Schaedler Yesco and APR Supply plan to jointly operate branch
Schaedler Yesco Distribution Inc. (SYD), Harrisburg, Pa., and APR Supply Co. (APR), Lebanon, Pa., are expanding their joint venture business model into the western Pennsylvania market this fall to Indiana, Pa. APR, a distributor of plumbing, heating and cooling supplies, currently has a branch on Airport Rd. in Indiana, approximately 60 miles east of Pittsburgh, and will move its operation to 2060 Shelly Drive to complete the cohabitation between APR and SYD.
With the addition of Indiana, Schaedler Yesco and APR Supply Co. now share 11 multi-distributor facilities throughout Pennsylvania, seven of which contain two partners and four that include an additional business partner, Industrial Piping Systems, a distributor of pipe, valve and fitting supplies.
A press release announcing the joint locations says this business model is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and specifically the wholesale distribution industry. Customers often make purchases from each of the two distributors already so now they can find a large assortment of material needed for projects in one convenient location, experiencing a level of customer service that surpasses competition.
Their first multi-distributor building was opened by the joint venture in Oct. 2006 in Chambersburg, Pa., and has grown continually ever since.
Schaedler YESCO is ranked #59 on Electrical Wholesaling’s 2012 Top 200 listing with $133.8 million in sales, and APR has been doing business in central Pennsylvania for 90 years. Both companies are AD member distributors.
Springfield Electric Supply to acquire Soy City Electric Supply
Springfield Electric Supply Co., Springfield, Ill., has acquired the assets of Soy City Electric Supply, Decatur, Ill. Soy City Electric Supply has been in business for 65 years and is located at 1050 North Main, Decatur, Ill.
Michael Barker, Springfield Electric’s president and COO, said, “Soy City Electric Supply has been a very capable and effective competitor for many years. Combining our resources into one expanded and strengthened team is a further commitment to our future growth in the Decatur market. We acquired the former Boland Electric in 1997 and expanded and built a new facility in 1999. With the additional resources in experienced personnel and added inventory this consolidation gives us, we plan to increase the services offered and our territory coverage.”
Springfield Electric Supply employs over 250 associates at 6 locations in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, and is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. The company is ranked #56 on Electrical Wholesaling’s 2012 Top 200 listing.
GE adds PayPal payments to WattStation functions
GE Energy’s Industrial Solutions business has struck a strategic agreement with PayPal to enable drivers using GE’s WattStation electric vehicle charging system to pay for charging fees through PayPal using the WattStation Connect mobile app. With the app, available at the Apple iTunes Store, users can locate the nearest WattStation EV charger, check the status of the charger, get pricing details and pay with PayPal.
Kaman acquires Florida Bearings
Kaman Corp., Bloomfield, Conn., further expanded its offerings for the industrial market last week when its subsidiary, Kaman Industrial Technologies (KIT), announced it acquired Florida Bearings, Inc., Miami. Florida Bearings will become part of KIT, Kaman’s Industrial Distribution segment. Terms were not disclosed.
Florida Bearings, founded in 1950, is a distributor of bearings, power transmission and pump products as well as a provider of services such as predictive maintenance and motor, gearbox and pump repair to diverse industries, such as the water, wastewater, municipal, food and aggregate industries. In addition to Miami, the company has locations in Hialeah, Ft. Lauderdale, Riviera Beach and Orlando. The company has annual sales of approximately $20 million. Kaman made waves in the industrial automation space in 2010 with the acquisition of motion control specialist Minarik Corp.
DOE grants Ushio exemption for 700 series T8s
The U.S. Department of Energy granted Ushio America a two-year exemption from the new efficiency regulations that go into effect on July 14 for certain T8 fluorescent lamps. As a result of this decision, Ushio, along with GE Lighting, Osram Sylvania and Philips Lighting, which already had been granted exemptions, may continue to manufacture T8 700 Series general service fluorescent lamps until July 14, 2014.