Industrial Distribution articles from October 2005

Industrial Distribution archives from October 2005

Get paid for what you do.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
October 1, 2005... LESS THAN 10 YEARS AGO, Jeff Pickelman, president of Northern Industrial Supply in Saginaw, Mich., realized that too much of his business was tied to one automotive customer. Worse yet, the customer had become a slow-paying, low-margin account...

ISA, others donate to Katrina relief efforts.(International Sanitary Supply Association)
October 1, 2005... BUSINESSES AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS in the industrial distribution community were rallying to the cause of Hurricane Katrina relief in early September. Companies large and small were reaching into their pockets to give much-needed cash to...

Company news.(AROUND and ABOUT)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The C.H. Hanson Co. relocated its corporate headquarters from Franklin Park, Ill., to Naperville, Ill., in August. C.H. Hanson manufactures construction tools and accessories... Distributor alliance IBC announced two additions to its...

Mergers & acquisitions.(AROUND and ABOUT)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... TGW Transporterate GmbH of Austria purchased Ermanco, Inc. and will now do business in North America as TGW-ERMANCO. Both companies make materials handling and storage systems... Distributor Hughes Supply purchased TVESCO, Inc., a Tennessee...

Hurricane Katrina devastates distributors: distributors throughout the Gulf Coast battle the emotional, personal and business losses from the country's worst natural disaster in recent memory.
October 1, 2005... Despite the devastating effects to his business and personal life caused by Hurricane Katrina, Lee Eagan considers himself fortunate. Eagan is chairman and CEO of Oliver Van Horn Co., an MRO distributor headquartered in New Orleans, and says...

STAFDA gets caught up in Baltimore.(Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn)
October 1, 2005... The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn. will host its 29th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Baltimore, Nov. 6-8. The convention, a three-day mix of products, technological offerings, workshops, trade show booths, and networking,...

Fuel costs felt across supply chain.
October 1, 2005... Long before the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, distributors nationwide were facing rising fuel costs and trying to combat the impact those costs had--and will continue to have--on their bottom line. What to do? Raise prices? Pass...

Infor acquires Formation Systems.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... In August, software giant Infor acquired Formation Systems, a provider of product lifecycle management solutions for process manufacturing companies. Infor is a global software company serving the manufacturing and distribution markets. ...

ISA to hold Business Expo.(Industrial Supply Assn)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The Industrial Supply Assn. will hold its fall Business Expo Nov. 19-21 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill., just outside Chicago. The program will include a series of educational workshops and a conference booth program. For the...

In praise of our fathers.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2005... I just wanted to say "nice job" [to Rick Star] for the Final Word article in your July issue [Thanks for the business, July 2005, p. 48]. My father started our business 30 years ago, literally in our garage, when all he had was about $200 in...

The power of positive thinking: in sales, a positive attitude is a necessary component of a successful career.(STRICTLY for SALES)
October 1, 2005... YOUR PRICE IS TOO HIGH. I can buy this cheaper somewhere else. We must put this out for bid in spite of your hard work. We aren't making any capital expenditures this year. We will be outsourcing this business function to another location. We...

Get your billing running.(TECH NOTES)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... BILLTRUST, a leading billing service provider for the distribution industry, and DMSi Software, a supplier of business management solutions for lumber wholesalers and building material distributors, announced a strategic alliance to enhance...

Pocket-based support.(Broadbeam Corp mobile solution system)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Broadbeam Corp., a company with more than 10 years of expertise in providing mobile solutions, announced that its Mobile Solutions System now supports devices running Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC Phone edition. This support...

Picturing the pipes.(TECH NOTES)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Engineered Software, Inc., a provider of software used to design and simulate the operation of fluid piping systems, announced the release of its PIPE-FLO Overtime, a program that works in conjunction with the company's industry-standard...

Tracking mobile assets.(I.D. Systems, Inc Wireless Asset net)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... I.D. Systems, Inc., announced that its RFID-based equipment tracking and management system, the Wireless Asset net, has been enhanced with greater location tracking accuracy. The system now can pinpoint the location of mobile assets to within...

