SUMMER 2024

In the Summer 2024 issue of
6 DISTRIBUTOR NEWS
8 FASTENER SCIENCE: STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS AND
THE ORIGIN OF METAL
Rob LaPointe
10 WHY FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD OFFER
APPLICATION ENGINEERING
Laurence Claus
12 THE VARIOUS METHODS OF THREAD LOCKING
Bruno Marbacher
14 WHAT DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE
TECHNIQUE WHEN TIGHTENING A BOLTED CONNECTION
Guy Avellon
16 [COVER STORY] EDSON MANUFACTURING:
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S RIVET SOURCE
26 AMERICAN BOLT CORP: YOUR TRUESTED FASTENER RESOURCE
Dennis Cowhey
28 UNTHREADED: SO, YOU WANT TO BE A FASTENER ROCK STAR…
Eric Dudas
30 ROTOR CLIP: WHAT IS A RETAINING RING?
32 GOOGLE AND YAHOO!’S CRACKDOWN ON EMAIL:
A QUICK TRIP TO THE SPAM FOLDER
Joe Dysart
34 IFI ANNOUNCES 12TH EDITION OF THE BOOK
OF FASTENER STANDARDS
Dan Walker
36 WHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN BREAKS
Robert Footlik
40 FASTENER FAIR USA 2024: CELEBRATING INNOVATION
AND GROWTH IN CLEVELAND, OH
42 FTC IMPLEMENTS NON-COMPETE BAN
Jim Truesdell
44 TORSIONAL STRENGTH TEST IS CRITICAL IN
MANY SCREW SPECIFICATIONS
Larry Borowski
46 HERE WE GO AGAIN…
Chris Donnell
48 INTERCORP UNIVERSITY: YOU + INTERCORP =
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS RESULTS
50 E-Z LOK CONTINUES ITS TRADITION OF INNOVATION & SERVICE
52 AI FOR DISTRIBUTORS: TOP APPLICATIONS AND
STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES
Nelson Valderamma
53 IDEAL SUPPLY: YOUR IDEAL SOURCE FOR COMMERICAL
AND MIL-SPEC FASTENERS
54 IMSM LTD: IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING!
Scott Mersch
56 IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS: LET US TRAIN YOUR CREW
Jo Morris
58 UNLIMITED GROWTH AT CABLE TIES UNLIMITED
Stan Lockhart
60 STS INDUSTRIAL: YOUR ONE-STOP WHOLESALE SUPPLIER
Dennis Cowhey
62 THE FASTENER EXPERTS MENTOR GROUP: I HAVE A
FASTENER QUESTION…WHAT ARE THE STANDARD
COMMITTES AND WHY SHOULD I JOIN?
Your Expert, Tony Reid
64 STAFDA 2024 CONVENTION SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED
Georgia H. Foley, CEO
66 MWFA EVENTS ROUND UP AND NEW BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED FOR 2024
Francesca Lewis
68 ALEMITE ® SHUTTERS PRODUCTION –
HUYETT HAS A SOLUTION
70 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COILED SPRING PINS
AND SLOTTED SPRING PINS
Adolf Valasek
72 IOVISTA: FASTENER INDUSTRY – EVOLVE OR GET LEFT BEHIND
74 IFI ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP & DIVISION CHAIRS
Dan Walker
76 2X AWARD WINNING TECHNOLOGY: BIT-LOK REQUIRES
ZERO FORCE TO INSTALL A SCREW
78 BUY-SELL AGREEMENTS
Roman Basi
80 NCFA CELEBRATES A MILESTONE!
Mike Robinson
81 NCFA DISTRIBUTOR SOCIAL PHOTOS

volume 47 // issue #3
82 2024/2025 SEFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nancy Rich
84 PERFECTION CHAIN PRODUCTS EXPANDS LEADERSHIP
AS LARGEST WELDLESS CHAIN PRODUCER
88 MAFDA GOLF OUTING & SCHOLARSHIP A HUGE SUCCESS!
Freddy Barr
88 MAFDA GOLF OUTING PHOTOS
91 BRYNOLF MANUFACTURING ADDS TO ITS PRODUCT LINE
92 WESTERN WIRE: AN INDUSTRY LEADER WITH OVER
100 YEARS OF EXPERTISE
95 FASTENER FAIR USA PHOTOS
97 COMPONENT PACKAGING ADDS NEW EQUIPMENT
100 MW INDUSTRIES: MASTERING THE ART OF
LONG-TERM PLANNING
102 MW INDUSTRIES CUSTOMER APPRECIATION CRAWFISH BOIL
107 SUBSCRIPTION FORM
110 NEFDA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Laura Murphy
124 SEFA SPRING CONFERENCE – MEMBER EVENT OF THE YEAR
Nancy Rich
125 SEFA SPRING CONFERENCE PHOTOS
131 SEMS AND SPECIALS: YOUR THREAD FORMING EXPERTS
137 UNICORP NOW OFFERS RETAINING RINGS
142 FASTENER WEB LINKS
152 PAC-WEST AFTER HOURS NETWORKING EVENTS
Amy Nijjar
153 PAC-WEST AFTER HOURS SAN DIEGO PHOTOS
167 FASTENER FAIR USA OPENING NIGHT PARTY PHOTOS
171 MWFA SCREWED UP GOLF OPEN PHOTOS
182 MWFA ESSENTIALS IN HEAT TREATING & PLATING
Francesca Lewis
183 MWFA WINE TASTING EVENT PHOTOS
190 SFA CONFERENCE REPORT
Becky Buddenbohn
199 DON’T MISS OUR FALL ISSUE

6 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
On October 15 to October 17, 2024, Matrix
Engineering Consultants and NNi Training
and Consulting Inc. will again be conducting 3
Day Fundamentals of Threaded Fastener and Joint
Design training.
This one-of-a-kind Fastener Training Course will
provide participants with an in-depth explanation
of fastener terminology, technology, and threaded
fastener joint design calculations and strategies.
Participants may choose to attend in-person or
via a live on-line stream.
The course will be conducted from the training
facilities of Matrix Engineering Consultants,
12986 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
55344. The course will be taught be Laurence
Claus, President of NNi Training and Consulting
Inc. and Jon Ness P.E., Principle Engineer of
Matrix Engineering Consultants.
Mr. Claus has over 35 years of fastener industry
experience, serves as the Director of Training and
Education for the Industrial Fasteners Institute, is
Chairman of the SAE Fastener Committee, recent
Vice Chairman of the ASTM Fastener Committee
F16, and Subcommittee Chairman for both ASTM
F16 and ASME B18.
Mr. Ness is a licensed professional engineer
with over 32 years of engineering and design
experience related to the development of on and
off-road vehicles. He has technical expertise in
the design and validation of bolted joints and has
led multiple root cause investigations of bolted
joint failures.
Participants can earn up to 24 Professional
Development Hours with this course.
NNI Training and Consulting is a dynamic,
entrepreneurial ‘knowledge provider’ offering
training and consulting services to small- and
mid-sized companies.
Matrix Engineering Consultants provides
clients with consistent, quality engineering and
consulting services, aligned to the standards of
their clients and of the industry.
For more information about the course, go to:
www.matrixengrg.com/training/fundamentals-ofthreaded-fasteners-and-joint-design/
To register for the course, go to: www.eventbrite.
com/e/3-day-fundamentals-of-threaded-fastenersand-joint-design-tickets-893725576257
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In keeping with the strategy to provide value
added, engineering-based solutions to its’
customers, Advance Components announced
that Ryan Waychoff has been promoted from
Regional Sales Manager to Business Development
Director.
“Ryan’s wealth of experience and industry
knowledge makes him a key addition to the
Advance Business Development Team. The
relationships he has developed throughout his
career will play a vital role in Ryan being a valuable
fastener sales resource for both our current and
new customers,” said Gary Cravens, President
of Advance. “Ryan will focus on our strategic
partnerships with current customers, exploring
new markets and business opportunities, and
expanding our marketing efforts that create value
for our customers.”
Advance Components is a master distributor
of ARaymond/Tinnerman, AVK Industrial, Heyco
Products, Parker Fasteners, Vogelsang, Caillau,
Davies Molding, Essentra Components and more.
Based in Carrollton (Dallas), TX Advance is a
trusted supply chain partner for manufacturers
and distributors in the industrial market, and
carries a large variety of in-stock products that
are available online 24-7.
For more information contact Advance
Components at 2920 Commodore Drive, Suite
100, Carrollton, TX 75007. Tel: 1-800-275-7772,
email: sales@advancecomponents.com or visit
them online at www.advancecomponents.com.

8
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Rob LaPointe EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE
Rob LaPointe is a noted authority in materials and fastener technology. With extensive experience in the
management and science of materials testing laboratories combined with master’s degrees in physics and
education, he excels at bringing solutions to the client. Working specifically in the fastener testing industry,
he has developed expertise in mechanical, nondestructive, metallurgical and chemical testing. With a
background of 20 years in physics education, Rob is effective at communicating complex ideas in a simple
and understandable manner, communicating well with clients enabling them to make informed decisions
about their products and business. Rob is President/CEO of Expedite Testing Service, 11645 Riverside Drive,
Suite 127, Lakeside, CA 92040. Tel: 619-736-7872, Cell: 909-254-1278 or visit www.expeditetest.com.
FASTENER SCIENCE: STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
AND THE ORIGIN OF METAL
As dedicated fastener professionals, our working
lives revolve around metals such as iron, nickel and
aluminum. A basic working knowledge of metal, including
its characteristics, appearance and value is required if
we are to be successful in manufacturing, distribution,
sales and service of products that are, almost entirely,
produced from metal.
But where does metal come from? Most people can
readily provide an answer to this question by pointing down
and saying, “The ground; metal comes from the ground!”
While this is a correct answer, it is not a definitive answer.
Although nearly one hundred percent of the metal used
today was mined from earth, that is not the true origin of
the stuff. Earth does not make metal, but rather, earth is
made from metal, just like the fastener products we work
with daily. To find the true origin of metal you must look
up into the sky. The true origin of metal is the stars of the
Milkey Way galaxy, our hometown (Figure 1).
TABLE 1 EARTH INTO MATERIAL BY PERCENTAGE
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
FIGURE 1 WIDE ANGLE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MILKEY WAY
GALAXY SHOWING STARS AND CLOUDS OF DEBRIS PRODUCED BY
EXPLODED STARS.
Earth is comprised mostly of metal. The mass of earth
is approximately 5.98 x 10 24 kg. It’s best to think of mass
as the measure of stuff, specifically atomic nuclei, rather
than weight. Although the two ideas are often interrelated.
Of that total mass, we can break down earth into material
by percentage as seen in Table 1. As you can see, most
of earth is make of metal with iron being the primary
component. Magnesium, nickel, calcium and aluminum are
also metals with silicon being somewhere between a metal
and a nonmetal known as a metalloid (semiconductor).
A metal is defined as an element that forms positive
ions and connects to other atoms with a metallic bond.
A positive ion is an atom that has a net positive charge.
Atoms are considered neutral if the number of positive
charges in the atom (protons) is balanced with the same
number of negative charges (electrons). While metals can
happily exist as neutral atoms, they certainly don’t mind
giving some electrons away or sharing them with other
atoms.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 94

10
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.
WHY FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD OFFER
APPLICATION ENGINEERING
I loved my job, but after twenty-six years in fastener
manufacturing , I found myself at a career crossroads.
Auspiciously I had options; start afresh in a new field,
continue in fastener manufacturing, or start something
of my own. I had a lot of great technical and business
management experience to draw from, having cross
pollinated in the automotive, general industrial, and
aerospace market segments. I had held numerous
different roles including Application Engineer, Quality
Director, Director of New Business Development, General
Manager, and Vice President.
Therefore, in the summer 2012 I would hang out my
own shingle as an independent consultant and trainer. I
imagine like many individuals that start off on their own,
years of honing industry relationships resulted in my earliest
clients being organizations where I had already forged a
connection. So it wasn’t until I had been on my own for four
or five months that I would receive my first opportunity with
a client whom I had never worked with before.
As it happened, this client was a small, regional
VMI distributor. They had recently renewed a multi-year
contract with their largest customer. As they explained
what they needed, I was shocked to learn some basic
details of their new contract and quickly realized
why they had sought me out. Although I had always
considered the automotive OEM’s insistence on yearly
“productivity” reductions for multiple year contracts,
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
as brutal, unfair, and honestly short-sighted business,
I was ill-prepared for the story that I heard from my
soon to be newest client. In a nutshell, in a move
seemingly straight out of the automotive purchasing
handbook, my client’s customer had forced a multiyear
agreement with significant contract reductions for
each year of the contract. The only silver lining was
that their customer made a provision that any genuine
cost savings they could provide through application
engineering channels would be credited towards their
yearly reduction obligations.
Thus, the reason they had searched me out. At
that time, they had no in-house engineering or technical
resources to engage in such an activity, compelling
FIGURE 1: PARKING LOT
SIGN ENCOUNTERED ON A
CUSTOMER VISIT
them to find that expertise
outside of their organization.
The engagement essentially
had me travelling to their
customer’s site, going
from assembly station
to assembly station and
noting where there might
be an opportunity for
cost savings, either from
the fastener components
or improvement to the
assembly practice.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 96

