WINTER 2025

In the Winter 2025 issue of

6 DISTRIBUTOR NEWS

8 PREVAILING TORQUE FASTENERS

Laurence Claus

10 WHAT FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT REPLACING WHEEL HARDWARE

Guy Avellon

12 DUCTILITY TESTING

Larry Borowski

14 THE “5-STAR” WAREHOUSE: THE PEOPLE

SEASON 1, EPISODE 2

Robert Footlik

16 [COVER STORY] AMPG: HOW TO REVIVE THE

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES

Bradley Vaughn

26 UNTHREADED: AI REALITY CATCHES UP WITH THE HYPE –

PRACTICAL FASTENER INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

Eric Dudas

28 GOOGLE TO THE WORLD: THESE COOKIES DON’T CRUMBLE

Joe Dysart

30 FASTENER SCIENCE: BASIC INSPECTION FOR

QUALITY CONTROL

Rob LaPointe

32 OUTSIDE SALES AND OVERTIME – STATUS UNDER

THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT

Jim Truesdell

34 2024 IS IN THE BOOKS! WHAT LIES AHEAD?

Chris Donnell

36 SELF-DIRECTED IRA FOR REAL ESTATE

Roman Basi

38 EXCITING MILESTONE FOR INTEGRATED PACKAGING &

FASTENER INC.

40 PRICING PRESSURES AND MARGIN BATTLES:

HOW DISTRIBUTION LEADERS ARE FIGHTING BACK

Nelson Valderrama

42 LOCKING EFFECTIVENESS OF THREAD FORMING SCREW &

DESIGN MEASURES TO PREVENT PRELOAD LOSS

Bruno Marbacher

44 FASTENER TRAINING INSTITUTE: TRAINING FOR

EVERY LEVEL OF EMPLOYEE

Jo Morris

46 FASTENER TOOL & SUPPLY: YOUR SUPPLY

CHAIN PARTNER

Dennis Cowhey, Computer Insights

48 DEMYSTIFYING MONOBOLT RIVETS AND THEIR

INSTALLATION TOOLS

Mikel Eichinger

50 IFE 2024 – WELCOME PARTY PHOTOS

52 WHY ISO 14001 IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE

FASTENER INDUSTRY

Scott Mersch

54 MFDA: THE BIGGER YOU ARE, THE MORE

PROTECTION YOU NEED

Rob Rundle

56 REGISTRATION OPENS FOR STAFDA’S 2025 EXCELLENCE

IN DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

Georgia H. Foley, CEO

58 THE BEST OF IFE 2024: TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM THE

FASTENER INDUSTRY’S PREMIER EVENT

59 IFE 2024 – SHOW PHOTOS

60 INTERCORP: ANNOUNCING THE NEW STRONG TIMBER

FAMILY OF FASTENERS

62 GROWERMETAL: A YEAR OF INNOVATION FOR

THE FASTENER INDUSTRY

64 FASTENER FAIR USA IS HEADING TO NASHVILLE!

64 SFA SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE BED BUILD PHOTOS

66 SPIROL: HOW TO MATE COMPRESSION LIMITERS &

THREADED INSERTS IN PLASTIC ASSEMBLIES

Christie Jones

68 INTRODUCING THE NEWLY PATENTED TIGER

TOOTH FASTENER

Ed Ingalls, Inventor

69 BEACON FASTENERS AND COMPONENTS RECEIVES

INAUGURAL WÜRTH INDUSTRIES AWARD

volume 48 // issue #1

72 J. LANFRANCO FASTENER SYSTEMS CELEBRATES

50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

72 CARL SPACKMAN ELECTED PAC-WEST PRESIDENT

Amy Nijjar

74 GOEBEL’S WORLD RIVETING CONGRESS SUCCESSFULLY

LAUNCHES ‘MADE IN GERMANY’ FACTORY

76 MWFA CELEBRATES ITS 2024 HALL OF FAME &

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Francesca Lewis

80 NEW STAFDA OFFICERS ANNOUNCED

Georgia H. Foley, CEO

80 MAFDA: THE 2024 EDUCATION DINNER

Natalie Barr

84 STAFDA 48TH ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW PHOTOS

Courtesy of Rosa Hearn

86 E-Z LOK SET TO UNVEIL INSERT AND TORQUE OUT

TESTING EQUIPMENT

109 SUBSCRIPTION FORM

111 BRIGHTON-BEST IFE 2024 COCKTAIL PARTY PHOTOS

118 2024 HAS BEEN GOOD TO THE NCFA

Mike Robinson

122 FASTENER INDUSTRY WEB LINKS

130 ENGAGE WITH NFDA MEMBERS IN 2025!

Amy Nijjar

131 NFDA 2024 EXECUTIVE SUMMIT PHOTOS

133 SEFA TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025

Nancy Rich

142 SFA ENJOYS THE SEASON OF GIVING

Becky Buddenbohn

145 YFP AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP FOR FASTENER TRAINING WEEK

152 PAC-WEST SPRING CONFERENCE AND TABLE TOP SHOW

Amy Nijjar

159 DON’T MISS THE BIG SPRING SHOW ISSUE

6 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK

BTM Manufacturing a domestic custom

manufacturer, is pleased to announce the

addition of all territories for the well-respected

manufacturer’s representative, Wing-Hamlin

Company, Inc.

Wing-Hamlin Company, Inc. headquartered in

Elmhurst, IL was established in 1990 by Terry Wing

and Mike Hamlin and services Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,

Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota,

South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The Wing-Hamlin

team is eager to offer BTM’s products and services

to their customers throughout the Midwest.

“With the retirement of Kevin Booth Sales, it

was imperative for BTM Manufacturing to partner

with one of the top Manufacturer Rep Agencies

in the fastener industry. The addition of Wing-

Hamlin’s staff and territories allows us to provide

even greater value to our customers. We are

excited about the opportunity to serve Wing

Hamlin’s clients with the same level of excellence

as we strive to provide to our customers,” said

Jake Davis, CFS, BTM Manufacturing President.

The Wing-Hamlin Value Proposition of Integrity,

Communication and Professionalism aligns well

with BTM’s Commitment to Service. Wing-Hamlin

invests in developing and maintaining strong

relationships with suppliers and is always ready

to provide the highest levels of quality and service

available. “Wing-Hamlin is excited to work with

the BTM Team and looks for growth through the

wonderful relationships we have in this great

industry,” Cory Wing, Partner.

With this addition in territories for Wing-

Hamlin, BTM is positioned to provide even more

comprehensive solutions for customers in industries

such as construction, automotive, agriculture, and

industrial equipment manufacturing.

BTM Manufacturing is a premier provider of

custom manufacturing solutions, offering a wide

range of products designed to meet the specific

needs of its customers.

For more information contact BTM Manufacturing

by Tel: 1-800-369-2658, Email: sales@btm-mfg.com

or visit them online at www.btm-manufacturing.com.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

AFC Industries is pleased to announce the

appointment of Jim Henning as the new Vice

President of Sales for the AFC Tooling Group. With

over 35 years of experience in the tooling and

manufacturing industry, Jim brings a wealth of

knowledge and expertise from leading companies

such as Walter, Kennametal, Widia, and most

recently, Dapra.

In his new role, Jim will oversee key strategic

initiatives within the AFC Tooling Group. Jim will

focus on aligning marketing and sales strategies

to drive revenue growth, while also leading efforts

to expand AFC’s customer base through business

development. Additionally, Jim will work with the

executive team on pricing strategy and contract

compliance to support overall sales objectives.

Tom Hagarty, President of the AFC Tooling

Group, commented on the appointment: “We are

excited to welcome Jim to our leadership team.

His extensive experience in the tooling industry

and proven track record of driving growth makes

him a perfect fit for AFC Tooling Group. Jim’s

leadership will be instrumental as we continue to

strengthen relationships with key customers and

pursue new opportunities in the marketplace.”

Jim will be working closely with Jim Terry and

the sales teams from PF Markey and Cline Tool

to drive sales development and support ongoing

business growth initiatives.

AFC Tooling Group is a leading provider of

tooling solutions, specializing in delivering highquality

products and services to industries across

North America. With a commitment to innovation,

customer satisfaction, and operational excellence,

AFC Tooling Group continues to be a trusted partner

for businesses in the manufacturing sector.

For more information about AFC Industries visit

them online at www.afcind.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.

PREVAILING TORQUE FASTENERS

At 8:37p.m. on the evening of July 13, 1977, a

lightning strike to a power substation feeding New York

City would trigger one of the most epic power outages in

modern history. The first lightning strike would be followed

by a second about twenty minutes later that would result

in a cascading procession of equipment shutdowns which

would deprive much of New York City of power for almost

twenty-five hours. Although no fatalities were credited to

the power outage, massive looting occurred leaving 550

policeman injured, 4500 looters arrested, and upwards of

$300,000,000.00 in damages and losses.

In the aftermath of the event, the U.S. Department

of Energy’s Regulatory Commission Task Force would

conclude that, “[the root cause of the outage was from]

equipment malfunctions preventing the proper automatic

restoration to service of three of the four lines struck, and

leading directly to loss of additional transmission circuits,

resulting from a loose lock nut on a control rod of a circuit

breaker and a bent contact on a protective relay, both at

the Millwood West Substation.” A couple penny nut was

responsible for all of this chaos.

The word “lock nut” or “locking fastener” is a little bit

of a misnomer. It leads one to believe that the use of such

a fastener indefinitely secures the joint in its intended state.

In other words, if the joint is designed to provide a specific

amount of clamping load, the word “locking” suggests that

the fastener is able to assure that such the clamp load is not

lost. Unfortunately, most “locking” fasteners do not deliver

such desirable performance, but rather only provide some

degree of safety against self-loosening and fastener loss.

Self-loosening is a complex problem which experts are

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

still trying to fully explain. However, Bickford states that

“Everyone agrees that a threaded fastener will not loosen

unless the friction forces existing between male and female

threads are either reduced or eliminated by some external

mechanism acting on the bolt and joint.” Furthermore,

self-loosening only occurs if cyclic, transverse loads (like

those subjected by vibration) are present and there is slip

between the mating threads or the contact surface.

There are many fastened joints where preloads are low

or non-existent. The late fastener expert Bengt Blenduff

used to refer to these fasteners as “place keepers”. Even

though these joints are less demanding, he reminded users

that keeping them intact and in-place was often critical to

the performance of the product they were applied in. Thus,

having options to prevent self-loosening is important and

has spawned an entire class of fasteners.

These fasteners fall into one of two categories;

“locking fasteners” and “prevailing torque fasteners”. A

locking fastener is one that contains a pre-applied adhesive

or mechanical means (such as a drilled hole and cotter

pin, mechanical tab washers, or locking wire) to prevent

the fastener from moving or retain it in-place. On the other

hand, a Prevailing Torque Fastener is one that provides

or generates some form of interference between mating

threads to withstand or prevent disassembly that results

from ordinary vibration. According to the IFI’s Glossary of

Fastener Related Terms, Prevailing Torque is the torque

required to overcome kinetic friction of the mating threads,

plus the torque required to overcome the locking feature

when 100% of the locking feature is engaged and a

fastener is not seated.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 88

10


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 REPLACING WHEEL HARDWARE

With the start of the winter season, many will want

to add snow tires or just rotate them to be sure there is

proper tread on the drive wheels. However, tires aren’t

the only items that may require replacement. Wheel studs

and wheel lug nuts may also need to be replaced on a

regular basis.

When analyzing a wheel failure, most all failures

are due to metal fatigue of the wheel stud or stud bolt.

Fatigue can be exacerbated from normal tractive loads

and bending to prying loads from cornering. All fatigue

failures are a result of losing clamp load. However, the

root cause may come from several sources.

When the clamp loads are lost or reduced and the

service loads exceed the remaining clamp load, the

threads of the fasteners must absorb the excess load. In

time, a stress raiser develops in the thread root causing a

microcrack which grows and propagates through the grain

boundaries of the wheel stud material until a complete

fracture occurs.

The fractures will have the appearance of many fine

parallel lines across a relatively flat and smooth surface,

which are the result of the load cycling and repetitiveness

of the external loads. Even the staccato braking of a

4WD/ABS system can exacerbate a fatigue crack.

Stress cracks will begin at the weakest area on the

wheel stud; the thread run out of the wheel stud, which

is the last incomplete thread towards the head, or at the

first thread outside the nut where the wheel contacts

CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE

the joint surface. The action of metal fatigue may be

compared to the continual flexing of a coat hanger wire

several times until it breaks.

Wheel lug nuts are also susceptible to failure. When

the internal threads of the lug nuts become weakened

from continuous use and from assemblies using high

torque impact guns, the threads lose their strength and

cause the joint connection to lose clamping force. The

internal threads may strip at some time under cornering

loads but the weakened threads will surely cause stress

raisers in the threads of the wheel studs to form metal

fatigue.

There are five major reasons for how the wheel clamp

load is lost; road hazards, rust/corrosion, not retorquing

the wheel lug nuts or stud bolt after remounting the wheel

after driving a minimum of 25 miles, reusing the same lug

nuts after 100,000 miles and incorrect wheel installation.

Road hazards are generally on the right side of the vehicle

in the form of frost heaves, road grates, pot holes,

etc. but will affect the left side when the wheels are

rotated. Impact and shock loads to the wheel will cause

embedment of the wheel lug nut into the wheel boss

surface and affect wheel alignment.

During tire rotations, the wheel is now rotated to

another location. It is common practice for the mechanic

to leave the lug nuts or wheel bolts with the wheel hub

and move the tire to where different wheel lug nuts/bolts

are used that have a different mating seat impression


12


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

DUCTILITY TESTING

Brittle tapping screws can be

problematic for end users. Brittle is

describing the heat treat/material

condition as unyielding, and has no

relationship to Hydrogen Embrittlement.

Imagine using your nut driver to install

a cover onto a casting, and as soon

as you seat the screw, the head snaps

off. Now you have to figure out how to

get that screw out when it is broken off

flush with the surface of the casting.

Luckily, industry experts developed tests years ago

through various consensus standards that give us

guidance on how to test tapping screws before such a

problem occurs. Ductility testing is listed as one of the

performance tests in most tapping screw standards from

ASME to DIN.

Ductility can be generically defined as a solid

material’s ability to deform under tensile stress. When

seating a screw head onto an uneven surface, the head

will have a tendency to conform to that surface. As the

head to shank junction deviates from perpendicular,

one side of the shank is under compression, while the

other side is in tension. It is the side in tension that will

crack and cause separation if the material is not ductile

enough or is found to be too brittle.

It is interesting to note that while many of the

standards utilize the same language, some standards

embellish more details than others. For instance ASME

B18.6.3 states that Head separation shall be cause for

rejection. One might wonder if “head separation” means a

significant crack or complete separation from the shank.

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

DIN 7500 goes on to better qualify the requirement by

stating “The test shall be regarded as satisfactory even

if a crack appears in the first thread, provided the head

does not snap off.” As in all requirements of standards,

it would be helpful to the users of those standards if the

same language was always used. What we should take

away is that separation means complete separation or

breaking into two pieces.

So How Do We Test For Ductility

On Tapping Screws?

[1] Determine what specification the tapping screw

must conform to, as well as what kind of tapping screw

it is. This will provide you with the angle of head to

shank deformation that must be achieved. Most tapping

screw types are required to have the heads bent to a 10

degree angle with the shank. Most Thread Rolling screws

require a 7 degree angle, and most Self Drilling screws

require a 5 degree angle. There are also requirements

of 6 degree, and even up to 30 degrees stated in some

standards.


14


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 PEOPLE

SEASON 1, EPISODE 2

Are The People Around You Capable Of

Perfection?

Perfection starts with the people around you. How

well do you know your staff? Well enough to wish them

“Happy Birthday” once a year, or well enough to know

what is important to them. Are they working for you,

working with you, or performing as a self-run team? What

is their true potential?

Many come to your door after an average school

career. Typically, they managed to maintain a “C” grade

in most subjects and were not stellar students. For them

a job is only a way to pay the bills and buy what they and

their family need to be comfortable. They are actually

a raw canvas awaiting some management artistry to

unlock some new passions.

Let us rejoin the tour that started in Episode 1. As

you may recall, we were upstairs in a conference room

with a large window overlooking the warehouse, and

about to go downstairs, when…

One of the uniformed warehouse staff entered,

excused himself for intruding, addressing us by name,

and spoke to our guide, “Good morning Boss Mike, we

have a problem with the shipping cartons that needs to

be resolved today.”

Mike answered, “What’s going on?”

Bill, wearing a “Shipping Team” shirt answered,

“The latest shipment of cartons has smeared ink and no

one wants to use them. It looks unprofessional and we

only have a three day supply of old boxes on hand.”

Mike replied, “Talk to Mary in purchasing, call the

CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE

vendor and please get this resolved this morning. See

if the carton company will OK sending the bad boxes to

recycling. You are the Boss on this one.”

“Love it!” replied Bill with a huge grin, “On my way now.”

Mike then turned to us and said, “You just witnessed

why our Team performs consistently well. Before we go

downstairs let’s sit down in the “Wellness Room” for a

little backstory.”

Stepping across the hall, we entered what looked

like a cross between a classroom and an infirmary. Mike

explained that it was set up for the bi-monthly family

health day on Saturday. The health insurance carrier

pays nurse practioners to meet with every employee…

and their family… to monitor blood pressure, glucose

and other vital conditions. This is just one of the benefits

5-Star offers to everyone.

The Back Story, How It All Began

“One morning three years ago,” Mike said, “our

CEO’s daughter came to work and hated what she

saw. The place was no worse than the rest of the

neighborhood, and that was definitely not good. The

parking lot was potholed, what little landscaping was

unkempt, littered and worse, the place was beyond

messy. She went straight to her father’s desk and asked

why it had to be this way.”

“Now this was in an open office and most of us

heard the conversation. Sam, her father, reminded her

that his father started the company, and then Sam spent

forty years taking the company this far.


26


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: AI REALITY CATCHES UP WITH THE

HYPE - PRACTICAL FASTENER INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

If there’s a third rail in the world of predominantly

fastener-related media, it must be the subject of artificial

intelligence.

Make no mistake, since AI first began appearing in

headlines, interest shot up as fast as the hype curve

could be fueled by breathless pronouncements on every

website, podcast and social media platform.

Yet, as widespread as the appeal of this magical

new technology seemed to be, the topic could kill a

conversation faster than a cross-threaded bolt assembly

on a Monday morning production line.

I realized this after publishing several podcast

interviews and a couple articles that resulted mostly in

proverbial crickets chirping. Comparing notes with other

content creators, I wasn’t alone.

Run a feature story on AI automation? Offer a

webinar for using AI in the office? Discuss the possible

impact of AI for eliminating hydrogen embrittlement in

our time? OK, that last one might have received a few

facetious remarks, but otherwise you could count on

plenty of crickets as far as discussion or feedback on

your production.

But that changed for us recently after we ran a

couple of conversations that touched deeply on AI

issues on recent episodes of the Fully Threaded Radio

podcast (fullythreaded.com). The segments generated

more discussion and commentary than we’ve seen in

a long while, probably even more than the last Charlie

Kerr episode, to give you an idea. So there was a decent

amount of buzz.

CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE

JR PRAHL OF ONE MONROE KNOWS THAT THE AI POWERED FCH

SCRUBBER WILL MAKE HIS FASTENER DATA CHALLENGE A MUCH

MORE MANAGEABLE PROJECT

During our October special report episode featuring

Würth North America EVP Larry Stevens, we got on the

subject of supply chain technology. This lead us right

to AI. Larry imagines an AI powered future with end to

end data transparency, from raw material producers to

end users. He sees a world of improved efficiencies and

greatly reduced waste. As a result, the enhanced supply

chain will be streamlined, vastly more powerful, and truly

global.


28


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

GOOGLE TO WORLD:

THESE COOKIES DON’T CRUMBLE

Google has once again backed down from its threat

to eliminate third-party cookies from its Chrome browser,

triggering sighs of relief from many fastener distributors

-- and inflamed diatribes from privacy advocates.

Employed by ad tech companies to track where you

go on the Web -- and what you do once you get there

-- cookies have been used since the mid-90s to create a

profile of your Internet buying habits so that goods and

services providers can better target you with advertising.

Due to privacy concerns, Google had recently vowed

to eliminate third-party cookies from its Chrome browser

in 2025.

But as it has already done many times in previous

years, the tech titan has yet again decided to hang onto

the tech for the foreseeable future.

Instead, Google now wants to develop new options

that will enable users of its Chrome browser to easily

opt-out of the tracking cookies.

Anthony Chavez, a Google vice president specializing

in online privacy, says the Internet goliath plans to

“introduce a new experience in Chrome that lets people

make an informed choice that applies across their Web

browsing and they’d be able to adjust that choice at any

time.

“We’re discussing this new path with regulators and

will engage with the industry as we roll this out.”

Not surprisingly, many privacy advocates -- who have

been hounding Google for more than five years to block

ad tech companies from tracking the movements and

CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE

COOKIES -- USED BY ADVERTISERS TO TRACK YOUR EVERY MOVE

ON THE INTERNET -- HAVE BEEN GIVEN YET ANOTHER LIFE BY

GOOGLE.

behaviors of Web users with cookies -- are incensed.

Says Nathalie Maréchal, co-director, privacy and

data project, Center for Democracy & Technology:

“Google’s recent announcement that it will abandon its

plan to phase-out the availability of third-party cookies

in its Chrome browser -- after repeatedly delaying the

implementation of the Privacy Sandbox it first announced

in 2019 -- is a massive disappointment for privacy

advocates.


30


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.

FASTENER SCIENCE:

BASIC INSPECTION FOR QUALITY CONTROL

As a fastener distributor, knowing

that the parts you supply to your

customer are correct in both form and

function is essential to your business’

reputation and success. A simple and

inexpensive quality control inspection

station can greatly reduce the risk of

passing a vendor’s error on to your

customer. Setting up a basic quality

control inspection station is simple and

inexpensive, but the reward for implementing the system

will have a big payoff.

Risk is something all businesses must face. When

we identify and understand these risks, we can develop

and implement mitigation procedures to minimize them.

Risk mitigation is the cornerstone of quality management

systems such as ISO 9001, which require a procedure for

inspecting and approving the receiving of products that

will be sold to your customer as well as supplies that

will be used to produce products you sell. Even if your

company does not have a quality management system,

product inspection is one simple and effective mitigation

procedure that you can adopt.

Every good procedure can be described by a flow chart

that distills all the steps in the procedure down to a list

of simple events that happen in a particular sequence.

Inspection of items received from a vendor should be

at the end of a procurement procedure. It might look

something like Table 1.

If receiving the order from the vendor does not involve

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

TABLE 1 SIMPLIFIED PROCUREMENT FLOWCHART

an inspection to verify if the correct product or supplies

were received, a vendor’s error will likely be passed on to

your customer. As you can imagine, this is not good. Even

the best suppliers will occasionally make mistakes and

send you the wrong items. It is always up to the receiver

of the items to verify their correctness. Do not skip this

step. It is necessary and never a waste of time.

Small companies do not typically have a full-time quality

manager whose responsibility might be to set up and

operate a receiving inspection station. It is not necessary

to have a full-time staff member for this activity. Anyone

in the company can learn to use measuring tools and

to follow a procedure for receipt inspection of products.

It’s that simple. And it’s not expensive either. A budget

of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars will provide

all the tools needed to properly inspect products for

conformance to purchase order requirements.

Let’s set up a small inspection station and supply it

with some basic tools to inspect fastener products for

resale.


32


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”.

