FALL 2024

In the Fall 2024 issue of
6 DISTRIBUTOR NEWS
8 RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED
FASTENERS
Laurence Claus
10 HARDNESS TESTING SMALL FASTENERS: USING
MACROHARDNESS & MICROHARDNESS TECHNIQUES
Rob LaPointe
12 LIQUID THREAD LOCKERS PREVENT ROTATIONAL
LOOSENING
Bruno Marbacher
14 WORKFLOW AUTOMATION: REDUCE STEPS,
ELIMINATE MISTAKES, SAVE TIME
Dennis Cowhey
16 [COVER STORY] GOEBEL’S BIG RESHORING EFFORT –
GERMANY PRODUCTION FACILITY TO OPEN Q3 2024
26 WHAT FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
HOW TO INVESTIGATE FASTENER FAILURES
Guy Avellon
28 UNTHREADED: THE TIME THAT CARMEN GOT IT WRONG
Eric Dudas
30 ROTOR CLIP INTRODUCES NEW PATENTED WAVE
SPRING ENGINEERED FOR EV MARKET
32 WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN AUTOMOTIVE
FASTENER SUPPLIER?
Larry Borowski
34 FTI EXPANDS TRAINING IN SPANISH:
PRESENTADO EN INGLES Y ESPANOL
Jo Morris
36 CYBER ATTACKS? NAH, WE’RE JUST NUTS AND BOLTS
Scott Mersch
38 THE STRAINS OF GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Chris Donnell
40 THE “5-STAR” WAREHOUSE: THE VISION -
SEASON 1, EPISODE 1
Robert Footlik
42 ADVANCING MOBILITY: SPECIALIZED SOLUTIONS
FOR EV BUSBARS
John O’Brien
44 HOW FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS CAN BECOME A
PROFITABLE PRESENCE ON LINKEDIN
Joe Dysart
46 IN MEMORIAM: ALLEN GOODMAN
48 STRATEGIC PRICING STRATEGY: THE ONE THING
DISTRIBUTION EXECS MISS ABOUT PROFITABILITY
AND PRICING
Nelson Valderrama
50 CONNELLY VS. UNITED STATES: IMPACT ON COMPANY
LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS AND BUY-SELL AGREEMENTS
Roman Basi
52 SUPREME COURT’S OVERTURNING CHEVRON DEFENSE
CHECKS AGENCY OVERREACH
Jim Truesdell
54 SC FASTENING: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION
AND INNOVATION
Dennis Cowhey
56 2024 HAS BEEN GOOD TO THE NCFA
Mike Robinson
58 STAFDA’S OPENING PARTY AT THE COUNTRY MUSIC
HALL OF FAME
Georgia H. Foley, CEO
60 IFI BOOK OF FASTENER STANDARDS: A CONVERSATION
WITH DR. SALIM BRAHIMI
Dan Walker
62 BAY SUPPLY: HOW TO CHOOSE WHICH SOLID RIVET
MATERIAL TO USE
Mike Eichinger, COO
64 HOW PRE-FABRICATED DISC SPRINGS SAVE TIME,
MONEY & ENSURE QUALITY
John Valvoda
66 MIDWEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION FSTNR WEEK:
A WEEK OF INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AND CONNECTION
Francesca Lewis
67 MIDWEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION FSTNR WEEK:
TABLE TOP SHOW PHOTOS
68 KINTER: WE’RE READY TO SHINE WHEN OUR
CUSTOMERS NEED US

volume 47 // issue #4
70 SFA ENJOYS LIVE MUSIC, COLD BEVERAGES,
BASEBALL GAME & SCHOLARSHIPS!
Becky Buddenbohn
72 BRIKKSEN: IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
76 R&R ENGINEERING: CELEBRATING 55 YEARS OF
EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING
78 MFDA ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Rob Rundle
81 UC COMPONENTS: INSTANT LIVE EXPERT SUPPORT
FROM OUR CERTIFIED FASTENER SPECIALISTS
84 PAC-WEST FALL DINNER MEETING & VENDOR SHOWCASE
Amy Nijjar
86 E-Z LOK THREADED INSERTS AND KITS FOR SOFTWOOD
91 EUROLINK FASTENER SUPPLY: SOUTH CAROLINA
PRODUCT LINE EXPANSION
98 SEFA TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025
Nancy Rich
98 SEFA SUMMER SOCIAL PHOTOS
103 MIDWEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION FSTNR WEEK:
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE BED BUILD PHOTOS
111 NFDA SCHOLARSHIP FOR FASTENER TRAINING WEEK
Amy Nijjar
116 PAC-WEST AFTER HOURS NETWORKING EVENTS
Amy Nijjar
118 NCFA CHEERS TO FASTENERS PHOTOS
123 MIDWEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION FSTNR WEEK:
71ST ANNUAL GOLF OUTING PHOTOS
125 SUBSCRIPTION FORM
126 THE IMPORTANCE OF DISTRIBUTORS JOINING
FASTENER ASSOCIATIONS
Rosa Hearn, Brighton-Best International
153 NFDA ANNUAL MEETING & ESPS PHOTOS
157 SCOTT MCDANIEL ELECTED NFDA PRESIDENT
Amy Nijjar
163 IN MEMORIAM: ROBERT MARTIN CALFEE III
175 SET YOUR TARGET ON OUR FIRST ISSUE OF 2025

6 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
AFC Industries, a leading
provider of supply chain
management and industrial
distribution solutions, is pleased
to announce the appointment of
Joe Shoemaker as the new Vice
President of Marketing for North
America. With over 20 years of
experience in industrial marketing,
Shoemaker will lead AFC’s
marketing strategies, driving brand
growth and enhancing customer
engagement across the region.
In his new role, Shoemaker will
oversee all marketing functions,
including brand management,
digital marketing, and marketing strategy, with
a focus on expanding AFC’s footprint in the
North American market. His proven track record
in developing successful marketing campaigns
and driving business growth will be instrumental
in advancing AFC’s mission to deliver innovative
supply chain solutions.
Kevin Godin, CEO of AFC Industries, expressed
his excitement about the new addition to the
leadership team. “We are thrilled to welcome Joe
Shoemaker to AFC Industries. Joe’s extensive
experience and strategic mindset will be invaluable
as we continue to grow and innovate. His
leadership in marketing will help us strengthen
our brand and deepen our relationships with
customers across North America.”
Shoemaker joins AFC Industries
after having marketing leadership
roles with industrial companies,
including Elgin Fastener Group,
where he served as Vice President
of Marketing and Business
Development and was responsible
for brand strategy. His experience
spans various industries, and he
is recognized for his ability to align
marketing initiatives with business
goals to achieve measurable
results.
“I am excited to join AFC Industries
at such a pivotal time in the
company’s growth,” said Shoemaker. “I look
forward to working with the talented team at AFC
to build on the company’s success and to help
drive its marketing efforts to new heights.”
Headquartered in Fairfield OH, AFC Industries
is a dynamic organization dedicated to providing
supply chain management solutions for
fasteners, tooling, and assembly components.
Their supply solutions include Vendor Managed
Inventory, Stock and Release programs, Light
Assembly, Kitting, and Private Labeling services
amongst others. AFC supports a diverse base of
manufacturers across a broad range of industries.
For more information about AFC Industries visit
them online at www.afcind.com.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Gilchrist Foundation has awarded
three scholarships from the 2024 applicants.
Congratulations to the recipients. We wish them
well and are pleased to assist them with their
education
They are as follows and their sponsoring
companies;
¤ Alexis Phillips - Eurolink Fastener Service
¤ Victoria Weaver - Ken Forging Inc
¤ Lindsey Weaver - Ken Forging Inc
Robbie and Gina Gilchrist established the
Gilchrist Foundation Fastener Scholarship in
2000. Their goal was to return something to an
industry that was very good and supportive to
them. The Gilchrist Foundation invites any person
wanting to further their education to apply for the
scholarships. Applicants can be full time or part
time students working in the industry or children
of working fastener people. The Foundation has
awarded 81 scholarships since its beginning!
For additional information visit the foundation
website at www.gilchristfoundation.com.

8
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Laurence Claus
Laurence Claus is the President of NNi Training and Consulting, Inc. He has 25 years of
experience with a medium sized automotive fastener manufacturer, holding positions
including Vice President of Engineering, General Manager, Director of Quality, Director
of New Business Development and Applications Engineer. In 2012 he formed NNi
offering technical and business training courses as well as technical consulting, expert
witness and consultation work. He can be reached at 847-867-7363 or by email:
Lclaus@NNiTraining.com. You can learn more about NNi at www.NNiTraining.com.
RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN
COLD HEADED FASTENERS
Imagine that I requested your help with a marketing
study. It simply involved me handing you three nearly
identical fasteners and asking you to choose the one
that you would purchase. Although this is probably a
difficult task because you lack certain critical information
to make a wise purchasing decision, how would you go
about making your choice? Likely you would do the only
thing you can do, closely examine your three choices,
and choose the “best” one. But which is the “best” one?
Naturally, your choice is going to be the one that has the
best appearance and appears to have been made to the
most exacting standards.
This illustration introduces a much broader and
important fastener topic we refer to as “workmanship.”
Unlike my example above that would only allow you to
evaluate a part by what you can see, workmanship can
be expanded to also include things internal to parts,
imperfections too small to see with the naked eye, and
features that aid in the fit, form, and function of the part.
Workmanship is really a measure of how “perfect” a part
is for its intended application. In some market segments,
notably aerospace and critical engine fasteners, meeting
workmanship requirements is exceedingly important.
Let us, then, consider this topic in a practical sense
and use aerospace fasteners as our example. Take into
consideration all the fasteners found on a commercial
airliner and how each is loaded in-service. Surely there
are some fasteners that serve simple purposes and
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
experience only static loading conditions, but most
do not. In fact, a breakdown of major aircraft systems
from the landing gear to fuselage would reveal that
most aerospace fasteners are loaded dynamically.
This means that instead of continuously experiencing
the same loading conditions, they experience changing
service loads that cycle through application and release
of the load. These variable loading situations expose
components to the risk of fatigue failure. So, designers
in these situations must use a variety of methods to
combat the possibility of such a failure. One of the
strategies employed is to demand a higher level of
workmanship than would be needed on a more generalpurpose
fastener.
For fastener suppliers that wish to support their
customers more proactively it is important to understand
the potential flaws in parts, how they occur, how they
are discovered, and how they can be diminished or
completely eliminated. Following is a discussion that
answers these questions related to some of the more
common fastener flaws.
Raw Material (Drawn Wire) Flaws
In my experience whenever a cold heading operator
begins to experience part cracking, they immediately turn
the blame to the raw material. Either it is “too hard,” is
not forming right, or has an exterior flaw like a seam or
lap.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 88

10
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Rob LaPointe EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE
Rob LaPointe is a noted authority in materials and fastener technology. With extensive experience in the
management and science of materials testing laboratories combined with master’s degrees in physics and
education, he excels at bringing solutions to the client. Working specifically in the fastener testing industry,
he has developed expertise in mechanical, nondestructive, metallurgical and chemical testing. With a
background of 20 years in physics education, Rob is effective at communicating complex ideas in a simple
and understandable manner, communicating well with clients enabling them to make informed decisions
about their products and business. Rob is President/CEO of Expedite Testing Service, 11645 Riverside Drive,
Suite 127, Lakeside, CA 92040. Tel: 619-736-7872, Cell: 909-254-1278 or visit www.expeditetest.com.
HARDNESS TESTING SMALL FASTENERS: USING
MACROHARDNESS & MICROHARDNESS TECHNIQUES
Testing the performance of the fasteners we
manufacture or resell is an essential part of most
production standards. While tensile, microstructure and
discontinuity testing all may be required on the products
we sell, the single most informative property of a metal
is its hardness. The hardness of a material is a measure
of its resistance to being deformed when applying force
to it. Knowing the hardness of a metal informs us of its
strength and processing history. Hardness is directly
correlated to the quench and temper process of heat
treating low-alloy carbon steel and the precipitation and
solution hardening of many types of stainless-steel.
Hardness data can be used to determine the degree and
depth of case hardening and it is useful in determining
the presence of many of the detrimental effects to metal
caused by poor production and heat treatment such as
decarburization, alloy segregation and the evaluation of
FIGURE 2 ROCKWELL HARDNESS INDENTATIONS ON THE
UNTHREADED PORTION OF A SOCKET-HEAD CAP SCREW
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
FIGURE 1 ROCKWELL HARDNESS INDENTATIONS ON THE
WRENCHING FLATS OF A HEX-HEAD CAP SCREW
inclusions (pollutants) in the melt of cast material.
While detailed data sets measuring hardness in
specific locations can tell us much about the condition
of metal, a general core-hardness test is what most
standards require. Core-hardness is a hardness measure
of the bulk of a through-hardened piece of metal or the
unaltered portion, below the surface, of a product that
has a hardness treatment near its surface. Throughhardening
is the effect of the heat treatment process that
achieves the same hardness throughout the material.
Assuming the metal is the same hardness from the
surface to the interior and that no surface effects are
altering the hardness at the surface, a core-hardness
measurement can be taken on the surface of a sample
or on a properly prepared section revealing the interior of
the sample. Fasteners made to ASTM A574, SAE J429
and ISO 898-1 standards are all examples of throughhardened
products that can have their core-hardness
measured at the surface or on an interior section.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 90

12
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Bruno Marbacher
Bruno Marbacher earned his mechanical engineering degree in Switzerland, he also holds a
business degree. He started out as a tool and die maker (poly-mechanic) and over the years he
has held various management positions in quality and engineering. During his time in America
he has developed and given numerous seminars on topics related to the proper use of mechanical
fasteners and machine elements, and assists engineers in solving fastening/assembly issues. His
has groomed and directed many young engineers in fastening/assembly technology. He now
offers his 40 years of experience through writing and lecturing.
LIQUID THREAD LOCKERS PREVENT
ROTATIONAL LOOSENING
Dear Reader, choosing the proper liquid thread locking
adhesive can be a daunting task, with this article I intend
to shine some light into the challenges, making it easier
to navigate through all the options.
Rotational Loosening
Rotational loosening is triggered by vibration that
acts perpendicular to the bolt axis. Transverse cyclic
loads cause reciprocal slips in the interfaces of the joint
members. The bolt head and/or the nut follow the sliding
of the joint members. If the bolted joint has a short
clamping range, the sliding of the joint members will
induce wobbling (oscillations) underneath the head/nut
and in the engaged threads. Hence, resulting in microslippages
in the thread and underneath the head and/or
the bearing area of the nut. A gradual rotational loosening
will occur. In a previous article we discussed how this
can be prevented with an integrated locking feature
underneath the head or with separate locking elements
placed underneath the head.
A simple way to maintain the self-locking effect is to
increase the clamping range to 5 x diameter. However,
this is not always possible.
Another way to prevent wobbling is by eliminating
thread play. This can be accomplished by either using
a locking adhesive or using thread-forming screws. The
locking effect of thread-forming will be addressed in an
upcoming article.
Liquid Thread Lockers
Thread-locking fluid was developed by the American
Vernon K. Krieble in 1953. His company founded the
Loctite brand. An early version of “Loctite” was patented
in 1960.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 92

14
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
COMPUTER INSIGHTS, INC.
108 Third Street, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
TEL 1-800-539-1233 EMAIL sales@ci-inc.com WEB www.ci-inc.com
WORKFLOW AUTOMATION: REDUCE STEPS,
ELIMINATE MISTAKES, SAVE TIME by Dennis Cowhey
Streamlining Operations
In today’s fast-paced business
environment, efficiency is paramount. Workflow
automation is a powerful tool designed to
streamline multi-step processes, reduce
human error, and save valuable time. But what
exactly is workflow automation, and how can it
benefit your business?
What Is Workflow Automation?
Workflow automation is a technology that
consolidates the independent steps of commonly
performed tasks into a seamless, efficient process. Imagine
no longer having to toggle between multiple open tabs
or interrupt the customer order entry process to create
a purchase order. Workflow automation integrates these
related functions directly into the order entry system, making
them readily accessible and easy to use.
For instance, users can create purchase orders without
ever leaving the order entry screen. This consolidation
of tasks creates a logical and efficient path for users,
reducing the likelihood of mistakes and ensuring that all
steps are completed in the correct sequence. Documents
are linked within The Business Edge TM
to ensure accurate
processing, which we demonstrated in a recent feature
presentation.
Vendor Direct Shipments: A Case Study
Vendor-direct shipments are a common practice,
especially for time-sensitive customer orders or when
certain products are not in stock. Traditionally, processing
a vendor-direct shipment in The Business Edge TM
required
recreating all the order fulfillment steps that are bypassed
when shipping directly from the vendor. This includes
tasks like receiving, allocating, invoicing and entering the
vendor invoice.
The traditional process is cumbersome and prone to
errors. It might involve:
⬡ Entering the sales order as usual, possibly using a
set purchase order (PO).
⬡ Manually creating a PO in a separate process,
adding product codes identified during order review.
⬡ Adding notes to the PO indicating it is a vendor
direct shipment and linking it to the associated
customer order.
⬡ Extra handling to ensure the open sales order isn’t
mistakenly processed using on-hand product.
⬡ Manually allocate and invoice the customer order in
separate offline steps.
⬡ Matching the Vendor Invoice with the PO
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 94

26
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Guy Avellon
Guy Avellon has been in MRO and Fastener Distribution for over 30 years, in such positions Sales
Engineer, Chief Engineer, Manager of Product Marketing, Product Engineering & Quality and
Director of Quality & Engineering. He founded GT Technical Consultants where he performs failure
analysis, lectures on fastener safety, works for law firms and designs/audits Quality systems. He is a
member of SAE, is Vice Chairman of the ASTM F16 Fastener Committee, Chairman of the F16.01 Test
Methods Committee and received the ASTM Award of Merit in 2005. Guy can be contacted at 847-
477-5057, Email: ExpertBoltGuy@gmail.com or visit www.BoltFailure.com.
WHAT FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT HOW TO INVESTIGATE FASTENER FAILURES
When a fastener fails, it is important to gather as
much information about the application and details of
the installation as possible as this will not only help
determine the root cause of the failure but how further
failures may be prevented.
Basic Questions
[Q] What type and grade strength of fastener was used?
¤ Did the grade of the nut match the strength of
the fastener?
[Q] Was the fastener strength compatible with the
service loads?
[Q] How was the fastener used?
¤ Was it a static load?
¤ Was it subject to extreme environmental
conditions?
¤ Was it in a dynamically loaded joint?
¤ Were there alternating loads?
¤ Were the loads transverse or axial?
¤ Was the joint subject to vibration or impact loads?
[Q] Ancillary components used:
¤ Flat washer; type, size, coating.
¤ Nut; standard, locking, grade, coating.
[Q] Were there multiple fasteners in the joint?
¤ Were the failures adjacent to each other?
[Q] How were the fasteners installed?
¤ By hand wrench
¤ Pneumatic tool
¤ Torque wrench
[Q] Where were the fasteners tightened?
¤ Bolt head
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
¤ Nut
¤ Both
[Q] What is the condition of the joint surfaces?
¤ Rusty or rough
¤ Painted or smooth
[Q] What is the condition of the failed parts?
[Q] Where is the location of the fracture?
¤ At the head?
¤ The thread run-out?
¤ First thread outside of the nut?
[Q] What is the condition of the fracture surface?
¤ Smooth, dull, bright, rusty?
Investigation
This is the time we categorize the data we collected.
Sometimes we can tell by the appearance of the samples
and fracture surface what may have happened. This will
narrow the questions and failure possibilities.
For instance, a ductile fracture will exhibit dimples
with an inclusion, or a cups and cones appearance
with a dull colored surface. It will also show some type
of distortion, as the material will deform plastically
before ultimate failure. However, if the load is applied
very rapidly, as in a shock or impact load even while
tightening, a ductile material may have the appearance of
a brittle fracture. This can happen when using unregulated
pneumatic installation tools.
Check the threads of the bolt to determine if there
is a change in thread pitch. This will indicate if the bolt
was stretched into yield either by service loads or during
installation.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 96

28
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Eric Dudas Fully Threaded Radio
Eric Dudas co-founded FCH Sourcing Network in 2006 and launched the industry
renowned Fully Threaded Radio podcast in 2010. With business partner and co-host
Brian Musker, FCH operates its widely used digital inventory marketing platform,
and provides data cleansing and formatting services for fastener distributors across
the industry. FCH also produces the monthly Fastener Distributor Index. Apart from
industry punditry, Eric ponders the deeper existential aspects of life driving a tractor
around his small farm in semi-rural northeast Ohio. eric@fastenersclearinghouse.com
UNTHREADED:
THE TIME CARMEN GOT IT WRONG
I was not surprised to see that machine screws were
judged to be the most common type of industrial fastener,
according to a recent poll of fastener professionals.
According to a survey conducted ahead of the recent
MWFA FSTNR Week festivities, 76.6% of respondents
mentioned the venerable machine screw when asked to
select the top three types of fasteners from a list. Coming
in second place, the mighty cap screw was named by
68.1% of poll takers. Tapping screws rounded out the
top three with 46.8% of respondents naming them among
the most common fastener categories. It seemed a pretty
predictable top 3 list.
Operating FCH Sourcing Network since 2006, I
figured beforehand which would be the king of the keg.
Out of almost 1.7 million inventory listings in the
FCH database on any given day, almost 12% are machine
screws. And as in the survey results, cap screws come
in second, representing about 10%. This has been fairly
consistent over the years.
What shocked me is that when we asked an all-star
panel of six industry veterans to select their single top
pick from the list, not one of them named the machine
screw.
It goes to show that even seasoned pros have
different ideas about the way things are, and there isn’t
always just one answer to a given fastener question.
Charlie Kerr of Kerr Lakeside was on the
aforementioned all-star panel. Always a lateral thinker
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
FASTENER GURU CARMEN VERTULLO AND ERIC DUDAS FACE OFF
DURING ANOTHER OF THEIR LEGENDARY DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT
AN ISSUE THAT PROBABLY HAS NO CORRECT ANSWER
with unique perspectives, Charlie thought that the flat
washer should be regarded as the most common fastener
category due to its sheer ubiquity. Flat washers are
everywhere, it’s true. He was the outlier on this one, but
the point was taken.
We also included the u-bolt on the option list.
Although it’s a highly noble fastener category, the u-bolt
only received one vote on the survey and none from
the panelists. This wasn’t all that surprising, and even
though we mostly included it on the list in deference to
MWFA president Jake “Valdez” Davis (who brings BTM
U-Bolt Blend coffee to Vegas every year), it proves that at
least one person has a different way of thinking about it.
Considering it further, I realized this was another
object lesson made possible, in part, courtesy of fastener
guru Carmen Vertullo.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 100

30
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROTOR CLIP COMPANY INC.
187 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873
TEL 1-800-557-6867 EMAIL info@rotorclip.com WEB www.rotorclip.com
ROTOR CLIP INTRODUCES NEW PATENTED WAVE
SPRING ENGINEERED FOR EV MARKET
Rotor Clip announces the launch of its new, patented
InterShim Wave Spring design. Engineered for highacceleration
electric motor applications, this innovative
design features alternating turns between inactive (flat)
and active (waved) turns to ensure reliable performance
under torsional loads and precise rotational movement.
The introduction of the InterShim Wave Spring reflects
Rotor Clip’s commitment to advancing product technology
and meeting market needs.
“The development of the new Wave Spring design
represents a significant milestone and underscores
our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our
customers. By listening to their feedback and leveraging
our expertise, we have engineered a solution that
offers unparalleled performance in high acceleration
applications. We are proud to introduce this design to
the market and look forward to its positive impact on our
customers’ operations.” -Elmar Kampmann, European
Sales Engineering Director
Benefits of the InterShim Wave Spring:
¤ Engineered to meet the demands of applications
requiring high torsional loads and precise rotational
control.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
¤ Increased efficiency by eliminating the need for
multiple elements within the assembly line.
¤ Floating ends and bent ends can help prevent
damage to the mating surface.
¤ Allows for higher preload or softer spring rates to
meet specific customer requirements.
¤ Highly customizable in the number of waves,
number of turns, arrangement of shims/troughs, and a
variety of specialty alloys.
While initially developed for electric vehicle (EV)
applications, Rotor Clip’s InterShim Wave Spring offers
benefits that extend far beyond the automotive industry.
Its advanced design addresses physical challenges such
as extreme forces and vibrations, making it a versatile
solution for high-speed and high-stress applications
across various industries.
To learn more about Rotor Clip’s wave springs and
explore how they can benefit your specific application,
visit www.rotorclip.com/wavesprings.
Rotor Clip engineers are always available for
assistance in selecting the right part. Whether it is a
standard or providing free design consultations on custom
parts, we’re focused on providing Application Driven
Solutions®.
ROTOR CLIP COMPANY INC.

32
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Larry Borowski President
GREENSLADE & COMPANY INC.
2234 Wenneca Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76102
TEL 817-870-8888 FAX 817-870-9199
EMAIL sales1@greensladeandcompany.com WEB www.greensladeandcompany.com
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN
AUTOMOTIVE FASTENER SUPPLIER?
When I was first asked to write an editorial on
the topic of automotive fasteners and related quality
requirements, I accepted. Once I started, I quickly found
that I had to solicit some guidance from other experts
in the automotive fastener supply chain. I found there
is not a simple recipe or list of requirements that can
be “checked off” in order to supply fasteners to the
automotive industry. In fact there isn’t even a defined
“measurement system” as is found for aerospace
or commercial fasteners. What I did find were (3)
very important elements that when applied correctly,
will result in a firm’s ability to supply the automotive
industry. These are:
¤ ISO TS 16949 Registration
¤ Zero Defect Policy commitment
¤ Ability to perform automated sorting/inspection
process on “critical” part features
First and foremost, a supplier has to be registered to
ISO TS 16949 quality management system based on ISO
9001 but having several additional requirements as it
relates to automotive production components. A quality
management system is the foundation of how orders are
accepted, processed, inspected, and ultimately shipped
to the end user. ISO TS 16949 has specific requirements
outlining a process known as PPAP (Production Part
Approval Process). It is this process that sets ISO
TS 16949 apart from other ISO quality managements
systems with its emphasis on the entire manufacturing
process. There are five levels of PPAP, which are outlined
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
by AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group). The basic
elements for a PPAP are as follows:
[1] Design records
[2] Engineering change documents
[3] Customer engineering approval
[4] Design FMEA
[5] Process flow diagrams
[6] Process FMEA
[7] Control plan
[8] MSA
[9] Dimensional analysis
[10] Material performance results
[11] Initial process studies
[12] Qualified laboratory documentation
[13] ARR
[14] Sample product
[15] Master sample
[16] Checking aids
[17] Records of compliance
[18] PSW
Requirements for all fastener measurements are the
same. This simply means that length is length, pitch
diameter is pitch diameter, and so forth. The important
part is to know what you customer’s requirements are,
which are deeply ingrained in any ISO quality system
defined by contract review. Automotive plants have to
rely on coordinating thousands of parts coming together
at just the right time in order to effectively feed the
production line.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 102

34
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Jo Morris Marketing Director, Fastener Training Institute ®
FASTENER TRAINING INSTITUTE ®
1545 N. Columbus Avenue, Glendale, CA 91202
TEL 562-473-5373 FAX 661-449-3232
EMAIL info@fastenertraining.org WEB www.fastenertraining.org
FTI EXPANDS TRAINING IN SPANISH:
PRESENTADO EN INGLÉS Y ESPAÑOL
In November, The Fastener Training Institute will kick
off their new live webinar series presented in both English
and Spanish. Spanish training has been a long-time goal
for the Fastener Training Institute. While numerous people
in Mexico speak English, many may not be fluent enough
to interact on a technical level regarding fasteners. It is
critical that everyone in our industry has access to fastener
training and continuing education. Removing the language
barrier will improve efficiency, build employee confidence,
enhance relationships and expand job opportunities.
Each 90-minute webinar will be presented in English
by Salim Brahimi, IFI’s Director of Technology, and
translated into Spanish by Carlos Suarez, Industrial
Engineer and Quality Control Specialist at Pernostock.
Scheduled English/Spanish Webinar Topics
¤ November 8, 2024: Intro to Fastener Standards
and Navigating the IFI Standards
¤ December 6, 2024: Intro to Threads -
Inch and Metric
¤ January 10, 2025: Platings and Coatings
The webinars will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. Pacific Time. The cost is $225 per webinar for up to
10 people with access to the recording for one week after
the live class.
Later in 2025, the Spanish Webinar series
continues with:
¤ How Fasteners are Made
¤ Fastener Engineering: Preload,
Torque Tension, Bolted Joint Design
¤ Intro to Materials and Metallurgy
Additional Training Opportunities
Online Learning Library & NEW Learning
Management System: Focused on supporting virtual
training, the Fastener Training Institute is gearing up
to launch their new Learning Management System. In
tandem with FTI’s Online Learning Library, which offers
more than 60 fastener-related topics, the new LMS will
allow companies to maintain and track employee training
records, measure knowledge retention and assess needs.
Rental options will range from two-week to annual
subscriptions with pricing structures that fit any size
company.
On-Site Training: FTI also offers on-site training
opportunities for companies who want an instructor to
come to their location. This training is tailored specifically
to a company’s workforce, industry, employee experience
and needs. This option enables in-person training while
eliminating the need for employees to travel.
For detailed descriptions of classes, webinars and
the Online Learning Library, or to join the newsletter, visit
fastenertraining.org.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
JO MORRIS | FASTENER TRAINING INSTITUTE

