Industrial Distribution articles from December 2008

Industrial Distribution archives from December 2008

Fon Envick /The University of Nebraska at Kearney.(Interview)
December 1, 2008... Staff How long have you been with UNK's industrial distribution department? I founded the ID program at UNK In 1989. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary this spring. Industrial Distribution was introduced as a four-year Bachelor of...

Around and About.(football competition)(John Henry Foster Minnesota Inc. is celebrating its 70th anniversary.)(Kaman Industrial Technologies Corp. acquired Industrial Rubber and Mechanics Inc)(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... Edited by Brad Perriello, brad.perriello@reedbusiness.com Friday night lights Brad Perriello Friday night football at Legion Field in Bridgewater, Mass., looks a lot brighter these days, thanks to Sonepar USA subsidiary...

Associations.(Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association has launched a Spanish-language Web site)(New Hampshire based manufacturer Award to Hypertherm Inc.)(George Ruetz, founder of two companies, dies)(Editorial)(Obituary)
December 1, 2008... Edited by Joe Nowlan, jnowlan@reedbusiness.com ISSA establishes Spanish-language Web site ISSA-The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Assn. has launched a Spanish-language Web site. The site is dedicated to the Latin American market and...

Calendar.(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Edited by Joe Nowlan, jnowlan@reedbusiness.com January 27-29 NAW Executive Summit Fairmont Washington Washington, D.C. www.naw.org March 12-13 PTDA Executive Development Conference Phoenix Marriott ...

Preparing for the recession.(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... Jack Keough, Editor/Associate Publisher As we close out 2008, many distributors and manufacturers are breathing sighs of relief. We are in the midst of what almost every economist is calling a recession. But the question many experts are...

Keeping your head above water.(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... By Jack Keough, Editor Distributors and manufacturers are hopingthe economic tide will turn in their favor and lead to a short recession. But don't count on it. Will it ever end? That's what consumers, business owners and every 'Joe...

New rules for the disabled.
December 1, 2008... By Fred Mendelsohn After nearly two decades, updates to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act will greatly expand its scope President Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 in September, substantially increasing the scope of...

Nearly 4,500 turn out for STAFDA meeting.(Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association)(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... By Victoria Fraza Kickham, Managing Editor Despite a drop in attendance compared to recent years, STAFDA's 32nd Annual Convention & Trade Show ranks as the group's fourth-largest on record Nearly 4,500 distributors, manufacturers and...

Distributors shutter branches, lay off workers as downturn deepens.
December 1, 2008... Staff Even before the financial crisis struck in September, the ongoing slump in the residential housing market wrought havoc on construction-related businesses. The slump forced building materials distributors large and small to cut...

Demand for raw materials in sharp decline.
December 1, 2008... Staff As if the downturn in the residential construction market weren't bad enough, another trend is putting pressure on distributors: Falling costs for raw materials. 'Since mid-summer there's been a dramatic drop-off in [raw...

NAW Executive Summit set for Jan. 27-29.(National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors will hold its annual Executive Summit Jan. 27-29 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C. The theme for the summit is 'Distributor Success Stories: Profiting Despite the Difficult...

PTDA 'Rides the Wave' in Miami.(Power Transmission Distributors Association)(Conference notes)
December 1, 2008... Staff Nearly 840 people turned out for the Power Transmission Distributors Assn.'s Annual Industry Summit at the Lowe's Miami Beach Hotel Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. The theme of this year's meeting was 'Ride the Wave to Success.' The...

Pulick named president of Grainger Industrial Supply.(Michael Pulick)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff Michael Pulick is the new president of Grainger Industrial Supply, the U.S. operations of mega-distributor W.W. Grainger. He had been Grainger's senior vice president for customer service. Pulick joined Grainger in 1999 and was...

Margin management.(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... By Brad Perriello, Associate Editor Here are some simple (and not-so-simple) ways you can leverage your information systems to increase profit margins while you weather the downturn Economic predictions for the coming year run the...

Motorized tilt truck.(Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff Featured product is Rubbermaid Commercial Products' line of motorized tilt trucks Motorized tilt trucks offer a more productive solution for material handling, making transporting and maneuvering heavy loads easier and safer....

Explosion-proof plug/receptacle.(Appleton Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The Powertite explosion-proof plug and receptacle and the explosion-proof EBR receptacle are now available in 150A versions that eliminate the risk of overdriving, or drawing excessive current beyond the maximum. Features include...

'Green' hand protection.(Magid Glove and Safety Manufacturing Company Inc. )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff Bamboo ROC Gloves are available in 2 industrial-grade styles, GP169 and GP199. The GP169 gloves feature a 100% bamboo, seamless brown machine-knit shell with a foam nitrile palm coating. The GP199 gloves feature a 100% bamboo,...

Recessed troffers.(LaMar Lighting Co.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The Max-E series of recessed troffers features individual luminaries that can be turned on and off or dimmed with wireless, self-powered remote controls or rocker switches; no batteries are needed. These switches can be installed...

Rivet tool.(Emhart Fastening Teknologies)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The POP ProSet 3400 Rivet Tool is designed to set all 4, 5, 6 and 8-size blind rivets, including high-strength and stainless steel. It delivers 4,148 lbs. (18.5 kN) of pulling power with a force-to-weight ratio of 990 lb.ft./lb....

Adjustable wrench.(Wright Tool Co.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff A wide-opening adjustable wrench provides a better grip, helping to avoid slippage or nut round-off. The jaw is longer and thinner, increasing the performance of the wrench in confined spaces. Featuring a chrome or black oxide...

