May 20, 2013 - The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA)—an association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel—recently welcomed two new Canadian members:

May 10, 2013 - For those seeking to connect with distributors and manufacturers of power transmission/motion control products, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) has released its 2013 Membership Directory. PTDA members distribute and manufacture products such as motors, bearings, gears, belts, drives, lubricants and other industrial products that keep machinery moving. The directory contains e-mail, phone, fax, address and website listings. Print editions are available to PTDA members for $30, and to non-members for $250. Meantime, an electronic version is available for $100 to members and $500 to non-members.

The European Power Transmission Distributors Association (EPTDA) announced its 2013 Annual Convention in Venice from Sept. 18 to 20, 2013. The association is celebrating its 15th year anniversary in Venice and expects to welcome over 350 leaders and decision-makers of the international power transmission and motion control industry.

“It is with great honour and pleasure that we are opening the invitations to the global PT/MC community to join us in a fantastic celebration of our 15 years anniversary in a magnificent city like Venice”, says Hans Hanegreefs, executive vice-president of the EPTDA. “In such a short time, EPTDA has established itself as one of the leading associations in our industry setting the highest commercial, environmental, social and ethical standards. Over 200 companies from more than 30 countries across EMEA and North America are now member of this elite organisation. And our special anniversary annual convention will bring together the most influential movers and shakers on the stage.”

EPTDA Annual Conventions are the one and only trusted networking platform for the executives and senior management of PT/MC industry globally. The Annual Conventions feature a dedicated MD-IDEX (Manufacturer-Distributor IDea EXchange) Day for business development on pre-determined one-to-one meeting sessions between Distributors and Manufacturers. The conventions also bring together the talented future leaders of the future under one platform of Next Generation reception, an open Distribution Forum to discuss issues particular to distribution, and world-class entertainment in the social programme for spouses and partners featuring a signature black-tie Gala Dinner. 

Every year, the EPTDA Annual Convention stage brings together some of the finest and most legendary gurus and thinkers as the keynote speakers and 2013 is no exception. Europe’s Number 1 Management Thinker and the unconventional Swedish economist and dynamic “funky” business thinker, Kjell Nordstöm, will open the ceremony in a grand opening speech followed by Stéphane Garelli, Leading Authority on Competitiveness of Nations and Enterprises, and Alan Beaulieu, one of the most accurate economic forecasters of our times.  

Registrations to the EPTDA Annual Conventions are open as of March 31, 2013, to both EPTDA members and qualified non-member companies. For the early- bird on-line registration and other practical information on the convention, please visit www.eptdaconvention.org.

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) welcomed four new members in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Gorman-Rupp of Canada Ltd. (St. Thomas, Ont.) is a manufacturer of pump products. General manager Robert Furneaux said, “Our membership in PTDA is an ideal avenue to communicate with our manufacturing peers, participate with our distribution and strengthen our global brand presence.”

A & W Bearings & Supply Co. Inc. (Dallas, Texas) is a distributor of bearings, mechanical PT, motors, electrical/electronic drives, hydraulics & pneumatics, linear motion, and motor/motion control products. George Yarbrough, president and CEO, said, “As a 40-year-old company, we’ve not been very involved in very many associations, but we are excited that PTDA can offer us both networking and educational learning opportunities and we are eager to take advantage of both.”

Brenner Industrial Sales (Youngstown, Ohio) is a distributor of mechanical PT, bearings, motors, material handling, motor/motion control products and electrical electronic drives. Bruce Anderson, president, said he joined PTDA because, “I’m hoping to better connect with my fellow distributors and gain access to affordable training materials created and vetted by my distributor colleagues.”
 
Northeast Industrial Technologies Inc. (Lima, N.Y.) is a distributor of mechanical PT, material handling, bearings, motors, electrical/electronic drives, linear motion, motor/motion control and hydraulic & pneumatic products. Michael Shaffer, CEO said, “We joined the Association hoping to gain access to industry barometers and market trends and learn more about what is going on in the industry. So far, the Association is delivering.”
 
