Industrial Distribution articles from July 2004

Industrial Distribution archives from July 2004

2004 Big 50 on sale now.(ID's Contents Online)
July 1, 2004... The 2004 Big 50 Distributors database is a useful marketing tool for researching best practices, investigating the competition and reaching distributors with your marketing message. It contains company and contact information. In addition, we...

Talk back to industrial distribution.(ID's Contents Online)
July 1, 2004... Did you know that you can post your reactions to many ID articles on www.inddist.com? Just look for the "Post a comment" link at the top of the article, then give us your opinion--or just read what others have to say.

Bargains in the ID store.(ID's Contents Online)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... We recently reduced the price of our 57th Annual Survey of Distributor Operations to $195--a $100 discount. In addition, we've reduced the price of our 57th Annual Survey product-category sub-reports from $59.95 to $29.95.

Channel Report e-Newsletter available online.(ID's Contents Online)
July 1, 2004... ID's Channel Report e-Newsletter, published twice a month, delivers news stories and features right to your desktop in an eye-catching HTML format. Now you can go to the ID home page to view an archive of previous issues and sign up to receive...

Economy Watch.(ID's Contents Online)
July 1, 2004... In our new Economy Watch feature, Jim Haughey, director of economics for Reed Business Information, provides economic outlooks for some of distribution's major market segments. Each of Haughey's reports will appear in the ID Channel Report...

Product news.(Looking Ahead)
July 1, 2004... Don't miss this month's Product News, a special supplement to INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION featuring some of the latest and greatest new products on the market. Two more Product News issues will be published later this year, in September and...

Special coverage: Stafda and ISA.(Looking Ahead)
July 1, 2004... If you'll be attending the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn. convention or the Industrial Supply Assn.'s fall Business Expo, watch for ID's exclusive coverage of these industry events. We produce special issues for each show, and...

Special reports.(Looking Ahead)
July 1, 2004... August: In our Facility Maintenance report, we'll discuss the necessity for gas detection equipment and some of the regulatory guidelines and approvals for its use. Distributors can also learn what makes a professional-grade flashlight, and...

A real reality show: learn more about what your employees do every day.(Editorial)(Television Program Review)
July 1, 2004... THERE'S A NEW SHOW on television called Now Who's the Boss?, in which the president or CEO of a major company leaves his corporate digs and takes over some of the jobs of his employees. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Special task force honored at ISCON.(Around and About)(Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn. )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... AT THE MAY ISCON SHOW, sponsored by the Industrial Distribution Assn. and the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn., several distributors and manufacturers were honored for their work to merge I.D.A. and ISMA into one group, the Industrial...

In the news.(Around and About)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Precision Industries opened a branch in Mishawka, Ind... Auburn Manufacturing, Inc. recently became the first company to attain the FM Approval Standard 4950 rating for welding fabrics. The insurance-driven standard is aimed at reducing the...

Acquisitions.(Around and About)
July 1, 2004... Hughes Supply, Inc. acquired Standard Wholesale Supply Co., a distributor of waterworks, electrical and plumbing products serving the Las Vegas area, and Todd Pipe & Supply, a wholesale plumbing supplier serving Southern California and Las...

Awards and honors.(Around and About)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Wright Tool received a Gold Circle of Excellence award from Sphere 1, a national purchasing cooperative of tool and fastener distributors... Machine tool distributor Reynolds Machine and Tool Corp. of Bellwood, Ill., celebrates its 60th year...

ISA begins its mission: the Industrial Supply Assn. is officially in business, following a vote to merge I.D.A. and ISMA into a unified business association.(News)(Industrial Distribution Assn.)
July 1, 2004... NEWTON, MASS. -- July 1 marked the official launch of the Industrial Supply Assn., formed in May by the merger of the Industrial Distribution Assn. and the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn. I.D.A. and ISMA approved a proposal to explore...

NIBA members head west to San Diego.(News)(National Industrial Belting Association )
July 1, 2004... NIBA-The Belting Assn. will hold its annual convention, themed "Mission Leadership... Thriving with Change," Sept. 15-18, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina in San Diego. Attendees will be able to enjoy the sun and fun of California...

Agilisys buys NxTrend.(News)
July 1, 2004... Continuing its buying spree, Agilisys Inc., a supplier of enterprise software solutions, acquired NxTrend, provider of enterprise commerce management solutions. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Earlier this year, Agilisys bought daly.commerce, a...

