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2008

Interline Brands Acquires Eagle Maintenance Supply

Companies, Facilities Maintenance (MRO), Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

Interline Brands, Inc., Jacksonville, FL, distributor and direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations products, has acquired Eagle Maintenance Supply, Inc., a $17 million distributor of janitorial and sanitary supplies to the institutional marketplace.
 
Michael Grebe, Interline CEO, said: “Eagle Maintenance Supply fits very well into our strategic acquisition program. It extends our platform within the attractive institutional marketplace by bolstering our janitorial and sanitary product offering and strengthening our market position in the Northeast from Washington, D.C. to …

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Interline Brands Acquires Eagle Maintenance Supply Read More »

DXP Enterprises Acquires PFI for $65M

Companies, Fasteners, Free, News, Power Transmission/Motion Control/Fluid Power, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

DXP Enterprises, Inc., Houston, TX, has acquired Massachusetts-based PFI, LLC, for $65 million. PFI distributes fasteners, rivets and hose clamps.
 
The company has locations in Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, California, Massachusetts and Florida.
 
PFI’s sales for the year ended May 3, 2008, were $71.9 million.
 
DXP provides pumping solutions, integrated supply and MROP (maintenance, repair, operating and production) services and distributes pumps, bearings, power transmission, seals, hose, safety, fluid power, and electrical and industrial …

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DXP Enterprises Acquires PFI for $65M Read More »

Anixter Acquires Two European Distributors

Companies, Electrical, Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

Anixter International Inc., Glenview, IL, distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic wire &cable, fasteners and other small parts, has acquired Sofrasar SA and partnership interests and shares in Camille Gergen GmbH &Co, KG and Camille Gergen Verwaltungs GmbH.
 
Sofrasar is headquartered in Sarreguemines, France, and Gergen is based in Dillingen, Germany. Both companies are fastener distributors.
 
Anixter is paying $40 million in cash and assuming $19 million in debt. The combined annualized sales for these businesses are expected to be more than $110 million in 2008.
 
The move is consistent with Anixter’s geographic expansion of its OEM Supply business in Europe. We have added another key building block that will drive future …

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Graybar Sales Up 5.5% in First Half

Companies, Electrical, Free, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

Graybar, St. Louis, MO, distributor of electrical, telecommunications and networking products and related supply chain management and logistics services, reported a 5.5% increase in sales in the first half 2008 to $2.7 billion. Profit grew 19% to $47.4 million.
 
While the construction sector showed signs of weakness, strong performance in networking-related product sales coupled with continued growth in the overall communications and data market helped offset the construction market’s impact on growth, according to Graybar.
 
Graybar has more than 250 North American distribution facilities. …

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Ryerson’s Journey with Platinum Equity

Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, Subscriber Only /

An article by Forward magazine (published by the Metals Service Center Institute) looked at Platinum Equity -a private equity firm relatively well-known in the distribution industry for its investment in Strategic Distribution and bid for Industrial Distribution Group. It also owns Ryerson Inc. and recently sold PNA Group to Reliance Steel and Aluminum. While much of the article is focused on how well Platinum has done in the metals industry and how its operating model is different from other private equity firms, it does provide a decent glimpse into how it approaches investments. For one, Platinum has tended to look at moves its makes much …

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Wholesale Trade: Productivity Rises 2.1% 2006-2007

Economic Trends, Free, News, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only /

Labor productivity -defined as output per hour -increased in wholesale in 2007 by 2.1% from 2006 to 2007, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Output per hour and unit labor costs increased as well.
 
Between 1987 and 2007, labor productivity in wholesale trade increased at a 3.3% average annual rate.
 
Output per hour grew in 12 of 19 detailed wholesale trade industries in 2007. Commercial equipment wholesalers experienced the largest productivity gain, 13.7 percent. Unit labor costs fell in seven of the 19 detailed industries, but rose 1.9 percent in wholesale trade overall.
 
From 1987 to 2007, labor productivity rose 3.3% per year in wholesale trade, on average. Output increased 4.1% per year and hours grew 0.7% per year. …

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Wholesale Trade: Productivity Rises 2.1% 2006-2007 Read More »

Doing Business Down South

Free, Subscriber Only /

Latin America can be a challenging market, but companies that approach it with an open mind to learning a different culture of work and play have seen success. This article from the Pittsburgh Business Times looks at how some Pittsburgh-based businesses (mostly manufacturers) have approached business south of the border.

