| November 28, 2007 | News for the wholesale distribution industry |
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- Hagemeyer agrees to Rexel's offer
Under the terms of a $4.6 billion deal, Dutch firm Hagemeyer will be split between Rexel and Sonepar, both of France. The takeover agreement calls for Rexel to buy Hagemeyer and then sell approximately 40% of the acquired firm's assets to Sonepar, to include Hagemeyer's businesses in North America, Switzerland, Australia, Austria, Sweden, China and Southeast Asia. Industrial Distribution
(11/26)
- Merger could bring hot and cold together
The boards of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association have unanimously approved a merger that would create the Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Institute; the proposal now will be voted on by each group's membership, with the tally being calculated Dec. 15. If approved by the respective memberships, the newly merged entity could be made official Jan. 1, 2008. Proponents of the merger say the combination will offer more benefits to member companies of both groups. The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News
(11/26)
- White House plans to rework stance on illegal hires
The Bush administration is temporarily backing off a push to enforce new rules punishing firms for hiring illegal immigrants, papers filed last week in federal court indicate. The motion asks a federal district court judge to suspend the case until late March to allow the Department of Homeland Security to rework the rule and further study its possible impact on small business. The White House said it believes the amended rule would "fully address the court's concerns." The New York Times
(11/25)
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| | NEED HELP MANAGING YOUR WAREHOUSE?
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- Improve board performance with meaningful discussion
There are several key strategies that can help boost the effectiveness of boards of directors. At meetings, for instance, directors shouldn't be deluged by PowerPoint presentations, and enough time should be set aside following presentations to allow for a meaningful discussion of the agenda items. BusinessWeek
(11/26)
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- Grow green marketing efforts with care
As companies become used to incorporating green principles into operations, they're finding a learning curve applies to green marketing as well. Some important rules to green marketing include making sure the green product or service is something customers really want; empowering customers to feel they can make a difference; and being up-front about the legitimacy of your product. MarketingProfs (free registration)
(11/20)
| Distribution Trends Blog | | |
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2008 economic growth and you
Pembroke Consulting President and NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Adam J. Fein Ph.D., in his blog, sums up the minutes of a recent Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting, which includes statistics relating to economic growth, unemployment and inflation through 2010. He also discusses how individual wholesale distribution sectors affect the overall U.S. economy and invites readers to learn more about the economic outlook for 2008, via his Dec. 6 audio conference, Wholesale Distribution Economic Outlook. Distribution Trends
(11/26)
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| Small Business Manager | | |
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| Executive Life | | |
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- Shoppers swoon for rare Zunes
With only a limited supply so far in stores, Microsoft's new Zune 80 digital music players are flying off shelves -- real and virtual -- so fast that they were selling for a $70 premium above their $250 price tag on eBay on Thursday, according to this article. Competing with Apple's iPod classic, the players hold an 80-gigabyte hard drive and provide a larger screen, wireless networking capabilities, an FM radio and music subscription service. USA TODAY
(11/22)
- Exercise, smart eating key to managing diabetes
Experts who run educational programs in the Lafayette, Ind., area say that exercise and smart diet decisions, rather than medication, are the best ways to prevent diabetes. A public awareness campaign by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association also promotes the diet-and-exercise prescription. Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Ind.)
(11/27)
| NAW Insider | | |
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The Hertz green collection: Reserve and conserve
Now you can reserve fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly cars that are both easy on the wallet and suitable for families and small groups traveling together. Reservable by specific make and model with an EPA highway fuel-efficiency rating of 28 miles or more per gallon. To enroll in the NAW/Hertz Business Account Program, visit NAW's Web site.
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Employee Performance Improvement Tool Kit: Your key HR resource
Every distributor needs a more structured approach to improving employee performance, and the Employee Performance Improvement Tool Kit (book and CD) fits that bill. Use it to find, hire, develop, evaluate and retain efficient and effective employees. It includes dozens of customizable templates and 21 different samples of distribution jobs. Make it a key component in your human resources program.
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Save 35% when you order DVM
The NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence and Deloitte Consulting offer Driving Growth and Shareholder Value: The Distribution Value Map™. Known as DVM, this extraordinary mapping tool helps distributors make crucial strategic and operational improvements through a systematic approach to higher efficiency, greater profitability, and added value. Reenergize existing programs or jump-start new initiatives with DVM. Order and save 35%!
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| | Recent NAW SmartBrief Issues:
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- Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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- Friday, November 16, 2007
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