Martin, one of the nation’s leading providers of custom-tailored solutions for maintenance, repair, operation, and production supplies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott McDaniel as Executive Vice President. In this pivotal role, Scott will spearhead the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for Martin’s Fastening business unit to optimize operational efficiency and profitability, and foster synergy across all Martin business units.  Scott will also provide leadership as a key member of Martin executive leadership group, all aimed at achieving the Martin's overarching business objectives.

Scott has a wealth of experience and expertise in the distribution industry, with a remarkable 25-year career dedicated to the Fastener OEM/C Class Component Sector. His extensive background includes executive roles at prominent companies such as Anixter International, Wurth, and Optimus. Scott's leadership acumen, combined with his profound industry knowledge and a well-established professional network, uniquely positions him to make a significant impact on the vision and future success at Martin.

Martin Supply is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve McClanahan as its new chief financial officer (CFO).

Steve brings with him a wealth of experience, having spent the past 25 years at ANConnect, formerly Anderson Merchandisers, an $800 million wholesale distribution company. While at ANConnect, Steve held several executive management positions, including CFO and COO. Notably, he played a pivotal role in overseeing 13 merger and acquisition projects, with a combined estimated value of $350 million, contributing significantly to the company's growth and success.

Sherex is very excited to see our president, Adam Pratt, present "Embracing Rivet Nut Technologies" at 2pm on Tuesday at the International Fastener Expo!

Listen to how rivet nut technology has improved, and discover how embracing these new rivet nuts can help improve assembly times, decrease waste, and enhance application functionality, especially when compared to weld nuts. Join us at the Sessions Stage!

 Marc O. Strandquist, 61, of Jackson, TN, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Born June 5, 1962, in Wurzburg, Germany, the son of Jack D. Strandquist and Johana Rhineline.

Marc is survived by his wife, Vonda; three wonderful children, Erica Strandquist, A.J. Strandquist, and Thomas (Alyssa) Strandquist; grandchildren, Walter and Oliver; mother, Johana; siblings, Kyle (Kris Curtiss) Strandquist and Mike (Mary Ellen) Strandquist; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father, Jack. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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

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.  

Congratulations to Jim Ruetz, now known as Dr. James Ruetz, Ph.D. Jim recently graduated with his doctorate from Oklahoma State University. His dissertation titled “Succession Versus Harvest in the Family Business: The Role of Passion and Family Involvement in Exit Strategy” involved 118 family business owners and 33 private equity managers.

Jim thanks those NFDA members who played a big role by participating in his data collection. He will present his findings during the upcoming NFDA Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL on June 14, 2023.

Martin Inc. Welcomes Marc Strandquist, Executive Vice President, Fastening Solutions

Martin Inc., one of the nation’s leading providers of custom-tailored solutions for maintenance, repair, operation and production supplies, welcomes Marc Strandquist to the role of executive vice president, Fastening Solutions Division. In this role, Marc will develop and execute strategic plans, drive efficiency and profitability, create synergy across all Martin business units, while building and leading the fastening team to achieve business objectives.

Member news from Hanger Bolt & Stud: 

David Fretz has announced his retirement from Hanger Bolt & Stud Co, after nearly 35 years. Initially heading up the sales and marketing effort of our fastener division, Dave quickly assumed a major role in the design and marketing of our emerging line of automatic Drill n’ Drive machines. More recently, his efforts have helped build our HBS wire drawing operation which now overshadows our fastener footprint. His sound leadership in our organization and the industries we serve will be greatly missed. We wish you well Dave!

SPIROL recently launched their new and improved corporate website: SPIROL.com. The new corporate website is a culmination of over 74 years of engineering knowledge and experience in the fastening, joining and assembly arena. Simple to use and easy to navigate, the new SPIROL.com makes it effortless to connect with SPIROL’s global locations, request technical support, submit an RFQ, as well as purchase product through their integrated eCommerce website: Shop.SPIROL.com.

Available in 10 languages, the new SPIROL.com has a specific Fastener & Assembly Resource Center for easy access to:

MSC Industrial Supply Co. (NYSE: MSM), a premier distributor of metalworking, maintenance, repair, and operations supplies to industrial customers throughout North America, today announced that it has acquired Tower Fasteners, a Holtsville, New York-based valued-added distributor of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) fasteners and components. 

Under the equity purchase agreement, Tower will continue to operate under its current name after becoming an MSC company. Mark Shannon, President of Tower, will continue to lead the business, which has approximately 100 associates. Tower’s revenue in calendar 2021 was approximately $35 million. MSC’s acquisition of Tower, made through its All Integrated Solutions (AIS) subsidiary, expands the company’s presence in the OEM fastener market, which it entered in 2018 with the acquisition of AIS, a leading value-added distributor of industrial fasteners and components, MRO supplies and assembly tools based in Wisconsin. 

Big Bolt expands its presence in the strategic secondary services growth category.

Big Bolt, LLC (“Big Bolt”), one of the largest specialty fastener manufacturers in the US, announced it has acquired Delta Secondary, LLC (“Delta”), an Illinois-based manufacturer of fasteners and provider of secondary services.

NFDA Members,

My name is Jim Ruetz. Through our family businesses -All Fasteners & All Tool Sales (now All Integrated Solutions (AIS)- div of MSC Industrial, I’ve been an active member of the NFDA since 1995.

LindFast Solutions Group (LSG), a leading master distributor of specialty fasteners in North America, today announced the completion of its purchase of Star Stainless Screw Company (Star). Together LSG and Star will be even more effective at meeting the needs of their diverse customer base, ranging from stainless to inch, to metric, to value-added services, and more.

"We believe the combination of LSG and Star will give our collective customers unparalleled ability to meet all of their fastener needs with one company," said LindFast CEO Bill Niketas. "With Star's 14 branches and distribution centers across North America and the 16 locations we have, this collective footprint will allow our customers to access product even more efficiently than in the past."