12
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Bruno Marbacher
Bruno Marbacher earned his mechanical engineering degree in Switzerland, he also holds a
business degree. He started out as a tool and die maker (poly-mechanic) and over the years he
has held various management positions in quality and engineering. During his time in America
he has developed and given numerous seminars on topics related to the proper use of mechanical
fasteners and machine elements, and assists engineers in solving fastening/assembly issues. His
has groomed and directed many young engineers in fastening/assembly technology. He now
offers his 40 years of experience through writing and lecturing.
THE VARIOUS METHODS OF THREAD LOCKING
Dear Reader, in this article we address locking
features in the thread, meaning, screws and nuts with a
locking/jamming thread designed to prevent separating.
These types of fasteners are typically called prevailing
torque fasteners.
Thread Locking
If a screw or a nut has become somewhat loosened,
the locking feature under the head has become ineffective,
there is a risk that the fastener will continue to rotate until
separation. This loosening can only be stopped, if the
screw thread or the nut thread are locked by a jamming
feature in in the thread.
The locking feature can be metallic or non-metallic.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
But its resisting effect cannot be too strong; as it would
cause problems engaging, and consequently assembling
the parts.
However, a locking feature in the thread will not
prevent the initial rotational loosening of a fastened
joint. To prevent spontaneous loosening, fasteners with
a looking feature underneath the head would have to be
used.
Standards avoid the designation “locking screw” or
“locking nut”. According to ISO-standards these screws or
nuts are designated prevailing torque fasteners.
Lock nuts are covered by ISO standards, for non-metal
locking element as well as all-metal lock nuts. However,
only the locking effect has been standardized, not the
locking element itself. Its outer diameter must always be
smaller than the width across flats. The total height of the
nut is given.
Prevailing torque nuts are available from sizes M3
(4-40) to M48 (1 7/8).
Non-metallic locking thread elements are made of
polyamide (nylon). Polyamide is a thermoplastic that
softens above 120 ºC (248 ºF) At this temperature
the locking effect disappears. Some polyamide rubs
off at each assembly/disassembly. The screws should
be replaced with new ones after about 3 assembly/
disassembly cycles.
All-metal lock nuts are suitable for higher temperatures.
The inside diameter of the locking segment is always
somewhat smaller than that of the major diameter of the
screw thread.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 98

14
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Guy Avellon
Guy Avellon has been in MRO and Fastener Distribution for over 30 years, in such positions Sales
Engineer, Chief Engineer, Manager of Product Marketing, Product Engineering & Quality and
Director of Quality & Engineering. He founded GT Technical Consultants where he performs failure
analysis, lectures on fastener safety, works for law firms and designs/audits Quality systems. He is a
member of SAE, is Vice Chairman of the ASTM F16 Fastener Committee, Chairman of the F16.01 Test
Methods Committee and received the ASTM Award of Merit in 2005. Guy can be contacted at 847-
477-5057, Email: ExpertBoltGuy@gmail.com or visit www.BoltFailure.com.
WHAT DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE
TECHNIQUE WHEN TIGHTENING A BOLTED CONNECTION
For the past several articles we have defined torque
and the different ways it is used in maintenance,
assembly lines and structural applications. Our objective
has been to create a joint connection that will perform in
the face of environmental changes while enduring external
forms of shock loading or other forms of abuse.
A somewhat reliable connection may be made by
tightening a single bolt as users will still seek out the
proper torque value to use with their fasteners. However,
torque is fickle and as we have seen, there are many
variables to consider. One of which is when the joint has
multiple bolts in the connection and the other is how the
fasteners are tightened.
Customers may still experience some bolt failures
even when using the ‘proper’ torque values. However, if
their technique of applying the torque is not compatible
with the bolted connection and joint conditions, some
failures will occur.
When a bolt is tightened it experiences a torsional
twist. Therefore, as soon as the wrench stops turning the
torsional force dissipates but the clamping preload will
decrease a slight amount as the bolt regains its original
shape from being twisted.
If a bolt is tightened onto a hardened joint surface,
the amount of relaxation from compression of the joint,
washer and threads will amount to approximately 10-15%
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
within the first 90 seconds. This loss is very significant
if there are multiple bolts in the joint and/or a gasket.
Other factors contributing to preload loss can be from
fluctuating temperatures, condition of the joint surfaces,
corrosion and joint rigidity in relation to the bolt grade and
amount of torque applied.
When a softer material is introduced in the connection,
such as a non-hardened washer, lower strength nut than
the bolt or a gasket, the drop in preload is much faster
and greater than 15%. Materials are elastic but they are
also compressive. The compressed materials like to
return to their previous dimensions but sometimes do not.
This action of relaxation of the bolt and joint is the reason
why after a fastener has been tightened, the fastener can
be rotated a little bit more a few moments after all the
other fasteners have been tightened. With the exception
of a gasket or other soft material, once the fastener is
retightened it will regain most or all of the preload it lost.
The fastener and joint will now be stabilized from further
loss of preload.
Multiple Fasteners In A Joint
An example of bolt and joint relaxation can be
illustrated by using the multiple bolt pattern in Figure 1.
This represents either a solid flange without a gasket, or
a wheel.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 104

26
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
AMERICAN BOLT CORP.
16555 W Glendale Drive, New Berlin, WI 53151
TEL 1-262-786-6530 EMAIL marketing@americanboltcorp.com WEB www.americanboltcorp.com
YOUR TRUSTED FASTENER RESOURCE
by Dennis Cowhey, President, Computer Insights
Family-owned and headquartered in southeastern
Wisconsin, American Bolt has been distributing fasteners
for 60 years! As an industry leader in the construction
and manufacturing industries, they specialize in
distributing bolts, nuts, washers, threaded rods and
studs, construction fasteners, anchors, sockets, metrics,
stainless steel hardware, and more.
Their growth over the decades is a testament to
their commitment to their core values of Family, Honesty,
Respect, Resourcefulness, and Pride. At American Bolt
Corp, they are not just about distributing fasteners;
they are also about building lasting and meaningful
partnerships with their customers. Their employees,
products, suppliers, and solutions are all geared towards
this goal, making their customers, feel valued and
important. American Bolt Corp’s mission has remained
simple since its beginning: to exceed its customers’
expectations in all facets.
American Bolt provides custom solutions and
production stability through building partnerships of trust
and engagement with their customers.
The American Bolt Advantage
At American Bolt, they pride themselves on their
ability to not only meet but exceed the expectations
of their clients. Their mission is more than just words;
it’s the driving force behind everything they do. They
understand that your organization’s success relies on
dependable partners and are eager to demonstrate how
their values align with yours.
Their company is driven by a mission that echoes
their commitment to their clients. Through investment
in inventory and personnel, they build long-term
partnerships with their customers and anticipate their
needs. Mark Osborn, VIce President, shared, “We care
enough to listen, strive to understand your needs, create
solutions for success, communicate fully, and deliver on
our promises. We are committed to working as one team
with our customers and within our company. With these
efforts, we plan to grow well into the future.”
Experience
American Bolt prides itself on having experienced
and knowledgeable teams that can offer more than
simply referencing a catalog part number. Their Sales &
Supply Chain employees have many years of experience
in the fastener industry and strive to go the extra mile.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 106

28
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Eric Dudas Fully Threaded Radio
Eric Dudas co-founded FCH Sourcing Network in 2006 and launched the industry
renowned Fully Threaded Radio podcast in 2010. With business partner and co-host
Brian Musker, FCH operates its widely used digital inventory marketing platform,
and provides data cleansing and formatting services for fastener distributors across
the industry. FCH also produces the monthly Fastener Distributor Index. Apart from
industry punditry, Eric ponders the deeper existential aspects of life driving a tractor
around his small farm in semi-rural northeast Ohio. eric@fastenersclearinghouse.com
UNTHREADED:
SO, YOU WANT TO BE A FASTENER ROCK STAR...
For an industry usually thought of as something less
than glamorous, the fastener business seems to have its
share of would be rock stars.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown
Cleveland was the site of the welcome bash at this year’s
Fastener Fair USA, which took place May 22-23.
As the party started rocking, I took the escalator up
to the hands-on music exhibit called The Garage to see
who was jamming. The exhibit is a large practice area
filled with musical instruments that Rock Hall visitors are
welcome to play.
Sure enough, the place was filled with fastener
folks. Holly McDaniel of WCL was seated at a keyboard.
Baron Yarborough of KT Bolt had strapped himself to a
Fender bass. A couple people were in the mostly soundproof
drum rooms, banging away on full kits. And the
Patriot Bolt guys appeared to be doing something with an
electric guitar that resembled playing it.
It looked like big fun, and I guess I shouldn’t
have been surprised to see so many players up there.
Everyone secretly wants to be a rock star. Or at least
they’ve imagined it.
But I was there mostly just to work through some
nervous energy, so I took a quick look and headed back
down to the party.
On the main stage, doing actual rock star duty that
evening, was Tim Vath of Solution Industries. He was
looking very cool. His band, Radiate Live, was filling the
Hall with its brand of party jams as the drinks and fastener
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
“HELLO CLEVELAND: YOU’LL NEVER KNOW HOW YOU SOUND UNTIL
YOU CLIMB ON STAGE. ERIC DUDAS AND TIM VATH TAKE THE
FASTENER FAIR BASH TO 11.”
good times rolled, as they tend to do during these events.
Tim is an accomplished bass guitarist. His brother,
Tom Vath, plays drums for the group. They’ve played
together for many years, and their band is about as tight
as a part-time music act can be. They all have day jobs,
but they’re serious musicians on the side.
Not actual rock stars, but they’re a whole lot closer
than most because they’re up there busting it out.
In contrast, my own guitar playing and somewhat
off-kilter crooning has never been more than a casual
diversion. Most of my musical skill was developed
at college while procrastinating writing term papers.
I usually got my assignments in before deadline, but
while delaying the inevitable all-night typing sessions I
learned to play a wicked D7 chord, along with a few other
essentials.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 108

30
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROTOR CLIP COMPANY INC.
187 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873
TEL 1-800-557-6867 EMAIL info@rotorclip.com WEB www.rotorclip.com
WHAT IS A RETAINING RING?
What Is A Retaining Ring?
A retaining ring is a fastening component used
in mechanical assemblies to securely hold parts in
position on a shaft (external) or within a housing/bore
(internal). These rings create an artificial shoulder or
join two components together, offering minimal surface
preparation and reduced mass compared to cotter
pins and bolts. Retaining rings are especially useful
in applications with axial force, preventing unwanted
movement and maintaining alignment. They provide a costeffective
and efficient solution for secure fastening across
various industries, including automotive, military, medical,
aerospace, and energy. With many styles and unique
properties, retaining rings are versatile components that
cater to a wide range of applications.
Why Should You Use A Retaining Ring?
Retaining rings offer several advantages over
traditional fastening methods, making them an excellent
choice for secure fastening in machinery and equipment.
These components prevent shifting or loosening during
operation, enhancing overall performance, and reducing
the risk of damage or failure. They eliminate the need for
additional fasteners or machining processes, providing
a convenient and cost-effective solution. Additionally,
retaining rings are easy to install, adjust, or remove,
making maintenance straightforward. Their superior
strength, versatility, and efficiency make them an optimal
choice for ensuring stability, reliability, and ease of
maintenance in various machinery and equipment.
What Types Of Retaining Rings Are
Available?
Rotor Clip is proud to be the only manufacturer of every
style of retaining ring. With our precision manufacturing
capabilities, we offer nearly 20,000 standard parts, as
well as custom parts. Here are the main types of retaining
rings offered:
¤ Tapered Section Retaining Rings/Circlips:
These rings provide secure retention, strong grip, and
reliable contact with the groove. Featuring lugs and lug
holes, they are easy to install and remove, offering a
dependable assembly solution.
¤ Constant Section Retaining Rings/Snap Rings:
Constant Section Rings maintain a uniform cross-section
and are ideal for tight clearances. They provide consistent
and reliable retention, especially in high-speed or highvibration
environments. Heavy-duty rings are often used
in industries like Oil & Gas and Off-highway/Agricultural
equipment.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 110

