Distribution Industry News

Rotor Clip steps up support for COVID related production

Rotor Clip Company Inc. announced that it is giving its full support to customers that produce medical components or equipment needed to treat or halt the spread of COVID-19.

Trump invokes DPA to boost respirator production

President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act on Thursday to push 3M and six major medical device companies to produce protective masks and ventilators needed for the coronavirus outbreak.

Sales leaders embracing digital tools

by Michelle Richardson

In their bid to keep commerce inching through the sales pipeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, a startling percentage of sales professionals have quickly traded pressing the flesh for meeting by Zoom as the way forward, according to the Brooks Sales Leader survey for the week ending March 27.

Employment falls by 701,000 in March

Total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 701,000 in March, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

DOL issues new paid leave regulations

The U.S. Department of Labor today issued a new regulation, effective immediately, implementing the paid leave provisions of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

Manufactured goods orders decreased in February

New orders for manufactured goods decreased $0.1 billion in February to $497.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today.

February construction spending fell by 1.3 percent

Construction spending during February 2020 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,366.7 billion, 1.3 percent below the revised January estimate of $1,384.5 billion.

Beacon to draw from credit facility

Beacon announced today that it elected to draw down approximately $725 million from its revolving credit facility.

IRS develops info on tax relief related to coronavirus

The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.

Fastenal acquires Apex Industrial Technologies assets

According to a recent report, Fastenal has acquired certain assets of Apex Industrial Technologies.

Manufacturing contracted in March

The manufacturing sector contracted in March according to the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

Associations offer help in time of need

By Rich Vurva

Distributor associations are working to get information to members that will help them make management decisions to get through the current coronavirus situation.

Pandemic causes distributor revenues to decline

Distributor revenues for the week of March 23-27 declined by 23.51 percent compared to the same week in 2019, according to Indian River Consulting Group’s (IRCG) weekly Pandemic Revenue Index.

The CARES Act - What you need to know now

While distributors within the industrial supply channel are scrambling to adjust to changes in how they do business as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many are also investigating their options for business loans and other available assistance.

3M steps up efforts to fight counterfeit products

3M is stepping up efforts to help combat price gouging, fraud and counterfeit activity in connection with its products and the COVID-19 outbreak.

Pandemic delays HD Supply plans to separate businesses

HD Supply Holdings announced that changing market conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the company’s previously announced timeline to separate its Facilities Maintenance and Construction & Industrial businesses.

Radians donates N95 masks for COVID fight

Radians has donated over 14,000 N95 masks to its hometown of Memphis to help first responders and and health care workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

IRCG debuts Pandemic Revenue Index

Today, Indian River Consulting Group (IRCG) began publishing the distributor Pandemic Revenue Index (PRI).

NAW urges administration to use traditional supply chain

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence today encouraging the administration to commit to using established supply chains to obtain supplies to fight the coronavirus pandemic.