Some of the thoughts outlined in the article:

Doing Business Down South Read More »

Bunzl Sales Up 14% in First Half

Companies, Free, News, Operations, Paper Products & Packaging Distribution, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

Bunzl plc reported sales for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were up 14% to £1,964.2 million (constant currency +10%).

Overall trading was strong despite increasingly difficult economic conditions as the year has progressed, particularly in the UK and the eurozone,” said Anthony Habgood, chairman. “These results again demonstrate Bunzl’s strength across its international markets and its ability to take advantage of growth opportunities.”

Bunzl also announced it has completed two acquisitions in Spain.

The company has recently purchased Marca Protección Laboral SL and Marvel Protección Laboral SL. Marca and Marvel supply personal protection equipment, principally workwear and clothing, to redistributors throughout …

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Bunzl Sales Up 14% in First Half Read More »

Barnes: New Products Help to Better Serve VMI Customers

Companies, Management, Strategy, Subscriber Only /

Barnes Distribution, distributor of maintenance, repair, operating and production supplies and a business of Barnes Group Inc., launched its new master catalog, adding more than 4,200 new products to its regularly stocked items. The new products are in the welding, hose and fittings categories.

We’re tailoring our product line to customers of our Vendor Managed Inventory services,”Brian Koppy, of Barnes’investor relations and communications, says. The addition of products in welding, hose and fittings also reinforces the vertical marketing strategy the company announced last year in the transportation, manufacturing, government and natural resources markets.

“As part of our market segmentation strategy, we are focusing on fewer market segment,”Koppy says. …

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Commentary: Managing the Customer Service Life Cycle

Free, Management, Perspective, Strategy, Subscriber Only /

Every business tends to put on a full-court press to get customers in the door. Many have processes to build existing customer relationships into larger ones. Fewer businesses have a process for saying goodbye or retrieving ex-customers. But in tightening markets, distributors often see customers jump to a lower-price competitor. How often do you experience a customer returning after a year, or after they realize the better value your company delivers? What percentage of lost”customers return?

These issues came to mind following an unpleasant experience closing the account with our credit card processor. I switched to a more cost-competitive service after four-plus years (three-year agreement with automatic annual renewal) with an Omaha-based affiliate of my local banking …

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Latin American Market Opportunities

Subscriber Only /

An analysis of the three major markets in Latin America -Mexico, Brazil and Argentina -forecasts solid growth for manufacturing markets in the region for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009. The author of that analysis, based in the region, spoke with MDM about what sectors are driving the growth.
 
All sectors of manufacturing in Latin America will likely see some growth in 2009, but automotive manufacturing has had particular strength partly due to internal demand in Brazil and Argentina, says Fernando Sedano, author of the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Latin America Outlook 2008-2009.

Mexico, the third market included in the analysis, has seen slower growth because of its close economic ties to the U.S., but has begun to make up ground through exports to …

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Latin American Market Opportunities Read More »

Legislative Outlook 2009

Management, Strategy, Subscriber Only /

This article looks at five key issues distributors and manufacturers should watch closely in the next year.
 
The U.S. House of Representatives plans to adjourn for the year on Sept. 26. And, with the August recess not over until Sept. 8, Jade West, senior vice president for Government Relations for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, doesn’t expect much more to get done before a new Congress takes its place in January.

However, distributors and manufacturers may want to keep their eye on a few critical issues going into the next session.
 
Energy
The prices of finished energy goods -including home heating oil, gasoline and lubricating oils among others -increased 28 percent from July 2007 to July 2008, according to …

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Legislative Outlook 2009 Read More »

MDM Interview: Trends in Inventory Management

Strategy, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

Effective inventory management practices often get lost in the shuffle when sales are soaring. But distributors can improve profitability by tightening their inventory management practices. This interview reviews current inventory management trends. Jon Schreibfeder, president of Effective Inventory Management, spoke with MDM recently about how more distributors have recognized the importance of inventory management to their business success.


MDM: How are distributors currently approaching inventory management in light of uncertain economic conditions?
 