32
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Joe Dysart
Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Thousand Oaks,
California. A journalist for 20 years, his articles have appeared in more than 40
publications, including The New York Times and The Financial Times of London.
During the past decade, his work has focused exclusively on ecommerce.
Telephone: 631-256-6602; web: www.joedysart.com; email: joe@dysartnewsfeatures.com
GOOGLE AND YAHOO!’S CRACKDOWN ON EMAIL:
A QUICK TRIP TO THE SPAM FOLDER
Many fastener distributors are finding it tougher to
reach the inboxes of customers and potential customers
-- due to a crackdown on email marketing by Google and
Yahoo!
Officially launched in February, the stricter rules are
beginning to trigger significant pain.
“Nearly 25 percent of e-commerce retailers are
poised to experience significant drops in deliverability,”
due to strict new email marketing rules from Google
and Yahoo!, according to Amy Chan, strategic support
manager, Open Moves (www.openmoves.com), an email
marketing service provider.
Specifically, Google and Yahoo! have teamed-up to
auto-route marketing emails sent over their mail services
directly to spam folders -- if those marketing emails skirt
commonly accepted anti-spam practices.
Plus, Google and Yahoo! are also penalizing
emarketers who send more than .3% of messages they
characterize as spam, according to Gautam Rishi, CEO,
One Shot (www.oneshot.ai), an email marketing service
provider.
Says One Shot’s Rishi: “Spray-and-pray is done.
The consequences for violating these new requirements
are high. Frequent offenders will find it harder and
harder to hit the inbox -- and may have their emails
blocked entirely. Serious cases can see email accounts
suspended.”
Adds Rishi: “ What does 0.3% look like? Let’s make
it concrete: If your company sends 1,000 emails, only 3
complaints put you at 0.3%. And getting your spam rate
back below that level is an uphill battle.”
Even worse: Fastener distributors identified as
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
MANY EMAIL MARKETERS ARE FINDING THAT MORE OF THEIR
EMAILS ARE HITTING THE SPAM FOLDER -- DUE TO A CRACKDOWN
BY GOOGLE AND YAHOO!
especially delinquent spammers could see all the email
sent from their company -- both promotional and otherwise
-- suddenly blocked by Google and Yahoo!
That means if your marketing department is using
your company domain for marketing emails -- and it’s
spotlighted as an especially delinquent spammer -- no one
at your fastener distributorship will be able to send email
to Google and Yahoo managed email addresses. Period.
Dire enough on its face, that prospect is even more
dystopian than many businesses may realize.
The reason: Google and Yahoo! not only offer free
email addresses branded with the Gmail and Yahoo
domains. They also offer private label email services --
featuring the domains of their customers -- which many
businesses use to handle all their email needs.
The result: Any marketing email sent via those
private label services is also subject to the same strict,
new standards that have been rolled-out by Google and
Yahoo!
CONTINUED ON PAGE 112

34
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE
6363 Oak Tree Boulevard, Independence, OH 44131
TEL 216-241-1482 FAX 216-241-5901 EMAIL info@indfast.org WEB www.indfast.org
IFI ANNOUNCES 12TH EDITION OF THE BOOK OF
FASTENER STANDARDS by Dan Walker, Managing Director
The Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) has announced
the launch of the 12th Edition of the IFI Book of Fastener
Standards, now available for purchase.
The IFI Book of Fastener Standards serves as the
industry’s resource and is a compilation of the most
commonly used fastener standards for inch
fasteners and non-ISO metric fasteners. In
addition to the book’s 96 standards, 30
of which are updated, the 12th edition
now includes IFI 171, which covers thread
dimensions for the assembly of bolts,
studs, and nuts in the steel construction
industry.
The 12th edition represents 83 years
of continuous development in fastener
standards since the first edition was
published in 1941. During this time, copies have been
distributed to major manufacturing and construction
interests throughout the world. The IFI Book of Fastener
Standards is considered a must-have resource for
designers, manufacturing engineers, and managers in all
industries where mechanical joining is required.
“IFI’s Book of Fastener Standards is known throughout
the world as a go-to resource and is really unique because
it combines the most requested fastener standards from
ASTM, ASME, SAE and IFI in one convenient resource.”,
said Salim Brahimi, IFI’s Director of Engineering and
Technology. “It also represents a tremendous cost
savings, because purchasing those standards separately
would cost more than $3,000. It would also require
someone to source and organize the standards for their
engineering or quality personnel, so the book saves you
time.”
You can order the IFI book of Fastener Standards,
12th edition on the IFI website (www.indfast.org/book) for
just $675.
In addition to the Book of Fastener
Standards, IFI also offers the IFI Technology
Connection (ITC), which is an online tool
that utilizes the latest data found in
the standards to generate tables and
specification sheets for requested parts
that can be used by sales, engineering
and quality professionals.
IFI also hosts numerous education and
training events throughout the year that
are available to the public through the IFI
website, www.indfast.org.
About IFI
IFI is the leading voice representing the interests
of the North American manufacturers of mechanical
fasteners and formed parts, as well as the key suppliers
to the industry, fostering their working together to shape
the future of the industry. IFI represents the industry to
its suppliers, customers, the government, and the publicat-large
to advance the competitiveness, products, and
innovative technology of the Member Companies in a
global marketplace.
To inquire about IFI membership, contact Dan Walker,
Managing Director at dwalker@indfast.org or call 216-241-
1482 for details on eligibility and benefits.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE

36
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Robert Footlik
Robert B. Footlik, PE is a retired Professional Industrial Engineer. With over 50 years’
experience as a Warehouse and Logistics Consultant to a wide variety of clients including
Fastener Distributors, Bob has a wealth of valuable information for our industry and he is
willing to share it. While Footlik & Associates is now closed, his expertise is still available
to his friends and our readers. For friendly advice, a second opinion or just to start a
conversation, he can be reached at robert@footlik.net.
WHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN BREAKS
One of the real joys of teaching adult students as an
adjunct professor is encountering a student who knows
more about a topic than you. This is especially true when
the subject is the kind of dry as dust lullaby that usually
puts the class to sleep. Meeting someone who has a
passion for a career based on what you thought was
esoteric knowledge is a revelation.
Lectures were done online, pre Zoom, with both live
and time delayed classes. For those engaged in distance
learning there was a 12 hour lag between the televised
class and the availability to the student. The class was
Distribution and Logistics and the topic was INCOTERMS.
Promptly twelve hours after the lecture I received a call
from a student based in New Jersey. She complimented
me on the class and chastised me on the content. Said I
didn’t make it sufficiently interesting. She worked for the
Port of New York-New Jersey and INCOTERMS were the
reason why she loved her job. Here’s what she taught
me...
You Never Heard Of INCOTERMS?
Yes You Have!
INCOTERMS is an abbreviation for “International
Commercial Terms” and it as old as commerce. These
are a set of standards for how to speak the language
of commerce, regardless of your native tongue and the
language at the other end of the transaction. One relatively
simple table, updated every 10 years and maintained by
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
the International Chamber of Commerce dictates the
duties, obligations and legality of international trade and
in most respects domestic trade too.
Never heard of this? Perhaps you have heard of
FOB (Free on Board) applied to a transaction where you
bought something that a vendor will ship to you. A simple
example is a purchase made online from a vendor other
than Amazon. Their terms are that when the item ships
your credit card will be charged. This means that you own
it in transit, and although the vendor has conveniently
arranged for shipping you are paying UPS or USPS to
deliver the goods to your home or office. All is well
and perfect, unless the package is damaged or lost in
transit. Then what?
Your first reaction is to contact the vendor and
complain, but if you follow the FOB column in the chart
on the next page of the article, it is clear that whatever
happened in transit is your problem, not the vendor’s.
In actuality, by local convention only, the vendor is
more likely to just apologize and send a replacement for
free. This works for cheap trinkets, but what if the item is
a piece of very expensive jewelry? That’s your problem,
because as the chart shows, you should have negotiated
for insurance of the shipment.
How does this change for an Amazon order? Amazon
is totally responsible for the order throughout transit. It
will be under Amazon’s control and in theory they have
total responsibility.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 116

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 37

40
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
FASTENER FAIR USA 2024: CELEBRATING
INNOVATION AND GROWTH IN CLEVELAND, OH
An Unprecedented Success In The Heart Of
The Fastener Industry
Fastener Fair USA 2024 has once again proven
itself as the premier event for the fastener industry,
marking a significant triumph in Cleveland, Ohio. Held
from May 21-23, 2024, at the Huntington Convention
Center, this year’s Show attracted professionals from all
corners of the global industry for three days packed with
education, product discovery, business connections, and
networking opportunities.
The event kicked off on May 21 with the Fastener Fair
Conference, hosted by the Fastener Training Institute. This
pre-exhibit educational offering provided attendees with
critical insights and training. Notable sessions included
“The Making of Fasteners & the Cost Drivers Behind this
Engineering Marvel” and “Lightweight Fastening Trends &
Designs for Future Platforms,” both expertly presented by
Laurence Claus, the Director of Education and Training for
the Industrial Fasteners Institute.
“Fastener Fair USA 2024 was an extraordinary
showcase of innovation and collaboration within the
fastener industry,” said Blanca Delgado, Event Manager
of Fastener Fair USA. “I am proud of the remarkable
success of this event, where industry leaders and
professionals from around the world converged to
connect, learn, and shape the future of fastening
solutions. I extend my gratitude to every exhibitor,
attendee, and partner for their invaluable contributions
to this successful event. Fastener Fair USA has not only
transformed businesses but has also ignited the spark
of inspiration that will continue to propel the industry
forward. We eagerly anticipate seeing everyone again
next May when we bring the show back to Nashville,
Tennessee.”
SHOW EVENT ARTICLE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 114

42
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Jim Truesdell
James Truesdell is Chairman of Brauer Supply Company, a distributor of specialty
fasteners, insulation, air filtration, and air conditioning with headquarters in St. Louis.
Mr. Truesdell is adjunct professor at Saint Louis University and Webster University.
An attorney and frequently published writer, he is the author of “Total Quality
Management: Reports From the Front Lines”.
FTC IMPLEMENTS NON-COMPETE BAN
The Federal Trade Commission just followed on
the heels of its massive hike in the overtime salary
exemption threshold to declare that almost all noncompete
agreements in business are invalid and an
unfair restriction of trade. What President Biden cannot
accomplish in Congress he is just pushing through with
Executive orders or by having government agencies
promulgate new regulations and interpretations. From
forgiving large segments of student loan debts to
expanding protections for transgender workers and the
rights of people to insist on the pronouns with which
they are addressed, it seems as if the Executive Branch
is moving ahead with an agenda to remake society and
the workplace before the courts (and the impending
Fall election) can stop them. The April FTC rule on
non-competes forces the issue on a practice which
businesses have used to protect their investment in
training and sharing of strategies, pricing, and customer
relationships. While the use of non-competes has
been sanctioned or limited to various degrees in the
different states, this unilateral action puts businesses
in the position of having to revise their HR practices
immediately to avoid running afoul of what now appears
to be Federal law.
Immediately following the announcement of the
rule some of the nation’s leading business groups filed
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
suits attempting to stop the action and to limit the
FTC’s authority to broadly interpret what they proclaim
to be anti-competitive, thus justifying such unilateral
and arbitrary action. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
and the Business Roundtable were among the leaders
of the group filing suit. In the meantime, businesses
will apparently have to refrain from signing up new
employees to non-competes and, more importantly, will
apparently find themselves unable to effectively enforce
those agreements already in effect. The announced
rule will still allow non-competes for some senior policy
making executive positions but these will be few and far
between.
One thing that will be an immediate concern of
distributors and other small businesses will be the new
rule’s requirement that employees who have previously
signed non-compete agreements will need to be timely
notified that the existing agreement will not be and
cannot be legally enforced once the rule goes into effect.
At this time it looks like late August, 120 days after the
April publication of the rule in the Federal Register ,will
be the deadline by which this must be accomplished.
Apparently the FTC has prepared a model notice to
use, but companies may want to consult their own legal
counsel to make sure the notice covers all potentialities
of their particular agreements.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 118

