Industrial Distribution articles from October 2004

Industrial Distribution archives from October 2004

Training gains in popularity.(Editorial)
October 1, 2004... NOT TOO LONG AGO, the majority of product training that distributors received came from their manufacturers. Some of these companies had excellent training classes at their facilities for both distributors and manufacturers' representatives....

Hurricanes cause generator crunch.(Around and About)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... IN THE AFTERMATH of Hurricane Frances, retailers, such as The Home Depot and Lowe's, were faced with a shortage of generators in the Sunshine State and were rationing them to customers most in need, according to a September Associated Press...

In the news.(Around and About)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Distributor alliance IBC announced several additions to its IndustrialSupplyPlus division: Distributor McAuliffe's Industrial joined IBC as a member, and manufacturers Goff's Enterprises, Inc., Ferro Industries, Inc., and Wright Tool Co. were...

Acquisitions.(Around and About)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Airgas Inc. acquired Welding Supply House, Inc. of Lafayette, La... Kaman Industrial Technologies purchased Brivisa de Mexico, Monterey, Mexico. The business will be organized as part of KIT's Delamac de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. subsidiary......

Awards and honors.(Around and About)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Carborundum Abrasives chose the John Day Co. of Omaha, Neb., for its Distributor of the Year award. Each year, Carborundum selects one distributor from among more than 3,000 North American distributors to receive the award... Manufacturer...

Florida distributors battle hurricanes: local distributors helped customers get back on their feet after the hurricanes in Florida, and are preparing for the rebuilding efforts to come.(News)
October 1, 2004... NEWTON, MASS. -- With damage from hurricanes Charley and Frances possibly reaching $14 billion, many Florida distributors expect to be busy for the remainder of the year and much into 2005. The storms ripped through Florida within weeks of each...

TTI agrees to buy Atlas Copco.(News)(Techtronic Industries Co)
October 1, 2004... Techtronic Industries Co. has agreed to purchase Atlas Copco AB's electric power tool and accessories business for $626.6 million. The announcement was made Aug. 30. Though the sale is subject to regulatory clearances and closing conditions, it...

Agilisys becomes Infor Global Systems.(News)
October 1, 2004... Distribution software provider Agilisys officially changed its name to Infor Global Systems, effective last month. The new name reflects the company's global presence and unifies its recent acquisitions under one corporate identity, said Matt...

STAFDA sets its sights on San Francisco.(News)(Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association)
October 1, 2004... The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn. will host its 28th Annual Convention & Trade Show in San Francisco, Nov. 14-16. Activities at the convention will include the trade show, educational workshops, presentations, and networking...

ISA heads to Chicago for Fall Business Expo.(News)(Industrial Supply Association)
October 1, 2004... The first official meeting of the Industrial Supply Assn. will take place Nov. 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare/Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., just outside Chicago. The ISA Business Expo will open under the theme "Roadmap...

Home Depot lends a helping hand in Florida.(News)
October 1, 2004... Home improvement retailer The Home Depot has pledged $3 million to aid in the rebuilding efforts of communities in Florida and other areas that were battered by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan. The donations will come in the form of...

Distributors.(Players)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... DXP Enterprises, Inc. appointed Vincent Esposito as vice president of supply chain management... Precision Industries named Jim Lane vice president of the fluid power group... Purvis Bearing Service named Stacy Mikkelsen vice president of the...

Manufacturers.(Players)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... WAGO Corp. appointed Dean Esparza regional sales manager covering the Los Angeles area... U.S. Products hired Bruce Korodi as eastern regional sales manager... Textron, Inc. promoted Peter Riley to senior vice president of Textron Six Sigma,...

Personalize your message: salespeople will do well to remember that the sale is more about the customer than the seller.(Strictly for Sales)
October 1, 2004... DOES YOUR MESSAGE reflect the buyer's definition of value? Are you acting from a customer value focus? Buyers want to feel that you understand their definition of value and have a solution that reflects their priorities. This is...

ISA posts two new reports.(Associations)(Industrial Supply Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Industrial Supply Assn. has posted two new reports to its association Web site, which ISA president Tom Berger says members should find of great interest and value. The 2004 Performance Report is a profit report on distributor financial...

NAED releases 2004 PAR Highlights.(Associations)(National Association of Electrical Distributors)(Performance Analysis Report)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The electrical distribution industry revealed improved financial performance for the second consecutive year, according to the National Assn. of Electrical Distributors 2004 Performance Analysis Report Highlights. Results profiled in the report...

