Go Westec, young man
WESTEC 2008 Exposition and Conference to take place March 31-April 3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center

North America’s largest manufacturing event to focus on career development

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers' WESTEC 2008
Exposition and Conference will take place March 31-April 3 at the Los Angeles

Convention Center. With more than 16,000 manufacturers in LA County, WESTEC attracts leaders from a variety of industries important to Southern California, including aerospace and defense, energy, automotive, electronics, medical and consumer products.

Nearly 600 exhibitors, showcasing more than 8 million pounds of state of the art equipment, are expected to participate, representing more than 30 different technologies, such as advances in high-speed machining, cutting and tooling, laser systems, welding robotics and automation, as well as manufacturing technology application and solutions.

"Because Los Angeles employs more people in manufacturing than any other county in the entire United States," says Zita Collins, WESTEC's Senior Show Manager, "manufacturing professionals count on WESTEC not just for technology, but for professional advancement, as well."

WESTEC offers free educational programs, including sessions on comparative technologies, lean principles and fundamentals in machining process. This year, WESTEC launches an all-new Back-to-Basics theme, highlighting a workforce development program, offering pathways to manufacturing careers, including free educational sessions. For example, WESTEC attendees can watch the entire manufacturing process of a special WESTEC hammer from design to the finished product utilizing CNC mills, lathes and other power equipment.

Back-to-Basics aims to attract and engage a diversified audience composed of women, new immigrants, displaced workers, non-college bound youth, and the existing workforce searching for re-training opportunities.

Alongside the learning demonstrations will be participation of various schools, community colleges, training centers and institutions in California offering courses and careers in manufacturing and engineering from which attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of career pathways to manufacturing. The program will also include a career center for manufacturing companies and employers to conduct on-site interviews and job placements.

For more information about the event, visit www.sme.org/westec or call 800-733-3976.

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Newell Rubbermaid to acquire Technical Concepts
Newell Rubbermaid has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Technical Concepts Holdings, LLC, a leading global provider of innovative restroom hygiene systems for several high-growth segments of the away-from-home (“AFH”) washroom category, for approximately $445 million. Technical Concepts’ products include touch-free and automated health, wellness and odor control solutions, as well as proprietary refills, which are a key component of recurring revenue.

The acquisition of Technical Concepts will add substantial scale to Newell Rubbermaid’s Commercial Products global business unit, creating a leading position in the $2.5 billion worldwide AFH washroom category. In addition, with approximately 40 percent of sales outside the U.S., Technical Concepts is expected to significantly increase the combined entity’s global footprint.

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Dixon Valve opens new manufacturing and warehouse facility in Houston
Dixon Valve has opened a new manufacturing and warehouse facility in Houston, Texas. The new 70,000 sq. ft. facility distributes Dixon products to customers throughout Texas and the Gulf Coast/Southwest region, as well as becoming the new manufacturing location for the company’s Holedall fittings and related products.

The new facility, located at 6526 Homestead Road in Houston, replaces another Dixon facility nearby. According to Bob Grace, vice president of distribution, the new complex provides a state-of-the-art facility for both manufacturing and warehousing. The building features 30-ft. ceilings and high-racking storage, along with significantly more total warehouse space, enabling Dixon to stock a larger volume and variety of products for ready delivery to customers.

“We are able to increase the number of orders shipped same-day,” Grace reported. “Also, our new location is more convenient to major Interstate highway arteries, making it easier for customers who want to pick their orders up,” he said.

The new facility also has an upgraded product training center. Dixon offers numerous technical and sales training courses for distributors and customers that pertain to its wide-ranging hose assembly, couplings and fittings product lines.

In addition to warehouse operations and the training center, the Houston facility is the new home of the company’s Holedall fittings manufacturing operations. Up to now, those operations have been located in Houma, La. Holedall products, which are sold primarily into the oil & gas drilling industry, have their largest market in the Gulf Coast region. The new Houston location makes it easier and faster for Dixon to manufacture and supply Holedall couplings, ferrules and swage stems to customers.

“Having the manufacturing facility located in the same general area as the plating and heat-treating operations is more operationally efficient,” noted Wayne Spurrier, vice president, and general manager of Dixon Boss. Dixon plans to utilize its improved facility to expand its manufacturing operations during

For more information on the new Houston manufacturing and warehousing facilities, as well as on the complete line of products offered by Dixon, call (410) 778-2000 or visit www.dixonvalve.com.