44
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Larry Borowski President
GREENSLADE & COMPANY INC.
2234 Wenneca Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76102
TEL 817-870-8888 FAX 817-870-9199
EMAIL sales1@greensladeandcompany.com WEB www.greensladeandcompany.com
TORSIONAL STRENGTH TEST IS CRITICAL
IN MANY SCREW SPECIFICATIONS
Mechanical fasteners (screws, bolts, nuts, rivet, etc.)
must be both dimensionally and physically compliant to
their applicable specifications to perform properly for
end-users. Unfortunately, many fastener suppliers only
evaluate the dimensional size of the parts they supply
and ignore the required physical tests that evaluate the
strength and fastening performance of the parts.
The torsional strength test is one of the most
widely specified physical tests in screw specifications.
The torsional strength test determines if a screw has
adequate strength to perform its intended function when
put into final use. In most screw specifications in which
the torsional strength test is required the parts are not
required to be tested for tensile strength. The torsional
strength of a screw determines its ability to resist
being twisted into two pieces where as the tensile test
determines a screw or bolt’s ability to resist being pulled
from end-to-end into two pieces.
The charts in this article list the torsional strength values
specified in the following screw standards and specifications:
¤ ASME B18.6.3
¤ SAE J78
¤ SAE J81
¤ SAE J933
¤ SAE J1237
¤ ISO 2702
¤ ISO 3506-1
¤ ISO 898-7
¤ JIS B 1125
¤ DIN 7504
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 120

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 45
AFC Industries has
acquired Philadelphia, PA
based Globe International
Corporation.
Founded in 1950, the
company is a leading supplier
of fasteners, door hardware,
and galvanized aircraft cable
that specializes in value-added
kitting and other services.
Globe co-owner Steven
Weissman said, “Our company
has a long history of success
based on taking excellent
care of our customers and
our people. It was important
to us to find a partner that
would continue to build on that
foundation. We are excited to
be part of the AFC team.”
Co-owner Michael
Weissman, added, “AFC
offered a unique combination
of the resources of a larger
business with a customerfocused
culture built around
the team.”
AFC CEO Kevin Godin said,
“We knew the Globe team
because we competed with
them through the years in a
couple of our key markets.
We have a lot of respect for
them and how they do things
and bringing them onboard
will significantly strengthen our
competitive position in those
markets.”
AFC Industries is a dynamic
organization dedicated
to providing supply chain
management solutions for
fasteners, tooling, and assembly
components.
For more information
about AFC Industries visit them
online at www.afcind.com.

46
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Chris Donnell
Chris Donnell is the National Sales Director for Scanwell Logistics International (CHI)
Inc., specializing in Supply Chain Management, Inventory Control, Logistics Sales and
Management. Chris excels at selling the “Solution” to advanced program analysis and
implementation. A highly ambitious and effective team leader who thrives on the challenges
of this industry, Chris currently oversees a National Sales and Partnership Program consisting
of more than 100 Sales executives who focus primarily on SCM and Logistics development in
most vertical markets. Contact Chris at 847-228-6789 or email: chrisdonnell@scanwell.com.
HERE WE GO AGAIN...
Surprise! The global trade and logistics industries are
quickly evolving into a nightmarish dream of skyrocketing
rates, rolled containers and the continuation of service
disruptions. Does this sound familiar? As always, I
want to provide a non-biased look at the global supply
chain and logistics industries so you, whether importer,
manufacturer, distributor, exporter or consumer are
informed and have the ability to weather what appears
to be a volatile storm.
I typically start my articles with ocean freight but I’m
going to change things up, I’m going to start with the
industries which appear best suited for this time of year
having the least number of issues, and then move onto
those industries which are hanging on by the smallest of
threads.
Trucking & Drayage
Overall, the trucking industry is running relatively
smooth which is surprising considering it’s such a vital
component of the global supply chain. As I mentioned
before, 90% of all cargo moves by truck at one point
or another in its journey. Today, the market is reporting
limited-service disruptions.
For years this industry has been rocked by
various issues from a dwindling labor force, increased
bureaucratic pressures, state and national rulings, and
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
a weakened infrastructure. Today, for the most part,
those issues have subsided. If there were one or two
issues, we should keep an eye on, it is that fact that the
industry is seeing a large number of bank defaults on
equipment and properties. The industry is also seeing a
rapid decline in new orders for items like chassis’, trucks
and trailers. However, this trend is more likely due to the
rapid expansion the industries saw during the pandemic
years and with overall available capacity stagnate. It
stands to reason that the default numbers are up and
expected new orders are down. The banking defaults
are a concern. As a nation, we can’t afford to see more
companies shut down.
The short-term outlook for the trucking and drayage
industries remain flat as overall available tender figures
is flat, rejections are down, and the overall market does
have excess equipment. This excess equipment is due
in large part to the fact that tonnage is down year over
year (YOY) by about 6%. We could see this figure drop
significantly should the market experience what many
are predicting as a strong 3rd and 4th quarter. However,
in an election year, it’s really anyone’s guess. Another
positive sign is the industry has embraced the clean era
initiative. More and more trucking companies are looking
at reusable and clear burning fuels as well as taking a
long hard look at integrating AI more and more.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 122

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 49
Sherex Fastening Solutions,
a PennEngineering® Company
and global leader in
engineered fasteners, tooling,
and automation, is proud to
announce its relationship
with Southeast Sales &
Engineering as its new sales
representative.
Southeast Sales &
Engineering is a professional
manufacturer’s representative
specializing in the
transportation and industrial
markets in the southeastern
United States, including
Georgia, Florida, Kentucky,
the Carolinas, Mississippi,
and Virginia. Led by president
Bo Oliver, Southeast Sales
& Engineering brings over 20
years of experience working
with manufacturers to find the
right fastening solutions for
their applications.
With Sherex’s wide-range of
innovative fastening products,
like the award-winning
Optisert®, RIV-FLOAT®, and
Hand Tool Calibration Unit,
Southeast Sales & Engineering
adds another quality line card
to their portfolio.
“Sherex’s growth over
the past few years has been
impressive,” said Oliver, who
also represents the ATLAS®
line of rivet nuts that will
soon be offered by Sherex.
“They are on the forefront of
fastening technology and have
a reputation of being easy
to work with. We think our
customers will benefit from
their product offerings.”
While Sherex has provided
the southeastern US with
quality fasteners for over 20 years,
Southeast Sales & Engineering
will improve the visibility of Sherex
products across this region.
“I’ve always been impressed
with Bo and his team at Southeast
Sales and Engineering, so when
the opportunity came for them to
represent the ATLAS® and Sherex
product lines we were not going to
let it pass,” said Sherex president
Adam Pratt.
Sherex Fastening Solutions, a
PennEngineering® Company, is a
leading manufacturer of fasteners
for thin sheet material applications
in steel, aluminum, and composite
materials.
For additional information
on any of the Sherex Fastening
Solutions’ brand fasteners, tools,
and automation services contact
them at 1-866-474-3739 or visit our
website at www.sherex.com.

50
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
E-Z LOK
240 E. Rosecrans Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
TEL 1-800-234-5613 EMAIL sales@ezlok.com WEB www.ezlok.com
E-Z LOK CONTINUES ITS TRADITION OF
INNOVATION AND SERVICE
E-Z LOK is a leading manufacturer and master
distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and
wood. We offer inserts for a variety of different materials.
For metals; solid wall and helical wire-thread inserts. For
plastics; press-in and ultrasonic/heat-stake designs. For
wood; die cast zinc alloy hex drives for soft wood and
brass knife threads for hard wood. We also offer a variety
of kits for our inserts that include installation tools, drill
bits, taps and more. E-Z LOK is a third-generation, familyowned
and operated company. Founded in 1956, E-Z
LOK primarily sells through local, regional, and national
industrial distributors.
Among the company’s latest innovations are various
inserts for the emerging thermoplastic and composite
materials in the market, plus the company’s new CAD
download service, whereby the full design data for
thousands of inserts can be instantly incorporated into
a product design or retrofit/repair requirement.
As President Ben Belzer explains, “Our commitment
to the distributors who bring our products to market is
as firm today as ever. By utilizing our breadth of line,
our marketing support and our company’s unwavering
dedication to delivery, service and problem-solving, we
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
BEN BELZER, PRESIDENT AND KYLE LINDSLY-ROACH, DIRECTOR OF
SALES & MARKETING WITH A PLAQUE ACKNOWLEDGING CERTIFIED
FASTENER SPECIALIST (CFS)
strive to develop and nurture solid business relationships
with our distributor partners. By doing so, we all succeed
in this challenging economic environment.”
“As the President and CEO of E-Z LOK and its sister
company TCI Precision Metals, I oversee the vision and
operations of a leading provider of custom metal blanks
and fasteners. I have more than 20 years of experience
in managing and growing this business my grandfather
started, with a focus on delivering high-quality products
and services to our customers.”
“My goal is to leverage my expertise and passion
for innovation and excellence to
create value for our stakeholders
and make a positive impact
in the metals and fasteners
industries.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 128

52
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Nelson Valderrama
Nelson Valderrama is the CEO of Intuilize, a software Service platform that specializes
in helping mid-sized distributors transform data into profits. With more than 22 years’
experience as P&L manager executive for major PE firms and industrial distributors.
Nelson has dedicated his career to help business uncover hidden competitive advantages
and unleash the power of data in the new Digital Economy. For more information
contact by email nelson@intuilize.com or visit www.intuilize.com
AI FOR DISTRIBUTORS: TOP APPLICATIONS
AND STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept
reserved for sci-fi novels and tech talks. For industrial
distributors, AI represents a transformative force poised
to redefine operations, enhance efficiencies, and secure
competitive advantages. As we look ahead, it’s crucial to
explore the top AI applications currently making waves in the
industry and the strategic opportunities they present.
Top 3 Applications Of AI For Industrial
Distributors Today...
[1] Generative AI Models
Generative AI models, particularly language
processing tools like ChatGPT, have captivated public
and professional interest alike. These models are
revolutionizing how industrial distributors handle research
and communication tasks:
¤ Prospect Research: Sales professionals can
more efficiently gather information about prospects and
competitors using simple web-based queries, eliminating
the need for manual data sifting.
¤ Manufacturer and Distributor Search: With
minimal input, AI can locate manufacturers or distributors
for specific products within designated areas, streamlining
the search process.
¤ Enhanced Communication: AI assists in drafting
emails, letters, and presentations, ensuring clarity and
professionalism. Plus, the development of “ChatGPT
Businesses” promises even more tailored solutions for
enterprises.
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
[2] Enhanced Inventory Management
Effective inventory management is a cornerstone of
successful industrial distribution, and AI offers robust solutions:
¤ Demand Prediction: AI predicts future product
demand by analyzing sales data, market trends, and
external factors, allowing distributors to adjust their ERP
replenishment parameters accurately.
¤ Efficiency Boost: By automating the analysis of
volumes of data, AI minimizes reliance on cumbersome
spreadsheets, reduces stockouts, and mitigates excess
inventory, leading to a more streamlined supply chain.
[3] Intelligent Pricing Optimization
Pricing strategies significantly impact profitability, and
AI’s dynamic capabilities provide a substantial advantage:
¤ Optimized Quotes: AI analyzes market demand,
customer behavior, competitor pricing, and historical
sales data to recommend personalized, optimal pricing for
each product in your ERP or CRM system.
¤ Enhanced Sales Performance: By automating
pricing decisions, AI enables sales teams to focus on
relationship-building and closing deals, thereby improving
win rates and margins.
Strategic Opportunities/Competitive Advantages...
[1] Preserving And Passing On Essential Knowledge
One of the most valuable assets in any industrial
distribution business is the expertise and relationships
cultivated by experienced personnel.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 130

