Industrial Distribution articles from April 2004

Industrial Distribution archives from April 2004

Even the pros need coaches.(Editorial)
April 1, 2004... SEVERAL YEARS AGO, at an industry seminar, a sales trainer opened his presentation by telling the story of a business executive who went to a lodge to hunt. The owner let him use a hunting dog named Salesman. Salesman was good... so good, in...

Airgas to focus on medical markets.(Around and About)
April 1, 2004... WELDING AND GAS DISTRIBUTOR Airgas, Inc. is sharpening its focus on the medical gas industry with the formation of Airgas Puritan Medical, a division that will offer bulk and cylinder medical gases, medical gas equipment and related supplies to...

In the news.(Around and About)(newsbriefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Distributor alliance IBC announced that its 2004 IndustrialSupplyPlus National Meeting will be held in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 25-27... Toolmaker Black & Decker Corp. reorganized its power tool and accessories business into two groups. The...

Mergers & acquisitions.(Around and About)(newsbriefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Reading, Pa.-based distributor C.H. Briggs acquired the assets of two Atlantic Plywood branches, located in Quakertown, Pa., and Baltimore... Tooling manufacturer Kennametal, Inc. completed the acquisition of Conforma Clad, a maker of...

Awards & honors.(Around and About)(newsbriefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... German manufacturer Henkel Technologies was certified to the ISO/TS 16949:2002 standard. In North America, the certification includes the Madison Heights USA headquarters, and production facilities in Warren, Mich.; Oak Creek, Wis.; St. Louis;...

In memoriam.(Around and About)(Safety Marketing Group's president Richard P. Harper)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
April 1, 2004... Richard P. Harper, president of the Safety Marketing Group, died March 6 at his home. Harper was a former president of the Safety Equipment Distributors Assn. He was well-known and well-respected by those in the safety industry.

Slow but steady in '04? FMI suggests housing may cool, but other construction sectors may be on the upswing.(News)
April 1, 2004... NEWTON, MASS. -- As 2004 began, the construction industry was giving thanks for the ongoing success of the home building sector--yet did so while casting a wary eye on the possibility that low mortgage rates, which had fueled home building,...

ISMA/I.D.A. to conjure up some "magic" in Orlando.(News)(Industrial Supply Manufacturers Association, Industrial Distribution Association)
April 1, 2004... NEWTON, MASS. -- The Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn. and the Industrial Distribution Assn. will hold their joint spring convention, the newly titled ISCON, Industrial Supply Convention, May 23-25 in Orlando, Fla. [ILLUSTRATION...

Pembroke and MDM launch industry scholarship.(News)(Modern Distribution Management)(wholesale distribution industry)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... PHILADELPHIA AND BOULDER, COLO. -- Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., of Pembroke Consulting, and Thomas P. Gale, editor and publisher of Modern Distribution Management, recently announced that their companies will sponsor a $5,000 scholarship "designed to...

I.D.A./ISMA start search for new exec.(News)(Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn)
April 1, 2004... NEWTON, MASS. -- Members of the Industrial Distribution Assn. and the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn. will vote this month on a proposal to merge the two groups into one association, but already a search is underway for an executive vice...

Industrial sectors poised for growth.(News)
April 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Business and optimism are picking up in many sectors of the industrial economy. The most recent annual member survey of the Power Transmission Distributors Assn. revealed a positive outlook among that group, and a January report on...

Improving worker safety.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... DES PLAINES, ILL. -- IWLA-The Assn. for Logistics Outsourcing and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently signed an agreement to foster safer and more healthful warehouse workspaces. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "As the...

Manufacturers take their case to Washington.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Coalition for the Future of Manufacturing hosted a forum and fly-in for more than 220 manufacturers from around the country Feb. 10-11 in Washington, D.C. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Presentations by Thomas J....