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Hannover exhibitor list now online
Hannover Messe, the World’s largest manufacturing show, April 21-25, 2008; Hannover, Germany

HANNOVER MESSE 2008 will host more than 5,000 exhibiting companies organized into the main display categories of INTERKAMA+, Factory Automation, Industrial Building Automation, Digital Factory, Subcontracting, Energy, Power Plant Technology, Pipeline Technology, MicroTechnology, and Research & Technology.

Use the exhibitor search engine to query by company, product, country and more. To access the online exhibitor directory, visit www.hannovermesse.de/exhibitorsproducts.

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Focus on manufacturing
With layoffs and cutbacks becoming routine, it is tempting to write off U.S. manufacturing as an anachronism. However, a new set of EPI reports shows that actually making things remains an essential part of the economy, and can continue to be a source of good jobs.

The manufacturing sector supported 14 million jobs in 2007, or about 10.1% of total employment. A Snapshot developed by EPI economist Robert Scott shows the sector's importance varies from state to state. California leads the country in sheer output value, producing $169 billion worth of goods in 2006, followed by Texas with $140 billion. However, the relative importance is greatest in Indiana, where manufacturing accounts for 28% of the state's gross domestic product.

The right policies will not only keep manufacturing jobs in the country, but they can also ensure that they are of high-quality and offer adequate wages and benefits. In her report, Renewing U.S. Manufacturing, economist Susan Helper called for adopting policies "to create a highly productive, high-wage economy" that would contribute to other critical national goals, such as environmental sustainability, energy independence, modernizing infrastructure, and maintaining a defense industrial base. Meanwhile, George Sterzinger of the Renewable Energy Policy Project argued for building a strong domestic manufacturing sector in green energy projects. These papers, along with a background piece by EPI economist Robert Scott on the continued importance of U.S. manufacturing, were presented at a Feb. 13 EPI forum that drew more than 100 spectators. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) was the keynote speaker.

    Source: Economic Policy Institute

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Win the “Ultimate Gearwrench Garage!”
GearWrench will award one lucky sweepstakes winner with more than $5,000 worth of tools

February 20, 2008 – GearWrench has announced the launch of its latest sweepstakes, where tool enthusiasts can enter for a chance to win the ultimate assortment of GearWrench products valued at more than $5,000. The sweepstakes entitled, "The Ultimate GearWrench Garage," begins March 1st and runs through June 30, 2008. Interested participants can enter online or submit their entry by mail for a chance to win.

The Ultimate GearWrench Garage winner will be selected in a random drawing scheduled to take place on or about July 8. The prize package consists of a variety of GearWrench tools including the award winning X-Beam, which has been recognized for its patented 5-degree ratcheting mechanism. The X-Beam, which was introduced in 2006, increases hand contact area by up to 500 percent over traditional wrenches, providing greater comfort and control for the user. One end of the X-Beam wrench is forged at a 90-degree angle from the other end, and the tapered handle is thicker on both sides than a standard wrench. An independent test conducted on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation yielded a favorable review of the X-Beam and its acceptance as the first hand tool in the organization's Ease-of-Use commendation program.

The Ultimate GearWrench Garage will also include full sets of GearWrench's innovative hand tools including screwdrivers, socket sets, pliers, ratcheting wrenches, pry bars, flex hex keys, pass-thru wrenches, and flare nut wrenches, as well as a full 75-piece Tap & Die set. The garage is stocked with a variety of sets and sizes including metric and SAE.

The sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. For more information on "The Ultimate GearWrench Garage" sweepstakes, go to www.gearwrench.com.

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MAPI quarterly economic forecast: Conditions remain volatile in manufacturing sector; exports could provide some relief
Economy will likely experience mild recession in first half of 2008 before rebounding in last six months
February 14, 2008, Arlington, VA. — The housing collapse and a consumer-based recession, particularly affecting the automobile, housing related, and most recently the services sectors, present significant short-term challenges to the U.S. economy, according to a new report.

The Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Quarterly Economic Forecast predicts that inflation-adjusted GDP growth will slow to 1.3 percent in 2008 before improving to 2.5 percent in 2009. GDP growth will be down an average of 0.6 percent in the first two quarters before returning to growth in the second half of 2008. By supplying major assumptions for the economy and running simulations through the Global Insight Macroeconomic Model, the Alliance generates unique macroeconomic and industry forecasts.