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 53
IDEAL SUPPLY INC.
11400 Kreutzer Road, Huntley, IL, 60142 TEL 847-961-5900
EMAIL idealsupply@idealsupplyonline.net WEB www.idealsupplyonline.net
YOUR IDEAL SOURCE FOR COMMERCIAL & MIL-SPEC FASTENERS
Ideal Supply, Inc, a leading national supplier maintains
one of the largest domestic inventories of Nickel-Copper
alloys (including Monel 400/405 and K500), and Stainless
series fasteners. They have added Esna and other domestic
nylon insert locknuts ( MS16228, MS17828, MS17830,
MS21083 ) to their product line. They remain an approved
QSLD Class 2 & 3 supplier for DLA/DCMA along with
Military Spec Level 1 critical applications. The company has
continued to expand its product range in both Illinois and
Virginia locations to service their customers.
The company has continued to grow through Covid
and the challenges of raw material costs increases
and shortages. They have progressed into their second
generation with the recent promotion of Michael Lodi to
National Sales Manager and Nick Lodi to Technical Sales
Manager.
They look forward to demonstrating their capabilities
and strengthening their long term partnerships as they
continue to grow together. For further information, contact
Ideal’s knowledgeable sales team at 847-961-5900 or
757-548-8050.
SBA/SAM Registered Woman Owned Small Business.
Cage Code 1T9G7/Level 1/ASTM/Sae/Ansi. Aircraft &
Submarine Industrial Base Council
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
IDEAL SUPPLY

54
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
IMSM LTD.
The Gig House, Oxford Street, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9AX, England
TEL +44 1793 296 704 EMAIL ScottMersch@imsm.com WEB www.imsm.com
IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING! by Scott Mersch
The fastener industry, which plays a crucial role
in construction, manufacturing, and countless other
applications, faces several competitive challenges.
Let’s delve into these issues and explore how the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) can
help address them:
[1] Quality Control And Consistency
¤ Challenge: Ensuring consistent quality across
fasteners is essential. Variability in dimensions,
material properties, and manufacturing processes can
lead to safety hazards and operational inefficiencies.
¤ ISO’s Role: ISO standards provide clear
guidelines for quality control, testing methods, and
performance criteria. By adhering to these standards,
manufacturers can maintain uniformity and reliability in
their products5.
[2] Supply Chain Disruptions
¤ Challenge: The COVID-19 pandemic and other
global events have disrupted supply chains, affecting
the availability and delivery of raw materials. This
impacts production schedules, costs, and overall
profitability.
¤ ISO’s Role: ISO standards facilitate international
trade by ensuring product quality and safety. By
following ISO guidelines, manufacturers can navigate
supply chain challenges more effectively and maintain
consistent production.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
[3] Rising Costs Of Materials
¤ Challenge: Escalating raw material costs, driven
by increased demand and limited supply, put pressure
on fastener manufacturers. Managing costs while
maintaining quality is crucial.
¤ ISO’s Role: ISO standards help optimize
material usage and promote sustainable practices.
Manufacturers can make informed decisions about
material selection and minimize waste5 by adhering to
ISO guidelines.
[4] Technological Advancements
¤ Challenge: The fastener industry must keep
pace with technological innovations. Automation,
digitalization, and intelligent fasteners with built-in
sensors transform manufacturing processes.
¤ ISO’s Role: ISO standards evolve to incorporate
new technologies. They provide a common language for
manufacturers globally, ensuring interoperability and
compatibility with advanced fastening solutions.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 128

56
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Jo Morris Marketing Director, Fastener Training Institute ®
FASTENER TRAINING INSTITUTE ®
1545 N. Columbus Avenue, Glendale, CA 91202
TEL 562-473-5373 FAX 661-449-3232
EMAIL info@fastenertraining.org WEB www.fastenertraining.org
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS:
LET US TRAIN YOUR CREW
Behind every fastener is a story. Each has a unique
purpose with standards, specifications and use cases.
Fastener Training Institute’s role is to know the ins and
outs of every aspect of fasteners. We develop our training
curriculum with precise detail and maintain it by staying
up to date with trends, quality requirements and best
practices.
What is the easiest conversion factor between inches
and millimeters?
Answer: 1 inch = 25.4 mm
Proof load strength describes what characteristic of a
fastener?
a. The load it can handle without breaking
b. The load a fastener must withstand by specification
without experiencing any permanent deformation
c. The load we can prove it will hold without breaking
Answer: b
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
With three Fastener Training Weeks each year,
numerous in-person classes and live webinars, an online
learning library with more than 60 pre-recorded videos,
and the ability to offer fully customized on-site classes,
Fastener Training Institute should be your first thought
when it comes to fastener training.
Our classes range from entry level basics to advanced,
teaching more than how to interpret specifications and
standards. We provide mentoring, insight, and guidance
to help thrive in the fastener industry including tips on
understanding fastener terms, how to call out parts, and
how to communicate with suppliers and customers. Get
on the path and grow from novice to knowledgeable today!
Upcoming Classes
August 19-23 Fastener Training Week* – Chicago
September 27 Basics of Thread Gaging
October 7-8 Understanding Hydrogen Embrittlement
October 21-22 Why Fasteners Fail and Fastener
Standards 101: Industrial Version
November 18-22 Fastener Training Week* – Cleveland
*Fastener Training Weeks are sponsored by
Birmingham Fastener
Contact me at JoM@FastenerTraining.com or 562-
473-5373 to learn how our training can help your you gain
and maintain skills and knowledge to provide the highest
quality workmanship and service possible.
JO MORRIS | FASTENER TRAINING INSTITUTE

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 57
One of the most
significant releases of
All America Threaded
Products’ catalog is
coming this summer,
GR8HT ROD. Pronounced
“great rod,” it is the newest
range of Threaded Rods
from All America Threaded
Products (AATP). It is a
High Strength Threaded
Rod made exclusively here
in the USA by AATP.
Unique Offerings - We
are proud to be one of
the only manufacturers
that supplies a domestic
high strength threaded
rod GR8HT ROD offers
a viable High Tensile
alternative to SAE J429
Grade 8 and is fully certified
to ASTM A354 Grade BD.
GR8HT ROD is ideal for
applications that require
a High Strength Threaded
Rod.
All America Threaded
Products GR8HT Rod
- During the three years
of developing GR8HT
ROD, we looked at all
opportunities to make
this new product release
the most seamless and
valuable for our customers.
From day one of release
this summer, GR8HT
ROD will be in stock and
ready to ship. Our strict
quality standards ensure
this product is as ordered,
on time and ready to
reorder.
The team prides itself
on the satisfaction of our
customers, and that is
supported by our sales
team, which offers the best
experience throughout the
entire buying process.
Why All America
Threaded Products? -
All America Threaded
Products is one of the
leading manufacturers
and distributors of
Threaded Rod products,
Anchor Bolts, and U-Bolts.
Their Sales, Production
and Shipping teams are
dedicated to getting their
customers the products
they need on time, every
time.
They stock a wide range
of materials and will produce
either standard rods or
special parts quickly and
efficiently. The vast majority
of our products are made in
the U.S.A. Their continued
growth is based upon repeat
business, satisfied customers
who support high quality
domestic threaded products
and respect what they stand
for and what they deliver.
For more information
contact All America Threaded
Products at 731 Martha
Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Tel: 1-800-354-3330, email
them at: sales@aatprod.
com or visit them online at
www.aatprod.com.

58
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
CABLE TIES UNLIMITED
2773 Nationwide Pkwy, Brunswick, OH 44212
TOLL-FREE 1-866-455-TIES (866-455-8437) EMAIL info@cabletiesunlimited.com WEB www.ctupro.com
UNLIMITED GROWTH AT CABLE TIES UNLIMITED
by Stan Lockhart
Having completed a very successful career in the
home appliance industry, D. Scott Hinckley was in search
of a new challenge. After reviewing many different industries
and opportunities, he came across Cable Ties Unlimited
and purchased the company from Terry McGuire in 2008.
Building on his previous experiences and understanding the
value of high-performance
sales and customer
service, he began to
increase the company’s
product offering by
listening to what his
customers needed. He
quickly realized that
cable ties and other wire
management products
were not only used in the
fastener distributor trade,
but across other niche
markets like electrical supply and industrial service sectors.
While continuing to build their own competitive and
quality-oriented import brand of cable ties, the new
business owner began to align himself with leading
suppliers of proprietary brands of cable ties and related
products. By growing those relationships Cable Ties
Unlimited (CTU) positioned themselves as key distributors
of Thomas & Betts/ABB, Panduit, Hellerman Tyton, 3M
and Velcro brands; and was able to capture business that
called for print position supply base parts only. Cable Ties
Unlimited was recognized by INC. Magazine four years in a
row and six years in total as being in the top 5000 fastest
growing companies in the USA!
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
The owner, D. Scott Hinckley, attributes this success
to his family…four of them employed in the business, and
his dedicated and professional office and warehouse staff.
With 20 employees today, CTU prides itself on responding to
customer inquiries within 30 minutes of receiving them and
boasts a 98% shipping rate the same day as receiving the
order. For outside sales
he utilizes well known
independent sales reps
that include All-American
Systems, Atlas Industry
Marketing, Manware, RL
English, Murty Sales and
North Star Sales and
Marketing.
“We are constantly
focused on growth and
customer service, states
the owner and look
to continue as the one-stop-shop for all things wire
management related. Watch for the release of our new
home branded Grizzly Supply line of cable ties and other
products still in the development phase.” Adding to their
existing modern office and warehouse in Brunswick, Ohio
that was purchased in 2022, the company has doubled
their warehouse space and now also has 34,000 square
feet of warehouse and office space. As a member of
buying groups DPA and NET Plus, CTU is well positioned
to increase sales to participating companies while also
continuing to educate fastener-focused distributors how to
grow their SKU count in cable ties and wire management
components to increase their existing VMI programs.
CABLE TIES UNLIMITED

60
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
STS INDUSTRIAL
3067 Carbide Dr., LA 70665 TOLL-FREE 1-855-416-2658
EMAIL sales@stsindustrial.com WEB www.stsindustrial.com
YOUR ONE-STOP WHOLESALE SUPPLIER
by Dennis Cowhey, President, Computer Insights
STS Industrial, Inc. has been a trusted name in the
industrial supply sector since 1983, catering to the needs
of customers across the region. Founded in Sulphur, LA,
the company has undergone remarkable expansions and
transformations to better serve its ever-growing customer
base. Over the years, STS has solidified its reputation
as a reliable supplier of fasteners, pipe hangers, cutting
tools, gaskets, and more recently, pipe, valves, and
fittings.
In 2014, STS took a significant stride forward by
acquiring a new location in Orange, TX. This expansion
marked the beginning of a series of strategic moves aimed
at enhancing the company’s service capabilities. In 2018,
the company ventured into the pipe, valve, and fitting side
of the industry, establishing a solid foundation in La Porte,
TX. The company’s continuous pursuit of excellence and
commitment to its core values paved the way for further
expansions, moving its La Porte facility to a new location in
Pasadena, TX., and additional warehousing in Sulphur, LA.,
taking the company’s logistics capabilities a step further.
Faced with the challenges of 2020, STS demonstrated
resilience and adaptability. By embracing innovative
approaches and offering solutions alongside industrial
goods, the company experienced substantial growth. Scott
Habetz, CFO of STS emphasized that “we strategically
positioned ourselves to thrive in an uncertain economy.”
In January of 2021, STS propelled itself into new markets
across the nation with the launch of its enterprisescale
e-commerce website. The innovative platform was
designed with the customer experience in mind, offering
not only online ordering but also a wealth of additional
technical resources.
The resounding success and rapid growth witnessed
over the last several years can be attributed to STS’s
steadfast commitment to its core values. These values,
including uncompromising diligence, a relentless pursuit
of excellence, dependability, professionalism, a customerfirst
mindset, and a penchant for innovation, continue to
drive the company in the right direction and on the right
track to better serve their customers. The company’s broad
client base encompasses refineries, chemical plants,
machine shops, construction companies, contractors,
fabricators, and heavy equipment mechanics, among
many others.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 132