Product training made easier.(News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... NEWTON, MASS. -- The Industrial Distribution Assn. has made product training easier with its I.D.A. Product Training Manuals. You can learn more about the I.D.A. training series by visiting www.inddist.com. Just click on the ID Store and then...

Sales focus highlights NIRA meeting.(News)(Northamerican Industrial Representatives Association)
April 1, 2004... PHOENIX -- The 8th Annual Marketing and Management Conference of the Northamerican Industrial Representatives Assn. proved to be a success, as more than 140 attendees turned out for the three-day meeting, held Feb. 26-28 at the Doubletree La...

Distributors.(Players)(executive appointment briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Hughes Supply, Inc. expanded its board of directors with the appointment of Patrick J. Knipe... Industrial Distribution Group appointed Robert E. Vanderhoff president of its northeast region... Arnold Industries, Inc. appointed Joel Roseman...

Manufacturers.(Players)(executive appointment briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Cooper Wiring Devices appointed Daniel J. Hilinski as vice president, human resources... SNR Bearings USA, Inc. announced that Jean-Pierre A. Tronquit, president, retired-effective March 31 and will be replaced by Thierry Michaud, director of...

Manufacturers reps.(Players)(appointment briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Silver-Drody Sales appointed Steve Silverman as president... All-Spec Sales, Inc. hired Dwayne Carnes to grow and support distributor sales in South Texas and Louisiana... Leland Powell Fasteners, Inc. appointed Selpro as its new sales...

NAW's 2004 officers.(National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors have elected 2004 officers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Members of the National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors have elected their 2004 officers, including: William A. Parsley, president of Carswell Distributing Co. in Winston Salem, N.C., as chairman of the board; Sydney "Tucker" Jones, president...

Batter up!(Associations)(National Association of Electrical Distributors)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The National Assn. of Electrical Distributors is teaming up with charity Baseballers Against Drugs to bring baseball celebrities and memorabilia to the 2004 Champions Expo, held during NAED's Annual Meeting on May 17, at the San Francisco...

MHEDA president takes office.(Scott Lift Truck in Elk Grove, III.'s Loren Swakow for Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Assn. announced that Loren Swakow, vice president of Scott Lift Truck in Elk Grove, III., has begun his term as the association's 50th president. "We hope to provide value to membership, and show...

Calendar.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... May 1-5 MHEDA Annual Convention and Manufacturers' Fair Miami Beach, Fla. (847) 680-3500 www.mheda.org May 10-12 National Hardware Show Las Vegas (847) 605-1025 www.nationalhardwareshow.com May...

IT spending on the rise? Companies seem willing to invest more in IT, but are knowledgeable enough to spend cautiously.(E-Biz)
April 1, 2004... AS 2004 BEGAN, economists pointed to signs of an improving economy with greater frequency. If justified, will this enthusiasm be reflected in companies' IT spending in 2004? Some are hopeful, but non-committal, as to whether this would mean...

Delivering supply chain value.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
April 1, 2004... NEWARK, CALIF. -- Suppliers to the retail home improvement and building materials and supplies industries are experiencing impressive results by using the supply chain integration solution from ADX-Advanced Data Exchange, according to three...

AlaMark's web catalog marketing.(Tech Notes)(AlaMark Technologies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- AlaMark Technologies has announced the release of its web catalog software, eBusinessConnect 3.0, an easily implemented web commerce solution that can be maintained by non-technical distributor personnel. Benefits to the...

Aiding communication through functionality.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... YARDLEY, PA. -- For many EDI-savvy distributors, exchanging information with customers and suppliers who do not belong to Value Added Networks means they must revert to sending faxes and making phone calls. Functionality is incorporated...

A new vision, a bright future: in keeping with tradition, but having embraced more modern concepts and ideas, TIPCO Technologies has continued its growth under the new ownership of Rob Lyons and Terri David.
April 1, 2004... Picture it: One Monday morning you walk into your parents' company offices and find they have been cleaned out. No, not the inventory or office supplies. But their offices themselves are cleaned out. The metaphorical sign, "Mom and Dad don't...