OUTSIDE SALES AND OVERTIME - STATUS UNDER

THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT

Distributors and industrial businesses have

traditionally employed outside sales representatives to

keep in close personal contact with customers. While

technology is changing how their form of sales support

is delivered, there will always be the need for someone

who can develop a relationship with the customer with a

periodic visit to understand the nature of problems that

customer faces in his or her business. From a career

growth standpoint it has always been the conventional

wisdom that being a successful outside rep is the ticket to

making more money and increasing your influence in the

organization. Those who bring in the business often have a

unique status within their companies. This is all the more

reason to question the assertions being brought forth in

a case coming before the Supreme Court, E.M.D.Sales

v. Carrera. It deals with a claim for overtime by a worker

who is questioning the employer’s categorization of him

as falling within the “outside sales” overtime exemption

of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It has caught the

attention of numerous business trade associations as

potentially affecting all FSLA exemptions and increasing

liability risk for employers.

The case involves a food products distributor (E.M.D.)

who chose not to pay Carrerra and two other workers who

worked over forty hours in a week where the company

described them as being qualified for the “outside

CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE

salesperson” exemption under the FLSA. The District

court ruled for the employees by finding that E.M.D.

had not proved the exemptions by “clear and convincing

evidence”. This is a departure from the normal civil case

standard of a “preponderance of the evidence” which

has been the test heretofore. When the Fourth Circuit

Court of Appeals confirmed the decision by following its

own precedent it set things up for arguments before the

Supreme Court .

Brian Wild of the National Association of Wholesalers

(NAW) said this has the potential to affect the way outside

salespeople must be paid and noted that other circuits

have only required employers to meet the preponderance

of the evidence standard. NAW’s Legal Policy Center

has filed a friend of the court brief which discusses

who outside salespeople are, why they are important to

wholesaler and other kinds of businesses, and talking

about the complexity of tracking hours worked in the kind

of activities such workers undertake. The brief argues that

FLSA exemptions are key to the functioning of the Act to

the same extent as are its minimum wage and overtime

provisions.

The statute itself clearly states that the test employers

must meet should not be raised to a clear and convincing

evidence standard unless Congress clearly states that in

the law.


THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 33

34


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.

2024 IS IN THE BOOKS! WHAT LIES AHEAD?

2024 saw its fair share of disruptions, but when

trying to compare previous years, I had to go back almost

10 years before I found a market that saw less turmoil

take place. Truth be told, most issues we saw appeared

to be short lived, such as the East and Gulf Coast strikes

and what’s current happening in Canada with the labor

issues. Let’s also not forget the struggles we saw with

both the Suez and Panama Canals.

One reason these issues were short lived could be

due to the fact that they were never really resolved. They

were simply pushed aside to be handled at a later date.

While that might be the case, I generally believe supply

chains have become more efficient and dynamic, allowing

them to adapt quicker to whatever the industry can throw

at it. Today, I will highlight just some of those issues,

some of which are hanging around like a bad penny. I will

also be providing some insight into what we all can expect

coming into 2025.

For those that know me, I specialize in global supply

chain and logistics for the Fasteners Industry. With that

being said, I want to start off with the air freight industry.

While the vast majority of fasteners move by way of

ocean, much like the supply chain is evolving, air freight

is becoming more and more of an option for importers/

exporters - especially with stock-outs, quick buys and

mill product. The air freight industry has also become

vital when the other transportation industry falters. While

small in comparison to ocean industry tonnage, the

CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE

fastener and tool tonnage moved by air is staggering. The

air freight industry is also one of the more stable at the

moment.

While air rates and flight schedules fluctuate quite

frequently, the service itself is very stable. 2024 saw

rates drop to pre-covid levels then reach their highest level

during peak shipping period (August – October. Rates

have started to drop again and should continue in that

direction until late December where we will see imports

quickly increase due to the timing of the Chinese Lunar

New Year. Some of the many changes we saw within the

air industry centered around routings when the airlines

started to eliminate direct flights from some of the world’s

leading airports to the United States. The airlines opted

to switch direct flights to longer multi-stop routes which

helped reduce costs but also maximized the load ability

of each aircraft. This change was due in large part to the

sudden drop off in overall tonnage since the pandemic.

The airlines also started using more and more

passenger planes than in years past when only cargo

aircraft was used. This saved the global air freight carriers

billions in additional costs and allowed the industry to

remain profitable during a down year and half.

For 2024, we saw issues with union contract pilots

and maintenance crews; however, these issues were

resolved quickly with minimal impact to the industry. In

fact, the vast majority of issues stemmed from weather

related issues.


36


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.

SELF-DIRECTED IRA FOR REAL ESTATE

Planning for retirement is a long, and sometimes

tricky process. You have many different options at

your disposal, depending on your employment type and

goals. For those who wish to avoid the volatile stock

market and look for greater diversification with their

investments, such as real estate, a self-directed IRA

(SDI) may be for you.

Self-directed IRAs are required by the IRS to use

an IRA custodian to handle the transactions and

maintain responsibility for record-keeping and reporting

requirements. However, SDIs are independent of any

brokerage, bank, or investment company that would

make decisions for you. As it states in the name (selfdirected),

you can make decisions on what the SDI

invests in.

To invest in real estate with a SDI, you will need to

find the property that you wish to purchase through the

IRA. Once the property is identified, the IRA custodian

makes the transaction on your behalf. The real estate

is then owned by the IRA, with all contracts in the IRAs

name and any income generated from the investment

goes back into the IRA. While it is preferable to buy the

property outright, you can take out a loan that’s secured

by the property itself (non-recourse loan) if the IRA does

not have the funds to do so. However, you will be subject

to unrelated business income tax (UBIT) on any profits

related to the financed portion.

As your IRA does not pay any taxes, you are unable

to take advantage of the deductions that come with

owning real estate. On the bright side, none of the

maintenance or any other associated costs will come out

of your pocket. It is important to keep track of your IRA

balance to ensure that you do not run low on funds to

CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE

pay for costs associated with the property. Remember,

you cannot pay for anything related to the property out of

your pocket, and the IRA contributions are limited.

To properly have an SDI for real estate, the property

must purely be an investment. You cannot use it as

a vacation home, second home, office, or have any

association with a disqualified person. Along with this,

the property cannot be purchased from a disqualified

person as this is called a “self-dealing” transaction

and considered a prohibited transaction. A disqualified

person includes:

¤ You

¤ Your Spouse

¤ Your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents

¤ Your children and their spouse, grandchildren,

and great-grandchildren

¤ Service providers of your IRA

¤ Any entity that owns more than 50% of the property.

It is important to note that you cannot have a hand in

the maintenance of the property. If something needs to

be fixed or repaired on the property, you will need to hire

a contractor or a professional (who is not a disqualified

person) to make the repair. The cost of this would need

to be paid by the IRA. If you were to be a self-proclaimed

“handy man” and fix the property yourself, that would be

considered an untaxable contribution to the IRA.

What happens when/if you decide to sell the

property held in your SDI? You would work out a sales

price, just like any other real estate deal. Once the

terms and purchase price are set, you would have your

custodian sell the property on behalf of the SDI and all

proceeds would go back into your IRA, either tax-deferred

or tax-free, dependent upon the makeup of your IRA.

ROMAN BASI

38


INTEGRATED PACKAGING & FASTENER

690 Hilltop Drive, Itasca, IL 60143

TEL 1-800-807-5510 EMAIL sales@integratedpack.com WEB www.integratedpack.com

EXCITING MILESTONE FOR

INTEGRATED PACKAGING & FASTENER INC.

We are pleased to announce that Integrated

Packaging & Fastener Inc. is taking a significant step

forward in our journey of growth and innovation. This

past fall, we relocated to a brand-new, state-of-the-art

facility spanning 37,000 square feet at 690 Hilltop Drive

Itasca, Illinois, just 20 minutes from O’Hare Airport.

This new location offers not only a prime spot near all

major highways, but also the space and infrastructure

necessary to better serve our customers and meet the

evolving demands of the fastener packaging industry.

Since moving into our current location just five

years ago, our business has seen remarkable growth,

and we’ve quickly outgrown our previous space. The

new facility allows us to continue that trajectory, with

expanded capabilities that will enable us to deliver even

higher quality service, faster turnaround times, and

greater capacity to handle larger and more complex jobs.

What This Means For Our Customers

¤ Increased Capacity & Efficiency: With over 27

workbenches dedicated to running large jobs that our

machines can’t accommodate, our new facility will allow

us to handle a broader range of packaging requirements.

Whether it’s high-volume runs or intricate packaging

needs, we now have the space to execute larger projects

without compromising on speed or precision.

¤ Precision and Accuracy in Packaging: We’ve

always prided ourselves on the meticulous attention

to detail we bring to every order. Our new facility will

continue that tradition, with multiple scale checkpoints

throughout the packaging process to ensure that the

required quantity per bag is accurate—every time. This

level of consistency and precision is part of what sets us

apart in the fastener packaging industry.

¤ Cutting-Edge Equipment & Technology:

In addition to the expanded workspace, we’re also

investing in advanced equipment and technology that

will further enhance our capabilities. Our goal is to stay

ahead of industry trends and continue offering innovative

solutions to our customers as we grow.

BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE

CONTINED ON PAGE 39


INTEGRATED PACKAGING EXCITING MILESTONE from page 38

A Bright Future Ahead

We are excited about what the future holds, not just

for our company, but for the entire fastener industry.

As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence,

we are pleased to announce that our President, Jill

Lewis, has been elected as the new President of

the Midwest Fastener Association (MWFA) Board of

Directors. This prestigious appointment is a testament

to Jill’s leadership, vision, and dedication to the fastener

industry. We wish her and the entire board much success

as they work to guide the industry forward in 2025 and

beyond.

Our expansion, along with Jill’s leadership role,

underscores our commitment to the future of the

fastener packaging industry and our desire to remain at

the forefront of innovation and customer service. We are

excited to continue building lasting relationships with

our clients and partners, and we look forward to the

opportunities our new facility and expanded capabilities

will bring.

Thank You For Your Continued Support

We couldn’t have achieved this level of success

without the trust and support of our customers, partners,

and employees. As we move into this new chapter, we

want to express our deepest gratitude for your continued

business. We are excited to serve you from our new

location, and we look forward to continuing to meet—

and exceed—your fastener packaging needs for years to

come.

Stay tuned for more updates on the additional

capabilities we plan to introduce in the near future.

Together, we are building a brighter future for fastener

packaging!

INTEGRATED PACKAGING & FASTENER

40


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

PRICING PRESSURES AND MARGIN BATTLES: HOW

DISTRIBUTION LEADERS ARE FIGHTING BACK

Today’s distribution landscape faces flattening

markets, intensifying competition, and threatening

tariffs. As the fight to maintain margins has become

increasingly challenging as markets flatten and

competition intensifies, successful distributors are

finding innovative ways to protect profitability while

staying competitive. The answers might surprise you.

In 2016, before the COVID-19 pandemic, global

inflation, and multiple geopolitical disruptions, Deloitte

said, “We are convinced that the next three to five years

will see a marked bifurcation in the industry between

those visionary distributors who chart a new course

for their businesses (distributors of the future) and

those who are constrained by orthodoxies and whose

businesses face inexorable decline.” Eight years later

and one quarter through this century, distributors still

struggle to meet and sustain preferred margins.

Distributors face inflation pressures, trying to

improve operations, renegotiate vendor contracts, and

optimize inventory management. They have learned not

to expect a “new normal” and to wrestle with supply chain

volatility. They want to meet and outperform e-commerce

capabilities while they struggle to understand and afford

advanced technologies.

How Distribution Leaders Are Fighting Back

Distribution remains central to the world economy.

You might think of it as the economy’s vascular or

neurological system. While aiming for balance and

CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE

fluidity, it’s prone to occasional clots and spasms. For

example, continuing inflation offsets the growth potential

of 2-2.4% in 2025. This dynamic only encourages a

worrisome “race-to-the-bottom” pricing policy.

As someone with long experience in the industry, I

see opportunities here:

¤ Customer Experience: It’s time to listen and

integrate customer feedback. Distributors need highperformance

CRM systems that drive customer service

with time and information to enrich customer satisfaction

and loyalty.

¤ Added Value: Distributors can compete

more effectively by providing value-added and afterpurchase

services like bundling, on-site assembly, and

customization. You can strengthen customer relations

and secure referrals to interested buyers.

¤ Social Posture: Leading distributors have

increasingly positioned themselves as contributors to

social concerns. They are proactive in their concern for

energy efficiency and community well-being.


42


Bruno Marbacher

Dear Reader, the main purpose of a thread forming

screw is to form the mating internal thread. By doing so

it forms a play-free thread. Thus, preventing wobbling

the same way a locking adhesive does. In this article

we address the locking effectiveness of thread forming

screws,

In addition, we highlight what measures one can take

to prevent joint relaxation and preload loss.

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.

LOCKING EFFECTIVENESS OF THREAD FORMING SCREW

& DESIGN MEASURES TO PREVENT PRELOAD LOSS

Thread Forming Screws For Securely

Locking Fastened Joints

The thread friction of thread forming screws type

taptite is extensive. hence, having an excellent vibration

resistance. They also do not unwind or even fall off.

The locking effectiveness of taptite screws has been

tested in a junker vibration testing machine for a

prolonged time. They did not come loose and the taptite

screws ultimately broke due to a fatigue failure.

The fact that these screws are very reliable and safe in

addition to eliminating tapping make the screw very cost

efficient. They should be used instead of regular screws

whenever possible.

A zero-clearance intersection distinguishes between

thread forming screws and thread cutting screws. Since

thread forming screws create threads simply by ‘pushing’

into the material, it forms a very tight fit between the

material and the screw. This zero-clearance fit is perfect

for parts that experience a lot of vibration, such as in

industrial equipment.

The self-locking mechanism of a thread forming

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

screw means that that locking elements are no longer

necessary. Thread forming screws, by their very principle,

produce a very tight fit, a certain amount of radial stress

is induced that will take a lot of effort to loosen.

I do not know whether other thread locking screws

have been tested in the junker testing machine and how

they performed. A thread forming with low driving is ideal

for many applications, but some types produce a lower

radial stress and therefore locking ability may be lower.

Powerlok Screws

Powerlok provides locking ability through the

combination of a 60° - 30° thread form and a trilobular

threaded section. The major diameter of the screw is

larger than the major diameter of mating internal thread,

thus the thread crest presses itself into the thread root of

the mating thread.


44


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

FASTENER TRAINING INSTITUTE –

TRAINING FOR EVERY LEVEL OF EMPLOYEE

Many know the Fastner Training Institute (FTI)

from our hallmark “Fastener Training Week” class and

Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS) program. Did you

know that FTI also offers basic product training classes,

fastener engineering workshops and seminars on

quality? Whether you have a beginner just entering the

industry, cross training an up-and-comer or developing

a future expert, the Fastener Training Institute has you

covered.

Let FTI build your training curriculum…

Starting With The Basics

¤ Fastener Basics Like Never Before – 21

session webinar series covering all topics relevant to

new fastener professionals. Each webinar focuses

on a specific fastening topic explained in basic terms.

Threads, hex heads, sockets, machine screws… and 17

more!

¤ Fastener Basics and Beyond – In Person

Class: This full day class focuses on practical aspects

of working in the fastener industry, including how to

respond to technical questions from engineers and

technicians and how to find the answers you need.

¤ Metric Fasteners – 2 Session Webinar:

Do you know your megapascals from your microns?

What’s the difference between 4g6g and 6g? This class

goes deep into a few areas that are usually given light

treatment in metric fastener training.

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

Intermediate Level

¤ Understanding Fastener Technical Drawings

– Webinar and In Person Class: Customer fastener

drawings and fastener specifications can be hard to

understand if you do not have a solid knowledge of

blueprint reading. This webinar teaches the fundamentals

of drafting terminology, and we will also go deep into

examining actual fastener drawings and specifications.

¤ Understanding the Bolted Jont Design – In

Person Class: Did you know that even Grade 8 bolts

stretch when they are tightened, acting like heavy duty

springs, and that is why they keep assemblies together?

Did you know that tension in bolts and screws is more

critical than the applied torque in making a joint secure? In

Understanding the Bolted Joint you’ll learn the answers to

these questions and much more.

Industry Specific Classes

¤ Structural Bolting Including New

Specifications and Changes - Webinar: This webinar

discusses some of the must-know changes in structural

bolting specifications and new products. This Webinar

is not just for structural bolting people, we cover many

of the important technical, sales, engineering and quality

principles applicable to all fastener applications.

¤ Aerospace Fasteners – An Overview and How

they differ from the Industrial Fastener – Webinar

¤ Fastener Testing Seminar – In Person and

Webinar.



46


FASTENER TOOL & SUPPLY

42500 Victory Parkway, Solon, OH 44139 TOLL-FREE 1-866-580-8665

EMAIL sales@fastenertool.com WEB www.fastenertool.com

Why Fastener Tool & Supply -

Trusted Quality & Integrity

YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNER

by Dennis Cowhey, President, Computer Insights

Committed to offering high-quality fasteners and

supply chain solutions since 1977, Fastener Tool &

Supply has built a rock-solid reputation for providing

products and services that are a cut above the rest.

They are proud to consistently exceed the expectations

of businesses across several industries as a highperformance

fastener distributor that offers cutting-edge

services and outstanding support.

Solution-Driven, Customer-Focused Fastener

Distributor

Fastener Tool & Supply is an extension of their

customer’s organization. They pride themselves on not

only meeting but exceeding expectations from their

customers. Their diverse customer market portfolio

has built a robust supply chain rooted in Aerospace

and Defense manufacturers and high-performance and

commercial/industrial supply chains. This unique supply

chain enables their team to provide customers with

creative supply chain solutions rooted in continuous

improvement, engineering, and value. Their trusted quality

and timely delivery KPIs consistently exceed 99%, which is

why their customers continue to challenge them with new

growth opportunities. Fastener Tool & Supply, Inc. looks

forward to strengthening partnerships with its current

customers and building new partnerships through new

opportunities.

High-Quality Fastener Distributor

Fastener Tool & Supply, Inc. is proud to be a reliability,

variety, and value leader. Consolidating your supply chain

with Fastener Tool & Supply products provides the most

efficient, seamless, cost-effective solution. Their trusted

quality and timely delivery allow you to save time, improve

customer satisfaction, and grow profitability.

Expert Support Team

The Fastener Tool & Supply, Inc. team is committed

to integrity, responsibility, and continuous improvement.

We uniquely employ an extensive team of full-time

engineers to provide our clients with the best possible

in-house support. So, we’re confident that you’ll enjoy

working with us as your fastener distributor. Contact us to

learn more!

Embracing Technology And Cutting Edge

Solutions

By embracing the factory of the future through

integrated technology, continuous improvement, and

innovative supply chain management, Fastener Tool &

Supply has put itself ahead of competitors.




Endries International a leader in

industrial fasteners, class-c components and

fulfillment solutions is pleased to announce the

acquisition of Assembly Fasteners, Inc. (AFI), a

distributor specializing in latches, fasteners,

and hardware products and solutions.

Founded in 1984 with the goal of providing

superior products and services, AFI offers a

variety of services, including Vendor Managed

Inventory (VMI), Customer Managed Inventory

(CMI), and iBinDrop, a stock management

innovation giving customers more control over

their stock.

“I welcome the crew at AFI to the Endries

family. It is a great business that the Watson’s

and their team have built that fits hand-inglove

with Endries,” said Michael Knight,

Endries President, and CEO. “This acquisition

strengthens our presence in Florida, North

Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas, and

increases our relationship with a key supplier

of ours, PennEngineering®, whom we have in

common with AFI.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with Endries

International as we look to build on our strong

reputation for service excellence these past 40

years,” said Hugh Watson, Founder and CEO of

AFI. “This partnership marks a new chapter for

AFI, one that will enable us to grow nationwide

and continue to provide exceptional value to

our employees and customers well into the

future. Together with Endries, we are poised to

bring innovative solutions that will shape the

industry and drive long-term success.”

Endries’ industry leading fulfillment solutions

and expertise complement AFI’s renowned

commitment to customer-centric programs and

customer service. Together, Endries and AFI

will deliver enhanced value, drive growth, and

reinforce a shared dedication to innovation,

quality, and service excellence in the fastener

industry.

Endries is a leading distributor of fasteners

and Class-C parts serving industrial Original

Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) and the

Industrial marketplace worldwide.

From its headquarters in Brillion, WI and

eleven U.S. and international distribution centers,

Endries provides over 500,000 SKUs to its

customer base. Endries operates primarily through

a vendor managed inventory model, managing

C-part categories for its customers across diverse

industrial end markets. Endries partners with

customers through robust replenishment systems

that provide products and support services, which

are critical to maintaining their manufacturing

processes.

Founded in 1984, Assembly Fasteners, Inc. is

a leading distributor of fasteners and electronic

hardware, offering a comprehensive range of

products to meet diverse industry needs. With a

commitment to quality and customer satisfaction,

AFI provides solutions that ensure reliability and

efficiency in various applications.

For more information contact Endries

International by Tel: 920-756-5381, Fax: 920-756-

3772 or visit them online at www.endries.com.

48


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

DEMYSTIFYING MONOBOLT RIVETS AND THEIR

INSTALLATION TOOLS by Mike Eichinger, COO

Choosing fasteners that are easy to install and don’t

require special tools will save you time and money. Offthe-shelf

fasteners deliver outstanding performance, and

when you find the right fastener for the job, be sure it

doesn’t require specialized equipment. Otherwise, you

will have to spend money on tools and training.

Avdel® Monobolt® blind, multigrip fasteners are

extremely popular for applications that require safety

and performance. The Huck Magna-Lok blind rivet is

also popular because it provides a strong and waterresistant

joint. While both the Monobolt rivet and the

Magna-Lok can be used for similar applications, one

significant difference is that the Monobolt requires

special nosepieces to install, and you can install the

Magna-Lok using standard nosepieces.

Know The Difference Before You Order

The Monobolt rivet and Magna-Lok are both blind

structural rivets, but differences are worth noting when

choosing the best fastener for a specific application.

The Avdel Monobolt is a structural blind rivet with a

locked breakstem and a positive hole fill for heavy-duty

applications. It requires a special tip for the rivet tool to

correctly install and lock the mandrel inside the rivet’s

body. The Monobolt rivet is made of stainless steel, and

some include a molybdenum alloy for better corrosion

resistance.

Key features and benefits of the Monobolt worth

considering include:

¤ Protruding head or countersunk style

¤ Multigrip capability

¤ High shear and tensile strength

¤ Visible lock for quick and easy inspection

¤ Excellent hole fill via expanded body

¤ Stem that mechanically locks into the body

¤ Ability to compensate for irregular, oversized,

or misaligned holes

¤ Vibration resistance

The Magna-Lok is also a hole-filling structural blind

rivet, but it doesn’t require a specialty nosepiece.

The locking mechanism has been engineered into the

fastener to eliminate tools and operator efforts. The

fastener comes in stainless steel, steel, or aluminum

and is designed to create an internal lock during

installation, eliminating pin pushout by mechanically

locking the pin to the sleeve. The Magna-Lok is available

in several sizes and grip ranges and features an internal,

360-degree solid-circle lock that ensures a flush pin

break and uniform blindside footprint.

TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 49


BAY SUPPLY DEMYSTIFYING MONOBOLT RIVETS AND THEIR INSTALLATION TOOLS from page 48

The Magna-Lok Offers Several Benefits:

¤ A unique circle lock feature, which means you

can verify proper installation with a quick visual

inspection

¤ Ability to be installed with conventional tools

¤ Unmatched installation speed

¤ Fewer repetitive stress injuries

¤ Vibration and moisture resistance

Other fasteners have similar features, including

the Klik-Lok®, POP Ultra Grip®, Olympic Mega-Grip, and

Avdel Interlock®.

Use The Right Tool Tip

Other features differentiate the Monobolt rivet and

the Magna-Lok. The Monobolt has a flared end and a

counterbore, whereas the Magna-Lok has a rounded end

and no counterbore.