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 61

62
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
THE FASTENER EXPERTS MENTOR GROUP consists of about 20 fastener professionals in various
stages of developing and sharing their fastener expertise with the fastener community. They have a virtual
meeting twice a month, under the direction of CARMEN VERTULLO, CFS. The discussion is unplanned but
always informative and technically challenging. Many of the questions that are processed by the experts are
worth sharing, and in the interest of developing their expertise they want to put their answers in writing.
If you have a fastener question or topic that you would like to put to the experts, or if you would like to join
the group contact Carmen at carmenv@carverem.com or 619-204-1543.
I have a fastener question... WHAT ARE STANDARD
COMMITTEES ABOUT AND WHY SHOULD I JOIN?
YOUR EXPERT
TONY
REID
Tony Reid is the Director of Quality for Lindfast
Solutions Group (MN) and has had several different
roles within the organization for over the past 24
years. He started his fastener career with Monster
Metric (Bossard) in 1995 where he worked as a
Machine Operator in the shop before moving into the
quality department. He started with Lindstrom’s Mega
Metric division in 1999 in the quality department and
moved to the Quality Manager position in 2015.
In 2016, he was appointed Lindstrom’s Quality
Manger and in 2018, he was promoted to Lindfast
Solutions Group Director of Quality. He successfully
completed the Fastener Training Institutes Certified
Fastener Specialist class and is a certified lead
auditor for ISO 9001:2015. He currently serves
as a member of ASTM B08, ASTM F16 and the
SAE Fastener committee. Tony can be reached at
tony@lindfastgrp.com.
ASTM just had their committee meetings the week
of May 6th in Philadelphia. Most committees meet twice
a year, in the spring and in the fall. Committee Weeks
offer a diverse environment to come together to develop
and maintain voluntary consensus-based standards.
The committees are made up of producers, users,
consumers, and general interests. Committee Week is an
excellent opportunity to engage in the development and
revision of standards that impact your industry. It is also
a great environment for technical exchange, professional
development, and networking with other professionals. If
you or someone in your organization is not a member of
ASTM or any standard committee member, I would highly
recommend getting involved. Standards cannot exist
without your help and participation.
I am currently a member of the ASTM B08, Metallic
and Inorganic Coatings and the ASTM F16 Fasteners
committee. This is my second year being a member
of ASTM and joined the SAE Fastener committee last
year. I’ve had the opportunity to meet many experts in
this industry and learned so much about what goes into
developing and maintaining a standard. The committees
have liaisons from other organizations such as ISO,
ASME, SAE, RCSC and IFI that work with each other
because changes to one standard could affect a standard
in another.
MENTOR ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 134

64
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SPECIALTY TOOLS & FASTENERS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION
PO Box 44, 500 Elm Grove Rd., Ste. 2I0, Elm Grove, Wl 53122
TEL 1-800-352-2981 EMAIL info@stafda.org WEB www.stafda.org
STAFDA 2024 CONVENTION SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED
by Georgia H. Foley, CEO
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors
Association (STAFDA) has locked in its speakers for the
Association’s upcoming November 10-12 Convention
& Trade Show in Nashville. 2024 marks STAFDA’s fifth
return to Music City, one of the country’s most popular
destinations!
Outstanding industry speakers, an exciting opening
party at the Country Music Hall of Fame, connecting
with prospective college hires, along with an Emerging
Leaders forum and Women in Distribution luncheon, it’ll
be a well rounded program. And of course, featuring one
of the construction industry’s top trade shows! Here’s an
overview of STAFDA’s educational line-up:
Sunday, November 10
Sunday morning kicks off with four workshops that
run 90 minutes then repeat to a different audience
following a break allowing attendees to select the two
programs of most interest.
Cyber Security: Stop
Today’s Hackers, Mike
Foster, will address the lurking
threats of ransomware, losses
related to wiring money to the
wrong accounts, exposing sensitive data and data
breeches. Criminals are more sophisticated than in the
recent past by using a variety of ingenious schemes to
scam companies out of money. Foster will share how to
SHOW EVENT ARTICLE
protect your business and make positive changes to the
businesses’ IT practices.
Stay Competitive & Continue
to Grow when Price Matters
Most, James Dorn & John
Gunderson, will delve into the #1
sales objection: price. Their session will offer practical
insights to win over those customers who compare online
prices to a distributor’s cost. Tips on improving profitability
through pricing, inventory, and unit volume strategies will
be discussed along with margin compression and aging
inventory. Unlock top performers’ profit playbook secrets!
Finding Success in Conflict
Resolution, Scott Tellema, will
provide solutions when working
with challenging personalities
who are causing conflict in the
workplace. Tellema will teach tactics to embrace conflict
to positively channel resolution through active listening
and an articulate delivery of the final outcome.
Unleash your Superpowers:
How to get the Best from
Yourself & Those Around You,
Jamie Turner, will show through
proven data how adults can use
more hours per day to tap into
their strengths to be energized,
productive, and open to learning new things.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 136

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 65

66
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
MID-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
PO Box 255, Park Ridge, IL 60068
TEL 847-438-8338 EMAIL mwfa@mwfa.net WEB www.mwfa.net
MWFA EVENTS ROUNDUP AND NEW BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 by Francesca Lewis
Screwed Up Open 2024
The MWFA held its 34th Annual Screwed Up Open on
May 30th at White Pines in Bensenville, IL. This fun and
casual outing provided golfers with a great opportunity
to kick off the summer season and connect ahead of
the August Golf Outing. Nearly 70 golfers participated,
enjoying both the day and the networking opportunities.
The weather was picture-perfect, making it a wonderful
experience for all. A special thank you to our generous
sponsors: XL Screw Corporation, ND Industries, Sems &
Specials, and Integrated Packaging.
Wine Event
On April 11th, the Mid-West Fastener Association
enjoyed an exceptional evening of wine tasting hosted
by Tenuta Torciano winery from Tuscany, Italy. Held at
Venuti’s Ristorante in Addison, the event offered a taste
of the Italian countryside.
Guests were welcomed by a sommelier from Tenuta
Torciano, who guided them through a selection of the
winery’s finest vintages. The evening began with the
crisp Vernaccia di San Gimignano, setting a festive
tone. As the sommelier shared stories about the wines’
origins and production, attendees savored each pour.
The tasting included wines and olive oils paired
with Italian antipasti from Venuti’s kitchen, featuring
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
cured meats, cheeses, veggies, breads, and a pasta
course. A highlight was the bold Super Tuscan red blend,
showcasing Tenuta Torciano’s craftsmanship.
By the end of the night, MWFA members had gained
a deeper appreciation for these celebrated Tuscan
wines. The event has become a cherished tradition,
offering a brief escape to Italy’s vineyards. For those
yet to experience Tenuta Torciano’s tastings, it is an
unmissable treat, reflecting the winery’s dedication to
world-class winemaking.
MWFA Announces 2024 Board of Directors
President Jake Davis - BTM Manufacturing
Vice President Jill Lewis - Integrated Packaging
Treasurer George Hunt III - Brighton-Best Intl.
Secretary Bobby Wegner - Beacon Fasteners
Directors Bob Baer - Abbott Interfast LLC
Glen Brin - Innovative Components Inc.
Matt Delawder - SWD Inc.
David Gawlik - Stelfast Inc.
Cory Wing - Wing-Hamlin Co., Inc.
Alternates Rich Cavoto - Metric & Multistandard
Michelle Curry - Sems and Specials Inc
Jen Kushnir - Stelfast Inc.
Wayne Wishnew - XL Screw Corporation
Exececutive Director Francesca Lewis
MID-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 67

68
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
HUYETT ®
PO Box 232, 1215 E 8th Street, Minneapolis, KS 67467
TEL 785-392-3017 EMAIL sales@huyett.com WEB www.huyett.com
ALEMITE ® SHUTTERS PRODUCTION —
HUYETT HAS A SOLUTION
On April 1, 2024, Alemite Corporation, a division of
SKF, announced that it was ceasing the production of
grease fittings at its plant in Johnson City, Tennessee.
This cessation of production will create supply chain
issues. Many OEMs – particularly in automotive drive
line applications – have specified Alemite products in
their prints. OEMs will require new PPAPs and prints,
and specifications will have to be revised. As Alemite is
currently the only manufacturer of AS aerospace fittings,
there will be supply chain gaps in the aviation industry.
Huyett has ramped up its engineering, sourcing, and
manufacturing capabilities to counteract this industry void.
We have developed cross-reference tools for nearly all
320 SKUs affected by SKF’s action. These tools illustrate
the slight variations between Alemite and Huyett’s grease
fittings, along with detailed data. We are already working
with our VMI distributor customers to facilitate PPAPs,
design and engineering changes, and at-the-production line
testing to minimize disturbances to OEMs affected by this
development.
Armed with these cross-reference tools, Huyett is
unique in that it has an engineering support team and a
nationwide field sales team who stand ready to support the
trade in transitioning the supply chain away from Alemite to
other cost-effective and reliable sources. Huyett-branded
grease fittings conform to SAE-J534, the leading standard
and specification for grease fittings in North America.
Along with Standard Grease Fittings, Huyett is your
go-to source for “ready-now” inventory of hard-to-find grease
fittings and accessories including: Button Head Fittings,
Flush Fittings, Leakproof Fittings, Pin Type Fittings, Vent
Fittings, Relief Vent Fittings, Breather Fittings, Hydraulic
Shut-off Fittings, Hex Head Pipe Plugs, Special Use Fittings,
Adapters, Connectors, Grease Guns, Extensions, Elbows,
Bulkhead Connectors, Loaders, Oilers, Hoses, Bushings,
FIND AND BUY ALEMITE AND ALEMITE REPLACEMENT PARTS
NOW AT HUYETT.COM
Kits, Assortments, & more!
Visit huyett.com/alemitecr to find Alemite replacement
parts or contact our sales team today to ease the process
of migrating from Alemite parts to Huyett parts.
Oscar Zerk – the namesake of grease
fittings – invented them in the 1920s
as the automotive industry emerged
and assigned the patent to the Alemite
company, the oldest and most recognized
grease fitting brand in the world. Alemite
was later bought out by the Stewart
Warner Corporation and Zerk became a corporate activist.
A May 29, 1933, article in Time Magazine noted Zerk’s
launch of a proxy campaign to oust the management of
Stewart Warner for poor management practices. Alemite
has historically been a leader in the trade and was the only
company to perfect the cold forming of grease fitting bodies.
With the closure of grease fitting production, a storied
American company has been lost.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
HUYETT

70
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SPIROL INTERNATIONAL CORP.
30 Rock Avenue, Danielson, CT 06239
TEL 1-860-774-8571 FAX 1-860-774-2048 EMAIL info@spirol.com WEB www.spirol.com
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COILED SPRING PINS AND
SLOTTED SPRING PINS by Adolf Valasek, Applications Engineer
What Is A Spring Pin?
A Spring Pin, also often referred to as Tension Pin or
Roll Pin, is a mechanical fastener used for securing two
or more parts of an assembly together. Spring Pins are
hollow, tube-like parts designed to be larger than the hole
and are made from various types of spring steel or other
materials.
The primary difference of a Spring Pin compared to a
classic Solid Pin is that its radial stiffness is significantly
lower than the host material. Solid Pins can have a smooth,
uninterrupted surface (such as dowels) or they may be
designed with retention features such as grooves, knurls
or barbs. Solid Pins are commonly retained by displacing/
deforming the host material. However, in cases when the
pin is precision ground and the hole is precision reamed,
the fit of a Ground Solid Pin can be very tightly controlled
between a slight amount of clearance and a small amount
of interference which will not result in the displacement
of material from either the pin or the host. However, the
precision grinding and reaming of both the pin and the hole
makes this pinning option one of the most costly.
Spring Pins, on the other hand, can absorb a much
larger hole tolerance than rigid Solid Pins. Thanks to
their flexibility, not only are Spring Pins less expensive to
manufacture, but the hole preparation is also less tedious
and less expensive. The comparatively lower stiffness also
brings another benefit – Spring Pins do not damage the
host hole (when properly selected) - so much so, that they
can be serviced without the need of reworking the parts.
There are two basic types of Spring Pins – Slotted
Spring Pins and Coiled Spring Pins.
Slotted Spring Pins
A Slotted Spring Pin is
characterized by its C-shape
cross section and a slot
running parallel to its axis.
While their precise origin is
unknown, they have been
appearing as a concept
in mechanical devices
throughout modern history.
Over time through various
industry standards, they
have developed into what
is commonly used today
in many different types
of applications. There are
several active industry standards, but four (4) prevail and
account for the majority of Slotted Pin demand: ASME
B18.8.2, ASME B18.8.4M, ISO 8752 and ISO 13337.
Coiled Spring Pins
A Coiled Spring Pin is recognized by its 2¼ coils
cross section. The history of the Coiled Pin is much
clearer. It was invented in 1948 by Herman Koehl,
SPIROL’s founding father, specifically as a solution
to an application with harsh vibrations and dynamic
loads - a rotor of a jet engine. Unlike other traditional
fasteners such as nuts and bolts which tend to loosen
under severe vibration, or rigid Solid Pins which transmit
the dynamic loads to the hole wall and compromise
retention of the pin.
COILED SPRING PIN (LEFT) &
SLOTTED SPRING PIN (RIGHT)
TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 138