36
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
IMSM LTD.
The Gig House, Oxford Street, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9AX, England
TEL +44 1793 296 704 EMAIL ScottMersch@imsm.com WEB www.imsm.com
CYBER ATTACK? NAH, WE’RE JUST NUTS
AND BOLTS by Scott Mersch
It’s in the news, we know it’s there, “but it will never
happen to us….”Cyberattacks have affected various
companies in 2023 and 2024. Some companies have
been forced to shut down parts of their operations due
to a loss of trust in their customer base. Here are a few
examples of recent situations:
¤ McLaren Health Care - A cyberattack in August
2024 disrupted all 13 of the health system’s Michigan
hospitals and medical provider networks.
¤ Prospect Medical Holdings - A ransomware
attack in August 2023 forced the closure of some
outpatient facilities. Medical staff switched to manual
procedures while the network was down.
¤ CDK Global - Cyberattacks in June 2024 shut
down the company’s platform, which provides software
for managing sales and other services to around 15,000
auto dealerships, parts suppliers and repair shops across
the U.S. and Canada.
¤ Bassett Furniture Industries - A ransomware
attack in July 2024 forced the furniture giant to shut down
some manufacturing facilities.
¤ Royal Mail - A ransomware attack in January 2023
temporarily halted international deliveries and resulted in
stolen data.
Other recent cyberattacks include:
¤ A data breach at Corewell Health, a Michigan
health system, may have exposed the medical and
personal data of over 1 million patients.
¤ A cyberattack on mortgage giant Mr. Cooper may
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
have affected more than 14 million people.
¤ A disruption to Staples online ordering.
¤ A software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike
triggered systems problems, grounding flights and forcing
broadcasters off the air.
While there haven’t been widely publicized cybersecurity
breaches, specifically in the fastener industry, the
manufacturing sector, which includes fastener production,
has seen a significant increase in cyberattacks. In 2023,
there was a 33% rise in cyberattacks on manufacturing
companies, with 44% of these incidents attributed to
inadequate patch management. The impact of these
breaches can be severe:
[1] Operational Disruption: Cyberattacks can halt
production lines, leading to significant downtime and
financial losses.
[2] Data Theft: Sensitive information, including
intellectual property and customer data, can be stolen
and sold on the dark web.
[3] Ransomware: Attackers may encrypt critical
data and demand a ransom for its release, further
straining financial resources.
[4] Reputation Damage: Breaches can erode
customer trust and damage the company’s reputation,
leading to long-term business impacts.
Given these risks, it’s crucial for fastener industry
companies to implement robust cybersecurity measures
to protect their operations and data. These attacks
often target the supply chain, intellectual property, and
operational technology systems.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 104

38
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Chris Donnell
Chris Donnell is the National Sales Director for Scanwell Logistics International (CHI)
Inc., specializing in Supply Chain Management, Inventory Control, Logistics Sales and
Management. Chris excels at selling the “Solution” to advanced program analysis and
implementation. A highly ambitious and effective team leader who thrives on the challenges
of this industry, Chris currently oversees a National Sales and Partnership Program consisting
of more than 100 Sales executives who focus primarily on SCM and Logistics development in
most vertical markets. Contact Chris at 847-228-6789 or email: chrisdonnell@scanwell.com.
THE STRAINS OF GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN
It’s that time again. Time for me to outline the current
strains plaguing the global supply lines and hopefully
provide some insightful information all of you can use to
safeguard your company and product from falling into the
abyss that is the current global supply chain.
I do want to start off by saying how grateful I am
to have the opportunity to write to everyone about
an industry I’m so passionate about. I don’t write
these articles to fuel anxiety or fear monger, I write
these because, unfortunately, we live in a time where
misinformation runs rampant, and it’s shocking to
hear how many companies are ill-informed or simply
neglected when it comes to information flow. If I reach
one company who is able to take advantage of this
information, I have done my job.
Ocean Carriers, Freight Rates And Port Situations
As usual, I start with the industry segment that
represents the largest range of disruptions. I will be
discussing such issues as the on-again, off-again
Canadian Rail Strike, the potential East and Gulf Coast
Port Strikes, the current situation in India, congestion,
and where ocean rates are going.
First, lets discuss the situation in Canada. As I’m sure
you know, on August 22nd the rail network within Canada
shut down due to stalled labor and contract negotiations
between the rail owners and union employees. The strike
lasted only 17 hours when the Canadian Government
forced both parties back to work; however, immediately
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
after the announcement, the union representatives,
consisting of more than 9000 union members, posted an
appeal of the decision to come back to work and is calling
on all unions throughout Canada to unite. The current
issues still hindering any progress in negotiations stem
from shift durations and availability, scheduling and pay.
In short, we’re nowhere near a resolution regarding
this situation and the fact is this will raise its ugly head
again. The fallout from any strike will be felt long and
wide. From import containers being stranded at the port
to exports to the Pacific Rim and the rest of the world. A
strike will further add to the already highly congested ports
of Seattle and Tacoma as the carriers strive to keep their
strings of vessels moving. More importantly, the effect
of a strike on Canada would be catastrophic as much
needed items like chemicals, heating oil, and agricultural
goods that are primarily moved by rail will be hindered.
Costs will escalate quickly and it could potentially pull
Canada into a recession should the strike linger.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, the ILU unions
representing the ports along our East and Gulf Coasts
have issued their intention to strike as of October 1st.
This comes as their current union contract expires on
September 30th and the negotiations have been on
rocky footing for some time. If a strike does occur, this
would be a knockout blow to global trade. Carriers would
undoubtedly declare force majeure resulting on containers
being stranded in unfavorable ports of call such as
Panama, Jamaica or others
CONTINUED ON PAGE 106

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 39

40
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Robert Footlik
Robert B. Footlik, PE is a retired Professional Industrial Engineer. With over 50 years’
experience as a Warehouse and Logistics Consultant to a wide variety of clients including
Fastener Distributors, Bob has a wealth of valuable information for our industry and he is
willing to share it. While Footlik & Associates is now closed, his expertise is still available
to his friends and our readers. For friendly advice, a second opinion or just to start a
conversation, he can be reached at robert@footlik.net.
THE “5-STAR” WAREHOUSE – THE VISION
SEASON 1, EPISODE 1
I am not a big fan of TV. There are enough things going
on in my life and spending time in front of an entertainment
screen is not high priority. Moreover, I hate to get involved
with serials that lead to “binge watching.” But there are
exceptions, and the latest one is “The Bear” on Hulu.
This series has been around for 3 years and
26 episodes. The basic premise is that a neurotic,
but extraordinarily talented Chef inherits his family’s
neighborhood beef and hot-dog sandwich shop in
Chicago’s trendy River North area. The restaurant has
not changed anything in years, it is staffed by seemingly
mediocre (if not totally dysfunctional) people, has a
clearly inadequate kitchen, numerous sanitation issues
and a multitude of other problems. Carmine (Carmy) the
“Chef,” however, has just returned from California where
he was awarded a Michelin star rating for his employer
and himself. He has a vision to transform his inheritance
into a top rated Michelin 3-star, internationally recognized
dining experience.
Why would a story line filled with drama, suspense
and totally neurotic and dysfunctional people interest
me? Because as a warehouse consultant I have lived
through this type of transition many times with my clients.
Regardless of whether the client inherited the business,
acquired it from someone, built a new facility or just has
an inspiration, they decided to take their warehouse to a
higher level of efficiency and operation. My role was to be
the designer/translator/mentor to radical changes, just
like Carmy experiences…but without the drama.
There are 5-star hotels, resorts, hospitals, kennels and
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
even nail spas. What makes these places so special that
they receive national and even international recognition?
No one rates warehouses…yet. Nevertheless, there are
many reasons why every Fastener Distributor should be
striving for excellence and even perfection.
If your warehouse or business has existed for many
years without change or evolution then you are overdue
for a complete makeover. It may be a long, expensive and
difficult path, but fulfilling your vision of excellence has
some incredibly impressive rewards. Trust me and follow
the journey for a season of episodes.
The New Vision
Oddly enough, The Vision is not about cost cutting,
efficiency or any of the traditional accounting and industrial
engineering parameters. You simply want to become the
paragon of perfection in an imperfect world. Along the way
your goal is that you…and everyone who works with you…
goes from dreading the morning alarm clock to anticipating
the start of a brand new, exciting and rewarding day. This
has absolutely nothing to do with money. Your Vision is
to help everyone around you achieve his or her highest
potential. If some outside critics, your customers and
the readers of Distributor’s Link Magazine recognize
this achievement, you will have succeeded beyond your
aspirations.
Forget posting signs on the wall reading, “Time is
Money.” What really has meaning is that “Every Second
Counts.” It is not just about working conditions, this is
about LIFE!
CONTINUED ON PAGE 108

42
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
PENN ENGINEERING
5190 Old Easton Road, Danboro, PA 18916
TEL 1-800-237-4736 FAX 215-766-0143 EMAIL info@pemnet.com WEB www.pemnet.com
ADVANCING EMOBILITY: SPECIALIZED SOLUTIONS
FOR EV BUSBARS by John O’Brien, Global Technologist
currents, prompting a shift towards busbars as a more
efficient alternative.
eMobility is reshaping the automotive industry in
unprecedented ways. Once dominated by mechanical
engineers, the automotive sector now demands
expertise in electrical engineering as vehicles transform
into data-rich, smart machines.
In the rapidly evolving eMobility sector of electric
vehicles (EV), the demand for superior electrical
connections continues to grow. Let’s take a deeper
dive into the evolution of the EV sector and how
new specialized solutions are revolutionizing busbar
applications in EVs.
Meeting Changing Requirements In The EV
Sector: Evolution Of Electrical Pathways In
EVs
Initially, high current pathways in early EVs relied
largely on heavy-duty cables. While these cables offered
great flexibility, their performance was limited. As
the EV industry advanced, so did the need for higher
Copper Busbars: Benefits and Challenges
Early busbars were made of copper, requiring
significant material to meet the EV sector’s standards.
This not only increased weight but also raised costs. To
address this, companies opted to run busbars warmer,
reducing the copper needed by half.
Over time, busbars could operate at up to 10A/
mm², although this caused them to heat up significantly.
Fortunately, the cooling systems already necessary for
EV batteries could also cool busbars, maintaining their
slim profile and reducing both weight and costs.
Transition To Aluminum
By 2022, the rising cost of copper led EV companies
to explore alternative materials like aluminum. Despite
needing twice the amount of aluminum, its weight was
still half that of the copper required, offering both weight
and cost savings.
However, aluminum posed a challenge due to its
rapid formation of an insulating oxide layer, complicating
electrical connections.
Specialized Solutions: The ECCB PEM
eConnect ® Contact Bushing
To overcome these challenges, PennEngineering®
recently developed the ECCB PEM eConnect® Contact
Bushing.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 110

44
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Joe Dysart
Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Thousand Oaks,
California. A journalist for 20 years, his articles have appeared in more than 40
publications, including The New York Times and The Financial Times of London.
During the past decade, his work has focused exclusively on ecommerce.
Telephone: 631-256-6602; web: www.joedysart.com; email: joe@dysartnewsfeatures.com
HOW FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS CAN BECOME A
PROFITABLE PRESENCE ON LINKEDIN
Fastener distributors have found that becoming
a thought leader on LinkedIn -- or regularly posting
insightful, engaging content in LinkedIn special interest
groups that are closely aligned with their expertise -- is
one of the fastest ways to book new business.
“Establishing yourself as a thought leader on
LinkedIn can significantly boost your professional brand,”
says Jason Gong, head of growth, Bardeen.ai, a provider
of automated digital marketing tools (www.bardeen.
ai). “LinkedIn has become a powerful platform for
professionals to showcase their expertise and connect
with like-minded individuals.”
Indeed, 73% of company decision-makers say that
they greatly prefer to size-up a business or organization
by reading the thought leadership content it has posted
on social networks like LinkedIn -- rather than pouring
over a company’s marketing materials, according to a
new 2024 report.
Dubbed the 2024 Edelman-LinkedIn B2B Thought
Leadership Report (www.edelman.com/expertise/
Business-Marketing/2024-b2b-thought-leadershipreport),
the study also found that 75% of company
decision-makers and C-suite executives say that a piece
of thought leadership has led them to research a product
or service they were not previously considering.
And 86% of decision-makers and C-suite executives
also say they are moderately or very likely to be
more receptive to sales or marketing outreach from a
company that consistently produces high-quality thought
leadership on a business social network like LinkedIn,
according to the study.
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
AS AN INFLUENTIAL THOUGHT LEADER, LINKEDIN CAN BECOME
YOUR B2B MECCA
Makes sense. A global digital meeting place with
more than a billion users hailing from more than 200
countries, LinkedIn is one of the most influential
hangouts on social media. For millions in the business
world -- including fastener distributors -- LinkedIn is the
number one place to know and be known and found.
LinkedIn is also one of the most established
business networks on social media with a 21-year track
record.
And its also the networking home for 67 million
companies, the place where 80% of B2B marketers say
they spend at least some of their budgets and the place
where 77% of marketers say they reap the best results
from organic (non-paid) marketing, according to Jack
Shepherd, marketing director, Social Shepard, a digital
marketing provider (www.thesocialshepherd.com).
CONTINUED ON PAGE 112

46
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
IN MEMORIAM
Allen Goodman (1930-2024)
Allen Goodman, born on January
21, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, to
Gussie and Willie Goodman, passed
away peacefully on September 6,
2024, surrounded by his family. Allen
played a key role in the growth of
his family’s business, Industrial Rivet
& Fastener Co., a company founded
by his father in 1912. What started
as a small Brooklyn operation with
just four employees has grown into a
fourth-generation global manufacturer,
importer, and distributor of RivetKing® branded products,
now celebrating over 112 years in business.
Allen joined Industrial Rivet in 1948 and took over as
president in 1955. Under his leadership, the company
expanded its reach, seeing significant growth and
development. Over the years, Allen earned the nickname
“The Rivet King” due to the company’s role as a distributor
of some of Bethlehem Steel’s products. Industrial Rivet
stocked, cut down, and produced various sizes of rivets,
providing the New York Metropolitan and Tri-State areas
with minimal lead times. What began as a nickname
evolved into a slogan during the second generation,
a brand in the third, and eventually became a globally
recognized product line by the fourth generation.
Even though he stepped back from a leadership role
in later years, Allen remained actively involved in the
business, working in accounts receivable and collections
into his early 90s. He continued to provide invaluable
advice and counsel to the third and fourth generations of
family leadership.
His children, Bill and Joanne, built on Allen’s
foundation, making key acquisitions and broadening the
company’s portfolio of products and solutions. Today,
OBITUARY
under the leadership of the fourth generation, Industrial
Rivet continues to thrive, with Steven Sherman and Taryn
Goodman working alongside Bill to continue Allen’s legacy
of innovation and growth.
Allen was also a proud veteran of the Korean War, where
he ran a post exchange (PX) for his fellow servicemen. On
February 3, 1951, he married the love of his life, Edith
“Edy” Stark. They shared 73 wonderful years together. He
was predeceased by his daughter, Joanne, in 2016. Allen
is survived by Edy, his son Bill, and seven grandchildren:
Steven Sherman, Traci Cohen, Keith Goodman, Taryn
Goodman, Mark Goodman, Michael Zaiss, and Zoe Zaiss.
He also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren.
Allen was known for his love of cars, especially his
1959 Lincoln Continental, and for his craftsmanship,
building intricate model boats. A man of humor, Allen
famously quipped that he would retire at 100, a testament
to his deep commitment to the family business. His legacy
is one of dedication, leadership, and love for his family, and
all will remember him not only as a “Goodman” by name,
but by nature.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the
Wounded Warrior Project in his honor.
ALLEN GOODMAN

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 47

48
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Nelson Valderrama
Nelson Valderrama is the CEO of Intuilize, a software Service platform that specializes
in helping mid-sized distributors transform data into profits. With more than 22 years’
experience as P&L manager executive for major PE firms and industrial distributors.
Nelson has dedicated his career to help business uncover hidden competitive advantages
and unleash the power of data in the new Digital Economy. For more information
contact by email nelson@intuilize.com or visit www.intuilize.com
STRATEGIC PRICING STRATEGY: THE ONE THING
DISTRIBUTION EXECS MISS ABOUT PROFITABILITY AND PRICING
Things are pretty scattered In the wholesale
distribution industry. You’ve got tons of distributors
in different sectors, all hustling in the same markets,
serving similar customers with the same stuff. But here’s
the kicker! Despite that sameness, some distributors
rake in way more profit than others. So, what secret
sauce sets the successful ones apart?
We’ve tried to answer this question for years. Some
distributors or branches are just more profitable than
others. I’ve had the privilege of chatting with many owners
at a PE firm. Now, as we bring them on board at Intuilize,
profitability really boils down to growing smart, boosting
productivity, and nailing the right pricing strategy.
Smart Growth In Distribution
“Smart growth” entails optimizing operations for
efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability. This approach
involves developing a tailored go-to-market strategy
selecting target geographies, customer segments, product
range, and services. Frequently, go-to-market strategies
become generic, leading distributors to carve out niches
for survival or settle for serving a few major customers,
maintaining the status quo.
Leaders in “smart” distribution work closely with their
vendors, customers, and other important stakeholders
to fine-tune the go-to-market strategy, improve tactics,
etc., but they always think about growth and business
continuity. They use data and insights to find ways to
improve, plan the best options, and decide where to
expand in the future.
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
Boosting Distribution Productivity
Distributors spend time and money boosting
distribution productivity. Boosting productivity involves
achieving more with the same or even fewer resources.
This can include automating order entry processes and
enabling customers to serve themselves on your website.
Improving productivity requires examining your
company through the lenses of process, technology, and
people to identify the main obstacles hindering customer
retention, acquisition, or delivering a superior user
experience. If you lack a customer journey, begin there.
Nailing The Right Pricing Strategy
Smart growth is critical, and boosting productivity
keeps building on itself. Boosting productivity often
involves learning new skills, adopting efficient processes,
and refining a sense of momentum.
This is all well and good, but you’ll make the biggest
and quickest impact with strategic pricing. When you add
a pricing strategy to smart growth and boost productivity,
magic happens. You unleash funds that help reinvest in
your team, business, stakeholders, and customers. If this
is so clear, why do some distributors perform better?
Strategic pricing thoughtfully and deliberately sets
prices based on a thorough understanding of market
dynamics, customer value perception, competitive
landscape, and company objectives. It goes beyond
simply covering costs or matching competitor prices; it
aims to optimize pricing decisions to achieve specific
business goals, such as optimizing profitability, gaining
market share, or positioning the brand in a particular way.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 114

50
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Roman Basi
Roman Basi is the President of The Center for Financial, Legal & Tax Planning, Inc. Roman graduated
from Milliken University obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science Degree with a minor in Psychology. He
earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University with an emphasis in Accounting and recevied his
JD degree from Southern Illinois University. Roman is a licensed CPA as well as being a licensed
attorney in Illinois, Missouri and Florida and is in high demand for his expertise in financial, legal
and tax matters. His areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, contracts, real estate law,
tax and estate planning. Visit www.taxplanning.com or call The Center at 618-997-3436.
CONNELLY VS. UNITED STATES: IMPACT ON COMPANY
LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS AND BUY-SELL AGREEMENTS
On June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court released
its much-anticipated decision in Connelly v. United
States. The court sided with the IRS and held that life
insurance proceeds a corporation received to fund a
share redemption agreement increased the corporation’s
estate tax value, and the corporation’s obligation to
redeem the shares was not a liability that decreased
the corporation’s value. With the statement being held
true, the value of a deceased shareholder’s shares must
reflect the corporation’s fair value, including insurance
proceeds meant to fund a redemption of shares.
The Connelly’s, Michael, and Thomas, were two
brothers who were sole shareholders in Crown. They
established a buy-sell agreement funded by a companyowned
life insurance policy. The intention of the buysell
was to keep the corporation in the family. When
either brother died, the surviving brother would have an
option to purchase the deceased brother’s shares. If
that option was declined, Crown would be obligated to
purchase the shares, which Thomas Connelly did when
his brother died in 2013. Per the buy-sell agreement, the
corporation used the life insurance proceeds to redeem
the shares. Michael’s estate filed a federal tax return
that listed the value of his estate at $3 million, the
amount that Crown paid to redeem the shares. The IRS
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
disagreed by saying that Crown’s redemption obligation
did not include the life insurance proceeds. This went
on to set Crown’s total value at $6.86 million based on
the $3 million and a $3.86 valuation of crown based on
the redemption amount paid and Michael’s ownership
percentage (77%) in Crown. This made Michael’s value
in crown $5.3 million, resulting in an additional estate
tax liability of $889,914.
The Connelly decision impacts shareholders who
use corporate owned life insurance to fund equity
purchase and buy-sell agreements. This ruling by the
Supreme Court resolved a split that was between the Tax
Court and some Courts of Appeals. Business owners are
going to have to consider:
¤ Reviewing Buy-Sell Agreements
Make sure agreements are structured in the most
tax efficient manner.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 116

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 51

52
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Jim Truesdell
James Truesdell is Chairman of Brauer Supply Company, a distributor of specialty
fasteners, insulation, air filtration, and air conditioning with headquarters in St. Louis.
Mr. Truesdell is adjunct professor at Saint Louis University and Webster University.
An attorney and frequently published writer, he is the author of “Total Quality
Management: Reports From the Front Lines”.
SUPREME COURT’S OVERTURNING CHEVRON
DEFENSE CHECKS AGENCY OVERREACH
One of the great theoretical debates that has swirled
around political circles in the past few years is the impact
of what some call “the Deep State”. This is referring to a
supposed entrenched corps of full time civil servants who
operate independently of elected leaders to implement their
own policy goals through the unilateral creation of interpretive
agency regulations. For the past four decades this has been
a more distinct possibility because of a decision of the
U.S. Supreme Court in the Chevron case (1984) which held
that, where statutes are ambiguous in meaning, courts
should give deference to regulations that the affected
government agency has promulgated to flesh out the
unanswered questions left by the statute. This has been
used, conservatives allege, to expand agency power and
push regulations in a more progressive direction rather than
honoring evident intents of the laws which were passed. This
gives a great deal of power to unelected agency bureaucrats
to shape our society and our commercial markets toward a
more all encompassing government control and to perhaps
impractical utopian ideas being pushed by government
employees and their political allies.
On June 28 of this summer the Supreme Court put a
check on this by clearly reversing the Chevron precedent
in the case of Loper Bright which specifically overturned
Chevron and provided that Courts must exercise their
independent judgment to decide whether an agency has
acted within its statutory authority as required by the Federal
Administrative Procedure Act. Chief Justice Roberts wrote
that courts need not defer to the agency’s interpretation
of the law merely because the statute is ambiguous. As
sometime targets of agency sanctions and penalties, small
businesses (of which wholesale distributors are often prime
examples), have been among those who have suffered from
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
the Chevron rule. Along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
the small business trade associations have generally
welcomed the new ruling.
From the other side of the political aisle, Democrats
have moved to strike back in defense of the administrative
state’s prerogatives. On July 23 Senators Elizabeth Warren
of Massachusetts, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Edward
Markey of Massachusetts, and Independent Bernie Sanders
of Vermont introduced the Stop Corporate Capture Act
which would overturn the Supreme Court’s recent ruling and
reinstate the Chevron deference. This has for many decades
been an important tool for federal civil servants to make
and enforce regulations. Warren and her co-sponsors’ bill
would not only reinstate Chevron by making it into a specific
statutory law, but would make it easier for agencies to push
through their regulations by streamlining the traditional
30 day comment period in response to new regulation
proposals and require those filing public comments to
disclose any industry-funded research or possible conflicts of
interest. It is an overt action to not only restore the default
power of government agencies but also to stack the deck
clearly in favor of unelected civil servants who are likely
to have a vested interest in growing the size and power of
government.
Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of
Washington has introduced a similar bill in the House of
Representatives.
The Court’s new Loper ruling will have little instant
effect because it will not force a reappraisal of previous
court rulings. The Court’s opinion, written by Chief Justice
John Roberts, recognizes the validity of previous precedent
creating holdings. It will be changing interpretive methodology
going forward.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 118

54
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SC FASTENING SYSTEMS
8531 S. Freeway Drive Macedonia, OH 44056
TEL 1-800-232-2659 EMAIL info@scfastening.com WEB www.scfastening.com
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND
INNOVATION by Dennis Cowhey, President, Computer Insights
A Milestone Of Excellence
As SC Fastening Systems proudly celebrates its
25th anniversary, it reflects on a quarter-century journey
marked by dedication, growth, and success. Since
its founding in 1999, SC Fastening Systems has
committed itself to excellence in the industries it serves,
continuously expanding its offerings and services to
meet the evolving needs of its customers.
A Growing Team For Expanding Capabilities
Twenty-five years and still going strong. SC Fastening
Systems has been actively expanding its team, aligning
with its commitment to enhancing capabilities and
expertise. These new hires bring fresh perspectives
and specialized skills, ensuring they continue delivering
exceptional service and innovative solutions to their
valued customers.
Enhanced Digital Experience
As part of our ongoing commitment to customer
satisfaction, SC Fastening Systems is excited to
announce significant updates to its website, which is
set to launch soon. These enhancements are designed
to improve user experience and accessibility, making
it even easier for customers to find the products and
services they need whenever and wherever they need
them.
Celebrating Our Customers
SC Fastening Systems’ success over the past
25 years would not have been possible without the
unwavering support of our customers. To show our
gratitude, they are hosting a series of customer
appreciation events throughout the summer and fall.
These events are their way of saying thank you to those
who have been with us on this incredible journey.
Technology plays a part, Corey Wargo shared, “Our
partnership with Computer Insights, Inc. has been a
cornerstone of our operations for most of our 25 years
in business. The Business Edge TM
software, particularly
the wireless warehouse feature, has been instrumental
in streamlining our processes and enhancing our
efficiency. We truly value the long-standing relationship
we’ve built and look forward to continuing our successful
collaboration for many years to come.”
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 120

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 55

56
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
NORTH COAST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
7737 Ellington Place, Mentor, OH 44060
TEL 440-975-9503 FAX 440-350-1676 EMAIL lgraham@ncfaonline.com WEB www.ncfaonline.com
2024 HAS BEEN GOOD TO NCFA
by Mike Robinson - NCFA President
2024 has been an exhilarating year for us at the
NCFA, marked by a series of successful and memorable
events. We kicked things off with our Spring Dinner,
followed by the 15th Annual Distributor Social, which
was an absolute hit! Our momentum continued as
we hosted the second annual Cork-Screw... Cheers to
Fasteners event at a charming, family-owned winery. In
a fitting twist, this event coincided with the first official
day of summer—the summer solstice. Despite the heat
and humidity, our fastener friends kept cool, enjoying a
selection of delicious, handcrafted wines and refreshing
cold beverages at Sharon James Cellars.
But the excitement didn’t stop there! Our Night at the
Ball Park event on August 1st at Progressive Field sold out
in no time. Over 100 Fastener Friends gathered to cheer
on the Cleveland Guardians as they triumphed over the
Baltimore Orioles.
September brings our annual Screw Open Golf outing
held on Thursday, September 5th, at Valliere Golf Club
in Hinckley, Ohio. With currently 80 participants and a
few weeks before the registration deadline at time of this
publication, it’s going to be another great outing all in
support of the NCFA Scholarship Fund.
Speaking of scholarships, we like to give back to our
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
members and their families by awarding scholarships to help
with college tuition costs. With so many amazing and well
deserving candidates, it makes for a difficult selection process
every year, but our scholarship committee understood the
assignment. Congratulations to the 2024 NCFA Scholarship
Award recipients: NORA CHERNOSKY (Fastener Industries/
Buckeye Fasteners), ALEX HENDL (Fastener Tool & Supply),
EMERSON HREN (DB Roberts), ALEXIS PHILLIPS (Eurolink
FSS), LINDSEY WEAVER (Ken Forging, Inc.).
We will end 2024 with our annual Holiday Bash on
Thursday December 5th at Whirlyball. What is whirlyball
you might be asking?!?! Show up and find out what all the
buzz is about!! Think bumper cars for adults mixed with
basketball and a little bit of scoop ball. Yeah, we thought it
sounded like a party, too!! We will have an open bar, corn
hole, pinball, and much more. Don’t miss out and keep an
eye out for registration on our website www.ncfaonline.com.
Each of these events is thoughtfully curated with
our core philosophy in mind: “Consistently grow as an
organization and be of assistance to our members by
helping them stay abreast of what is taking place in the
fastener industry, creating a friendly environment where
networking and discussions are encouraged.”
NORTH COAST FASTENER ASSOCIATION

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 57
All America Threaded
Products, one of the USA’s
leading manufacturers and
Distributors of Threaded
Rods, Studs, Anchor Bolts
and U-Bolts, launched a new
range of High Strength, High
Tensile Threaded Rods In
July called GR8HTROD
(…great rod). Made in the
USA Made exclusively here
in the USA by AATP, we are
proud to be one of the only
manufacturers that supplies
a range of domestic highstrength
threaded rods.
GR8HT ROD offers a viable
High Tensile alternative to
Grade 8, (SAE J429) and
is fully Certified to ASTM
A354 Grade BD. Available
from Stock The GR8HT
ROD range Is now available
from stock in diameters up
to 1 Inch and lengths up to
12ft. For further information,
please contact our Sales
team. High Strength
GR8HTROD is ideal for
applications requiring
a High Strength Rod.
GR8HTROD is a result of
a two-year project developed
specifically in response to
customer demand.
As one of the USA’s
leading manufacturers
and suppliers of Industrial
Threaded Rods and
Studs, Anchor Bolts,
and U-Bolts, All America
Threaded Products and
the AATP Sales Team pride
ourselves on ensuring our
customers receive a level
of service that we believe
is second to none.
Why All America Threaded
Products? With over a
quarter million square
feet of manufacturing
space spread across two
facilities, one in Lancaster,
PA, and the other in Denver,
CO, we are ideally placed
to satisfy our customers’
needs. We have embraced
Lean principles across our
operations and have an
experienced Sales team
dedicated to getting our
customers the parts they
need on time, every time.
All America Threaded
Products (AATP) stocks
a wide range of materials
and can produce both
standard Rods and Specials
to Customer drawings/
Specifications. The vast
majority of our products are
made in the U.S.A., and our
continued growth is based
upon satisfied customers
who support high-quality
domestic threaded products
and appreciate the values
we bring to the marketplace.
For more information
contact All America Threaded
Products at 731 Martha
Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Tel: 1-800-354-3330, email
them at: sales@aatprod.
com or visit them online at
www.aatprod.com.

