Wadsworth, OH – Cornwell Tools celebrated the best turnout ever at the 2005 National Tool Rally held last month in New Orleans.
More than 100 exhibitors participated, contributing to a 44% increase in overall dealer attendance from last year.
Bill Stemple, director of marketing, welcomed the trade show exhibitors March 11, touting the great benefits of bringing the 
exhibitors and our dealers together in one place. “There’s nothing like talking face to face,” Stemple said.
Cornwell Tools President Bill Nobley stated that the privately owned business focuses on taking care of its dealers through training, treatment and large territories.
“We have a commitment to our people,” Nobley stated in an interview with TechShop editors. The company nurtures the relationship with the dealer by providing them with direct access to the company’s top management.
“Our dealers operate as a family business, and we are a family business. All of Cornwell appreciates the work that they do,” Nobley said.
In an award ceremony March 12, Cornwell Tools recognized 2004’s Top 50 Dealers.
Imperial Celebrates 100th Anniversary, Stride Tool Marks 25th
Glenwillow, OH – Stride Tool, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of specialty hand tools, celebrates its 25th year in business this month.
Lori Northrup, Stride Tool board chairman, founded the company in 1980.
“When we started, we only had one product and one customer,” Northrup said. “Although there have been many growth changes since that small rented shop with three employees and two punch presses, I’m happy to say we still have that same customer and that same product 25 years later.”
The company’s first acquisition was Milbar, an Ohio tool manufacturer. Stride Tool then purchased Imperial when it bought the tools and accessories division of the Imperial Eastman Co. in 1996.
Imperial, designer and manufacturer of HVAC and specialty tools, celebrated its 100th anniversary in January.
From its inception as the Imperial Brass Manufacturing Company in January 1905, to its roles as a flagship brand under its parent firm, Stride Tool, Inc., Imperial has maintained a tradition of quality.
“For a company that is 25 years old, we are especially proud of Stride Tool’s role in continuing the heritage of Milbar and Imperial,” Northrup added.
Today, Stride Tool operates plants in western New York, Ohio and Illinois.
K-Line To Provide Kubota With Special Service Tool Program
K-Line Industries Inc., a manufacturer of service tools, equipment and supplies, announced that it has been awarded the contract to provide Kubota Tractor Corporation with a full line of service tools. K-Line will be supplying Kubota with a large variety of Kubota-specific tools designed and developed solely by K-line for Kubota’s dealer network.
K-Line will also make available to Kubota its extensive library of general shop tools that are designed to enhance the work of the service technician.
Changes in Snap-on Management
Kenosha, WI – Alan Biland has been named president of Snap-on Tools Company, LLC, responsible for the company’s worldwide dealer organization. He has also been named a senior vice president of Snap-on Incorporated, effective immediately. Biland succeeds Michael Montemurro, senior vice president of Snap-on Inc., who recently announced plans to retire in the near-term after serving the company for nearly 35 years.
Thomas Ward has been promoted to succeed Biland as president of the Diagnostics and Information Group, and has also been appointed a vice president of Snap-on Inc. Jeanne Moreno has been appointed vice president and chief information officer (CIO) for Snap-on, succeeding Biland as CIO. She joins Snap-on after having served as the senior vice president and CIO for Citrix Software, a global leader in infrastructure software.
Mary Beth Siddons has been named to succeed Ward as president of Diagnostics. Biland, Ward and Moreno will report to Jack Michaels, chairman, president and CEO of Snap-on Inc., and Siddons will report to Ward.
Welding Society Releases New Recommended Practices
Miami – The American Welding Society has released AWS D8.7M:2005, Recommended Practices for Automotive Weld Quality – Resistance Spot Welding.
This document presents recommended practices and criteria for evaluating resistance spot welds typical of automotive sheet steel applications. It contains weld characteristics, metrics and testing methods useful in evaluating spot welding quality on coated and uncoated automotive sheet steels of all strength levels and compositions. These test methods are designed to assess static and dynamic properties of automotive sheet steel welds.
To purchase this standard, go to www.global.ihs.com, call 800-854-7179 or 303-792-7956 or fax at 303-397-2740. It is $36 for AWS members and $48 for nonmembers.
MONTI Opens U.S. Site
MONTI Werkzeuge GmbH, Bonn, the German manufacturer of the MBX Surface Technologies for surface preparation, has established a subsidiary in the U.S. to better service its customers in North America.
The new entity, MONTI TOOLS INC. is located in Norwood, NJ, and operates a warehouse where all parts are stocked for immediate delivery to customers. According to Stefan H. Ehlers, CEO of MONTI TOOLS INC., “the U.S. location enables American customers to place orders for MBX products directly at the manufacturer, to receive direct shipments, and to benefit from the manufacturer’s expertise.”
SPX Sells GSE to Atlas Copco
Charlotte, NC – SPX Corp. completed the sale of its GSE Tech-Motive Tool business to Atlas Copco-owned Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company in March.
GSE Tech-Motive Tool manufactures and distributes specialized tightening solutions for customers with critical assembly applications. Based in Novi, MI, the business has annual revenues of approximately $25 million.
“The sale of GSE allows us to reallocate capital to growth opportunities that add value and fit SPX’s overall strategy,” said David Kowalski, president of SPX Service Solutions. “Despite its niche expertise, our review process revealed that in the long term, GSE is not a match for our growth strategy.”