July 2006

May 2006 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices were $325.5 billion, up 1.6 percent from the revised April level and were up 12.1 percent from the May 2005 level. May sales of durable goods increased 2.6 percent from last month and were up 10.9 percent from a year ago. Sales of

DXP Enterprises, Inc., Houston, TX, announced a 99.7% increase in net income to $2,950,000 for the second quarter ending June 30, 2006, compared with the same period last year. Sales increased 53.5% to $69.8 million from $45.5 million for the second quarter of 2005. Sales by the businesses acquired in 2005 and 2006 accounted for

WESCO International Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, whose primary operating entity is WESCO Distribution, provider of electrical MRO products, construction materials, and advanced integrated supply procurement outsourcing, reported sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006, were $1.3 billion compared with $1.06 billion in the same period last year. The increase is partly due to two acquisitions

Rexel consolidated sales for the second quarter of 2006 were 2.105 billion euros, or $2.669 billion, up 13.6%, taking into account acquisitions, divestitures and the favorable impact of exchange rate fluctuations. On a comparable structure, exchange rate and trading day basis, sales were up 13.9% from the same period last year. For the six months of

Housing StartsPrivately-owned housing starts in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,850,000. This is 5.3% below the revised May estimate, and is 11.0% below the June 2005 rate.Single-family housing starts in June were at a rate of 1,486,000; this is 6.5% below the May figure of 1,590,000. The June rate for units

steep rise of motor vehicle sales. More than three-quarters of the sales of this group are concentrated in that province. Also, this group accounts for more than one-quarter of Ontario’s wholesale activities. Ontario wholesalers have generally posted rising sales since January 2005.Second decrease in wholesale inventories in four monthsInventories declined 0.5% in May. A decrease in inventories

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Los Angeles, CA, reported sales up 91% and net income up 105% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006. Sales were $1.56 billion, and profit reached $100.5 million. The steep jump in sales was in large part due to the acquisitive company’s purchase of Earle M. Jorgensen Company on

Barnes Group Inc. sales grew 10% to $308.9 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2006. Profit for the second quarter was $18 million, up slightly from the $17.6 million reported in the same period last year. Sales at Barnes Distribution were $125.5 million in the second quarter of 2006, up 11% from $113.3 million

Watsco Inc., Coconut Grove, FL, distributor of air conditioning and heating products, reported revenues grew 16% to $512 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006. Revenues grew 15% on a same-store basis. Net income was up 28% to $28.7 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, revenues grew 15% to $906 million,

The Contractor Yard, Inc., Charlotte, NC, a supplier of building materials to professional builders and contractors in the southeastern U.S., acquired Building Materials Wholesale/Retail, Inc., a full-service supplier of drywall and related products. Based in Charlotte, NC, BMW operates five yards in Charlotte, Greensboro, Statesville, Wilmington and Fayetteville. ‘The acquisition of Building Materials Wholesale/Retail enhances

Kennametal Inc., Latrobe, PA, has recently increased its ownership in its Italian and Spanish affiliates. This grows Kennametal’s ownership in Kennametal Italia S.p.A. from 55% to 66% and in Kenci S.A. from 43% to 53%.  Kennametal Italia S.p.A. serves the Italian metalworking market via a service center and operates a manufacturing facility that provides products

Brooklyn, NY-based Strober Building Supply, a supplier of building materials to professional builders and contractors, has purchased Rowley Building Products and its sister company, construction financing business Builder’s Capital LLC. A millwork and kitchen specialist, Rowley Building Products, Middletown, NY, serves the professional contractor market in and around the Hudson Valley and Westchester regions of

Genuine Parts Company, Atlanta, GA, announced its second-quarter sales totaled $2.7 billion, up 8% from the second quarter of 2005. Profit was $120.7 million, an increase of 9% from the same period in 2005.For the six months ended June 30, 2006, sales totaled $5.2 billion, up 8% from the same period in 2005. Profit for

Illinois Tool Works, Glenview, IL, has acquired two manufacturers: BagCo Inc., a provider of plastic recloseable packaging for the industrial, medical, and consumer markets, and Kester Inc., a supplier of solder and related materials for electronic and microelectronic assembly suppliers.Based in Kennesaw, GA, BagCo, Inc. has been a non-exclusive licensee of the “Color Line” trademark

month. By contrast, prices for plastic resins and materials advanced 1.3 percent following a 1.2% drop in the preceding month.  The index for intermediate basic organic chemicals also turned up in June.  Prices for primary basic organic chemicals and paper rose more in June than they had in May.  From December 2005 to June 2006, prices

WW Grainger, Chicago, IL, reported an 8% increase in sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006. Sales were $1.5 billion versus $1.4 billion in the 2005 second quarter. Profit was up 15% to $94 million.“Based on some softening in certain segments of the North American economies, we now expect this year’s sales to

Home Depot Supply will expand its presence in Florida with subsidiary Williams Bros. Lumber’s purchase of Forest Products Supply, Sarasota, FL.  The purchase is William Bros.’ second this year in Florida. Williams Bros. recently purchased Cox Lumber Co., which had $396 million in sales in 2005. That acquisition nearly doubled the size of Williams Bros.

US Electrical Services, LLC, Chester Springs, PA, has agreed to purchase Wiedenbach-Brown Co., Inc., Westchester County, NY. WB’s current-year sales are forecast to reach $90 million.Founded in 1913, WB brings expertise in national account lighting and electrical supply. WB has offices in Hicksville, New Rochelle and Hawthorne, New York; Boston; Columbus; Kansas City; Los Angeles;

The Fastenal Company, Winona, MN, reported sales increased 19.7% in the second quarter 2006 over the same period in 2005. Sales totaled $458.8 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006. Profit increased 15.4%. Net sales for the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, totaled $890.5 million, an increase of 20.8% over sales in the