58
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SPECIALTY TOOLS & FASTENERS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION
PO Box 44, 500 Elm Grove Rd., Ste. 2I0, Elm Grove, Wl 53122
TEL 1-800-352-2981 EMAIL info@stafda.org WEB www.stafda.org
STAFDA’S OPENING PARTY AT THE
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME by Georgia H. Foley, CEO
One of the iconic ‘must see’ venues in Music City is
the Country Music Hall of Fame. Across from the Music
City Center and connected to the Omni Nashville,
STAFDA has done a buyout of the venue for its Sunday
night party on November 10. Convention attendees will
have two hours (6-8 p.m.) to take advantage of varied
talent on the Hall of Fame’s four floors in addition
to exploring the exhibits showcasing country music’s
legends. STAFDA’s 48th Annual Convention & Trade Show
is November 10-12 in Nashville, TN.
On the main floor and entertaining attendees as they
arrive will be the trio, Gypsy Grass. Founded by Asheville,
NC musician Ben Phan, this supergroup of virtuoso
musicians formed a love for two genres- bluegrass and
gypsy jazz. A highly versatile group, Gypsy Grass can
play classy swing jazz to covering popular songs with a
fresh and authentic style. The trio consists of Phan on
guitar and vocals, Cynthia McDermott on mandolin and
vocals, and Drayton Aldridge on violin and fiddle.
Also on the first floor will be singer/songwriter,
Lee Thomas Miller, sharing the unique – and creative
process – of songwriting. He has 20-years-worth of chart
singles with seven of them reaching #1 including songs
from Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Joe
Nichols, and Terri Clark. He is a three-time Grammy
award nominee and has won other major industry awards
including CMA and ACM Song of the Year for “In Color”
by Jamey Johnson, as well as Music Row Magazine
and Nashville Songwriter’s Association annual awards.
He mostly recently scored a Top 3 single with Scotty
McCreery. Miller has also written songs for Brothers
Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks, George
Strait, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett,
Brandon Heath, and countless others.
SHOW EVENT ARTICLE
On the third level will be the Chris Jones Band, a
high energy country music band! Frontman Chris Jones
was born in West Monroe, LA who had a talented mom
with a beautiful voice and a bass player for a dad. It
wasn’t until he was in his early 20’s and out with the guys
that he was dared to enter a karaoke contest where not
only did he shock his friends with his strong voice, but
he won 1st place! That night placed a fire and passion in
his heart to begin his singing career in the country music
industry. Later he moved to Texas where he met some
new friends and started a band. They rapidly began filling
their date book with “A” list clubs all over the U.S. Jones
is now touring full time and living his dream.
The fourth floor of the Hall of Fame will feature the
The Carmonas Band. As high-energy performers, their
powerful vocals, sibling harmonies, and prodigal guitar
licks make people sit up and listen. Growing up in a
military family of 10, Aaron, Chad and Alison spent
time on both coasts, with a whole lot of station wagon
trips in between. Influenced by the country and bluegrass
coming from North Carolina and the more eclectic, laidback
style of California, their music blends a heartfelt mix
of folk, bluegrass and classic rock n’ roll. The Carmonas
Band has been seen on ESPN, CMT, GAC, More At
Midday, and Tennessee Mornings, and featured in
The Tennessean, The Village Voice, The Cary News, and
Southwest Airlines Magazine, among others.
In addition to taking in the top talent, there will be
a number of food and beverage stations throughout the
Country Music Hall of Fame. No one will leave the party
hungry before they can enjoy more of Nashville’s exciting
nightlife only two blocks away!
Please visit www.stafda.org to learn more about
membership and the Nashville Convention.
SPECIALTY TOOLS & FASTENERS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

60
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE
6363 Oak Tree Boulevard, Independence, OH 44131
TEL 216-241-1482 FAX 216-241-5901 EMAIL info@indfast.org WEB www.indfast.org
IFI BOOK OF FASTENER STANDARDS: A CONVERSATION
WITH DR. SALIM BRAHIMI by Dan Walker, Managing Director
Dr. Salim Brahimi, the
Director of Engineering
and Technology at the
Industrial Fasteners
Institute, sat down
with us to discuss the
newly released 12th
Edition of the IFI Book
of Fastener Standards.
With over 35 years of
experience in the fastener industry, Dr. Brahimi offers
invaluable insights into the importance and evolution of
this resource.
Background And Experience
Dr. Brahimi, a seasoned Metallurgical Engineer, has
been a driving force in the fastener industry for decades. His
extensive involvement in standard development committees,
including leadership roles in ASTM, ASME, and SAE,
underscores his commitment to advancing the field.
What Is The IFI Book Of Fastener Standards?
The IFI Book of Fastener Standards is a “must-have”
resource made up of commonly used standards for inch
fasteners and non-ISO metric fasteners. It serves as a
vital reference for designers, engineers, maintenance
personnel, and anyone involved in mechanical fastening.
Why Is It Important?
¤ Universal Use: “Given that mechanical
fasteners are used in every industrial sector, it follows
that the IFI Book of Fastener Standards is referenced
throughout the world as the technical blueprint for the
entire supply chain” -Dr. Brahimi
¤ Consistency and Standardization: The
book provides a framework for fastener selection and
usage, ensuring consistency and reducing the risk of
errors.
¤ Cost Savings: By consolidating numerous
standards into a single resource, the book offers
significant cost savings compared to purchasing
individual standards.
¤ Time Efficiency: The book eliminates the need
to source and organize standards, saving valuable
time for engineering and quality personnel.
The Evolution Of The Book
The IFI Book of Fastener Standards has evolved to
reflect the changing landscape of the fastener industry.
With each new edition, the book incorporates updated
standards, reflecting advancements in technology and
manufacturing processes. The 12th Edition, released
in August, features 97 standards, including 30
updates and a new standard, IFI 171, specifically for
thread dimensions in the steel construction industry.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 122

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 61
Field, a leading provider of fastening
solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition
of Cascade Nut and Bolt, a fastener distributor
located in Salem, Oregon. This strategic
acquisition will enhance its ability to serve a
broader range of industries and expand their
geographical footprint to service current and
prospective customers.
Field has grown on average 18% per year
since 1990 and attribute that growth to its
unique culture and helping customers save
money through their world class VMI programs
and engineering support. The culture is people
focused and places a high value on team
members, customers, and suppliers. Cascade
specializes in supporting the structural market
and industrial OEMs in the Pacific Northwest.
Both companies become stronger by joining
forces and better equipped to continue to
support customers and drive growth.
“We are excited to welcome the Cascade
team to the Field family. We’ve been very
impressed by the quality of the team at Cascade
and the alignment around culture. We are
focused on taking care of our customers and
team members”, says Adam Derry, President
of Field. “It was clear very early on in the
acquisition process that our two companies
had virtually all the same values. As a result,
I am extremely excited to have the opportunity
to expand Cascade’s structural steel expertise
utilizing the extensive distribution footprint of
Field and professional sales experts across
the country”, says Tom Boline, President of
Cascade Nut and Bolt. Tom will stay on and
serve as their sales leader to grow structural
throughout Field’s footprint and the Northwest
industrial market.
Cascade Nut & Bolt (CNB), headquartered in
Salem, OR, was established in 1997 with a staff
of highly motivated and qualified people who are
experienced in the fastener distribution industry.
CNB provides a full time professional staff
which includes outside sales representatives
to service the surrounding areas. Their fleet of
trucks and full time delivery drivers respond to
customer needs on a daily basis producing fast
daily service along the interstate network establishing
an excellent record for on time delivery.
Quick overnight shipments are available as well.
You can find both standard and metric fasteners at
CNB, including all grades and materials and no job
is to small for their custom fabrication shop. CNB
has on site inventory management, competitive
pricing, and dedicated staff to serve your building
and business needs.
Derry Enterprises, Inc. acquired Field, a global
distributor of fasteners and other small components
to the OEM market, in 1990. They are the best
in the industry at providing ongoing cost reduction
through both technical support services and inventory
management systems. Over the past 34 years, Field
has averaged 18% annual growth each year and for
the ninth time in the last twelve years have been
recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest
growing privately held companies in America.
To learn more about Derry Enterprises and Field,
please call 815-637-9002 or visit them online at
www.fieldfastener.com.

62
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BAY SUPPLY A DIVISION OF BAY FASTENING SYSTEMS
30 Banfi Plaza North, Farmingdale, NY 11735
TEL 516-294-4100 FAX 516-294-3448 EMAIL info@baysupply.com WEB www.baysupply.com
HOW TO CHOOSE WHICH SOLID RIVET MATERIAL TO USE
By Mike Eichinger, COO
We write a lot about blind rivets, lockbolts, threaded
inserts, and other types of fasteners, but we don’t want to
overlook solid rivets. Solid rivets are probably the oldest
and most reliable type of fastener and have been used
for millennia. The ancient Egyptians used rivets to fix clay
pots, and the Vikings used them to secure the planking in
longboats. With every new application for solid rivets that
emerged, new rivet materials were needed.
You may be most familiar with the solid rivets that
are used in construction. Large steel rivets are driven into
girders to form a lasting joint to support skyscrapers or
bridges. You have probably seen videos of construction
crews using solid rivets. They insert the rivet into the hole,
heat it to soften the material, then flatten it to form the
joint using a bucking bar.
You must choose the right rivet material to get the
best performance out of it. In our construction example,
the crew must heat the rivet to soften it to form a lasting
joint. Most solid rivet applications don’t require heating,
so you must use materials that can create a strong joint
when you flatten it. You may also base your choice of rivet
material on the material’s conductive characteristics and
ability to resist rust and corrosion.
The Basics Of Solid Rivets
Unlike blind rivets that use a hollow shaft and a
mandrel to collapse the rivet on the blind side, solid rivets
require you to have access to both sides of the material.
The rivet has a solid shaft and a head on one side. To set
the rivet, you fit it into the pre-drilled hole and strike the
head with a hammer or rivet tool while the opposite side
flattens against a bucking bar.
When choosing the right type of solid rivet, you want
to use a material that is soft enough to be flattened for
a secure joint but hard enough to last. Various materials
are commonly used for solid rivets; the most common
are steel, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, copper, and
nickel alloy.
The Pros And Cons Of Solid Rivets
Solid rivets have many advantages and disadvantages,
depending on the application. Solid rivets are very reliable
and form a strong, lasting joint, but you need access to
both sides of the joint to install them. With shipbuilding
and similar installations, you will need two people: one to
hold the bucking bar and one to hammer the rivet.
Blind rivets were developed to deal with this issue.
The blind rivet is hollow with a mandrel that can be pulled
from one side of the joint to form the bond. There are
applications where blind rivets aren’t practical and you
want the added strength of a solid rivet.
You don’t need special tools to install solid rivets—
all you need is a hammer and a bucking bar. Riveting
tools are available to make installation easier, such as
for larger construction jobs. Solid rivets are designed for
permanent installation and are more difficult to remove
than other rivets.
Solid rivets have other characteristics that can be
invaluable for specific uses. For example, solid rivets
are used in shipbuilding because they are waterproof.
Choosing a noncorrosive rivet material, such as stainless
steel or brass, also helps resist corrosion.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 122

64
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SPIROL INTERNATIONAL CORP.
30 Rock Avenue, Danielson, CT 06239
TEL 1-860-774-8571 FAX 1-860-774-2048 EMAIL info@spirol.com WEB www.spirol.com
HOW PRE-FABRICATED DISC SPRING STACKS SAVE TIME,
MONEY & ENSURE QUALITY by John Valvoda - Sales Application Specialist
One of the most demanding and complicated
components to construct in a production environment is
the Disc Spring Stack. Disc Springs (sometimes referred
to as Belleville springs/conical washers) are used in
stacks to achieve very specific height, force and travel
requirements within an assembly. Disc Spring Stacks
can be constructed in a variety of formations including: in
series, in parallel, and in both series and parallel.
Methods Of Stacking
The Disc Spring’s outer diameter within the stack
commonly ranges in size from 8 mm up to 200 mm.
Some Disc Spring Stacks may contain Thrust Washers for
stability (Figure 2). Disc Springs stacked in parallel are
often lubricated to reduce friction between the surfaces
of the individual Discs to curtail heat buildup that could
otherwise be detrimental to the performance of the Disc
Stack within the assembly. Given all of the variables that
can go into the design of a Disc Spring Stack, there is no
one universal rule on how to construct a stack.
When a Disc Spring Stack design is ready for
production, the steps of creating the stack for the assembly
begins. It is at this stage that
important decisions need
to be made:
¤ Where to source
the Disc Springs/
Belleville washers?
¤ What size Disc
Springs are being used,
what configuration do
the Disc Springs need to
be in, and how will this
affect the production time needed to construct each stack?
¤ If the Disc Stack requires lubrication – what lubricant
will be used and what is the best method to apply the
lubricant consistently on each Disc Spring?
¤ Who will construct the Disc Stacks?
¤ How to train the assembler(s) to place each Disc
Spring in its proper orientation every time?
¤ Does a jig need to be constructed to assist with the
assembling of the Disc Stacks?
¤ How is quality checked on each Disc Spring Stack to
ensure it is constructed correctly?
FIGURE 1 - SPIROL PRE-FABRICATED
DISC SPRING STACK WITH EASY-TO-
PEEL PERFORATED TAB
DEFLECTION: SAME AS SINGLE DISC
FORCE: SINGLE DISC MULTIPLIED BY THE
NUMBER OF DISCS
DEFLECTION: SINGLE DISC MULTIPLIED
BY THE NUMBER OF DISCS
FORCE: SAME AS SINGLE DISC
DEFLECTION: SINGLE DISC MULTIPLIED
BY THE NUMBER OF DISCS IN SERIES
FORCE: SINGLE DISC MULTIPLIED BY THE
NUMBER OF PARALLEL DISCS IN A SET
TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 124

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 65
Founder and President
of Crossroad Distributor
Source, Scott Campbell,
announced that the
company is celebrating its
20th anniversary. Scott
has had a long history in
the fastener industry and
started the company with
their Powercoil® line of
wire thread inserts and
repair kits drawing on his
extensive experience in the
thread insert business.
Powercoil and the Black
Book series of technical
reference guides to industry
standards for fasteners
were just the beginning for
Crossroad. Other products
followed soon after and
today Crossroad offers:
¤ Loksert® key-locking
solid inserts and tooling
¤ Bondsert® solid
bushing thread inserts for
metal
¤ E-Z Chamfer® tools
for various materials and
diameters
¤ ProThread® wire insert repair
kits for the automotive aftermarket
The company is also a stocking
warehouse for AFIXX blind rivets
and rivet nuts.
Crossroad Distributor Source is
your source for quality choices
in universal key-locking thread
inserts and repair kits, Powercoil®
helical wire thread inserts and
repair kits, BONDSERT® thread
inserts for metal, create a perfect
chamfer with E-Z Chamfer®,
AFIXX® blind rivets and rivet nuts,
and the Black Book® technical
reference series for engineers and
fastener specialists. Threaded
inserts to meet MS and NASM
specifications. They are a master
distributor, supplying industrial and
fastener distributors throughout
the North, Central, South America
and the Caribbean. They are proud
of theirr commitment to service
their customers in a world-class
fashion and our ability to provide
the technical expertise to support
that distribution chain.
The company is located in the
Indianapolis area, the Crossroads
of America, with UPS and Fedex
hubs close by.
For more information about
Crossroad Distributor Source,
contact them at 15340 Herriman
Blvd, Noblesville IN 46060. Tel:317-
723-5050, Fax: 317-723-5052,
Email: sales@ sales@crossroad.
bz or visit them online at www.
CrossroadDistributorSource.com.

66
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
MID-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
PO Box 255, Park Ridge, IL 60068
TEL 847-438-8338 EMAIL mwfa@mwfa.net WEB www.mwfa.net
FSTNR WEEK: A WEEK OF INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT
AND CONNECTION By Francesca Lewis
FSTNR Week unofficially began on August 17th with
the Rugged Nuts joining the 5K Distillery Run at Take
Flight Spirits. Around 20 industry enthusiasts participated,
followed by a lunch at Moretti’s Restaurant in Skokie, IL.
The week officially kicked off on August 18th with a
Bed Build event at Marriott Lincolnshire, in partnership with
Sleep in Heavenly Peace, where over 100 volunteers built
100 beds for children in need. Food trucks sponsored by
Brighton Best Int’l and BTM Manufacturing kept everyone
energized.
Monday, August 19th, featured plant tours at Morgan
Ohare, SWD Inc., Big Bolt LLC, and XL Screw, providing
attendees with valuable industry insights. Later, the new
Welcome Mixer at Three Embers restaurant replaced
the post-show gathering, offering a great opportunity for
networking.
Tuesday, August 20th, included a Fastener Failure
Seminar led by Sean and Darlene Collis, an exhibitor lunch,
and the Fastener Match Game hosted by Eric Dudas of
Fully Threaded Radio. The exhibit show opened at 1:00
PM, with over 100 exhibitors showcasing fastener products
and services. The day ended with the “Game On! Fastener
Bash,” featuring sports team gear and a visit from South
Paw, the Chicago White Sox mascot.
Wednesday, August 21st, saw the 71st MWFA
Golf Outing, with over 140 golfers enjoying a day of
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
competition, followed by a dinner and awards ceremony.
Throughout the week, the Fastener Training Institute held
its Fastener Training Week program, culminating in a final
exam for those pursuing the Certified Fastener Specialist
certificate.
FSTNR Week wouldn’t have been a success without the
incredible support of our sponsors, volunteers, exhibitors,
and guests. Your dedication and enthusiasm made this week
of industry achievement and connection truly memorable.
Thank you for being a vital part of FSTNR Week!
MWFA Hits A Home Run At American Family Field
On July 11th, the Mid-West Fastener Association
(MWFA) hosted its July meeting at American Family Field,
where members and guests enjoyed a day at the ballpark,
watching the Milwaukee Brewers face off against the
Pittsburgh Pirates. The day kicked off with an unofficial
tailgate, bringing together fastener industry friends from
near and far for some spirited cornhole games and a toast
to a beautiful summer day.
The camaraderie continued as the group made their
way to the Johnsonville Party Deck. There, attendees
enjoyed a festive atmosphere, indulging in great food,
refreshing drinks, and the thrill of America’s greatest
pastime. With family and friends in tow, the event offered
fun and memories for everyone involved.
MID-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
TABLE TOP SHOW AND FASTENER BASH - AUGUST 20, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 80

68
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
KINTER
3333 Oak Grove Ave, Waukegan, IL 60087
TEL 1-800-323-2389 FAX 847-623-0105 EMAIL sales@kinter.com WEB www.kinter.com
KINTER: READY TO SHINE WHEN
OUR CUSTOMERS NEED US
It was Friday afternoon, nearly closing time. Snow
was falling, streetlights were on, and employees around
the office were eagerly wrapping up for the weekend.
Around 4:45, the phone rang. I remember the anxiety in
the caller’s voice. It was one of our distributors, in panic
mode. A computer glitch on their end meant they ran
out of a high-demand push-in fastener, and they needed
more … right away.
“How many?” I asked.
“Two million,” the buyer said.
I smiled from my end of the phone. Without even
checking our inventory screen, I knew we were prepared.
(Still, I typed in the part, just in case!)
“No problem,” I replied. “We’ll ship it tonight.”
The buyer was astonished. His last-minute headache
was our chance to shine. A couple guys from the
warehouse stayed late, and the full order hit the bed
of a UPS truck that very evening. Simply, we’re ready
for these moments, with 300,000+ feet of warehouse
space and the inventory to fill it. But it wasn’t always this
way.
My parents, John and Barbara, started this business
in their garage in 1980, selling nails and other small
fasteners. Back then, if you had called needing 2 million
of anything, it wasn’t likely! Now it’s the usual – not just
with nylon push-in fasteners, but thousands of popular
fastener items … Binder posts & screws, plastic mating
fasteners, snap rings, “S” hooks, suction cups, cable
ties, disposable tools, wall anchors and more. We’re the
go-to for wholesale volume. And if we don’t already have
it, we’ll find it – or make it.
KINTER’S NEWEST WAREHOUSE OF ITS WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS,
CAMPUS.
Over the past 44 years, that humble garage has
grown into a three-warehouse campus with aggressive
inventory levels in Waukegan, IL. That means we’re
ready when you are. Plus, we have dedicated designers
and an on-site Engineering Lab to bring your ideas to
life, with custom injection molding and in-house CNC and
EDM tooling capabilities.
If you have a fastener design in mind, we’ll create
it. If you need a warehouse to stock your parts, we’ll
inventory them for you. If you need those parts kitpacked
a certain way, we’ll handle it. We’re always
telling our customers “Challenge us! We can solve your
fastener headaches.”
That’s the can-do spirit that sets Kinter apart.
Shipping 2 million pieces on a Friday evening was
nothing. Call us, and let’s tackle your challenges.
Paul White
President of Kinter
P.S. Contact us at Kinter.com/Contact and ask for our
new Fastener Distributor catalog!
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
KINTER

70
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SOUTHWESTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION
TEL 817-269-0436
PO Box 173994, Arlington, TX 76003
EMAIL info@southwesternfastener.org WEB www.southwestfastener.org
SFA ENJOYS LIVE MUSIC, COLD BEVERAGES, A BASEBALL
GAME AND SCHOLARSHIPS! by Becky Buddenbohn
Southwestern Fastener Association
has been enjoying time with our
members, joining forces with the NFDA
members when they were in DFW for
a great happy hour filled with Live
Music and cold refreshments! Bar
Louie hosted our group, and all present
enjoyed the time to gather with our NFDA
friends and relax while Craig McDaniel
(Nylok) and his band entertained us all!
Big thanks to Craig and to all who came
out on a hot June night in Dallas.
This year many SFA members
attended a baseball game between the
Houston Astros and the World Champion
Texas Rangers in Arlington! The air-conditioned stadium
was a welcome relief from the Texas heat and the game
proved to be a good one, although the Astros triumphed
in the end. The Silver Boot series is a happy SFA tradition
that is proving to be one our members really enjoy!
SFA is proud to award $2500 scholarships to worthy
students as they pursue their undergraduate and/or
graduate degrees. This year we were pleased to have
over 20 applications for our scholarships! The committee
awarded 5 scholarships. The following students were
awarded a scholarship this year.
Alex Cattoor, Emily Brandt, Josh
Monteiro, Jake Heitzman and Eleonor
Maturan were our recipients, and we
couldn’t be happier to assist them
with their education.
October 26th we are proud
to announce our first Sleep in
Heavenly Peace bed build! Advance
Components in Carrollton will host
this important service project! We’ll
need volunteers to help build beds
for kids who can only dream of
sleeping in a real bed. The link
to volunteer can be found on our
website at www.southwesternfastener.org
SFA Upcoming Events
October 26 Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build
Advance Components, 9am-1pm
November 14 DFW Happy Hour and Canned
Food Drive
December 12 Houston Happy Hour & Toy Drive
Please check our website at www.southwestfastener.org
for updates on all our future events.
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
SOUTHWESTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 71

72
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRIKKSEN
2152 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 1060, Sanford, FL 32771
TEL 1-800-962-1614 EMAIL sales@brikksen.com WEB www.brikksen.com
BRIKKSEN….IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
In the world of fasteners, details matter—significantly
when your business depends on them.
At Brikksen, we get it. As a master distributor,
we understand you need reliability, consistency, and
a partner who understands that not all fasteners are
created equal. Metric fasteners used to steal the spotlight
at Brikksen, but let’s not forget about their equally
essential counterpart: inch fasteners. And yes, we’ve got
those in spades.
You might be thinking, “Why should I care about inch
fasteners? Metric works just fine for us.” But here’s the
thing: not every project, client, or region speaks the metric
language. Many operate in inches; when they do, you
need to be ready to deliver. That’s where we come in.
For years, we’ve been committed to ensuring
our partners have everything they need to keep their
customers happy, no matter the specifications. Our line of
inch stainless steel fasteners is designed with the same
precision, durability, and corrosion resistance you expect
from our metric products. From standard flat washers,
nuts, and bolts to the heavy-duty wedge anchors and hose
clamps that keep things secure, our inch fasteners are
built to meet the demands of any job.
Brikksen isn’t just filling shelves with inch fasteners;
we’re investing in your success. Our team ensures that
each product meets the highest standards, so you never
have to second-guess the quality you’re delivering to
your customers. This dedication to excellence means
you can trust Brikksen to help you build strong, lasting
relationships with your clients, project after project.
But let’s get down to brass tacks—what does this
mean for your business? Stocking a comprehensive range
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
of inch fasteners isn’t just about filling a gap; it’s about
expanding your service offerings and meeting the needs of
a diverse client base. By partnering with Brikksen, you’re
not just getting a supplier—you’re getting a strategic ally
that helps you stay competitive in an ever-evolving market.
Think about it: when a contractor calls you in a bind
because they need inch fasteners yesterday, do you
want to be the distributor who says, “Sorry, we only do
metric”? Or do you want to be the one who says, “No
problem, we’ve got what you need”? The choice is clear.
With Brikksen, you can confidently offer a full range of
solutions, knowing that our inch fasteners are up to the
task every time.
At the end of the day, we know your reputation is on the
line with every order. We’re here to help you protect it. So,
while the world may argue over inches versus millimeters,
you can rest easy knowing that Brikksen has both—and
we’re ready to back your business, inch by inch.
BRIKKSEN

74
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
International Fasteners, Inc. is pleased to
announce the addition of industry veteran Law
Winchester to the role of Director of West Coast
Sales. Based in Portland, OR, Law will bring
valuable leadership and a passion to support the
needs of the growing customer base out west.
“Upon witnessing their commitment to quality
control to provide top tier products to the
construction industry, I was honored to be invited
to be part of the IFI team,” said Law Winchester.
He continued by saying that “the company’s
focus and direction to provide service and
support to the fastener distributor is second to
none!”
Known as “The Distributor’s Choice” for
Daggerz brand Quality Construction Fasteners,
International Fasteners, Inc. currently has eight
(8) stocking locations throughout the U.S.
For more information, contact International
Fasteners Inc. by Tel: 1-888-241-0203, Fax:
1-888-241-2096, Email: sales@daggerz.com or
visit them online at www.daggerz.com.
Swedish premium fastener manufacturer
BUMAX AB is excited to announce the recent
appointment of Star Stainless Screw Company, as
its new master distribution partner in the US. The
announcement marks a notable step forward in
the BUMAX route to market in the US and is part
of the company’s ongoing development strategy
for the North America region.
Established in 1950, Star Stainless Screw Co.
has built an unrivaled reputation throughout the US
as an importer and distributor of fastener products
in a range of stainless steel and other exotic alloy
materials. With a network of distribution centers
in strategic locations, Star Stainless is well placed
to serve its extensive customer base of fastener
and industrial component suppliers across the
country.
“We are so excited to be partnering with
BUMAX. We feel the quality of product from
BUMAX, partnered with the reputation Star has
for offering the highest of quality of product and
service will be a perfect fit. We look forward to
our partnership and thank BUMAX for their trust
in Star’s excellence in distribution,” says Tim
Roberto, President, Star Stainless Screw Co.
Star Stainless will be responsible for
stocking and supplying the extensive BUMAX
range of high-strength stainless steel products
to fastener distributors and industrial product
suppliers throughout the US. This partnership will
significantly improve the availability, accessibility
and speed of supply of BUMAX products to
customers in the US.
“After a long road, I am happy to see our
agreement finalized. A key challenge in the US
has always been the geographic size and diversity
of the market. Bringing together the expertise of
both companies, we can now begin the important
work of raising awareness of the advantages of
BUMAX high-strength stainless steel fasteners
in the US market and making our products more
readily available throughout the region,” says
Jacob Bergström, BUMAX Segment Manager,
Distribution.
For more information about Star Stainless and
the BUMAX product range, visit them online at
www.starstainless.com.

76
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
R&R ENGINEERING CO. INC.
801 South Main Street, Summitville, IN 46070 TEL 1-800-979-1921
EMAIL sales@randrengineering.com WEB www.randrengineering.com
CELEBRATING 55 YEARS OF
EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING
R&R Engineering, a leader in the
U-Bolt manufacturing industry, is proud
to celebrate its 55th anniversary this
year. Since its inception, the company
has consistently set the standard for
quality, innovation, and customer service
in the industry. What began as a modest
operation has grown into a powerhouse
of manufacturing excellence, known for
its precision-engineered products and
dedication to meeting the needs of its diverse clientele.
Expanding Capabilities With New Technology
As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and
growth, R&R Engineering recently expanded its operations
to 260,000 square feet with a new 30,000-square-foot
addition. This significant expansion is more than just
physical space; it represents the company’s drive to stay
ahead of the competition.
The new production area is equipped with seven
new state-of-the-art U-Bolt machines that will increase
output by 200,000 parts daily. This investment in
cutting-edge technology reduces costs and improves the
company’s ability to hold precision tolerances. Another
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
effort to ensure R&R Engineering remains the leader in
the bent bolt industry.
A Legacy Of Quality And Innovation
R&R Engineering’s 55-year journey is a testament
to its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.
The company has continuously maintained ISO 9001
certification since 2008 whilst evolving along the way,
embracing new technologies and methodologies to
better serve its customers. This latest expansion is a
clear indicator that R&R Engineering is not just resting
on its laurels but is actively investing in the future.
Looking Forward
As R&R Engineering celebrates this milestone, the
company is more committed than ever to delivering the
best in manufacturing solutions. With the new facility and
advanced machinery, R&R is well-positioned to continue
its legacy of excellence for many more years to come.
Whether it’s a custom project or a large-scale
production run, R&R Engineering is equipped and ready
to meet the needs of its customers, now with even
greater capacity and precision.
R&R ENGINEERING

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 77
Inc. revealed today that
Patriot Bolt ranks No. 757
on the 2024 Inc. 5000, its
annual list of the fastestgrowing
private companies
in America. The prestigious
ranking provides a datadriven
look at the most
successful companies within
the economy’s most dynamic
segment—its independent,
entrepreneurial businesses.
Microsoft, Meta, Chobani,
Under Armour, Timberland,
Oracle, Patagonia, and
many other householdname
brands gained their
first national exposure as
honorees on the Inc. 5000.
“I am thrilled to share
that Patriot Bolt has once
again been recognized on
the Inc. 5000 list, securing
our position at number 757
and being recognized for the
third consecutive year! Each
year of recognition gets more
challenging and this year
marks our most significant
growth rate yet!
Our continued presence
on this prestigious list is
a result of the passion,
resilience, and the
exceptional quality of our
employees and partners. It’s
not just a number—it’s a
reflection of our shared vision
and the strong foundation
we’ve built together.
To the best employees
and friends in the business,
thank you for your tireless
contributions and for making
Patriot Bolt a standout in our
industry. Let’s celebrate this
achievement and use it as
fuel to reach even greater heights
in the future. Here’s to many more
milestones and successes ahead!”
said Kris Kolb, Patriot Bolt’s Founder
and President.
As a distinguished and industryleading
manufacturer in the fastener
industry, Patriot Bolt and Fastener
stands at the forefront, committed
to serving the demanding sectors
of Oil and Gas, Energy, Aerospace,
and any other precision-focused
industries. Our expertise lies in
manufacturing and delivering an
array of specialty fasteners, stud
bolts, nuts, washers, fastener
coatings, gaskets, hoses, and FSI
filtration replacement parts.
For more information contact
Patriot Bolt at 1974 South Houston
Avenue, Humble, TX 77396. Tel:
281-581-0176, email: sales@
patriotbolt.com or visit them online
at www.patriotbolt.com.

