BRIEFS

By Staff -- Purchasing, 8/24/2000

Motion Industries has announced the merger of MBS Inc. into Motion Canada.

Motion Industries has announced the merger of MBS Inc. into Motion Canada. "This strategic move is a continuation of our drive to provide better customer service to Canada," says Bill Stevens, CEO, Motion Industries. MBS, which distributes bearings and PT products, operates in 29 locations with 220 employees. Motion Canada operates 40 locations in seven Canadian provinces.

IndustrialAmerica, backed by MSC Industrial Direct and Internet Capital Group,

IndustrialAmerica, backed by MSC Industrial Direct and Internet Capital Group, is expected to launch an online exchange to buy, sell and coordinate transportation of MRO goods and services this fall. Said to integrate fully with a company's existing procurement platform and internal systems, the new exchange allows buyers to maintain all current relationships with distributors and manufacturers.

Six MRO distributors have joined TotalMRO.com, a Grainger e-com-merce initiative.

Six MRO distributors have joined TotalMRO.com, a Grainger e-com-merce initiative. They are: Wesco Distribution, Carlton-Bates Company, Precision Industries, Magid Glove & Safety, Grainger Parts Company, and Gempler's. In addition to easily searchable product information, Total MRO.com customers have access to pre-negotiated pricing and product availability information. TotalMRO.com is available through Ariba and SAP e-commerce solutions (PUR: July 13, 2000; p. 233).

Graybar Electric and Belden Inc. have entered into a new distribution agreement

Graybar Electric and Belden Inc. have entered into a new distribution agreement that provides Graybar customers with access to Belden's line of products including electronic, net-working, control, instrumentation, and electrical cables. Graybar, a national distributor of electrical and comm/data products, is supported by zone warehouses and more than 282 branches. Belden has manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe and Asia.

MSC Industrial Direct is making its inventory of MRO parts available through the iProcure network,

MSC Industrial Direct is making its inventory of MRO parts available through the iProcure network, Data-stream's Web-based industrial pro-curement marketplace. MSC gives iProcure customers access to 2,500 suppliers and more than 400,000 industrial and metalworking products, in addition to MRO supplies.