PTDA publishes '04-05 directory.(Associations)(Power Transmission Distributors Associations)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Power Transmission Distributors Assn. has released the PTDA 2004-2005 Membership Directory, a resource bursting with providers of all power transmission/motion control-related systems, products and support. Updated annually to include the...

Calendar.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
October 1, 2004... Nov. 11-12 NIF Show West Las Vegas (614) 895-1279 www.fastenershows.com Nov. 14-16 STAFDA 28th Annual Convention & Trade Show San Francisco (800) 352-2981 www.stafda.org Nov. 16-19 ...

Headed for portals: an online portal makes life easier for manufacturers and distributors.(E-Biz)
October 1, 2004... IN TODAY'S EVOLVING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, it is imperative that companies look for ways to strengthen and solidify their partnerships with customers. Towards this end, many manufacturers have developed electronic portals for their distributors...

Application's market share grows.(Tech Notes)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Oracle's Supply Chain Management application ranks second among software vendors, capturing more market share, as companies benefit from its broad supply chain planning and execution functionality, according to a report. [ILLUSTRATION...

Making the most of maintenance.(Tech Notes)(Applied CIM Technologies)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... IN RESPONSE TO CUSTOMER DEMAND, Applied CIM Technologies released a Maintenance Management Module for manufacturing facilities to control maintenance activities more efficiently. This extension of the proven CRIBWARE software system provides...

TXP and host working together.(Tech Notes)(Transaction Processor Software)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... FastPic TXP (Transaction Processor Software) provides an easy-to-use interface that permits extended inventory, personnel and equipment management of inventory using a facility's existing host software systems. FastPic TXP is designed to...

Staying local while still growing: Miller Bearings taps its university setting to maintain learning and technical excellence.(Miller Bearings & Motion Systems Co.,)(Cover Story)
October 1, 2004... When it comes to Miller Bearings & Motion Systems Co., one might do well to paraphrase former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill, "All bearings is local." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When it first opened in 1947, the Orlando, Fla.-based...

From supplier to service provider: the evolution of integrated supply continues, as integrators move further from their distributor roots and closer to a service-oriented business model.(Related Article: WHO ARE THESE INTEGRATORS?)
October 1, 2004... During the past six months, I've had an opportunity to meet with senior executives at most of the 15 major integrators that dominate the integrated supply world. The purpose of these meetings was to enable me to assess the status of the...

More auctions, more often: reverse auctions are no longer the wave of the future; they're here.
October 1, 2004... THERE'S THIS COMPANY you've been dealing with for years. They've been a pretty good customer, and you think that they'll stick around that way for some time. And then, one day, you get that e-mail message: "This is your invitation to a reverse...

The enemy of distribution? The right third-party logistics provider is more of an asset than a threat to growing companies.
October 1, 2004... If you've heard one definition of a third-party logistics provider... you've heard one. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That's a paraphrase of a saying heard more often in connection with integrated supply. But a standard definition of just...

Gains tempered by steel prices: even the janitorial market can't escape the influence of steel prices.(Market Outlook)
October 1, 2004... THE GENERAL SITUATION in the janitorial markets and related industries at the moment seems to conjure up the half-empty, half-full glass. Rusty Duncan, president of Industrial Market Information, looks at the data and says the janitorial...

Touting touchless technology: cutting corners does not have to mean less efficiency.(Manufacturer's View)
October 1, 2004... IN RECENT YEARS, companies have started to view restrooms in a new, even profitable light, and distributors taking notice can reap benefits while retaining and growing their customer base. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Given this fact,...

A safe and easy connection: FCI-BURNDY's WEJTAP system adds a new dimension to the existing group of proven, dependable connection systems.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)(Framatome Connectors International)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... FCI-BURNDY Products, a connector manufacturer and provider of OEM solutions to the industrial, energy and automotive industries, introduces the WEJTAP, a one-piece connection assembly that consists of a head and power unit. WEJTAP connectors...

Maintenance products.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Included in this line of maintenance products are floor sweeps, garage brushes, scrub brushes, scratch brushes, counter dusters, chip and oil brushes, window and floor squeegees, and paint accessories. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Weiler...

Hole saw system.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Blu-Mol quick-change, bi-metal hole saw system fits both 3/8-in. and 1/4-in. straight or power-grooved hex shanks; quickly and easily changes between power tool accessories; and can be used with Speed-lock, DeWalt and Bosch accessories. ...

