News
Breaking news in Wholesale Distribution
Source: Statistics Canada
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Following April’s sharp decline, Canadian wholesale sales posted a modest rebound in May with most sectors registering gains.
Overall sales rose  ; 0.6% to  ; $43.1  ; billion in May, offsetting some of April’s large drop (-3.0%). Five of the seven wholesale sectors reported higher sales in May, with the largest gains observed in the machinery and electronic equipment (+2.1%) and other products” (+1.9%) sectors. More modest rises were recorded by wholesalers of building materials, personal and household goods and automotive products.
These gains were partially offset by lower sales in the food, beverages and tobacco products sector, which posted its first decline of  ; 2007, and the farm products …
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in June increased $3.0 billion or 1.4% to $217.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This was the fourth increase in the last five months and followed a 2.3% May decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.5%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 1.9%.
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Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in June, down following three consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.3 billion or 1.1% to $212.5 billion. This followed a 0.6% May increase.
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Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in June, up 25 of the last 26 months, increased $10.7 billion or 1.5% to $736.5 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first …
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the sixth consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 69th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
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Following a strong second quarter, the manufacturing sector moderated somewhat in the past month. In July, manufacturing expanded at its slowest pace in the last four months, but continuing strength in New Orders and Production indicate that third quarter performance should still be quite good, ISM reported. Upward pricing pressures now in their seventh month continue to be a major concern for supply managers.
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The 10 industries reporting growth in July & mdash; listed in order & mdash; are: Wood Products; Furniture …
Builders FirstSource, Inc., Dallas, TX, a supplier and manufacturer of structural and related building products for residential new construction in the U.S., has acquired Bama Truss and Components, Inc.
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Based in Shelby, AL, Bama is a supplier of multifamily and light commercial manufactured structural components with annual sales of $25 million. Its product offerings include: wood roof and floor trusses, wood panels, steel roof trusses and various related building materials and services.
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Builders FirstSource operates in 13 states, principally in the southern and eastern U.S., and has 68 distribution centers and 61 manufacturing facilities, many of which are located on the same premises as its distribution …
Honeywell, Morris Township, NJ, has acquired Enraf Holding B.V., a division of privately held Delft Instruments, based in Delft, Netherlands, in a deal valued at $260 million.
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This acquisition brings tremendous upside to both Enraf and Honeywell Process customers in the energy production supply chain,” said Jack Bolick, president of Honeywell Process Solutions. “& hellip; In addition, the acquisition brings an opportunity to grow within our existing customer base and in new sectors such as bio-fuels, LNG terminals and petrochemicals.
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Enraf is a provider of mission-critical measurement and controls solutions for the exploration, production and transportation of energy products for land and marine applications. The Enraf line of products for measurement, …
Ryerson Inc., Chicago, IL, which recently announced it has agreed to be acquired by Platinum Equity, reported second quarter sales of $1.6 billion, a 7.2% increase from the year-ago period.
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A 17.5% rise in the average selling price per ton offset an 8.8% decline in tons shipped. From the first quarter, sales declined 2.7% on a 1.1% increase in the average selling price per ton and a 3.7% decline in tons shipped.
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Profit was up 72% year-over-year, and up 51% excluding a favorable income tax settlement.
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Ryerson reported that softer industry volume was offset by higher metals pricing, efforts to control costs, continued inventory reductions, and progress on short-term initiatives of addressing underperforming service centers, improving inventory …
Construction spending in June 2007 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,175.4 billion, 0.3% below the revised May estimate of $1,178.4 billion. The June figure is 2.4% below the June 2006 estimate of $1,204.0 billion.
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During the first six months of the year, construction spending amounted to $550 billion, 3.5% below the $570.1 billion for the same period in 2006.
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Spending on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $890.9 billion, 0.3% below the revised May estimate. Residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $544.4 billion in June, 0.7% below the revised May estimate of $548.3 billion. Nonresidential construction was at a rate of $346.6 billion in June, 0.3% above the revised May …
Global industrial gases company Air Liquide has increased its presence in Southeastern Europe by creating a subsidiary in Serbia.
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Over the past three years, Serbia has been one of Europe’s fastest growing economies with an average annual GDP growth of 7.3%. It is the most industrialized country in ex-Yugoslavia. Its major growth drivers are telecommunications, construction and transport, with a recent upswing of industrial production. Its strategic position allows good access to transportation corridors between Western and South-Eastern Europe and Turkey.
The move is part of Air Liquide’s goal to establish a stronger presence in the region. Since the end of last year, Air Liquide has operated an Air Separation Unit in Romania and is supplying cylinder and …
The Timken Company, Canton, OH, reported sales of $1.35 billion in the second quarter of 2007, an increase of 4% over the same period a year ago. Strong sales in industrial markets were partially offset by the divestment of the company’s automotive steering and European steel operations.
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During the quarter, the company:
- Completed the first major U.S. implementation of Project O.N.E., a program designed to improve business processes and systems;
- Made further progress on key additions to Industrial Group capacity in Asia and North America;
- Advanced its restructuring initiatives within its Automotive and Industrial Groups; and
- Completed the closure …
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EnPro Industries Inc., Charlotte, NC, manufacturer of engineered industrial products, has acquired Compressor Products International, a privately-held company that designs, manufactures and services sealing components for reciprocating compressors.
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CPI, Hungerford, Berkshire, England, manufactures critical sealing components for reciprocating compressors and related equipment for both compressor manufacturers and for the oil, gas and petrochemical industries.
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It will be combined with EnPro’s France Compressor Products business to create the world’s largest manufacturer of reciprocating compressor sealing components.
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This acquisition is a very positive step for FCP and CPI, as well as for EnPro,” said Ernie Schaub, EnPro president and chief …