Measuring results: a three-step approach to measuring distributor training programs shows how training dollars can impact a company's bottom line.(Training)
April 1, 2004... For years, distributors have spent time and money on training, assuming that it was good for their companies. However, other than anecdotal evidence--observing someone doing something after training that they couldn't or didn't do before...

Placing a value on business: after deciding to have a valuation of your business done, now comes the hard part--finding someone to do it, and getting through it with your wits intact.(Business Management)(qualification of appraiser, methods of valuation of company)
April 1, 2004... In the first part of this series (March '04), we presented the various purposes for having a business valuation, and what information is needed to complete the valuation. In part two, we will discuss the qualifications of an appraiser, how the...

Learning after school gets out: providing technical training for salespeople is an ongoing process for most distributors.(Sales)
April 1, 2004... Behold the new college graduate. And one with a job, too--as a sales rep. Degree in hand, it's on to the First Day at the New Job. School is over. It's the business world now. Nothing to do but schedule the appointments, make the calls and...

The right place, the right time: analyzing oil requires a protocol for where and when to collect samples.(Maintenance)
April 1, 2004... Reducing maintenance and down-time costs are a concern for almost everyone in the industrial distribution business. The answer to that troubling problem could be as easy as a customer's oil analysis protocol. Well-documented case studies...

A change can do you good: 'keep rowing' and other insights from two survivors.(Market Outlook)(Bolt Supply House in Canada,)
April 1, 2004... THE FASTENERS INDUSTRY is hardly unique these days in licking the wounds inflicted by the economic downturn. Two companies based in different countries have some similar reflections on their related experiences. Buddy Blattner is president...

Becoming a "pro": salespeople worthy of the term "professional" combine style and substance for a successful career.(Strictly for Sales)
April 1, 2004... THE WORD PROFESSIONALISM is thrown around loosely these days. There was a time when being a professional meant something, but the word has been cheapened by overuse. Professionalism has to do with the way you walk and talk--your style. It also...

Distributors still matter: manufacturers and distributors need one another more than ever.(Manufacturer's View)
April 1, 2004... DISTRIBUTOR-MANUFACTURER relationships in the industrial channel seem to have hit bottom, as economic conditions and customer demands have eroded levels of trust and fractured our sense of community. Business is picking up, but my meetings with...

New abrasive cut-off line increases productivity: 115 new cut-off wheels complete Bosch abrasive introduction.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... With the addition of nearly 115 abrasive cut-off wheels, Bosch Power Tools and Accessories, a division of the Robert Bosch Tool Corp., now offers its first complete line of abrasive wheel solutions. All promise efficiency and long-lasting...

Pressure transducer.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... The Model 516 CVD type industrial OEM pressure transducer provides an all-welded, stainless steel back end for demanding industrial applications, and is offered with a variety of electrical connectors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Setra...

Employee calendar.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... This 2004 edition employee calendar takes a quirky and imaginative look at the role of Tompkins hydraulic adaptors in the history of the planet, and measures 12 in. X 18 in. Tompkins Industries >>Enter 203 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Spray injector pump.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... The PurgeX spray pump features independently adjustable air and fluid flow, optimizing the performance of dispensing fluid to specific points with the desired amount of atomized fluid; is an ideal applicator for fluids ranging from light...

Measuring tools.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Durable construction tape measuring products expand the product line with models designed for comfortable use, maximum control and long life; include construction-grade tape rules, four models of professional long tape measuring tools, and the...

Expanded tool storage.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... This 26-in. professional toolbox features structural foam construction, keeps tools dry with a rainproof design, and provides a secure closure with rust-resistant metal latches and a built-in eye that is padlock ready. IRWIN Industrial...