78
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
METROPOLITAN FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION
233 Rock Road #205, Glen Rock, NJ 07452
TEL 201-254-7784 FAX 201-612-0638 EMAIL mfdaboard@gmail.com WEB www.mfda.us
MFDA ANNOUNCES 2024 SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS! by Rob Rundle
The Metropolitan Fastener Distributors Association
(MFDA) is pleased to announce their 2024 Scholarship
award winners. Congratulations to our winners
MFDA Board of Directors
Scholarship ($3500)
Makayla White, daughter of
Michael White of Brighton-Best
International.
Barbara Traum Memorial
Scholarship ($1500)
Liam Burns, son of Christine
Burns of Richard Manno & Co.
MFDA Scholarship ($1000)
Riley Burns, daughter of Christine
Burns of Richard Manno & Co.
The Metric & Multistandard
Components Corp
Scholarship ($3000)
Amanda Barr, daughter of
Fred Barr of Stelfast, Inc.
MFDA Hall of Fame
Scholarship ($2500)
Kyle Peske, son of Kevin
Peske of Metric & Multistandard
Components Company.
Tanzman Family Scholarship
($2000)
Ziacera Sexton, daughter of
Lisa Grant of Fastbolt Corp.
MFDA Scholarship ($750)
Emily Brandt, daughter of Stephanie
Brandt of Lindfast Solutions Group.
A Scholarship ($750)
Alexis Phillips, daughter of Cindy
Phillips of Eurolink FSS.
MFDA Scholarship ($500)
Lindsey Weaver, daughter of
Gerald Weaver of Ken Forging, Inc.
MFDA Scholarship ($500)
Megan Strover, daughter of
Joanne Stover of Ken Forging, Inc.
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 79

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 79
MFDA ANNOUNCES 2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS! from page 78
MFDA’s Scholarship Drive was founded 46 years ago
at the urging of then board member Irwin Tanzman. In the
nearly half century since, the Association has donated
hundreds of thousands of dollars to the children of MFDA
This was the largest and deepest group of applicants
the MFDA has seen in many years. The Board wants to
thank all these amazing students for applying and wishes
them all great success in the year to come.
Along with the generous donors of the named
scholarships listed above, the MFDA would like to
recognize and thank Brighton-Best International (for the
Barbara Traum Memorial Scholarship), Fastbolt Corp, Ken
Forging Inc, and all the MFDA members who participated
in the 2023 MFDA Golf outing for contributing to this
year’s drive.
member company employees.
Next up for the MFDA is our always-popular MFDA Golf
outing and tabletop show. For the first time ever, this year’s
events will be held mid-week - Tuesday and Wednesday
September 24th and 25th. The golf will once again be at the
Wild Turkey Golf Club at Crystal Springs resort in Hamburg
NJ, and the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights in Hasbrouck Heights
NJ will be the location for the tabletop show.
For more information about this year’s Scholarship
Awards, or if you have questions about the Association,
visit us online at www.mfda.us.
METROPOLITAN FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
TABLE TOP SHOW AND FASTENER BASH - AUGUST 20, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 131

UC COMPONENTS, INC.
18700 Adams Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
TEL 408-782-1929 EMAIL sales@uccomponents.com
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 81
WEB www.uccomponents.com
INSTANT LIVE EXPERT SUPPORT FROM OUR CERTIFIED FASTENER SPECIALISTS
We know how frustrating it is when you cannot contact
a live person when you need assistance or have questions.
You are important to us at UC Components, Inc., and we
truly take service to the extreme. When you call, email,
live chat on our website, or fill out one of our site’s RFQ
or contact forms, you will get a response from one of our
live fastener specialists, not an order taker, AI, or machine.
Your partnership is not just a transaction; it’s a relationship
built on trust, and we are committed to ensuring that your
voice is not only heard but deeply valued.
Our team is also happy to meet with you in person
or virtually to delve into your project’s specific needs.
We welcome you to schedule an in-person meeting or
connect with us at an industry tradeshow, where we can
discuss your fastener requirements in detail. Alternatively,
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
if your schedule demands flexibility or distance is a factor,
virtual meetings offer a seamless platform for meaningful
conversations. Our commitment to understanding your
unique needs remains unwavering, whichever mode you
choose.
At UC Components, we believe that our customers are
at the heart of everything we do. Your satisfaction, needs,
and feedback are not just important to us; they are our
guiding compass. Large or small – you will get the same
amazing service from us.
Have a question? Not quite sure what you need for your
application? Looking for a quote? A live UC expert is waiting
to hear from you and will help you find the perfect part and
finish. For 50 years now: We say what we do, and do what
we say, RediVac® counted, cleaned, consistent.
UC COMPONENTS, INC.

84
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
PACIFIC-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
3020 Old Ranch Parkway #300, Seal Beach CA 90740
TEL 562-799-5509 FAX 562-684-0695 EMAIL info@pac-west.org WEB www.pac-west.org
PAC-WEST FALL DINNER MEETING AND
VENDOR SHOWCASE by Amy Nijjar
What’s New, What’s Next -
A Fastener Industry Update
Jun Xu (Brighton-Best International) and Tim Roberto
(Star Stainless Screw) will bring us up to date with
what’s new with stainless steel and carbon fasteners,
along with what we can expect from our suppliers in the
future.
When: October 10, 2024
Where:
Holiday Inn - La Mirada
14299 Firestone Blvd
La Mirada, CA 90638
Reserve your room by February 12 to get the Pac-
West room rate. Remember that rooms can sell out prior
to the deadline.
Tabletop Show
Join us at the tabletop show on Thursday, March
7 from 3:00 - 7:00 PM. This is your chance to discover
new suppliers or visit with your favorites while enjoying
complimentary refreshments. Member and non-member
distributors can attend the tabletop portion of the
conference for free. View the current exhibitor list on the
Pac-West website.
Education
Get ready to refresh your career and industry
knowledge with our great lineup of sessions and speakers.
Conference topics will cover Artificial Intelligence,
Cyber Security, How to Prevent Rejections, and the 2024
Economic Outlook. We’ll finish things off with Roundtable
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
Discussions.
On Thursday afternoon all registered tabletop and
conference attendees are invited to attend Understanding
Fastener Strength and Hardness with Carmen Vertullo.
This complimentary session is presented by Fastener
Training Institute.
Vendor Showcase Opportunities
Vendor showcase companies will be listed on all event
marketing and will have the opportunity to introduce their
company during the meeting announcements. Vendors
are provided one six-foot table with chairs.
¤ The fee for a vendor showcase table is
$275 per company
¤ Fee includes one attendee registration
¤ Up to eight companies can participate at
each dinner meeting
¤ Companies can participate once per
calendar year
¤ Selection is on a first-come, first-served basis
¤ Available to Pac-West members only
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support Pac-West by becoming a sponsor!
¤ $250 General Sponsor - Company name listed
on the event website, email blasts, social media, signage,
and slide show at the event, and podium recognition.
¤ $350 Premium Sponsor - Includes all of the
above plus a $50 gift card in the company name for the
raffle and a marketing piece in the digital handbook.
Visit www.pac-west.org for all the details and to register.
Contact Jamie Adams at 562-799-5509 with any questions.
PACIFIC-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 85
AFC Industries has
recently acquired Kingston
Pennsylvania based Circle
Bolt & Nut (CBN).
Founded in 1979, CBN
quickly established itself
as a leading distributor of
fasteners, C part components,
and fulfillment services to
OEM customers throughout
the United States. Since
2018 CBN has operated as
part of Optimas OE Solutions.
CBN President Jim
Castellino said, “We look
forward to the next chapter
with AFC. Each step of the
way we have strengthened
our foundation for success.
We are excited to build on
this legacy and explore new
opportunities for growth and
innovation with AFC. Our
commitment to delivering
exceptional service and
quality to our customers
remains unwavering as we
embark on this new journey.”
AFC CEO Kevin Godin
said, “We are excited to
have the CBN team join
the AFC family. They have
an experienced team of
industry professionals that
have a proven track record
of taking great care of their
customers. Bringing them on
board deepens our presence
in key geographies and adds
a great group of customers
and team members. Adding
them to the AFC platform
strengthens both companies
and positions both AFC and
CBN for long-term success.”
For more information about
AFC Industries visit them
online at www.afcind.com.
The NEFCO Corporation, a
premier specialty supply partner
to the professional construction
trades, is excited to announce the
acquisition of Modern Fasteners,
a Pennsylvania-based distributor in
the construction supply industry.
This strategic move marks NEFCO’s
eighth acquisition since 2022 and
expands its network to 41 locations
– strengthening our commitment
to be the single best partner to
contractors whenever they build.
Modern Fasteners, Inc. was
founded in 1970 by William Damm,
under the name of Modern Tool &
Equipment. In 1998, Modern Tool
& Equipment Inc. became Modern
Fasteners, Inc., at which time the
owners were William Damm, Gary
Damm and Michael Damm. In
2004, William Damm retired and in
2016, Gary Damm retired, leaving
Michael as the sole owner. In
2017, Michael’s wife, Marie, joined
her husband in the family business,
and they continue to work side by
side to this day.
Matthew Gelles, President
& CEO of NEFCO, expressed his
enthusiasm about the acquisition:
“We are all excited to be joining
forces with the great team at
Modern. Modern Fasteners has a
tremendous reputation for great
customer service and has built a
strong and loyal customer base
throughout the greater Philadelphia
market. We are honored to have
been chosen to be their partner for
Modern’s next chapter.”
For more information, contact
NEFCO Corporation by at Tel:
1-800-969-0285, Email: Inquiries@
nefcocorp.com or online at
www.gonefco.com.

86
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
E-Z LOK
240 E. Rosecrans Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
TEL 1-800-234-5613 EMAIL sales@ezlok.com WEB www.ezlok.com
E-Z LOK THREADED INSERTS AND KITS
FOR SOFTWOOD
E-Z LOK, a leading manufacturer and master
distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and wood
now offers E-Z Hex (Hex Drive) inserts along with drive
thread insert kits.
Generically referred to as Type D (flanged) or Type
E (flush) insert nuts, E-Z Hex inserts provide sturdy
machine threads in soft woods. These hex drives are
an ideal solution for any application where assembly or
disassembly could lead to thread erosion or stripping.
This threaded insert for wood features broad external
threads that provide superior holding power in materials
like pine, composition board, MDF and plywood. E-Z
Hex internal thread sizes range from #8 to ⅜-16, plus
M6 and M8. Die-cast from a durable zinc alloy, these
threaded inserts install quickly with an Allen wrench or
optional drive tool.
E-Z Hex inserts are
a cost-effective solution
for reinforcing threads
in soft woods. Inch
or metric threads are
available in Flanged
and Flush (Type D/Type
E) Hex drive designs,
along with multiple
length options. The
hexagonal drive design
ensures efficient torque
transfer, eliminating
slippage and providing
a secure connection.
Furthermore, the selftapping
feature creates
threads directly in the softwood, eliminating the need for
pre-drilling.
Threaded inserts for wood are used in ready-toassemble
(RTA) furniture, drawer pulls, display cases,
crating and anywhere threaded inserts are installed in
softwood.
E-Z Hex threaded insert kits offer the parts needed
to provide solid reinforcement to threaded holes in
softwood materials. Depending on project requirements
and available tools, the company offers standard hex
drive threaded insert installation kits with the drive tool,
drill bit and specific size inserts in both flanged and flush
designs. Another option is threaded insert assortment
kits that provide a variety of different insert sizes without
the drive tool and drill bits.
E-Z LOK is a leading manufacturer and master
distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and
wood. Inserts for metal include solid wall and helical wirethread
inserts, while inserts for plastic feature press-in
and ultrasonic/heat stake designs. Those for wood are
die cast zinc alloy hex drives for soft wood and brass
knife threads for hardwood. A variety of kits for the above
inserts are available and feature installation tools, drill
bits, etc.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
EZ-LOK

88
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED FASTENERS from page 8
There are many reasons other than raw material
that lead to cracking, exposing a tendency to unfairly
or, perhaps, out of indolence, blaming the raw material.
Even so, flaws in raw material are a significant source
of finished part flaws, and, therefore, shall serve as
a starting point for this discussion of flaws commonly
found in cold headed fasteners.
Wire Seams
One of the most common complaints of manufacturers
related to the raw material utilized in cold heading is
encountering seams in the wire. What exactly is a seam
and how does it get there? Wire seams are the result
of an unwanted artifact of the melting and casting
process. Today’s cold heading raw material comes
almost exclusively from mini mills that melt and cast
a mix of pure iron and steel scrap. Once refined, the
melt is continuously cast into billets which are long bars
of round, square, or rectangular cross section. These
billets are later reheated and processed through a hot
rolling mill which reduces them into long coiled circular
rod. During the melting process the mill must undertake
a complex process to refine the steel into its desired
chemical constituency (steel grade). To obtain the low
carbon and low carbon steel alloys necessary for cold
heading the mill must reduce the carbon content in the
melt. To accomplish this, they lance (inject) pure oxygen
into the furnace. The oxygen binds with some of the
FIGURE 1: CROSS SECTIONAL VIEW OF A WIRE SEAM
FIGURE 2: AXIAL VIEW OF A WIRE SEAM
carbon present to form Carbon Monoxide and Carbon
Dioxide gases, which bubble out and are recaptured.
Injecting pure oxygen into the hot steel generates a
violent reaction that at some point needs to be halted.
The mill will take steps to do so, however, the reaction
may continue to occur for a time and continue to emit
these gas bubbles. When the liquid metal is cast into the
billet any remaining bubbles that emerge on the surface
before solidifying result in a small surface imperfection,
like a small crater or pockmark. Although the mills take
steps to inspect and remedy these imperfections on the
billet prior to hot rolling, they may not always be 100%
effective.
How do these imperfections, however, turn into a
problematic seam? Now imagine for a moment a small
round hole in a block of taffy. If the taffy is warmed up
and then pulled from each end this round hole will start
to stretch and elongate, first becoming egg shaped and
eventually totally closing the sides in on one another.
Pulling further extends this imperfection but never knits
the two sides of the void together. Cutting through this
in cross section would reveal a vertical fissure (Figure
1). This is analogous to what occurs with any void or
imperfection on the surface of a billet. When hot rolled
these imperfections are stretched out into what is called
a seam (Figure 2). The problem with wire seams is that
they will open into a fully blown crack when exposed
to the extreme forming loads imposed during the cold
heading process (Figure 3).
CONTINUED ON PAGE 128

90
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROB LaPOINTE HARDNESS TESTING SMALL FASTENERS: USING MACROHARDNESS & MICROHARDNESS TECHNIQUES from page 10
Both ASTM A574 and SAE J429 require hardness
testing to be done according to ASTM F606. ASTM
F606 is familiar to many in the industry as a general
fastener testing standard for mechanical properties
such as hardness, tensile and proof-load testing. ASTM
F606 is currently in revision 21 as ASTM F606/F606M-
21, including both imperial and metric fasteners. For
hardness testing methodology, ASTM F606 refers to
ASTM E18 for Rockwell hardness, ASTM E10 for Brinell
hardness, ASTM E92 for Vickers macrohardness and
Vickers and Knoop microhardness and ASTM E384 for
microhardness in both Vickers and Knoop scales. This
article will focus only on Rockwell macrohardness and
Vickers and Knoop microhardness as they are the most
common hardness methods and scales.
Test Location
ASTM F606 specifies the allowed location for
measurements on a variety of fastener configurations.
F606 allows hardness to be taken on the top of the head
and wrenching flats of hex or square bolts (Figure 1).
Measurement can also be taken on the unthreaded body
of the fastener (Figure 2), on its end or in the arbitration
location (Figures 3 and 10). The arbitration location is
specified as the location hardness shall be taken on
an externally threaded fastener when there is a dispute
between two interested parties on the hardness results
taken from an alternative location.
The arbitration location is on a section of the
FIGURE 3 THE ARBITRATION LOCATION FOR HARDNESS TESTING
FASTENERS PER ASTM F606/F606M.
fastener, approximately one diameter toward the head
from the thread end (Figure 3). The hardness shall be
taken at mid-radius and the result shall be an average
of four readings taken approximately 90 degrees apart
from one another as shown in Figure 3. This location
provides the most accurate result of the core-hardness
of a fastener, being sufficiently removed from surface
and forming effects that could bias a core-hardness
result taken from another location.
The accuracy of a hardness measurement is not
only dependent on the location of test, but also on
the preparation of the sample, the condition, use and
calibration of the hardness testing instrument and the
spacing of the indentations. Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers
and Knoop hardness methods all rely on accurately
measuring the geometry of an indentation placed in the
sample by the test instrument. Rockwell-B and Brinell
both use a steel or tungsten carbide ball indenter, while
Rockwell-A, Rockwell-C, Vickers, and Knoop all use a
diamond indenter. The indentation’s depth or width is
measured, depending on method, and that dimension
is converted into a hardness value. The size of the
indentation is directly related to hardness as softer
materials will experience a greater deformation to an
applied force than harder materials. The bigger the
indentation, the softer the material.
Sample Preparation
Proper sample preparation is essential for accuracy.
For macrohardness testing, the surface being tested
must be clean, smooth and oriented 90 degrees from the
direction the force is applied. ASTM F606 requires the
removal of any surface oxides or coatings as well as any
decarburized layers on the outside of the sample. While
oxides and coating are easy to see, decarburization is
not. Decarburization is carbon depletion in the surface
of metal due to improper heat treatment. This result
of carbon removal is a softer metal. The thread of the
fastener is particularly affected by this defect and can
cause a thread to strip rather than allowing the fastener
to reach ultimate tensile strength.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 130

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 91
EUROLINK FASTENER SUPPLY SERVICE
840 South Buncombe Road, Greer, SC 29650
TEL 864-801-0505 FAX 864-801-3606 EMAIL sales@eurolinkfss.com WEB www.eurolinkfss.com
SOUTH CAROLINA PRODUCT LINE EXPANSION
Eurolink Fastener Supply Service Expands its
South Carolina Product Lines to Include ISO Torx Drive
Socket and Machine Screws
We are excited to announce that Eurolink Fastener
Supply Service, a trusted leader in hard-to-find metric fastener
solutions, is now stocking ISO Torx Drive Socket and Machine
Screws. This addition broadens our extensive inventory,
catering to the growing demand for premium-quality fastening
solutions.
The newly available ISO Torx Drive Screws include
options in 8.8 alloy steel as well as both A2 and A4 stainless
steel. Known for their reliability and precision, these screws
are perfect for applications where high-strength, corrosion
resistance, and a secure drive system are essential.
Available Materials: 8.8 alloy steel, A2 stainless steel,
and A4 stainless steel
Drive Type: Torx, ensuring reduced cam-out and
improved torque transmission
Standards Compliance: ISO specifications include
14579, 14580, 14581, 14583, 14585, 7380-1, and 7380-2
Meeting Industry Needs With Versatility And Reliability
At Eurolink, we prioritize delivering high-quality, specialized
metric fasteners that meet the needs of industrial distributors
throughout North America. Our ISO Torx Drive Socket and
Machine Screws provide a robust solution for a wide range
of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and general
manufacturing. The addition of these products reaffirms our
commitment to offering the most comprehensive range of
European metric fasteners in the U.S. market.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
EUROLINK FASTENER SUPPLY SERVICE

92
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRUNO MARBACHER LIQUID THREAD LOCKERS PREVENT ROTATIONAL LOOSENING from page 12
A locking adhesive fills up all the empty spaces
between the thread flanks, which eliminates thread play
and consequently wobbling. As a result, we maintain
friction in the thread and therefore preclude rotational
loosening.
Before the application of a threadlocker, the male and
female threads should be clean, dry, and free of corrosion.
Some adhesives have a higher oil tolerance, so they will
bond, but best results are obtained with clean substrates.
Liquid locking adhesives are applied during assembly.
The thread can also be pre-coated with adhesive in microcapsules
(Precote, 3M etc.).
Anaerobic Threadlockers
In this article focus is put on liquid anaerobic
threadlockers which cure to form a hard bond. These are
the ones preventing wobbling.
Anaerobic” is not a common word, but it means that
it “dislikes air,” and the adhesive only hardens when the
air (oxygen) is blocked. As long as air can reach them, the
adhesives remain liquid. That is why the supplied bottles
are never completely full.
Along with “blocking the air,” there is another essential
condition for anaerobic adhesives to harden. This condition
is “contact with metal.” In other words, it will not cure
without metal. Also, engagement length is critical, jam
nuts are not suitable for anaerobic threadlockers.
Certain materials or surfaces can adversely influence
the curing process such as stainless steel, hot dip
galvanized steel, nickel, or chromium plated surfaces,
aluminum, and many plastics.
Primer (sold separately) cleans the surface and
decreases the time it takes to reach full strength. It is
recommended when working with aluminum, stainless
steel, titanium, black oxide finishes and zinc coatings.
Also, locking adhesives function different from jamming
locking feature such as nylon patches, they are not
interchangeable with those elements.
Since the thread play in small diameter screws is
smaller than in larger diameters, thread locking liquids are
thinner than those used for larger screws.
The frictional coefficients of thread locking adhesives
are often higher than with other coatings which must
be considered when determining the tightening torque.
However, apart from securing against loosening,
threadlockers offer an excellent safeguard against parts
falling off.
Chemical thread lockers are also the only possible
locking method against loosening of very hard clamped
parts. Serrated locking features cannot dig into these
parts, meaning there is no locking effect. Also, Taptite
screws cannot form threads in such materials.
Criteria To Choose Locking Adhesive
Thread size, oil tolerance, locking effectiveness, ease
of removal, heat resistance, adhesive strength, material
it’s applied to, and availability are all determining factors
for choosing. In this article we cannot address as to which
thread locker is best for a given application. We merely
describe how they work, where and how they are used
etc. Detailed information must be evaluated based on
company literature.
Strength
Threadlockers are available in a variety of strengths.
Each strength is denoted by a color. Low strength
threadlockers are purple or have a purple stripe on their
bottle. Medium strength is typically blue and high strength
is red. Users often refer to their desired product by color
rather than strength, grade number, or even brand.
¤ Low Strength: Ideal for fasteners

94
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
COMPUTER INSIGHTS INC. WORKFLOW AUTOMATION: REDUCE STEPS, ELIMINATE MISTAKES, SAVE TIME from page 14
Set Direct Shipment Automation:
Enhancing Efficiency
Set Direct Shipment Automation changes the game.
It allows users to quickly and accurately process direct
shipments without the need for manual intervention at
each step. Here’s how it works:
⬡
Integrated Order and PO Creation: The enter and
edit purchase order functions are initiated from within the
customer order entry process. Users can create POs or
multiple POs during order entry, working on the same familiar
screens as they would in the normal PO creation process.
⬡
Automatic Information Population: Important
information, such as the ship-to address, Customer PO
and Products, are automatically populated into the PO
from the customer order.
⬡
Automatic Allocation and Invoicing: Once the
PO is received in the system, the order is automatically
allocated and invoiced. This reduces the chances of
delayed or missed billing, ensuring that orders are
completed and invoiced promptly.
⬡
Vendor Invoice Entry: The vendor invoice can be
entered simultaneously when using the “Receive POs and
Post AP” function, further streamlining the process.
The benefits of this automation are clear. It eliminates
manual errors, ensures timely invoicing, and provides
flexibility to accommodate unexpected circumstances,
such as decoupling the order and PO when needed.
Set Purchase Order: A Similar Yet Distinct Process
The Set Purchase Order function in The Business
Edge operates similarly to Set Direct Shipment but with
two key differences:
⬡
The process is complete after the POs are created,
with no automatic allocations.
⬡
The PO is not coupled to the sales order, allowing
for normal order fulfillment processes, such as receiving,
picking, and allocation.
Set Purchase Order is particularly beneficial if your
sales team is responsible for purchasing. It allows
them to create POs efficiently and accurately during the
order entry process without opening additional tabs or
processes. Products identified as low on stock during
order review can be easily added to a PO, with all
necessary information populated automatically.
Reserve Lots: Ensuring Accuracy in Order
Fulfillment
Another powerful feature in The Business
Edge TM workflow automation is the Reserve Lots function.
This allows users to hold specific products for a particular
order, guaranteeing they are not used for another order.
Whether you need to reserve lots for country of origin,
certification, or pricing considerations, this feature
provides peace of mind. It also integrates with wireless
warehouse picking processes, making certain that the
correct lot is selected every time.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 95

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 95
COMPUTER INSIGHTS INC. WORKFLOW AUTOMATION: REDUCE STEPS, ELIMINATE MISTAKES, SAVE TIME from page 94
Testimonial
“The Business Edge TM
has made my job far easier,
especially in terms of keeping the information together
and connected. It’s also made drop shipping from multiple
vendors/suppliers to one single customer on the same PO
SIGNIFICANTLY simpler. Even our billing department has
found this system easier due to the orders being linked
together. Overall, it’s far simpler, more efficient, and more
user-friendly than the alternatives!”
Colin Haddock, Vice President, A2 ZincFasteners, LLC
Conclusion
The Business Edge TM workflow automation is
revolutionizing the way businesses handle multi-step
processes. By reducing steps, eliminating mistakes, and
saving time, it allows companies to focus on what really
matters—delivering quality products and services to their
customers. Whether through Set Direct Shipment, Set
Purchase Order, or Reserve Lots, automation provides a
logical and efficient path to achieving business success.
More Information
For more about Workflow Automation and The
Business Edge TM
contact Dennis Cowhey, President, at
Computer Insights, Inc., Tel: (800) 539-1233, email:
sales@ci-inc.com or www.ci-inc.com.
COMPUTER INSIGHTS, INC.

96
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
GUY AVELLON WHAT FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO INVESTIGATE FASTENER FAILURES from page 26
of a wheel stud. There are several initiation points in the
fracture zone which suggests the wheel stud experienced
a rotational load and a bending load in a loose condition.
Typically, fatigue fractures initiate either at the last thread
run-out or at the first unengaged thread protruding from
the nut.
Ductile Fracture
A brittle fracture may be flat, similar to metal fatigue
but is more shiny, exposing grain boundary cracking, or
grain boundary cleaving. Brittle fractures will not show
visible signs of distortion. Some fractures may have the
characteristic markings of chevron or waterfall patterns,
which point to origin of stress initiation.
Metal fatigue will display the conchoidal or ‘beach
marks’ striations across the fracture surface. These will
be a series of bands which may be dark, light or both. The
darker bands signify low frequency impacts or vibration,
while the lighter bands are indicative of a higher frequency
or more rapid impact loads.
When the failure is at the head, this indicates that the
joint may not be parallel, the hole too small, burrs around
the hole, etc. What happens is the radiused fillet that
smoothly connects the head to the shank has been nicked
by some external source that created a stress raiser and
subsequent crack propagation through the body of the bolt.
Ancillary Components Used
This basically means to check the grade strength or
property class of the bolt and nut to be sure the nut is
compatible with the strength of the bolt. If not, there will
be stripped threads and / or fatigue marks on the fracture
surface because clamp load was lost.
Clamp load is also lost if a wrought flat washer
was used with a Grade 5 (8.8 metric) bolt or higher. If
the washers have indentations, clamp load was lost.
The washers in the following photograph have caused a
massive loss of clamp load. Metal fatigue from this lost
clamp load will cause a rapid bolt failure.
Metal Fatigue
The following photograph is of a metal fatigue fracture
CONTINUED ON PAGE 134

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 97

98
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SOUTHEASTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION
PO Box 448, Elba, AL 36323 TEL 847-370-9022 FAX 847-516-6728 EMAIL sefa@thesefa.com WEB www.thesefa.com
SEFA TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025 by Nancy Rich
Mark Your Calendars Now for the 2025 SEFA Spring
Conference Celebrating 50 Years!! This year’s event will
be held on April 29th-May 1st, 2025 at the Saddblebrook
Resort in Tampa, FL
Come enjoy the event at this great resort with
opportunities for networking, informative sessions,
entertainment, social events, 50th celebration and
awards, golf & maybe even some pickleball. If you can
help us locate SEFA past presidents no longer in the
industry, please contact Nancy Rich sefa@thesefa.com.
This will be a great event bringing the industry and SEFA
members past and present together!
Upcoming Events
December 12, 2024
SEFA Holiday Social, Tampa, FL
April 29 - May 1, 2025 50th Anniversary SEFA
Spring Conference
SEFA Welcomes New Member
AZZ Metal Coatings - Fort Worth, TX
Saddlebrook Resort-Tampa, FL
SEFA Summer Social
SEFA celebrated summer by inviting members and
fastener friends to join them July 18th at Good Game
in Atlanta, GA. Several fastener personnel attended
enjoying drinks, appetizers, and their sport of choice.
Some even were lucky enough to win gift cards to various
establishments. It was a fun evening of networking and
planning to meet again for the next social in December!
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
SOUTHEASTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION
SEFA SUMMER SOCIAL
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 18, 2024

100
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ERIC DUDAS UNTHREADED: THE TIME CARMEN GOT IT WRONG from page 28
See, the survey was part of a quickly conceived
event we put together to replace the originally scheduled
hydrogen embrittlement presentation Carm was going to
give that day.
He had to reschedule because he was asked to
teach at the concurrent Fastener Training Week session.
Thus, I received a call from the MWFA board to come up
with a way to somehow fill the gap.
I knew many people would be crestfallen to miss
one of Carmen’s HE lectures, so we had to come up
with something good. It had to be big. It had to be
entertaining. And ideally, it had to allow me a chance to
mention hydrogen embrittlement without actually having
to know too much about it.
Taking a page from master conference coordinator
Vickie Lester’s playbook, I proposed to produce a
fastener quiz game show modeled after one of my
favorites from the 70s, Match Game. Hollywood Squares
would have worked as well, but with the low ceilings in
the conference room and Cavoto’s abject fear of heights,
we played it safe and went with Match. We called it
FSTNR Match ‘24.
We recruited Matt “Johnny Olson” Delawder of SWD
to be the announcer, and our esteemed panelists were
Jo Morris, Charlie Kerr, Jake Davis, Jill Lewis, Mallory
Nichols and Rich Cavoto. To play the game and have a
shot at an array of fabulous prizes, we invited Danielle
Pawloski of BBI and Nick Penney of Vogelslang. In
FSTNR MATCH ‘24 ANNOUNCER MATT “JOHNNY OLSON”
DELAWDER OF SWD DESCRIBES THE FABULOUS PRIZES SUCH AS
THIS AMAZING TOASTER
JAKE “VALDEZ” DAVIS OF BTM MFG. AND ERIC DUDAS ON THE SET
OF MWFA FSTNR MATCH ‘24
addition to his announcer role, Matt did an amazing job
running the audio and creating over the top graphics and
sound for the event, which included the infinitely cheesy
theme music from the original game show.
The entire production was managed by MWFA
executive director Francesca Lewis, who was flying
solo during her first major event since picking up the
leadership mantel.
We had a blast and got lots of laughs, filling our
time slot before the table top show and getting down to
serious fastener business.
Always too modest, often to the point of selfeffacement,
Carmen approached me that afternoon
after the show and commented, “That was great,
man! So much better than another one of my boring
presentations.”
I recalled a moment at the last IFE when he
and fellow fastener educator Laurence Claus had a
disagreement on stage during a break out session. The
good natured dispute was related to a fine point about a
plastic fastener application question they’d received.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 101

