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Respondents to ASA’s monthly sales report reported a median sales increase of 27% for February 2022 vs. the same February 2021 timeframe. These results reflect another month of robust performance compared to the same month a year ago, though compared to January 2022 totals, the median sales growth was a more modest 4.5%, reports Industry Insights, which prepares the report for ASA distributor members. 

For better or for worse, elections have consequences. That has now been proven yet again, even though the federal government is experiencing some of the slimmest partisan margins in its history. With former President Trump still in the background, the Biden administration quickly set out with a wide-ranging agenda to implement its vision for America. However, much of this has been stalled with the COVID-19 pandemic still with us and its continuous viral variants, an economy expanding amid inflation and foreign policy challenges that seem to present themselves daily.  

We all realize the need for a robust online offering as eCommerce continues to be a growing share of the market. However, as the group discussed and debated the topic, we realized how much more complex the situation is currently.

Each month, as a free member benefit, ASA publishes the ASA Commodities Report, which provides updates and analysis on nine metals and plastics categories — all written by members of ASA’s Industrial Piping Division. 

ASA is pleased to announce an educational partnership with The Commonwealth Group (TCG) buying group to provide access to ASA University training at a special price for all TCG distributor members. 

Given today’s rapidly changing business environment, strengthening your company’s ability to compete requires you to think about your businesses like never before.

The environment requires new levels of strategic vision and a growth mindset that prioritizes strategic planning and investment. We are all challenged every day to stay relevant and enhance our ability to compete, and this is true now more than ever.

A highlight of the group is its annual ELEVATE conference, which has become a crowd favorite, full of top-notch speakers, networking happy hours and fun evening events for the women. The last time ELEVATE was able to happen in person was in 2019 in San Diego, where turnout was at an all-time high and included 91 new attendees. ELEVATE was slated to take place in Charleston, South Carolina in April of 2020, but had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ASA and the Women in Industry executive council provided a virtual meeting in April of 2021, where attendees still gained access to great speakers, educational sessions and virtual networking. But after three years since an in-person ELEVATE conference, the Women in Industry division is itching to get back together.

January 2022 results of ASA’s monthly sales report reflect another month of robust performance compared to the same month a year ago, though most respondents reported declines in sales when compared to December 2021, noted Industry Insights, ASA’s business intelligence partner that prepares the report each month for ASA member distributors. 

In October 2021, OSHA released preliminary data for the top 10 most-cited standards in fiscal year 2021. The data includes violations cited between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021. The preliminary data was presented at the 2021 NSC Safety Congress and Expo by Patrick Kapust, deputy director of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs at OSHA.

Do you want the OK news first or the bad news first? How about we try to stay somewhat positive out of the gates. ASA recently released findings from its second special compensation/benefits study that it commissioned business intelligence partner Industry Insights to conduct in the latter part of 2021.