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Gilchrist Foundation Awards Scholarships

The Gilchrist Foundation has awarded two scholarships from the 2023 applicants.  Congratulations to the recipients, we wish them well and are pleased to assist them with their education.  

They are as follows and their sponsoring companies:

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IFI Begins Development of Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program

The Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) has announced it is starting the development of a groundbreaking new apprenticeship program for machine operators that will be recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. This program aims to address the pressing issue of workforce shortage in the fastener manufacturing industry. With an increasing number of skilled machine operators retiring each year, the need to transfer their knowledge and expertise to the next generation has become critical. IFI has partnered on the development of the apprenticeship program with the Marshall University Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC), located in West Virginia. Marshall’s MAMC is well versed in the development of apprenticeship programs, having successfully written and implemented multiple such programs in use across the country today.  

"The shortage of workers in fastener manufacturing will not resolve on its own. With each passing year, our industry continues to lose skilled machine operators to retirement, and that knowledge must be passed on to the next generation," stated Dan Walker, Managing Director of IFI. "IFI and its members have decided to roll up our sleeves and create an apprenticeship program for our industry to help solve this ongoing problem." 

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Fastener Fundamentals at International Fastener Expo on October 9

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is partnering with International Fastener Expo (IFE) and hosting a day-long fastener training class on Monday, October 9. IFE runs October 9-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Fastener Fundamentals - The Nuts and Bolts for Fastener Professionals, will be instructed by Carmen Vertullo, Fastener Consultant and Trainer of Carver Labs. He will teach the basics of fasteners and beyond to industry professionals including the best of Fastener Training Institute’s Fastener Basic Training and Certified Specialist Training programs. 

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NFDA Awards Scholarship for Fastener Training

The National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) recently awarded a scholarship for Fastener Training Week, an advanced fastener technical training program produced by the Fastener Training Institute, to Garrett Wilson, sourcing and inside sales for NSK Industries.

Scholarship applicants were evaluated based on the recommendations from their employers, personal achievements, work experience, and an essay. Identifying information was redacted, so that the team evaluating the applications did not know the names or employers of those applying.

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Jim Degnan Elected NFDA President for 2023-2024

Jim Degnan of S. W.  Anderson has been elected as the 2023-2024 president of the National Fastener Distributors Association. Scott McDaniel of TR Fastenings will serve as vice president, Mike Robinson of LindFast Solutions Group will serve as associate chair, and Nick Ruetz of AIS will remain on the Board as immediate past president.

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Fastener Fair Mexico 2023

Fastener Fair Mexico will take place September 7-9, 2023 at Expo Guadalajara.

Fastener Fair Mexico is the only business platform that brings together the growing fastener and fixing industry in Latin America. For more than 5 years, the show has helped to strengthen the industry by exhibiting products from manufacturers and distributors, and being the ideal space to create business networks with professional buyers from Mexico and Latin America.

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Fastener Training Week Chicago is August 21-25

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is excited to announce the next Fastener Training Week in Chicago, IL from August 21-25. The event will be held at the Lincolnshire Marriott and is hosted by the Mid-West Fasteners Association (MWFA). 

FTI’s advanced technical training program is for fastener distributors, manufacturers and end-users and is part of FTI’s Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) advanced technical training program. It combines small group classroom education, discussions and hands-on exercises along with plant and testing facility tours and networking opportunities. At weeks-end, students test for CFS designation.

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Obituary: Marc Somers

Mid-States Bolt & Screw Company has shared the sad news of the passing of Marc Somers.

"Our company has suffered a monumental loss, a devastating blow to the very heart of our Mid-States family and to the fastener community. On Tuesday 5/23/23, Marc Somers passed from this life to the next after a long, arduous and valiant fight.

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Mid-States Bolt & Screw Co. Celebrates 50 Years!

Mid-States Bolt & Screw Company, also known as “the dedicated fastener people”, is celebrating 50 years of business on May 24th, 2023!

Mid-States Bolt & Screw Company has an extensive inventory of nuts, bolts, and screws. The saying goes, “If we don’t have it, we can find it, if we can’t find it, it doesn’t exist.” Fasteners are used in different applications and are needed across many industries. The diversity of their uses and the industries that use them are a key element of our company’s stability and longevity.

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Ford Aerospace Acquired by SPIROL

SPIROL is pleased to announce that Ford Aerospace Ltd based in South Shields, UK will be joining the SPIROL group of companies. 

Ford Aerospace was founded at Tyne Dock in 1910 by Robert Ford, and the family business has most recently been led by the founder’s great-grandson, Chris Ford. The company specializes in manufacturing high precision metal components and sub-assemblies for the aerospace, industrial, and high-technology sectors.  It’s been a leading supplier over its 113 year history dating back almost as far as the first recorded flight in 1903 by the Wright Brothers.

