The PTDA Foundation has been awarded a $10,000 donation by BC Bearing Engineers Ltd., Burnaby, B.C., in support of its major workforce initiative, the Industrial Careers Pathway (ICP).

The company's donation is the largest gift ever to be given to the PTDA Foundation by a distribution company and the second largest investment made in 2008. The donation is also a $3,000 increase over the company's 2007 gift.

"We understand the importance of investing in the future of the industrial distribution industry. One way for our company to effectively promote the excellent careers available is to support the ICP initiative," said W. Penny Omnès, vice-president external affairs and corporate relations, BC Bearing Engineers Ltd. "ICP also ties in with our own company efforts through the Wendy B. McDonald School of Distribution to provide ongoing education, and we see real value in that."

"BC Bearing Engineers Ltd. has been a leader in ICP since its inception with its financial investment, helping make important connections and providing involved volunteers at every level of the initiative," says Phyllis Russell, PTDA Foundation executive director. "Now, they've raised the bar for all distributors committed to building a skilled industrial distribution workforce for today and the future with a $10,000 annual gift. This level of support helps us move ahead rapidly in building the programs and services needed to connect with and prepare the people our industry needs."

In addition to the donation made by BC Bearing Engineers Ltd., several other key players in the industrial distribution and manufacturing industry have stepped up in support of ICP to help build tomorrow's workforce. To date in 2008, a total of $177,994 pledges and donations have been invested in ICP, and the following companies and organizations have made contributions of $2,000 or more:

A.R. Thomson Group
American Supply Association Education Foundation Inc.
Baldor Electric Company
Baldwin Supply Co.
BDI
Bearing Belt Chain Co. Inc.
Bearing Service Inc.
B & D Industrial
Canadian Bearings Ltd.
Carlisle Power Transmission Products Inc.
Drives LLC
Gates Corporation
HALO Auxiliary of HARDI
IBT Inc.
Kaman Industrial Technologies Corporation
Miller Bearings
Motion Industries Inc./Motion Canada
NSK Canada Inc.
NSK Corporation
NTN Bearing Corp. of America
Oilite Bearing Division (Beemer Precision, Inc.)
Power Transmission Distributors Association
Regina USA Inc.
Rexnord LLC
Schaeffler Canada Inc.
SKF Service Division
SunSource
The Timken Company
Tomkins Corporation Foundation

Spearheaded by the PTDA Foundation, the Industrial Careers Pathway is a multifaceted North American workforce initiative that addresses the need for a skilled industrial distribution and manufacturing sales and customer service workforce today and tomorrow. ICP links students and job seekers to career paths in industrial distribution and manufacturing through partnerships with local educators and employers.

Other News:
BC Bearing Engineers Makes Major Donation to Industrial Careers Pathway Project
Pacific Bearing Company Introducing 7 New Product Categories
New Hampshire Ball Bearings Announced the Promotion of Gary Groleau
Rail Supports High-speed Nail Gun
PARTsolutions Partners with Pacific Bearing for Online Catalog
QBC Launches New Website
Fenner Gains Winfield Industries
SKF Introduced New SYSTEM 24 Lubricator ( Pic)