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 101
ERIC DUDAS UNTHREADED: THE TIME CARMEN GOT IT WRONG from page 100
ALWAYS THE THOUGHT LEADER, CHARLIE KERR OF KERR
LAKESIDE EXPLAINS WHY FLAT WASHERS ARE HIS CHOICE AS
MOST COMMON FASTENER CATEGORY
After they’d both responded to the question,
and realizing they’d contradicted one another, they
acknowledged that in the fastener industry there are
sometimes no right answers, only opinions about what
is right.
Replying to Carmen’s quip, I had to disagree.
“Thanks, bro, it was fun. But if you think that was better
than one of your presentations, you’re crazier than a
styrofoam tension bolt!”
“No way, who wants to hear me go on and on about
hydrogen embrittlement while they’re trying to eat lunch?
What you guys did was way better,” was his retort.
So even though Carmen Vertullo was clearly incorrect
in this case, that doesn’t happen very often. The man is
a legend. And fortunately, we have the honor to feature
him as he delivers his Fastener Training Minute on every
episode of the Fully Threaded Radio (www.fullythreaded.
com) podcast. There are dozens of episodes archived
and available on demand. It’s a treasure trove of deep
fastener wisdom.
I’m sure about one thing: Thanks to Carmen and the
MWFA, I got to have some predominantly fastener-related
fun at this year’s huge FSTNR Week. Now get out there
and sell some machine screws!
ERIC DUDAS

102
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LARRY BOROWSKI WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN AUTOMOTIVE FASTENER SUPPLIER? from page 32
A small portion of that coordination is the fasteners
that hold the vehicles together. I’m sure you can
imagine or have heard horror stories of “line down” and
charge backs because of a defective part. That costs
money! One of the ways automobile manufacturers try
to combat this is to demand a “zero defect” policy from
their suppliers. That does not necessarily mean 100%
perfection with a PPM = 0, but does point back to
contract review and the use of SPC (Statistical Process
Control) to try and meet that demand.
Cpk is a Process Capability Index, which is simply
a number that represents the effectiveness of your
process in achieving conforming parts. Consider trying
to throw a series of balls through a 16 inch round
hoop. The hoop size represents the product limits,
and the sizes of the balls which vary from a 16 inch
diameter playground ball to a 2 inch diameter golf ball,
represent your production process. Of course it will be
easier to throw the golf ball through the hoop, but that
represents a very defined process and a higher Cpk
value. The lower the Cpk value, the more variation you
have in your process, and the harder it is to keep it
centered as to not go beyond the product limits. The
“tighter” your process becomes, the less centered
on nominal product size you need to be. Automotive
customers demand certain Cpk levels. Achieving “Zero
Defects” means that you have met your customers Cpk
value.
Lastly, to even consider being part of the automotive
supply chain, you must be willing to perform various
automated sorting operations. This is typically done
on critical features, where 100% automated sorting is
done. For instance, the head height of a hex bolt might
be the critical feature to assure effective tightening.
You’ve already met your Cpk values for all features
(including head height) on the fastener, but you know
that a head height is considered “critical” because if
the head height is too high it will interrupt production
by clogging screw feeding equipment in final assembly.
Based on your customer’s target Cpk value, you realize
there may be a small percentage of parts present in
the production lot that are out of tolerance on head
height. This will be a feature that you will either sort
for in-house or send out for an automated sorting/
inspection process before shipping the product.
Automated sorting/inspection can be performed on a
number or more “critical” features at a time depending
on the type of inspection equipment used.
There is no difference in the quality requirements
for supplying U.S., European, or Asian automobile
producers. All look at quality in the same extremely
stringent manner, which is both demanding and
unforgiving. It is my suggestion to anyone that is trying
to supply the automotive market to follow the above
general guidelines, which can be broken down further
into more specific details.
[1] Have a complete understanding of the part
requirements.
[2] Perform machine capability studies, gage
R&R studies, and make sure you have a good gage
calibration program.
[3] Have procedures in place to inspect and
optimize your raw material usage
[4] Make sure your perishable tooling is properly
designed and as resistant to wear as possible.
[5] Have well-defined machine set up procedures
are important because many non-conforming parts are
generated when tooling is changed.
[6] Make sure you are monitoring the production
process using well-planned SPC methods to assure
adherence to the required Cpk performance.
[7] Have automatic sorting/inspection equipment
suitable for removing parts with non-conforming
“critical” features effectively at high production rates.
Supplying the automotive market is not a task to
be taken lightly. It involves dedication, commitment,
and the ability to adapt to the changing market.
It starts with solid internal operational discipline,
thorough documentation, unwavering commitment to
consistently high quality standards, and a never-ending
adherence to the process of continuous improvement
throughout the entire organization.
LARRY BOROWSKI | GREENSLADE & COMPANY INC

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE BED BUILD - AUGUST 18, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 140

104
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
IMSM CYBER ATTACK? NAH, WE’RE JUST NUTS AND BOLTS from page 36
Key Outcomes And Impacts
[1] Operational Disruptions: Cyber-attacks can
lead to significant downtime, halt production, and cause
delays in the supply chain. For example, ransomware
attacks can lock critical systems, forcing companies to
shut down operations until the issue is resolved.
[2] Financial Losses: The cost of cyber-attacks
can be substantial. This includes the immediate costs
of dealing with the attack (such as paying ransoms
or restoring systems) and long-term impacts like loss
of business, decreased productivity, and reputational
damage.
[3] Data Theft: Intellectual property and sensitive
business information can be stolen during cyber-attacks.
This can include proprietary designs, customer data, and
strategic plans, which competitors can use or sell on the
dark web.
[4] Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Attacks on
one company can ripple through the supply chain,
affecting multiple businesses. For instance, if a fastener
manufacturer is compromised, it can impact the production
schedules of automotive or aerospace companies relying
on their products.
[5] Increased Security Measures: In response
to these threats, companies in the fastener industry are
investing more in cybersecurity measures. These include
implementing advanced security protocols, conducting
regular security audits, and training employees on cyber
hygiene.
Mitigating the risk of cyber-attacks in the fastener
industry involves a combination of robust cybersecurity
best practices, including leveraging ISO 27001, employee
training, and advanced technologies. Here are some of
the leading best practices that can help mitigate the risk
of cyber-attack impact on your business:
[1] Implement Strong Security Measures:
¤ Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems
(IDS) can help monitor and block unauthorized access.
¤ Encryption: Ensure that sensitive data is
encrypted in transit and at rest.
¤ Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an
extra layer of security by requiring multiple verification
forms.
[2] Regular Software Updates and Patch
Management:
¤ Keep all software, including operating systems
and applications, up to date to protect against known
vulnerabilities.
[3] Employee Training and Awareness:
¤ Conduct regular training sessions to educate
employees about phishing attacks, social engineering,
and safe internet practices.
¤ Encourage a culture of cybersecurity awareness
where employees feel responsible for protecting company
data.
[4] Network Segmentation:
¤ Divide the network into segments to limit the
spread of malware and restrict access to sensitive areas.
[5] Backup and Recovery Plans:
¤ To minimize downtime in case of an attack,
regularly back up critical data and ensure that recovery
plans are in place and tested.
[6] Advanced Technologies:
¤ Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
(ML): AI and ML detect and respond to threats in real-time
by analyzing patterns and identifying anomalies.
¤ Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Automate
repetitive tasks to reduce human error and improve
security protocols.
[7] Vendor and Supply Chain Security:
¤ Ensure all third-party vendors comply with your
cybersecurity standards, such as ISO 27001, to prevent
supply chain attacks.
[8] Regular Security Audits and Assessments:
¤ Conduct regular audits to identify and address
vulnerabilities in your systems.
By implementing these systems and best practices,
the fastener industry can significantly reduce the risk of
cyber-attacks and protect its critical infrastructure and
data.
IMSM LTD.

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 105
UNICORP ELECTRONIC HARDWARE
291 Cleveland St, Orange, New Jersey 07050
TEL 1-800-526-1389 FAX 973 674-3803 EMAIL sales@unicorpinc.com WEB www.unicorpinc.com
UNICORP NOW OFFERS RETAINING RINGS
Unicorp Electronic Hardware is proud to announce we
are now selling retaining rings, wave springs, and hose
clamps through our Electro Hardware affiliate division, as
an official Rotorclip Master Distributor & Rotorexpress®
partner. Electro Hardware is the first Rotorexpress®
partner on the East Coast of the United States.
Unicorp Electronic Hardware also offers custom
designed products. Parts can be manufactured to blueprints
and we can modify all standard products to meet your
specifications. Unicorp can manufacture any type of CNC
and automatic screw machine part. Additionally, Unicorp
provides custom services for complete technical support
that can lead to cost-savings and design improvement. We
offer the largest range of material options and finishes in
the industry.
The Unicorp product lines consist of: Standoffs &
Spacers, Male-Female Standoffs, Male-Male Standoffs,
Jackscrews, Swage Standoffs, Captive Screws and
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
Retainers, Insulating Shoulder & Flat Washers, NAS/
MS Hardware, Shoulder Screws, Plastic Circuit Board
Supports, Nylon Fasteners, Dowel Pins, Thumbscrews
& Thumbnuts, Self-Clinching Fasteners, Cable Ties, 24
styles of Handles, Fixed, Folding, Rack- Panel & Ferrules,
& Retaining Rings.
Since 1971, Unicorp has been a socially and
environmentally responsible leading manufacturer
of American standard and metric precision electronic
hardware, fasteners and handles. We pride ourselves
on our dedication to customer satisfaction and our
commitment to support the needs of our distributors.
Unicorp offers top quality products, fast delivery, excellent
pricing, technical assistance, and manufacturer to
customer print specifications. We are known throughout
the industry as the “oddball king” because we offer the
widest variety of diameters, lengths, and finishes in our
numerous product lines.
UNICORP ELECTRONIC HARDWARE

106
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
CHRIS DONNELL THE STRAINS OF GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN from page 38
in order to keep their vessel and global supply
chains moving. Ocean rates into the United States would
skyrocket, especially to the East and Gulf Coasts. Capacity
to the West Coast ports would dry up and congestion
would reach stratospheric levels. The impact at the origin
would be significant, however, many importers are already
taking action to shift their volumes from the East and Gulf
coasts and routing them through the West. We are seeing
capacity constraints raise their ugly heads at nearly every
port on our West Coast as volumes are on the rise. The
announcement of the union’s intensions come on the
heels of the East Coast ports continuing to set records for
throughput and the Ports of Norfolk and Charleston see
continued dwell times escalate.
If I could paint a picture of the fall-out we would see
should a strike occur, it would mimic what we saw on the
West Coast during Covid, where 100’s of vessels were
sitting off shore awaiting their turn to birth. We would
see ocean and air rates climb overnight and capacity go
to the highest bidder. We could see rationing of supplies
at our brick-and-mortar stores nationwide. Something to
remember, a strike -even for a week, will affect imports
and exports for months. Negotiations are ongoing and
it’s still a month away so anything can change, but
rumors have it that the two parties are miles apart in
negotiations. The unions are looking for a significant
increase to what the ILU unions saw on the West Coast.
Having said all of this, I want to point out that this is an
election year. I try to leave politics out of my articles, but
it wouldn’t shock me to see the current administration
take a very close and active role in the negotiations as
we get closer to the polls.
India is about to go through a major port strike.
The port workers are calling it the “infinite port strike”
throughout India. Let me be clear, this strike will
effectively bring ocean traffic to a standstill through the
entirety of India. Loading and unloading of containers
cargo will halt and it’s expected to take place on the
28th of August. Now, most of you will say this will have
no effect on your supply chain, but you’d be wrong. It’s
important to know the short and long-term effects of a
national strike. First there’s the financial aspect. Should
strike occur, what kind of economic impact will be felt by
the suppliers who are only paid upon the shipment leaving
the country? Or the banking system releasing funds to
the manufacturers as they reach each milestone. Many
importers have switched their manufacturing to places
like India to reduce their dependence on places like
China in order to avoid the section 301 tariffs. So, if
there is a lasting strike, manufacturing could potentially
grind to a halt. It’s also safe to assume that congestion
and equipment at the ports will linger for months, this
coming as India is already suffering from equipment
issues, especially for 20’ft containers. We also need
to look at the surrounding neighboring countries. How
will a strike impact their throughput? Will carriers
simply bypass India? Will importers look at altering their
short-term orders back to their previous manufactures?
Most imports from India are trans-shipped in places
like Singapore or Sri Lanka. How does a strike impact
their financial and labor practices? Best case scenario,
there’s no strike. Second best, it’s a short-term strike
and we get back to normal in a short timeframe. Worst
case, it’s a long dragged-out battle between the laborers
and the port owners.
Congestion is being felt nationwide. Nowhere worse
than what we are seeing at the ports of Tacoma and
Seattle where birth to rail dates have grown from 2-3
days to over 20 days on average. This congestion
is fueled by the growing number of imports due to
the time of year and holiday importing to the growing
speculation of the East Coast strike just to name a few.
Congestion during peak season has become common
place, however, it’s important to know the figures aren’t
getting better and won’t for some time. With the many
other threats affecting the ocean market it’s safe to
assume we will see congestion increase and last longer
into the fall months than in years past.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 142

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 107
Inc. revealed today that Goebel Fasteners,
Inc. ranks No. 1340 on the 2024 Inc. 5000,
its annual list of the fastest-growing private
companies in America. The prestigious ranking
provides a data-driven look at the most
successful companies within the economy’s
most dynamic segment—its independent,
entrepreneurial businesses. Microsoft, Meta,
Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle,
Patagonia, and many other household-name
brands gained their first national exposure as
honorees on the Inc. 5000.
“It’s an absolute honor to be recognized on this
prestigious list alongside the world’s leading
companies and thought leaders,” said Christian
Reich, CEO and President of Goebel Fasteners,
Inc. North America. “Our consecutive years of
growth are a testament to our highly talented
employees, ongoing product innovation, and our
dedication to delivering value to the world’s most
recognizable enterprises. This achievement
reflects the relentless dedication and hard
work of our entire team. We are committed
to continuing our growth while maintaining the
highest standards of excellence in the fastener
industry. We look forward to progressing even
further in the coming years.
Goebel has achieved significant growth via
strategic product launches, market expansion,
and a relentless drive to become the
industry leader in engineered blind fastening
solutions. Every day our customers trust us
to provide quality product solutions paired
with unparalleled customer service to support
their largest enterprise applications. Our driving
mission is to work hard every day to make
Goebel Fasteners the top trusted brand in the
industry by providing quality products, excellent
customer service, and innovative solutions.”
The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 represents
companies that have driven rapid revenue
growth while navigating inflationary pressure,
the rising costs of capital, and seemingly
intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s
top 500 companies, the average median threeyear
revenue growth rate is 1,637 percent. In
all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added
874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three
years.
Goebel Fasteners, Inc. is one of the nation’s
fastest growing fastener companies specializing
in engineered blind fastening solutions. The North
American operation was founded in 2017 and
has rapidly grown to become the Leading Rivet
Source selling through distribution to provide supply
chain resilience and value-added services. As a
subsidiary of the Goebel Group founded in 1979
in Erkrath, Germany, the brand continues to grow
worldwide as a top supplier of joining elements and
innovative solutions. Considered specialists in the
development of innovative and high-quality joining
elements and corresponding processing systems,
their friendly and experienced staff, representatives,
and distribution partners take care that customers
are satisfied and actively support the entire supply
chain as well as value chain.
Contact Goebel Fasteners, Inc. by Tel: 713-393-
7007, Fax: 713-393-7084, email: sales@goebelfasteners.com
or at www.goebel-fasteners.com.

108
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROBERT FOOTLIK THE “5-STAR” WAREHOUSE – THE VISION - SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 from page 40
Every second is precious in delivering the best
possible experience to those around you, not just getting
the job done. People should want to start their day, not
dread it. Moreover, you can make this happen.
What Would A 5-Star Fastener Distributor Look Like?
There is no single criteria; it is a totality of
demonstrated, obvious competence, confidence,
organization and attitude. Every element from the external
appearance to the customer experience exudes perfection.
From the outside in and from the inside out everything
comes together to create a milieu that makes customers
want to do business with you and every employee/team
member/associate/”boss” want to eagerly come to work.
In this episode, we will take an overview of the
mythological 5-star Fastener Distributor’s facility as
honored guests, not reviewers. Our purpose is to identify
elements, processes and methods that are applicable
to any Distributor, especially our company. Your context,
philosophies and “tastes” are going to be different from
any place elsewhere in the world. The key “take-away” will
be a vision of what could…and should…be implemented
as a grand masterplan for improvement in every area
of your business and personal environment without
considering the costs and effort involved.
Taking A Tour: Arrival
Even before we arrive, our 5-Star Supply hosts have
done their homework. They know where we are from, of
course, and taken a look at our website to determine what
areas we might want to see and simultaneously identified
areas of synergy and mutual interests. Our host also
looked at Facebook, LinkedIn, Tic Toc and other social
media so they can welcome us properly. They did not pry,
only determining who we are and what we represent using
social media that has open content. That is enough to
circulate photos internally so that everyone can greet us
by name and perhaps initiate an intelligent, cogent and
germane conversation. In other words, they have done the
research to treat us as CUSTOMERS.
Initial Impressions
Regardless of the local neighborhood, the curb
appeal of 5-Star Supply is absolutely outstanding. Even
in a run-down industrial park, the building and grounds
are clean, orderly, impeccably groomed and inviting. No
litter, no graffiti and great signage that identifies the
company and directs us to Visitor Parking with numbered,
oversize spaces near the door. Given the rainy weather,
we appreciate the covered parking and walkway befitting
VIP guests. Everything is inviting and welcoming, although
the optional valet parking is not really needed.
Entering the spacious lobby, we are immediately
warmly greeted by “Tom,” a company representative
who has been alerted to our arrival thanks to security
cameras monitored by the receptionist. A particularly nice
touch is the small refrigerator inconspicuously housed in
the comfortable lobby and refreshments are offered as
we sit down for a short exchange of pleasantries. This
definitely is not an imposition for our hosts he explains, it
is viewed as an opportunity for “show and learn.” Our tour
is ostensibly to observe and learn. It is therefore clear that
5-Star Supply also wants to learn from us.
The Offices And Overview
As we walk through the office area, everyone greets us
with “Good morning” (and even by name) and “Welcome
to our city.” People smile at us…and each other. “Please”
and “Thank you” are heard in the background. Desks
are organized; cubicles highly personalized and blue
recycling bins are strategically located. There is an air
of professionalism and respect as our guide addresses
everyone they pass. Oddly enough, there are no badges.
That is unnecessary since each “associate” knows
everyone. Tom explains that this is expected knowledge
and while most of the staff has been employed for years,
all new hires are encouraged to meet and greet everyone
their first week on the job. In fact, this is part of their job
description.
Unlike many other tours, the first stop is an
upstairs conference room where an expansive glass
wall provides an overview of the operation. Our first
impression is that the layout is orderly, the aisles clean
and devoid of impediments to flow, and that uniformed
staff members in different color shirts are moving with
purpose.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 144

110
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
PENN ENGINEERING ADVANCING EMOBILITY: SPECIALIZED SOLUTIONS FOR EV BUSBARS from page 42
All EV batteries require a significant amount
of varying busbar connections based on different
designs. It’s critical to find a busbar solution for
your specific design needs.
This innovative product ensures reliable electrical
connections between aluminum busbars, as well as
copper busbars, PCBs, and cable terminals. Its high
surface area knurl design pierces the oxide layer
on busbars, creating consistent electrical connections
without needing to plate the busbar itself.
Designed for installation into straight punched holes
without additional surface preparation, the ECCB PEM
eConnect® Contact Bushing breaks through aluminum
and copper oxide layers for low resistance connections.
It is ideal for use in panels with sheet hardness HRB 50/
HB 82 or less.
Make PennEngineering ® Your Go-To Choice
For Superior Electrical Connections In EV
Busbar Applications
¤ Power Distribution Systems
¤ Power Distribution Headers
¤ Battery Management Systems
¤ Battery Pack
¤ Battery Disconnect Units
¤ EV Drivetrains
¤ EV Motor
¤ On Board Charger
More PEM eConnect ® Installation Solutions
PennEngineering® also offers PEM eConnect®
current-carrying pins, that provide superior electrical
connections in applications demanding high performance
from internal components.
Proven Performance
Since its launch earlier this year, the ECCB
PEM eConnect® Contact Bushing is already delivering
significant benefits for EV companies that are looking to
optimize their vehicles. Extensive performance data is
available – including thermal cycling testing and current
carrying cycling testing – demonstrating that this product
meets the highest standards.
Available in self clinching and broaching mounting
styles, these pins are suitable for EVs including EV
charging systems, EV powertrains, EV power distribution,
and industrial switchgear.
Learn More
For more information on how specialized solutions can
benefit your EV applications, contact PennEngineering®.
Together, we can drive the future of eMobility.
PENN ENGINEERING

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 111
NATIONAL FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION
3020 Old Ranch Parkway #300, Seal Beach CA 90740 TEL 562-799-5509 EMAIL nfda@nfda-fastener.org WEB www.nfda-fastener.org
NFDA SCHOLARSHIP FOR FASTENER TRAINING WEEK by Amy Nijjar
The National Fastener
Distributors Association (NFDA)
recently awarded a scholarship
for Fastener Training Week, an
advanced fastener technical
training program produced by
the Fastener Training Institute,
to Kristin Glink, inside sales for
S.W. Anderson Co.
Scholarship applicants were
evaluated based on the recommendations from their
employers, personal achievements, work experience,
and an essay. Identifying information was redacted, so
that the team evaluating the applications did not know
the names or employers of those applying.
The next deadline to apply for an NFDA Fastener
Training Week scholarship is June 1, 2025. The application
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
can be found at www.nfda-fastener.org/fastener-trainingweek-scholarship
For more information about Fastener Training Week,
visit www.fastenertraining.org
See You At An Upcoming NFDA Event
Visit www.nfda-fastener.org for more information
and to register for these upcoming educational and
networking events:
October 2 - Virtual Event – FTI’s Understanding PPAPs Pt 1
October 16-18 - Executive Summit – San Diego CA
December 5 - NFDA/YFP Virtual Holiday Celebration
Save the date....
June 11-13, 2025 – Annual Meeting & ESPS®– Charlotte NC
October 15-17, 2025 - Executive Summit – Key West FL
For more information about NFDA and its activities,
visit www.nfda-fastener.org.
NATIONAL FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

112
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
JOE DYSART HOW FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS CAN BECOME A PROFITABLE PRESENCE ON LINKEDIN from page 44
The most influential thought leader on LinkedIn -- in
terms of sheer numbers -- is Bill Gates. He has 34.9
million followers.
While it may take you awhile for your fastener
distributorship to leave Gates in the dust as you’re
establishing yourself as a thought leader on LinkedIn,
there is still plenty of opportunity for you along the way to
offer your own, special expertise on your industry -- and
reap the rewards of ever-growing recognition, an evergrowing
network of new contacts, and in a perfect world,
an ever-growing tally of new business. Tempted?
The way from here-to-there, according to experts in
thought leadership, is to implement this game-plan:
¤ Crystallize the objectives driving you to
become a thought leader: Go beyond the overall
concept of seeking greater exposure and identify the
precise reasons why you believe thought leadership will
benefit your fastener distributorship.
Says Harishi Jain, a marketing specialist at Social
Sense, a digital marketing platform specializing LinkedIn
content creation (www.socialsense.ai): “Before diving
into content creation, set clear objectives. What do
you want to achieve with your thought leadership on
LinkedIn? Are you aiming to grow your network, enhance
your professional reputation, or generate leads for your
ENHANCE THE CREDIBILITY OF
YOUR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
BY REFERENCING REPORTS,
STATISTICS AND SIMILAR THIRD-
PARTY RESOURCES
business? Clear goals
will guide your content
strategy and help
measure success.”
¤ Identify where
you’ll be posting
to your target
audience:
This
seemingly incidental
task is actually key
to ensuring that you’ll
much more effective
with the content you’ll
be creating. Are you
looking to target toplevel
technical
executives,
experts,
YOU CAN FIND DOZENS -- IF NOT HUNDREDS -- OF SPECIAL
INTEREST GROUPS WHERE YOU CAN PUBLISH YOUR THOUGHT
LEADERSHIP POSTS USING THE ‘FIND AND JOIN A LINKEDIN
GROUP’ SEARCH ENGINE
rank-and-file workers? Once you’ve decided on an
audience, it becomes much easier to decide the best
way to reach-out to them.
You’ll be able to find dozens -- if not hundreds
-- of special interest groups on LinkedIn where you can
publish every post you create -- and reach-out to all the
members in each of those groups.
Some of groups may have under a hundred members.
Others can have tens-of-thousands of members or more.
To find the special interest groups that are a natural fit
for fastener distributors, simply check-out the ‘Find and
Join a LinkedIn Group’ search engine (www.linkedin.com/
help/linkedin/answer/a544795).
¤ Decide on your expert perspective: Given that
there’s a good chance that there are many gurus and
experts in your industry already posting on LinkedIn, it’s
important to take a step back, evaluate what’s being
presented by other people -- and then distill an expert
perspective that is not being offered on LinkedIn, or not
being offered in the way you can offer it.
Says Bardeen.ai’s Gong: “Once you have identified
your niche, focus on creating content and engaging in
discussions that showcase your unique perspective
and knowledge. By consistently providing value and
demonstrating your expertise in a specific area, you will
attract the right audience and establish yourself as a
go-to resource in your field.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 146

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 113
AFC Industries has acquired Birmingham
UK based distributor Forward Industrial Products
(Forward Industrial Products Group) through its
TFC Business Unit. Terms of the deal were not
disclosed.
Forward Industrial Products is an industry
leading supplier of C Class components, vendor
managed inventory services and MRO services,
with a focus on enhancing the productivity and
effectiveness of its customers’ manufacturing
operations. Forward provides a range of valueadded
services as well as both standard
and custom items and engineered products.
Birmingham-based Bracebridge Corporate
Finance was the sole advisor to Forward for the
transaction.
We’re really pleased to be part of AFC and
the growing TFC group. The partnership is a
perfect fit for Forward Industrial,” said Martyn
Cleaver, Managing Director of Forward. “It
opens up new opportunities within our existing
customer network and enables us to share
our 28 years of industry expertise with TFC’s
customers and bring their strengths to ours.
Our management team is excited about the
next chapter with AFC/TFC.”
AFC CEO Kevin Godin remarked, “It was a
strategic goal of ours to expand our operations
and capabilities in the U.K. and Europe in a
way that would complement our TFC team.
Forward is a great fit for us both culturally and
geographically. Their dedication to service and
solving problems for customers make them a
natural integration for us.”
President of AFC Europe (TFC), Morgan
Burgoyne, added, “bringing these teams
together immediately strengthens both and
further establishes us as the leading component
solutions provider in our key markets. The
future is bright as we continue to invest in
the right people and capabilities to provide
superior market knowledge and service to our
customers.”
Headquartered in West Chester, OH, AFC
Industries is a dynamic organization dedicated
to providing supply chain management solutions
on small components and tooling for a diverse
base of manufacturers and assemblers across a
broad range of industries. Through its experienced
team and global resources, AFC excels at making
customer manufacturing and assembly processes
more efficient and cost-effective. (www.afcind.com).
TFC, a Business Unit of AFC, is a leading
provider of vendor managed inventory solutions
and technical engineering products in Europe. It
has supplied engineering products and c class
parts across Europe for over 60 years. Its focus
is on helping customers improve manufacturing
efficiencies and providing design expertise, VMI
solutions and innovation in technical product
development.
For more information about AFC Industries,
contact them at 9030 Port Union Rd, West
Chester Township, OH 45011, Tel: 513-874-7456,
email: sales@afcind.com or visit them online at
www.afcind.com.