Founded in 1960, the PTDA is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel.  A U.S.-based trade association, PTDA represents 174 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $11 billion in sales and span close to 3,400 locations in the United States, Canada and eight other countries. PTDA members also include 184 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.
www.ptda.org

The power transmission/motion control industry expanded in the third quarter of 2012 for the 10 consecutive quarter, but at a slower pace compared with the second quarter of the year.

The 3Q12 PTDA Business Index produced a reading of 50.3, which represents a deceleration from the 2Q12 reading of 54.2.

Both distributors and manufacturers in Canada and the U.S. reported decelerated sales growth compared with the last quarter. On average, sales rose 5 per cent in 3Q12, down from the 7 per cent growth seen in 2Q12. Distributor sales growth grew 5 per cent in 3Q12 down from 6 percent in 2Q12. Manufacturers also reported decelerated sales growth of 6 percent in 3Q12, compared with 8 percent growth last quarter.

PTDA members expect 2013 to be another year of growth, with an average forecast of 6 per cent. Notably, 83 per cent of distributors and 78 per cent of manufacturers surveyed expect positive growth in 2013.

The PTDA Business Index full report is available through PTDA’s website at www.ptda.org/BusinessIndex. It includes U.S. and Canadian breakout data in addition to historical data.

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) has launched a newly redesigned website at www.ptda.org. The organization says the new website is cleaner and easier to navigate than ever before.

Powerful search tools make it easier for users to find relevant industry information and to locate distributors and manufacturers throughout North America and beyond. A fresh, mobile-friendly design makes the site accessible for those on the go as the new site displays well whether users are on tablets, cell phones or desktops.

In addition, the site offers loads of industry-specific content. While some of it is accessible only to members, much of the information — such as guidelines and formats — is publicly available with just a few additional steps. PTDA members can now quickly access and update their online profiles.

PTDA’s Communications Committee and its Website Redevelopment Task Force provided input during the website redevelopment process. Their time and efforts not only made the new site possible but also helped ensure the new site meets members’ needs.

Founded in 1960, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel.
www.ptda.org

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) welcomed a new manufacturer member in the second quarter of 2012.

Schomberg, Ont.-based Krown Corporate manufactures industrial lubricants, cleaners and coatings for the manufacturing, mining, marine, food processing, pulp and paper and raw steel sectors, including a line of eco-friendly products. Visit Krown Corporate online at www.krownindustrial.com.
 
"Krown Industrial is honored and excited to become a part of PTDA. We look forward to contributing Krown's knowledge and expertise in corrosion control and lubrication to an already outstanding association of technical experts, and we very much appreciate the opportunity to do so," said Matthew Young, industrial sales manager, Krown Corporate.

Founded in 1960, the PTDA is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. A U.S.-based trade association, PTDA represents 171 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $11 billion in sales and span close to 3,400 locations in the United States, Canada and eight other countries. PTDA members also include 179 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.
www.ptda.org
www.krownindustrial.com

Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP) is doing all it can to attract the right people for industrial distribution jobs as they become available. Part of that work includes the launch this week of an online job board designed to connect young people looking for career jobs with industrial distributors and manufacturers looking for those same bright young people to fill open positions.
 
The new ICP Job Board is located at jobs.idcareers.org and is also available through the "Jobs" tab at the ICP website at www.industrialcareerspathway.org. Because wages for wholesale distributor and manufacturing sales reps rank very high for positions that do not require college degrees, industrial distribution careers can be an attractive place for thousands of bright, young individuals to work and earn a good living. Jobs for those with technical school and community college, as well as four-year college degrees are available. Employers can begin posting open positions immediately.
 