72
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
IOVISTA
5220 Spring Valley Road, Suite 568, Dallas, TX 75254
TEL 214-699-4391 EMAIL solutions@iovista.com WEB www.iovista.com
FASTENER INDUSTRY:
EVOLVE OR GET LEFT BEHIND
The fastener industry is built on strong relationships,
but the way business is done is changing.
Established businesses built on strong relationships
are encountering a generational shift in buyers. Millennials,
comfortable with technology, are taking over decisionmaking
roles. Yet, the thought of B2B eCommerce can be
daunting. Here’s where ioVista steps in.
ioVista understands the unique challenges faced
by fastener companies. We’re a B2B commerce agency
with over 20 years of experience helping manufacturers,
distributors, and wholesalers thrive in the digital age.
Why is ioVista the perfect partner to take your
fastener business to the next level? Because we have
the skills and experience to bring you into the new digital
era while maintaining those vital relationships that are the
foundation of your company.
Bridging The Gap Between Tradition
And Technology
We know B2B eCommerce can sound intimidating,
especially for companies with a strong focus on relationship
selling. That’s why ioVista offers a hybrid approach. Your
experienced sales reps can maintain those valuable
connections while a user-friendly online store empowers
millennials and existing clients to order efficiently. This
frees up your reps to focus on acquiring new customers.
Proven Experience
ioVista has been around since 2004, helping numerous
manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors digitally
transform their businesses. We can create a custom
ALBERT WOOD, BUSINESS ANALYST AND
MIKE PATEL, FOUNDER AND CEO
commerce system that is online or a backend customer
portal that increases sales and simplifies operations.
Boost Productivity And Efficiency
Tired of data silos hindering your team? ioVista
integrates your existing systems – like warehouse
management, inventory control, customer relationship
management and enterprise resource planning – with your
commerce platform. This seamless flow of information
keeps teams productive and eliminates wasted time.
Expand Your Reach
ioVista increases your reach within the industry. We
offer a comprehensive marketing suite that attracts new
customers in the fastener industry.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 140

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 73
AFC Industries has
acquired Huntington Beach, CA
distributor Meg Technologies.
Founded in 1981, MTI
supplies military standard
Aerospace Fasteners to
OEMs, maintenance facilities,
Department of Defense
customers, and to a large
variety of other Aerospace
Distributors.
MTI owner and president
Tammy Buck said, “I was
important to find a partner
that understood and valued
what has made us successful
and would build on it.”
Gordon Benzen, owner,
and Vice President added,
“We are excited about the
opportunities this new
partnership with AFC brings
for our team.”
AFC CEO Kevin Godin
said, “We were looking to
strengthen our capabilities
and position within the
aerospace market and MTI
offered us the ability to do
that while adding a team
that has a great reputation
and relationship with its
customers and suppliers.
Putting these two businesses
together strengthens them
both. We look forward to
working together toward
shared success.”
AFC Industries is a
dynamic organization
dedicated to providing supply
chain management solutions
for fasteners, tooling, and
assembly components.
For more information
about AFC Industries visit them
online at www.afcind.com.

74
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE
6363 Oak Tree Boulevard, Independence, OH 44131
TEL 216-241-1482 FAX 216-241-5901 EMAIL info@indfast.org WEB www.indfast.org
IFI ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP AND
DIVISION CHAIRS by Dan Walker, Managing Director
The Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) elected new
leadership for the organization’s Board of Directors for
the 2024-2025 term during its annual meeting March
3-5, 2024 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Dan Curtis of
MacLean-Fogg Company was selected to lead the board
as Chairman, along with Larry Spelman of J.H. Botts
LLC as Vice Chairman, and Gene Simpson of Semblex
Corporation as Ex-Officio Chair. In addition to the Board
leadership, the following Board Representatives and
Division chairs were elected:
DAN CURTIS
IFI BOARD CHAIRMAN
Division 1 - Industrial Products
Officers
¤ Chairman - Attsie Hashimoto - Unytite, Inc.
¤ Vice-Chair - Sebastian Janas - Sems & Specials, Inc.
Board Representatives
¤ Attsie Hashimoto - Unytite, Inc.
¤ Brian Prodoehl - Valley Fastener Group, LLC
¤ Steve Sherman - Industrial Rivet & Nut
Division II - Aerospace Products
Officers
¤ Chairman - Doug Carlton - Click-Bond, Inc.
¤ Vice-Chair - Mehrzad Bahri - Novaria Group
¤ Member-At-Large - Marty Goeree - Vegas Fastener Mfg
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
LARRY SPELMAN
IFI BOARD VICE CHAIRMAN
¤ Tech. Chairman - Mike Mowins - IFI
¤ ALMA Tech. Chair - David Roberto
Board Representatives
¤ Devin Wilson - Parker Fasteners
¤ Robert Gurrola - Howmet Fastening Systems
¤ Jim Erbs - Safety Socket LLC
Division III - Automotive Products
Officers
¤ Chairman - John Medcalf - Agrati, Inc.
¤ Vice-Chair - Genevieve Gurnick-Long -
Seaway Bolt & Specials, Inc.
Board Representatives
¤ Kevin Vollmert - ITW Shakeproof Automotive
¤ Greg Rawlings - Nylok, LLC
¤ Steve Dixon - Camcar Innovations
Associate Suppliers Division (ASD)
¤ Chairman - Herb Gottelt - Metal Resource Solutions
¤ Vice-Chair - Nilo Urbani - Precote USA, LLC
Board Representatives
¤ Herb Gottelt - Metal Resource Solutions
About IFI
IFI is the leading voice representing the interests of the
North American manufacturers of mechanical fasteners and
formed parts, as well as the key suppliers to the industry,
fostering their working together to shape the future of
the industry. IFI represents the industry to its suppliers,
customers, the government, and the public-at-large to advance
the competitiveness, products, and innovative technology of
the Member Companies in a global marketplace.
To inquire about IFI membership, contact Dan Walker,
Managing Director at dwalker@indfast.org or call 216-241-
1482 for details on eligibility and benefits.
INDUSTRIAL FASTENERS INSTITUTE

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 75
Blue Ribbon Fastener,
a full-service distributor
of fasteners and other
Class-C components, today
announced their acquisition
of Burlington, WI-based
Nationwide Fastener
Systems. Terms of the deal
were not disclosed.
For more than three
decades Nationwide Fastener
Systems has provided
OEM clients with quality
Class-C Fasteners, inventory
management services, and
other custom solutions
that improve supply chain
efficiency. The strategic
partnership will support growth
for Nationwide customers
and provide advantages to
their clients, including:
- A larger portfolio of quality
products and brands
- Expanded access to
industry-leading technology,
data, and R&D
- Increased resources and
additional expertise that
will improve the customer
experience
- Greater geographical reach
across the United States
“Joining the Blue Ribbon
Fastener team gives
us access to additional
resources to continue to
build upon this business
that I’m very proud of,”
said Deb Lipecki, Co-Owner
of Nationwide Fastener
Systems.
“We’re thrilled to be
able to expand our VMI and
Class-C component supply
chain network to additional
Midwest OEMs,” said Wally Nathan,
President of Blue Ribbon Fastener.
“We look forward to carrying on
the strong business ethics, core
values, and service-first approach
instilled by Nationwide Fastener
Systems’ founder.”
Nationwide Fastener Systems
was founded by the late Thomas
Lipecki Sr. The family business
was purchased and carried on with
his son, the late Richard Lipecki
and his wife Deb.
Blue Ribbon Fastener (BRF)
supplies North American OEMs
with high-quality fasteners and
industrial hardware. Founded in
1985, BRF offers decades of
supply chain experience and a
diverse network of both domestic
and international suppliers. OEMs
that need same-day sourcing and
order processing, readily available
inventory, value-added services,
quality assurance, and on-time
delivery count on BRF to keep their
production lines running smoothly.
BRF serves customers in a
multitude of industries, and their
products can be found in retail
marketing, consumer products,
electronics, contract manufacturing,
aerospace and lighting industries
to name a few.
For more information about
products and services, contact Blue
Ribbon Fastener at 8220 Kimball Ave.,
Skokie, IL 60076. Tel: 847-673-1248,
email: info@blueribbonfastener.
com or visit them online at www.
blueribbonfastener.com.

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 77

78
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Roman Basi
Roman Basi is the President of The Center for Financial, Legal & Tax Planning, Inc. Roman graduated
from Milliken University obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science Degree with a minor in Psychology. He
earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University with an emphasis in Accounting and recevied his
JD degree from Southern Illinois University. Roman is a licensed CPA as well as being a licensed
attorney in Illinois, Missouri and Florida and is in high demand for his expertise in financial, legal
and tax matters. His areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, contracts, real estate law,
tax and estate planning. Visit www.taxplanning.com or call The Center at 618-997-3436.
BUY-SELL AGREEMENTS
In all of the business planning you have done, you
may not have taken into consideration what happens to
your business if you retire, move on, - or in the worst-case
scenario, become incapacitated or die. Having a buy-sell
agreement can help establish a clear plan to handle
any of these events. Without a buy-sell agreement, your
company could face major tax hassles down the road, as
well as many other financial and/or legal difficulties.
A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract that
stipulates how a partner’s share of a business may be
reassigned if that partner were to die or otherwise leave
the business. Buy-sell agreements are commonly used by
sole proprietors, closed corporations, and partnerships.
Most buy-sells require that the business shares be sold
back to the company or the remaining members of the
business. In the case of the death of a partner, the estate
must agree to sell. In most instances, life insurance
policies are used to fund the purchase of the shares.
There are typically two types of buy-sell agreements,
cross-purchase agreements, and entity-purchase
agreements. In a cross-purchase agreement, the remaining
owners or partners purchase the shares of the business
that is for sale. With an entity-purchase agreement (also
known as a redemption), the business entity itself will
purchase the share of the business for sale. In some
instances, there can be a mix of the two (hybrid), where
some shares are purchased by individual owners and the
remainder bought by the company. When a sole proprietor
dies, a key employee may be designated as the buyer or
successor.
The key benefit of having a buy-sell agreement is to
help owners manage potentially difficult situations in ways
that protect the business along with their own personal
and family interests. Having a buy-sell agreement can
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
prevent a deceased owner’s estate from selling their
interests to an outside party. Another key component
of a buy-sell agreement is to establish the means of
assessing the value of the company. A buy-sell agreement
can lay out how the company should be valued, what
methods should be used, what should the valuation date
be, how are the appraisers selected, etc.
A buy-sell agreement should include crucial
information, and the following pieces of information
should be spelled out within the buy-sell agreement:
¤ A list of triggering buyout events
¤ A list of partners or owners involved and their
current equity stakes.
¤ A recent valuation of the company’s overall equity
¤ A funding instrument, such as life insurance policies
¤ Tax and estate planning considerations for the
individual partners and surviving beneficiaries.
Some examples of triggering events in which a buysell
agreement could come into play are:
¤ Death
¤ Disability
¤ Termination of Employment
¤ Divorce
¤ Bankruptcy
¤ Pledging of an Owner’s Interest
Once your buy-sell is in place, you will be able to rest
easy knowing that your business’s future is no longer in
limbo. Having this important document makes it clear
to all relevant parties how ownership stakes shall be
handled should a triggering event occur.
Having a buy-sell agreement is crucial for any
company and their owners. Running your business without
one in place can put the future of your business and its
continuity at risk.
ROMAN BASI