“Recessions are caused by severe shocks,” said Daniel J. Meckstroth, Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Chief Economist. “The housing collapse, severe decline in housing prices, record high oil prices, and subprime mortgage induced credit crunch have already caused consumer confidence to plummet and employment to fall, and economic conditions will get worse before they improve. A tax rebate and aggressive monetary policy easing will help stimulate a recovery later this year.”

Manufacturing production growth will show a significant decline from an already low 1.9 percent growth in 2007 to an estimated 0.5 percent in 2008, preceding a solid upswing to 3.4 percent in 2009. Still, these figures represent a slight degree of improvement from the previously anticipated flat and 2.6 percent growth, respectively, in the November 2007 MAPI forecast. Production in non-high-tech industries is anticipated to decline 1.2 percent this year and to grow by 2.6 percent in 2009.

There is also some positive news in the computers and electronics products sector, as high-tech industrial production is expected to rise 14.3 percent in 2008 and 10.1 percent in 2009.

The GDP account for inflation-adjusted investment in equipment and software should increase by 1.2 percent in 2008 and by 4.0 percent in 2009. The largest percentage gains in capital equipment spending will come in the high-tech sectors. Inflation-adjusted expenditures for information processing equipment are expected to rise 5.6 percent in 2008 and 2.9 percent in 2009. The forecast calls for industrial equipment expenditures to decline by 7.1 percent this year before rebounding to 1.0 percent growth in 2009. The outlook for spending on transportation equipment calls for a 4.4 percent decline in 2008 followed by a robust recovery to 11.7 percent growth in 2009.

Spending on non-residential structures is expected to plummet over the next two years. While spending in this area increased by 13.2 percent in 2007, it is presumed to rise by just 2.1 percent in 2008 and to decline by 9.3 percent in 2009.

Two other factors, exports and imports, buttress MAPI’s sentiment that this current soft patch will be followed by some strengthening in the economy. Export growth should outpace that of imports by a wide margin by the end of 2009. Inflation-adjusted exports should rise 8.1 percent in 2008 and 9.9 percent in 2009, while imports are only expected to increase 0.5 percent this year and 3.4 percent next year.

“The U.S. trade imbalance with the rest of the world is beginning to unwind and the additional foreign demand for U.S. products and services will particularly benefit the manufacturing industry,” Meckstroth said.

The forecast envisions the unemployment rate to rise to 5.4 percent in 2008 and to 5.5 percent in 2009.

For more information, visit: www.mapi.net.

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Lean for the Supply Chain Conference set for March 11-12
Conference presented by Society of Manufacturing Engineers
February 8, 2008, Dearborn, Mich. — The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) announces a new conference to help Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and suppliers take the next step on their lean journeys. "Lean for the Supply Chain", Crowne Plaza Hotel, San Jose, CA , March 11–2, 2008, will bring together OEMs, major suppliers and job shop owners to address the value of using lean processes to collaborate on working effectively up and down the supply chain.

"Lean for the Supply Chain" was developed in response to the aerospace and defense industries' desire to improve supplier relations," said Mark C. Tomlinson, CMfgT, CEM, the Society's executive director and general manager. "This conference supports SME's commitment to these industries and to lean education and certification."

"Lean for the Supply Chain" starts off with an optional Lean Experience Tour where attendees will observe two facilities at different stages of their lean journeys – New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., the joint venture between GM and Toyota which launched the Toyota Production System; and Bodycote, the world's leading provider of advanced thermal processes and materials test services.

The workshops cover topics from Standardized Work, Creating a Lean Culture with the Supply Chain, Kaizening Together and more. The sessions are categorized as fundamental, integrated and strategic to direct attendees in finding the correct training level, and are led by industry leaders who are passionate about sharing their lean experiences.

Additionally, attendees can use the new SME Lean Registry to connect with presenters and other attendees prior to the conference to start dialoguing and afterwards to stay connected and to discuss their progress and continue learning. The SME Lean Registry is a free community connection and collaboration space for lean practitioners.

The conference is $795 to SME members, $920 to new members; and $995 to non-members. The Lean Experience Tour package and Opening Reception are available for an additional fee. Detailed conference information, pricing and registration are available at www.sme.org/leansupplychain.

