Hayward Industrial Products of Elizabeth, N.J., has entered into a global marketing alliance with Cepex S.A. of Barcelona, Spain, to enhance distribution of both companies' lines of industrial plastic valves and flow control products.

Ron Warren has taken over as president and CEO of Central States Group, a leading Midwestern wholesaler of fluid handling equipment headquartered in Omaha, Neb.

Dixon Valve & Coupling has opened a new distribution center in Tampa, Fla.

The Institute for Supply Management reported economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew for the 13th consecutive month in June.

Northwest Pipe Co. reported that it has received a letter of intent from PCL Civil Constructors, Inc. of Tempe, AZ, for approximately $14 million of welded steel pipe for the Lake Pleasant Waterline, a project for the city of Phoenix.

Red-White Valve Corp. has a full line of ASSE 1010 certified water hammer arrestors that are maintenance free, use FDA-approved lubricants for drinking water systems and may be installed in new or existing piping systems.

Sharon Tube Co. has qualified for ISO/RS16949:2002 certification.

Industrial Supply Association (ISA) is the name of a new organization arising after members approved a consolidation of the Industrial Distribution Association and Industrial Supply Manufacturers Association.

Commerce Secretary Donald Evans announced in May that “the Department has made tangible improvements in how we tackle standards-related issues that can distort trade and undermine the competitiveness of U.S. products.

The Hydraulic Institute and its European counterpart, Europump, have collaborated on a new guide for designing, specifying and operating variable speed pumping system for lowering energy, maintenance and life cycle costs.