ISA Business EXPO: where new approaches lead to new opportunities.
October 1, 2005... THREE DAYS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR APPROACH TO DOING BUSINESS--NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. The ISA Business EXPO in Chicago, November 19-21, 2005. There is nothing quite like it in the entire MROP channel. Three days combining powerful...

Revenues soar with air power: Northern Industrial Supply uses air power as one of its key weapons in winning the sales battle.(Cover Story)
October 1, 2005... Jeff Pickelman, the president/CEO of Northern Industrial Supply, might not consider himself to be a gambler, but there's little doubt he is one. How else can you describe a guy who revamps his company by changing its direction and product mix...

Will cell phones land you in court? Many companies are being sued because their employees have been involved in accidents while talking on cell phones. Here are some ways to avoid those suits.(MANAGEMENT)
October 1, 2005... A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN FLORIDA, a salesman for a lumber wholesaler was talking on his cell phone while driving to an appointment and crashed into a car driven by an elderly woman. His employer was sued for $21 million, and the case was later...

Good comp ... bad comp ... A compensation plan needs to be more to a sales staff than commissions and expense accounts.(SALES)(Editorial)
October 1, 2005... A regional sales conference is winding down. The day's workshops and lectures are finished and a group of sales managers and marketing professionals are gathered in their hospitality suite of choice. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Think outside the box, but rely on what's inside from.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Thinking outside the box creates new technologies, products and manufacturing innovations. HBD is well known and respected for this type of thinking. For years, HBD has developed application-engineered, industrial products to meet the needs of...

Golden in Ontario: Windsor Factory Supply has six Ontario locations and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005.(DISTRIBUTOR PROFILE)
October 1, 2005... Things are golden these days at Windsor Factory Supply--in more ways than one. With 2004 sales at nearly $100 million, according to president Duncan Brown, the company has enjoyed consistent profits and growth for the past several years. In...

More than soap and paper towels: janitorial markets have expanded far beyond clean kitchens and bathrooms.(MARKET OUTLOOK)
October 1, 2005... WHEN REFLECTING ON the overall janitorial industry, the usual terms and categories are bound to come up--paper towels; floor waxers; bio-enhancers; microbes; hydrocarbons. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If your response to those last three...

Accessibility is top priority: staying accessible to distributors and end users is vital for a manufacturer's ongoing sales success.(MANUFACTURER'S VIEW)
October 1, 2005... WE CONSTANTLY STRIVE to keep the lines of communication with our distributor partners open to pave the way for accessibility. Frequent, open and honest communication forms the basis of the working synergy between channel partners and the...

Strong, flexible, versatile and visible: Air Handling Systems' AHPLUS flexible hose is designed for durability.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... An ideal replacement for older polyester neoprene hoses, the AHPLUS flexible hose solution combines the best qualities of the manufacturer's top-selling hoses with improved puncture, moisture and tear resistance. It also functions at higher...

Push-in fittings.(The best new products for your customers)
October 1, 2005... These 316 stainless steel push-in fittings are ideal for use in highly corrosive or otherwise extreme conditions; feature male connectors, elbows, tees and unions available with 1/4 to 1/2 OD tube, and 1/8 to 1/2 NPT threads. [ILLUSTRATION...

Convolute wheels.(The best new products for your customers)
October 1, 2005... The GP Plus wheels provide a consistent cut rate without a sudden wheel degradation associated with competitive wheels; are available in 8SF and 9SF densities; and provide edge durability and a clean, smear-resistant finish. [ILLUSTRATION...

Engineered valves.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Designed for most any application, these valves allow for optimum system performance; can be used with hydraulic fluid, oil, air, refrigerant, water, chemicals, fuel and gases; are crafted of steel, brass, stainless, aluminum or monel; and are...

Pneumatic clamp.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The MILLHOG Air Clamp is a pneumatic cylinder clamping option for right-angle welding end prep tools that provides instant attach-and-release to speed up repetitive end prep operations. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ESCO Tool >>...