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“On the Road” with Dixon Valve
Dixon’s Mobile Connections training centers-on-wheels bring practical knowledge and safety training on fluid handling and transport systems...right to the plant doorstep.

February 13, 2008, Chestertown, Md. — Dixon Valve & Coupling Company is touring the United States with its mobile training centers, bringing practical product knowledge and safety training right to the front door of the plant.

Dubbed Mobile Connections, the 35 ft. Dixon trailers are complete training and product centers on wheels. Since the debut of the first trailer, named “Boss,” at the annual meeting of the National Association of Hose & Accessories Distributors in April 2004, Dixon’s mobile training program has grown to include two fully equipped trailers that have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles making visits to hose distributors and end-user sites across North America.

According to Scott Jones, vice president of sales and marketing, Dixon’s Mobile Connections trailers provide a valuable service to distributors and end-users who are seeking to increase their knowledge in the efficient operation of fluid handling and transport systems. “We’re using our trailers to train distributors and end users.” Jones said. “The goal is to promote the wide range of solutions that are available for virtually every industrial application.”

In addition to appearing at industrial distributor locations for open houses, Dixon’s Mobile Connections fleet has traveled to numerous end-user locations such as mining facilities, steel mills and chemical plants. Along with training on proper product selection, hose assembly installation and safe operating usage, a Hose Assembly Safety Center within the trailer introduces Dixon’s Hose Assembly Safety Survey Program. As a part of this safety program, qualified Dixon technicians conduct a review of a facility’s hose assemblies and other fluid handling systems, earmarking areas of possible safety concern and suggesting remedies. This complimentary service is unique in the industry.

The Mobile Connections trailers also incorporate a Product Display Center presenting the entire family of Dixon products and components, including products for sanitary, petroleum, industrial, fire protection, chemical, agricultural and construction applications.

For more information, or to discuss a visit by one of Dixon’s Mobile Connections trailers to your location, contact either Scott Jones, sjones@dixonvalve.com or Dawn Sutton, dsutton@dixonvalve.com at (410) 778-2000.

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New 2008 full line EH&S training catalog available for free from Summit Training Source
Summit’s full line 95-page catalog is the solution to all training needs, showcasing Summit’s award winning and technically accurate OSHA, DOT, and EPA compliance training materials. Summit’s expansive product line covers over 100 compliance training topics and serves all major industrial markets, including manufacturing, petrol-chemical, transportation, construction, utilities, environmental, and more.

The catalog features Summit’s latest releases and new product platforms, including Streaming Video delivery. Summit’s catalog is easy to use, with separate tabs for each product line and an easy reference product matrix. The catalog covers all of Summit’s services and capabilities, including the no obligation free preview/demo policy.

Summit’s Products & Formats catalog includes information on:
  • Over 600 Video & DVD Training Programs
  • Over 150 Online Training Programs
  • Online OSHA 10 & 30 Hour Training
  • HAZWOPER Online Training
  • Support Materials
  • And More!
  • Receive your free 2008 Summit Catalog by visiting
    www.safetyontheweb.com or call 800.842.0466.

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2007 year-end sales results show positive growth for power transmission/motion control industry
February 11, 2008 — In releasing 2007 year-end sales data for distributors and manufacturers of power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) products, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) reported that distributors and manufacturers in North America experienced overall growth in sales in 2007. Confidence in the market (as measured on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being most optimistic) has eroded slightly, holding a current neutral position between 5.0 and 5.8 versus a range of 5.1 to 6.6 at year-end 2006.

While still in the positive, growth in sales of PT/MC products is definitely slowing. Following three years of double-digit growth, U.S. distributors’ saw a 6.8 percent increase in PT/MC product sales in 2007. The annualized sales-to-inventory ratio for 2007 was up to 7.6, compared to 7.3 in 2006.

Canadian distributors also continued to experience growth in PT/MC sales, again at a slower rate than in the previous three years. Distributors of PT/MC product in Canada ended 2007 with an increase in sales of 1.7 percent. The annualized sales-to-inventory ratio for Canadian distributors showed a slight decline from 7.1 in 2006 to 6.4 in 2007.

U.S. manufacturers of PT/MC products experienced year-to-date sales growth of 3.7 percent versus a more robust growth rate of 7.1 percent in 2006. The same trend holds true for year-to-date orders of PT/MC products for U.S. manufacturers, gaining 1.1 percent in 2007 as compared to 3.8 percent in 2006. The annualized sales-to-inventory ratio increased to 10.0 at year-end 2007 from 9.0 in 2006.