Using the correct tip for installation is essential.

If you install a Monobolt with a conventional nosetip,

the mandrel won’t lock properly, and the fastener will

come apart, especially with steady vibration. It will also

damage the rivet tool. Similarly, if you try to install a

Magna-Lok rivet with a Monobolt tip, you can damage the

tool.

Bay Supply stocks a complete line of rivets, blind

bolts, lockbolts (with and without pintails), and other

fasteners. You can find the structural lockbolts and rivets

for any job on the Bay Supply Marketplace. It also allows

you to work directly with distributors and manufacturers

to collaborate on quotes and orders.

BAY SUPPLY

INTERNATIONAL FASTENER EXPO WELCOME PARTY

MANDALAY BAY, LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 9, 2024


52


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

WHY ISO 14001 IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE

FASTENER INDUSTRY by Scott Mersch

Many fastener manufacturers are under pressure

to demonstrate respect for the environment. ISO

14001:2015 is an excellent step in achieving that

respect. Here’s how ISO 14001 can help:

Enhanced Environmental Performance

¤ Manufacturers can identify and minimize their

environmental impact by implementing an Environmental

Management System (EMS).

¤ This includes reducing waste, conserving energy,

and minimizing pollution.

Improved Regulatory Compliance

¤ ISO 14001 can help ensure compliance with

environmental regulations, reducing the risk of fines and

legal penalties.

Enhanced Brand Reputation

¤ Certification to ISO 14001 can enhance a

company’s reputation as an environmentally responsible

organization, attracting environmentally conscious

customers.

Increased Efficiency And Cost Savings

¤ ISO 14001 can lead to significant cost savings by

optimizing resource use and reducing waste.

¤ Improved efficiency can also reduce energy

consumption and lower operational costs.

Risk Management

¤ ISO 14001 can help prevent costly incidents and

accidents by identifying and mitigating environmental


risks.

As an internationally recognized standard for

environmental management systems,

Fasteners have experienced many direct benefits with

ISO 14001:2015 use.

Environmental Impact Reduction

¤ Resource Efficiency: ISO 14001 can help

identify areas where resource consumption (energy,

water, raw materials) can be reduced.

¤ Waste Minimization: Implementing effective

waste management practices, including recycling and

reducing waste generation, can lead to significant cost

savings.

¤ Pollution Prevention: Manufacturers can reduce

their impact on air, water, and soil pollution by adopting

environmentally friendly practices.

Regulatory Compliance

¤ Meeting Legal Requirements: ISO 14001 helps

organizations comply with environmental regulations,

reducing the risk of fines and penalties.


54


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

THE BIGGER YOU ARE, THE MORE

PROTECTION YOU NEED by Rob Rundle

At the MFDA’s fall education meeting at the Hilton

Hasbrouck Heights, employment law specialist Ayesha

Hamilton, ESQ talked to an assembled audience of

Fastener Distributor owners, employees, General

Managers and Independent Sales Representatives about

some of the issues facing employers these days, and

what they could do to protect themselves and their

companies.

Ms. Hamilton shared with the group the importance

of having an Employee Handbook that stands alone, not

as a contract with employees, but as an established

set of standards and expectations for the Employer.

She recommended that every company (1) establish a

handbook if they don’t have one already, (2) review with all

their employees on a yearly basis what is in the handbook

and (3) make sure each employee signs a document

stating they have reviewed the training and the handbook

after each annual session. She said in the event of a

complaint from an employee, and an investigation by New

Jersey state agencies, one of the first things they will

check is the presence of a handbook and if it has been

reviewed by the employee – if not the burden may fall

more on the employer to prove the allegations are false.

There was a spirited discussion about employee

handbooks including social media restrictions and nondisparagement

clauses in the handbook. That there

are not the First Amendment protections in a private

employer/employee setting that there are if a government

agency is there employer.

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

Ms. Hamilton also strongly advised that employers

get EPLI (Employment Practices Liability Insurance)

and Cyber Insurance. EPLI would act as insurance

against claims against your business by current,

former, or prospective employees for wrongful acts

like discrimination and wrongful termination, and Cyber

Insurance offers insurance against having to make

payments to criminals who have hacked/are holding

computer servers hostage.

There was also a discussion of non-disclosure

agreements versus non-compete clauses in employment

contracts. While non-compete clauses are falling out

of favor in New Jersey (and nationwide), they have not

yet been made illegal and so long as they are more

reasonable and tightly controlled, are likely to be upheld

in New Jersey. A non-disclosure and no poaching clause

in a contract (for a reasonable amount of time) is still

a powerful tool for employers to protect against loss of

business or proprietary information.

Finally, Ms. Hamilton counseled attendees that

unless employee behavior was completely egregious

and could be well documented, that employees do not

challenge unemployment claims, “that’s the quickest

way to get sued”

The MFDA will finish out its 2024 year with its

annual Toys for Tots drive on Tuesday December 3rd at

6pm at the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton.

To register for the dinner, or to donate to the MFDA’s

26th annual event, please visit www.mfda.us.

METROPOLITAN FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION


56


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

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR STAFDA’S 2025 EXCELLENCE

IN DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM by Georgia H. Foley, CEO

Registration is now open for the premier industry

education program, STAFDA’s Excellence in Distribution.

The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association

has created a focused, 2.5-day educational program

designed specifically for professionals in the construction,

industrial, and supply chain industries.

STAFDA’s second annual Excellence in Distribution

(EiD) will be March 11-13, 2025, at the Nashville Hilton.

The program is an intense management school with

interactive workshops focused exclusively on wholesale

distribution which has filled an educational void in the

industry. Excellence speakers have been carefully selected

based on their years of industry experience and proven

success in their respective fields. Attendees will interact

closely with these experts covering key topics

such as operational challenges, growing sales,

branding, digital marketing, sales structure

and compensation, HR, profitability,

warehousing and inventory, and key topics

such as M&A and Capital Markets as

well as Procurement, Policy, & Labor

Relations. Renowned speakers include

Alex Chausovsky, Ken Brown, Nancye

Combs, Alex Goldfayn, Ken Novak, Paul Reilly,

Jon Schreibfeder, Mike Staver, Jamie Turner, and

others.

EiD is open to ALL companies in the construction

and industrial channel, not just STAFDA members.

STAFDA has partnered with PTDA (the Power Transmission

SHOW EVENT ARTICLE

Distributors Association) to provide their Excellence training

at a discounted rate. We’re all in this space together and

Excellence in Distribution is designed for the betterment of

our industry.

Another popular aspect of EiD is the opportunity to

socialize and connect with like-minded individuals in

our industry. The agenda includes ample time

for networking, allowing attendees time to

engage in meaningful conversations with

other professionals.

Nashville’s Excellence sessions will end

at Noon, Thursday, March 13, allowing

those who want a fun diversion before

heading home to join an optional tour

of Jack Daniels. Lynchburg, Tennessee,

is only 90 minutes away and seeing how Jack

handles whiskey distribution can be a unique way to close

out the experience.

STAFDA and PTDA members receive preferential pricing,

but Excellence is designed to serve the construction,

industrial, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, LBM, safety, concrete,

or any other market in the construction channel. It’s open to

distributors, manufacturers, rep agents, general contractors,

industry buying groups, and any professional who wants to

learn and grow in their career.

For a complete list of speakers and workshops as well

as registration details, please visit ExcelinDist.org. For more

information, please contact Catherine Usher, STAFDA Member

Services Director, at 262-784-4774 or cusher@stafda.org.



In the summer of 2024

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

under the brand name

GR8HTROD (…great rod).

GR8HTROD is a

range of High Strength

Threaded Rods and Studs

made exclusively here in

the USA by AATP. We are

proud to be one of the only

manufacturers that supplies

a full range of domestic

high-strength threaded rods

available from stock.

GR8HT ROD offers

a viable High Tensile

alternative to Grade

8 (SAE J429) and is fully

Certified to ASTM A354

Grade BD. A full standard

range is available from Stock.

Available from stock

in diameters up to 1 Inch

and lengths up to 12ft

these products are now

being offered at our most

competitive pricing.

The GR8HTROD range

of products is ideal for

applications requiring a High

Strength Rod (12 inches or

more in length) or a Stud

(below 12 inches in length).

As one of the USA’s

leading manufacturers

and suppliers of Industrial

Threaded Rods Studs,

Anchor Bolts, and U-Bolts, we

pride ourselves on ensuring

our customers receive a level

of service that we believe is

second to none.


Products manufactures

and or supplies a wide

range of Threaded Rods,

Studs, U-Bolts and Anchor

Bolts in various materials

and sizes at competitive

pricing and available from

stock now.

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.


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

by Tel: 1-800-354-3330, email:

sales@aatprod.com or visit them

online at www.aatprod.com.

58


EMAIL info@fastenershows.com

WEB www.fastenershows.com

THE BEST OF IFE 2024: TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM THE

FASTENER INDUSTRY’S PREMIER EVENT

The 2024 International Fastener Expo officially wrapped

up, and what an incredible event it was! This year’s

event exceeded all expectations and provided invaluable

opportunities for fastener industry professionals,

exhibitors, and attendees. IFE 2024 welcomed thousands

of attendees from 35+ countries, with over 600 booths

showcasing the latest products, technologies, and

services, throughout the Expo Hall.

One of the highlights of IFE 2024 was the comprehensive

educational program. With 9 Session Stage presentations,

4 Fireside Chats, and 2 workshops covering a wide array

of topics—including AI, work-life balance, technology

trends, fastener finishes and applications, marketing

and more—attendees had the chance to gain insights

from top industry experts. The keynote address by Beau

Groover, President of The Effective Syndicate, kicked off

the event with a compelling discussion on operational

performance, focusing on clarity, teamwork, discipline,

and leadership. If you missed any sessions or want to

revisit the highlights, check out the session recordings on

IFE Replay.

Networking was in full swing at IFE 2024 giving

attendees ample opportunities to connect, exchange

ideas, and forge new partnerships. The Welcome Party

SHOW EVENT ARTICLE

on Monday evening was a hit, offering a relaxed setting

for over 900 guests to mingle, enjoy a cigar at the

popular cigar rolling cabana, and sample the handcrafted

cocktails. The new networking sessions in the Fireside

Chat Lounge brought together peers from the same region

and industry, while various happy hours in the Expo Hall’s

booths and lounge areas added to the networking buzz.

Beyond the structured networking and sessions in

the Expo Hall, this year’s event featured special events,

including the sold-out annual Golf Tournament at the Bali

Hai Golf Course. Congratulations to our 2024 Golf

Tournament winners:

¤ First Place Team: Michael Morrissey, Dan Finucan,

Chris Berner, and Kent Shutey from American Ring

¤ Second Place Team: Jack Dobek, Tim Quick, Eric

Mason, and Dennis Doyle from B&D Cold Headed Products

¤ Third Place Team: Ryan Cooper, Todd Baker, Jamie

Nelson, and Andy Sanderson from B&D Cold Headed Products

Long Drive Champions:

¤ Men: AJ Gallo from Holo-Krome

¤ Women: Erin Waidelich from FDH

Closest to the Pin:

• Jack Dobek from B&D Cold Headed Products


INTERNATIONAL FASTENER EXPO

MANDALAY BAY, LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 10-11, 2024



In today’s global

market, efficient sourcing

and smooth supply chain

management are pivotal

for businesses aiming to

enhance productivity and

profitability. Based in India,

Metalynk specializes in

providing comprehensive

Sourcing and Supply chain

solutions tailored to meet

the diverse needs of our

clients across various

industries like forgings,

fasteners, sheet metal

products, CNC/custom

engineered parts etc.

Metalynk’s Sourcing

services include:

¤ Product Sourcing

supplier identification and

feasibility

¤ Supplier selection,

assessment & development

¤ Plant & Process

validation

¤ Plant audit-Factory

Production Control setups

¤ Pre & Post order /

shipment management

¤ Sampling / QC / QA

services

¤ Complete order and

supply chain management

¤ Logistics

Metalynk’s Strategic

services include:

¤ Deep Organisational

analytics

¤ Organisation Strategy

¤ 10X Growth

¤ Joint Ventures

¤ Green field & Brown Field Project

management

¤ Global market penetration

Leveraging India’s resources,

skilled workforce and a stable

economic & political environment,

we excel in identifying reliable

suppliers that align with our clients’

quality standards and requirements.

Our span of industries serviced

range from construction, Oil and

gas, electronics, automotive,

mining, renewable energy and

consumer goods, in materials like

steel, stainless steel, plastics,

brass etc

For more information, contact

Metalynk at Wariyana Industrial

Complex, Kapurthala Road,

Jalandhar - 144021, Punjab, India.

Email: metalynk.va@gmail.com or

visit them online at www.metalynk.in.

62


GROWERMETAL SPA

Via Nazionale 3, 23885 Calco (LC), Italy

TEL +39 039 9535300 FAX +39 039 9535400 EMAIL info@growermetal.com WEB www.growermetal.com

GROWERMETAL: A YEAR OF INNOVATION

FOR THE FASTENER INDUSTRY

From the participation in important

aerospace tradeshows to the launch of a new

design for e-mobility, Growermetal’s 2024 was

full of innovation, research and new challenges.

Committed to improving the safety,

performance and durability of its fastening

solutions, Growermetal is working on new

fields and designs, combining the dedication to

innovation with participation in important trade

shows.

Following this trend, in 2024 the Italian

brand took part in high-profile aerospace and

defense exhibitions, beginning with the HAI Heli-

Expo in Los Angeles (California, USA) and ending with the

Aeromart 2024 trade fair in Toulouse. These events were

the occasion to showcase the line of safety washers and

parts, setting the company as an international supplier of

solutions for civil aviation and aerospace.

At the same time, these events have allowed

Growermetal to get in touch with the latest trends and

strengthen its relationship with its customers worldwide.

With a similar goal, in October the company expanded

its sales network to European customers, opening a new

facility: Growermetal Germany GmbH. A choice aimed at

improving the fastener presence in Europe, delivering

localized solutions, making the service more timely and

supporting the German, Austrian and Swiss areas.

“Thanks to a network that has been built up over

many years, we are able to speak to the right contacts

and thus find out what the market demands.” Says Klaus

Vogt, general manager of the German sales branch. “The

proximity to our customers throughout Europe is a key

factor, and we want to strengthen this aspect.”

Regarding innovations, aerospace wasn’t the only

industry gaining Growermetal’s attention: “A lot has

changed in recent years, especially in the automotive

sector. The switch to electromobility also presents

fastener manufacturers with new challenges. In order to

properly attach the new engines you need a new type of

washer.” A requisite that pushed the company to develop

the Grower OhmLock® conical washer. Launched during

the International Suppliers Fair (IZB), this design was

specifically created for battery pack applications, meeting

the unique requisites of e-mobility.



64


FASTENER FAIR USA IS HEADING TO NASHVILLE!

Fastener Fair USA: May 28 and 29, 2025 - Music unmatched opportunities to connect with peers and

City Center, Nashville, TN.

industry experts, creating a trade show experience unlike

Mark your calendars and join us at Fastener Fair any other.

USA 2025 – where innovation meets opportunity, and RSVP today at www.fastenerfairusa.com and secure

connections fuel success. The industry will be reconnecting your place at the forefront of fastening technology and

in Nashville, TN this May at the Music City Center, and it’s solutions!

gearing up to be the strongest edition yet.

Fastener Fair USA is the premier exhibition in the U.S.

dedicated to the full supply chain–distributors, mechanical

and design engineers, purchasers, wholesalers and

OEMs. From automotive to aerospace, construction to

HVAC, furniture to appliances, fastener professionals from

every segment of the market find the latest products they

need at Fastener Fair USA.

The event also offers highly relevant education and

SHOW EVENT ARTICLE

FASTENER FAIR USA

SOUTHWESTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE BED BUILD - OCTOBER 26, 2024

66


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 TO MATE COMPRESSION LIMITERS & THREADED

INSERTS IN PLASTIC ASSEMBLIES by Christie Jones, Director of Marketing, Vice President

In applications where the mating component is also

plastic, Compression Limiters are necessary to prevent

the creep or stress relaxation in the mating component

from reducing the frictional load in the threaded joint.

Similar to Threaded Inserts, Compression Limiters

are used to ensure bolted joint integrity in plastic

assemblies. As the bolt is tightened to achieve the

required friction between threads, the plastic is

compressed. The Compression Limiter absorbs the force

generated during tightening of the bolt, and isolates

the plastic from excessive compressive loads. Without

the Compression Limiter, plastic will creep resulting

in the loosening and eventual failure of the joint. The

Compression Limiter ensures that the joint remains

intact throughout the life of the product.

Compression Limiters

In order for the Compression Limiter to work

properly, it should abut the Insert so that the Insert,

and not the plastic, carries the load. The ID of the

Compression Limiter in the mating component must be

larger than the outside diameter of the assembly screw,

but smaller than the pilot or face diameter of the Insert

to avoid “jack-out.”

SPIROL offers three different styles of standard

Compression Limiters, enabling the most cost effective

component to be chosen for each particular assembly

depending on performance requirements and installation

method.

TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 116


SPIROL is thrilled to

announce the opening of

our newest branch in Johor,

Malaysia. This new division

represents a significant

milestone in SPIROL’s

infrastructure development

and supply capability in the

Asia Pacific region. This new

state-of-the-art sales and

service location will support

SPIROL’s commitment to

providing top-tier local services

to our clients worldwide.

The new branch, set to

be fully operational from

September 1, 2024, will

service SPIROL’s customers

in South-East Asia, South

Asia and North Asia -

including India, North Asia,

South Korea, Japan and

Australasia. Our dedicated

team in Malaysia look forward

providing our customers

with the same World Class

Customer Service on which

SPIROL prides itself.

The Shanghai, China

branch will continue to manage

and supply all business

within mainland China, with

a focus on further optimizing

our approach for China. We

believe this to be the optimal

supply model for the Asia

Pacific region moving forward.

We are excited to

embark on this new chapter

and remain committed to

delivering excellence for our

Asia Pacific customers.

For more information,

contact SPIROL Malaysia at

Unit 02-02, Level-2, CIMB

Leadership Academy, No 3

Jalan Medini Utara 1, Medini

Iskandar, Iskandar Puteri,

79200, Johor, Malaysia.

On June 27, 2024, SPIROL

hosted a webinar on “The Benefits

of Coiled Spring Pins in Dynamic

Assemblies”

During the informative session,

SPIROL’s experts in fastening,

joining and assembly reviewed the

concepts of dynamic applications,

typical examples, and common

pinning solutions. Benefits and

drawbacks of each solution were

covered in depth and general

design guidelines for maximizing

service life in dynamic assemblies

were discussed.

Topics covered in the Webinar

include:

¤ Definitions and terms used in

dynamic applications

¤ How fatigue life is estimated

¤ Examples of dynamic

applications

¤ The pros and cons of using

different pins in dynamic loading

¤ Pin materials and their effect

on endurance

¤ Associated best practices

for maximizing service life of the

application

A recording of the Webinar

is now available below or on

SPIROL’s YouTube channel.

For more information contact

SPIROL at Tel: 1-860-774-8571,

Email: info@spirol.com online at

www.spirol.com.

68


TRI LINE SERVICES, LLC

809 Yemassee Loop, The Villages, FL 32162

TEL 217 433 1394 EMAIL tigertoothfastener@gmail.com

INTRODUCING THE NEWLY PATENTED

TIGER TOOTH FASTENER By Ed Ingalls, Inventor

Tri Line Services, LLC is pleased to announce the

United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued

two patents on the Tiger Tooth Fastener developed by

Tri Line Services, LLC. The only Self-Adjusting 1/4 Turn

Fastener.

The Tiger Tooth Fastener represents a significant

leap forward in the world of 1/4 turn fasteners. The

most well-known and most used 1/4 turn fastener is

difficult to install and adjusted to fit the required material

thickness. The difficulties in adjusting the spring by

bending it to accommodate the angle and depth of the

fastener along with the necessity of ordering different

Pin lengths for specific thicknesses of materials being

fastened are the reasons that the Tiger Tooth Fastener

was devised and developed.

The Tiger Tooth Fastener does not use any springs,

and the Pin on the Tiger Tooth Fastener is self-adjusting

in that it will accommodate varying material thicknesses

with a range of 1/2” tolerance or more.

The Tiger Tooth Fasteners utilizes Opposing Teeth

Lock Technology with the teeth on the fastener and the

teeth on the Base facing opposite directions, so when

engaged, the opposing teeth lock onto one another and

the harder they are pulled the more they engage and pull

tightly together resisting separation.

The teeth on the Pin and the teeth on the receiver

are flat with the receiver having the ability to flex to

allow the Pin to flex the receiver apart for engagement

and snap down firmly on the Pin locking the two pieces

together along the length of the teeth. Thus, allowing

the Pin to fasten varying thickness materials up to 1/2”

of thickness material deviation using the same Pin and

Base. To fasten simply insert the Pin through the hole

of the top piece of material to be fastened and into the

Base piece already attached to the bottom material and

press down tightly holding the two pieces of material

together, turn the Pin 1/4 turn causing the locking

teeth in the Tiger Tooth Base and on the Tiger Tooth

Pin to align and engage. The pieces are now fastened

together.




TRI LINE SERVICES INTRODUCING THE NEWLY PATENTED TIGER TOOTH FASTENER from page 68

To release the top piece of material from the bottom

simply turn the Tiger Tooth Fastener Pin ¼ turn and it will

come directly and easily out of the Tiger Tooth Fastener

Base because the Base only has teeth on the sides of

the hole opposite of each other. The rest of the hole has

no teeth. The Pin is designed the same way with teeth

on opposite sides and smooth surfaces with no teeth.

When the Pin is inserted, the Pin teeth are aligned with

the smooth side of the hole and when turned ¼ turn in

either direction the Teeth are engaged between the Pin

and Base, locking them together.

The Tiger Tooth Fastener also has a channel designed

into its shaft to allow a C or E clip to be attached to the

Pin thus holding the Pin in the top material being removed

so the Pin is not lost and is at the correct location to be

reinstalled.

Tthe function of the Tiger Tooth Fastener is

unparallelled in the ease of installation, ease and speed

to fasten two pieces of material together and the ease

and speed to remove the two pieces.

Installation requires that the top and bottom pieces

to be fastened have a hole drilled through them at the

point where the Tiger Tooth Fastener is to be installed.

Then the Tiger Tooth Fastener Base is riveted or screwed

in place on the bottom piece of material. When the top

piece of material’s hole is lined up with the bottom piece

hole, the Pin is inserted into the hole and pressed down,

now the Pin is turned ¼ turn and the two pieces are held

firmly in place ready for quick and easy removal.

Currently Tri Line Services LLC has not released the

Tiger Tooth Fastener onto the market as we are in search

of a partner(s) to aid in production and distribution or

some end user that has large enough demand to justify

manufacturing a large quantity of Tiger Tooth Fasteners.

Tiger Tooth Fasteners can be configured to meet

your specific needs regarding, size, diameter, depth,

material thickness, tool or hand installation/removal,

materials, etc.

We welcome questions, feedback and interest

in Tiger Tooth Fastener.

TRI LINE SERVICES




BEACON FASTENERS AND COMPONENTS


198 West Carpenter Avenue, Wheeling, IL 60090 TEL 1-800-669-2658

EMAIL sales@beaconfasteners.com WEB www.beaconfasteners.com

BEACON RECEIVES INAUGURAL WÜRTH INDUSTRIES AWARD

Beacon Fasteners and Components is proud to

announce that it was awarded the prestigious Supplier

Award for Best Distributor of the Year from Würth Industry

North America, making it the inaugural recipient to receive

this significant recognition.