Milwaukee Electric to be sold.(News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The parent company that owns Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. announced that the Brookfield, Wis.-based unit would be sold. Atlas Copco Group plans to sell Milwaukee Electric, along with its interest in AEG Electric Tools, a German tool...

Supply chain continuity is vital, study finds.(News)(Eli Broad Graduate School of Management)
July 1, 2004... A recent study highlights the potential problems that can occur if a company's business continuity plans do not ensure continuity in its supply chain. The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University conducted...

Safety Week takes on Toronto.(News)
July 1, 2004... Toronto will be the headquarters for Safety Week 2004, July 25-28, providing attendees with presentations, educational and breakout sessions, receptions and networking opportunities. Sponsored by the International Glove Assn., Safety Equipment...

CEOs optimistic, but cautious about the economy.(News)
July 1, 2004... To add or not to add? Jobs, that is. This seems to be the potential dilemma for American industrial manufacturers, according to the latest Manufacturing Barometer, released by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Among the findings: 1.9 percent of...

Distributors.(Players)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Kaman Industrial Technologies appointed Michael J. Pastore vice president, purchasing... EFC International promoted Erinne Lowery to purchasing supervisor and supplier quality manager, and promoted Courtney Lucas to the new position of quality...

Manufacturers.(Players)
July 1, 2004... Cooper appointed Grant L. Gawronski to the new position of vice president, international operations, and appointed J. Eric Scrimshaw president of Cooper Europe... Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. elected William D. Marohn as non-executive chairman...

Software/technology.(Players)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... FKI Logistex Real Time Solutions hired Jeff Runnion as Midwest regional sales manager... RedPrairie Corp. appointed Jack Robinson CFO and financial leader... FKI Logistex Automation Division hired George Parr as national accounts manager,...

Manufacturers' reps.(Players)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Bishop-Wisecarver Corp. added five new manufacturer's representative firms: The Smythe Co., Portland, Ore.; Transmotion, Inc., DeuxMontagnes, Quebec; Drive Systems Group, Mississauga, Ontario; OEM Solutions, Webster, N.Y.; and Industrial Motor...

I.D.A.+ISMA=ISA.(Associations)(Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Voting members of the Industrial Distribution Assn, and the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn. approved a consolidation of the two organizations into the Industrial Supply Assn. Effective July 1, 2004, the two associations consolidated...

FPDA's online HR resource.(Associations)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Fluid Power Distributors Assn. is developing a fluid power industry online career center for employers and job seekers. The JobFit program, developed by Profiles International, Inc. for the fluid power industry, offers career resources for...

NAW/PTDA's new ID curriculum.(Associations)(Educational & Scholastic Foundation)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors has joined the Power Transmission Distributors Assn. Educational & Scholastic Foundation's efforts to launch an industrial distribution curriculum for community colleges. The goal of the program is...

STAFDA's S.F. speakers announced.(Associations)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn. has announced the topics and presenters of the four concurrent workshops for the group's 28th Annual Convention & Trade Show, Nov. 16-18, in San Francisco. Frank Abagnale will present "The...

Calendar.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
July 1, 2004... Sept. 10-17 National Safety Council 92nd Annual Congress & Expo New Orleans (630) 285-1121 www.nsc.org Sept. 15-18 NIBA-The Belting Assn. Annual Meeting San Diego (800) 488-4845 www.niba.org ...

More than "merely" a sales channel: instant access doesn't mean the end of personal contact with customers.(E-Biz)
July 1, 2004... IMPLEMENTING new e-commerce technology does not mean your employees have to become "techies," and it does not have to mean your sales reps become less personal in their customer relationships. Consider the experience of Sid Harvey...

Planning software offers faster sailing.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... SAILS 21, Version 3.1 software, a powerful new version of INSIGHT, Inc.'s supply chain planning solution, simplifies and enhances the way supply chain models are built. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "With this release of SAILS, we have taken...

Global SAP marketplace has a catalyst.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... ComponentsNOW web site is a global marketplace for the SAP IT community, which features SAP components, external applications, add-ons, complementary hardware and information for product comparisons and build/buy analysis. Introduced by...

Rugged computer cool as ice.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The GX-1200 computer, the next generation forklift and fixed-mount rugged computer, is designed to meet the rigors of the warehousing, manufacturing, and time and attendance marketplaces. Developed by Glacier Computer, the GX-1200 is...