Canadian manufacturers’ sales remained relatively flat in 2007, with a change in sales of under one percent. Year-to-date sales of PT/MC products by Canadian manufacturers in 2007 increased 0.2 percent versus a 0.5 decline in 2006. The annualized sales-to-inventory ratio decreased to 6.9 for Canadian manufacturers compared to 7.4 at the end of 2006.

In considering sales growth on a product-by-product basis for 2007, product categories for U.S. manufacturers showed an overall growth in sales with only two product categories experiencing sales declines – variable speed drives and positioning systems/linear motion products. Canadian manufacturers, on the other hand, showed an overall reduction in sales with only three product categories showing sales growth – unmounted bearings, clutches & brakes and standard industrial motors.

U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(2006 vs. 2007)

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(2006 vs. 2007)

Channel Partners Experience Decline in Sales in
December 2007
U.S. distributors’ sales in PT/MC products have fluctuated all year with six months of growth and six months of decline. Sales in December 2007 dropped for the second month in a row, decreasing 5.2 percent when compared to November 2007. When matched up against December 2006 sales, sales in December 2007 jumped 9.5 percent. With no clear trend in accounts receivable collection days, this ratio experienced a gain of 1.2 percent in December 2007 as compared to November 2007 and dropped 6.4 percent as compared to the same month last year. For December, the confidence index of U.S. distributors reached its lowest point this year, falling 0.4 points (to 5.8) on a 10-point scale from November to December 2007.

Canadian distributors’ sales in PT/MC products also fluctuated throughout the year with equal months of growth and decline in sales. After slight growth over the past two months, sales dropped 11.3 percent in December 2007 as compared to November 2007. Compared to December 2006, sales in December 2007 were down by 0.4 percent. Days sales in account receivables were up 1.7 percent as compared to the same month last year and escalated 10.0 percent over November 2007. For December, the confidence index of Canadian distributors dropped 0.3 points (to 5.0) on a 10-point scale from November to December 2007.

U.S. manufacturers’ sales dropped in two consecutive months, decreasing 1.9 percent between November and December 2007. Sales growth over the same period last year was up 5.3 percent. The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers remained flat at 5.5 on a 10-point scale for the sixth month in a row.

Canadian manufacturers’ sales posted its second month of declining sales as well, plummeting 13.6 percent over the previous month. When matched up against December 2006 sales, sales in December 2007 were down 5.0 percent. For December, the confidence level of Canadian manufacturers was at its lowest in 2007, falling 0.1 points (to 5.1) on a 10-point scale.

Product-by-product sales between November and December 2007 reflect the overall decline in sales experienced by both U.S. and Canadian manufacturers. For U.S. manufacturers, only two product categories experienced an increase in sales – standard industrial motors and mounted bearings. For Canadian manufacturers, only standard industrial showed positive month-to-month sales growth.

U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(November 2007 vs. December 2007)

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (November 2007 vs. December 2007)

The Market Outlook Report is published monthly by the Power Transmission Distributors Association. The full report includes month-to-month and year-to-year changes for the current and the previous year in sales, inventory and accounts receivables for U.S. and Canadian distributors as well as a general confidence index. U.S. and Canadian manufacturer data includes a confidence index, as well as sales and order trends for mounted bearings, unmounted bearings, standard industrial motors, variable speed drives, positioning systems/linear motion products, gear products, clutches and brakes, shaft couplings and mechanical drive systems and other PT products.

Year-end data for 2006 and 2007 is available in a complete report. The monthly data is available by subscription via e-mail or mail. To purchase the year-end data or to begin a subscription to the monthly data, order online at www.ptda.org/store or call PTDA at +1.312.516.2100. PTDA members may download the report at no charge through the PTDA web site at www.ptda.org/MOR.

Founded in 1960, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. A U.S.-based trade association, PTDA represents 211 power transmission/motion control distributor firms with over 3,500 locations throughout North America and 12 other countries, as well as 202 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

PTDA is dedicated to providing exceptional networking, targeted education, relevant information and leading-edge business tools to help distributors and manufacturers meet marketplace demands competitively and profitably. For more information, visit www.ptda.org.