Form/surface tester.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... CNC versions of Mitutoyo's CV/CS/SV formtesters are capable of automated contour/surface roughness measurements with independent/simultaneous multi-axis CNC control; features a drive speed of 200mm/s and a high accuracy, high-speed unit with a...

Ball lock pins.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... The plastic 3-Prong self-locking ball lock pins are used for rapid connecting and securing of components or work pieces; feature a nylon plastic grip handle with a heat tolerance up to 80[degrees]C, and a stainless steel pin, ball and spring....

Hacksaws.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... With a stroke of 2 3/8 in., portable hacksaws are ideal for on-site cutting of pipes, tanks, and structural steel; will cut pipe up to 24-in. dia. in one pass; and easily attach to a clamp for straight cutting. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

New screwdrivers.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... New line of screwdrivers features square handles, which provide an ideal grip for pliers or wrenches, a molded-in thumb stop, and square shanks, which come in 1/4-, 3/16-, 5/16- and 3/8-in. blades and a variety of lengths. Williams >>Enter...

Woodworking tool kit.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Delta Machinery Woodworker's 6-Pack is a tool kit for tackling wood-working and home improvement projects; empowers users with maximum power and durability to meet a variety of woodworking and home improvement demands; and includes a cordless...

Motion control couplings.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Full line of motion control couplings are available in metric sizes and stamped with the company name and bore size for easy identification. Ruland Mfg Co., Inc. >>Enter 212 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Cable carriers.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... New to the low-noise, low-vibration line of cable carriers, system E6 enclosed tube Energy Chain and a new adaptor link is designed for applications requiring extremely precise and vibration-free operation; is well suited for printing...

Keeping cool.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Helping to reduce heat-related illnesses, Isotherm technology features cool packs within the vest that can be recharged thousands of times, providing hours of safe, controlled body temperature management. Bullard >>Enter 214

Measuring systems.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Quick Scope non-contacting, micro-scope-based measuring systems are available as the easy-to-operate, manual QS-E system or the CNC/manual (motor-driven) QS system; offer significant improvements in accuracy and throughput. Mitutoyo...

Fixed discharge nozzle.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... The Grate Nozzle, a fixed discharge nozzle for fire protection, delivers a foam/water solution in a 360[degrees] pattern at a height of 12-18 in. above the floor; is installed on piping in trench drains, eliminating obstruction problems and...

UCP 1150.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Mikron UCP 1150 delivers simultaneous 5-axis machining with a highly versatile, tilting milling head and an exceptionally fast and accurate heavy load rotary table. Mikron Bostomatic Corp. >>Enter 217 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Optical balls.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Full line of precision optical balls is offered in a selection of materials for a variety of optical and industrial applications; feature tolerances of .000003 in., .000005 in., 000010 in., .000015 in., .000023 in., .00005 in., .0001 in. and...

Imada catalog.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Catalog features the complete line of Imada products; line includes all-new, high-performance digital force gauges, test stands, and calibration equipment. IMADA, Inc. >>Enter 219 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Optical encoders.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Product guide provides an overview of four product families and 15 models of compact optical encoders ideally suited for use in closed-loop motion control systems; features product descriptions, photographs and specifications. ...

Flap discs.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Abrasive flap disc provides cost-effective solutions for a variety of surface conditioning applications; designed to provide value in medium- to high-production environments; also offered are a line of cast efficient abrasive flap discs...

The MicroFlex.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... The MicroFlex is a single-axis brush-less drive that controls power devices using space vector modulation; is available in 3, 6 and 9 amps continuous; may be configured as either a torque or velocity package; and includes software setup and...

Desiccant dryers.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... These desiccant dryers extract water vapor from the air so lubricating fluids do not become contaminated with moisture; can be used on systems with oil sump reservoirs, and feature an inside transparent cartridge that will change from blue to...

Insulated wrap gun.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... The lightweight, insulated wire wrapping gun can be used for both regular and modified wraps; is available in clamp and chuck styles, and is equipped with an all-metal gear drive system, ensuring reliability and longevity. JDV Products,...

