News and views about companies, staff, products and more (June 01, 2001)

Dayco has added new features and improved functionality to its business-to-business, on-line order entry and tracking system, Dayco Direct. The update includes options that can configure an order so that the distributor receives the lowest pricing and shipping costs. The improvements include a Save and Restore function that allows customers to start entering an order at the beginning of the day, save it, add to it throughout the day and place the order at the end of the day, thus avoiding the creation of multiple small orders. In the event the customer neglects to finalize the order the same day, an Auto-Post function allows Dayco to automatically place a saved “shopping cart” on order at the end of the day, thereby saving the customer from having to duplicate an entire day’s ordering the next day. Quick-Buy enables a customer to check multiple parts, pricing and inventory status, plus place orders, all from one screen. The Standard Pack feature allows line items or the entire order to be rounded up to a standard pack multiple, thus achieving the best mix, pricing and shipping for an order. For more information, call 800-283-2926, or visit the web site at www.dayco.com.

The addition McGill, Kopflex, Rollway and U.S. Gearmotor products to the traditional Morse and Browning lines has added to the growth of Emerson Power Transmission over the past few years, says Colin Figgens, general manager, so the company’s Markham, Ont., operations are being relocated to a larger facility nearby. The distribution centre moved in late April and the customer service and support groups will move in mid-summer. For details, contact Emerson at 800-268-4149.

Rockwell International of Greenville, S.C., is changing its name to Rockwell Automation to better reflect the company’s business focus after the completion of the planned spin-off of Rockwell Collins, the company’s avionics business, as an independent company which will continue to use the Rockwell Collins name.

Canadian custom cablemaker Elocab of Kitchener, Ont., has appointed Montreal-based Cablenet Distribution as its agent in the Quebec market. Also, Elocab has placed a French-language questionnaire on its website at www.elocab.ca, which is directly linked to Cablenet’s systems consultants. Cablenet can be reached by phone at 514-387-7995 or by e-mail at elocab@cablenetcanada.com.

Motion Canada of Mississauga, Ont., a division of Motion Industries, a distributor of bearings, mechanical, electrical and fluid power transmission replacement parts and hose products, has named Ron Watts executive vice-president. In his new role, Watts will oversee all administrative functions for Motion Canada as well as continuing to co-ordinate all Canadian tax and accounting issues with Motion Industries.

Bob Morris, who has represented and managed Diamond Chain in Canada for several years, has accepted a position to run the U.S. central mid-west district for the company. Coinciding with this change, the chain producer has contracted with Advantage Sales Network of Mississauga and Edmonton to perform sales and warehousing duties for Canada. Other changes are being implemented: Diamond Chain products will be shipped directly from Mississauga or Edmonton; French language catalogues will be available; and price lists in Canadian funds will be available. As well, quotes and invoices in Canadian dollars will be available early this summer.

Akro-Mils Canada of Brampton, Ont., has appointed Warehouse Systems Inc. (WSI) as a nationwide distributor for its material handling and related products, including returnable containers, pallets, carts and platform trucks. A long-established company in the United States, Akro-Mils expanded into Canada in 2000. Although only just over one year old, WSI is staffed by veterans of the material handling industry and operates facilities in five provinces, with more expected. Its 218-page catalogue features racking, storage, lifting and safety products. For more information, contact Akro-Mils Canada at 905-791-1937; e-mail: sales@akro-milscanada.com; web site: www.akro-mils.com.

A team of six Rockwell Automation employees from Rockwell’s Greenville, S.C., facility was presented with the Rockwell Annual Chairman’s Team Award. This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of employees around the world who work together to achieve a common goal, rewarding teams whose accomplishments reflect innovative pursuits that have a significant impact on business performance. For two years, the cross-disciplinary Greenville team, representing marketing, engineering, finance and manufacturing, worked at developing a strategy to improve the competitive position and future profitability of the Dodge Torque-Arm II shaft-mount reducer.

National Electrical Carbon of Mississauga, Ont., has appointed Geff Waite as account manager to represent a new line of vibration analysis equipment, the VB Series, designed by Commtest Instruments Ltd. of New Zealand. Waite, who has worked in the vibration equipment business for the past 16 years, has previously been with IRD Entech and CSI. Most recently, he was an independent vibration consultant. He can be reached at 905-678-6665 or by e-mail at gwaite@nationalelectrical.com.

A Rockwell Engineer of the Year award was recently presented to Al Phillips, senior engineer with Rockwell Automation. The company’s highest honour, this award is presented annually in a competition that highlights the significant achievements among the company’s more than 6,500 engineers. Six engineers from within Rockwell’s business units received the award. Phillips, who has 42 years of industry experience, led team efforts on the design and development of the Dodge Torque-Arm II speed reducer, achieving advancements that have had a positive impact on the evolution of this drive. His innovative and cost-effective design and manufacturing ideas for the product resulted in eight patent applications (two have been granted to date). Highlights of his design include a new twin-tapered bushing system, gear case design and screw conveyor driveshaft mounting and sealing systems.

EASA HAS NEW ONTARIO CHAPTER OFFICERS

The Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) has elected new officers for its Ontario Chapter for the 2001-2002 term. They are: president Cameron Weale, Standard Electric, Mississauga; vice-president Sandi Howlett, Ainsworth Inc., Toronto; secretary Mike Dupuis, Monelco Ltd., Windsor; and treasurer Sean Hickey, Lafert N.A., Mississauga.

“EASA’s new Ontario officers possess many excellent qualities to help lead the chapter successfully into the 21st century,” said Linda Raynes, EASA’s executive vice-president.

The Ontario chapter’s membership currently stands at 150 active and affiliate members, representing service shops, distributors and manufacturers from across the province. The chapter hosts several events each year, including its annual meeting and tradeshow, spring meeting and fall meeting. The 2001 spring meeting was held in April in Niagara Falls, Ont., and included a tour of the local Ontario Hydro power generating facilities.

EASA is an international trade organization consisting of more than 2,500 electromechanical sales and services firms in 59 countries. Through its many engineering and education programs, it keeps members up to date on materials, equipment and state-of-the-art technology related to sales, service and maintenance of motors, generators, drives, controls and other electromechanical equipment. EASA’s website is located at www.easa.com.

For more information about EASA’s Ontario chapter, contact Cam Weale, chapter president, at Standard Electric, 866-456-2424 (toll free) or 905-677-6667.

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