High-volume production drilling makes custom easy

ROCKY RIVER, OH—April 4, 2018–-Earnest Machine has added new equipment at its Rocky River, OH, facility that enables the company to do high-volume production and specialty drilling of holes from 3/64” to 13/32”. “Earnest has always offered low-volume drilling of parts,” said Al Shannon, manufacturing manager at Earnest Machine. “This new equipment opens up additional opportunities, enabling us to bring more drilling services in-house and allows us to take on higher volume runs of up to one million pieces.” Shannon noted that adding high-volume drilling capabilities equips Earnest Machine to offer one-stop shopping for customers who need specialty work, making custom jobs quick and easy. In addition to the ability to drill small diameter holes in small parts in large volumes, Earnest continues to offer hex head and socket head drilling up to 1-1/4” diameter; thread drilling up to 2” diameter; core drilling up to 2-3/4” deep and tapping up to 2-1/2” deep. “One of the common complaints in our industry is that machine shop work is rarely on time,” added Shannon. “At Earnest Machine, we track our shop metrics and our on-time delivery rate is 97.4%. That’s because everything we do is wrapped in the Earnest customer service experience, including the custom work in our shop. If it’s not a quality part, the job’s not complete.”

Mastering RPA: How to Maximize ROI with Minimal Investment

Leading the charge for Industry 4.0, robotic process automation is capable of digitally transforming distribution through small initiatives that drive big results

Sherex Application Spotlight: Replacing Welded Hex Fasteners with Full Hex Rivet Nuts!

• The OEM was experiencing low throughput rates and creating toxic emissions by utilising weld nuts.

• Sherex's engineering team designed and produced a full hex rivet nut to be installed using the FLEX-5 rivet nut installation tool.
• The new solution increased throughput by 50%, eliminated toxic emissions, AND provided a significant cost savings to the OEM.

The National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) has awarded six scholarships for Fastener Training Week, an advanced fastener technical training program produced by the Fastener Training Institute.

• Alexander Broadworth, Mid-States Bolt & Screw (Flint, Michigan)
• Dan Fordham, NSK Industries (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
• Danette Gralfs, Empire Bolt & Screw (Spokane, Washington)
• Megan Somers, Mid-States Bolt & Screw (Flint, Michigan)
• Chris Trifari, Fastener Supply Company (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Applicants were evaluated based on the recommendation from their employer, 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.

National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) and Caliper, a New Jersey-based firm that helps businesses to select talent and develop their workforces, have announced a business partnership designed to make personnel decisions – from hiring to succession planning – more seamless and precise for association members.

Through the relationship, Caliper will support association members with their hiring and employee-development solutions. Specifically, NFDA members will receive exclusive access to, and discounts on, Caliper’s pre-employment assessment tools and other services that have been shown to align talent with strategy, hire better people faster, and develop leaders, teams and mission-critical employees.

Wynnchurch Capital, LLC ("Wynnchurch"), announced today that it has completed an investment in Anderson Metals Corporation, Inc. ("Anderson" or the "Company"). Anderson is a manufacturer of brass fittings, valves, pipe nipples and related products to the plumbing, hardware and general industrial end-markets. The Company is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri and was founded in 1947.

Chris O'Brien, Managing Partner at Wynnchurch said, "Anderson has built an outstanding reputation and strong leadership position in its industry during the past 70 years. We feel very fortunate to partner with Keith and Kent Anderson going forward. In addition, we believe this is an ideal opportunity for Paul Ciolino, a Wynnchurch Operating Partner and former CEO of US Pipe, to work with management and leverage his leadership, industry expertise and relationships to take Anderson to the next level." Greg Gleason, Managing Director at Wynnchurch added, "We are excited to invest in Anderson and to build on the Company's history of success. We believe that Anderson's focus on providing customers with industry leading quality, availability and service, combined with Wynnchurch's experience, positions Anderson to be a strong platform for growth."

A Message From Bruce Merrifield

Following Amazon innovation news and making sense of it for legacy-distribution-channel players is a full-time job. I’ve been doing my best at this quest for most of 2017. Now, the University of Innovative Distribution (http://www.univid.org/aws/AEA/pt/sp/uid_home) has asked me to do a “NEW” day long course on this topic on March 13 in Indianapolis.

