Business briefs

Electrical Apparatus, Jul 2008 by Jones, Kevin

Rea Magnet Wire expands China venture

Rea Magnet Wire, Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind., has established two joint ventures in the Chinese province of Anhui in the city of Tongling with its Chinese partner, Tongling Jingda. With an estimated annual capacity of 36,000 tons, the Tongling Jingda Rea Special Enameled Wire Co. joint venture will produce high-temperature-class magnet wire for the refrigeration compressor and industrial motor markets. With an estimated annual capacity of 25,000 tons, Tongling Jingda Special Wire Co. will specialize in lower-temperature-class materials for the oil-filled transformer, appliance, and automotive markets. Tongling Jingda and Rea have six manufacturing operations in China.

Record shipments for Inpro-Seal

Inpro/Seal Co. of Rock Island, Ill., the producer of industrial bearing isolators, reports that for the month of April the company shipped an all-time record of 49,837 seals. This news follows on the heels of a record-breaking 2007 calendar year and a 2008 first quarter that also broke all sales records. One factor contributing to strong sales, according to the company, is its investment in educating and informing customers.

A.O. Smith earns importers' security status

Milwaukee-based motor manufacturer A.O. Smith Corp. has been granted the highest security status available to importers by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Known as Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Tier III, the rating is given to a limited number of companies that have comprehensive programs in place to secure their facilities and supply chains against terrorists, smugglers, and narcotics importers. Tier III status was granted to 17 companies in 2007, out of about 6,000 companies in the U.S. that import goods. One result of Tier III status is fewer external agency inspections for A.O. Smith shipments crossing the border between Mexico and the U.S.

U.S. Motors observes its centenary

The U.S. Motors brand of St. Louis-based Emerson Motor Co. is celebrating its hundredth anniversary this year. Founded in 1908 in Los Angeles, U.S. Electrical Motors, Inc., was acquired by Emerson Electric Co. in 1962. Since that time, U.S. Motors has become a global brand. It operates 16 manufacturing facilities and seven engineering centers in six countries. Its line of general- and special-purpose motors covers a range from 1/200 through 5,000 hp and includes such brand names as Emerson, U.S. Motors, Hurst, SR Drives, and eLine.

New Johnstone Supply facility opens

A Las Vegas facility operated by wholesale cooperative distributor Johnstone Supply of Portland, Ore., is now fully operational. The opening completes the company's national network of five major regional distribution centers. The Southwest Distribution Center began limited shipments in March and has gradually ramped up operations. The 130,000-square-foot facility is now servicing 56 Johnstone stores throughout the Southwest.

Fall protection training facility in Houston

A new, state-of-the-art fall protection training facility has been opened in Houston by Capital Safety of Red Wing, Minn. The 7,000-square-foot facility, near the city's international airport, offers a wide variety of fall protection courses, including competent person, authorized person, qualified person, program administrator, rescue, tower climber, and confined space courses.

Edited by Kevin Jones