United Technologies Corp. received Purchasing's Medal of Professional Excellence for 2006. To learn how MRO purchasing pros at the company contributed to the win using best practices identified by Purchasing's MRO Indirect MRO Benchmark Study, listen to a 30-minute free webcast with Jim Hollinden and Bob Calvez of the UTC supply management operation at www.purchasing.com/msz.

Motion Industries has purchased Jonesboro Bearing & Supply. Jonesboro Bearing employs 33 people in two locations in Jonesboro, Ark., and Stuttgart, Ark. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, industrial supplies and fasteners.

Rexel, a worldwide distributor of electrical supplies, has acquired 51% of Huazhang Electric Automation in China and APPRO 5 in France. The two transactions are in line with Rexel's strategy to enhance its local market positions and know-how.

VanderVoort Dairy, a division of Kroger Manufacturing, awarded Precision Industries its first annual Vendor of the Year award. Outstanding customer service is the reason VanderVoort Dairy bestowed the honor on the national industrial distributor.

The Indirect-MRO Buyers group holds its 10th annual conference Sept. 24–25 in Chicago. The Indirect-MRO Buyers group is an affiliate of the Institute for Supply Management. For information go to: www.indirectmro.com.

Purchasing's newest book, The MRO/Indirect Sourcing Casebook is available for $48 through the magazine's bookstore at www.purchasing.com.