Poppet valves.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Compressed air poppet valves are used in applications that demand high reliability; feature exceptionally high CV flow rates up to 40 and demonstrate extremely good sealing characteristics; are available in solenoid and pilot actuated formats....

Adapter kit.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... RFA-4024-WiFi Unidapt kit is part of the Unidapt line of universal adapters; by screwing any two interface adapters in the kit to a universal center, scores of different adapters can be made in seconds. RF Connectors and Distributors...

Epoxy adhesive.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Coil-fix epoxy adhesive is dark-red to brown in color to blend with many commonly used insulating varnishes; provides a combination of high dielectric isolation coupled with good mechanical strength; is solvent-free and can be heat- or...

Metal adhesive.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Metal Welder II is a two-part, 10:1 methacrylate adhesive formulated for structural bonding of metal to other metals or to dissimilar substrates such as thermoplastics or composites. Devcon >>Enter 228

Interchange guide.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Updated electronic interchange guide includes titles for bearings, mounted pillow blocks and flange units, seals, etc.; CD-ROM helps downsize inventories, minimize downtime and lower costs by allowing anyone who buys, sells, or specifies these...

Air-powered saw.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Saw features a mounting trolley that glides along FLEXtrack, a flexible track system that attaches securely by tack weld onto any size vessel or tank requiring service; saw and track produce cuts with [+ or -]1/8-in. accuracy and is an ideal...

Die grinder.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... G500 die grinder is a compact straight grinder ideal for deburring, sharpening and grinding applications in space-constrained areas; features a 4.4 A motor providing 27,000 rpm of non-load speed; is equipped with a hardened and ground 1/4-in....

Drive set cases.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Drilling and fastener drive set cases feature drill bits, spade bits and fastener drive bits with new hard cases designed to stand up to the everyday wear and tear of use on the job. Irwin Industrial Tool Co. >>Enter 232

Waste collection carts.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Bosskar waste collection carts have 65-gal. and 96-gal. capacity, for use in residential waste management; 65-gallon model fits a broad range of residential collection profiles and is especially well-suited to programs where mandatory recycling...

Variable frequency drives.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... NEMA 12 variable frequency drives for HVAC applications can be mounted in dusty or dirty areas without exposing the electrical circuits and components to a harmful environment; feature popular 3-contactor bypass. AC Tech. Corp. >>Enter 234...

Paint tray.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Uniquely designed tray includes several new features; primary feature is its resealable lid, which allows users to seal in the paint and roller, keeping them in wet storage for as long as necessary; lid doubles as a work-station; constructed...

Versatile pallet truck.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... 102XM walkie pallet truck is maneuverable in tight spaces; has reduced head length, new fork profile, and unique handle that can be moved to a nearly vertical position; easily performs the 180[degrees] turns needed for right angle stacking and...

End prep tool.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... Portable, air-powered I.D. clamping end prep tool features a centering cage, mounting sleeve for the tool, and a dial indicator for establishing the actual center of a pipe up to 24 in. O.D. and preventing out-of-round bevels; designed to run...

Air-purifying respirators.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... The air-purifying gas and vapor cartridges incorporate the Real-Time ESLI (End-of-Service-Life Indicators); show users accurate, real-time evidence of the extent of use of the carbon inside the clear-shell cartridges that protect against...

Air diaphragm pump.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
April 1, 2004... 1/2-in. bolted, plastic, air diaphragm pump; elastomers are available to match any application; air pressure rating has been upgraded to 120 PSI and the fluid capacity has been increased to 17 GPM; stock models are side ported with provisions...

Stronger by working together: associations are more than just membership dues and conventions; they are a stepping-stone for distributors who want to make a difference.(Final Word)
April 1, 2004... WHEN IT COMES TO THE VALUE of trade association membership, the words of Lyndon Johnson sum it up best: "There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We in the...