114
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
NELSON VALDERRAMA STRATEGIC PRICING STRATEGY: THE ONE THING DISTRIBUTION EXECS MISS ABOUT PROFITABILITY AND PRICING from page 48
I really think it boils down to two things: leadership
and mindset. It all starts with leadership. Executives
must build and model a culture invested in effective
margin management. So, can you leaders out there—
owners, CEOs, CFOs, GMs, owners, CEOs, CFOs, and
sales managers—answer these burning questions?
“How many hours are you dedicating each month to price
strategy or execution? Are you truly understanding how
prices are set, what’s working, and what’s not?”
The answers must cover more than customer
feedback or checking out the competition. The discussion
must pursue a strategy where you leverage data to call
the pricing shots. If you’re not putting in 5–10 hours a
month to focus on this, I reckon you might be missing
the mark.
Affecting Margin Management
It takes a holistic approach to empower effective
margin management through all levels of the organization.
¤ Clear expectations and goals. Every speech,
email, and newsletter must repeat how margins impact
growth, investment, employee benefits, and long-term
sustainability. You have to draw a picture showing
how each employee’s role and action link to customer
satisfaction
¤ Psychologically safe environment. Employees
should feel comfortable offering feedback. If you want
meaningful feedback, you must share financial data on
margins and bottom-line impacts.
¤ Training and development. Margins increase
when employees can upskill. Distributors succeed if
employees are financially literate. They need access to
the data and analytics that track performance, identify
trends, and make data-driven decisions that support
margin goals.
¤ Celebrate performance. With marginrelated
metrics in place, you can incorporate them
into job descriptions, performance assessments, and
compensation structures. This sets up a foundation for
acknowledging the achievements of teams, managers,
and individuals.
We can talk about leading by example, but success
requires a mindset change. Throughout my distribution
career, I’ve always felt we undervalue the worth we
bring to our customers. It’s not just about prices; it’s
recognizing our strengths, services, and customer journey.
Changing Your Mindset
Do you ever consider your mindset in this role?
When did you last conduct a customer satisfaction survey
like NPS (net promoter score) to understand what your
customers truly value? I recently saw the NPS results
from the end users of a customer of ours, and it was eyeopening
how much customers appreciate the company’s
after-sale services and are willing to pay for them.
On the flip side, some customers are just bargain
hunters, always chasing the lowest price. Some
customers are more sensitive to price changes. Some
willingly pay increased prices if the product meets their
needs and preferences. Others buy when pricing ensures
quality and extended service.
So, let’s talk about a sales professional’s mindset.
In my discussions with many salespeople, I’ve noticed
they’re often fixated on pricing as the key factor. They have
a set percentage in mind, often based on their market
perception. This fixation can become an obsession.
A good way to test this mindset is by reviewing a
sales report, selecting a transaction, and asking why
they set that general margin percentage. For instance, if
it’s 33%, you could inquire about their range based on
market knowledge, and why not 33.25% instead. Human
psychology tends to shy away from fractions, but they
can be powerful tools in pricing strategies.
Distribution leaders drive strategic margin
management by influencing the sales team’s mindset.
¤ Share the vulnerability. Let sales pros know
how you have wrestled with adopting and adapting to a
new mindset on pricing.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 115

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 115
NELSON VALDERRAMA STRATEGIC PRICING STRATEGY: THE ONE THING DISTRIBUTION EXECS MISS ABOUT PROFITABILITY AND PRICING from page 114
¤ Coach and mentor. Leading by example requires
self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Training and
development opportunities are also necessary to improve
a current sales mindset.
¤ Redefine success. Making success personal,
tying individual roles to client buying decisions meets
and exceeds margins. Sales professionals like sales
targets, but they also need goals related to mindset
improvement.
¤ Share success stories. It’s one thing to
recognize sales outcomes but to change the sales
mindset, you must emphasize the sales journey, the
challenges overcome, and the lessons learned.
¤ Review the data. Data follows every sale. But
pricing is dynamic; you shouldn’t follow straight lines.
Leaders must model a pricing strategy mindset that
prizes data-driven flexibility and resilience.
Lead A Pricing Strategy By Example
My long and deep involvement in wholesale
distribution has convinced me that profitability really
boils down to smart growth, optimized productivity, and
the right pricing strategy.
Getting there takes a growth mindset. Success
requires a willingness to learn and adapt, even as a
leader. It’s smart to share your own experiences with
overcoming challenges and setbacks. And you’ll profit
from performance in a culture where it’s okay to make
and learn from mistakes.
By consistently reinforcing the importance of mindset
awareness and providing the necessary tools and
resources, leaders can empower sales professionals to
actively acknowledge and address their current mindset.
This can lead to improved self-awareness, resilience,
and overall sales performance.
NELSON VALDERRAMA

116
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROMAN BASI CONNELLY VS. UNITED STATES: IMPACT ON COMPANY LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS AND BUY-SELL AGREEMENTS from page 50
¤ Planning for Future Tax Obligations
Have a strategy to cover potential tax liabilities arising
from corporate obligations or share redemptions
¤ Cross-Purchase Agreements
These agreements can avoid complications by
ensuring insurance proceeds go directly to purchasing
shares without inflating estate tax values
¤ Evaluating Life Insurance Policies
Review your life insurance policies to make sure they
are structured to avoid unexpected tax liabilities
¤ Seeking Professional Valuations - Obtaining
professional valuations enables compliance with current
market values as well as tax regulations
¤ Consulting Legal and Tax Experts - Obtain
estate planning attorneys as well as tax advisors to
review and update corporate structures and agreements
to ensure they align with current regulations
This court case highlights how critical it is to have careful
estate planning, understand potential tax implications
of corporate agreements, and select the right insurance
products. By reviewing and structuring your buy-sell
agreements, life insurance policies, and consulting with
professionals, you will be able to ensure a smooth
ownership transition and minimize tax liabilities.
At The Center for Financial, Legal & Tax Planning, Inc.,
(The Center) our M&A team is equipped with attorneys and
CPAs to guarantee you are properly prepared for the exit of a
business partner. If you need a buy/sell agreement prepared
or would like your current buy/sell agreement reviewed,
please feel free to reach out for a consultation.
ROMAN BASI
PACIFIC-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
3020 Old Ranch Parkway #300, Seal Beach CA 90740 TEL 562-799-5509 FAX 562-684-0695 EMAIL info@pac-west.org WEB www.pac-west.org
PAC-WEST AFTER HOURS NETWORKING EVENTS by Amy Nijjar
Pac-West is pleased to announce these upcoming
dates for the next After Hours Networking Events:
November 7
Bay Area, CA
Check our website www.pac-west.org for more
information. We can’t wait to see everyone at these fun
and casual events! There is no charge to attend but we
do require an RSVP.
Pac-West Tabletop Show Scheduled for 2025
It’s not too early to save the dates March 12-14,
2025 for Pac-West’s Spring Conference and Tabletop
Show at the Westin Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, CA. Start
making plans to bring your family for some Disney fun!
Don’t Miss These Upcoming
Pac-West Events
Don’t forget to save the date for these upcoming
Pac-West events:
October 10, 2024
November 7, 2024
Fall Dinner Meeting and Vendor
Showcase, La Mirada, CA
After Hours, Bay Area, CA
December 12, 2024 Holiday Party, La Mirada, CA
March 12-14, 2025 Spring Conference & Tabletop
Show, Anaheim, CA
For more information on on the upcoming Pac-West
events or the rest of its activities, or to view the full event
schedule, visit www.pac-west.org.
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
NATIONAL FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 117

118
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
JIM TRUESDELL SUPREME COURT’S OVERTURNING CHEVRON DEFENSE CHECKS AGENCY OVERREACH from page 52
It is quite conceivable that it may impact on certain
environmental, healthcare and other issues affecting large
and small businesses going forward.
Heretofore courts have faced situations where they
determined statutory regulations were ambiguous and then
had to decide if the agency regulation was a reasonable
interpretation of the law. In doing so the courts have been
required to give deference to the agency interpretation unless
such was found to be unreasonable. Those businesses
who brought suit on the case at hand argued that policies
should not be made by unelected bureaucrats who are not
responsible to the public in the same way as Congress. Since
administrations can change every four years an entrenched
bureaucracy will not reflect changes in public stances on
regulated matters. Thus Chevron runs counter to democratic
ideals. Those arguing for continued deference point to the
agencies’ expertise, use of data to make decisions, and
understanding of the nuances of policy.
What will this mean in the months and years to come? A
paper published on April 9, two months before the decision in
Loper by KFF, a think tank which calls itself the independent
source for health policy research, polling and news, predicted
the following:
[1] More agency regulations could be overturned
[2] Overturning regulations could provide more incentive
for litigants to challenge agency regulations
[3] This could lead to a chilling effect on the issuance
of agency regulations.
No doubt this legal change will become an issue in
the presidential election since the parties seem to have
divergent stands on the issue and since it hits at the idea of
a “Deep State” influence, the existence of which is debated
by politicians on both the left and right. The new ruling will
be a move to limit the power of bureaucracies which the right
will cheer and the left will see as an example of a biased
Supreme Court weighing in against established precedent.
Distributors and other small businesses in fear of
agency interference with their businesses may well welcome
the change, and hold their breath as to what the effect of the
Fall elections might have on the rulings’ durability.
JIM TRUESDELL
NCFA 2nd
ANNUAL CORK-SCREW - CHEERS TO FASTENERS
SHARON JAMES CELLARS, OH - JUNE 20, 2024

120
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SC FASTENING CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND INNOVATION from page 54
Serving a Broad Spectrum of Industries
SC Fastening Systems is proud to serve a wide
range of industries, including automotive, construction,
education, government, hospitality, military, industrial,
and truck & trailer. Their diverse product lines, which
include fasteners, concrete anchors, cutting tools, safety
equipment, and more, are designed to meet the specific
needs of these industries, ensuring that we remain a
trusted partner for all our customers.
Comprehensive Value-Added Services
Their extensive range of value-added services truly
sets SC Fastening Systems apart in the industry. Corey
states, “We understand that our customers have unique
needs, and we are dedicated to providing tailored
solutions that help them achieve their goals. From custom
and modified parts to inventory management solutions,
kitting, assembly, special packaging, and sourcing
and supply chain solutions, we provide comprehensive
support to meet our customers’ unique needs.”
Value-Added Services
⬡ Inventory Management Solutions:
Reduce lead times and prevent outages with our
efficient inventory management systems.
⬡ Kitting, Assembly and Special Packaging:
Enhance quality, accuracy, and productivity while
minimizing inventory costs.
⬡ Custom & Modified Parts:
Your source for special and hard-to-find parts
tailored to your specifications.
⬡ Sourcing & Supply Chain Solutions:
Strengthen your supply chain with SC Fastening
Systems’ global sourcing capabilities and domestic
product offerings.
⬡ Fire Protection Products & Services:
Ensure safety and compliance with their first aid
supplies and fire extinguisher inspection services.
Industries Served
⬡ Automotive
⬡ Construction
⬡ Education
⬡ Government
⬡ Hospitality
⬡ Military
⬡ Industrial
⬡ Truck & Trailer
Looking Ahead
As they celebrate this milestone, SC Fastening
Systems remains focused on the future. They are excited
to continue their legacy of innovation and excellence,
providing their customers with the best products, services,
and solutions for many more years to come.
For more information about how SC Fastening
Systems can support your business, visit our newly
updated website or contact our team today.
More Information
SC Fastening Systems, LLC is located at 8531 S.
Freeway Drive Macedonia, OH 44056. Contact Corey
Wargo, Marketing Manager, for more information at
(800) 232-2659, email info@scfastening.com, or visit
them online at www.scfastening.com.
Computer Insights, Inc. is located at 108 3rd Street,
Unit 4, Bloomingdale, IL 60108. Contact Dennis Cowhey,
President, for more information at (800) 539-1233,
email sales@ci-inc.com, or online at www.ci-inc.com.
SC FASTENING SYSTEMS

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 121

122
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE A CONVERSATION WITH DR. SALIM BRAHIMI from page 60
Why Is It Important For Users To Obtain Up-To-
Date Standards?
Standards are living documents that need to be
updated regularly to reflect the evolving needs of the
industry. Technical committees in organizations like
ASTM, ASME, and SAE systematically review and revise
standards to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
Using outdated standards can lead to serious
consequences, including:
¤ Nonconforming products: Outdated requirements
can result in manufacturing defects.
¤ Misunderstandings and disputes: Inaccurate
information can lead to conflicts between parties involved
in the fastener supply chain.
¤ Quality system non-compliance: Auditors may
flag major non-conformances if outdated standards are
used in quality systems.
Why do you need it?
This book is an invaluable resource for anyone working
in the fastener industry. By providing a comprehensive
and up-to-date collection of standards, the new book
helps ensure consistency, efficiency, and quality in
fastener selection and usage. As the industry continues
to evolve, the IFI Book of Fastener Standards will remain
a cornerstone resource for professionals worldwide.
The updated IFI Book of Fastener Standards can be
found at www.indfast.org/book.
INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE
BAY SUPPLY HOW TO CHOOSE WHICH SOLID RIVET MATERIAL TO USE from page 62
Options For Solid Rivet Materials
To choose the right solid rivet material, you must
understand the available options and their characteristics:
¤ Steel: Steel rivets are among the most common,
and they are used for general applications such as for
ships, bridges, and construction projects.
¤ Stainless steel: Stainless steel rivets combine
high tensile strength with a finish that fights corrosion.
They are sometimes used in construction, aerospace,
and military equipment applications.
¤ Brass: Brass rivets offer high strength, are
corrosion-resistant, and have high thermal and electrical
conductivity, so they are used in everything from
marine equipment to architecture. They are also highly
decorative, which is why they are used in clothing, such
as in jeans.
¤ Aluminum: Aluminum solid rivets have a very
high strength-to-weight ratio, so they are used for
aerospace, medium-duty equipment, camping gear, and
other applications where weight is a factor. They are also
nonmagnetic and nonsparking.
¤ Copper: Copper is a strong, corrosion-resistant,
antimicrobial metal that is an excellent electrical and
heat conductor. Copper rivets are used in electronics and
construction. Copper is also highly decorative, so copper
rivets are also used in clothes, shoes, and luggage.
¤ Nickel Alloy: Nickel alloy solid rivets are highstrength
rivets often used on boats and for marine
applications. Nickel alloy also has a high acid resistance,
a higher melting point, and is extremely tough.
You also have different choices in the style of solid
rivet heads. There are flat-headed solid rivets, round
heads, pan heads, and countersunk heads. You should
choose the type of rivet head that gives you the finished
look you are seeking. The head size and type dictate the
joint’s load-bearing surface.
Choosing the right type of solid rivet or rivet materials
for any given task isn’t always obvious. Consider factors
such as strength, durability, corrosion, weight, and
pullout.
BAY SUPPLY

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
71st
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING - AUGUST 21, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 149

124
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SPIROL HOW PRE-FABRICATED DISC SPRING STACKS SAVE TIME, MONEY & ENSURE QUALITY from page 64
FIGURE 2 - DISC SPRING STACK WITH THRUST WASHERS
These questions need to be considered up front
since some Disc Spring Stacks require technically
skilled employees to construct the stack while others
are more straightforward. If one Disc Spring in a stack
is missing or is placed in an incorrect orientation, the
performance of the Disc Spring Stack, as well as the life
cycle of the product in which it is used, will be impacted.
The same holds true with lubricants used between each
Disc Spring stacked in parallel. Too much or too little
lubrication may have a drastic effect on friction. Any of
these missteps could shorten the life of the Disc Spring
Stack and have a catastrophic impact on the assembly in
which it is used.
An alternative to purchasing single Disc Springs and
stacking them inhouse is for manufacturers to purchase
pre-fabricated Disc Spring Stacks (Figure 1). Purchasing
from a Disc Spring manufacturer that utilizes automation
for sorting, lubricating, assembling, packaging, inspecting
and shipping pre-fabricated Disc Springs Stacks is an
additional advantage.
Benefits To Purchasing Pre-Fabricated Disc
Spring Stacks
¤ The time required to construct the Disc Stack is
eliminated.
¤ Consistent lubrication between the Disc Springs is
achieved – with no mess.
¤ The need for extensive training on how to properly
assemble the Disc Spring Stack is eliminated.
¤ The requirement to design and build an assembly
jig is eliminated.
¤ Quality and mistake-proofing of each stack
configuration is eliminated.
¤ The time to complete the assembly process is
significantly reduced, as each Disc Spring Stack is now
simply a single drop-in-place unit.
The Purchasing process is also simplified as the Disc
Spring Stacks are ordered as a single (completed) unit
rather than each Disc Spring being ordered individually.
Customized packaging enables trouble-free shipping of
the Disc Spring Stacks without worry of the stacks
disassembling during the shipping process. As needed,
the Disc Spring Stacks can simply be pulled from inventory
as a completed unit and delivered to either the production
floor or to field operations. In addition to providing
trouble-free shipping and storage, the robust packaging is
equipped with features to facilitate easy removal once the
Disc Spring Stack is positioned in the assembly.
Conclusion
When manufacturers use pre-fabricated Disc Spring
Stacks (Figure 3) rather than purchasing single Disc
Springs and stacking them in-house, they are easily able
to save time and money while ensuing the quality of their
final assembly.
FIGURE 3 - PRE-FABRICATED DISC SPRING STACK
SPIROL INTERNATIONAL CORP.

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 125

126
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRIGHTON-BEST INTERNATIONAL
USA Headquarters, 5855 Obispo Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90805
TEL 562-808-8000 FAX 562-808-8137 EMAIL sales@brightonbest.com WEB www.brightonbest.com
THE IMPORTANCE OF DISTRIBUTORS JOINING
FASTENER ASSOCIATIONS by Rosa Hearn
While some distributors may feel that joining an
association full of suppliers offers little value, the reality is
quite the opposite. Membership in a regional or national
fastener association can provide numerous benefits that
extend far beyond immediate sales and new customer
acquisition. Here’s why it’s important for distributors to
become members of these fastener associations.
Building Strong Relationships
One of the key benefits of joining a fastener association
is the chance to build and strengthen relationships
with suppliers like Brighton-Best International. These
relationships go beyond transactions, fostering trust
and collaboration. By engaging more personally and
consistently with suppliers, distributors gain deeper
insights into product lines and supply chain improvements.
Association events offer the opportunity to speak with a
BBI manager who can provide better terms, prioritize new
products, and ensure reliable service to members.
Access To Industry Insights And Trends
Associations offer members valuable information
to stay ahead in the market. This information can be
critical for distributors looking to stay ahead of the
competition. Through newsletters, webinars, and industry
reports, associations keep their members informed
about market shifts, technological advancements, and
regulatory changes. BBI actively participates in these
associations, sharing its expertise and insights, which
enables distributors to make more informed decisions.
Join us on Oct. 10th at the Pac-West.org event to hear
Jun Xu, President of BBI, present an update on the
fastener industry.
Career Growth And Skill Enhancement:
Associations frequently offer professional
development and training programs. These programs
can help distributors enhance their skills and knowledge,
ensuring they remain competitive. From technical training
to workshops on sales strategies, these educational
opportunities can significantly benefit both individual
employees and the organization as a whole. BBI frequently
partners with associations to deliver specialized training
sessions. Join Bill Walsh, from BBI, at the MAFDA.com
educational event on Oct 24th.
Networking Opportunities
Relationships is a cornerstone of any successful
business. Events such as association conferences,
table top shows, and regional meetings allow members
to exchange ideas, share best practices, and forge new
partnerships.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 127

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 127
BRIGHTON-BEST INTERNATIONAL THE IMPORTANCE OF DISTRIBUTORS JOINING FASTENER ASSOCIATIONS from page 126
Brighton-Best International is a regular participant in
these events, providing distributors with opportunities to
forge strong connections. Join us at our next association
show Sept 24-25 at MFDA.us.
Advocacy And Representation
Being part of an association means having a
collective voice in the industry. Associations advocate
on behalf of their members, representing their interests
in discussions with regulatory bodies, industry standards
organizations, and other stakeholders. These collectives
can lead to more favorable regulations, industry standards
that benefit all members, and a stronger overall industry.
While the immediate benefits of joining a fastener
association may not always be apparent, the long-term
advantages are substantial. Please consider joining.
BRIGHTON-BEST INTERNATIONAL

128
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED FASTENERS from page 88
surface are points of vulnerability and can be a crack
initiation site.
FIGURE 3: FINISHED PART EXHIBITING WIRE SEAM
Although seams are the most notorious, it is
important to understand that other imperfections that
appear like seams can occur. If there are misalignment
problems with the rollers during the hot rolling process,
a lap can occur. Often the surface appearance and
potential consequences of a lap are identical to a seam.
Commonly hot drawn material is further cold drawn for
improved dimensional tolerances. The hot drawn rod
is pulled through a round draw die. If there is any kind
of hard debris that gets lodged in the die or the polish
on the die begins to deteriorate, a scratch on the wire
surface may form. Once again, this may appear like a
seam and result in similar problems during part forming.
Inclusions
Inclusions are unwanted non-metallic structures or
debris trapped inside the steel. They perform no useful
purpose and, in fact, can be deleterious if too large,
near the surface, or in too significant a quantity. There
are two types of inclusions, Endogenous Inclusions
and Exogenous Inclusions. Endogenous Inclusions
are formed when small residual (or tramp) elements
are present during the melting phase. These undergo
reactions with other elements to form non-metallic
compounds. Exogenous inclusions are the entrapment of
nonmetallic debris, usually slag or a piece of refractory
surface (ceramic lining that helps protect the walls of
a furnace or ladle). Inclusions can negatively impact
material properties, such as formability and toughness.
Large inclusions (macro inclusions), especially near the
Forming Flaws
One of the most common forming problems is
cracking, particularly in the head or flange. Of course,
this makes sense when you consider the cold heading
process, and the substantial loading exerted on the raw
material to form it. In fact, some of these machines are
exerting many tons of force to move the material around.
Any concentration of stress or existing vulnerability
becomes a likely site to initiate a crack. In cold
heading cracks can be characterized into three general
categories: Bursts, Forging Cracks, and Quench Cracks.
Bursts can be categorized into two types: Bursts and
Shear Bursts. Bursts are most frequently found at the
periphery of the head or flange and follow the direction
of the axis of the part. They may be open or closed and
almost always form from a vulnerability in that spot such
as a seam, lap, scratch, or other surface defect. Figure
4 illustrates a classic burst in the head and Figure 3
illustrates a burst arising from a wire seam. In addition
to the obvious sources like wire seams and scratches,
these can be triggered by worn out tools, large macro
inclusions near the surface, or any surface condition that
results in localized stress concentrations.
FIGURE 4: EXAMPLES OF BURSTS IN SCREW HEAD
CONTINUED ON PAGE 148

130
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROB LaPOINTE HARDNESS TESTING SMALL FASTENERS: USING MACROHARDNESS & MICROHARDNESS TECHNIQUES from page 90
FIGURE 4 MICROHARDNESS TEST INSTRUMENT WITH MICROSCOPE
OPTICS AND THERMOSETTING PLASTIC MOUNT
Sanding, griding or cutting a small distance into
surface is sufficient to avoid a potential effect from
decarburization. Testing the fastener in the arbitration
location is the best practice to avoid surface effects such
as decarburization.
Sample preparation for microhardness testing is
significantly more involved than for macrohardness
testing. Microhardness indentations are just a few tens
of micrometers (1 micrometer = 0.000039 inch) across
and are so small that they typically cannot be seen
without magnification. Thus, the term microhardness
is used to denote measurement with the aid of a
microscope (Figure 4). Depending on the hardness of
the material and the load applied during testing, the
observation magnification is usually 100-500 times that
of normal vision. Both Vickers and Knoop microhardness
results are calculated based on the width of the
indentation.
Since the microhardness indentation is so small,
the result is particularly susceptible to the smoothness
of the surface being tested. Samples must be ground
and polished to a mirror-like finish to achieve accurate
results (Figure 5). Surface scratches seen through the
microscope may cause the indenter to not travel as
FIGURE 5 MIRROR POLISH OF MICROHARDNESS SAMPLES
deeply into the material during the loading phase of the
test and therefore the indentation will not be as wide
as it would be on a scratch-free surface. The resulting
hardness value will be higher than it should be due to
the decreased penetration into the material.
Microhardness samples are typically mounted in
a thermosetting or catalyst-setting plastic to aid the
surface preparation process (Figures 4 and 5). The
mounted samples are placed in grinding and polishing
machines which facilitate the surface preparation.
Instrument Preparation
The hardness testing instrument must be in good
working order and free of debris on top of and under
the testing anvil or stage and on the indenter (Figure
6). Dust, oil or debris on the anvil, stage or sample
may cause the instrument to indicate a softer hardness
value as those materials can compress under the test
load. Rockwell testers are particularly susceptible to the
compression of debris under the test sample or anvil.
When the sample is loaded, the debris will compress,
causing the indenter to travel further.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 150

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
TABLE TOP SHOW AND FASTENER BASH - AUGUST 20, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 145

132
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRUNO MARBACHER LIQUID THREAD LOCKERS PREVENT ROTATIONAL LOOSENING from page 92
¤ Medium Strength: Designed to be removable with
standard hand tools for fasteners ¼”(M6) to ¾” M20).
¤ High Strength: High-strength threadlockers are
most often used on fasteners ¾” (M20), up to one
1” (M24) in diameter — and usually used on heavy
equipment. For removal, it may require localized heat
(~550°F/260°C), hand tools and must be disassembled
while hot.
Improper adhesion strength used on a M3 screws can
cause the screw to break during disassembly.
Chemical Thread Locking Options
LOCTITE, ThreeBond, DELO, 3M Scotch weld, Vibra-tite
are some of the names of such chemical threadlockers.
LOCTITE
Some options: LOCTITE 222: Low
strength threadlocker for locking small
fasteners, under M6 (1/4”), removable
with hand tools. working with small
diameter screws made of low strength
metals (e.g., aluminum or brass),
LOCTITE 243 Medium threads (up to
M18):
LOCTITE 263 Large threads (up to M20):
THREEBOND
ThreeBond offers anaerobic adhesives in many
different strength grades.
Some options:
¤ Threadlocker type 1322 N and 1324 N are for
bonding screws that may need to be removed. It can
be used for temperatures ranging from below -40°C to
150°C. Threadlocker 1322N is suitable for M10 bolts
and below, Threadlocker 1324N is suitable for M10 bolts
and above, color: red
¤ Threadlocker type 1303 N, 1305 N are for
permanent adhesion. They can be used for temperatures
ranging from below -40°C to 150°C. 1303N is suitable
for M10 bolts and below, and 1305N is suitable for M10
bolts and above, color green.
3M SCOTCH WELD:
3M Scotch weld is another anaerobic thread locking
adhesive.
Some options: Threadlocker TL22
is a low strength thread locker for small
diameter, fine threaded screws, set
screws, nuts, bolts and hex and slot
driven. It is removable with hand tools.
Color - purple
Threadlocker TL42 is a general
purpose. medium strength threadlocker
ideal for machine tools access bolts, and
hydraulic system bolts. TL43 same strength, oil tolerant.
Color: blue
Threadlocker TL71 is a high strength threadlocker for
screws up M24 (1”) Temperature resistance intermittently
up to 400oF. Color: red
DELO-ML
DELO-ML are one-component anaerobic thread locking
adhesives. They are used to secure screws and seal
threads.
Some options:
DELO®-ML DB154 high-strength screw locking and
thread sealing. Color: yellow
DELO-ML 5249 is a medium strength thread locking
adhesive. Color: blue
VIBRA-TITE
Vibra-tite is very useful anaerobic thread locking
adhesive as well.
Some options:
Vibra-Tite 111 is a low strength anaerobic threadlocker
designed for locking threaded fasteners smaller than
1/4” (M6), which require disassembly with standard
hand tools. Color: purple
Vibra-Tite 121 is a medium strength anaerobic
threadlocker for locking threaded fasteners from 1/4”
(M6) to 3/4” (M20). Medium strength allows for
disassembly with hand tools. Color: blue
CONTINUED ON PAGE 152

Rotor Clip Company Inc. is proud to
announce that it has received the Caterpillar
Supplier Excellence Award. This certificate
is awarded to suppliers who consistently
demonstrate excellence in service and delivery
performance, meeting or exceeding Caterpillar’s
stringent standards for product quality and
on-time delivery.
To be recognized with this certification,
suppliers must maintain a delivery performance
of over 95% and demonstrate a commitment to
a zero defects culture. Rotor Clip’s dedication to
these standards in providing retaining rings, wave
springs, and hose clamps has been recognized
with this certification.
Adam Lindley, Account Manager at Rotor Clip,
stated, “We’re really honored to receive this
recognition from Caterpillar. It’s a testament
to the hard work and dedication of our team
in delivering top-notch products and meeting
Caterpillar’s high standards. Allan Fullwood,
Customer Representative at Rotor Clip added,
“we truly value our partnership with Caterpillar
and are excited about what we can achieve
together moving forward.”
This certification underscores the collaborative
success achieved through the strong partnership
between Rotor Clip and Caterpillar. Rotor Clip is
committed to upholding high standards and is
excited about future opportunities for growth and
collaboration with Caterpillar.
Rotor Clip’s unwavering commitment to quality
and customer satisfaction drives every aspect of
its operations. Rigorous quality control processes
ensure that every retaining ring, wave spring, and
hose clamp meets the highest standards, from
prototype to delivery. Supporting a diverse range
of industries—including off-highway, automotive,
aerospace, and industrial applications—Rotor Clip is
dedicated to providing Application Driven Solutions®.
By continuously innovating to meet the evolving
needs of clients, Rotor Clip continues to reinforce
its position as a trusted partner in the global
manufacturing market.
As the global leader in the manufacture of retaining
rings, wave springs, and self-compensating hose
clamps, Rotor Clip serves all manufacturing industries,
including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy,
medical and beyond. As the sole manufacturer of
all retaining ring families (spiral, constant section,
tapered), Rotor Clip engineers and delivers Application
Driven Solutions® from our global manufacturing
facilities and warehouses. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF
16949, AS9100, ISO 13485 certified.
For more information contact Rotor Clip Company
Inc by Tel: 732-469-7333, Email: info@rotorclip.com or
visit them online at www.rotorclip.com.