Jon Schreibfeder: People are really tightening their belts. They are much less likely to invest in speculative inventory. They are much more concerned about selling what they buy rather than …

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MDM Interview: Trends in Inventory Management Read More »

MDM News Digest 3816

Free, Subscriber Only /

United Stationers Inc., Deerfield, IL, master distributor of business products, reported its wholly owned subsidiary, United Stationers Supply Co., has agreed to buy the New Jersey business of Emco Distribution, LLC, for $15 million. More
Industrial Rubber Products, Inc., Hibbing, MN, has agreed to be acquired by affiliates of two private equity firms: Lime Rock Partners, Westport, CT, and Thompson Street Capital Partners, St. Louis, MO. More
Transcat, Inc., Rochester, NY, a distributor of professional grade test, measurement and calibration instruments and accredited provider of calibration and repair services, has acquired …

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MDM News Digest 3816 Read More »

Kennametal Agrees to Buy Tricon

Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

Kennametal Inc., Latrobe, PA, has agreed to acquire Tricon Metals &Services, Inc. Closing is planned for October 2008. Tricon will become part of Kennametal’s Advanced Materials Solutions Group (AMSG).
 
Tricon is a provider of custom wear solutions specializing in consumable proprietary steels for the surface and underground mining markets, including hard rock and coal. Solutions include cladded products, wear pins, shafting and custom fabricated replacement components.
 
The acquisition will help Kennametal leverage its presence in emerging markets and achieve geographical balance,” according to Kennametal. In addition, Tricon’s strength in surface mining balances Kennametal’s strength in underground mining …

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MDM August 25, 2008

Subscriber Only /

This is the pdf of this issue of Modern Distribution Management. Apply the full $24.95 pay-per-view cost toward an annual subscription (within 30 days of purchase), which includes two issues a month plus access to more than six years of online archives and market data. Call 1-888-742-5060 or email info@mdm.com to …

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MDM August 25, 2008 Read More »

MDM Inflation Index: July 2008

Economic Trends, Research & Analytics, Subscriber Only /

Modern Distribution Management’s July Inflation Index, which measures a cross-section of industrial supplies, was up 1.23% from the previous month, and up 6.03% from July 2007.
 
Summary of MDM Inflation Index for the past 12 months:
 
July 2008 Index 288.8
June 2008 Index 285.3
May 2008 Index 283.7
April 2008 Index 282.4
March 2008 Index 281.1
February 2008 Index 279.0
January 2008 Index 277.2
December 2007 Index 275.9
November 2007 Index 274.7
October 2007 Index 273.6
September 2007 Index 273.5
August 2007 Index 273.3
July 2007 Index 272.4

Please click below to view a print-ready pdf of the MDM Inflation Index for July 2008, listing the 10 individual product categories that make up the …

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MDM Inflation Index: July 2008 Read More »

McJunkin Red Man Corp. Files for Initial Public Offering

Companies, Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

McJunkin Red Man has registered with the SEC for an initial public offering of its common stock for $750 million. The company will be listed under the symbol MRC.”McJunkin Corp. and Red Man Tool and Supply merged in late 2007. At the time, Goldman Sachs owned a majority share of McJunkin.

McJunkin Red Man is a distributor of industrial and oilfield pipe, valve and fittings in North America, operating 250 locations in the U.S., Canada, Nigeria and Puerto Rico. The company has a significant presence in the oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, refining processes, power company, manufacturing and mining industries.

According to the SEC filing, the company said it generates about 90 percent of its sales from the energy industry. In the SEC filing, McJunkin …

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McJunkin Red Man Corp. Files for Initial Public Offering Read More »

Sperian Protection to Buy Combisafe

Finance, Free, Mergers & Acquisitions, News, Safety Products, Subscriber Only, Top Distributor Sectors /

Sperian Protection has agreed to buy Combisafe International AB, Northampton, UK, a developer and supplier of height safety and access systems.
 
Combisafe expands Sperian’s current fall protection system portfolio. It also reinforces Sperian’s presence into the fast growing Middle-East market with their operations in Dubai and further expands Sperian’s presence in the Northern European Market.
 
Combisafe is majority controlled by Fairford (Sweden).
 
Sales were 293 MSEK (32 MEUR) in 2007. The purchase price will be 590 MSEK (63 MEUR) at closing. …

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UPDATED: Zilliant, Advanous Announce Strategic Alliance

Free, News, Subscriber Only, Technology /

Zilliant, provider of price optimization and management software for manufacturing, high-tech, distribution and industrial service companies, has formed a strategic alliance with Advanous, a provider of pricing and margin management solutions to distributors.

We have identified the opportunity to merge that enterprise pricing software with distribution domain expertise,” says Jon Ladle, president of Advanous. “We looked at what our technology does and what PROS, and Zilliant and others do, and we’ve found it to be complementary and not competitive in nature. As we looked at what additional value we can bring to distributors it’s a natural extension of what we do to work with those vendors to maximize the value of their software to help distribution …

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UPDATED: Zilliant, Advanous Announce Strategic Alliance Read More »

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