Gas piping system.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The ProPressG system is an extension of the popular ProPress system that is approved for natural gas, LP gas and fuel oil installations using copper tubing; uses special 1/2-in. to 2-in. copper fittings; and is fitted with interchangeable jaws...

Emergency lighting.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The TreStar 924 is a feature-rich, online, 3-phase UPS for emergency lighting systems that offers immediate power switching, battery management, automatic diagnostics, and remote monitoring. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Staco Energy Products...

Double cam levers.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... These steel and stainless steel double cam levers are designed for repositioning and clamping using a self-securing mechanism; and are fabricated to European standards with black oxide finishes and oil-resistant red plastic handle sleeves. ...

Silicon rubber tape.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... This self-fusing tape is available in 6 colors for wire identification; is used to insulate and protect wires, harnesses, splices, etc.; comes in 1-in. X 20-ft. rolls; has no adhesive lining; and is ideal for high temperature applications. ...

Porosity sealant.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... Hernon Porosity sealant 1000 and 1100 are a breakthrough in sealing leaking porous metals such as powder metal castings and sintered metal parts; offer increased lubricity; and are surfactant free. Hernon Manufacturing, Inc. >>...

Wire stripper.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... The 505 adjustable wire stripper features an adjustable cam dial that is permanently stamped with 12 to 26 AWG wire sizes; is manufactured from alloyed steel, heat treated and covered with cushioned hand grips; and combines a full by-pass flush...

Molding compounds.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... The expanded line of Loctite ResinAid molding compounds and adhesives includes UV/visible light curable molding compounds, light cure equipment, and instant adhesives, UV silicones, and light cure adhesives, as well as light cure cyanoacrylate...

Fluid pressure sensor.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... The Herion 18S All fluid pressure sensor series features long-term stability combined with temperature compensation; are available in a wide measuring pressure range; and are suitable for neutral and aggressive gases/fluid mediums. ...

Fans and blowers.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... These DC fans and blowers are a comprehensive series of quiet, powerful and reliable airflow and cooling products; feature an Auto Restart to prevent overheating and damage; and can be customized with lead wires, connectors, terminals and other...

High-strength brackets.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... The Rock N' Roll bracket is made of high-strength aluminum casting with a heavy-duty turning mechanism and serc grease fitting; uses 1 3/4-in. and 1 3/8-in. button-type handles; and works with 2-hole and 4-hole fresnos and bull floats. Bon...

Floor-patching compounds.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... Floor Savers floor patching and repair products are epoxy/concrete compounds with adhesion to a variety of substrates; cure at room temperature; achieve compressive strengths up to 9,000 psi; and are easily trowelable. [ILLUSTRATION...

Instrumentation valves.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... The 82 series line of 1/4-in. to 1-in. tube compression valves provide an alternative where operating pressure ratings below 1,000 psi are required; and are offered in both brass and 316 stainless steel. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gemini...

Magnifier.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... The Omnivue fully rotational magnification light offers an optional pin mount that is compatible with assembly pin mount receptacles; attaches to workstations by a standard clamp, wall bracket, or portable stand; and uses 3 9-watt, 5,000K...

Gift pack promo.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... The 3-tool gift pack includes a pair of high-leverage, side-cutting pliers, a wire stripper/cutter, and a 10-in-1 screwdriver/nut driver; is packaged in a clamshell; and is available as a holiday discount product. Klein Tools >>...

Plastic tubing.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... Polyethylene-lined EVA tubing provides the purity of polyethylene combined with the flexibility of ethylene vinyl acetate; and is co-extruded, with a core of low-density polyethylene and an EVA covering extruded around the core. ...

All-purpose rainwear.(The Best New Products for Your Customers)
October 1, 2004... This 3-piece, unlined and unsupported rainwear is made of a 5-ml. thick lightweight vinyl material; features waist pants, zipper jacket and detachable hood; and provides superior liquid resistance. Magid Glove & Safety >> www.magidglove.com...

"In fact, we're raising prices ....": using a competitor's lower bid as an opportunity to raise your prices seems risky, and is, but sometimes it may work out.(Final Word)
October 1, 2004... USING A COMPETITOR'S LOWER BID to raise your own prices? That's impossible! Most times, perhaps, but not always. What you are about to read is a true story. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 1990, I was a branch manager with a medium-sized...