A new master distributor of stainless-steel products, Sunbelt Stainless Product, a division of the Atlanta-based manufacturers rep firm Sunbelt Marketing, has opened shop in Georgia, Florida and Texas.

Pennsylvania Machine Works has acquired the Ladish forged-steel-fitting product line from the Hackney division of Trinity Industries.

The market for industrial valves in the United States is projected to reach $13.1 billion by 2003, according to a study by the Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm.

Affiliated Distributors presented awards to its affiliates and vendors at its annual meeting. In other news, A-D announced a reorganization involving both promotions and new hires.

Two Southwestern PVF powerhouses will join forces as the result of a planned acquisition of the assets and business operations of R.J. Gallagher Co. by Red Man Pipe & Supply Co.

Three members of the Industrial Piping Division of the American Supply Association have joined the board of directors for the Common Industry Material Identification System.

Canadian valve manufacturer Velan acquired Bouvier-Darling SA, a Grenoble, France, manufacturer of gate, check and specialty valves for the nuclear and fossil-power industries and gas pipelines.

Tyco International sold The Mueller Co. and Grinnell Supply Sales and Manufacturing to a company formed by DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II and affiliated investors.

President Clinton signed a law authorizing a $1.5 billion loan program for steel, oil and natural gas companies that have been hard-hit by depressed prices.

Robert J. Weller is the new vice president/business development for Matco-Norca Inc.