The ICP Job Board has many attractive features: the ability for employers to bring job seekers to their own online recruiting pages thereby creating a seamless brand experience for job seekers, the option to create screening questions to save time while reviewing resumes, and the opportunity to research posted resumes at no cost once a job has been posted. Employers who are members of the ICP Alliance Partner network (Industrial Supply Association, NAHAD-The Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution, or the Power Transmission Distributors Association) are also entitled to special discounts. The targeted nature of the ICP Job Board, along with the affordable cost (about half of commercial job boards) of posting a help wanted ad, makes the ICP Job Board a desirable choice compared to the larger job boards.
 
ICP is promoting the ICP Job Board to young people throughout North America using a variety of initiatives and advertising tactics as well as its all-volunteer Ambassador Corps. ICP Ambassadors are available to speak to local community and school groups about the industrial distribution industry as well as make presentations at career fairs in their communities.

ICP is a multifaceted North American workforce initiative supported by an alliance of industry associations that addresses the need for a skilled industrial distribution and manufacturing sales and customer service workforce today and tomorrow.

More than 220 participants enjoyed PTDA’s 11th annual Canadian Conference in beautiful Victoria, B.C., where the power transmission/motion control industry met to network and hear from thought-leaders on the topics of business, economics, demographics and the environment as well as hear updates on the mining industry and working with the aboriginal market as a customer.

Held at the Fairmont Empress, the PTDA Canadian Conference kicked off with the third annual Industry Showcase featuring manufacturer products and product information as well as a networking Welcome Reception. This was followed over the course of the next two days by the delivery of valuable information developed by an industry committee of volunteers on topics including:

The economy: Delivered by Michael Campbell, British Columbia’s most respected business analyst and host of Canada’s top-rated business show, Money Talks, this presentation illustrated how society is experiencing a historic period of change regarding attitudes toward currency and debt, with more people entering retirement than entering the workforce in Canada.

Demographics: To underscore Campbell’s presentation, Ryan Berlin of Urban Futures talked about the four drivers leading demographic change in Canada: 1) the aging population; 2) the slowing birth rate; 3) growing life expectancy; and 4) the migration of people in and out of Canada and how those demographic shifts affect business and the economy.

Market updates: Mike Bonshor, practice leader of MNP’s Aboriginal Consulting Services in British Columbia and the Yukon, and Alec Morrison, director at the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC), each addressed the importance of aboriginal relations when working in the mining sector during the conference’s popular “Market Briefing” segment. Further, Morrison talked about British Columbia’s position in the mining industry with respect to the rest of the country and the key challenges distributors and manufacturers should be aware of when working in the sector.

Energy’s future: Bob McDonald, host of the award-winning science program Quirks & Quarks, shared his thoughts on realistic alternatives for a clean-energy future as energy supplies dwindle and climate changes occur. He demonstrated how energy conservation and clean energy are big cost-saving factors for corporations that translate into major opportunities for distributors and manufacturers to sell value to their customers. Further, McDonald enlightened the audience about Canadian energy usage and the state of the country’s natural resources vis-à-vis supply and demand.

A conference recap and photographs from the event are available at www.ptda.org/CanadianConference. PTDA members gain exclusive access to presentations from two of the speakers.

The PTDA Business Index indicated the first quarter of 2012 was the eighth consecutive quarter for business growth among PTDA members, with a reading of 75.4. Compared with a reading of 67.3 for the fourth quarter of 2011, the recently released results indicate the power transmission/motion control industry is expanding at a faster pace than before.

Both distributors and manufacturers saw strong growth in this first quarter.

PTDA members participating in the Business Index expect 2012 to be another year of growth with an average forecast of 11 per cent, up from nine per cent in the 4Q11 survey.

The PTDA Business Index full report is available through PTDA’s website at www.ptda.org/businessindex. It includes U.S. and Canadian breakout data in addition to historical data. Conducted jointly by PTDA and Cleveland Research Company, the PTDA Quarterly Business Index was modeled after the widely respected Purchasing Managers Index and tracks change in business activity, new orders, employment, supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and backlog in the PT/MC market to arrive at an overall index.