The Würth Industry’s Supply Chain team recognized

a select group of outstanding suppliers for their valuable

contributions and customers’ success at the International

Fastener Expo in Las Vegas.

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement and excited

about the opportunity to continue striving for operational

excellence alongside industry leaders like Würth Industry,”

said Kameron Dorsey, National Accounts Manager. “We

extend heartfelt gratitude to our amazing team for making

this recognition possible and look forward to strengthening

our partnership with the Würth Industry organization.”

This honor is a true testament of Beacon’s core

values of passion, professionalism, teamwork, partnership,

honesty, and knowledge. This year marks Beacon’s 45th

year in business and affirms its dedication to providing


quality products, on-time delivery, and superior customer

service.

Established in 1979, Beacon is a family owned and

operated leader in the fastener industry, specializing in

quality tested, high-performance screws and Specialty Cold

Headed Fasteners. Beacon provides supply chain solutions

that reduce lead times, improve inventory performance and

support quality requirements.

BEACON FASTENERS AND COMPONENTS

72


J. LANFRANCO FASTENER SYSTEMS

600 Transcanada Hwy, Suite 750, Pointe Claire, Quebec, H9R 4S2, Canada

TEL 1-855-694-3250 EMAIL sales@jlanfranco.com WEB www.jlanfranco.com

J. LANFRANCO FASTENER SYSTEMS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

As J. Lanfranco Fastener Systems Inc.

(“Lanfranco”) concludes its 50th anniversary year

in 2024, the company takes pride in its legacy

of producing the highest quality locknuts

for mission-critical applications since

1974. From its humble beginnings

in France, Lanfranco has grown to

establish partners and subsidiaries

across global markets. The factory,

now in its fourth iteration, boasts

state-of-the-art equipment supported by an

expanding quality lab.

Operating in North America since 1996,

Lanfranco further expanded in 2019 with the addition

of a U.S. subsidiary to strengthen its domestic stock. In

response to the increasing demand for high-performance

imperial locknuts, Lanfranco has launched a new line of

imperial heavy hex full-height all-metal locknuts, available


from stock in both Canada and the U.S.

The THU line of locknuts is designed

for high reusability and exceeds ASME

B18.16.6 standards. These locknuts

are engineered to avoid damaging

bolt threads and can spin on

freely to 90% of the nut’s height,

making them ideal for high-speed

installations using impact tools.

They are widely used in industries

such as railroads, mining, processing,

compression, and defense.

The THU locknuts are readily available for

shipment from stock in sizes ranging from 3/4” to

1-1/2” Gr.C. As Lanfranco looks to expand its distribution

network in the U.S., the company is prepared to support

new distributors with high-quality, fully traceable parts

from stock as well as custom fabrication.

J. LANFRANCO

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

CARL SPACKMAN ELECTED PAC-WEST PRESIDENT by Amy Nijjar

Carl Spackman of Copper State Bolt & Nut Co.

(Phoenix, Arizona) was elected to serve as President of

the Pacific-West Fastener Association at a

recent meeting of the Pac-West Board of

Directors.

Mallory Nichols of Advance Components

(Carrollton, Texas) was elected as the

association’s Vice President, and Ryan

McCaffrey of Pacific Coast Bolt (Santa Fe

Springs, California) was elected again as

Secretary/Treasurer. Hans Fuller of Fuller

Metric (Surrey, British Columbia) will serve

as Immediate Past President.

Michael Chen of S. W. Anderson Co.

(Anaheim, California), Ryan Kuss of Parker Fasteners

(Buckeye, Arizona), and Ryan Shannon of Nylok (Anaheim,

California) were elected by the Pac-West membership to

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

serve three-year terms on the Board of Directors.

Other members of the Pac-West Board are Joe

Cenk of H.W. Eckhardt (Huntington Beach,

California), Aaron Jones of Star Stainless

Screw (Kent, Washington), TJ McFarland of

Brikksen (Houston, Texas), Alfonso Ramirez

of Southwest Fastener (Phoenix, Arizona),

and Patty Trautmann of Beawest Fasteners

(Kent, Washington).

Thank you to retiring Board members

George Martinez of Brighton Best

International (Santa Fe Springs, California),

Clay Weaver of Industrial Threaded Products

(Brea, California), and Michael Yandoli of M

& M Fasteners Supply (Valencia, California).

For more information about Pac-West, visit them online

at www.pac-west.org.



The NEFCO Corporation, a leading valueadded

specialty supply partner serving the

professional construction trades, is thrilled to

announce its acquisition of Total Tool Supply

(Total Tool), based in St. Paul, MN. This is

NEFCO’s largest acquisition to date and marks

its tenth acquisition since 2022 and fourth

in 2024. Total Tool has 325 employees and

operates 16 locations across eight states,

including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas,

Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Nebraska, and

Colorado.

With the addition of Total Tool’s 14 branch

locations and two distribution centers, NEFCO

now expands its reach to 59 locations across 28

states, enhancing its ability to provide next day

jobsite delivery to contractors nationwide. This

acquisition underscores NEFCO’s commitment

to being the single best partner for contractors

whenever and wherever they build.

Matthew Gelles, NEFCO’s President & CEO,

expressed enthusiasm about joining forces with

Total Tool: “We are incredibly grateful to Andy

Jordan for choosing NEFCO as the partner-ofchoice

for Total Tool. We’re excited to partner

with such a respected company, known for

its talent, integrity, commitment to customer

service, and family-oriented culture. Total Tool’s

focus on Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing

(MEP) contractors, as well as tools, safety,

and contractor supplies, aligns seamlessly with

NEFCO. We’re looking forward to bringing our

SHARP® expertise, extensive product offerings,

and value-added prefabrication and engineering

services to Total Tool’s customers.”

Matthew further emphasized the strategic

significance of the acquisition: “Three years

ago, NEFCO celebrated its 40th anniversary

by setting a bold Vision to serve contractors

at every jobsite across America. At that time,

we were active in only about 25% of the U.S.

construction market, with 13 locations along the

eastern seaboard. Today, thanks in-part to the

acquisition of Total Tool, we have locations in

over 60% of the construction market nationwide,

with nearly 60 locations across 28 states.”

Matthew went on to add, “while we’ve made

tremendous strides, we still believe we are just

beginning our journey of growth at NEFCO.”

Andy Jordan, President of Total Tool, shared his

excitement about the partnership: “After nearly 48

years, Total Tool is excited to start this next chapter

with NEFCO. Throughout Total Tool’s history, our

customers, employees, and vendors have always

been at the heart of every decision we make, and

this partnership is no exception. By uniting with

NEFCO, we’re creating opportunities for overall

growth and advancement for our employees and

expanding our footprint, products, and services to

better serve our customers.”

NEFCO is a family-operated value-added specialty

construction supply company providing a broad

range of products and services to a large variety

of professional contractors, with 59 locations

throughout the United States.

For more information, contact NEFCO Corporation

by at Tel: 1-800-969-0285, Email: Inquiries@

nefcocorp.com or online at www.gonefco.com.

74


GOEBEL FASTENERS INC.

5650 Guhn Rd Suite 110, Houston, Texas 77040

TEL 713-393-7007 FAX 713-393-7084 EMAIL sales@goebelfasteners.com WEB www.goebelfasteners.com

GOEBEL’S WORLD RIVETING CONGRESS SUCCESSFULLY

LAUNCHES ‘MADE IN GERMANY’ FACTORY

Celebrating its successful

transition from rivet

distributor to Germany rivet

manufacturer, The Goebel

Group facility in Dusseldorf,

Germany became the host for

the inaugural World Riveting

Congress 2024 (WRC2024)

this past September, where

attendees from around the

globe were able to witness the first production batch of

GOEBEL rivets.

Taking place September 28th – 29th the WRC2024

event saw participants and representatives from 19

countries attend technical seminars delving into the latest

developments in blind rivets and riveting machines.

Marcel Goebel, majority shareholder and managing

director at Goebel Group, explained: “WRC2024 was the

first event of its kind, anywhere in the world and the idea

behind it is simple – we wanted to bring together buyers,

distributors, engineers, and industrial customers, from all

over the world to educate, share knowledge, as well as

discover the latest trends and innovations in the industry.”

Marcel continued: “The journey to “Made in Germany”

started back in 2020 when we had to fight supply chain

disruptions because of the Covid-19 pandemic. These

delays were frustrating, so I decided to do something about

it – I bought some machines from a manufacturer in Spain

and our journey to a manufacturer began. It’s been scary,

but exciting, and I’m still in the process of learning – wire

is not wire, tooling is not tooling and oil is not oil – but

I am very proud of the cold forming team we’ve created

in Erkrath and the WRC2024 was the culmination of the

dedication and hard work of the whole GOEBEL family.”

The twelve expert presentations, given in both German

and English, included technical lectures from Lyndon and

Lonni Lattie of SmartCert with this innovative technology

being adopted in GOEBEL’s new facility, attendees learned

how the technology can be used for batch traceability and

documentation. Lyndon highlighted, “As a forward-thinking

company, Goebel has been an early adopter of SmartCert

and is embracing innovation across the entire organization.

In the supply chain, suppliers want more control over

the way they receive documents, the quality of these, as

well as how quickly they receive them. Our technology is

focused on making the fastener industry more competitive

and efficient, so companies can focus on what they do

best and not worry about sending certs in a certain way

– which is also largely customer dependent – instead the

information is already there.”

Goebel’s newly designed packaging has a QR-Code

that enables customers to scan and receive all relevant

information and certs straight away empowered by the

SmartCert technology. This information is updated in real

time even after the parts have shipped.

Lyndon concluded, “Launched in the fastener industry

back in 2021, SmartCert is expanding to a variety of

industries – any industry that requires traceability.



GOEBEL FASTENERS - WORLD RIVETING CONGRESS 2024

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 28-29, 2024

GOEBEL FASTENERS WORLD RIVETING CONGRESS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES ‘MADE IN GERMANY’ FACTORY from page 74

As market trends develop, such as CBAM, as well as

other global carbon footprint initiatives, we are excited by

where this technology will take us.”

Along with the technical lectures as part of the

extensive conference program, attendees also had a

personalized factory tour where guests had the opportunity

to experience Goebel’s new production facility and gain

a true insight in the “Made in Germany” manufacturing

process, with both Marcel and Elias Goebel proudly

showcasing the new facility’s adherence to the highest

standards of quality and precision. Attendees were able

to observe the entire production process, from material

selection to final assembly, and celebrate the start of

Goebel’s own production “Made in Germany”.

There was a hand-on area highlighted as the “Riveting

World Showroom” which allowed guests to try out the

latest innovations from Goebel – the GO-GB1 lightweight

tool was a main focal point and introduced as the newest

addition with a 36V battery backpack design and ergonomic

handheld tool attachment able to set 3/8” structural blind

rivets with a single stroke due to a pulling force of 40kN.

Celebrations continued into the evening with over 300

guests at the evening party at Dr Thompson infamous

event space near Old Town Dusseldorf – where guests

were thanked by Marcel Goebel and his family, who were

already anticipating doing it all again, as well as Lord Mayor

Christopher Schultz, who expressed how grateful he is with

Goebel’s choice of location and thanked the company for

“bringing manufacturing back to Germany”.

Marcel Goebel concluded, “As we look to the future, we

need to invest in more machinery and take responsibility in

terms of both sustainability and the environment. One of our

main goals when we started the “Made in Germany” dream

was to manufacture in a sustainable way and I’m proud of

the steps we’re taking to achieve this. We look forward to

setting new impulses in riveting technology and working

together to shape the innovative and environmentally

friendly future of this important industry.”

GOEBEL FASTENERS INC

76


MID-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION

PO Box 255, Park Ridge, IL 60068

TEL 847-438-8338 EMAIL mwfa@mwfa.net WEB www.mwfa.net

MWFA CELEBRATES ITS 2024 HALL OF FAME &

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS By Francesca Lewis

The MWFA Hall of Fame and Scholarship Dinner

on November 7th at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove

Village, Illinois, was a memorable evening with over 130

guests in attendance. This year, we proudly awarded

$53,000 in scholarships, bringing our grand total to date

to an incredible milestone—over $1 million in scholarships

awarded!

We also celebrated the remarkable contributions of

our 2024 Hall of Fame inductees: Glen Brin, Robert Sach,

and Kanebridge Corporation. Their dedication and impact

on our industry are truly inspiring.

The evening was further highlighted by a heartfelt

and insightful presentation from Joe O’Neil of the Chicago

Bulls, leaving us all motivated and inspired. Thank you

to everyone who joined us for this special occasion, and

congratulations to all our scholarship recipients and

honorees!

2025 MWFA Board Announced

President: Jill Lewis - Integrated Packaging

Vice President: Bobby Wegner - Beacon Fasteners

Treasurer:

Secretary:

Directors:

Alternates:

Executive Director:

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

George Hunt III - Brighton Best Int’l

Matt Delawder - SWD Inc.

Jake Davis - BTM Manufacturing

Glen Brin - Darloc.

Cory Wing - Wing-Hamlin Co., Inc.

Sam Lang - Certified Fasteners

Iggy Paprocki - Blue Ribbon Fastener

Bob Baer - Abbott Interfast LLC

David Gawlik - Stelfast Inc..

Bill Vodicka - MW Components

Jeff Kempka - GF&D

Francesca Lewis

2025 Events Calendar

February (TBD) February Meeting

March (TBD)

April (TBD)

April (TBD)

May 28th & 29th

May (TBD)

July (TBD)

Fascination with Fasteners

April Dinner Meeting

Heat Treating & Plating Class

SWD Addison, IL

Fastener Fair

Nashville, TN

Screwed Up Open

Milwaukee Meeting - Brewers Game

Milwaukee, WI

August 23rd-29th Fastener Week ‘25

August 23rd

August 24th

August 25th

August 26th

August 26th

August 27th

Marriott Lincolnshire

Tough Mudder

Rockford, IL

Sleep In Heavenly Peace Bed Build

MWFA Welcome Mixer

Fastener Failure Seminar

Tabletop Show

Golf Outing

Cranes Landing Lincolnshire, IL

August 25th-29th Fastener Training Week

Sept 15th- 17th

International Fastener Expo

Las Vegas, NV

November 6th (TBD) Hall of Fame, Scholarship Awards

December 11th

Holiday Party

Medinah Banquets-Addison, IL

MWFA Welcomes New Members

¤ USI Insurance Services - Schaumburg, IL

¤ Suburban Bolt and Supply - Roseville, MI

¤ G-Fast Distribution - Chicago, IL

¤ Jay-Cee Sales & Rivet - Farmington, MI

¤ Rogan Corp - Northbrook, IL

MID-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION





80



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

NEW STAFDA OFFICERS ANNOUNCED by Georgia H. Foley, CEO

Members of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners

Distributors Association (STAFDA) elected leadership for

2025 during the Association’s 48th Annual Convention

& Trade Show, November 10-12, in Nashville.

Following the event’s General Session, Dale Hahs

II, President of AIS Industrial and Construction Supply,

Denver, became STAFDA President. AIS is a familyrun

business started in 1945 by Hahs’ grandfather

originally to service the airline industry. The company’s

focus shifted its focus to selling to contractors after

World War II. AIS has been a STAFDA member since

1999.

Matt Kitchens, Vice President of Sales for California

Service Tool, Hayward, CA, was elected STAFDA Vice

President. The company serves Northern California as

a leading tool, safety, and equipment distributor for

SHOW EVENT ARTICLE

commercial trade contractors. California Service Tool

has been a STAFDA member since 1977.

Ron Credit, Harmco Fastener Co., Inc., Rochester,

NY, Tyler Veth, ASI Contractor Supply (Auxiliary Service,

Inc.), Lawrenceville, NJ, and Eric Wessinger, Richards

Supply Company, Waco, TX, were elected to three-year

terms on STAFDA’s Board of Directors.

Tony Strein, International Fasteners, Inc., Tampa,

FL, joined STAFDA’s Manufacturer Liaison Committee.

Emmett Fox, Regency Sales Co., Duncanville, TX,

became a member of the Rep Liaison Committee.

Elections are held every fall with results announced

at the Annual Convention.

For more information or photos, contact Catherine

Usher, STAFDA Member Services Director, at 262-784-

4774 or cusher@stafda.org.


MID-ATLANTIC FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

3211 West 9th Street, Trainer, PA 19061 TEL 610-430-8615 (Lubker Distribution) EMAIL info@mafda.com WEB www.mafda.com

THE 2024 EDUCATIONAL DINNER by Natalie Barr

On October 24th, 2024, the Mid Atlantic Fastener

Distributors Association held its annual industry educational

dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy

in King of Prussia! The event was

proudly sponsored by Stelfast,

lntercrop USA, and Brighton-Best

International.

Attendees enjoyed insights

from two expert speakers: David

Harlan and Bill Walsh, David Harlan

(pictured to the right) is the Director

of Marketing at lntercorp USA and

discussed the essential role of marketing in driving sales

goals. He covered marketing fundamentals and various

strategies.

Bill Walsh is a Stainless and Specialty Products

Manager at Brighton-Best International, presented on exotic

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

materials, providing technical details and insights into

market applications.

The MAFDA expressed

gratitude to both speakers for their

contributions!

The Mid-Atlantic Fastener

Distributors Association (MAFDA) is

a volunteer organization recognizing

the equal importance of all industry

segments. The MAFDA fully embraces

the quadrangle of business entities that

encompass and support the regional

fastener distribution industry. Distributors, Manufacturers,

Importers, and Sales Representatives are all encouraged to

join and participate in common interest agendas.

For more information, visit the MAFDA online at

www.mafda.com.

MID-ATLANTIC FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION


STAFDA 48th

ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10-12, 2024

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROSA HEARN, BRIGHTON-BEST INTERNATIONAL


Komar Screw Corp.

will be celebrating 55

years in business in 2024.

Marvin Kocian started in

the fastener business in

Chicago in 1961, working

for legendary fastener

distributor Carlton Screw.

In 1969, Marv started out

on his own and founded

Komar Screw Corp.

Early in the 1970’s Marv

purchased the assets and

machinery of a cold header

going out of business in

the Southeast, and Komar

began manufacturing parts.

Today Komar continues to

manufacture cold headed

screws and rivets up to

3/8” in diameter, in

addition to having in house

screw machine capabilities.

Employee #1 Norman

Young is retired from Komar

in June of 2014 after 45

years. In the early days

Marv and Norm were the

purchasing, sales, and

warehouse and delivery

men for Komar. Today,

Komar has four divisional

distribution warehouses in

Fort Smith, AR; Nashville,

TN; Cleveland (Brecksville),

OH; Springfield, MO.

Komar continues to service

OEM customers as a fullline

fastener distributor and

manufacturer.

Whether standard

distribution, stock and

release or Vendor Managed

Inventory (VMI) programs;

Komar Screw Corp remains

a leader in the fastener

industry.

Today the company is led by

Marv’s son Stephen Kocian, who

is the current President and Marv’s

daughter Sarah Alzamora, the Vice

President/H.R.

Brian Drwal is currently VP of

Operations and Joe Clark VP of

Sales and Marketing.

Please join us in congratulating

the entire Komar Screw Corp team

in celebrating this milestone 55th

year in business.

For more information, contact

Komar Screw Corp at 7790 N.

Merrimac Avenue, Niles, IL 60714.

Tel: 847-965-9090, Email: sales@

komarscrew.com or visit them online

at www.komarscrew.com.

86


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 SET TO UNVEIL INSERT AND

TORQUE OUT TESTING EQUIPMENT

E-Z LOK, a leading manufacturer and master

distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and wood,

just announced it will begin to build out a portfolio of both

pull-out and torque out test data for the inserts it offers.

The announcement was made by Kyle Lindsly-Roach,

Director of Sales & Marketing at the company’s Gardena,

California headquarters.

The company’s initial plan was to use a third-party

lab to test the performance of E-Z LOK inserts in various

materials. However, E-Z LOK ultimately decided it would

be more cost effective and beneficial if they brought the

testing equipment in-house because it allows them to

complete testing at their own pace, as well as perform

testing on future products. This decision was made in the

first quarter of 2024 as a way for the company to build a

more complete library of test data for their users. Carver

Engineering/Labs in El Cajon, California is building the

machines, which are up and running at E-Z LOK as of early

October 2024.

Insert pull-out strength is tested by installation in

various test blocks of materials (plastic, wood or metal)

and threading a bolt into the insert. Then, the bolt is pulled

upwards until the insert is pulled out of the material. The

insert testing machine records the value. The torque out

machine measures the torque the insert can withstand

before spinning out of the material, breaking the fastener

or stripping the threads of the insert.

Available on the E-Z LOK website, the data will be

housed under the “Resources” section with links for

specific product groups. Additionally, the company will

create PDFs of the testing data on a product group basis.

Commenting on its significance, Kyle Lindsly-Roach,

Director of Sales & Marketing said, “It is a great resource

that helps engineers and customers who are designing

bolted joints, and want to know the approximate pullout

and torque values they could expect to see in their

applications.”


EZ-LOK

88


LAURENCE CLAUS PREVAILING TORQUE FASTENERS from page 8

Both locking and prevailing torque fasteners are

subject to stringent performance requirements. Users

of prevailing torque fasteners, however, are especially

concerned about the initial installation and multiple use

capability of the fastener. If the prevailing torque feature

generates unreasonably high torque it is likely to wreak

havoc on the installation process. Likewise if the torque

is too low, it may signal that the prevailing torque feature

will not perform adequately. Additionally, these fasteners

are expected to provide prevailing torque after multiple

removals and reinstallations. Thus, these parts are

routinely performance tested to confirm appropriate first

and third (or sometimes fifth) on and off torque values.

Externally Threaded Fasteners

¤ Mechanical Methods: Mechanical methods can

be employed on externally threaded fasteners to obtain

prevailing torque. This is normally accomplished by

developing some sort of offset or deflection in one or

more threads (Figure 1). This generates interference in

that region with the unaltered mating internal thread. In

a similar vein, some lobed fastener designs have been

found to possess a small amount of prevailing torque

after installation due to material creep back around the

lobe tip. These mechanical features are usually pretty

inexpensive to produce because the functional part of the

prevailing torque feature is built into the tooling used to

produce the part or, liked the lobed fasteners, an intrinsic

benefit of the design. The biggest disadvantage of these

types of fasteners, however, is they can exhibit widely

varying on and off torque levels, even within the same lot.

FIGURE 1: EXAMPLE OF MECHANICAL DEFLECTION OF THE

THREADS TO PROVIDE PREVAILING TORQUE

¤ Patches: A patch is a deposit of plastic material,

almost always Nylon or Teflon, applied within a limited

area to one side of the fastener (Figure 2). As the fastener

is engaged into the mating internal thread, the patch,

which is only on one side, acts like a wedge to push the

opposite thread flanks more tightly against the mating

thread, generating friction and, thus, prevailing torque.

FIGURE 2: EXAMPLE OF NYLON PATCH

A patch is always pre-applied to the part by passing

the threaded region through an induction coil to locally heat

it up. The hot part then quickly moves in front of a nozzle

which is spraying a stream of finely powderized plastic.

When this fine powder strikes the heated part it melts and

leaves the patch on a single side.

Patches typically display lower prevailing torque

variability than the mechanical methods described

above and are re-useable. Disadvantages, however, may

include low prevailing torque, potential heat damage to

the chromates or other topcoats applied to the platings

or coatings, and possible overspray if the stream of

powderized plastic is allowed to disperse. (A small amount

of overspray can be seen in the part illustrated in Figure 2).


90


GUY AVELLON WHAT FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REPLACING WHEEL HARDWARE from page 10

Most vehicles have a conical seated wheel nut and

can deform the concave wheel boss mating surface

from how the lug nut/bolts are installed. This is why tire

mounting technique and retorquing the wheels allows for

the reseating of the conical or the ball seat of the mounting

hardware into the concave wheel boss.

