Distribution Industry News

Industrial production unchanged in June

Industrial production was unchanged in June, as increases for both manufacturing and mining offset a decline for utilities.

ARC Abrasives adds quick-change disc machine

ARC Abrasives is expanding capacity by adding a new quick-change disc machine.

May cutting tool consumption down from year ago

May 2019 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $213.4 million, up 2.9 percent from April's $207.5 million and down .8 percent when compared with the $215.1 million reported for May 2018.

Hunter Industrial adds to executive team

Hunter Industrial, a division of the Hunter Fan Company, has named Mark D’Agostino its new senior vice president and general manager.

Grainger Adds HealthCare Facility Compliance Solution

Grainger announced an agreement with HealthCare Facility Compliance Corp. (HCFC) to offer Grainger health care customers a comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) solution.

Bossard Group sales down 1.6 percent in 2Q

Bossard Group saw a 3.2 percent drop in sales to CHF 218.7 million ($222.3 milion) in the second quarter.

Vallen names Harris director of metalworking

Vallen Distribution Inc. has named Rick Harris director of metalworking.

Sandvik acquires stake in Beam IT

Sandvik has acquired a 30 percent stake in Beam IT, a Europe-based additive manufacturing service provider.

Hillenbrand to acquire Milacron

Hillenbrand Inc. and Milacron Holdings Corp. have entered into a definitive agreement under which Hillenbrand will acquire Milacron for approximately $2 billion.

Fastenal sales climb 7.9 percent

Fastenal Company said net sales of $1.4 billion increased 7.9 percent in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the second quarter of 2018.

Kennametal to close manufacturing facilities

Kennametal announced several restructuring actions that would facilitate a simplified and leaner structure, while further positioning the company for long-term profitable growth.

MSC sales grow by 4.6 percent

MSC Industrial Supply reported net sales of $866.5 million for the third quarter, a 4.6 percent increase compared to $828.3 million in the same period last year.

Genuine Parts Company completes Inenco acquisition

Genuine Parts Company announced that it has purchase the remaining 65 percent stake of Inenco Group, effective July 1, 2019.

Shurtape Technologies joins IBC

IBC announced that Shurtape Technologies, a manufacturer and marketer of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape products, has joined the IBC industrial buying group as a preferred supplier.

Gardner Denver acquires Swedish pump solutions provider

Gardner Denver Holdings has acquired Oina VV AB, for approximately $10 million funded by cash on hand.

Actuant to sell Engineered Components segment

Actuant Corporation announced plans to sell its Engineered Components & Systems segment to an affiliate of One Rock Capital Partners.

Core & Main completes Long Island Pipe acquisition

Core & Main LP has closed on its previously announced agreement to acquire Long Island Pipe Supply Inc., a provider of fire protection products and fabrication services.

Pelican Products names director of supply chain and inventory performance

Pelican Products announced that Michael Bubica was promoted to director of supply chain and inventory performance.

Manufacturing technology orders up 7.3 percent

U.S. manufacturing technology orders rose to $378.4 million in May, an increase of 7.3 percent over the previous month.

June job gains for construction and manufacturing

The construction and manufacturing sectors each added jobs in June, as total employment increased by 224,000 for the month.

Applied releases latest catalog

Applied Industrial Technologies announced the release of its new industrial products catalog for 2019/2020.

MITS acquired by Eden Capital

MITS, an analytic platform with business intelligence within the manufacturing and distribution space, has been acquired by Eden Capital.

AD Finance and HR Summit called a success

AD welcomed more than 180 attendees from 114 AD member owner distributors and service providers to the second annual AD Finance & HR Summit in St. Paul, Minnesota, in early June.

Manufacturing expansion slowed in June

Manufacturing expanded in June, as the Institute for Supply Management purchasing index registered 51.7 percent, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point from the May reading of 52.1 percent.

Industry veterans form new rep group

Industry veterans Bill Ward and Skip DeVilling have joined forces to form The Arrowhead Group (TAG) a manufacturers representative group serving industrial and construction markets.

Imperial Dade acquires The Paper Company

Imperial Dade, a distributor of disposable food service and janitorial supplies, announced the acquisition of The Paper Company Inc.

C&B Equipment acquires Douglas Pump

Industrial and municipal equipment distribution and service company C&B Equipment has acquired Douglas Pump Service Inc. based in Overland Park, Kansas.

Kimball Midwest announces largest private label launch

Kimball Midwest announced the largest private-label launch in the company’s 96-year history.

Tribute partners with Aldrich Web Solutions

Tribute Inc. selected Aldrich Web Solutions, a provider of integrated e-commerce apps and websites for distributors, as its official e-commerce partner.

Ideal Tridon acquires ZSiFoster

Ideal Tridon Holdings, a portfolio company of Snow Phipps Group, has completed the acquisition of ZSiFoster Acquisition Corporation from Pfingsten Partners.