Fiber optic sensor.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The D10 series family of fiber optic sensors includes 3 powerful yet compact fiber optic amplifier styles that share a common housing style to simplify installation and programming. Banner Engineering >> www.bannerengineering.com

LED flashlight.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The FlashLED FLT-4001 features a white, 1-watt LED lamp that operates for more than 50,000 hours; operates on 3 standard C batteries; and measures 9.94 in. in length and weighs 15.5 oz. LEDtronics, Inc. >> www.ledtronics.com

Transformer.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The SURVIVOR CT Class 2 transformer features a patented short-circuit and overload protection capable of withstanding a direct short circuit for more than 15 days; and is ideal for use with 12V halogen lamps. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Linear guides.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... DryLin N low-profile linear guide system is extremely flat with a small mounting height and width; is entirely self-lubricating; and is ideal for high-speed application environments that prohibit the use of lubricated linear systems. ...

Revolving ball knob.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The revolving ball knob, with inch or metric mounting threads, is designed to be used in applications where a comfortable, friction-free palm grip is required; and can be mounted on hand wheels, crank handles and other turning and steering...

Cable cleaning kit.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... This PF cable cleaning kit contains all the materials necessary to clean and prepare power utility cables for re-insulation when splicing and terminating in the field. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PT Technologies >> www.pttechusa.com

Hose and gun cleaners.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The Solvent Savers hose and gun cleaners are simple, easy-to-use cleaners that speed up equipment cleaning, and save up to 86% in solvent use; and are designed to mix solvents and compressed air to flush paint lines and passages quickly and...

Dust collectors.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... PAC reverse pulse-jet dust collectors models 12 and 16 are designed with an oversized compressed air cannon and reservoir that permit high volumes of powerful compressed air bursts to clean the filter cartridges at frequent intervals. ...

Tool holders.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The Thermolock line has been expanded with more than 60 new shrink-fit toolholders and extensions, designed to meet the growing call for high-speed tooling in smaller sizes; and are ideal for demanding work where precision and quality are...

Saw nozzle.(ITW Rocol North America )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The Accu-Lube 9045, a new circular saw nozzle, was designed for large circular saw blades, from 30 in. to 120 in. in diameter; mixes air and lubricant right at the nozzle; features a mounting block that provides for easy installation; and...

Auger bit.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The Power Band Tip focuses drilling power toward each bit's super-sharp cutting edge; provides smoother, faster and cleaner holes; is ideal for electrical, plumbing, general construction and HVAC applications; and ranges in size from 1/4- to...

Timing belts and pulleys.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The ARC-POWER Plus timing belts and pulleys offer reduced vibration, reduced noise level, increased power, 100% tracking in both running directions, continuous tooth engagement, and smooth interaction with idler and tensioners. ...

Table saw.(The best new products for your customers)
October 1, 2005... The TS 250 portable table saw offers a 25 1/2-in. X 30-in. table; is ideal for ripping or crosscutting materials to size; and features a number of innovations, including a T-slot miter gauge, the parallel fence, and an integrated table...

Microwelding systems.(The best new products for your customers)
October 1, 2005... These microwelding systems let users produce a weld with less than .0005 in. of sink in the heat-affected zone, resulting in welds that last longer and require less rework that conventional TIG welds; and feature a microscope and lighting for...

Tie wraps and plates.(The best new products for your customers)
October 1, 2005... These tie wrap plates and cable tie wraps work together to fix the position of cables at specific points along the carrier; and provide strain relief to further ensure the security of cable management systems. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Dual motor vacuums.(The best new products for your customers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The DM1400T and DM1800T are dual-motor, upright vacuums that deliver maximum cleaning performances; come equipped with an onboard tool kit that includes a telescoping wand; and are designed for durability and comfort. [ILLUSTRATION...

Lifting system.(The best new products for your customers)
October 1, 2005... This tube lifting system for precast pavers and blocks features a special foam-seal vacuum pad that is made of a closed-cell foam with an outside skin and serrated edge to seal against rough surfaces with minimum vacuum loss. [ILLUSTRATION...

Where's the sense in that? Nonsensical promises that attract a handful of customers are seldom worth the sales.(FINAL WORD)
October 1, 2005... IN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS, there seems to be a spreading epidemic: lack of common sense. Something once thought to be evident in everyone has become surprisingly rare. Actually, not just people but some businesses fall into this category. ...