The U.S. Census Bureau released its advance statistics for international trade, wholesale inventories and retail inventories advance statistics for March on April 25, showing a reversal from February’s increase. The figures showed that March wholesale inventories — adjusted for seasonal and trading day differences, but not for price — ended the month at a level of $91.8 billion, down 0.4% from February and 2.1% year-over-year. The January to February change was unrevised from up 0.5%. MDM Podcast: Inventory Opportunities in Slower-Demand Markets (March 27) Retail inventories went the ot ..read more

On April 24, independent wholesale electrical, plumbing and HVAC distributor DSG opened a location in Eau Claire, WI. The opening of the new branch, which will serve as DSG’s 55th location in the Midwest, comes just weeks after the distributor broke ground on the construction of a 39,000-square-foot facility in Sheboygan, WI. “Our focus remains on delivering our expertise in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC solutions to this vibrant community,” said DSG President and CEO Paul Kennedy in an April 25 news release. “DSG’s strength lies in our employee-owners – with their commitment, we look forwar ..read more

On April 24, independent wholesale electrical, plumbing and HVAC distributor DSG opened a location in Eau Claire, WI. The opening of the new branch, which will serve as DSG’s 55th location in the Midwest, comes just weeks after the distributor broke ground on the construction of a 39,000-square-foot facility in Sheboygan, WI. “Our focus remains on delivering our expertise in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC solutions to this vibrant community,” said DSG President and CEO Paul Kennedy in an April 25 news release. “DSG’s strength lies in our employee-owners – with their commitment, we look forwar ..read more

Two Michigan-based manufacturers serving automotive and industrial customers have merged. Investment bank and advisory firm Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) announced April 18 that precision machined parts maker Vickers Engineering has merged with flow- and cold-formed product manufacturer Netform. BGL’s Automotive & Aftermarket and Metals & Advanced Metals Manufacturing teams advised Vickers on the deal. The merger will allow Vickers to continue to leverage its advanced product capabilities and automated manufacturing processes across a larger, more diversified customer base. Vi ..read more

The U.S. Census Bureau released its advance statistics for international trade, wholesale inventories and retail inventories advance statistics for March on April 25, showing a reversal from February’s increase. The figures showed that March wholesale inventories — adjusted for seasonal and trading day differences, but not for price — ended the month at a level of $91.8 billion, down 0.4% from February and 2.1% year-over-year. The January to February change was unrevised from up 0.5%. MDM Podcast: Inventory Opportunities in Slower-Demand Markets (March 27) Retail inventories went the ot ..read more

The U.S. Census Bureau released its advance statistics for international trade, wholesale inventories and retail inventories advance statistics for March on April 25, showing a reversal from February’s increase. The figures showed that March wholesale inventories — adjusted for seasonal and trading day differences, but not for price — ended the month at a level of $91.8 billion, down 0.4% from February and 2.1% year-over-year. The January to February change was unrevised from up 0.5%. MDM Podcast: Inventory Opportunities in Slower-Demand Markets (March 27) Retail inventories went the ot ..read more

In February, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) held its inaugural Industry Immersion Conference in Hollywood, FL. The one-day intensive program — developed and led by power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) practitioners — aimed to advance the professional perspectives, experience and confidence employees and emerging leaders need to cultivate successful relationships within the industry, association officials said in an April 25 news release. Michael Cinquemani, CEO of Master Power Transmissions, facilitated the conference, which included face-to-face networking, and ..read more

Fluid power, power transmission and automation products distributor Applied Industrial Technologies reported its 2024 third quarter financial results for the January-March period on April 25, and announced a pending acquisition in Mexico. Acquisition Applied shared that it has agreed to acquire Grupo Kopar — a distributor of pneumatic and motion control components for emerging automation technology solutions, based in Monterrey, Mexico.  Terms weren’t disclosed for the deal, which is expected to close “in the coming weeks,” according to Applied. Founded in 1983, Grupo has approximate ..read more

MRO and other industrial supplies distribution giant Grainger reported its 2024 first quarter financial results on April 25, showing a continued modest deceleration in sales growth against tougher comparables, while margins improved sequentially. Chicago-based Grainger posted 1Q total sales of $4.235 billion, up 3.5% year-over-year, with daily, organic sales up 4.9%. Here’s how the overall and daily, organic sales figures have looked since the start of 2023: Grainger Total Sales Growth Daily, Organic Sales Growth 1Q24 +3.5% +4.9% 4Q23 +5.1% +5.5% 3Q23 +6.7% +8.7% 2Q23 +9.0% +10.1 ..read more

U.S. economic growth slowed to its lowest mark this past quarter since the spring of 2022, trailing consensus forecasts and dampening hopes for Federal interest rate cuts amid persistent inflation and softened industrial demand. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shared an advance report April 25 showing the nation’s real gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 1.6% in 2024’s first quarter. That’s down from 4Q23’s 3.4% and 3Q23’s 4.9%, and fell well short of forecasts of 2.4% and 2.5% from economists surveyed by Bloomberg and Reuters, and the International Monetary Fund’s 2.7% f ..read more