Rust is formed from iron or the ferrous materials of

the wheel hub and brake hat. Corrosion is a white product

of metal reduction from non-ferrous materials, such as the

alloy wheels. Both by-products will inhibit the proper seating

and tightening of any fastener joint.

The corrosion products form a cushion layer which will

compress under loads, thereby relaxing the clamping force

of the connection as the loads settle in. Rust or debris

in the wheel boss area from repetitive damage of the

wheel mounting hardware during reinstallations will also

inhibit having a solid joint connection. Even if the corrosion

particles are cleaned by wire brushing, the term “rust never

sleeps” is true. Wire brushing will help in most instances

to remove surface rust, but it will never completely remove

imbedded chlorides.

Salt and chloride compounds are significantly

aggressive to the point where their reaction becomes

autocatalytic. This means that the reaction will continue

to grow upon itself if the embedded chlorides are not

completely removed, which is next to impossible without

sand blasting or chemical treatment.

Rust can cause joint separation from continual growth

and expansion of the corrosion products, which will

weaken the threads of the wheel nut from the pressure of

this growth, causing damage to the threads of the wheel

mounting hardware and loss of clamp load, or eventual

thread stripping of the fastener’s threads. If the joint

relaxes 0.001” from contaminants and corrosion, the

preload loss produced is 30,000 psi.

Thread deformation of the wheel nut is exacerbated by

how the wheel is installed. Most tire and repair shops use

unregulated air impact wrenches to remove and remount

the wheels. What this means is these air wrenches operate

off an air supply regulator operating between 90-110 psi

air pressure. This is not torque. Therefore, if one air tool is

being operated at the same time as another is in use, the

air pressure drops and the output of the wrench is reduced;

no two lug nuts are ever tightened the same.

The initial impact torque of a standard ½” or 12 mm

pneumatic impact gun is 425 lb-ft. Passenger vehicles

range between 80 to 115 lb-ft. The use of these high

torque, unregulated air impacting guns will destroy the

internal threads of a wheel nut with accumulated use, not

to mention destroying the conical wheel boss surface of

the wheel itself. Again, this is because the wheel lug nuts

almost never go back onto the same wheel stud and mate

with the same wheel boss depression. Improper tightening

techniques, such as not using a criss-cross pattern, will

also apply uneven loads to the wheel assembly.

An impact wrench looks for friction to cause it to stall.

If the operator senses a slight hesitation, he will impact

the nut harder and faster to ‘overcome’ any obstacles

like thread nicks or burrs. It is this type of impacting that

weakens the threads of the nut and initiates stresses in

the thread roots of the wheel studs. Damaged wheel lug

nuts will have rounded hex corners or other visible signs of

excessive torque. This is a sign that the lug nuts should be

replaced immediately.

Full torque should never be placed on one wheel nut.

Many times, the lug nut or stud bolt are threaded on for the

first few threads, then run full-on into the wheel with the

impact gun. The lug nuts and stud bolts should always be

tightened by hand or at a low torque to position and set the

wheel, then in a criss-cross manner, tighten the wheel nuts

to the final torque.

All auto and truck manufacturers specify using a

torque stick or torque wrench to avoid warping damage

to the brake rotors. They also specify that the wheel nuts

should be retightened within 100 miles of driving to be sure

residual joint relaxation is reset.



92


LARRY BOROWSKI DUCTILITY TESTING from page 12

Additional requirements for the testing apparatus are:

a. The block shall be made of hardened steel.

b. The block shall have a hole(s) that are between

.020” and.040” (for Inch sizes), and .50mm to 1.0mm

(for metric sizes) larger than the given nominal major

diameter of the screw.

c. The given wedge angle of the block face should be

relative to the axis of the hole in the block.

d. The block can contain a single hole or any number

of holes, and it can also have a common hole used for

both inch series and metric series screws. Below is one

such block created by Greenslade & Company, Inc., which

contains most of the common sizes of tapping screws

combining inch and metric into a single block.

[2] Insert the screw into the proper sized hole of the

Ductility Testing Block.

[3] Strike the head of the screw with a hammer or

other suitable device until it conforms to the angled

surface. That is until the bearing surface of the head is

flat against the angled surface. It may take more than one

blow with a hammer to bend the screw head.

[4] Remove the screw from the Ductility Testing Block

and observe the condition of the head. Note that it has

been bent, and that it is not completely separated from

the shank. Even if there is a significant crack at the head

to shank junction, but the head remains attached to the

shank, the test for ductility was successful.

Besides Ductility Testing being a required performance

test, it is also a relatively easy and inexpensive test to

perform in order to ensure that the tapping screws being

sold or used are good. Ductility test failures can also

indicate other problems besides the core hardness being

too high or the case hardness being too deep. A failure

can also be a result of the recess in the head being too

deep leaving very little material at the head to shank

junction, or the under head fillet radius could be too small

creating a high stress point at the head to shank junction.

It is always important to perform all required dimensional

and mechanical tests on a screw before passing it onto

to the end user. A single test or check is not sufficient to

provide enough information regarding the quality of the

fastener.

Besides the standards referenced above, the following

standards also provide details of this test along with other

dimensional and performance related requirements. Some

of which are FIP1000, ISO 898-1, ISO 7085, SAE J1237,

SAE J78, etc. Again, be sure you are working to the correct

specification before assuming all self-tapping screws have

the same angular deformation requirement.

LARRY BOROWSKI | GREENSLADE & COMPANY INC

94


ROBERT FOOTLIK THE “5-STAR” WAREHOUSE – THE PEOPLE - SEASON 1, EPISODE 2 from page 14

This day was Sam’s 60th birthday. His birthday present

to her was ‘Congratulations, today you are taking over. If

you need me, I’ll be on the boat. Just leave me a desk to

open the mail when I come in and if you need anything, you

know the number to call.’”

“That was the same day she engaged the services

of a landscape architect and designer to renovate and

enhance the property. She had a vision and it all started

with the exterior. You saw the results first hand when

you arrived, but you probably did not know what you were

looking at.”

“Her vision and our mission all started with working

from the exterior to the interior with paving, landscaping,

signage, covered parking spaces and an orderly striped

parking lot with assigned numbers for employee parking.

While making this improvement, every element was

designed to make the property a more exciting destination.

In theory, there is no return on this investment, but the

reality is that with the parking lot organized we all know at

a glance who is on time, who arrives early and who might

have a situation where a team member can facilitate their

co-worker/friend’s lives. This can be priceless.”

“All this is nice, but her real first step was to walk

the parking lot, look into their cars and trucks and see

who has a clean, neat, organized vehicle. Those who care

about their personal space were more likely to understand

the necessity for maintaining the warehouse, office and

workspaces. If there is a correlation between workplace

organization and their vehicle, these individuals, regardless

of their job titles became the spark plugs of her new vision.

Once identified they were more easily motivated, generally

more open to change and more creative so they could

enhance, implement and embrace a lofty goal.”

“At the time, we had a good, loyal team, but there were

also a few “narcissists” who were shallow, self-centered

and had a perhaps delusional sense of superiority. There

were also a couple of “sociopaths,” who were hustlers,

scammers, cheaters, regarding themselves as flawless

demigods. Fortunately, there were no “psychopaths” who

are domineering but emotionally dead and devoid of

empathy.”

“She believed that deep in the heart of the worst

individual is a spark of goodness. Find it and use it against

them…or encourage them to leave before their attitude

poisons the environment. This is not Hollywood. Drama,

melodrama and emotional outbursts had no place in

creating the 5-Star team. The problematic personalities

required individual attention to help them overcome their

internal demons, and she invested time and effort to

elevate these people, the company and team. Only a

handful left willingly or unwillingly.”

“All this provided the raw canvas for what we have

today. It took 6 weeks for the construction and the

landscaping was planted over a weekend. You can image

the surprise on Monday morning.”

Beginning The Indoctrination

“Only a couple of us knew about the ‘transformation

weekend” and on Monday when the staff arrived they were

astonished and delighted. That was when she announced

that what had been accomplished outdoors was coming

indoors. The enthusiasm cut through any resistance to

change. Everyone wanted to start NOW! But they were not

quite ready for the morale and environmental changes, so

we started with the indoctrination phase.”

“It was very clear that some of the employee cars were

ugly and unkempt. They degraded the new parking area.

When spaces were assigned by a random lottery there

was some good natured razing about the ‘messy-mobiles’

between two clean cars. This was the impetus for our first

team-building project: washing, vacuuming and detailing the

cars of the worst offenders. It turned into an ongoing family

event and once a month volunteers bring their family and

occasionally friends to a pot-luck lunch and car wash.”

“If you are wondering about that sunshade over the

guest parking spaces; that is our automobile detailing

center, rain or shine.” Those who volunteer get a car wash

ticket for a future event. What better way is there to learn

about a team effort, have some family fun and go home

with a spotless car?”

“Since then we have built on that event and the family

wellness clinic to establish a schedule of educational

programs that are both work and family related. For

example, every manufacturer’s rep who calls on us is

expected to join the staff for dinner and provide a short

presentation on his or her products.



AFC Industries a leading provider of

customized inventory management and

tooling solutions, is pleased to announce the

acquisition of CH Peters, a well-respected name

in the tooling industry, known for its high-quality

products and exceptional customer service.

The addition of CH Peters enhances AFC’s

reach and capabilities within the tooling sector,

allowing AFC to provide more comprehensive

services and solutions to its growing customer

base.

CH Peters has built a reputation for delivering

precision tooling and custom solutions across

various industries. This acquisition is part of

AFC’s strategic initiative to expand its tooling

expertise and deliver even greater value to

clients through enhanced product offerings and

technical support.

“We’re excited to welcome CH Peters into

the AFC family,” said Tom Hagarty, President of

AFC’s Tooling Group. “Their dedication to quality

and deep industry knowledge aligns perfectly

with our commitment to providing the best

tooling solutions and services to our customers.

This acquisition allows us to broaden our

capabilities and strengthen our position as a

trusted partner for industrial and manufacturing

companies nationwide.”

AFC CEO Kevin Godin shared his enthusiasm

for the acquisition, noting the benefits to

customers and stakeholders alike. “Bringing CH

Peters into the fold means we can offer an even

more robust suite of solutions, supported by an

incredible team with a shared commitment to

excellence,” said Godin.

“This move reflects AFC’s dedication to

continuous growth and innovation in the tooling

industry, ensuring our customers have access to the

highest quality products and services they need to

succeed.”

The integration of CH Peters into AFC Industries is

already underway, with both companies committed

to a seamless transition that upholds the high

standards customers expect. Together, AFC and CH

Peters will leverage their combined expertise to offer

industry-leading solutions that enhance productivity

and drive value for clients across the United States.

AFC Industries is a trusted provider of customized

inventory management and supply chain solutions,

specializing in delivering value-added services for

customers in the tooling, fastener, and industrial

components sectors. With decades of experience

and a commitment to innovation, AFC supports

clients in optimizing their supply chains, reducing

costs, and achieving operational excellence.

For more information about AFC Industries visit

them online at www.afcind.com.

96


ERIC DUDAS UNTHREADED: AI REALITY CATCHES UP WITH THE HYPE - PRACTICAL FASTENER INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS from page 26

Later in the conversation, Larry recalled seeing a

demo of our new fastener AI tool at the International

Fastener Expo this past fall. He’d been impressed with

its speed and accuracy, and acknowledged how tools like

FCH Screwgle AI (screwgle.ai) will inevitably play a vital

role in the industry over time.

The discussion caught people’s attention and we

received plenty of interested feedback.

The next podcast we published was episode 205A,

featuring a segment with JR Prahl of One Monroe. A

long time friend of the podcast and user of the FCH

Sourcing Network (fastenersclearinghouse.com), JR had

approached us with questions about a data cleansing

project he’s working on. During the segment, he asked

how we’re retooling our workhorse FCH Scrubber software

to fit into the new AI paradigm.

I didn’t miss the chance to use his question as a way

to sneak in a pitch for our new AI powered FCH Sourcing

Network platform, code named “Luigi”. Yes, we’re using

the new AI-powered Scrubber to do even more of what it

does best; recognize, cleanse and format fastener data

for distributors moving to shopping cart systems, or rolling

in data from new acquisitions. But we’re also building

an end-user facing AI interface that Brian code named

“Einstein”. It’s a giant knowledge base that grows by

the day and gets better at deciphering complex fastenerrelated

questions as it does.

It already contains an enormous knowledge base and

can find answers with impressive speed from questions

entered in simple language, rather like the search engines

everyone uses on the web. Of course, it’s called FCH

Screwgle AI.

Again, the segment with JR generated a noticeable

uptick in feedback and comments.

It could be that more people are listening to the

new, shorter podcast format we’ve been experimenting

with on Fully Threaded Radio. More likely, the increased

enthusiasm is probably because more people are finally

seeing a connection between all the AI hype and their day

to day lives.

Just last week I was looped into an email thread with

a well known fastener industry expert who was asked

by a client to assemble a list of questions for screening

new test lab technician candidates. With his extensive

experience and habit of thoroughness, he created a list

of about 25 questions, designed to reveal a prospect’s

aptitude in several key areas. Here is the list:

Expert:

Some things I always ask before hiring any lab or

shop people:

[1] Do you consider yourself mechanically inclined?

[2] What’s bigger ¼” or 7/16” inch (be careful when

you say “quarter inch” they may think you are

talking about a coin)

[3] What’s harder, aluminum or steel?

[4] Do you own a tool box? What’s in it?

[5] Do you have any hobbies?

[6] What is your favorite cutting tool?

[7] Tell me some things to know about using a hack

saw, drill press, chisel, hammer, etc.

[8] What are the standard square socket drive sizes

for ratchets?

[9] What is the difference between the Rockwell C

Scale and the Rockwell B Scale?

[10] What kinds of test equipment have you used?

[11] Have you done any work on cars or motorcycles?

Tell me about that.

[12] What are the standard machine shop tolerances in

inches and in millimeters?

[13] What is the difference between calipers and a

micrometer?

[14] What’s bigger ½” or 10 mm?

[15] What stainless steel alloys are you familiar with?

[16] What makes 316 stainless steel different from

304 stainless steel?

[17] What would be one of the strongest fasteners you

could buy off the shelf?

[18] How many lobes does a trilobular screw head have?

[19] What is the difference between yield strength and

tensile strength?

[20] What standards organizations are you familiar with?

[21] What testing standards are you familiar with?

[22] How would you say this number 2.0004” ?

[23] What are the standard coarse and fine thread

pitches for 1/2” bolts?

[24] Why is a washer an important part of a bolted joint?

[25] What are some purposes of micro-hardness testing?


98


JOE DYSART GOOGLE TO WORLD: THESE COOKIES DON’T CRUMBLE from page 28

“While users may have the right -- and should have

the option -- to communicate opt-out preferences, it

doesn’t make sense to require users to make complex

decisions with unclear implications about technical

mechanisms like third-party cookies.

“Google invited civil society -- and the world’s

Internet users -- to trust that it was working to guide

an industry of titanic proportions in a more privacyrespecting

direction.

been broken.” Undoubtedly.

“That trust has now

But more than a few fastener distributors and

other companies that promote on the Web are quietly

celebrating Google’s turnabout on cookies.

The reason: Marketers will still have the right to

track user on the Web for many more months now -- and

perhaps even many more years.

In practice, that means ad tech companies -- which

often have cookie deals with hundreds, thousands

or tens of thousands of Web sites where they run

advertising -- will still be able to put a cookie in your

Chrome browser when you visit one of the Web sites or

digital properties serviced by their ad tech.

Moreover, every time you visit another Web site

serviced by that same ad tech company, it gets just a

bit more information on where you’re going on the Web

site and how your clicking until -- after assessing your

behavior on dozens, hundreds or even thousands of

MANY PRIVACY ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN HOUNDING GOOGLE FOR

YEARS TO EASE-UP ON WEB USE TRACKING.

GOOGLE CEO SUNDAR PICHAI IS HOPING REGULATORS BY A NEW

COOKIES OPT-OUT PLAN FROM GOOGLE.

Web sites -- the ad tech company has an extremely deep

understanding of who you are, what your interests are

and what you buy.

In a phrase, it’s the kind of data that makes many

B2B and other advertisers sing songs of joy long into the

night, because it makes you a perfect advertising target

for the goods and services they offer that match your

interests.

Even so, despite this most recent victory in the

Cookie Wars, many marketers and advertisers still

believe the best move for brands is to continue with their

plans to slowly abandon cookies for other advertising

alternatives -- or to get in gear and do the same if they

currently have no plan to put cookies in the rearview

mirror.

Says Nick Albertini, CTO, Acceleration (www.

acceleration.biz), an IT consulting firm: “Cookies aren’t

completely disappearing from Chrome, but there will be

less.

“Chrome’s elevated user choice will allow users to

disable cookies -- and when it launches there will likely

be a high initial third-party cookie loss rate.

“This will decrease the value of third-party cookies.”

Rich Howe, CEO, Inuvo (www.inuvo.com), a digital

advertising services provider, agrees.


100


ROB LaPOINTE FASTENER SCIENCE: BASIC INSPECTION FOR QUALITY CONTROL from page 30

We’ll need a desk, table, cubicle or other surface

to work on. Nothing fancy here, just a clean space with

enough room to place some boxes, products, tools and a

computer. A six-foot folding table would be adequate. This

is not to say that if you have the means and desire for

something more, it couldn’t enhance the workplace. Just

that it is not necessary to perform the task well. Good

lighting is essential though. All the better to see with, my

dear.

FIGURE 5 IMPERIAL (INCH) THREAD CHECKER

and metric scales. Simply place a bolt through the best

fitting hole and read the major diameter off the gauge.

The thread template also has an imperial and metric

linear scale that can be used to measure the length of a

fastener. The length of headed fasteners that sit above

the surface is measured from under the head to the end

of the threads on the fastener. For flat-head fasteners,

length is measured from the top of the head to the end of

the threads, see Figure 3.

FIGURE 1 THE MAJOR DIAMETER OF AN EXTERNALLY THREADED

PRODUCT IS MEASURED ACROSS THE THREADS.

Now that we have a place to work, we’ll need some

tools to work with. The primary goal in the receipt

inspection of fastener products is to verify that what was

ordered is what was received. We do not need to test the

performance of the material or products to be confident

that we have gotten the right stuff. We just need some

basic dimensional measurement tools and identification

techniques. If there is doubt as to the conformance of the

product itself, it’s best to send samples out to a qualified

laboratory to perform any appropriate tests.

All threaded products are defined by their diameter,

thread pitch, length, head type and material. Let’s

start with diameter. Diameter is the distance across

the fastener perpendicular to its long axis. Although

fasteners have a few different diameter measurements,

we’ll concentrate on the maximum diameter of the thread

section, known as the major diameter (Figure 1). The

major diameter can be evaluated using a template gauge

shown in Figure 2. This template has gauges for both

externally threaded fasteners (screws and bolts) and

internally threaded fasteners (nuts) in both imperial (inch)

FIGURE 3 LENGTH MEASUREMENTS ON THREE DIFFERENT HEAD TYPES

Another gauge that is nice for finding major diameter

is known as a thread checker (Figures 4, 5 and 6).

You’ve probably seen these in your favorite hardware

store mounted to the shelves in the fastener section.

You simply screw your unknown thread onto the internal

or external thread to see if it fits. If it fits, then you know

both the major diameter and the thread pitch. Thread

pitch is the distance between the threads. For imperial

(inch) fasteners thread pitch is measured in threads per

inch (TPI) and in metric fasteners it is the actual distance

between each thread measured in millimeters. Figure 1

shows thread pitch as measured on a metric fastener.

Thread checkers are available in both metric and imperial

(Figures 4 and 5) and can check both external and internal

threads (Figure 6).



102


JIM TRUESDELL OUTSIDE SALES AND OVERTIME - STATUS UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT from page 32

Absent that, the test should be the prevalent

“preponderance of the evidence” standard.

Further, the courts have gone too far in giving power

to agencies to shape the environment in which rules

impacting the workplace are enforced. NAW argues that

this loss of legislative power to the agencies has been

a result of decades of poor drafting of laws, continuing

resolutions, and stopgap funding which have weakened

the legislative branch and resulted in unbalanced power

between the branches of government.

Also stepping up on behalf of employers, the

National Federation of Independent Business also filed

an Amicus Brief prior to the schedulemployer groups

joined in the filing of the brief.

Clearly there is concern that employers not take

unduly unfair advantage of workers. People want to be

paid for their efforts. However, those who are driven

by a desire to get ahead and who see the delivery of

results and revenue for a firm as the ultimate test of

fitness for promotion to leadership will not want to be

limited by their company’s unwillingness or inability to

compensate them for the “extra” effort they display to

bring home the sale. It will not be aood strategy to tell

them stop convincing the customer by 7 p.m. because

there is no overtime pay in the budget. If we are to

maintain competitive edges and find our future business

leaders we cannot hobble them in their efforts to develop

their skills, deliver results, and earn the recognition

and commission rewards that intense commitment will

inevitably bring!

JIM TRUESDELL



104


CHRIS DONNELL 2024 IS IN THE BOOKS! WHAT LIES AHEAD? from page 34

The Pacific Rim saw an increase in typhoons;

Shanghai, as an example, saw a 100-year typhoon which

caused service delays at the world’s busiest airport. As

we move into the winter months, we should see an uptick

in delays, but those will be quick to be resolved.

Overall, the air freight industry is stable, however, we

are seeing your local, regional carriers, as well as your

low-cost airlines struggle to remain solvent. We have all

heard the struggles with Southwest Airlines and now with

the bankruptcy filing of Spirit Airlines, I do believe this

will have an impact on the air cargo industry - at least

for the national domestic base. The air freight industry

is expected to see gains in tonnage of upwards of 6%

compared to 2024, but I don’t foresee any real struggles

in this industry.

The next industry I want to mention is the trucking

industry. While this industry has without a doubt taken

a step back since the pandemic, at some point 90% of

all cargo moves by truck, making it the most widely used

transportation related service. The operational and financial

challenges have come to a head in 2024. We’ve seen a

vast number of trucking and drayage companies close their

doors. To put things in perspective, the industry has had

driver shortages and retention issues for years, but from

January to November, more than 22,000 motor carriers have

closed according to the FMCSA. These closures are due in

large part to a 30% decrease in freight volumes compared

to what was shipped during and immediately following the

pandemic. Slower consumer spending, excess inventories

nationwide, and unfortunately, excess equipment owned

by the motor carriers which was purchased during the

pandemic all play a factor.

We also saw lending in the banking industry to

motor carriers tighten which was a large component

in these carriers closing down. In 2024, we saw giant

motor carriers such as Yellow, Convoy, Transplus and

Surge Transportation fold. These closures resulted in

the industry losing upwards of 80,000 drivers, many

leaving the sector for a more stable work environment.

Others were absorbed by other companies or are relying

on temporary holiday workers, hoping to find a better

solution. Unfortunately, I foresee more of the same in

2025. Additional local and regional carriers will close

their doors while the national carriers expand causing the

competitive nature of the industry to shift.

Before I move onto another industry, I want to mention

another issue. For 2024, annual contract trucking rates

were also a catalyst for the erosion of the industry. The

spot market clearly pulled down the contract market thus

causing financial hardship for many leveraged carriers.

The cost difference between the spot and contract market

was in excess of more than 30% in most metropolitan

markets. The motor carriers who leveraged their growth

and spend on their contracted rates saw financial

difficulty, ruin in some cases in 2024 and will continue to

do so in 2025.