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2023 Fastener Fair Global Breaks Records

The 9th Fastener Fair Global, international exhibition for the fastener and fixing Industry, ended last week after three successful show days at the Messe Stuttgart exhibition center in Germany. Almost 11,000 trade visitors from 83 countries attended the event to discover the latest innovations, products, and services from all areas of fastener and fixing technology and to connect with other industry professionals from various manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Fastener Fair Global 2023 welcomed around 1,000 exhibitors from 46 countries, filling up halls 1, 3, 5 and 7 of the exhibition venue. Covering a net exhibition space of over 23,230 sqm, a 1,000 sqm increase compared to the previous show in 2019, exhibitors presented the complete spectrum of fastener and fixing technologies: industrial fasteners and fixings, construction fixings, assembly and installation systems and fastener manufacturing technology. As a result, the 2023 edition represents the biggest Fastener Fair Global to date.

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Empire Bolt Opens Distribution Warehouse in Summerville SC

After 51 years of success operating as a single location in Spokane, Washington, Empire Bolt & Screw announces the opening of a second warehouse distribution facility in Summerville, SC.

President and CEO Ron Stanley stated, "After receiving requests from various customers needing more localized inventory, we listened and started the process of setting up a distribution warehouse in South Carolina. We are already seeing the advantages of having inventory closer to our customers due to the logistical challenges of shipping freight across the country. Under the direction of chief operations officer, Jennifer Sturm, our new service facility was established within four short months at a location 2,600 miles away from our Spokane headquarters."

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Carmen Vertullo Awarded NFDA’s 2023 Fastener Professional of the Year

The National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) is pleased to announce that Carmen Vertullo of Carver Engineering and Manufacturing (San Diego, CA) is the 2023 recipient of its Fastener Professional of the Year award. 

The Fastener Professional of the Year award was created by NFDA to honor individuals and companies that make a substantial positive impact on people’s lives. Past recipients include: 

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Martin Inc. Welcomes Kevin Cozine, Vice President of Sales for Fastening Solutions

Martin Inc. is excited to announce the appointment of Kevin Cozine as the new Vice President of Sales for Martin Fastening Solutions. In his new role, Kevin will be responsible for expanding the market share of Martin Fastening Solutions and collaborating with the sales team across all of Martin's lines of business.

Kevin brings extensive experience in operations and sales leadership to his new role. He most recently served as the Director of Operational Excellence at Optimas Solutions, where he led the growth of new customer engagement and expanded the customer engagement team's analytical coverage. Kevin has also held leadership positions at MSC Industrial Supply Co. and H&D Distributors, where he developed and grew key accounts.

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Join us for free at Fastener Fair USA

Join us at Fastener Fair USA 2023! Register for FREE as our guest and visit us in booth #844. Click here to sign up with our discount link.

Fastener Fair USA is the only exhibition in the U.S. dedicated to the full supply chaindistributors, 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.

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Fastener Industry Veterans Celebrate Jim Ruetz's Achievement

A group of fastener industry veterans gathered recently in Naples, FL to celebrate Jim Ruetz earning his PhD. Pictured from left to right are:

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Fastener Training Institute Announces Würth Industry North America 2023 Sustaining Sponsorship

The Fastener Training Institute (FTI), the leading nonprofit provider of fastener product and technical training, is excited to announce Würth Industry North America (WINA) will continue as sustaining sponsor in 2023. This will mark the fifth year of partnership between the two organizations. 

“Würth’s continued support is instrumental to our ability to offer frequent and robust educational opportunities which enhance knowledge, safety and reliability across the fastener industry,” said John Wachman, Managing Director for FTI. Thanks to Würth’s support, FTI will continue to offer an extensive menu of in-person fastener training classes taught by leading industry expert instructors, as well as live webinars and an on-demand Online Learning Library (OLL).  

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Field Merges With Mid-State Bolt and Nut Company, Inc.

Field has announced that it has merged with Mid-State Bolt & Nut Company, a full-line fastener distributor headquartered in Columbus, OH. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mid-State Bolt & Nut Company, who was founded in 1946, brings value to the OEM marketplace through creative and efficient supply chain solutions for fasteners and other direct materials.  

This strategic partnership will enhance their combined position in North America by expanding the products, services, and geographical footprint in which they service customers. Both companies become stronger by being together, and more equipped to support current and prospective customers while providing technical services to drive short and long term cost savings.  

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2023 Taiwan International Fastener Show

Attend the 2023 Taiwan International Fastener Show onsite or online.  To register, scan the QR code below or contact [email protected]

Sourcing Taiwan 2023

You're invited to attend Sourcing Taiwan 2023 – Taichung. This will be a procurement meeting event that connects buyers and suppliers from various industries including machinery, hardware, and hand tools. It will be held in person on April 27th in Taichung, Taiwan.