corporate Equipment Company together and Pumping Solutions Inc.