Six new member companies were introduced at the semi-annual conference of Forte Buying Group held in New Orleans in March. Representatives from Bell Supply (Newark, Del.); Snyder Diamond (Santa Monica, Calif.); The Finial (Mequon, Wis.); Chown Hardware (Portland, Ore.); Allen & Allen (San Antonio); and Reback's Plumbing N' Things (Gardena, Calif.) received a stock certificate for one share of stock in the cooperative and a showroom plaque. The conference drew more than 50 members and 33 preferred vendors. The next meeting will be Oct. 23-25 in Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.fortebuyinggroup.com.