Applied Industrial Technologies partners with ORS Nasco
MRO distributor extends scope to industrial supplies
By Susan Avery -- Purchasing, 6/10/2009 11:02:00 AM
Applied Industrial Technologies has entered into a new strategic partnership with ORS Nasco, a wholesaler of tools, safety products, general industrial items and welding supplies. ORS Nasco, a single-source wholesaler, sells exclusively to distributors of safety, welding, construction, oilfield/pipeline and industrial supplies.
The partnership expands Applied’s offering of maintenance supplies in areas such as tools and safety with such brands as Rubbermaid, CM Hoists, UnionTool and Maglite. The offering also extends into new product areas such as welding and oilfield/pipeline supplies. In all, the partnership adds more than 80,000 items to Applied’s product basket.
In addition, the partnership provides Applied with one-day and two-day delivery on 99% of ORS Nasco inventory. Coordinating efficiencies of ORS Nasco’s eight strategically located U.S. distribution centers with Applied’s logistical infrastructure makes possible these quick delivery times.
In an effort to consolidate spending with suppliers and keep costs in line, MRO buyers continue to look to industrial distributors to provide an increasing number of goods and services. Results of a recent Purchasingsurvey, in fact, show 35% of respondents buying more through distribution today than five years ago. MRO stands for maintenance, repair and operations.
“ORS Nasco gives us immediate access to the types of products that many customers have been requesting—general industrial items that round out our product offering and make Applied truly a one-stop shop for industrial purchasing,” says Jeff Ramras, vice president—supply chain management, at Applied in Cleveland, Ohio.
With $2.1 billion in annual sales, Applied Industrial Technologies places in the 10th spot on Industrial Distribution magazine’s Big 50 list of industrial distributors for 2009.
Earlier this year, Motion Industries in Birmingham, Ala., acquired industrial supplies distributor General Tool and Supply.
See also: UTC supply team applies MRO best practices to managing chemicals spend
MRO Industry Business Intelligence
07/16/2009
Now Playing: 