Following the trials and tribulations of the trucking

industry, I feel it’s a good time to turn my focus to the

ocean industry. 2024 saw a number of issues ranging

from canal closures, geo-political and war related issues,

to labor and contract negotiation failures. I led off this

article stating overall that the transportation industry saw

less turmoil than previous years. When you compare what

we went through from 2019 to 2023, what we are going

through today pales in comparison and that’s largely due

to the change most companies made to their overall

supply chain. Whether companies shifted their supply

chain to be less dependent on one particular country,

looked at injecting more near-shoring, or looked at

alternate routing processes, overall, the disruptions have

been minimal.

The vast majority of issues that are hanging in

balance at the moment are related to the multiple

Union contract situations. Case in point the contract

negotiations between the ILU and the USMX remaining

highly contentious.


On April 29 - May 1, 2025, Matrix Engineering

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The course will be conducted from the training

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Mr. Claus has over 35 years of fastener industry

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Mr. Ness is a licensed professional engineer

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106


NELSON VALDERRAMA PRICING PRESSURES AND MARGIN BATTLES: HOW DISTRIBUTION LEADERS ARE FIGHTING BACK from page 40

¤ Data Analytics: Deep data analytics help

distributors optimize inventory operations and market

trends. A distributor’s historical data provides a

benchmark to improve decision-making and forecast

pricing. Distributors can boost their profit margins by

understanding their customers’ experiences, data, and

talent, using this knowledge as valuable assets.

At this year’s MDM Shift, I found ABC Supply’s

approach to centralization versus decentralization

counters pricing pressures. ABC’s CEO Keith Rozolis told

his listeners, “When companies get big there’s a tendency

to try to centralize. That’s a very efficient way to run an

operation. However, you lose the benefit of the power of

the customer.”

Despite a record of acquisitions, ABC’s decentralized

model empowers its success—it has grown from $1

billion to over $20 billion in revenue. Its results challenge

conventional thinking about pricing control. Rozolis

promotes organizational decentralization.

¤ Promotes organizational decentralization.

¤ Empowers local decision-makers closest

to the customer,

¤ Treats each branch as a “laboratory” for

innovation, and

¤ Focuses on service value rather than pure

price competition.

Strategic Responses That Work

I got to thinking more about pricing pressures and

margin battles. Distributors have come to a fork in

the road. They can continue their legacy policies and

procedures, or they can leap into the future of business

and the nature of work. However, staying the course

and sticking to the tried-and-true invites more risk than

launching dynamic initiatives on pricing, inventory, and

customer service.

[1] Selective Price Management with Local

Empowerment

Distributors who rely on tradition and legacy will find

themselves reluctant to change or grow. They feel satisfied

with incremental sales achievements, but it’s still more

of the same. Historical data shows they will implement

across-the-board price cuts or increases. They centralize

control to set prices to achieve a set price margin.

Leading distributors take a more nuanced,

decentralized approach to price management:

¤ Set guidelines and overall price management

for the entire organization.

¤ Empower branch managers to make local

pricing decisions.

¤ Focus on high-value, differentiated products.

¤ Maintain firm pricing on specialized offerings.

¤ Consider strategic concessions only on

commodity items.

[2] Change The Story From Price To Value

McKinsey’s (2019) research reveals that change

initiatives often fail because leaders focus on the wrong

motivators. Their analysis confirms that “pricing is by far

the most powerful lever for improving overall margins and

increasing profits.”

When pricing, successful companies:

¤ Craft a comprehensive story about value that

engages all stakeholders. Encourage employees to share

ideas and experiences in open discussions. Collect

stories about employees directly contributing to value

creation, stories like who exceeded their duty to help a

customer or how they customized an offering to close a

deal.

¤ Build capability at the local level to articulate value.

Collaborate with everyone to share a common definition of

“value.” Use that process to create and extend a culture

of value. Allow data-driven decisions at the local level once

everyone’s onboard with the business’s value proposition.

Focus on these key impact areas:

¤ Customer: Customer focus groups and surveys

identify pain points and satisfaction metrics. When you

share that data, everyone can see how their effort affects

product quality, lower costs, and customer loyalty.


108


BRUNO MARBACHER LOCKING EFFECTIVENESS OF THREAD FORMING SCREW & DESIGN MEASURES TO PREVENT PRELOAD LOSS from page 42

The locking action is developed at the major diameter

(largest diameter). Whereas other locking screws develop

their effective resistance at smaller diameters on thread

flanks, even down to the minor thread diameter The

break loose torque on a smaller diameter is much less.

Per licensor, transverse vibration test data is available

upon request.

The Kleerlok trilobular fastener is designed for pretapped

holes contaminated with weld splatter, paint,

primer or other foreign matter. The KLEERLOK® feature

is combined on a POWERLOK® screw for paint clearing

Joint Loosens As Result 0f Relaxation

A fastened joint that is not subjected to vibration will

generally not turn loose. It loosens somewhat because

the clamped parts are setting (relaxing). How much

depends on the strength of the parts we clamp. The

amount of clamp load also has an effect.

When relaxation occurs, the clamped parts become

“thinner.” This can be loosening, creeping, relaxing of

the clamped parts. Setting often occurs after assembly,

through further smoothing out of the surface roughness

in the bearing area and in the interfaces of the clamped

parts.

Reason For Relaxation And Preload Loss

When the clamped parts have a too low surface

hardness, the joint may relax excessively, or the nut

and/or screw head may even embed into the clamp

parts. Both scenarios are causing bolt loosening. Rough

surfaces of joint members, thick coatings, or thick hot dip

galvanized layers may also lead to joint loosening. The

use of gaskets is another reason for clamp load loss. A

joint with lots of interface increases the opportunity for

setting.

Ways To Avoid Minimize Joint Loosening

Using an extension sleeve to increase the clamping

range minimizes the impact of joint setting.

Flange bolts/nuts that have larger bearing areas are less

likely to embed and loose preload. Fewer interfaces offer

less opportunity for joint relaxation.

For thick coatings, often the only solution is to

remove paint underneath the bolt’s and/or nut’s bearing

area. Retightening before use may help in some cases.

The amount of clamp load would have to be verified

through torque/tension testing. Companies that build

construction and or agricultural equipment typically paint

bolts and nuts after assembly.

When surface roughness is too high meaning the

surface is rough, it must be reduced or locking elements

such as Belleville washers, split lock washers or wavy

washers must be utilized to compensate for preload

loss. For this to work, the spring force of these elements

must be equal to or slightly higher than the clamp load.

When the clamped members and the fasteners are

hot dip galvanized, the use of stainless-steel fasteners

can minimize setting. Extending the clamping range,

using extension sleeves, reduces the effect of setting.

The same amount of joint setting on a longer bolt causes

less clamp load loss.

The use of a large harder washer also compensates

for lower surface hardness. In any event, testing and/

or calculating whether the diameter or hardness in the

bearing area is sufficient is necessary.



110


JO MORRIS FASTENER TRAINING INSTITUTE – TRAINING FOR EVERY LEVEL OF EMPLOYEE from page 44

Advanced Learning

¤ Fundamentals of Metallurgy and Heat

Treating of Fasteners – In Person Class: Participants

will learn basic concepts of fastener metallurgy and

heat treating. A major focus of the content is to provide

students with an understanding of mechanical properties

and how designers can influence or change them with

thermal treatments.

¤ Understanding Hydrogen Embrittlement

– In Person and Webinar: Hydrogen embrittlement

failures are sudden, costly and catastrophic. Yet hydrogen

embrittlement is easily preventable – and education and

prevention are far less expensive than dealing with a

hydrogen embrittlement failure. This class explores case

studies, root cause analysis, and prevention.

Additional Courses

¤ Automotive Fastener Technology

¤ Dimensional and Material Specifications

¤ Fastener Specifications and Terminology

¤ Fastener Quality Assurance and Inspection

¤ Fastener Secondary Processes

¤ Using KPI’s in our ISO Management System

The Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is the leader in

providing extensive technical instruction to those in the

fastener industry by industry-leading instructors.

To learn more about our training opportunities for your

business, contact Jo Morris at info@fastenertraining.com.

JO MORRIS | FASTENER TRAINING INSTITUTE

GROWERMETAL A YEAR OF INNOVATION FOR THE FASTENER INDUSTRY from page 62

Grower OhmLock® was engineered in partnership

with Brugola OEB with the goal to avoid oxidation and

loosening over time in the bolted joint connections for

battery packs. Its geometry secures the components

without damaging paint coatings while minimising the

risk of external corrosion. The result is a product that

prevents failures or malfunctions, ensures a smooth and

uninterrupted power flow and maintains low electrical

resistance.

Characterized by a perfect balance between

conductivity and corrosion resistance, Grower OhmLock®

offers optimal fastening performance.

“Grower OhmLock® is the result of extensive

research and collaboration across our development

team and one of our important automotive bolt maker

customers” says Paolo Cattaneo, CEO of Growermetal

SpA.

In addition to this brand new design, Growermetal

has announced the introduction of a new fastening

solution by the first half of 2025. This project will

be presented at the Route to Fastener Innovation

competition, taking place at the Fastener Fair Global in

Stuttgart from 25th-27th March - Stand 946/Hall 1.

GROWERMETAL

BRIGHTON-BEST INTERNATIONAL COCKTAIL PARTY @ IFE


112


FASTENER TOOL & SUPPLY YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNER from page 46

More than just a fastener distributor, they are also

an exclusive DigitalBins® distributor, investing in hightech

Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) Solutions to remain

on the cutting edge of fastener technology. The main

focus of these innovations is delivering exceptional and

efficient customer service.

“The people at Computer Insights, Inc are critical

to our success. I appreciate everything they’ve done

for us since we decided on The Business Edge TM

and

look forward to continuing working with their team to

utilize more features of the program. They have a great

company.” Michael Delis, Director @ Fastener Tool &

Supply, Inc.

VMI Solutions: Improve Efficiency And

Grow Profitability

Explore the different warehouse management

services Fastener Tool & Supply offers that can enhance

your VMI program. Please get in touch with them if you’re

interested in scheduling a live video conference or on-site

demo! Their diligent and talented team is always ready to

support your warehouse management efforts.

¤ DigitalBins ® - Integrate this state-of-the-art

custom inventory management system to automate

industrial replenishment and distribution with real-time

monitoring for error-proof picking.

¤ Kitting - Their dedicated team will expertly

construct your products ready-to-ship with a sharp eye for

detail, presentation, and deadlines.

¤ Assembly - With the tools for the job and a team

you can rely on, they will skillfully assemble your product

components and prepare it for distribution.

¤ Just in Time (JIT) Solutions - Ensure uninterrupted

production without building up excess inventory with their

specialized JIT programs that help streamline your VMI

program and other warehouse processes.

¤ Line Feed & Ship to Stock - Entire assembly

lines can rely on a single element, Fastener Tool &

Supply anticipates your needs and provides proactive

replenishment operations that you can depend on.

¤ 3PL & 4PL Logistics Services - Fastener Tool &

Supply provides trusted logistics services for your entire

supply chain. Meet every requirement in your VMI process

from the point of origin to the point of use.

¤ Proferred Vending ® - Innovative vending systems

offer a turnkey, cost-effective solution to control and

reduce your usage of consumables with PIN or card swipe

login and year-round support.

¤ AutoCrib ® - Utilize industrial vending solutions with

high-tech customizable inventory management software

to automate and document your warehouse transactions.

¤ Custom Packaging - Safely ship your products

while standing apart from your competition with premium

custom branded packaging and crating.





GTSE, a leading supplier of high-quality industrial

and electrical supplies, is excited to announce its

new partnership with J.D. Hendley & Associates, a

premier manufacturers’ representative agency. This

strategic collaboration is designed to expand GTSE’s

market presence and promote its extensive product

lines across the Southeastern United States.

J.D. Hendley & Associates brings decades

of experience and a deep understanding of the

industry’s distribution networks. The agency is wellequipped

to represent GTSE’s products to a broad

customer base. Through this partnership, GTSE

will leverage J.D. Hendley & Associates’ expertise

and local insight to reach more customers,

enhance brand visibility, and support key sales

initiatives.

“We are thrilled to partner with J.D. Hendley &

Associates, a respected leader in manufacturers’

representation,” said Jason Burton, VP of Sales-

North America at GTSE. “Their industry knowledge

and established distributor relationships will be

instrumental in bringing our product solutions

to more customers and driving growth in new

markets.”

J.D. Hendley & Associates will represent GTSE’s

full range of products, including cable ties and

tapes. By working closely together, both companies

aim to provide customers with easy access to

reliable, high-performance products that meet the

demands of today’s industries.

“GTSE’s commitment to quality and customer

experience aligns perfectly with our mission to

deliver trusted solutions to our clients,” said Mark

Stinchcomb, CEO at J.D. Hendley & Associates.

“We look forward to a successful partnership and

are excited to introduce GTSE’s products to our

extensive network of distributors.”

This partnership marks a significant step in

GTSE’s growth strategy, reaffirming its dedication to

serving the industrial and electrical supply markets

with the highest level of quality and customer care.

For more information contact GTSE Group Inc.by

Tel: 463-255-9942, Email: sales@gtsegroup.com or

visit them online at www.gtsegroup.com.

114


IMSM WHY ISO 14001 IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE FASTENER INDUSTRY from page 52

Enhanced Reputation And Brand Image

¤ Customer Trust: Demonstrating a commitment

to environmental sustainability can enhance customer

trust and loyalty.

¤ Market Advantage: Certified to ISO 14001

can give a competitive edge, particularly in markets

prioritizing sustainability.

Cost Savings

¤ Reduced Operational Costs: By optimizing

resource use and minimizing waste, manufacturers can

lower operational costs.

¤ Improved Efficiency: Implementing an EMS can

lead to increased efficiency and productivity.

Risk Management

¤ Identifying and Mitigating Risks: ISO 14001

helps identify and assess environmental risks, allowing

for proactive mitigation strategies.

¤ Crisis Management: A well-implemented

EMS can help organizations respond effectively to

environmental emergencies.

By adopting ISO 14001, fastener manufacturers

can improve their environmental performance and

enhance their overall business operations. They can

also position themselves as leaders in sustainable

manufacturing, attract environmentally conscious

customers, and contribute to a more sustainable

future.

Since 1994 IMSM has been helping the Fastener

Industry and all types of Industries implement the ISO

Standards worldwide. IMSM offers a fixed fee, fixed

time frame process to help companies achieve the

prestigious ISO Certifications.

IMSM LTD.

IFE THE BEST OF IFE 2024: TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM THE FASTENER INDUSTRY’S PREMIER EVENT from page 58

The Awards Ceremony was a standout moment,

celebrating the achievements of industry leaders and

innovators, including the newly inducted Hall of Fame

recipient, Carmen Vertullo, and the Young Fastener

Professional of the Year, Jake Glaser.

As the doors close on IFE 2024, we reflect on the

success of this year’s event and the valuable connections

made. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our

sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees for making

this event one to remember.

“The energy at IFE 2024 was electric! This year, we

saw a remarkable turnout, with thousands of fastener

professionals coming together to explore the latest

innovations and trends. It was great to see attendees

engaged with cutting-edge products and solutions from

550+ exhibitors. Our educational sessions were well

attended. It was clear from the conversations and

connections being made that IFE 2024 continues to be

the premier event for the industry. We’re thrilled with

the success of this year’s show and are already looking

forward to raising the bar even higher for next year,” said

Show Director, Morgan Wilson.

We are already planning for IFE 2025 and can’t wait

to welcome you back next year; please save the date,

September 15-17! Stay tuned for more information on

next year’s event and visit www.fastenershows.com to

find out how you can get involved.

For more information and registration updates, please

visit www.fastenershows.com.





116


SPIROL HOW TO PROPERLY MATE COMPRESSION LIMITERS & THREADED INSERTS IN PLASTIC ASSEMBLIES from page 66

SPIROL’s Series 20, 30 and 51 are designed to

increase the contact surface with the Compression

Limiters. In addition, SPIROL’s Series 14, 19, 63 and

65 Non-Headed Inserts generally have adequate surface

area. In any event, proper contact needs to be evaluated

at the design stage.

If the pilot diameter of the Insert being used is

too small for the inside diameter of the Compression

Limiter, then a special Compression Limiter with reduced

clearance between the assembly screw may resolve

the problem. This of course also reduces permissible

misalignment.

If the surface area of the Insert is inadequate for

proper contact with the Compression Limiter, then the

only solution is using a type of plastic for the mating

component that has good anti-creep characteristics in

conjunction with a Compression Limiter with maximum

wall thickness for better distribution of the load. Jackout

in these situations will be a concern. This can be

mitigated by avoiding over-torquing the assembly screw.

Although this article offers general design guidelines,

it is recommended that Application Engineers who

specialize in fastening and joining be consulted to ensure

the optimum Insert and Compression Limiter combination

is selected for your application.

SPIROL INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Goebel Fasteners, Inc. announces a new

and exciting partnership with NAPPCO Fastener

Company as an official authorized distributor for

all products & tooling.

The two companies entered into an agreement

that sees NAPPCO Fastener Company become an

authorized distributor for Goebel Fasteners, Inc.

product lines which consist of metric & American

standard: Blind Rivets, Threaded Inserts, new

G-Grip Stainless Lockbolt System, Self-Tapping/

Drilling Screws, Sealing Washers, Drill Bits, Nut

Drivers, Over-Center Toggle Latches, Hand &

Power Tools, PPE Equipment, and many more

innovative specialty products.

“Goebel Fasteners, Inc. is pleased to partner

with NAPPCO Fastener Company to distribute

our blind fastening product lines, new G-Grip

Stainless Lockbolt System, and other product

lines throughout the United States. NAPPCO

Fastener Company is Texas’s number one supplier

of fasteners & tooling for a variety of industries.

With their deep roots in the local community, they

align with our core values and provide excellent

customer service to their customer base. NAPPCO

Fastener Company is a great fit for our company’s

vision and we are looking forward to working

together for years to come.”, said Christian Reich,

President of Goebel Fasteners, Inc.

Brandon Wiley, President of NAPPCO Fastener

Company, was equally pleased stating. “We

are excited to partner with Goebel Fasteners, a

company that shares our commitment to quality

and innovation. This partnership allows us to

better serve our customers by providing them with

access to Goebel’s state-of-the-art fasteners and

tooling, ensuring that we meet and exceed the

expectations of our clients across all industries.”

Goebel Fasteners, Inc. is one of the nation’s

fastest growing fastener companies, with its North

American operation rapidly becoming the nation’s

Leading Rivet Source.

Contact Goebel Fasteners, Inc. by Tel: 713-393-

7007, Fax: 713-393-7084, email: sales@goebelfasteners.com

or at www.goebel-fasteners.com.

118


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

It feels like just yesterday we were eagerly

anticipating all the exciting events planned for 2024.

Yet here we are, wrapping up a fantastic year that’s

been filled with achievements, connections, and growth!

At the North Coast Fastener Association (NCFA), we’ve

kept busy throughout the year, hosting a dynamic range

of networking events and learning opportunities, and we

couldn’t be more thankful for the continuous support of

our members.

To everyone who joined us this year—from

the attendees of our Spring Dinner,

where Marketing Guru Joe Shoemaker

gave insightful advice, to the 300

Fastener Friends who celebrated

our 15th Distributor Social on the

water, and those who participated

in our Annual Winery Networking

and Screw Open Golf Outing—your

enthusiasm has made this year one

to remember. Every event reinforced the

strength and camaraderie within our association, and we

owe it all to you!

As we look forward to 2025, we’re thrilled to

announce the election of our new NCFA Board of

Directors, who will lead us into another successful

year. Congratulations to President Gary Graham and

Vice President Krista Osborne for stepping up to guide

us, alongside a team of talented and dedicated board

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

members:

2025 NCFA Board of Directors

President: Gary Graham

Vice President: Krista Osborne

Recording Secretary: Kim Arnold

Treasurer: Ken Graham

Executive Director: Lisa Graham

Board Members

Mike Robinson

John Kovatch

Kurt Triptow

Laura Vath

Marty Nolan

Vince Dimora

Diana Barnes

Jackie Ventura

Joe Shoemaker

Dave Audia

Chris Underwood

A special congratulations to our newest board

member, Chris Underwood of SW Anderson, who brings

fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the team. Together, we’re

poised to make 2025 an even more impactful year for

the NCFA and all of our valued members.

Thank you all for an unforgettable 2024, and happy

holidays! We look forward to sharing our plans for 2025

with you soon.

NORTH COAST FASTENER ASSOCIATION


120



¤ Anaerobic Adhesives: Anaerobic adhesives are

chemicals that are able to create a solid bond between the

mating components absent the presence of air. These can

be applied at the point of assembly or pre-applied to the

fastener. If applied from a bottle, the liquid is thixotropic

so it adheres to the area it is applied without drooping or

pooling. In other words, even though it is in liquid form it is

not going to pool in the bottom of a hole. However, applying

adhesives at the point of assembly can be messy and time

consuming. An easier way is to pre-apply the adhesive to the

threads (Figure 3). In this case the pre-applied adhesive is a

two part system with small embedded micro-spheres of one

of the chemical agents in a matrix of the second chemical

agent. When the parts are assembled the mating threads

crush some of the microcapsules releasing their contents

into the base matrix and triggering the adhesive bond.

the surrounding environment and nearby components, and,

thus selection of the proper bonding strength is an important

design consideration. Pre-applied adhesives are generally

considered to be good for one-time use, even though some

microcapsules may survive the first installation to provide

very mild bonding in a future assembly sequence.

¤ Inserts: Although a plastic insert is a common

and well known solution for nuts, it is also possible with

externally threaded fasteners. There are two varieties;

a pellet style insert or a strip style insert. In a pellet

insert design, a shallow, transverse hole is drilled in into

the threads and a plastic pellet, usually made of Nylon

is inserted (Figure 4). A strip insert is similar except a

shallow groove is milled into the threads and a Nylon (or

other plastic) strip is inserted into it.

FIGURE 4: EXAMPLE OF A PELLET STYLE INSERT

FIGURE 3: EXAMPLE OF A SCREW WITH PRE-APPLIED ADHESIVE

Pre-applied adhesives are applied by passing the area

of the threads to receive the adhesive through a continual

liquid stream of the adhesive. The liquid adhesive flows

around the part in the contacted area and is quickly passed

into an oven or past a heat source to cure the material onto

the threads.

The biggest advantage of pre-applied adhesive is the

ease of use obtained by having it present on the fastener

prior to assembly. There are a variety of strength options

ranging from a weak bond to a super strong one. In most

cases, a really strong bond can only be removed when the

joint is heated up. This could pose problems depending on

The biggest advantage of these is the reduced

variation. They are able to provide consistent prevailing

torque values during multiple installations. The most

significant drawbacks, however, are the high cost and

limited availability of applicators that do pellet or strip

inserts.

Internally Threaded Fasteners

¤ Side Locking Nuts: A side locking nut has one or

more impressions punched into the side of the nut face.

The material where the impression is made is pushed

inward making a protuberance in the internal thread wall.

When applied to the mating externally threaded fastener,

these protuberances interfere with the threads and

generate friction and prevailing torque.


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126


GUY AVELLON WHAT FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REPLACING WHEEL HARDWARE from page 90

Any tightened joint will lose 10-15% of its clamp

load from joint relaxation within 90 seconds of

tightening. This is why a good tightening procedure

includes retorquing the assembly a second time

when mounting the wheel. Criss-cross patterns and

torquing in increments will ensure evenly clamped joint

materials. Then, any dynamically loaded joint must be

retorqued after applying service loads to that joint due

to embedment, the reseating of joint components and

any residual relaxation to avoid loss of clamp load.

When new disc brakes are installed, the disc brake

and brake hat go over the wheel hub which contain the

wheel studs. New wheel nuts are never provided due

to the many styles of wheel nuts for different vehicles.

Therefore, the same wheel nuts are always reused.

The wheel nuts are also hardly ever placed on the

same wheel stud or same conical wheel mounting hole

when the wheel nuts are replaced and/or when the

wheel is rotated. This is an excellent time to replace the

lug nuts.