System adds to warehouse control spectrum.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... SpectrumPlus, a scalable, Microsoft Windows-based warehouse control system, directs a wide array of warehouse, distribution center and manufacturing stock, tool and clean room functions. Launched into the industry by FKI Logistex White...

Tracking tool crib materials.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Accu-Port, a combination of tool crib automation software and an electronically controlled RFID portal, enables hands-off tracking of indirect materials for industrial facilities needing to better manage their materials without adding or...

Visible Inventory expands management products.(Tech Notes)(Visible Inventory Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Visible Inventory, a real-time inventory management solution, added two new sensors to its family of sensor-based inventory control products. The iShelf and iPallet sensors join the iBin sensor family to complete the range of inventory...

Interface improves functionality and ease-of-use.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Real Time Solutions, a provider of hardware and software order-filling systems for warehouses and distribution centers, launched a new web-based graphical user interface that will improve the functionality and ease-of-use of the company's...

Maximize business processes.(Tech Notes)(Kauri Business Systems)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Procoll, a collaboration and workflow product that continuously improves business practices, helps to maximize a customer's investment in planning, improvement and ERP or legacy systems. Procoll removes the need for re-implementation of key...

Flexibility yields success: for Interline Brands, servicing customers the way they want to be serviced is the key to selling MRO supplies.(Cover Story)
July 1, 2004... It's no secret that to succeed in distribution today, you've got to be flexible--especially when it comes to serving your customers. If a customer wants to see a field sales rep every week, you'd better have one available. If he wants to flip...

Decreasing healthcare costs: a Health Savings Account may be the answer to insurance cost dilemmas.(Health Care)
July 1, 2004... No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you, the title of this story does indeed say "decreasing." The Medicare bill that was signed into law on December 8, 2003 established a new and innovative insurance program for employers and employees...

The art of the sale: making a good sales presentation is all about the preparation put in beforehand, and making the pitch customer-centric.(Sales)
July 1, 2004... When it comes to making a good sales presentation, everyone has their own way of doing things. Rituals may not be as extreme as sacrificing animals, dancing around in a circle or swallowing a goldfish, but salespeople and their managers across...

Figuring out what they want: in the second part of this three-part article on the state of industrial distribution in 2004, former editor in chief of Purchasing magazine James Morgan addresses the shifting priorities and needs of industrial buyers.(Distribution 2004)
July 1, 2004... PART 2 WHAT BUYERS SEE AS CUSTOMERS SEE IT, business prospects for the distribution industry depend a great deal on performance. Distributors who add value to their business dealings will, for the most part, do well over the next 15...

Succeeding by never standing still: Industrial Tapes & Adhesives is growing steadily in Florida.(Distributor Profile)
July 1, 2004... Industrial Tapes & Adhesives Company, Inc. of Tampa and Jacksonville, Fla., was started in 1989--but was really simmering in the mind of its owner, Bill Young, long before then. Young spent many years working for Dayton Distributors (later R.S....

Waiting to exhale: abrasives people are feeling a little better about things these days.(Market Outlook)
July 1, 2004... THE ISCON CONVENTION held recently in Orlando, Fla., provided a cross-section of opinions in the abrasives market, as manufacturing and distribution were represented. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For Mark Hanna, vice president of Abrasive...

The emotional side of selling: pride, passion, fear, joy and disappointment are crucial elements of a sales career.(Strictly for Sales)
July 1, 2004... WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT the science of selling, as if it's as predictable as chemistry or biology. It isn't. Selling is one-part science, one-part art, one-part luck, and one big part emotion. Sales trainers focus on the behavioral side of selling;...

Working toward success together: having fewer customers makes cooperation and teamwork essential.(Manufacturer's View)
July 1, 2004... ECONOMIC REPORTS seem to indicate that the industrial sector has finally turned the corner. It's been three long years and many challenging moments to grow revenues and return to profitability. In the first quarter of 2004, earnings for the...

Products with an abrasive personality: 3M's three new abrasive products are ideal for metal fabrication and industrial maintenance.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... 3M Abrasive Systems Division introduced three new products for the metal fabrication and industrial maintenance markets: Scotch-Brite radial bristle discs and brushes; professional shop rolls and cloth sheets 304D; and XR metalworking wheels....