134
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
GUY AVELLON WHAT FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO INVESTIGATE FASTENER FAILURES from page 96
In addition to being too soft to sustain the service
loads of the joint, the washer on the left has an inside
diameter that is too large to fully support the loads
under the head of the cap screw. This washer is typically
called a USS washer. The washer on the right is an SAE
flat washer whose inside diameter will fully support the
loads under the head of the cap screw. Washers without
indentations are made from hardened steel and will
sustain fluctuating loads.
Coatings
Coatings can make a difference in environments
with elevated temperatures. Photos A and B are of an
all-metal lock nut that came off a turbocharger. Similar
examples have been used in exhaust manifolds or boiler
vessels. The inside will look like Photo B. The gold
colored nuts are cadmium plated and will fail from Liquid
Metal Embrittlement at temperatures exceeding 400ºF or
204ºC. LME is time dependent so failure will take longer
at lower temperatures than higher. Zinc plating will also
cause LME but at much higher temperatures.
PHOTO B
vibration and impact loads will cause metal fatigue if the
bolts are not properly tightened and maintained. There
should also be enough bolts in the connection to carry
the load and reduce the individual bolt stress.
PHOTO A
Types Of External Loads And Amount Of
Load
Proper bolt selection depends on knowing what
the service loads are. If the bolt is bent, it was not the
correct strength or diameter for the application. Heavy
Environment
Some corrosive environments can lead to stresscorrosion-cracking,
where the grain boundaries become
under chemical attack. Standing water will set up an
electrolytic cell and cause hydrogen embrittlement.
Other times, when there is rust in the fracture zone,
it can signify that the failure was not new and had been
propagating for some time. This could also cause other
stress initiation sites.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 154

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 135

fastenerlinks
THE DEFINITIVE WEB DIRECTORY FOR THE INDUSTRY
BRINGING YOU THE FASTENER INDUSTRY IN A CLICK!
www.linkmagazine.com

fastenerlinks
BRINGING YOU THE FASTENER INDUSTRY IN A CLICK!
www.linkmagazine.com

fastenerlinks
BRINGING YOU THE FASTENER INDUSTRY IN A CLICK!
www.linkmagazine.com

fastenerlinks
BRINGING YOU THE FASTENER INDUSTRY IN A CLICK!
www.linkmagazine.com

fastenerlinks
BRINGING YOU THE FASTENER INDUSTRY IN A CLICK!
www.linkmagazine.com
MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE BED BUILD - AUGUST 18, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 165

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 141

142
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
CHRIS DONNELL THE STRAINS OF GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN from page 106
Its also important to know that when our ports
suffer through periods of congestion, it puts strains on
our national rail network, our truckers and equipment,
and can increase costs to importers and exporters
alike. Congestion also hits our local businesses such as
warehousing. Over the road drivers as importers amend
their routings and incorporate trans-loading into their
supply line in order to keep its cargo moving.
My last topic regarding ocean transport industry
centers around rates. Rates for the past 3 months have
bounced around. Import costs are still up around 45%
compared to where they were in April. It’s safe to assume
should all of the above-mentioned issues not happen, that
the rates will continue to jockey up and down for the next
6-8 weeks. Should any of the above situations happen,
it’s a sure thing rates will climb, the unknown is by how
much. Someone recently asked me if we would see the
rate levels we saw during the pandemic return. My answer
was and continues to be, yes, if the above happens. One
thing the ocean carriers learned during the pandemic
was that importers and exporters will pay. During May,
June and July we saw rates get close to those during the
pandemic. Should the above happen I think it’s absolutely
yes, we could see those rate levels return.
Air Market And Terminal Labor
Currently the air market is volatile, however, this
issue centers around weather. We’ve had a turbulent
weather season throughout the Pacific Rim causing
delays, airport closures, and flight groundings, all of which
have contributed to the growing levels of congestion. The
airlines are actively working to rebound but it takes time.
Places like Narita, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul are all
reporting issues with congestion but over the past couple
weeks we are seeing a positive reduction in stationary
cargo at these locations. Rates are still rising and
falling on a weekly basis and the airlines are preparing
for capacity increases as we move through the Peak
Season. One issue that seems to be ripe for escalation
is congestion at our nation’s busiest airports. Reports of
truckers being delayed past their normally allocated free
time of 2 hours is becoming common, and this is costing
importers dearly.
One other issue that seems to be raising its ugly head
is the threat of strikes by airline terminals employees,
pilots and other personnel. One that would be critical
and is having an impact on a current issue is the threat
of strike from the employees of Air Canada, one of
Canada’s largest airlines. These negotiations are weighing
heavily on the minds of the union rail negotiations, per
leaders of the rail union, any submission or substitution
in negotiations will negatively impact the airline and its
employees while having a negative impact on future union
labor negotiations.
While the air market is going through its usual yearly
growth pattern for this time of year, should things turn
south in the ocean market, you can bet the airlines will be
there to capitalize on the situation. Rates will increase,
capacity will decrease, and overall, it could become
another chaotic chapter in the global supply chain sector.
Trucking, Intermodal And Over The Road
Troubles
It’s a rocky time to be in the rail and trucking
industries. Let’s lead off with the rail industry who’s
seeing their own issues. Equipment shortages are
contributing to the congestion levels seen in Tacoma
and Seattle. The rail lines are struggling to get capacity
and enough equipment where it’s sorely needed. Just at
the port of Tacoma, it’s estimated that there are roughly
3000 Chicago bound containers sitting idle. When you
look at that figure it doesn’t seem to be that high, but
when you take into account that the average train holds
around 150 containers, that figure seems grows and the
figure is growing daily. What does this mean for those
smaller, more regional rail hubs and their ability to move
their cargo? Then you factor in the potential rail strike in
Canada and the situation looks a lot worse.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 143

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 143
CHRIS DONNELL THE STRAINS OF GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN from page 142
Look for our current transportation board to continue
to mount pressure on the rail line to fix this growing
issue. I think we can all agree, the sooner they do this
the better we will be.
Now for the trucking industry. Unfortunately, this
industry is being directly affected by the weak economy
and financial constraints. Financially, we’re seeing an
increase in companies being forced into bankruptcy.
During and immediately following the pandemic, many
companies went out and invested in newer equipment,
either to keep up with regulatory compliance or to
reduce costs. Then the market quickly turned for the
worse. Yearly contracted rates remained elevated yet
the spot market tanked, theoretically making contracted
rates obsolete. Keep in mind, trucking companies
depend on the contracted rates to pay for things like
capital investments and when this market dries up,
the revenue streams tighten. Thus far, in 2024 we’ve
seen some 40,000 non-seasonal jobs eliminated. This
is quite the number considering the trucking industry
has historically been understaffed and over-performed
for years and was just getting to where it needed to be
to effectively manage the market volume and capacity.
Now a vast majority of those drivers and dock workers
have been absorbed into other companies. The downfall
is financial. Banks are looking at the industry as a highrisk
investment and banks are now starting to decline
any financial support. The long-term effect of this will
be profound; from decaying equipment to small and
medium size enterprises forced out of business with
the larger companies controlling more market share. For
an industry that is so vital for America, this is troubling
news, especially with 90% of all goods moved by truck in
this great nation.
CHRIS DONNELL

144
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROBERT FOOTLIK THE “5-STAR” WAREHOUSE – THE VISION - SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 from page 108
The floors are shiny, lighting bright, equipment
sparkling and eye-catching signage draws our attention to
specific areas such as receiving and shipping, individual
OEM customer stocking locations, return areas by vendor
name and overhead lighting that projects information and
denotes hazards on the warehouse floor.
What we do not see immediately is fixed automation,
conveyors and other “modern” equipment. Our host explains
with a smile that we will understand why as we look at
the micro operations. “New equipment and methods are
always under review,” he stated.
In The Heart Of The Distribution Process
We learn that there is no warehouse; it is truly
a Distribution Center. Products move in and out on a
controlled, planned and fully organized basis. Nothing is
held for very long and all of the inventory is constantly
“in play.” For critical and common commodities, the
inventory is tracked from raw materials, through the vendor
manufacturing processing, in transit and continuously
monitored for exceptions and delays. Long-term vendor
relationships enable this synergy, down to the individual
pieces, cases, pallets and trucks. With this knowledge, it is
then possible to be comfortable with a high rate of inventory
turns without sacrificing customer satisfaction. “At 5-Star
we can absolutely guarantee on time delivery unless there
is disruptive disaster. We do not make promises lightly.”
Directly outside the window a large LED screen greets
us with a welcoming message and our company logo. The
animated display even welcomes us by name. The next
message on the screen captures the essence of the 5-Star
corporate philosophy, “Our Customers expect perfection…
and WE DELIVER IT EVERY DAY WITH EVERY ORDER.”
Wow! Clearly, the operation is organized, neat, devoid
of drama and almost surgically clean.
Just then, a pallet mover passes without an operator.
We learn that there are now two of these vehicles that
perform long distance moves. Each is directed by a
Warehouse Management System (WMS) based on an
algorithm that identifies the timing required for the move,
size, weight, distance and other factors. Anyone in the
operation can request this service if there is some special
need. Slowly this technology is being rolled out for pallet
placement within the racking system. The Return on
Investment (ROI) for automated, autonomous movement by
forklift under study, but the technology and ROI have not yet
converged.
Then a third piece of robotic equipment that constantly
scrubs and clean the floors travels purposefully down an
aisle. Essentially, it is a very large “Roomba” to insure that
the floors are sparkling clean at all times. While typically
deployed at night, the equipment can be summoned by
anyone who sees a need for a clean-up. The return is not
great in terms of cost, but this maintains a high standard
for warehouse cleanliness. Obviously, the floors are devoid
of errant stretch film, broken pallets and other debris.
Looking down a pallet aisle, every upper load is stretch
wrapped and identified with a large QR or bar code label.
There is a numbering system in place with similar labels.
Not immediate obvious is the occasional drone overhead
that verifies stock locations continuously. This is “a place
for everything and everything in place” taken to a much
higher level.
The number of miss-stocks has gone to zero and
5-Star is working on an Artificial Intelligence (AI) analysis
to develop correlations for stock locations and overstock.
At this point, the first 8’ height of the pallet racks utilizes
fixed picking locations and the top of the racks are random.
Our host informs us that refinement of picking location/
overstock will ultimately be based on factors such as
usage, product affinity, and seasonality as more data is
developed.
This will then become the basis for autonomous forklift
movement. As the data is developed, the objective is to
be able to move loads in and out of any pallet position
without human intervention. The time for this is not now,
but 5-Star’s Information Technology Task Team is preparing
for a driverless future.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 145

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
TABLE TOP SHOW AND FASTENER BASH - AUGUST 20, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 155
ROBERT FOOTLIK THE “5-STAR” WAREHOUSE – THE VISION - SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 from page 144
In the shelving area, pallet racks, carton flow racks
and conventional shelving are fully integrated along
a circular picking path. Pickers operating under the
direction of the WMS follow a route with racking on
their left side and face out shelving at the end of all
the shelving rows. From our elevated vantage point, we
see that customer centric storage areas are delineated
by overhead signage. Our guide explains that there are
many subtle aspects to this operation, many of which are
proprietary. By picking multiple orders simultaneously and
packing the materials directly into shippable containers
expensive conveyors and automation has been avoided.
In fact, the current layout while human oriented now, is
designed for fully mobile robotic picking in the future. In
the interim, the operation is so efficient there is no ROI
for conveyors or robot pickers…yet.
Continuing The Tour
Obviously, from the conference room window many
critical areas such as receiving, returns, shipping and
packing are not visible. It is time to take a closer look
at the operations and facility. As we head downstairs,
one thing is abundantly clear: every one of the staff
from the front door to the back door seems to be
extraordinarily happy. Things run smoothly, without
drama and as we move into the heart of the operation
undoubtedly there will be even more to learn.
Over the next issues of this magazine, the articles
will reveal what makes 5-Star Supply so unique and
how it came to be conceived and implemented. Our
hosts have promised to be candid, informative and
insightful. From our dialogue, it is clear that they
might be both proud of their company, and perhaps
interested in acquiring ours. Either way it will be an
interesting and informative tour.
Watch for Series 1, Episode 2-“It Starts With
the People” in the next issue of Distributor’s Link
Magazine.
ROBERT FOOTLIK

146
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
JOE DYSART HOW FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS CAN BECOME A PROFITABLE PRESENCE ON LINKEDIN from page 112
¤ Back-up your perspective with reports,
statistics and insight from respected experts:
You’ll be able to enhance the credibility of your unique
perspective by referencing reports, statistics and insights
from other highly credible sources. And while it’s always
good to plug your fastener distributorship by including a
quote or two in your post from someone who works where
you work, it’s also important to quote highly authoritative
spokespeople from other businesses and organizations.
¤ Offer concrete guidance: Best-of-breed thought
leadership posts go beyond simply identifying trends or
industry challenges to offer concrete, step-by-step actions
that readers can take to capitalize on your insights.
¤ Stick to the issues and trends that are
impacting your target audience right now: You’ll win
higher marks from your audience if they can take away
something you’ve presented that offers them guidance
and advice on issues and trends impacting them in the
here-and-now.
Says Stefanie Marrone, a LinkedIn ‘Top Voice’(invitation
only, selected by LinkedIn as an authoritative, highly
trusted expert) and social media expert (www.linkedin.
com/in/stefaniemarrone): “By actively sharing and
discussing current trends, you position yourself as a go-to
source for fresh insights and cutting-edge knowledge. This
not only reinforces your status as a forward thinker, but
also encourages followers to turn to your content for the
latest updates.”
¤ Consider signing every post: While some posts
on LinkedIn are anonymous, general statements made on
behalf on an entire business, readers often respond more
enthusiastically to posts that are signed by a specific
individual. If you’re a company CEO, technical expert,
policy guru or similar for your fastener distributorship, for
example, a post bylined by you personally carries much
more weight if you’re writing in your area of expertise.
¤ Don’t be salesy: Nothing turns-off a LinkedIn
audience quicker than a sales pitch posing as thought
leadership. People can always visit your Web site or app to
meander through the hard sell or soft sell you’ve included
there. With thought leadership, LinkedIn members are
looking for insight, perspective and advice that can help
them in their day-to-day work.
¤ Don’t just post -- engage: One of the great draws
FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE GHOST WRITERS WHO SPECIALIZE
IN LINKEDIN CONTENT WHO CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A STEADY
STREAM OF SPARKLING, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP CONTENT
of LinkedIn and other social networks is the ability to
interact with others. When you engage with your fastener
distributorship on LinkedIn, you become known, become
part of the community -- and become the go-to source
when people are looking for your particular expertise.
Says Marrone: “Comment on others’ posts, join
relevant group discussions and respond to comments on
your content to foster meaningful conversations. When
you interact with their content they will interact with
yours.”
¤ Consider hiring a ghost writer: While every CEO,
high level exec and company guru would love to have a
robust following on LinkedIn, not everyone has the time
-- or the writing chops -- to continually come-up with fresh,
original and engaging posts for a LinkedIn special interest
feed Fortunately, there are ghost writers who specialize in
LinkedIn content who can provide you with a steady stream
of sparkling content you can present under your name.
¤ Select digital tools to measure the performance
of your thought leadership on LinkedIn: Fortunately,
there are dozens of social media analytics tools designed
to track the popularity of your content, who’s interacting
with it, what’s working, what’s not -- as well as any number
of perspectives you can consult to evaluate your work.
Comprehensive social media analytics platforms in
this space to check-out include Hootsuite (www.hootsuite.
com), SproutSocial (www.sproutsocial.com), Emplifi (www.
emplifi.io), Facelift Data Studio (www.quintly.com) and
the free Google Analytics (www.marketingplatform.google.
com/about/analytics).
JOE DYSART

148
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED FASTENERS from page 128
FIGURE 5: SCREW HEADS EXHIBITING SHEAR BURSTS
A unique form of bursts are shear bursts (Figure 5).
These are almost always on features that are upset in
the heading operation including heads and flanges. They
are easily recognizable because the burst is formed along
shear planes at a 45° angle. Shear bursts are always a
sign of overloading the raw material. This may arise
for a multitude of reasons including poor tool design
(the tool is attempting to “move” more material than it
can), poor material formability due to prior cold working,
poor ductility due to coarse grain size, ineffective or
insufficient lubrication, rough surface, and overworking
the part during pre-forming cold drawing.
Forging Cracks are small cracks that appear on the
surface of parts, often on sidewalls, bearing surfaces,
heads, and sharp corners due to pressure exerted during
the forming process or as the result of extremely high
localized residual stress concentrations. Figures 6 and
7 show distinct types of forging cracks. Figure 6 shows
the crack in the corner of a hex socket recess. The sharp
FIGURE 7: EXAMPLE OF ALLOY 718 NUT WITH FORGING CRACKS
ALONG SIDE WALLS
corners are areas of high residual stress. Figure 7 shows
an Alloy 718 nut, a nickel superalloy which is subject to
cracking when processed outside of narrow processing
margins.
Figure 8 shows a part that has succumbed to
quench cracking. Quench cracking is not due to forming
but rather occurs during heat treatment. It is usually
characteristic of larger size fasteners made of alloy or
high carbon steels that exhibit excellent hardenability.
During the heat-treating process when the parts are
quenched the transition from Austenite to Martensite is
immediate at the surface but takes a little longer at the
core. There is a volume expansion during this transition
so when the core expands after the surface, it generates
extremely high residual stress. In some instances, those
stresses may exceed the parts Ultimate Strength and
find a path, usually at a vulnerable spot to initiate and
propagate a crack. Often quench cracks such as those
illustrated in Figure 8 are large and catastrophic.
FIGURE 6: EXAMPLE OF A FORGING CRACK IN THE HEX CORNER
(APPROXIMATELY 5 O’CLOCK POSITION)
FIGURE 8: ALLOY STEEL BOLTS EXHIBITING QUENCH CRACKS
CONTINUED ON PAGE 156

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
71st
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING - AUGUST 21, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 151

150
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROB LaPOINTE HARDNESS TESTING SMALL FASTENERS: USING MACROHARDNESS & MICROHARDNESS TECHNIQUES from page 130
the width of the indentation. For Vickers indentations,
both diagonals are measured, and the average is used
to calculate the hardness value. For Knoop, only the long
axis is measured and used to calculate the hardness
value. See Figure 10 for a diagram of Vickers and Knoop
indentations.
ASTM E18 (macrohardness) and ASTM E384
(microhardness) both require testing instruments to be
verified periodically using a certified test sample. E18
requires Rockwell instruments to be verified each day of
use and E384 requires Vickers and Knoop instruments
to be verified weekly.
FIGURE 6 HARDNESS TESTING ANVIL CLEANED AND READY FOR
MEASUREMENTS
Since it is the indenter travel distance that is
converted into hardness, the measurement will indicate
a softer value than is correct for the material being
tested.
Microhardness testers use a micrometer eyepiece
or video vision system to observe and measure the
magnified indentation. Figure 7 shows the view through a
micrometer eyepiece. Notice the movable lines that mark
Indentation Spacing
The spacing of indentations relative to one another
and to the edge of the sample is critical. When a hardness
indentation is made, the material is compressed under
and around the indentation. This compression creates
a swell of material around the indentation and can
change the hardness of the material in that location.
Insuring there is sufficient space between indentations
guarantees that each measurement is representative of
the material and not biased by a previous test.
ASTM E18 for Rockwell hardness requires there to
be 3 indentation diameters between the centers of
indentations and 2.5 indentation diameters between the
center of an indentation and the edge of the material,
see Figure 8. ASTM E384 for microhardness, requires
there to be 2.5 indentation diagonal widths both between
the centers of indentations and the edge of the material
for Vickers.
FIGURE 7 VICKERS MICROHARDNESS INDENTATION WITH
MICROMETER EYEPIECE MEASUREMENT
FIGURE 8 ROCKWELL INDENTATION SPACING REQUIREMENT PER
ASTM F606/F606M
CONTINUED ON PAGE 158

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 151
MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
71st
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING - AUGUST 21, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 168

152
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRUNO MARBACHER LIQUID THREAD LOCKERS PREVENT ROTATIONAL LOOSENING from page 132
Lesser-Known Thread Lockers
Permatex: Permatex High Strength, a removable
orange threadlocker is a hybrid that combines the
strength of red thread locker with the removability of blue
threadlocker.
Mercury MLT425B: Brush-in-Cap Threadlocker is
a general purpose, medium-high strength, anaerobic
thread locker. color: blue
SONLOK Threadlockers is another locking adhesive
offered in low, medium and high strength.
Pre-Applied Thread Locking Adhesives
For large quantities, it is tedious and expensive
to apply the liquid thread locker from a bottle during
assembly. It can be messy.
The chemical locking compound is contained in
microcapsules. The pre-applied threadlocker remains
inactive until the coated fastener is assembled onto the
mating part. During the assembly, the micro capsules
burst, initiating the polymerization process, curing quickly
at room temperature. Thus, providing reliable locking and
sealing.
Pre-coating is usually possible up to about M20. It
is always done 360° around the screw thread and has
the advantage of being able to move certain impurities
in the nut or internal thread. Hence, it is “self-purifying,”
however, it only works to a limited extent.
For repairs, new pre-coated screws must be used, old
ones may be used, if they are fully cleaned and a liquid
thread locker is applied during re-assembly.
Most of the thread locking coats, the strength
classes are identified by colors, depending on brand and
temperature range.
¤ Green/yellow= low strength
¤ Blue/red = medium strength
¤ Red/blue/orange = typical high strength
PRECOTE ® 30/80/85
Precote® 30/80/85 are encapsulated varnish-like
thread locking systems. The Temperature range is – 60
°C to 150 °C
Precote®30 is a medium strength thread locking and
sealing coating used on all types of external or internal
threaded fasteners. It is recommended for fasteners
with thread sizes equal to or larger than M16 . It’s low
Coefficient of Friction provides lower installation torque
values. Color: yellow
Precote® 80 is a high strength and high temperature
resistant thread locking and sealing coating used on
external or internal threaded fasteners. Color: red
Precote® 85 is a high strength and high temperature
resistant thread locking and sealing coating for all
types of threaded fasteners. Precote® 85 has a very
low coefficient of friction providing a controlled torque/
tension relationship. It can be applied to either internal
or external threaded fasteners. Color: greenish blue
CONTINUED ON PAGE 160

NFDA 2024 ANNUAL MEETING & ESPS
OMNI LAS COLINAS, IRVING, TX - JUNE 11-14, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 161

154
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
GUY AVELLON WHAT FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO INVESTIGATE FASTENER FAILURES from page 134
fatigue because a high compression rate is created as
the nut slams into the joint surface. This compressive
force has an equal and opposite reaction or recoil which
will leave the joint not as tight as expected.
Too much impacting with an air tool can also crack
the adjacent area around the nut.
FAILED STAINLESS STEEL
How Was The Fastener Installed?
This makes a huge difference because a fastener can
never be evenly tightened by hand with a hand wrench.
Thread frictions vary and so does the installer’s ‘feel’.
Sometimes the handle length of standard wrenches
does not provide the proper leverage for higher grades
of fasteners.
Torque wrenches are fine but not always accurate
due to a multitude of variables, most include friction.
Pneumatic wrenches are mostly unregulated to
output torque. They try to seek a stall point from thread
friction. If the threads were lubricated, they would have
either stripped the nut threads or stretched the fastener
into yield.
Air wrenches are quick. They can cause galling
and thread locking of stainless steel fasteners, even if
they are of different types of stainless: it is the speed
that destroys the fastener. The speed of assembly can
also cause an underloaded joint and subsequent metal
The impact wrench will always leave tell-tale signs
of abuse. In the photograph above, the hex corners of
the nut clearly displays markings from the socket on the
installation side (right) of the hex corners. There are also
markings on the off side (left) which appear not only from
removal but from the recoil of the socket as the impact
goes forward and instantly recoils back.
With proper investigative techniques, the causeeffect
of failures can be determined so that preventive
measures can be employed.
GUY AVELLON

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
TABLE TOP SHOW AND FASTENER BASH - AUGUST 20, 2024

156
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED FASTENERS from page 148
FIGURE 11: “BASEBALL CAP” HEADS
FIGURE 9: ETCHED SAMPLE SHOWING FOLDS ON FLANGE SURFACE
Flaws From Upsetting
During the forming process part features such as the
head are almost always created in iterative steps. When
the tooling from one step to the next is not aligned it can
result in a lapping, folding over, or doubling of material .
Therefore, folds usually occur around the intersection of
one feature to another. Folds are commonly seen around
the hex to flange intersections on both bolts and nuts.
Figure 9 illustrates a fold around the periphery of a hex
flange head.
FIGURE 10: EXAMPLE OF HEAD SLIVERS
Slivers are formed when the pin used to form the
head or internal recess is set a little too deep resulting in
some flash forming around the periphery of the pin. This is
then pushed back down onto the surface during the next
blow to the head. Figure 10 illustrates this condition.
This final upsetting problem is colloquially referred
to as a “Baseball cap” for its resemblance to the same
(Figure 11). This occurs when the upset tool is worn out
or not working properly. The tool is unable to properly
constrain the material, so that the material moves in the
path of least resistance squishing out to one side and
creating the characteristic hat-like form.
Material Flow Problems
One of the advantages of cold heading is the
conservation of material. Unlike machining operations
which generate the final shape by cutting material away,
cold heading moves material around. In most instances
the part volume going into the machine as a straight piece
of cylindrical wire is the same volume emerging from the
machine as a net shape part.
When the raw material is hot rolled, the metal
grains are distributed in long, continuous lines, much
like the long grain in a block of wood. When features
like heads, collars, and flanges are formed the material
is redistributed and these longitudinal grain lines are
bent around to follow the shape of these newly formed
features. This significantly increases the strength of these
parts.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 162

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 157
NATIONAL FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION
3020 Old Ranch Parkway #300, Seal Beach CA 90740 TEL 562-799-5509 EMAIL nfda@nfda-fastener.org WEB www.nfda-fastener.org
SCOTT McDANIEL ELECTED NFDA PRESIDENT FOR 2024-25 by Amy Nijjar
Scott McDaniel of Martin Fastening Solutions has
been elected as the 2024-2025 president of the National
Fastener Distributors Association. Ed Smith of Wurth
Revcar will serve as vice president, Christian Reich of
Goebel Fasteners will serve as associate chair, and Jim
Degnan of S.W. Anderson will remain on the Board as
immediate past president.
Melissa Patel of Field, Angela Philippart of AFC
Industries, and Christian Reich of Goebel Fasteners have
been elected to serve on the Board of Directors effective
June 12, 2024.
Continuing on the NFDA Board are Steve Andrasik of
Brighton-Best International, Gigi Calfee of Copper State
Bolt & Nut, Jake Glaser of Sherex Fastening Solutions,
Alex Goldberg of AMPG, and Scott Longfellow of Huyett.
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
Recognition was paid during the meeting to retiring
Board members Mike Robinson of LindFast Solutions
Group and Nick Ruetz of AIS.
For more information about NFDA, visit www.nfdafastener.org
or contact Amy Nijjar, amy@nfda-fastener.org,
or telephone 562-799-5519.
NATIONAL FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

158
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROB LaPOINTE HARDNESS TESTING SMALL FASTENERS: USING MACROHARDNESS & MICROHARDNESS TECHNIQUES from page 150
For Knoop indentations along the long axis, there
must be 2 indentation diagonal widths between the
centers of indentations and 1 indentation diagonal
width between the center of the indentation and the
edge of the material. On the short axis, there must be
2.5 diagonal widths both between indentation centers
and between an indentation center and the edge of the
material (Figure 9).
FIGURE 9 HARDNESS INDENTATION SPACING REQUIREMENTS
FROM ASTM F606
Given the restrictions of test location and indentation
spacing, what are the smallest fasteners that can be
hardness tested using a Rockwell instrument? There is
not a clear and undisputable answer to this question.
It largely depends on the skill of the technician and the
hardness of the product. Skill comes into play when
preparing a sample for testing and placing the indentation
in the desired location. As an example, let’s consider
hardness testing a 1/4-20 socket-head cap screw on its
thread end. The end must be properly ground to reveal a
flat surface away from the possible surface effects of the
end of the fastener. See Figure 10 for a before and after
grinding example. For proper spacing, we must consider
the indentation diameter and the available area on the
end of the fastener. The indentation diameter is relative
to the hardness.
The higher the hardness, the smaller the indentation
diameter. A 0.25-inch diameter ASTM A574 socket-head
cap screw has a required hardness range of 39-44 HRC.
Figure 10 shows a single 40.4 HRC hardness indentation
with a diameter of `0.0266-inch and an available surface
diameter of 0.2081-inch. To fit the three required
indentations in a line across the diameter would require
eleven indentation diameters (see Figure 8). 11 x 0.0266
in. = 0.293 in. Since this dimension is more than what
is available, it would not be possible in accordance with
E18. If we reduce the number in indentations to two, we
are still just slightly over the spacing limit. To test this
1/4-20 socket-head cap screw per E18 on the thread
end, we must place an indentation near the center, then
grind a fresh surface to place the second indentation and
again to place the third indentation.
Would it be better to test this size fastener using
microhardness? Since a microhardness (HV0.5)
indentation is about 20 times smaller than a Rockwell
(HRC) indentation, there is more than enough room for
the required indentations.
FIGURE 10 BEFORE (LEFT) AND AFTER (RIGHT) SURFACE
PREPARATION ON THE THREAD END OF A FASTENER
FIGURE 11 ROCKWELL HARDNESS INDENTATION. 40.4 HRC.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 159

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 159
ROB LaPOINTE / EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE
ROB LaPOINTE HARDNESS TESTING SMALL FASTENERS: USING MACROHARDNESS & MICROHARDNESS TECHNIQUES from page 158
Should 1/4-inch diameter be the cutoff for
microhardness rather than macrohardness? This
decision is made at the discretion of the testing facility.
Clearly, doing Rockwell hardness on the end of a 1/4-
20 socket-head cap screw requires additional work that
would not be needed on a larger sample. Let’s look at
sizes just above and below 1/4-inch. The testing surface
of a 5/16-inch fastener is about 0.270-inch in diameter.
This size surface allows us to get the required three
measurements on the surface placing them 60 degrees
apart and fulfil the E18 spacing requirements.
So, 5/16-inch fasteners are solidly in the Rockwell
hardness group. If we look a little smaller than 1/4-inch,
a number 10 has a nominal diameter of 0.1900-inch.
The usable testing area on a # 10 is about 0.157-inch
in diameter. Placing a Rockwell indentation in the center
of this part just barely gives us the proper spacing to the
edge of the part required by E18. This establishes the
smallest size that can be Rockwell tested. Keep in mind
that, like the 1/4-inch cap screw, # 10 cap screws will
also need to be prepared three times to get the minimum
required measurements.
Even though both #10 and 1/4-inch fasteners may
be Rockwell tested, the testing facility may require
microhardness on them. Of course, anything smaller
would need to be microhardness tested. There should
not be any significant difference in the results from
either method providing that the samples are properly
prepared, the test technician is skilled, and the testing
instrument is properly functioning. Since there is a
significant cost difference between macrohardness and
microhardness, as a buyer, it is prudent to have a
functional understanding of the two so that you can
make an informed buying decision.
ROB LaPOINTE / EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE

160
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRUNO MARBACHER LIQUID THREAD LOCKERS PREVENT ROTATIONAL LOOSENING from page 152
3M Fastener Adhesives 2353 (blue) and 2353Y
(yellow) are microencapsulated, room-temperature
curing adhesives that locks threaded fasteners. The
adhesives are coated onto the fasteners and cured.
There are different qualities/ adhesive strengths that
can be differentiated by their color.
THREADBOND:
ThreeBond pre-applied material utilizes
microencapsulation technology to coat threaded
fasteners, providing powerful locking and sealing
characteristics.
Threebond precoat comes in 3 strength classes,
low, medium, and high they are available for different
temperature ranges.
SONLOK pre-applied threadlocker is available for
general purposes, plated parts, high strength moist
parts applications.
Performance Testing
BREAK-AWAY TORQUE
The torque required to break the bond between
the nut and the bolt when rotating an unseated
assembly is known as break-away torque. For this test,
standard nuts and bolts are assembled using a liquid
threadlocker. The nut is screwed on until 2–3 threads
are protruding, then cured for a specific time and
temperature. The torque required to break the bond is
measured using torque measuring equipment.
BREAK-LOOSE TORQUE
Similar to break-away torque, break-loose torque
reflects the torque required to break the bond between
a nut and the bolt in a tightened assembly, typically
torqued to 5 Nm. While break-away torque is an
indicator of threadlocker strength alone, break-loose
torque is more relevant to the clamp load and friction
involved in a realistic fastener application.
VIBRATION PERFORMANCE TESTS
One of the most well-known and aggressive tests
for measuring resistance to self-loosening is the
“Junker Test “, also known as the transverse shock
test. (described in an earlier article). Liquid thread
locker performs roughly the same as Spirallock nuts,
NordLock washers, Tensilok, Ripplock locking elements,
there is minimal preload loss. The results provide
relevant data for comparing the performance of locking
adhesives, however there are quite a few variables, for
a true assessment, testing in the actual assembly is
necessary.
NASA PERFORMANCE CHARACTERIZATION TEST
NASA developed a performance characterization
Test (NESC-RP04-092) which may be used to evaluate
thread lockers on critical usages.
In Conclusion
All above listed thread lockers work very well in most
applications. However, for certain applications such
as oily parts, high heat, certain materials may impede
locking performance. Therefore, it is suggested to
perform testing on the actual application.
BRUNO MARBACHER

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 161
NFDA 2024 ANNUAL MEETING & ESPS
OMNI LAS COLINAS, IRVING, TX - JUNE 11-14, 2024

162
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED FASTENERS from page 156
FIGURE 12: EXAMPLE OF CROSS-SECTIONED HEX FLANGE HEAD
SHOWING GRAIN FLOW
However, when something goes wrong, usually the
consequence of a poor machine set-up, instead of smooth
bends they can be sharp or interrupted at the edges of
the transition. When this occurs the strength of the part
is compromised and can be subject to problems during
installation. As such, manufacturers often conduct a
Grain Flow Test where a part is sectioned, and the grain
lines studied. If all grain lines exhibit smooth, continuous
transition the part is deemed to be good (Figure 12). This
test is most often conducted during first piece set-up so
that any discrepancies can be fixed before any production
parts are produced.
A rare but interesting flow problem occurs when a
part forms an Adiabatic Shear Band. This is a complicated
scenario but in essence is a narrow planar band of largescale
shearing that occurs when a part experiences
intense dynamic loading. Once the band is formed,
FIGURE 13: EXAMPLE OF AN ADIABATIC SHEAR BAND
FIGURE 14: EXAMPLE OF BROKEN HEAD ALONG AN ADIABATIC
SHEAR BAND
the result is two separate and disconnected regions of
material (Figure 13). A part that possesses an Adiabatic
Shear Band will appear completely normal on the outside
but have an internal crack over most of the cross section,
separating the formed feature into two parts. These
bands characteristically seem to mostly split the part into
one-third and two-third segments (Figure 14). Adiabatic
Shear Banding is a rare phenomenon that is addressed by
adjusting the forming progression or slowing the forming
process down.
A much more common flow problem is underfill
or when a feature does not completely fill out. This is
common at the corners of formed hex or square heads or
at the base of a cylindrical shoulder. There are a variety of
reasons for underfill starting with a short cutoff. Without
the requisite volume of material the part cannot fill out
properly.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 164

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 163
IN MEMORIAM
Robert Martin Calfee III (1937-2024)
Robert Martin Calfee III, a fierce competitor, lost the
obituary game on July 23, 2024. Martin passed away
surrounded by his family in his home in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was born on April 2, 1937
to proud parents Robert Martin
Calfee Jr. and Elizabeth Tinker
Chatfield Calfee in Coral Gables,
Florida. Martin’s life journey was
marked by resilience, hard work,
humor, and a passion for sports,
business, and philanthropy. He
was a remarkable individual with an
unwavering commitment to family
and community.
Married to Margaret Mary Tiffany
(Monnie) for 60 years, Martin was
a devoted husband and father. He
is survived by Monnie, his sister
Sarah Calfee Morse (Peter), and
five daughters who adored him - Elizabeth Chatfield
Licosati (David), Virginia Tiffany Linsalata (Mark), Sarah
Jane Shannon (John), Robin Martin LeFevre (Greg), Cinco
Calfee Sorrow (Chris) - and nine cherished grandchildren
– Margaret Chatfield Licosati, Gennaro Martin Licosati,
Anthony David Licosati, Thomas Owen LeFevre, Sullivan
Martin Shannon, Isabel Virginia Licosati, Sarah Ruth
LeFevre, Elizabeth Tinker Shannon and Virginia Tyler
Sorrow.
Martin’s legacy is one of hard work, community
engagement, and a commitment to complete everything
he started. His impact on the lives he touched will be
remembered for generations to come. As we bid farewell
to this remarkable man, we celebrate a life well-lived and
honor the wisdom he bestowed upon us daily and the
indelible mark he left on our hearts. He blessed our days
with limericks, laughter, and love. He taught us all to give
everything we ever tried 110%.
OBITUARY
Martin and his sister Sarah were raised in Aurora,
Ohio with deep family roots in Cleveland. Martin lost
his father at a very young age and the extended Calfee
family played a significant role in his
life. He graduated from Aurora High
School in 1955 in which his highest
grade was in PE. Copies of his
high school report card were used
as place mats in the family home.
Martin attended Kent State for six
weeks prior to proudly serving in the
United States Army. He was an avid
collector of Harley Davidson t-shirts,
loose change, and newspaper
rubber bands. His hobbies included
washing cars and mowing the grass
with a cigar and Black Cherry White
Claws. He loved day-old coffee, raw
hamburger meat, and sunbathing
slathered in Baby Oil.
For more than 50 years Martin was a pillar of the
Phoenix business community. He founded Copper
State Bolt & Nut Co. in 1972, now with more than 600
employees that he considered family. He has been
active in local philanthropy as part of The Thunderbirds
and in support of Arizona State University and St. Francis
Catholic School. He has always been recognizable at
Cardinal and Sun Devil games in his big maroon bus or
serving Thunder Dogs at the Phoenix Open.
Martin would say that he had lived the American
dream. His impact and legacy on his family, his
community, and all of those he knew and worked with will
never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St.
Francis Xavier Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona,
SFX Elementary School, 4715 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ
85012.
ROBERT MARTIN CALFEE III

164
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED FASTENERS from page 162
Broken Punches
When a punch pin that forms internal recesses or
head markings break or chip, they are unable to completely
form the desired feature. If this occurs with the internal
recess pin the result is a recess with an obstruction that
will not allow the driver bit to enter (Figure 17). When this
occurs with the pin forming the head marking the result is
a partially or entirely obliterated marking.
FIGURE 15: UNDERFILLED HEX CORNERS
More commonly though the part is unable to fill out
sharp corners because of air or oil that is trapped in
the die. These fluids are incompressible, so if they are
unable to be evacuated from the die, they simply prevent
the material to fill that space resulting in an underfilled
position on the part (Figure 15 and Figure 16).
Thread Rolling Flaws
Like forming there are a variety of flaws that can
occur during thread rolling. Most of these are a function
of the set-up of the machines used to roll the threads or
the tooling not functioning properly. Three of the more
interesting flaws are thread laps, sliders, and piping.
Thread Laps
The most common and problematic of thread flaws are
thread laps. There are a variety of reasons for the creation
of thread laps, but most commonly it is a failure of proper
die set-up. Other causes though include improper die
design, blanks not presented true and square to the roll
die, slippage of the blank, or cross nicks that have been
manually added by a roller operator.
FIGURE 14: EXAMPLE OF BROKEN HEAD ALONG AN ADIABATIC
SHEAR BAND
FIGURE 17: EXAMPLE OF SCREW WITH FILLED RECESS FROM A
BROKEN PUNCH
CONTINUED ON PAGE 166

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE BED BUILD - AUGUST 18, 2024

166
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED FASTENERS from page 164
The most common cause, however, is misalignment of
the dies at set-up. Figure 18 shows three images. The top
and bottom image illustrate a part that has been jogged
only a single rotation in the die. As such we can clearly
see the contribution of the two dies. In the top image it
is clearly evident that the threads being rolled by the left
die (top half of the image) are not aligned with the threads
being rolled by the right-hand die (bottom of the image).
Where the two come together it is clear that they do not
meet and there is a small web separating the two. The
middle image represents one additional turn of the thread
in the top image. As the die pushes deeper into the part it
breaks through that web so that the two thread halves are
FIGURE 19: TYPICAL THREAD LAP
now connected. However, that web is not fused with the
thread flank but rather laps over leaving an obvious and
undesirable discontinuity (Figure 19). The bottom image
illustrates what results from proper alignment. In this case
no thread lap will be formed. The location and nature of
the thread lap typically defines whether it is acceptable or
not. However, in fatigue critical applications, thread laps
are particularly dangerous because they will always be
a weakness relative to fatigue. It is for this reason that
many aerospace and internal engine parts are not allowed
to have thread laps.
For a part to properly thread roll, it must freely rotate
in the die over the entire length of the die. If it fails to
grip in the die and begins to slide rather than rotate, the
result is catastrophic. Figure 20 illustrates a part that slid
through the die. Such parts commonly exhibit a hook at
the end. This is because when they slide through the die,
they often do not come off the end and are drawn back
into the die as the die returns to its starting position to
begin a new cycle.
FIGURE 18: IMAGES SHOWING HOW A THREAD LAP IS FORMED
FIGURE 20: TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF A “SLIDER”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 167

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 167
The Pacific-West Fasterner Association
is pleased to annouce it’s recent scholarship
winners.
Congratulations to
the 2024 Hy Schatz
Memorial Scholarship
Winner, Rory Gallagher,
Regional Sales Director
for Industrial Threaded
Products!
The Hy Schatz
Memorial Scholarship
Fund is pleased to offer a scholarship
for Fastener Training Week (valued
at $2,800), produced by the
Fastener Training Institute®.
Congratulations to the 2024
Pac-West Fastener Training Week
Scholarship Winner, Josh Glaser,
National Sales Manager for Empire
Bolt & Screw!
The Pac-West Fastener Training Week
Scholarships cover the tuition to attend Fastener
Training Week.
The Pacific-West Fastener Association is
pleased to offer a scholarship for Fastener
Training Week (valued at $2,800), produced by
the Fastener Training Institute®.
Only employees of Pac-West member
companies are eligible.
The scholarship is for tuition only for any
Fastener Training Week in 2025 or 2026, and
does not include expenses for travel, lodging, or
meals.
If you would like more information
about Pac-West and its activities,
contact them at 3020 Old Ranch
Parkway #300, Seal Beach CA 90740,
Tel: 562-799-5509, Fax: 562-684-
0695. You can email them at: info@
pac-west.org or visit them online at
www.pac-west.org.
LAURENCE CLAUS RECOGNIZING COMMON FLAWS IN COLD HEADED FASTENERS from page 166
One of the most intriguing rolling flaws is piping. This
rarely occurs on 60° thread forms, like unified series
and metric threads. It occurs more often on spaced
threads with profile angles less than 45°, like might be
found on some designs for thread forming into plastic
or wood. Piping occurs when the part is over rolled
(heavy pressure exerted) to fill out the sharp thread tips.
Material is stripped from the center leaving a void or pipe
(Figure 21). A part is this condition is weaker and subject
to premature torsional failure during assembly.
FIGURE 21: EXAMPLE OF SCREW WITH PIPING
Summary
There are many other flaws that occur with fasteners
that have not been introduced here. Having a knowledge
of some of the more common flaws, however, can
significantly speed up troubleshooting and improve the
understanding that user and supplier have with one
another.
LAURENCE CLAUS

MWFA FSTNR WEEK ’24
71st
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING - AUGUST 21, 2024

advertisers index
A
ACS MANUFACTURING, INC 117
Formed spring steel fasteners
Tel (888) NUTS-R-US
Email: info@acsmanufacturing.com
ALBANY STEEL & BRASS 49
Specialty Tapping Screws - Swageform®
Tel (312) 733-1900
Email: sales@albanysteel.com
ALFA TOOLS ® 97
High quality industrial cutting tools, fastener
drive tools, files, wire wheels/brushes, and
abrasives.
Tel (800) 253-2532
Email: sales@alfatools.com
ALL AMERICA THREADED PRODUCTS 57
One of the USA’s leading manufacturers
and distributors of Threaded Rod and Stud
products, U-Bolts and Anchor Bolts.
Tel (800) 354-3330
Email: info@aatprod.com
ALL AMERICAN WASHER WERKS 74
Quality producers of washers and stampings
Tel (847) 566-9091
Email: sales@washerwerks.com
ALPHA-GRAINGER MFG. CO. 25
Electronic hardware, captive screws,
shoulder screws, spacers & standoffs
Tel (508) 520-4005
www.agmi.com
ALUMINUM FASTENER SUPPLY 82, 83
The only exclusive aluminum fastener
supplier of made in the USA products. 6,500
line items in stock with same day shipping.
It’s all we do!
Tel (800) 526-0341
Email: info@alumfast.com
AMERICAN BELLEVILLE 51
Belleville Washers, Belleville Springs,
Disc Springs, Flange Washers, precisionmachined
custom components. Stamping,
CNC lathe and mill machining, grinding, heat
treating.
Tel (440) 721-8350
Email: lriga@AmericanBelleville.com
AMERICAN IMPERIAL SCREW CORP. 89
Push on hats, push on bolt retainers,
locknuts, self-treading locknuts and
washers, regular washer locknuts, push-on
retainer fasteners and wing nuts, adhesives
and metal anchors.
Tel (800) 431-2391
Email: sales@discountscrews.com
AMPG
INSIDE BACK COVER
Domestic manufacturer of shoulder screws,
button head sex bolts, flat head sex bolts,
prairie bolts, non-standard flat washers, and
machined specialties from stock.
Tel (317) 472-9000
Email: sales@ampg.com
B
BAY SUPPLY 3
Have you joined Bay Supply’s Marketplace
Yet? Join the 400+ Manufacturers and
Distributors already connecting with 44,000
Sourcing Professionals FOR FREE! We’ve
developed the most powerful RFQ software
application available in our industry. Join
today!
Tel (800) 718-8818
Email: help@baysupply.com
BRADLEY COATINGS 93
Our proprietary applications of thread
lockers, sealants and nylon patches are
renowned for their effectiveness and
reliability. We use brand names you can
trust including Loctite Driloc and 3M Scotch-
Grip, Precote, all applied in our quality
assured processes.
Tel (800) 201-7381
Email: coatingpros@bradleygoc.com
BRIGHTON-BEST INTERNATIONAL
OUTSIDE BACK COVER
Socket & square head set screws, hex
keys, L-Nine products, Grade 8 hex head,
shoulder bolts, pipe plugs, dowel springs,
nuts & metrics, hand tools and a full line of
stainless products.
Tel (800) 275-0050
www.brightonbest.com
BRIKKSEN STAINLESS 73
Full line of stainless-steel inch and metric.
Tel (800) 962-1614
Email: sales@brikksen.com
C
CARVER ENGINEERING 101
Fastener testing and consultation. With
13 dedicated in-house labs and external
partners, we have your needs covered.
Tel (619) 204-1543
Email: carmenv@carverem.com
THE CENTER FOR FINANCIAL,
LEGAL & TAX PLANNING, INC. 127
Thinking of buying, selling or transferring
your business? The center is the one-stop
shop for all of your business needs.
Tel (618) 997-3436
Email: rbasi@taxplanning.com
CHICAGO HARDWARE & FIXTURE CO. 135
Mfrs of Wire Rope and Chain Fittings,
Industrial and Marine Hardware and Allied
Products
Tel (847) 455-6609
Email: info@chicagohardware.com
COMPONENT PACKAGING 141
Kitting, hand packaging, and assembly. We
are passionate about packaging - it’s what
we do!
Tel (417) 624-9395
Email: nickm@componentpackaging.com
COMPUTER INSIGHTS 19, 111
The Business Edge – The simple solution
with a proven step-by-step method for
unlocking your fastener company’s
potential.
Tel (800) 539-1233
Email: sales@ci-inc.com
CRAFTECH INDUSTRIES, LLC. 99
Providing high performance plastic solutions
for your prints, parts and engineering
problems for over 50 years. Product design,
engineering, prototyping and manufacturing.
Proudly made in the USA.
Tel (800) 833-5130
Email: info@craftechind.com
CRESCENT MANUFACTURING 55
Over 60 years of manufacturing expertise in
the field of miniature screws and miniature
fasteners, Crescent offers distributors an
established source for Aerospace, Military,
Commercial, and Special Engineered needs.
Tel (860) 673-5983
Email: sales@crescentmanufacturing.com

advertisers index
D
DARLING BOLT 173
Supplier of US, metric and stainless-steel
fasteners including nuts, bolts, screws, washers,
assortments and specialty auto body fasteners.
Tel (800) 882-0747
Email: sales@darlingbolt.com
DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 175
Tel (800) 356-1639
Email: tracey@linkmagazine.com
E
E & T FASTENERS, INC 109
Molded, machined, and stamped plastic
fasteners - Uts, bolts, washers - Kynar, Teflon,
PVC, Nylon, and Polypropylene. Low minimums.
Tel (800) 650-4707
Email: eric@fastenercomponents.com
EDSON MANUFACTURING, INC. 2
The Distributor’s Source supplying high
quality rivets for 60 years!
Tel (203) 879-2529
Email: CustomerService@edsonmfg.com
EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE 121
Fast and efficient testing solutions.
Delivering excellence, on-time.
Tel (619) 736-7872
www.expeditetest.com
E-Z LOK 87
Your single-source supplier of threaded
inserts used in metal, plastic, wood, and
additive products.
Tel: (800) 234-5613
www.ezlok.com
F
FALL RIVER MFG CO., INC. 27
Mfrs of Stainless steel & non-ferrous fasteners
Tel (800) 275-6991
Email: sales@fallrivermfg.com
FASCOMP ELECTRONIC HARDWARE 129
Male-female standoffs, female standoffs,
male-male standoffs, spacers, shoulder
screws, captive screws, thumbscrews, swage
standoffs and spacers, handles and ferrules.
Tel (407) 226-2112
Email: sales@fascomp.com
FASTAR, INC. 47
Coiled and Slotted spring pins, dowel pins,
cotter pins, taper pins, grooved & special
pins
Tel (845) 369-7990
Email: fastar@optonline.net
FASTENER WEBSITE LINKS 136
FCH SOURCING NETWORK 133
(Tel) 877-332-7836
Email: eric@fastenersclearinghouse.com
FORD FASTENERS, INC. 15
Celebrating 60 years of providing 410
stainless steel screws, sheet metal screws,
self-drilling screws, self-piercing screws, and
EPDM bonded sealing washers.
Tel (800) 272-3673
Email: info@fordfasteners.com
G
GF&D SYSTEMS 71
‘One-stop’ for grease fittings and
accessories. Couplers and hose whips,
grease fitting caps, grease guns, custom
designed fittings, assortments, private
labeling, custom kitting.
Tel (800) 360-1318
Email: sales@gfdsystems.com
GLOBALFASTENERNEWS.COM 159
GOEBEL FASTENERS, INC.
FRONT COVER, 7, 16
Innovative fastener solutions: blind rivets,
self-tapping/drilling screws, toggles,
strapping, wing seals, tools & safety and
insulation accessories.
Tel (713) 393-7007
Email: sales@goebelfasteners.com
GRAPHIKA CREATIVE 169
Marketing solutions tailored for the Fastener
Industry. Web, digital, email marketing,
exhibitions, point of sale and corporate
branding. Graphika - your off-site, in-house
comprehensive marketing department.
Tel (224) 489-9533
Email: lee@graphikacreative.com
GREENSLADE & COMPANY, INC. 141
Fastener inspection equipment, innovative
gage design, and dimensional calibration.
Tel (817) 870-8888
Email: sales@greensladeandcompany.com
GROWERMETAL USA, LLC. 63
The American branch of a leading European
washer manufacturer since 1950, provides
standard washers (ASME, AREA standards)
and customized special blanked parts.
Tel (440) 773-4948
Email: info@growermetal-usa.com
H
HANGER BOLT & STUD CO 119
USA Hanger bolts, studs, dowel screws, pins.
Tel (800) 537-7925
Email: sales@hangerbolt.com
HANSON RIVET & SUPPLY CO. 95
Rivets, threaded inserts, riveting tools,
riveting machines, washers
Tel (800) 777-4838
I
ICS FLANGE 41
Stocks flange bolts and nuts in Grade 5, 8,
8.8 and 10.9 in steel and stainless in any
finish.
Tel (800) 231-0360
Email: matt.daleiden@
innovativecomponentsales.com
INDUSTRIAL RIVET & FASTENER CO. 53
One name, one number, one source for
rivets and RivetKing® FreeSet Series.
Tel (800) BUY-RIVET
Email: info@rivet.com
INTEGRATED PACKAGING 55
Parts are electronically counted, heatsealed
in our poly-bags, and labeled with
identification information on every bag, with
accurate optical counting mechanisms and
printers for SKUs.
Tel (847) 439-5730
Email: sales@integratedpack.com

advertisers index
I
INTERCORP 1
Your expert-grade fastener supplier for the
professional advantage. Premium self-drilling,
drywall, needle-point, pole gripper, stainless
steel, outdoor, concrete, cement board,
woodworking and special application.
Tel (800) 762-2004
www.intercorpusa.com
INTERNATIONAL FASTENERS, INC. 121
Daggerz construction fasteners. Self-drill,
drywall, deck, wood, concrete, clip, needle
point screws, post frame and aluminum
industry screws, EDPM bonded washers, bits &
threaded rod.
Tel (888) 241-0203
Email: sales@daggerz.com
INxSQL SOFTWARE 33
Full-featured, easy-to-use ERP distribution
software designed and optimized for the
Fastener Industry.
Tel (877) 446-9775
Email: sales@inxsql.com
ISC – INTERCONTINENTAL SALES 39
Fastener and Building Related Products.
Same day shipping, free private labeling, no
minimums
Tel (800) 741-4278
Email: info@isc-sales.com
J
J. LANFRANCO FASTENER SYSTEMS, USA 107
Manufacturer of self-locking nuts, t-bolts,
and other safety critical hardware. Available
in carbon steel, stainless steel and exotics.
DFAR compliant. 40 years of experience and
trusted worldwide.
Tel (855) 694-3250
www.jlanfranco.com
K
KEN FORGING 21
Domestic manufacturer of eyebolts, nut
eyebolts, rod ends, turnbuckles & fittings,
eye nuts, pad eyes, D-rings, c-clamps &
screws, swivel hoist ring. Custom forgings up
to 250 lbs.
Tel (888) 536-3674
Email: sales@kenforging.com
KINTER 69
X-mas tree clips, binder posts and screws,
binder rings, steel barrel bolts and screws,
wall anchors.
Tel (800) 323-2389
Email: sales@kinter.com
L
LELAND INDUSTRIES INC 115
Manufacturer of bolts, nuts, screws in
carbon or stainless. Custom threading and
specials. U-Bolts and Anchors.
Tel (800) 263-3393
Email: info@lelandindustries.com
LOK-MOR, INC. 35
America’s leading made-to-stock
manufacturer of commercial-grade locknuts,
servicing the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and all
overseas markets. We manufacture more
than 20 different types of locknuts, and we
continue to develop and manufacture new
standard locknuts, along with a variety of
specialty fastener designs.
Tel (800) 843-7230
Email: sales@lok-mor.com
M
BRUNO MARBACHER 161
With over 40 years of experience in the
fastener industry, and a recently retired
Director of Application Engineering, Bruno
is available to assist and resolve critical and
lingering fastening/assembly/quality issues.
Email: brunomarbacher4@gmail.com
MAR-BRO MANUFACTURING 37
Domestic manufacturer of standards,
specials, MS and NAS fasteners.
Specializing in A286, 12 pt flange and hex
flange fasteners.
Tel (602) 278-8197
Email: sales@mar-bro.com
MEHTA TRADING INTERNATIONAL 113
The complete MILL stainless fastener source.
Tel (972) 642-1012
Email: corp@mehtati.com
METRIC & MULTISTANDARD 13
Providing quality metric industrial products
and exceptional customer service since 1963
Tel (800) 431-2792
MW INDUSTRIES, INC – TEXAS 59
Washers, special fasteners, and metal
stamping for over 45 years. ISO 9001:2015
certified.
Tel (800) 875-3510
Email: sales@mwindustries.com
N
NORTH EAST FASTENERS (NEF) 11
AS9100 certified, supplying IFI, ANSI, MS,
NAS, NASM, AN, DIN, JIS, JCIS high quality
fasteners for commercial, military and
aerospace.
Tel (860) 589-3242
Email: nef@nef1.com
P
PERFECTION CHAIN 85
Largest producer of weldless chain
products in North America as well as
a prime distributor of welded chain,
chain assemblies, and wire rope used in
numerous industries and applications.
Tel (888) 856-4864
Email: info@perfectionchain.com
PIVOT POINT 75
Pins - clevis, cotter pins, quick release,
locking - wire rope lanyards, stock and
specials and award-winning inventions
Tel (800) 222-2231
Email: mail@pivotpins.com
R
RHS STAINLESS 143
Stocking a full range of domestic/DFARS
stainless pitch diameters and standard
diameters. Non-standard and custom
lengths are also available. Supplying
nationwide.
Tel (610) 997-7604
Email: sales@rhsstainless.com
W.J. ROBERTS CO. 79
Spacers and standoffs. Hex and rounds
3/16 to 5/8 diameter. Standoffs in brass,
aluminum, steel and stainless steel.
Tel (781) 233-8176
Email: sales@wjroberts.com

advertisers index
R
ROTOR CLIP 31
The only manufacturer of every style of
Retaining Ring (tapered section, constant
section, spiral rings). Wave Springs and
Self-Compensating Hose Clamps. We offer
a full line of inch, metric, DIN, ANSI and
JIS parts. Also support assembly through
installation tooling, including applicators,
pliers, dispensers, and automated assembly
equipment available.
Tel (732) 469-7333
Email: info@rotorclip.com
R&R ENGINEERING CO. 77
Largest U.S. Manufacturer of U-Bolts, Bent
Bolts, and Threaded Products.
Tel (800) 979-1921
Email: sales@randrengineering.com
S
SEMS AND SPECIALS 91
Your trusted source for sems and specials
since 1991. A cold forming manufacturer
of fasteners, we offer a diverse portfolio of
products ranging from standard commercial
fasteners to custom specials and ending
with Class II military hardware.
Tel (800) 888-7367
Email: sales@semsandspecials.com
SHEAR-LOC PRODUCTS 61
The original instant thumbscrews. The
ultimate socket head cap screw accessory.
Over 5000 combinations. Inch and Metric.
Tel (800) 775-5668
Email: sales@shear-loc.com
SPIROL 65
Coiled and Slotted Spring Pins, Solid
Pins, Disc Springs, Alignment Dowels and
Bushings, Spacers, Compression Limiters,
Threaded Inserts and Shims.
Tel (800) 321-4679
Email: info@spirol.com
STAR STAINLESS SCREW CO. 29
Sockets, screws, nuts, bolts, washers, rod,
pins, full line of mil-spec fasteners and
more. Star Stainless is a division of Lindfast
Solutions Group.
Tel (630) 595-3440
www.starstainless.com
SUBSCRIPTION FORM 125
SUNCO INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. 43
One of Japan’s leading master distributors, with
a limitless inventory of fasteners and supplies.
With a reliable supply chain in place, we provide
any type of product, any time. With our 3Q Net
online store, search 2 million products and let
us fulfill all your metric fastener needs! FREE
SHIPPING ON ALL INTERNATIONAL ORDERS
SEPT 1 – NOV 30, 2024!
Tel +81-6-6539-3560
Email: export@sunco.co.jp
SUPERIOR WASHER & GASKET CORP. 23
Your “single source supplier” for Made in
the USA washer and gasket products for the
last 50 years.
Tel (631) 273-8282
Email: swg@superiorwasher.com
T
TAMPER-PRUF SCREW, INC. 45
Leader in Security Screws since 1974.
Tel (562) 531-9340
Email: sales@tamperpruf.net
TORTOISE FASTENER CO. 151
Slow moving hex heads. Stainless, brass, silicon
bronze, aluminum, nickel-copper and alloy 20 hex.
Tel (800) 691-8894
TUTTLE MANUFACTURING 171
Anchors, bent bolt specials, spade bolts,
acme threaded bars.
Tel (847) 381-7713
Email: tuttlemfg@gmail.com
U
UC COMPONENTS 81
Clean-Critical Fastener and Seal Solutions.
HV, UHV, Cleanroom Ready Fasteners and
seals. RediVac® clean-packaged screws and
O-rings. Custom products and prototypes.
Tel (408) 782-1929
Email: sales@uccomponents.com
UMETA OF AMERICA 157
Lubrication equipment, grease fittings and
accessories line. Made in Germany for over 80
years. OEM quality and ISO 9001 certified.
Tel (704) 966-0724
Email: usa@umeta.com
UNICORP 105
Manufacturer of electronic hardware,
fasteners and handles since 1971.
Tel (973) 674-1700
Email: sales@unicorpinc.com
V
VIRGINIA FASTENERS 135
Specializing in HDG timber, hex, carriage,
lag bolts, tie rods, nuts and washers.
Tel (800) 368-3430
Email: sales@vafasteners.com
VOLT INDUSTRIAL PLASTICS, INC.
INSIDE FRONT COVER
US made plastic fasteners, all types &
quantities, custom molding since 1992.
Over 100 million parts in stock.
Tel (800) 844-8024
Email: sales@voltplastics.com
W
WESTERN WIRE 9
Your source for Standard and Specialized
Wire Fasteners. Cotter Pins, Hitch Pins,
S-Hooks, V-Hooks, Spring Pins, Safety
Pins, D-Rings, Key Rings, King Clips, and
Perforated Hanger Bar.
Tel (800) 325-3770
Email: sales@westernwire.com
WILLIE WASHER MFG. 147
Domestic manufacturer of fender, spring,
tab and flat washers,
Tel (847) 956-1344
Email: sales@williewasher.com
X
XL SCREW CORPORATION 39
Importer of standard fasteners - hex cap
screws, bolts, nuts, locknuts, sheet metal
screws, self-drilling screws, washers and
anchors, metrics and mill shipments.
Over 14,000 imported products in stock.
America’s finest quality imported threaded
fasteners since 1968.
Tel (800) 323-7367
Email: xlw@xlscrew.com