At its spring meeting, the American Pipe Fittings Association elected itls officers for the next year.

Affiliated Distributors announced that two more companies have joined the marketing group's industrial-PVF division.

The Industrial Distribution Group said that reduced demand for maintenance, repair, operations and production (MROP) products has caused a drop in earnings for the second quarter.

Two new Web sites are designed to simplify buying letals and industrial supplies.

The latest round of acquisition activity goes to Ferguson Enterprises, which has signed a letter of intent to acquire Thrall Distribution and completed the purchase of Midwest Pipe & Supply Co.

Food-processing companies are in the market for suppliers that can perform a variety of tasks.

Jim Bokor Jr., president of Robert-James Sales, announced that the company has moved its headquarters and warehouse.

The May 21 announcement that AK Steel is buying Armco has resulted in the termination of talks between Armco's Sawhill Tubular Division and Wheatland Tube Co.