The continual reuse of wheel mounting components

will cause a loss of clamp load every time the

wheels are removed and replaced with tire rotations,

new tires, brake inspections and replacements, new

rotors, new shocks or struts or the addition of winter/

summer tires. Statistically, wheel nut thread damage

significantly increases after the 100,000 mile warranty

and continues exponentially higher the closer the

odometer approaches 150,000 mi and beyond. There

is no way to tell how much damage the threads of a

wheel nut have sustained, or how much clamp load has

been lost causing potential damage to the wheel studs.

Replacement is the only answer before 100,000 miles

because any nut has a finite life.

All nuts are made slightly softer than the externally

threaded fastener to which it mates. When a nut is

tightened, its threads must give plastically to absorb the

thread pitch change of the externally threaded fastener.

Since the nut is pushed against the work surface,

or wheel in this case, the threads become slightly

compressed as the wheel stud is stretched in tension.

When any material is compressed, it has a tendency to

remain compressed at some level. Therefore, the thread

pitch of the nut becomes slightly distorted.

Any thread distortion will cause an interference

between the threads of the nut and wheel stud when

tightened. The result is an increase in thread friction

which affects torque and will inhibit its ability to properly

tighten the connection. Increased thread friction can

cause a subsequent loss of clamp load up to 25-50%

on the first reuse. Clamp load loss will occur each time

the nut is removed and retightened and will produce

clamp load loss; i.e., under normal circumstances, no

threaded nut will ever provide the same clamping force

to the fastener joint connection as the moment before

it was loosened, even if the same torque was applied.

Once a wheel stud or lug nut has weakened, the

clamp load is reduced causing the wheel assembly to

become loose. With operational loads, the looseness

of the entire wheel increases. If the wheel is on the left

side of the vehicle and has lost a significant amount of

clamping force, it is much easier for the wheel nuts or

bolts to become extremely loose and rotate out of the

wheel assembly due to the helix angle and direction

of the threads. Tightening a threaded nut is caused by

rotating the nut in a clockwise rotation. The loosening

of a threaded nut is in the counter clockwise rotation,

which is the same direction the wheel turns on the left

side of the vehicle, thereby increasing the chances

of the lug nuts falling off and the wheel becoming

detached from the vehicle.

Remember; all internally threaded nuts have a

finite life. Replace the wheel lug nuts after 100,000

miles.

GUY AVELLON


128


ROBERT FOOTLIK THE “5-STAR” WAREHOUSE – THE PEOPLE - SEASON 1, EPISODE 2 from page 94

This way even the receptionist has product awareness.

Moreover, when the rep returns they are treated as

honored guest speakers. Many reps even bring ‘swag” for

a raffle or giveaway.”

“We have had beauticians (spouses and families

included), dietitians, bankers, travel agents and even a

mortician as guest speakers. The most popular programs

have been ‘Show and Tell.’ Anyone who has traveled is

expected to provide a short presentation about where

they went, what they enjoyed or detested and whether

they would encourage others to visit. Typically ten

minutes is the absolute limit…unless the audience

wants to hear more. You would be amazed how this has

opened communication channels and started some real

friendships.”

“More importantly, since everyone knows everybody

the empathy and cooperation is off the charts. Essentially,

the entire staff is now hooked on education and CHANGE.

We are constantly evolving and a great catalyst has been

the establishment of a paid educational program at the

local community college. People encourage each other to

take courses that at first glance have nothing to do with

Fastener Distribution, but somehow end up related to our

business. The art pieces you see all around the building

were donated by the staff as a ‘thank you’ for the art

course.”

“Not that you will need it, but CPR training and First Aid

are staples of the educational programs. A customer’s life

was saved thanks to quick, professional action by our staff.”

How Does The Indoctrination Work In

Practice?

“Let’s go back to my conversation with Bill just

before we stepped in here. You have to admit that he was

respectful, friendly and clearly knew who you are. That

is a huge change from where he was before we started

the attitude enhancement program. And the problem he

brought to my attention, smeared ink on our shipping

cartons, ended with a big grin on his face.”

“Obviously, he left empowered by being named “Boss”

of getting the problem solved and had a plan for making it

happen. What made him smile the most is the prospect of

sending the rejected corrugated cardboard to recycling.”

“You see last year our shipping team noted that

receiving merchandise at home in Amazon boxes was a

huge competitive advantage over shippers who reused

odd sized and often dirty/ damaged packaging materials.

There was also time lost searching for the right box for

packing. Their solution was our own, custom shipping

boxes that cost over $1.00 each, but generate over

$1.50 in advertising credit from the vendors whose logo

is printed on the cartons. The extra artwork and ink cost

virtually nothing and competing vendors never have their

logos on the same side of the box.”

“That big grin, however, came from Bill’s knowledge

that if he can get the offending cartons baled for recycling

the money from selling that bale will go directly to the

employees’ welfare fund. He is now the Boss and hero

in charge of a project for the benefit of everyone. Nice

prospect for a guy who used to be called a ‘curmudgeon,’

or worse.”

The Key Points

What we learned is that first 5-Star got everyone’s

attention with an initial project that had immediate results.

Building on this, every individual has a stake in the

outcome. With a “home-away-from-home” when they come

to work every day, it is easy to take pride in making the

place stay in perfect condition.

Compassion, cooperation and teamwork extend to

personal lives and family, not just the workplace. A caring

employer creates caring team members.

Continuing education and improvement are attainable

goals for both individuals and the company.

Empowerment can make everyone into a “Boss.”

Internal expectations and external accomplishments

are the rewards.

Coming Up Next

As we headed downstairs, our guide “Boss Mike,”

asked us to remind him to tell the back-story about striving

for perfection. It proved to be quite a tale!

In Season 1, Episode 3, we will tour the physical

warehouse; examine the results of extreme inventory

control; and learn how both topics relate to the aspirations

of perfection.

ROBERT FOOTLIK

130


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

ENGAGE WITH NFDA MEMBERS IN 2025! by Amy Nijjar

See You At An Upcoming NFDA Event

The National Fastener Distributors Association has

announced the 2025 calendar of events:

February 6, 2025

Understanding PPAP Part 2 Webinar

May 8, 2025

Virtual Program

June 11-13, 2025

Annual Meeting & ESPS, Charlotte, NC

October 2, 2025

Virtual Program

October 15-17, 2025

Executive Summit, Key West, FL

The Purpose Of The NFDA

¤ To advance the interests of the fastener industry by

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

promoting the distribution of fasteners through persons

engaged in the industry.

¤ To collect and disseminate useful statistics and

information for members.

¤ To encourage enlarged and more friendly relationships

between persons engaged in the fastener industry.

¤ To foster improvement in the service rendered by the

fastener industry to consumers.

¤ To promote the improvement of quality in and the

expansion of markets for fasteners.

¤ To develop new uses for fasteners.

¤ To assist in the maintenance of sound relationships

between the industry and its employees, its customers,

the general public and the federal government.

For more information about NFDA and its activities,

visit www.nfda-fastener.org.

NATIONAL FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

NFDA 2024 EXECUTIVE SUMMIT - LOEWS CORONADO

BAY RESORT, SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 16-18, 2024


132


ERIC DUDAS UNTHREADED: AI REALITY CATCHES UP WITH THE HYPE - PRACTICAL FASTENER INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS from page 96

Upon reviewing the questions he’d written, I offered

a similar proposal to ChatGPT to see how the “thinking”

would compare.

The result was an eye opener, even for me. The

outline below comes from ChatGPT 4.0, and this was the

initial response to the question, delivered up almost as

fast as I entered the question. In other words, I did not

make any refinements to the query as you normally do

when trying to coax useful output from an AI.

ChatGPT:

Here is a list of questions you can ask a fastener

test lab technician candidate to assess their technical

knowledge, skills, and fit for the role:

Technical Knowledge And Skills

[1] Understanding of Fasteners:

¤ Can you explain the different types of fasteners and

their applications (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets)?

¤ How do material properties, such as tensile strength

and hardness, affect fastener performance?

[2] Testing Procedures:

¤ What are the key tests performed on fasteners (e.g.,

tensile testing, hardness testing, fatigue testing)?

¤ How would you prepare a fastener sample for testing?

[3] Equipment and Tools:

¤ What testing equipment are you experienced with (e.g.,

tensile testers, torque testers, hardness testers)?

¤ Have you ever calibrated testing equipment? If so,

describe the process.

[4] Standards and Specifications:

¤ Are you familiar with industry standards such as ASTM,

ISO, or DIN for fasteners?

¤ How would you ensure test results comply with customer

or regulatory specifications?

Problem-Solving And Troubleshooting

[5] What steps would you take if you noticed an

irregularity in test results?

[6] How do you prioritize multiple testing requests

with tight deadlines?

Experience And Background

[7] Can you describe your experience working in a

testing lab or with fasteners specifically?

[8] Have you ever worked in a quality assurance

or manufacturing environment? If so, what were your

responsibilities?

Attention To Detail And Documentation

[9] How do you ensure accuracy and consistency in

test data?

[10] What is your experience with documenting test

procedures and results in reports?

Safety And Compliance

[11] How do you ensure a safe working environment

in a lab setting?

[12] Have you ever been involved in an audit or

inspection of a testing lab? What was your role?

Soft Skills And Fit

[13] How do you handle repetitive tasks while

maintaining focus and quality?

[14] Can you describe a time when you worked as

part of a team to solve a technical problem?

[15] How do you stay updated on advancements in

testing technologies or standards?

True, this demonstration might not be as dramatic

as Larry Stevens’ techno-futurist vision, but do a

quick comparison of the lists and the similarity of the

questions and topic areas. You can’t help but be very

impressed. And the formatting isn’t bad either. When I

passed the AI generated list to my expert friend, he was

nearly speechless, nothing artificial about it!

I’m not sure if examples like this will stimulate

more conversation or general interest in the subject of

AI. Most people are already integrating it into their work

and personal lives without much consideration. It’s just

part of the tech stack the modern world mostly takes for

granted.

But the impact is being made in exciting ways that

will help the fastener industry address some key problem

areas. Yes, that small issue of matching sellers with

buyers of that “slow moving” material is still “a thing”.

And when the new and AI-powered FCH Sourcing

Network hits the street this spring, expect lots more for

fastener folks to talk about.

ERIC DUDAS


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!

SEFA Summer Social

SEFA celebrated summer by inviting members and

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

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 - looking forward to the next meeting!

SEFA Welcomes New Members

Alloway Stamping & Machine Co., Inc.

Chattanooga, TN

AZZ Metal Coatings

Fort Worth, TX

Stott Bolt and Supply Company

Jacksonville, FL

SOUTHEASTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION

134


JOE DYSART GOOGLE TO WORLD: THESE COOKIES DON’T CRUMBLE from page 98

Howe notes that in 2021, when Apple offered users

of its Safari Web browser a clear option to opt-out of all

tracking by Internet advertisers, more than 90% of users

did just that -- effectively killing-off the Safari browser as

an advertising tool.

Adds Kamaldeep Chaudhary, manager, Customer

Experience Transformation, Virtusa (www.virtusa.com),

an IT engineering firm: “ Companies should continue as

if a ‘cookie-less world’ and ‘cookie deprecation’ were on

the horizon.”

That gameplan -- according to Maura Pierson, vice

president, media planning, DAC (www.dacgroup.com),

a digital marketing firm -- should include the following

tactics:

¤ Match your ads to publisher content: Back in

the days before Internet tracking, fastener distributors

and others reached-out to Web users by running ads

alongside content that dovetailed with the goods and

services they were selling. In a world where cookies

will be less prevalent, that looks like a solid move once

again. “Contextual targeting, has proven effective in

reaching audiences without relying on third-party cookies,

Pierson says.

¤ Feed all your customer data into a single

database: Fastener distributors using some of the

latest in Internet advertising -- customer data platforms

(CDPs) -- are able to ingest customer data from a wide

spectrum of inputs -- including email, chat, phone,

Web browser, social network browsing -- so they can

form deep profiles on potential customers and existing

customers.

This tech should be more reliable than cookies in

coming years, given that CDPs are not under attack from

privacy advocates.

Essentially, it makes sense to “unify user

identities across touchpoints to enhance targeting and

personalization while respecting privacy,” Pierson says.

¤ Consider adding dynamic Web sites and

dynamic marketing emails to your marketing mix:

MARKETING EXPERTS ARE RECOMMENDING THAT FASTENER

DISTRIBUTORS AND OTHERS SUPPLEMENT COOKIE MARKETING

WITH OTHER DATA-INTENSIVE APPS LIKE CUSTOMER DATA

PLATFORMS (CDPS).

Everything a fastener distributorship learns about a

customer or potential customer via its CDP can be used

to highly personalize the Web pages that customer views

-- or the marketing emails that hit that customer’s inbox.

“Use real-time ad customization to deliver personalized

and relevant ads,” Pierson says.

¤ Stay current on new marketing technology:

Given the breakneck speed at which all tech has been

progressing during the past few years, knowing exactly

what is available -- and what’s coming soon -- can be

make-or-break for a brand. “Ensure your technology stack

supports data and privacy needs, and invest in tools for

compliant data collection and analysis,” Pierson says.

¤ Keep a close eye on Google and its regulators:

Given that Google has been regularly making -- and

regularly breaking -- promises to bring greater privacy to

Web users, its latest vow to ‘finally’ offer Chrome browser

users a clear-and-easy choice to opt-out Internet tracking

is at this point, just another promise that could vaporize

for fastener distributors and others in any eye-blink.

So it’s imperative that you stay current on what

Google says -- as well as what Google actually does.

“Regularly review industry updates and regulatory

changes to keep strategies up to date,” Pierson says.

“Being agile and ready to pivot will give your brand a

competitive edge.”

JOE DYSART




136



FIGURE 4 METRIC THREAD CHECKER

FIGURE 5 IMPERIAL (INCH) THREAD CHECKER

Another tool that is used to measure major diameter

is a caliper (Figure 7). This tool is more versatile than

either the thread template or the thread checker gauges.

Typically, calipers have a precision of 1/1000 of an inch

and are capable of measuring outside spans, inside

spans and depths. Although it’s hard to beat the ease and

simplicity of either the thread template or thread checker

for identifying major diameter, neither come close to the

precision and functionality of a caliper.

Using a caliper to measure the major diameter of an

externally threaded product is done by placing the wide

part of the jaws on opposing sides of the threads as

shown in Figure 8. Place the fastener diagonally in the

jaws to grab as much surface as possible. Be sure not

to use the thin part of the jaws as they may fall into the

threads and your measurement will be less than the major

diameter. Don’t be surprised if the actual diameter of the

fastener is not the same as the callout. For example, a

5/16-18 X 1.5-inch flat socket head cap screw typically

does not measure 0.3125-inch in diameter. The actual

major diameter must fall in a range declared by the

FIGURE 7 DIGITAL 6-INCH CALIPER

thread specification. Flat socket heads made to the ASTM

F835 standard have threads that are made to the ASME

B1.1 standard. This standard allows for a major diameter

tolerance of 0.3038-0.3125-inch. See highlighted values

in Figure 9. Since this fastener has a 3A fit, its maximum

allowable diameter goes all the way out to 5/16 (0.3125)-

inch. Most products fall somewhere lower in the range.

The major diameter of this fastener shown in Figure 8 is

0.3105-inch, which is in tolerance for the major diameter.

The length of a fastener can be measured using the depth

gauge on the end of the caliper as shown in Figure 10 or

using the jaws for flat-head screws.

Both the caliper and the thread gauge can be used in

combination with a thread pitch gauge (Figure 11) to verify

both the major diameter and the thread pitch.

Verification of material is not easily done without the

use of a spectrograph which puts us well beyond our

basics budget. Low carbon and alloy steel can often be

distinguished using a magnet which tests their unseen

magnetic properties. When in doubt, send a sample out

for third-party testing.

Other inexpensive tools can help with inspection such

as a pair of magnifying glasses to see small details such

as head stamps. 2-3 times magnification is great to get

a closer look. Another great tool is a document camera.

You can use these to make a record of the inspected

items, snap a photo to send to the supplier to illustrate

a verification question or even use the software’s digital

zoom capabilities to get some fine details recorded.

FIGURE 6 THREAD CHECKERS MEASURE BOTH EXTERNAL AND

INTERNAL THREADS.

FIGURE 8 MEASURING THE MAJOR DIAMETER OF A FLAT HEAD

SOCKET CAP SCREW.




FIGURE 9 CLIP FROM ASME B1.1 – 2023 R2018

FIGURE 10 MEASURING THE

LENGTH OF A HEX HEAD

SCREW USING THE DEPTH

GAUGE ON A CALIPER

This simple and low-cost

inspection station can be used by

anyone in the company. Writing

a procedure for inspection

including the attributes to

inspect and visual how-to

protocol will establish a standard

practice for the company and

give anyone how hasn’t done it

in a while a quick refresher on

their training. Before you know

it, you’re saving your company

from passing on errors and

increasing profits at the same

time. With care and dedication,

this simple inspection station

FIGURE 11 THREAD PITCH GAUGE. THIS THREAD PITCH IS 2.5 MM

and procedures can develop into a well-equipped quality

control department that can handle most order issues the

company encounters. For more ideas on how to develop

your quality control inspection station, don’t hesitate to

reach out.

For questions you are welcome to contact us at info@

expeditetest.com or visit our website at www.expeditetest.

com or call (619) 736-7872.

ROB LaPOINTE / EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE

138


CHRIS DONNELL 2024 IS IN THE BOOKS! WHAT LIES AHEAD? from page 104

On November 10th, negotiations broke off when

the ILU walked away from the table due to the USMX

pushing for more automation - something the ILU is

holding steadfast to not allow. The ILU has reiterated

their intention to strike as of January 15th. This potential

strike would affect 45,000 labor and port related workers

and roughly 36 ports throughout the East and Gulf Coast.

I’m not one to add any undue fear into the market

place. We still have a lot of time before January 15th

and an official contract between the parties can still be

signed. But with the holiday’s quickly approaching, the

ILU is certainly holding all the cards. For importers, I

would start to look at alternative routings and services,

especially for cargo leaving the Far East and Southern

Asia. We have already seen a surge in imports for the

East Coast get routed via the West and this is adding to

congestion at the destination port of arrival as well as

getting on a train at the ocean terminal out West.

Another issue plaguing the industry and one that

has had a yo-yo effect for months is the stability of

the Canadian rail and port labor talks. Initially, the rail

carriers in Canada were set to strike back in September

only to have a temporary stay put in place for 90 days.

When that day came, they announced another strike

and another stay was put in place. Now we have the

port workers in places like Prince Rupert and Vancouver

threatening strike. We also had the port/rail ramp in

Montreal go on strike, yet nothing seems to get resolved.

This is all leading into what could be a very

challenging first quarter of 2025 in Canada. For many,

the impact will be minimal, if any, but keep in mind for

the upper Midwest a vast amount of tonnage is moved

by the rail system in Canada to places like Minneapolis,

Chicago, Kansas City and others, so any impact in

Canada will have a negative impact on our own servicerelated

infrastructures such as the ocean ports in

Washington to the rail services from those ports. Long

story short, we’re not out of the woods yet and if I was

a betting man, the first quarter is going to be extremely

difficult to manage a supply chain efficiently without

some sort of disruption.

Last topic, and one which seems to be something

that has raised its ugly head since our presidential

election, is concerns about the tariffs. First, everyone

needs to pump the brakes a little on this topic. It’s too

soon to know what our new president will actually do with

regard to the tariffs. Second, the process of changing

the national tariff takes time, as an example we saw

the section 301 (Trump) tariffs announced in 2016 but

they did not go into full effect until 2018 Another worry

about an increase in tariffs is inflation. The answer is at

best, maybe. Based on findings from 2018, the answer

is would be no, but we live in a different world now so

technically, anything is possible. Something to keep

in mind, when the trump tariffs were introduced, many

thought it would significantly reduce the buying from

China, that business would leave in droves however

that wasn’t the case. It’s reported that less than 3%

of business left China however what can be clearly

shown is that most importers have chosen to look at

other countries for manufacturing but as of today, that

massive exodos has yet to materialize. For those that

think increased tariffs are bad, please keep in mind that

the United States is the only westernized country without

any type of GST / VAT program, so increasing tariffs not

only helps with manufacturing, but it is a good way to pay

down our ever-growing national debt.

In summary, 2025 looks like it will be similar to what

we saw in 2024, however, we are seeing an increase

in buying which is a good sign that the economy is

heading in the right direction. Purchase order allocation

is up which means we could see a bounce back year,

especially for imports. Exports could negatively be

affected if our dollar valuation changes upwards, but

again, it’s too soon to tell. Overall, 2025 should be a

better year for business, the economy as a whole, and

hopefully offer some stability on a global scale. I wish

you all the most prosperous year ahead.

CHRIS DONNELL

140



The large, high strength washers increase the load

bearing area and consequently reduce the surface

pressure.

The large bearing area of flange screws and/or flange

nuts reduces the surface pressure on the surface of

the clamped parts as well. Consequently, there is less

relaxation and the resulting drop in preload is reduced

Simple Calculation to evaluate whether a flange is the

solution:

Example: M10, property class 8.8, bearing area (WAF

16) = 73.1 mm 2 , bearing area flange bolt = 203.2 mm 2

bearing area difference ratio = 2.8, resulting surface

pressure per mm 2 = 405/2.8 = 144.7 MPa (steel AISI

1018 is suitable).

Flange bolts/nuts are usually found on the market

in dimensions M6 – M12. The ISO standard goes up to

M20.

Frequently, aluminum parts are fastened with screws

of property class 8.8 (grade 5) or higher, and then

tighten with a torqued that is suited for steel clamped

parts.

Using a fastener of this property class may be OK, if

the screws/ nuts are tightened considerably less and the

external operational forces are low enough to permit it.

If a gasket is used, they must have sufficient strength

to ensure they don’t relax. Gaskets can be recessed, so

that metal to metal contact can be maintained.

For critical bolted joints on engines, turbines or

bridges only plain components ought to be used!

Compared to normal screws and nuts, fasteners with

large bearing areas can cover slotted holes or round

through holes with abnormally large inside diameter

tolerances.

Behavior Of Fastener In High Temperature

Applications

High temperature applications provide extreme

challenges to bolted joint, parts may relax excessively,

clamp loads will drop, etc.

At high temperatures, a material subjected to stress

is likely to stretch permanently, a bolted joint with a fixed

distance between the bearing areas will produce less

and less clamping force as time goes on. Bolt materiel

must have good creep strength. A washer with a large

outside diameter can minimize the effect of creep.

Yield Strength

As the temperature increases the yield strength

decreases. Bolt material that retains yield strength at

operating temperature ought to be used.

Modulus of Elasticity

As the temperature increases, the amount of load

needed to elongate a material a certain amount,

decreases. This means a given preload at room

temperature will exert a lower clamping force at higher

temperature. One should choose bolt materials that are

less affected by this phenomenon

In a joint, both the clamped members and the fasteners

expand with increasing temperature, depending on the

bolt/joint member materials, an increase or decrease in

the clamping force will occur.




PO Box 173994, Arlington, TX 76003 TEL 817-269-0436 EMAIL info@southwesternfastener.org WEB www.southwestfastener.org

SFA ENJOYS THIS SEASON OF GIVING By Becky Buddenbohn

Southwestern Fastener Association Joins With

Sleep In Heavenly Peace For Our First Bed

Build!

On Saturday, October 26th, over 70 volunteers

came together to build beds for local children in need.

SFA members and friends spent the entire morning

sanding, drilling, assembling and even “branding” the

twin size beds! Our members donated the funds to

purchase the lumber, Advance Components provided the

perfect location, Brighton-Best and Iron Clad donated

work gloves as our team built 50 beds to get 50 kiddos

their own dream come true! We are extremely grateful

for every donor and volunteer as we continue the

#FastenerBedChallenge.

