Distribution Industry News

PTDA Warren Pike and Wendy B. McDonald award winners

The Power Transmission Distributors Association announced the winners of its two most prestigious awards during the PTDA Virtual Industry Summit.

Barnes Group sales decline 28 percent

Barnes Group reported third-quarter net sales of $269 million, down 28 percent from $373 million in the prior year period.

NAW's Hoplin calls distributors unsung heroes

In a newly released video, Eric Hoplin, the new CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, said the industry is among the unsung heroes of 2020.

SBP Holding completes refinancing 

SBP Holding L.P. has completed a refinancing transaction co-led by Atlantic Park Strategic Capital Fund and The Carlyle Group’s Global Credit platform.

Snap-on sales rise 4.4 percent

Snap-on reported net sales of $941.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 increased 4.4 percent from 2019 levels.

Grainger 3Q sales up 2.4 percent

Grainger reported third-quarter sales of $3.0 billion, up 2.4 percent compared to the third quarter 2019.

Genuine Parts Company sales decline 3.4 percent

Genuine Parts Company reported sales of $4.4 billion in the third quarter decreased 3.4 percent compared to $4.5 billion in the same period of the prior year.

SureWerx acquires Geroline

SureWerx, a manufacturer of safety products, tools and equipment, has acquired Geroline Inc., maker of the K1 Series brand of mid-sole winter traction aids.

Pandemic Revenue Index shows 2.6 percent gain

Indian River Consulting Group’s weekly Pandemic Revenue Index for the work week of Oct.12-16 indicated a 2.6 percent increase compared with the same week a year ago.

Wildeck names new VP of operations

Wildeck Inc. has hired Steve Holland as the new vice president of operations, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of Wildeck’s multi-site manufacturing facilities and quality initiatives.

U.S. cutting tools consumption declined in August

August 2020 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $136.1 million, down 0.2 percent from July's $136.3 million and down 33.5 percent compared with the $204.7 million reported for August 2019.

Optimas Solutions opens St. Louis DC

Optimas Solutions has opened a facility in St. Louis to handle the U.S. distribution of a new line of manufacturing consumable products focusing on personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO).

Champion Cutting Tool acquires Mercer Industries

Champion Cutting Tool Corp., a 123-year-old supplier of high-performance metal and concrete cutting tools to the industrial market, has acquired Mercer Industries, a supplier of coated and bonded abrasives.

Pelican Products names CIO

Pelican Products has named Lance Ralls chief information officer.

Rockwell Automation CFO to depart company

Rockwell Automation chief financial officer, Patrick Goris, plans to leave the company to accept a CFO role at Carrier Global Corporation.

Optimas Solutions names Strandquist CEO

Optimas Solutions, a global manufacturer and distributor of industrial fasteners and supply chain solutions, promoted president of the Americas Marc Strandquist to chief executive officer.

Industrial production fell 0.6 percent in September

Industrial production fell 0.6 percent in September, its first decline after four consecutive months of gains.

Optimas Solutions launches Standard Fastener program

Optimas Solutions has launched a Standard Fastener program that offers on-demand access to common screws, washers, and nuts for maintenance, repair, and production applications.

Kimball Midwest opens Dallas distribution center

Kimball Midwest has opened a larger distribution center in the Dallas area to serve customers in nine states.

Weekly Pandemic Revenue Index declines 0.4 percent

Continuing the pattern of relatively flat conditions that began in August, the weekly Pandemic Revenue Index for the work week of Oct.5-9 indicated a 0.4 percent decrease compared with the same week a year ago.

Overdrive Tech Group opens Phoenix headquarters

by Rich Vurva

While other distributors have spent the last several months figuring out the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses, Jeff Overby decided to launch a new distribution company.

Force Control Industries adds regional manager

Force Control Industries announced the addition of Dilon Altwegg as regional manager in the Southwest region.

Safety products sales drive 3Q gain at Fastenal 

Sales of safety products helped Fastenal achieve a 2.5 percent sales increase in the third quarter.

Manufacturing technology orders declined in August

U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $297.7 million in August 2020, a decrease of 11.5 percent from July and a 21.7 percent decrease from August 2019.

NetPlus Alliance announces strategic reorganization

NetPlus Alliance has restructured the NetPlus team and named several staff promotions.

Weekly Pandemic Revenue Index increases by 4.8 percent

The weekly Pandemic Revenue Index for the work week of Sept. 28-Oct. 2 indicated a 4.8 percent increase compared with the same week a year ago.

Endries International acquires K&L Sales

Endries International Inc. has acquired K&L Sales Inc. based in Hartland, Wisconsin.

Entegra Attachments acquires Bloom Manufacturing

Entegra Attachments has acquired Bloom Manufacturing, a 110-year-old manufacturer of standard and custom designed hydraulic winches, speed reducers, parts and accessories.

Applied acquires Advanced Control Solutions

Applied Industrial Technologies has acquired Advanced Control Solutions, a provider of automation products, services, and engineered solutions.

Winsupply acquires Avon Supply Co.

Winsupply Inc. has acquired substantially all the assets of Avon Supply Co., a plumbing and heating wholesale distributor primarily serving the greater Boston market.

BlackHawk Industrial acquires D&L Industrial

BlackHawk Industrial has acquired D&L Industrial Supply, a cutting tools distributor based in Irwin, Pennsylvania, that serves the Southwestern Pennsylvania market.

RBC Bearings makes executive changes

RBC Bearings appointed Robert M. Sullivan as vice president and chief financial officer, replacing Daniel A. Bergeron, who will become VP and chief operating officer.

Home Depot names new president and COO

The Home Depot has named Edward “Ted” P. Decker president and chief operating officer, effective Oct. 5.

Manufactured goods orders increased in August

New orders for manufactured goods increased 0.7 percent in August to $470.1 billion, marking the fourth month of consecutive gains, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today.

Manufacturing employment grew during September

Manufacturers continued to add jobs as the industry recovers from the pandemic-imposed shutdown that started in March.

Manufacturing growth slowed in September

Manufacturing grew in September, as the Institute for Supply Management monthly index registered 55.4 percent, 0.6 percentage point lower than the August reading of 56 percent.

Construction spending rose in August

Construction spending during August 2020 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,412.8 billion, 1.4 percent above the revised July estimate of $1,392.7 billion.

Slight decrease for Weekly Panemic Revenue Index

Indian River Consulting Group’s (IRCG) weekly Pandemic Revenue Index for the work week of Sept. 21-25 indicated a 0.7 percent decrease compared with the same week a year ago.