U.S. Attorney Investigating Lawson Gifts to Government Purchasing Agents

Jason Sandefur

Lawson Products Inc. is being investigated for “inappropriate gifts to purchasing agents, including government purchasing agents,” the company acknowledged.\
Lawson announced it has been cooperating with an investigation by the U.S. Attorney”s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
Investigators used a warrant to search records and files at Lawson”s Des Plaines, IL, headquarters in suburban Chicago. The company also is responding to a document subpoena.
The Lawson board formed a committee to conduct an internal investigation.
Founded in 1952, Lawson purchases most of its 900,000 products in bulk and repackages in smaller quantities. Products include fasteners, industrial supplies such as hoses, lubricants and cleansers, and auto parts. Lawson has 16 distribution centers and a manufacturing plant Automatic Screw Machine Products Co. of Decatur, AL and 1,800 independent sales reps for 267,000 customers. Lawson sells in North America and the UK. Domestic sales account for 92% of revenue. �2006 FastenerNews.com