October 10, 2006

Three independent distributors have decided to open a branch together. The three-in-one approach will give their customers more products in one location and makes the niche distributors more competitive and attractive to vendors. The branch will open in November.Three independent distributors in central Pennsylvania APR Supply (HVAC/plumbing), Industrial Piping Systems (pipe, valves & fittings) and […]

2006, experience a 0.5 percent gain during the fourth quarter, and then a 1.5 percent gain through the first and second quarters of 2007. As China allows for more currency flexibility and as the new Mexican government builds credibility in the wake of a tense post-election period, MAPI expects the dollar to fall modestly by

Dr. Daniel Thorniley, senior global consultant of the Economist Corporate Network in Vienna, Austria, presented Global Business Outlook” at the recent European Power Transmission Distributors Association annual meeting in Austria. Thorniley is a senior consultant to about 250 corporations including Dow, Dupont, Glaxo SmithKline, Henkel and SKF. Some of the more interesting observations gleaned by

to do the transactions but they couldn’t do it quickly enough.” Two weeks later, after additional training, the test was successful. “Going live was basically a non-issue,” Ludwig says.The Bottom LineHTI’s ERP system supports rapid growth, enabling the company to incorporate new acquisitions. The company has greater visibility into supply, demand and changing costs. HTI

to $1.6 billion. Hornsby says Wolseley wants to do the same in other segments in all geographies it serves.Wolseley made 53 acquisitions last year and plan to continue at that pace. The company estimates at least $400 million in acquisitions to made in the coming year, but would not comment on potential larger targets. The

Results from three recently released surveys show health benefit costs increases slowed in 2006 and will continue to in 2007. But health benefits continue to outpace wages and inflation. One survey reported that employers reporting lower costs have implemented programs to target high-risk behavior and encourage employees to be smart consumers of health services. Still,

in August was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,200.7 billion, 0.3 percent above the revised July estimate of $1,196.8 billion. The August figure is 4.4 percent above the August 2005 estimate of $1,150.3 billion. During the first eight months of this year, construction spending amounted to $793.2 billion, 7.2% above the $739.9

>UK-based Wolseley plc, parent to Ferguson and Stock Building Supply, and global distributor of plumbing and heating products and building materials, has made four more bolt-on acquisitions, expected to add about $278.24 million (148 million) in additional revenue.>North America>Ferguson> has acquired Lawrence Plumbing Supply Co. and Castle Supply Company Inc. and Castle North Corporation (Castle

SalesAugust 2006 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price changes, were $335.6 billion, up 1.1 percent from the revised July level and were up 12.5 percent from the August 2005 level.  The July preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.2 billion