Hydraulic system.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The 268B ski steer loader features the high flow XPS hydraulic system; a load-sensing, pressure-compensating system that delivers power regardless of work tool speed or load; and vertical lift linkage for truck loading and materials handling....

Octagonal face mills.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... KSOM octagonal insert face mills have a 3/4-in. inscribed circle and are 1/4-in. thick; are made of tool steel that won't deflect; and are strong enough for the heaviest cuts. Kennametal >> Enter 203

Application sprinkler.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The COIN quick response combustible interstitial space sprinkler has been tested and listed for use in specific light hazard combustible and noncombustible concealed horizontal spaces requiring sprinkler protection per installation standards....

Extreme hose.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The 791TC extreme hose features a constant working pressure of 6,000 psi in all sizes; has the tightest bend radius in the industry; and is available in 3/4-in. ID, 1-in. ID, 1 1/4-in. ID, and 1 1/2-in. ID for easy installation in tight spaces...

Auto-darkening helmet.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The Big Window Elite auto-darkening helmets offer exceptional performance in all welding applications and are specifically designed to satisfy the most demanding industrial requirements. Miller Electric Mfg. Co. >> Enter 206

Tool tote.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Constructed of rugged, double-layered denier polyester to resist wear and tear, the Tool Tote features a contoured, padded, slip-resistant shoulder strap; 2-in. padded carry handles; 5 interior pockets and 7 exterior multi-tool pockets. ...

Pipeline strainers.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Cast Y pipeline strainers are available in cast iron, bronze, carbon steel, chrome molly and stainless steel with threaded, flanged, socket weld, butt weld, and sweat-end connections; and in 1/4-in. through 16-in. sizes. Spence Strainers...

Tire pressure monitor.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... PressurePro displays current tire pressure and alerts of low tire pressure using both a visual and audible alert, reading pressures from 10 to 150 psi on 1 to 34 wheel positions. Advantage PressurePro >> Enter 209

Crimping tool.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The LPHY750 Kompressor, a remote-operated, low pressure, hydraulic 12-ton crimping tool, features an industry-exclusive visual crimp indicator and is double acting for hydraulic ram advance and retract. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Guide screw.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The RGS rapid guide screw offers linear speed, accurate positioning and long life within a wide range of available leads, and speeds of more than 60 in. per second; and is ideal for various applications. Kerk Motion Products >> Enter 211...

Thumbscrews.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The Key Drives series thumbscrews have a hex equivalent to that of a standard socket head cap screw; are manufactured under the patented Shear-Loc cold-forming process; and are available in 9 screw sizes and 7 standard screw lengths. ...

Transfer tubes.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The TT series transfer tubes provide air movement the moment compressed air is applied, and their transfer speed and output flow can be infinitely adjusted by regulating the input pressure. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anver Corp. >> Enter...

High-performance wheels.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Aluminum oxide Type 1 Slicer-Plus high-performance wheels provide increased cutting speed and minimal burr when cutting heavier gauge metals; are a .045-in. thick rigid wheel coated with an aggressive fine grit; and are available in 4 1/2-in....

Male tabs.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Fully insulated male tabs feature an F crimp wire attachment that encapsulates the wire without crushing it, and has a nylon insulator to eliminate the need for shrink tubing or hand blocking. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ETCO, Inc. >> Enter...

Epoxy stick.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Epoxy stick is a 4-oz. stick of 2-part epoxy putty designed to seal leaks and repair gauges in steel, aluminum, wood, fiberglass, concrete and ceramics with a waterproof formulation for long-term underwater sealing. Devcon >> Enter 216 ...

Closed system oiler.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The Opto-Matic closed system oiler is designed for all types of equipment where a constant level in an oil sump must be maintained; prevents contamination and spillage; and is able to externally adjust to the desired level. [ILLUSTRATION...

Spirally cut tubing.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Heli-Tube spirally cut tubing is an expandable plastic cable harness and abrasion protector that can be supplied in precut lengths; in payout boxes; and on spools with standard or custom labels. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] M.M. Newman Corp....

Flow indicator.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The Slight-Rite flow indicator couples the reliability and precision of an electric indicator with the simplicity of a flow sight; permits checking of fluid flow at a glance via a green LED light; and may be used for any equipment line that...