Würth Industry North America (WINA) today announced the appointments of Mike Buchanan and Miseal Mena. Buchanan has been named Vice President of Finance, and Miseal Mena, currently Project Manager for Central and South America, as well as Sales Manager for Mexico, has been promoted to Head of Business Development for Latin America. Buchanan and Mena will both report to Marc Strandquist, Executive Vice President of the Würth Group.

Buchanan will be responsible for directing the finance strategies, analysis, forecasting, and budget management for the business unit, as well as ensuring that financial policies and practices are compliant with corporate and accounting standards. He comes to the team with a broad background in finance, support services, and business planning. Most recently, he held the position of Vice President, Finance and Support Services for SUEZ – Advanced Solutions in Atlanta, GA. Buchanan received his B.S. degree in Business Administration from The Citadel, and his MBA from DePaul University. He is a Certified Management Accountant and Certified in Financial Management.

A Message From Sherex

Are you experiencing problems with tolerance stack? Having trouble with misalignment during joint servicing? Riv-Float Rivet Nuts are the answer! Using a patented floating inner nut design, Riv-Float provides fast and easy attachment points in off-center applications, reducing the risk of cross threading and spin out.

Riv-Float rivet nuts are an ideal replacement for riveted nut plates and cage nuts as they reduce installation time by requiring only one hole and can be installed blind. Riv-Float can also replace weld nuts, offering quicker, easier installation, and eliminating the possibility of weld spatter affecting threads and the need for costly ventilation systems.   

For applications with restricted backside clearance, Riv-Float Short provides the same solution to tolerance stack as Riv-Float with a reduced profile, allowing for blind installation in tight spaces. 

Riv-Float and Riv-Float Short can be installed with the Sherex Flex-5 installation tool with the use of a Riv-Float anvil.

A Message From Sherex

Sherex Fastening Solutions, a global leader in engineered fasteners, tooling, and automation, is pleased to announce Pacific Warehouse Sales (PWS) as the Western Region Master Distributor for its TEC Series wedge locking washer product line.

A federal legislative solution to the state sales tax collection loophole benefiting remote-only sellers to the competitive disadvantage of local brick-and-mortar distributors and retailers remains elusive.  However, the federal judiciary may be in the process of moving the needle on the “e-Fairness” issue.

As we reported last fall, the State of South Dakota passed a law requiring remote sellers to collect and remit the state’s sales tax on certain transactions, knowing that their law was almost certain to be struck down as violating the Supreme Court’s Quill decision barring states from requiring that the taxes be collected by remote sellers without a physical presence – nexus – in the state.

A Message From NAW

As you know, NAW has long been involved in the fight for comprehensive tax reform, with particular focus on leveling the playing field between industries – including wholesale distribution – that have historically paid high effective tax rates and those industries that have enjoyed single digit effective rates – or even secured tax refunds.

A Message From Beacon Fasteners

Beacon Fasteners and Components is excited to announce that they have successfully completed the transition from the ISO 9001:2008 to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System. Beacon’s drive and support from management and their operational staff paved the way to this achievement one year before the deadline.

A Message From Sherex

We are pleased to announce that we have received QSLM approval (Qualified Suppliers List for Manufacturers) from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency for our NAS/MS rivet nuts produced in our Akron, OH facility. Manufacturers who gain this approval must satisfy stringent quality requirements, including: having a documented quality control program, maintaining lot identity through the manufacturing process, and using Statistical Process Control (SPC) on an ongoing basis.

A Message From EFC International

EFC International Continues To “Redefine The World Of Distribution” By Launching A New Website Focused On Providing An Unparalleled Customer Experience.

A Press Release From Hodell-Natco

Hodell-Natco Industries acquired Davco Fastener Company on December 1, 2017. The move was a strategic one that gives Hodell-Natco a stronger foothold in the OEM market. Kevin Reidl, President of Hodell-Natco, worked together with Dave Potts, President and Owner of Davco Fastener Company on this mutually-beneficial transaction.