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THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
NIFMSE HALL OF FAME AND YOUNG FASTENER PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED from page 32
The company has been recognized as one of the
nation’s best places to work and named one of Inc.’s
Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies for the last
seven consecutive years.
Bill was chosen as this year’s inductee because of
his many selfless contributions to the fastener industry
with an eye toward global change and competition. He
not only serves as a mentor in Advancing Individuals
through Mentoring, a program for Young Fastener
Professionals, but also served as President of
the National Fastener Distributors Association,
and is a founding member of the Global Supply
Alliance. He was also a key consultant in
discussions with various governmental agencies
during Congress’ deliberation and implementation
of the Fastener Quality Act, and served as a delegate
for three years to the Industrial Fasteners Institute.
Karalynn Sprouse of Emerald Expositions, the company
that organizes the Fastener Show, “What the Fastener
Coalition seeks to recognize in the Fastener Hall of
Fame are leaders who can translate personal success
into industry success. It takes a special kind of leader
to contribute to the success of potential competitors for
the enhancement of the industry as a whole, but to do so
consistently over decades is even more rare. That’s why
recognition of these professionals is such a worthy effort.
We couldn’t be more pleased with Bill Derry’s induction into
this prestigious group of scholars, innovators, leaders, and
philanthropists in the fastener industry.”
Adam Pratt Named 2017 Young
Fastener Professional of the Year
by The Fastener Show
The Fastener Show recognizes up-and-coming leaders
under 40 years old who enhance industry awareness
and promote the fastener industry to the business
community. Nominees are reviewed by the Fastener
Industry Coalition, comprised of thirteen North American
regional and national fastener associations concerned
with the distribution, manufacture and importation of
fasteners as well as services to the fastener industry.
The Young Fastener Professional of the Year Award
identifies young visionaries who bring people together,
have an unimpeachable record of integrity and respect,
and demonstrate innovative leadership skills. This year’s
winner of the award exemplifies how innovation and
business development together can push market change
to success.
About The Winner
The Fastener Industry Coalition committee reviewed
a large field of exceptional nominees before selecting
Adam Pratt. As President and founder
of Sherex Fastening Solutions
at age 24, Adam has grown his
Buffalo, New York company of
seven employees into a massive
global manufacturer with 170
employees worldwide, focused
on design and manufacture of
innovative fastening solutions for
automotive, solar, and other major
industries. Under Adam’s leadership,
Sherex has developed such innovative products as the
patented Riv-Float © and Riv-Float Short © (solutions to
the common problem of application misalignment), a
full hex product line, and the largest diameter rivet nut
product line available on the market today. With revenue
now exceeding $30 million annually, Sherex has been
nominated nine times as one of Buffalo’s top Fast Track
businesses in western New York, and six times for Best
Places to Work in Buffalo.
His work in the Western New York area has been
instrumental in the creation of Buffalo Manufacturing
Works (of which Sherex is a member of the Founding
Council), as well as supporting Western New York
manufacturers as Chair of the Buffalo Niagara
Partnership’s Manufacturer’s Council.
Adam was chosen as this year’s award recipient not
only for his personal professional success, but for his
outstanding contributions as a local and global citizen.
Through Sherex Fastening Solutions, tens of thousands
of dollars have been raised through several philanthropic
initiatives including the 11 Day Power Play, an attempt
to beat the world record for longest continuous hockey
game, to raise funds for cancer research, and to Ronald
McDonald House Charities. Adam also sponsors a
University of Kentucky program designed to assist foster
youth pursuing higher education, and sponsors business
development through peer-to-peer learning support as
Forum Chair for the local chapter of the Entrepreneurs
Organization.
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