High performance switches.(Apem Components Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The 13000X778 series of push-button switches are suited for industrial, heavy equipment, construction and military applications. Switches are sealed to IP67 standards, feature a double-shell case for superior mechanical strength and...

Safety lens/frame.(Bouton Corp.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The 4040 Ricochet features wraparound style, offers 100% UV protection and meets ANSI Z87.1. The safety spectacle is available in several temple colors with clear and gray lenses. H.L. Bouton Co. www.hlbouton.com

Hammer drill.(Metabo Corp.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The SBZ18 18V lithium-ion hammer drill weighs 4.4 Ibs. and features a torque-adjusting sleeve with 5 torque settings, drill and hammer drill settings and a high-speed, 2-stage gearbox that delivers up to 26,800 blows/min. The drill...

Inverters.(WEG Electric Motors Corp.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The CFW11 line of frequency inverters combines V/F, sensor-less vector, and vector (with encoder) control techniques. Plug-and-play technology automatically recognizes and configures the accessories and options being used. A built-in...

Non-ball lead screws.(Kerk Motion Products Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff Low-cost, precision non-ball lead screws can be designed to self-lock and prevent back driving, without an external brake, unlike traditional ball screws. Utilizing sliding friction between the nut and the screw to convert rotary...

Power buggies.(Multiquip Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The Whiteman WBH-16 series concrete and material handling power buggies are ideal for landscaping applications, material sub-base distribution, jobsite cleanup, concrete spreading, spot pouring and material transport. The buggies...

Guard rails.
December 1, 2008... Staff Handle-It Build-A-Rail guard rails feature stackable, durable protection against damage from warehouse machinery. The easy-to-assemble rails can be stacked 1, 2, or 3 units high and are available in 4, 6, 8 and 10 ft. lengths which...

Eye bolts.(Micro Plastics Inc. (Chatsworth, California))(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff Injection-molded nylon 6/6 eye bolts are resistant to aromatic, chlorinated and ketone solvents and gasoline, greases and oils including animal and vegetable oils. Thread sizes are available ranging from 6-32-3/8-16 with lengths...

LED work light.(K-Tool International)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The rechargeable, 24-element LED work light features a compact design and is designed for use in rugged, professional environments and in extreme temperatures. The light features a 4.8V NiMH rechargeable battery for 6 hours of...

Pallet truck.(Raymond Corp.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The Model 8900 pallet truck is ideal for dock operations, loading and unloading trailers and transporting pallets horizontally. The pallet truck features an AC motor system for quicker acceleration, smooth operation and greater...

Electric lift trucks.(Jungheinrich Lift Truck Corp.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The EFG 213-220 and EFG 316-320 electric lift trucks provide state-of-the-art, 4th generation, 3-phase AC technology in their drive, hydraulic and steering systems. The high-performance counterbalanced trucks have capacities ranging...

Stationary stands and mobile trolleys.(Lista International Corp )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The Nexus stationary stands and mobile trolleys are miniature work stations that hold and/or transport parts, tools, test equipment and other items. The stand frames are made of sturdy, heavy gauge steel and can be ordered in either...

Sheaves.(Martin Sprocket and Gear Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff Fractional horsepower sheaves are available in AK and BK sizes in both single- and double-groove designs and as either bored-to-size or M ST bushed. They are available in stock diameters from 1½-18¾ in. and with stock...

Power hammer.(Dake Corp. )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The power hammer will stretch, shrink, plannish, dome, jog, bead and shape sheet metal using standard dies. Capacity is up to 16-gauge steel and 11-gauge aluminum (annealed 3003H14). Hammer speed is 900 strokes/min. The throat is 18...

Pressing tool.(Ridgid Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The RP 330 pressing tool is available in a corded (RP 330-C) or battery version. The RP 330-B has an 18V lithium-ion battery to allow more presses per charge. The 270[degrees] jaw rotation and flattened top allows for better...

Hand-held drill press.(Glotech Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Staff The Strong Arm 5 portable hand-held drill press is designed for use with any hand-held drill and features a 5-1 leverage advantage-for every pound of pull there are 5 lbs. at the drill bit. Its aluminum construction is sturdy and...

7 Steps to better selling.(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... By Victoria Fraza Kickham, Managing Editor When the economy slows, salespeople need to increase their face time with customers, spend their time wisely and start creating business opportunities If nothing happens in business until...

A disturbing trend?(Monroe Rubber and Plastics)(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... By Joe Nowlan, Associate Editor Joe Lark, president of Monroe Rubber and Plastics, sees more companies looking at price rather than service these days. So what has he done about it? When Joe Lark, president of Detroit-based Monroe...

Differentiate yourself in tough times.
December 1, 2008... By Tom Reilly Want to make sure your company survives the economic slowdown? Refuse to blend in with the crowd To differentiate is to be different, distinctive and discernable. Differentiators stand out from the crowd, separate...

Obstacles and opportunities.(Editorial)(Report)
December 1, 2008... By Alison Lutes, Production Editor It's a mixed, glass is half-empty/half-full scenario: some worry over customers' ability to pay; others plan to invest for a healthier future. It doesn't seem to matter whether you work for a large or...

Do you know where your data lives?
December 1, 2008... By Brad Perriello Most executives have no idea where their company's data-from personnel information to vital stats on customers-is collected, transmitted or stored. Do you? If that data is lost or stolen, it could prove disastrous for...

Counting on warehouse savings.(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... By Joe Nowlan, Associate Editor With the sluggish economy, some distributors have been able to find cost savings by looking closely at their warehouses As 2008 winds down, distributors, like business owners nationwide, are being...