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to

ensure “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town.” For

more information about the mission or to organize your

own bed build, please visit www.shpbeds.org.

A word of thanks to all of our Premium Sponsors

who support our mission and goals throughout the entire

year.

¤ Titanium Level - Goebel Fasteners, Birmingham

Fastener, Brighton-Best International, Lindfast Solutions.

¤ Grade 5 Level - BTM Manufacturing, Kanebridge

Corporation, Buckeye Fasteners Company, Brikksen.

We are thankful for you!

Please check our website at www.southwestfastener.

org for updates on all our future events.


142



Products - Everything You Need

Fastener Tool & Supply does not have a traditional

catalog or line card because it approves and supplies

thousands of brand-new products yearly. It supplies over

160,000 items to its customers worldwide. Its team is

equipped to handle everything from standard hardware to

specialty products, engineered specials, consumables,

PPE, and everything in between.

¤ Aerospace & Mil-Spec - Flight critical, specialty,

and standard aerospace hardware.

¤ Bellevilles, Springs, & Stampings - Specialty

bellevilles, retaining rings, hose clamps, spacers, and

springs.

¤ Blueprint & Engineered Fasteners MTO - PPAP,

frozen process, designed-controlled, manufactured, or

machined to specifications.

¤ Helicoil & Threaded Inserts - HeliCoil® inserts,

thinwall inserts, keylocking studs, and drill bushings.

¤ Industry Standard Fasteners -

- Standard Fasteners - Standard bolts, nuts, pins,

rings, rivets, screws, sockets, studs, concrete fasteners

and more.

- Fittings, O-Rings, & Seals - Tube & hose fittings,

adapters, brass, hydraulics, o-rings, and seals.

- Platings & Coatings - Engineered coatings and

platings to enhance performance.

- Machined Components MTO - From raw material

to finished component, our staff provides you costeffective,

quality machine specials.

¤ MRO -

- Abrasives, Drills, & Metalworking - Premium

metalworking tools to get the job done right the first time.

- Adhesives & Threadlockers - Pre-applied or pointof-use

Loctite® and Vibra-Tite® products including

threadlockers and adhesives.

- Cable Ties & Plastics - Lightweight, durable, and

effective fastening solutions.

- Chemicals & Paints - From aerospace grade hydraulic

fluid, greases, and epoxies to primers,

paints, and solvents.

- Consumables & Tools - PPE, hand tools, storage

bins, and everything else to help consolidate your supply

chain.





144



The most significant drawback of this style of nut

is that the effect of the punched impression is often

unpredictable. In some instances it may be shallow

and provide very little on or off torque or it can be

deep resulting in high installation torque values and

difficulty of assembly. Additionally, it requires production

equipment that can precisely locate the indentation in

the center of the wrenching flat.

¤ Top Locking Nuts: A top locking nut has two

or three depressed areas that generate disruptions or

ovalization at the top of the nut. These disruptions or noncircular

shape generate interference when the externally

threaded part intersects this area. Top locking nuts

provide less variation than side locking nuts because the

variability of the locking area is more easily monitored

and controlled. For this reason, top locking nuts are

favored over side locking nuts as long as the externally

threaded fastener is able to pass several thread pitches

beyond the top of the nut. Both top locking and side

locking nuts are reusable, although like all the prevailing

torque fasteners, subsequent on and off cycles reduce

the prevailing torque from the first installation.

¤ Insert Lock Nuts: An Insert lock nut has a plastic

ring, usually Nylon, which has an inner diameter smaller

than the Major Diameter of the externally threaded

fastener, inserted into a pocket at the top (Figure 6).

The smaller diameter inner ring generates interference

with the larger Major Diameter of the externally threaded

part, generating prevailing torque. Nylon insert lock nuts

provide the least variability of these three locking nut

FIGURE 5: EXAMPLE OF A TOP LOCKING NUT

styles; although like top locking nuts they must have a

certain amount of thread extending beyond the top of

the nut to work properly. One drawback is that Nylon

is hygroscopic, meaning that it either absorbs or wicks

moisture depending on the surrounding environment. In

extreme situations either a well hydrated or dry Nylon

ring can create variations or problems with the prevailing

torque.

FIGURE 6: EXAMPLE OF AN INSERT STYLE LOCK NUT

Applications

Prevailing Torque fasteners are commonly used

when retaining a fastener that might be exposed to

transverse vibrational loading. The choice of whether to

use an internally or externally threaded prevailing torque

fastener is often the simple preference of the designer,

although applications involving blind holes obviously lend

themselves to solutions employing externally threaded

prevailing torque fasteners. Additionally, as fasteners

increase in size, it becomes more common to see

adhesives or mechanical locking mechanisms used over

patches and side and top locking nuts. Nylon insert lock

nuts are popular across multiple applications and user

industries which is likely testimony to the advantages

provided by these types of prevailing torque nuts.



YOUNG FASTENER PROFESSIONALS

WEB www.youngfastenerprofessionals.com SOCIAL www.linkedin.com/company/youngfastenerprofessionals

YFP AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP FOR FASTENER TRAINING WEEK

The Young Fastener Professionals

in partnership with Fastener Training

Institute recently awarded a scholarship

for Fastener Training Week. Thomas

Cochran, Business Development

Manager for Threaded Fasteners Inc.

was awarded the scholarship for the

advanced fastener technical training

program produced by the Fastener

Training Institute.

YFP is proud to offer one scholarship

for Fastener Training Week each year

(valued at $2,800 each).

Young Fastener Professionals (YFP)

is committed to providing educational

and networking opportunities for

ambitious young professionals desiring

professional growth within the fastener industry. We

empower, advocate for, and provide opportunities for

education and networking for young fastener professionals.

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

Young Fastener Professionals is a

community of young professionals that

seek to offer a glimpse of the fastener

industry through the perspective of

the next generation. While respectfully

preserving the industry’s past, the

next generation is hastily shaping the

future of the business spectrum through

technology, while implementing the

most current business practices. This

organization aims to create a platform

for young professionals, and the

businesses employing them to develop,

educate and enhance a variety business

initiatives. YFP also serves as forum for

networking, referrals and professional

support to further improve the fastener

industry as a whole.

For more information visit www.nfda-fastener.org/

young-fastener-professionals.

YOUNG FASTENER PROFESSIONALS


Standards

There is a wide assortment of IFI standards governing

these products. They include:

¤ IFI-101: Torque-Tension Requirements for Prevailing

Torque Type Steel Hex and Hex Flange Nuts

¤ IFI-100/107: Prevailing Torque Type Steel Hex and

Hex Flange Nuts Regular and Light Hex Series

¤ IFI 124: Test Procedures for the Performance of

Non-metallic Resistant Element Prevailing-Torque Screws

¤ IFI 125: Test Procedure for the Performance of

Adhesive Coated Prevailing-Torque Screws

¤ IFI-155: Test Procedure for the Performance of Nonmetallic

Resistant Element Prevailing- Torque Nuts

¤ IFI-160: Test Procedure for the Performance of Nuts

with Pre-applied Adhesive Coated Threads

¤ IFI -524: Test Procedure for the Performance of Metric

Non-metallic Resistant Element Prevailing-Torque Screws

¤ IFI- 525: Test Procedure for the Performance of Metric

Adhesive Coated Prevailing-Torque Screws

¤ IFI-545: Mechanical and Performance Requirements

for Prevailing Torque Type Steel Metric Hex Nuts and

Flange Nuts

¤ IFI-555: Test Procedure for the Performance of

Non-metallic Resistant Element Prevailing-Torque Nuts

(Metric)

¤ IFI-560: Test Procedure for the Performance of Nuts

with Pre-applied Adhesive Coated Threads (Metric)

Summary

Providing a mechanism to resist the tendency

of fasteners to self-loosen under vibrational loading

conditions is important for the multitude of applications

where keeping the fastener in-place is important to the

designer. There are many options to accomplish this

with both externally and internally threaded fasteners.

For distributers it is important to have some knowledge

of these different choices and the applications to which

they are best suited.

LAURENCE CLAUS

146



Coefficient Of Heat Expansion

If the coefficient of heat expansion of the bolt is

greater than that of the clamped member material,

the clamping force drops as temperature rises. If the

coefficient of the clamped member material is greater,

the bolt may be stressed beyond its yield or even tensile

strength.

Thus, materials must be matched to assure adequate

clamping force at both room and elevated temperatures.

Using Invar 36 To Control Heat Expansion

Invar 36 is a controlled expansion alloy. It has an

expansion coefficient of roughly 10 % of that of carbon

steel. Also known as Alloy E 36 or simply Alloy 36, it’s a

Super alloy’

Thermal expansion coefficient in µm/m/°C

¤ Steel expands by 11.5 µm/m/°C

¤ Invar 36 expands by 1 µm/m/°C

¤ Aluminum expands by 23.8 µm/m/°C

Example: A steel fastener to clamp aluminum at

ambient temperature of 300°C (using an invar insert to

compensate)

Expansion of steel fastener (clamping range of 50 mm)

= 11.50 x 0.050 x 300= 172.5µm

Expansion of aluminum portion = 23.8 x 0.023 x 300 =

164.22µm

Length of insert/sleeve made from invar = 27mm the

expansion = 1 x 0.027 x 300 = 8.1µm)

Thus, the joint expands at the same rate.

Materials And Fastener Strength Grades

For High Temperatures

Material that best address material creep (relaxation),

yield strength drops, modulus of elasticity, coefficient of

thermal expansion at elevated temperatures are ASTM

A193 GR B16 & B8,MP35N, MP159, A286, Inconel®

600, 625 & 718, Waspaloy. However, mechanical/

physical properties at a given temperature must be

evaluated thoroughly to make sure these materials are

suitable. Military Handbook (MIL-HDBK-5 current rev.

MIL-HDBK-5J) provides broad information.

Some Available Fasteners For Combating

Relaxation

Nuts With Attached Springy Washer

The spring rate of the washer corresponds to the preload

that these nuts can produce during tightening. The

washer, which is clinched on, turns freely. In this way,

it protects the surface of the clamped part from being

damaged when the nut is tightened. These nuts are best

suited for applications needing a lower preload.

Eco Fix

This screw trademarked as Eco fix screw. It is an

excellent flange screw for appliances etc.

Diameter: M2.5 – M6, Property class 4.8

This screw, which is available with different internal

and external drives, has a large, slightly concave flange.

It produces a spring effect during tightening, although the

screws are not hardened. Eco fix screws are frequently

found on office equipment such as printers, photocopying

machines, etc.




compensation for thermal cycling and vibration. They

prevent loosening under light vibration. This fastener

can accept a high-tension load while maintaining spring

action and generates a constant load. The induced

clamp load should be observed to see whether it is equal

to or higher than the needed clamp load. Square Cone

Washers are also known under other brand names.

Machine Screw With Attached Square

Cone Washer

The Square Cone Sems screws have a square shaped,

curved washer that protects delicate surfaces while

providing constant tension. The washer rotates freely

but is permanently attached. The Square Cone Sems

assembly provides a higher clamp load and improved

In Conclusion

Thread forming screws can typically be used for

aluminum and mild formable steels. It could work for

somewhat harder materials by increasing the pilot hole

diameter, but that would require testing

To prevent preload loss, design measures to prevent

relaxion of the joints are necessary. Which means,

proper choice of clamp member material, large hard

washers etc. are to be used, but as always application

testing is suggested for secure reliable designs.

BRUNO MARBACHER

148


NELSON VALDERRAMA PRICING PRESSURES AND MARGIN BATTLES: HOW DISTRIBUTION LEADERS ARE FIGHTING BACK from page 106

¤ Company: A distributor’s leadership must keep

worker insights aligned with corporate goals of increased

revenue and improved efficiency. Employees, partners,

and suppliers must all feel valued.

¤ Team: Well-functioning teams bring something

special to any enterprise. Collaboration encourages and

empowers innovation, agility, and resilience. Teams

organized around purpose rather than function contribute

more.

¤ Individual: With clear and achievable goals set,

each team member feels empowered to take ownership

of their work and make data-driven decisions.

Design And Deliver Implementation Strategies

Distributors continue to fight back in a climate

of pricing pressures and margin battles. Your fight

must start with a clear and vivid sense of what kind of

company you want. Will it be a product-pushing company,

an extended service business, a profit margin venue, or

a combination?

Once you determine the company’s purpose, you

must draw the strategic paths. Everyone must know

where they are going. Because everyone has a stake in

the business’s future, each of them must follow their

assigned path.

Build Local Capability

To achieve success, distributors must do more than

simply set positive intentions. They must assess data

quality, establish measurable goals, and plan strategic

approaches. A success-directed business empowers

local branches and all departments involved in customer

satisfaction to take the initiative and make pricing

decisions.

¤ Create formal programs to practice new

pricing approaches.

¤ Implement “field and forum” training that

connects directly to daily work.

¤ Establish quantifiable outcomes for measuring

success.

¤ Certify and reward demonstrated pricing

competency.

Create Reinforcing Mechanisms

Effective pricing programs need support structures,

guardrails, and self-correction tools. They also require

accurate, live, and clear data and direction.

¤ Align incentives with desired pricing behaviors.

¤ Create feedback loops for local market

intelligence.

¤ Establish clear escalation procedures.

¤ Implement performance metrics that balance

margin and growth.

Enable Local Innovation

I recommend following ABC Supply’s model. What

they do as a mega-distributor may seem beyond the

reach of mid-sized distributors. You don’t need multiple

physical locations to decentralize operations and sales.

¤ Keep profitability the key measure of success.

¤ Let those at the front experiment with pricing

approaches.

¤ Share successful innovations across the network.

¤ Scale what works; abandon what doesn’t.

Looking Ahead

Unprecedented pricing pressures challenge the

wholesale distribution industry. Economic forecasts

see only moderate growth throughout the next decade.

However, industry leaders have shown they can protect

margins with local empowerment and strategic guidance.

As ABC Supply’s Rozolis notes, “You cannot create

a competitive advantage on price… But they cannot

duplicate the people that we have.”

The key is finding the right balance between

centralized strategy and local execution while focusing

on the human elements that drive successful change.

Companies that master this balance while building

strong value packages maintain margins in challenging

markets.

NELSON VALDERRAMA


150



Success Stories - Values & Quality

Since 1977, Fastener Tool & Supply has maintained

a commitment to providing lasting solutions to its

customers. Its foundational values have stood the test of

time, serving as the foundation for its delivery of long-term

solutions for your needs.

Explore some of their success stories below to

understand the value that working with the Fastener

Tool & Supply team can provide for your business. You

will discover how our trusted quality and timely delivery

can help you improve processes, increase customer

satisfaction, and grow profitability.

Rapid Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping for new product development often

creates supply chain challenges to meet extremely tight

delivery milestones. There is also a balance between

meeting these milestones while developing a robust, longterm

supply chain solution. Fastener Tool & Supply can

design parallel supply chain options for you. Their team

can offer short-term, low-volume, rapid prototyping supply

chain and long-term production supply chain solutions.

FTS can maintain all certifications, quality, and testing

data through the prototyping phase and develop a longer

lead time and production supplier in parallel for additional

qualifications that extend far beyond your milestone

deadline.

Value Analysis And Value Engineering

Value analysis and value engineering are strategic

and organized approaches utilized to accomplish one

more of the following for new product and existing product

development:

¤ Cost improvement or containment

¤ Design for assembly

¤ Design for manufacturing

¤ Quality performance improvements

¤ Supply chain improvements

Would you like to improve cost containment, quality,

and supply chain performance? Fastener Tool & Supply

has helped their strategic commercial customers who

challenged their engineering and customer service teams

with a 15% cost savings target for specific bills of

materials.

VMI And DigitalBins ®

Do you struggle with storage restrictions, stock

outages, and assembly line disruptions?Fastener Tool

& Supply helps high-performance clients who utilize

their VMI Solutions to address these issues, along with

program consistency problems, low visibility, and daily

stockouts. They offer a turnkey, sustainable, cost-effective

solution integrated with technology to allow you to focus

on your core competency and grow your business to gain

market share.

¤ Part submission warrant qualifications for all

blueprint items

¤ Supplier consolidation with one streamlined

point of contact team

¤ On-site, proactive vendor managed inventory

¤ Consignment Inventory

¤ Real-Time inventory monitoring via FTS

DigitalBins (managing over 1,500 line items) for

all four plants

¤ Consolidated purchase order and statement invoicing

¤ Reallocation of customer

More Information

Fastener Tool & Supply, Inc. is located at 42500

Victory Parkway, Solon, OH 44139. Contact Michael

Delis, Director, for more information at (866) 580-8665,

email: mdelis@fastenertool.com or visit them online at

www.fastenertool.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.

FASTENER TOOL & SUPPLY

NFDA 2024 EXECUTIVE SUMMIT - LOEWS CORONADO

BAY RESORT, SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 16-18, 2024

152



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 SPRING CONFERENCE AND

TABLETOP SHOW by Amy Nijjar

Registration is now open for the 2025 Spring Conference

and Tabletop Show! Non-members can get the member rate

through December 6, 2024.

Get ready for an exceptional event packed with industryleading

education sessions, a dynamic tabletop show, and

exciting optional activities—all designed for professional

growth and networking with industry peers.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect,

learn, and grow with others in the industry.

When: March 12-14, 2025

Where:

The Westin Anaheim Resort

1030 West Katella Avenue

Anaheim, CA 92802

Reserve your room by February 17 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

13 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 the 2025 Economic Outlook, Sustainable

Human Performance, and Future-proofing Your Workforce:

Attract, Engage, and Develop Young Professionals. We’ll

finish things off with Roundtable Discussions

ASSOCIATION ARTICLE

On Thursday afternoon all registered tabletop and

conference attendees are invited to attend Navigating

Fastener Compliance Regulations with Carmen Vertullo.

Social And Optional Activities

Enjoy optional activities including a golf outing at

Anaheim Hills Golf Course, a spouse outing and lunch at

the Anaheim Packing District, and an Anaheim Ducks vs.

Nashville Predators hockey game.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Can’t attend the conference? Consider being a sponsor.

Visit www.pac-west.org for all the details and to register.

Contact Jamie Adams at 562-799-5509 with any questions.

Pac-West 2024 Event Calendar

Save the date for these upcoming Pac-West events:

March 12-15

April 10

May 1

June 5

June 26

September 9

October 9

November 6

December 11

March 11-13, 2026

Spring Conference & Tabletop

Show, Anaheim, CA

After Hours, Phoenix, AZ

Spring Dinner Meeting & Vendor

Showcase, La Mirada, CA

After Hours, LA/OC, CA

After Hours, Vancouver, BC

After Hours, Denver, CO

Fall Dinner Meeting and Vendor

Showcase, La Mirada, CA

After Hours, San Diego, CA

Holiday Party, La Mirada, CA

Spring Conference & Tabletop

Show, Anaheim, CA

For more information about Pac-West and its activities

visit www.pac-west.org.




advertisers index

A

ACS MANUFACTURING, INC 91

Formed spring steel fasteners

Tel (888) NUTS-R-US

Email: info@acsmanufacturing.com

ALBANY STEEL & BRASS 93

Specialty Tapping Screws - Swageform®

Tel (312) 733-1900

Email: sales@albanysteel.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 95

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, 103

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 45

Belleville Washers, Belleville Springs, Disc

Springs, Flange Washers, precision-machined

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 FRONT COVER, 16,

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

BARBAROTTO INT’L MACHINERY 49

High speed counting units, weigh scales,

vertical and horizontal bagging machines,

carton forming and closing, palletizing,

material handling and more!

Tel (888) 988-8703

Email: fred@barbarottomachinery.com

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

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 FASTENERS 65

Full line of stainless-steel inch and metric

fasteners.

Tel (800) 962-1614

Email: sales@brikksen.com

C

CARVER ENGINEERING 130

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. 141

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. 109

Mfrs of Wire Rope and Chain Fittings, Industrial

and Marine Hardware and Allied Products

Tel (847) 455-6609

Email: info@chicagohardware.com

COMPUTER INSIGHTS 19

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

D

DARLING BOLT 53

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 159

Tel (800) 356-1639

Email: tracey@linkmagazine.com

E

E & T FASTENERS, INC 97

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 137

Fast and efficient testing solutions.

Delivering excellence, on-time.

Tel (619) 736-7872

www.expeditetest.com

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E

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

Manufacturer of Stainless steel & nonferrous

fasteners

Tel (800) 275-6991

Email: sales@fallrivermfg.com

FASCOMP ELECTRONIC HARDWARE 107

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. 33

Coiled and Slotted spring pins, dowel pins,

cotter pins, taper pins, grooved & special

pins

Tel (845) 369-7990

Email: fastar@optonline.net

FASTENER FAIR USA 119

Premier exhibition in the US dedicated to

the full supply chain-distributors, mechanical

and design engineers, purchasers,

wholesalers, and OEMs. May 28-29, 2025 –

Music City Center, Nashville, TN.

www.fastenerfairusa.com

FASTENER WEBSITE LINKS 122

FCH SOURCING NETWORK 105

(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 79

‘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

GOEBEL FASTENERS, INC. 7

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 155

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. 149

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 121

USA Hanger bolts, studs, dowel screws, pins.

Tel (800) 537-7925

Email: sales@hangerbolt.com

HANSON RIVET & SUPPLY CO. 81

Rivets, threaded inserts, riveting tools,

riveting machines, washers

Tel (800) 777-4838

HI-Q FASTENERS 29

Small screws, machine screws, self-clinching

hardware, electronic hardware and thread

rolling tri-lobe screws/thread forming screws

for plastics. Unique items ready to ship!

Tel (562) 907-3700

Email: tammy@HI-Qfasteners.com

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. 51

One name, one number, one source for

rivets and RivetKing® FreeSet Series.

Tel (800) BUY-RIVET

Email: info@rivet.com

INTEGRATED PACKAGING 39

Parts are electronically counted, heat-sealed 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

INTERCORP 1

Your expert-grade fastener supplier for

the professional advantage. Premium selfdrilling,

drywall, needle-point, pole gripper,

stainless steel, outdoor, concrete, cement

board, woodworking and special application.

Tel (800) 762-2004

www.intercorpusa.com

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I

L

N

INTERNATIONAL FASTENERS, INC. 127

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 77

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 69

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 73

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 117

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

LELAND INDUSTRIES INC 119

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 147

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 31

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 105

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 37

Washers, special fasteners, and metal stamping

for over 45 years. ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Tel (800) 875-3510

Email: sales@mwindustries.com

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 99

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

R&R ENGINEERING CO. 61

Largest U.S. Manufacturer of U-Bolts, Bent

Bolts, and Threaded Products.

Tel (800) 979-1921

Email: sales@randrengineering.com

RHS STAINLESS 127

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

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R

W.J. ROBERTS CO. 91

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

S

SEMS AND SPECIALS 81

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 47

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

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!

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. 129

Leader in Security Screws since 1974.

Tel (562) 531-9340

Email: sales@tamperpruf.net

TUTTLE MANUFACTURING 157

Anchors, bent bolt specials, spade bolts,

acme threaded bars.

Tel (847) 381-7713

Email: tuttlemfg@gmail.com

UNICORP 55

Manufacturer of electronic hardware,

fasteners and handles since 1971.

Tel (973) 674-1700

Email: sales@unicorpinc.com

V

VIRGINIA FASTENERS 133

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

SPIROL 67

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

U

UC COMPONENTS 149

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 101

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

WILLIE WASHER MFG. 139

Domestic manufacturer of fender, spring,

tab and flat washers,

Tel (847) 956-1344

Email: sales@williewasher.com

X

XL SCREW CORPORATION 55

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

WINTER 2025

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