Rotary level switch.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The GRX-Plus explosion-proof rotary level indicator has incorporated an easy-to-wire terminal block with 2 SPDT 15 amp switches; and is approved for Class I groups C and D, Class II groups E, F and G hazardous locations. [ILLUSTRATION...

Angle grinders.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The 2 new 4 1/2-in, angle grinders, 7430K and 7416K, have a spanner wrench on the handle reducing the time to change a pad, blade, disk or other accessory; operate at 10,000 rpm; and come standard with a 3-position auxiliary handle and a case....

X-2 premium light.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The X-2 premium light is equipped with 2 patent-pending, rough service lamps providing instant start capability; and features a polymer housing impervious to most chemicals and a heavy-duty oil and water-resistant cord. [ILLUSTRATION...

Tool components.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Custom-engineered, miniature tool components can be precision ground from a variety of materials and feature precise details and tolerances; come in sizes as small as 0.006 in. dia., with 0.0001 in. accuracy, and concentricity to within 0.0002...

Fiberglass tapes.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Pro Series fiberglass long tapes feature longer-lasting, heavy-duty blades and a super fast retrieval ratio; 100 ft., 200 ft., and 300 ft. heavy-duty tapes are double-sided with engineer scale decimal markings on one side and inches/feet on the...

Power controller.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Max VI multizone SCR power controller takes up less space than other units with similar ratings; is easy to mount; increases heater life due to fast cycling; and is an easy replacement for mechanical and mercury contactors; features a...

Static mixer.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Patented, compact, static mixer for offshore oil rigs and other applications requiring the blending of gases into liquids at high pressures and high temperatures; mixer is a compact, heavy-wall 316 stainless steel plate that fits inside the...

Self-retracting lanyard.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... LT12 self-retracting lanyard features a field-replaceable lifeline option, lightweight design starting at 2.4 lbs., standard lifeline length of 12 ft., 400-lb. working capacity, constant lock-up rate, no annual factory recertification required,...

TFE tubing.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Line of extruded TFE tubing is offered in various formulations and plain, corrugated, and convoluted styles for laboratory and automation applications; suitable for use handling harsh fluids or as a conduit, tubing is unaffected by most...

Thread mill.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Thread mill designed specifically to meet the requirements of machining exotic materials; tool has combination of OSG's special sub-micrograin carbide and unique TiAIN coating. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OSG Tap & Die, Inc. >> Enter 229

Intercom system.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Con-space power talk box system is a portable intercom system designed to provide un-tethered, continuous two-way voice communication; with a power talk box controller at one end and a power talk box at the other, people working in confined...

Liquid tight grommet.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Comprehensive line of grommets now includes liquid tight grommet series; grommets are simple to install--just push it into the cutout panel, pierce the thin wall on the back of the grommet, insert the cable, and gently pull it back to secure;...

Control pedal.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Patented, fully adjustable variable output electronic foot control pedal; has a slip-resistant surface that provides extremely smooth operation and maintains its position when the user's foot is removed; features a potentiometer drive mechanism...

Stainless steel collars.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... 316 stainless steel collars are available off-the-shelf in set-screw, 1-pc, and 2-pc styles in 1/2 in. through 1 in. I.D. sizes, for applications requiring exposure to harsh chemicals, corrosives or frequent washdowns; they can be supplied as...

End prep tool.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Pipe milling end prep tool clamps to the I.D. of the torched end of a pipe and features a cross-feed attachment that rotates and advances the cutting bit to sever the HAZ; after producing a clean square end, the operator then removes the tool...

18-gauge nibbler.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... The 1529B 18-gauge nibbler features a unique head designed to handle multiple types of corrugated steel; only weighs 3.9 lbs.; and boasts a 3.2 amp motor and 2,500 SPM. Bosch >> Enter 235

Potting compounds.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Thermally conductive potting compounds are ideal for sealing electrical components or wiring in applications where heat dissipation is required; versatile, low-shrink epoxide formulations mix and pour easily, fill voids completely, and cure...

Traceable radiometer.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... Fully portable, NIST traceable radiometer for making UV hazard measurements in low ambient light; conforms to OSHA and ACGIH requirements; has a detector that is pre-programmed to display measurements in effective mW/cm2 and jW/cm2, with a...

Video inspection camera.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
July 1, 2004... New and improved camera is designed for use with RIDGID/Kollmann video inspection system; features improved durability, better maneuverability and is easier to locate inside the drain and sewer lines; has 100% stainless steel construction for...