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Take the Ansell "U Challenge" and you could win a Nintendo Wii gaming system!
The Ansell U Challenge is an interactive cut protection selection game you can play for free at www.ansellu.com. During the month of February, safety industry professionals who register and play the Ansell U Challenge online are eligible to win a free Nintendo Wii gaming system, to be awarded in March.

U Challenge advances players through an automotive plant scenario where the user must select a glove and then see how many pieces of metal the virtual worker can stamp without experiencing an injury. Players may select from a variety of gloves and have the option to use bare hands. Each glove option is accompanied by cut protection levels and ratings indicating dexterity, abrasion and puncture resistance, and dry and oil grip.

"The U Challenge employs the hottest gaming technology to help players understand the importance of selecting the proper cut protection for every situation," said Keitha Kessler, Marketing Manager, Ergo Products. "Players will find the game challenging and interesting as they work through the scenario."

Ansell introduced the U Challenge during the National Safety Congress & Expo (NSC) in Chicago in October 2007, with hundreds trying their hand at achieving the top score and vying to win a Wii* gaming system.

"While we want players to enjoy the U Challenge, we also want them to realize the serious threat posed by cut hazards," Kessler said. "It's a great way to underscore how selecting the right gloves can contribute to worker productivity."

For more information about Ansell's line of protective gloves and apparel, visit www.ansellpro.com or call Customer Service at 800.800.0444.

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New quick reference guide to thermoplastics
An easy-to-use and informative resource guide, “IAPD Thermoplastics Rectangle,” which provides a property comparison of the 17 most commonly used plastic materials, is available from the International Association of Plastics Distribution. The 2-page thermoplastics rectangle provides a quick reference of the physical characteristics and mechanical properties, as well as to cost and assists engineers, machining and fabricating experts and production manufacturers in choosing the plastic material best suited for their specific application.

Highlighted on the reference guide are plastic property graphs, including: operating temperature, tensile strength, compressive strength, coefficient of friction, impact strength and moisture absorption. Members of the International Association of Plastics Distribution have provided the information to help users optimize the material selection process.

For a free copy of the “IAPD Thermoplastics Rectangle,” phone 913.345.1005, fax 913.345.1006, e-mail iapd@iapd.org, or visit the web site www.iapd.org.

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Industrial Careers Pathway(R) (ICP) reaches milestones
Spearheaded by the PTDA Foundation, the Industrial Careers Pathway is a multi-faceted North American workforce initiative that addresses the need for a skilled industrial distribution sales and customer service workforce today and tomorrow.

ICP links students and job seekers to career paths in industrial distribution and manufacturing through partnerships with local educators and employers.

Mohawk College (Hamilton, Ontario), ICP's first of two Canadian academic partners, working with strong support of more than 20 distributors and manufacturers of electrical, fluid power, power transmission and computer hardware products, debuted the first in a series of courses aimed at teaching students industrial distribution basics.

“Industrial Distribution Leadership Certificate Program” (IDLCP), a 180-hour certificate program consisting of six 30-hour courses, began on January 19, 2008, with 26 students enrolled in the first course, "Business Fundamentals of Industrial Distribution." Due to the high turnout, Mohawk College plans to offer the course again in the late spring semester.

Visits by industry executives to college classrooms to talk about careers in industrial distribution drove enrollments in the winter semester offering of "Introduction to Industrial Distribution” at Henry Ford Community College (Dearborn, Mich.). Eight students completed the course, which HFCC plans to offer again in the late spring semester.

Two certificates are offered by HFCC. “Industrial Distribution – Business Concentration” provides students with the skills necessary to work in a customer service capacity in the industrial distribution industry. “Industrial Distribution – Technical Concentration” focuses on product specifications offering students training in sales, warehouse management and customer support.

Six other colleges across the United States and Canada, including Vancouver, Philadelphia, Orlando, Cleveland, Omaha and the Twin Cities are working to develop or launch the introductory industrial distribution course “Essentials of Industrial Distribution” in the fall of 2008.

For more information, visit www.idcareers.org or contact ICP at info@industrialcareerspathway.org or 312-516-2100.

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New white paper — Managing projects over multiple locations
“Developing Operating Procedures for Projects Involving Multiple Organizations Using a Linear Responsibility Chart” is a new white paper from Tom Clark Project Success Incorporated on the difficulties of managing projects that involve several (perhaps many) organizations by establishing procedures for handling actions that cross organizational boundaries.

Click here to open the white paper (88K).

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