March 2006

Industrial distributor Lewis-Goetz and Company, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, has agreed to acquire Goodall Rubber Company, from Trelleborg AB, a Swedish manufacturing firm. The company expects to close the acquisition on April 28, 2006. This marks the 12th acquisition in the past 21 years for Lewis-Goetz. ‘The acquisition of Goodall Rubber Company marks a continuation of our […]

Industrial distributor MSC Industrial Direct Co., Melville, NY, sales increased 12.7% to $305.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006, compared with $271.4 million in the same period last year. Profit for the second quarter rose 21.6% to $33.3 million versus $27.4 million a year ago. For the first half of fiscal 2006,

McLane Company Inc. a Temple, TX-based grocery and foodservice distributor, has acquired wholesale distributor McCarty-Hull, Inc. The transaction closed March 24, 2006.   McCarty-Hull is a $100 million distributor of grocery, tobacco and sundry products to convenience and grocery retailers. It serves chain customers as well as small independent retailers in a four-state service area

Forty-four percent of U.S. manufacturers expect manufacturing to trail the overall economy in 2006, according to the 2006 National Manufacturing Week survey of manufacturers.On the brighter side, National Association of Manufacturers President John Engler said that more than half of the respondents expect to increase capital spending in 2006 and to increase employment, and that

Castrol Industrial North America Inc., Naperville, IL, plans to realign its distribution channels to focus on its strengths. The company plans to reduce the number of its suppliers and the industries it serves. Castrol Industrial North America Inc. is part of BP, one of the world’s largest energy companies, and is focused on the manufacturing

Activant Solutions Inc., Austin, TX, (purchased Prophet 21 in September 2005) has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by private equity investment firms Hellman & Friedman LLC and Thoma Cressey Equity Partners.  The firms will acquire Activant Solutions Holdings Inc and all its subsidiaries from investment funds affiliated with HM Capital Partners LLC, which

Synflex business unit of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp. The transaction is expected to close by the end of March. Synflex had 2005 sales of about $120 million and makes thermoplastic hoses and tubing for a range of industries, including transportation, beverage dispensing, fluid power and specialty applications.ADI International, The Netherlands, a low voltage and security

Kennametal will recognize an estimated $228.6 million pre-tax gain in the quarter ending June 30, 2006, including transaction-related expenses, resulting in an earnings-per-share impact of about $3.25. The company expects to redeploy this capital in the next 12-24 months with strategic initiatives. Kennametal immediately plans to accelerate its manufacturing rationalization opportunities. This investment is expected

their time in the "super green" zone at the center-left of the diagram. Their focus is on cross-departmental communication regarding the thought behind, the nuances and the implications of the customer's strategic plan, business processes and problems. Eagle reps are providing a service that is extremely valuable to the top customer executives. It is a

so he could keep the plant running. I think this experience was common in the past.”Baker advises that distributors participate in reverse auctions only if they need to. Even so, “you’re better off spending time with a customer that understands the value of productivity savings, a long-term relationship and working together to reduce manufacturing and

here. Related Stories:Stock Building Supply Buys K& A LumberWolseley Acquires Five More DistributorsWolseley Optimistic of Progress Made in U.S.Ferguson Buys Endries InternationalWolseley plc, London, group revenues increased more than 26% to $11.85 billion with trading profit up nearly 22% to $677.5 million, with the U.S. accounting for 59.3% of the revenues and 61.7% of the trading

W.W. Grainger Inc., Chicago, IL, $5.5 billion distributor of facilities maintenance supplies, is adding more than 39,000 products to its new 2006 catalog launching April 3, 2006. The expansion brings the number of products offered through its catalog from 82,000 to more than 115,000. The expanded offering consists of some 30,000 different fasteners such as screws,

Barnes Group Inc., Bristol, CN, has agreed to acquire Heinz Hanggi AG, Stanztechnik of Bettlach, Switzerland, a developer and manufacturer of high-precision punched and fine-blanked components, for a combination of cash and Barnes Group Inc. common stock. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of this year and will add about $30

Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, has agreed to acquire the assets and operations of Airtec Inc., an industrial gas and welding supply distributor with six locations in Wisconsin and one in Minneapolis, MN. The acquisition is expected to close by April 1, 2006, subject to customary closing conditions.The Altoona, WI-based business, which generated around $13 million

Activant Solutions Inc., Austin, TX, (purchased Prophet 21 in September 2005) has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by private equity investment firms Hellman & Friedman LLC and Thoma Cressey Equity Partners.  The firms will acquire Activant Solutions Holdings Inc and all its subsidiaries from investment funds affiliated with HM Capital Partners LLC, which

January U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $225.94 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association, and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 31.9% from December but up 11.3% from the total of $202.94 million reported for January 2005. These