80
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
NORTH COAST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
7737 Ellington Place, Mentor, OH 44060
TEL 440-975-9503 FAX 440-350-1676 EMAIL lgraham@ncfaonline.com WEB www.ncfaonline.com
NCFA CELEBRATES A MILESTONE!
by Mike Robinson - NCFA President
The North Coast Fastener Association (NCFA)
celebrated a milestone this year with its 15th Annual
Distributor Social, a night that will be fondly remembered
by all attendees. This year’s event was on the Good Time III
Cruise Ship, which set sail from downtown Cleveland right
next to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, offering a picturesque
backdrop for a night of networking and camaraderie.
The weather was absolutely perfect, setting the
stage for an unforgettable evening. Clear skies and gentle
breezes made for an ideal cruise on Lake Erie and the
Cuyahoga River, allowing guests to enjoy the stunning
views of Cleveland’s skyline while mingling with industry
peers.
The turnout was nothing short of spectacular. Over
380 Fastener Friends gathered aboard the Good Time
III, making this one of the most well-attended Distributor
Socials in NCFA history. The event drew distributors,
suppliers, and manufacturers from across the US, all eager
to reconnect and forge new relationships in a relaxed and
convivial atmosphere.
The Good Time III, with its multiple decks and
spacious interiors, provided the perfect venue for such
a grand gathering. Attendees were treated to a variety of
refreshments from several bars, offering everything from
soft drinks to craft beers and top-shelf cocktails. The
evening also featured delicious hors d’oeuvres, ensuring
that everyone was well-fed and ready to mingle.
One of the highlights of the evening was seeing several
of our industry peers getting a chance to “Captain the Ship
and get photos at the helm. When Marty Nolan and other
NCFA board members originally came up with the idea of
a networking event without the formalities of booths or
presentations, so guests were free to move around, chat,
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
and make meaningful connections I’m sure they never
imagined it would turn out to be something as spectacular
as this. This unique format has always been a hallmark
of the NCFA, and this year was no exception. The relaxed
environment fostered genuine interactions and discussions
about industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.
The NCFA is already planning next year’s event, aiming
to build on this year’s success and continue fostering
connections within the industry. A heartfelt thank you goes
out to all the sponsors, organizers, and attendees who
made the 15th Annual Distributor Social such a resounding
success. Join us in giving a big shout out to our Event
Sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors
¤ Lindfast Solutions Group
¤ Brighten-Best International
Gold Sponsor
¤ Kanebridge Corp
Silver Sponsors
¤ Earnest Machine
¤ EFC International/Inventory Sales Co.
¤ Eurolink FSS
¤ Goebel Fasteners Inc.
¤ Huyett
¤ Industrial Fasteners Institute
¤ Infasco
¤ MW Component
¤ Richard Manno & Company
¤ Screws Industries
¤ SWD Inc.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 140

NCFA 15th
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTOR SOCIAL
ABOARD THE GOODTIME III - MAY 21, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 149

Joe L. Davis, Jr., known to those he loved as a
husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather,
and a brother, passed away on March 25, 2024,
surrounded by those he loved. His legacy will forever
be etched in the hearts of those who knew him.
Survived by his wife, Beverly Davis, Joe leaves
behind a remarkable family. Brother Roy (Paula) Davis,
Sisters Judy (Dan) Hausman and Shirley (Tom) Carter.
His children include David (Charlotte) Davis, Jake
(Heather) Davis, Phillip (Carrie) Madrigal, Melissa
(Kevin) Madrigal-Jones, and Juliana (Robert) Osbourne.
Joe was blessed with 16 grandchildren and 12
great-grandchildren, each a testament to the love and
warmth he shared with his family.
Preceded in death by his parents, Joe L. Davis, Sr.
and Coral Hass Davis, as well as his brothers, Charles
Wayne and Michael, and wife Margaret, Joe’s memory
lives on through the generations he leaves behind.
Beyond his family, Joe was a successful
entrepreneur and a quiet professional who led by
example in all that he did. In 1974, Joe and Margaret
Davis founded ISSCO, INC., a wholesale fastener
distribution company, with a vision to efficiently service
OBITUARY - JOE DAVIS
customers throughout the Midwest. From humble
beginnings in the basement of their Independence,
Missouri home, ISSCO grew into a successful and
thriving locally-owned business thanks to Joe’s
dedication and hard work. Joe’s ongoing vision to fully
service ISSCO’s growing customer base led him to
becoming a co-owner of Majestic Packaging along with
purchasing BTM Manufacturing in January 2013.
His two sons, David and Jake Davis, joined the
ISSCO team, making it a true family endeavor. Joe’s
commitment to exceptional customer service and
quality products shaped the company’s success.
ISSCO recently celebrated its 50th anniversary on
April 1, 2024.
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
2024/2025 SEFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS by Nancy Rich
SEFA newly Board of Directors for 2024/2025.
President
Tony Strein, International Fasteners
Vice President
Dana Strock, Nucor Fasteners
Chairman
Stephanie Wood, Fastener Supply
Directors
Anthony Crawl, Birmingham Fastener
Lee Parker, Birmingham Fastener
Tom Sulek, Star Stainless
Carrie Whitworth, Edsco Fasteners
Hayden Gaston, Difco-Durable Industrial Finishing Co.
Secretary/Treasurer
Nancy Rich
Executive Director
Nancy Rich
SEFA Welcomes New Members
AFC Industries, West Chester, OH
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
S.W. Anderson Company, Roswell, GA
Zago Manufacturing Co., Anniston, AL
Our 2024 Scholarship Winners
Em Webb Memorial Scholarship $1,500
MaKayla White, Brighton-Best International
Brighton-Best International Scholarship $2,000
Donated by Brighton-Best International
Ann Marie Cannova, Birmingham Fastener
Gilchrist Foundation Scholarship $1,000
Donated by Robbie & Gina Gilchrist
Alexis Phillips, Eurolink FSS
Durable Industrial Finishing Company (DIFCO)
Scholarship $1,500 - Donated by DIFCO
Mary Catherine Cannova
SEFA Scholarship $2,500
Audree Rosenthal, DIFCO
SEFA Scholarships $3,000
Emily Brandt, Lindfast Solutions
SOUTHEASTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION

84
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
PERFECTION CHAIN
301 Goodwin Road, Cullman, AL 35058 TEL 1-888-856-4864
EMAIL info@perfectionchain.com WEB www.perfectionchain.com
PERFECTION CHAIN PRODUCTS EXPANDS LEADERSHIP
AS LARGEST WELDLESS CHAIN PRODUCER
Perfection Chain Products, the global leader in
weldless chain production, recently acquired weldless
chain manufacturing equipment from longtime partner
Campbell Chain. The acquisition of 35 machines, including
Single Jack, Single Loop, and Stamp Sash equipment,
establishes Perfection Chain Products as the undisputed
leader in weldless chain production worldwide.
For over 50 years, Perfection Chain Products and
Campbell Chain have partnered to serve customers in
various industries requiring weldless chains. This longterm
relationship and Perfection Chain’s expertise in
weldless chain manufacturing made the company the
ideal candidate for acquiring Campbell Chain’s equipment.
“We are thrilled to bring Campbell Chain’s weldless chain
production in-house,” said Keith Burgess, VP-Sales of
Perfection Chain Products. “Our companies have had
a long and mutually beneficial partnership, and this
acquisition is a natural next step to better serve our
customers. We have deep respect for Campbell Chain and
their quest to focus solely on welded chain production, and
we are committed to building on their legacy of excellence
and innovation within the weldless chain sector.”
The acquisition expands Perfection Chain Products’
manufacturing capabilities and enables faster delivery of
weldless chains across its global customer base.
Headquartered in Cullman, Alabama, Perfection Chain
Products is the world’s largest producer of weldless chains
for industrial and consumer applications. Perfection Chain
Products is known for its high-quality products, customer
service, and commitment to constant innovation.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
PERFECTION CHAIN

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 85
Martin Supply, one
of the nation’s leading
providers of custom-tailored
solutions for maintenance,
repair, operation, and
production supplies, proudly
announces its acquisition
of Trinity Hardware
Headquarters (THHQ) from
Agrisolutions (AGS), a
leading global manufacturer
of wear parts, components,
and accessories.
Based in Waukesha,
Wisconsin, THHQ specializes
in the supply of standard
and custom components
through catalog distribution,
customized inventory
management programs and
product delivery services.
This acquisition marks
a significant milestone in
Martin Supply’s dedication
to bolstering its presence
within the fastening
market and growing in this
geographic region.
Commenting on the
acquisition, Douglas Ruggles,
Co-CEO of Martin Supply,
stated, “We are excited to
welcome THHQ to Martin
Supply. This acquisition
aligns seamlessly with
our mission to deliver
unparalleled quality and
service to our valued
customers. We are
committed to upholding the
legacy of excellence that
THHQ has established.”
The transition from AGS
to Martin Supply promises
continuity and reliability for
customers. With meticulous
planning and attention to
detail, Martin Supply guarantees
minimal disruption to the services
customers depend on. Utilizing
industry leading technology, Martin
will drive the flow of products,
services and information across the
supply chain resulting in excellence
in operations.
Reflecting on the acquisition,
Demi Mantas, Sales Director,
Hardware at AGS, expressed
confidence in the transition,
stating, “We are confident that
Martin Supply will uphold the same
level of quality and commitment
our customers have come to
expect. With Martin’s 90-year
history, expertise, and commitment
to excellence, we anticipate even
greater value and innovation for our
customers.”
As Martin Supply takes the
helm, it looks forward to continuing
to serve customers with excellence
and innovation.
For further information, please
contact: Dan Zehnder, Director,
Hardware Sales at 563-340-3536 or
dzehnder@martincorp.net.
Founded in 1934 and
headquartered in Florence, AL,
Martin Inc. is one of the nation’s
leading providers of custom-tailored
solutions for maintenance, repair,
operation and production supplies
(MROP) to the industrial and
construction markets.
For more information about Martin
Supply, contact them at 125 North
Court Street Florence, AL 35630.
Tel: 1-800-828-8116, Fax: 256-389-
3436, Email: info@martinsupply.
com or visit them online at www.
martinsupply.com.

88
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
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
GOLF OUTING & SCHOLARSHIP A HUGE SUCCESS! by Freddy Barr
The 21st annual 2024 MAFDA
Golf Tournament and Scholarship
was a huge success! We first would
like to thank all our Top Sponsors
Brighton-Best International, Eurolink,
Long-Lok Fasteners, Intercorp, Edson
Mfg Company, Umeta Grease Fittings,
Stelfast Inc. Rhyno Manufacturing and
Lee S. Johnson and Associates Inc.
This year we gave out a total of
$17,000 in scholarships! The following
recipients were. Amanda Barr ($4000)
Dale Mackay ($3000) Sara Bozarth
($3000) Jacob McCallion ($3,000)
Liam Burns ($2000) and Riley Burns
($2,000).
Our Golf Outing was held at White
Clay Creek Country Club in Wilmington
DE and was super exciting to say the
least. Our 1st place winners this year
were Rick Lubker, Steve Gillmore, Aaron
Dolyenmyer and Ben Frazier who shot
in astonishing -17. The Biggest shock
of the day came on the 4th hole a
25k hole in one contest sponsored by
Stelfast was won! And the impossible
accomplishment was made by Rick
Lubker of Lubker Distributions.
Look forward to seeing everyone
again next year! Please keep your eye
out for more exciting events coming
soon on our website!
HOLE IN ONE WINNER $25,000 SPONSORED
BY (STELFAST INC.) RICK LUBKER OF LUBKER
DISTRIBUTION (LEFT) AND FREDDY BARR
STELFAST INC. (RIGHT).
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
MID-ATLANTIC FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION
MAFDA GOLF OUTING & SCHOLARSHIP EVENT
WHITE CLAY CREEK COUNTRY CLUB - MAY 9, 2024

90
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Suncor ® Stainless Inc. is the leading
manufacturer for stainless steel hardware in the
industrial, marine, government, architectural,
OEM and commercial industries.
Suncor Stainless is
excited to announce
that Janelle Veiga has
been promoted to
the position of East
Region Sales Manager.
Janelle has been with
Suncor® Stainless for
15 years, starting in
Customer Service and
most recently as the
Southeast Regional Account Manager. She
has played an integral role in our team’s
achievements, and Suncor’s rapid growth the
past few years. We are pleased to see her thrive
in this new leadership role and congratulate her
on her well-deserved promotion.
“I am extremely excited to start my new career
chapter with Suncor Stainless, a company that I
have worked with for over a decade. Suncor’s
dedication to customer satisfaction, safety,
and quality are top notch, and I look forward to
working with my team to meet and exceed our
customers’ needs.”
You can contact her at jveiga@suncorstainless.
com - 508-732-9191 x1013
Suncor® Stainless, Inc. is a leading
manufacturer of stainless steel hardware in the
industrial, marine, government, architectural,
OEM and commercial industries. Suncor’s
modern facilities manufacture an ever-expanding
product line that has become one of the world’s
most complete and highest quality sources for
stainless steel chain, hardware, and custom
parts. As an ISO 9001 certified company, you
can trust that all Suncor® products and services
will consistently meet customer and regulatory
requirements.
For more information contact Suncor Stainless
at 70 Armstrong Road, Plymouth, MA 02360. Tel:
1-800-394-2222, Email: info@suncorstainless.com
or visit them online at www.suncorstainless.com.

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 91
BRYNOLF MANUFACTURING INC.
412 18th Ave, Rockford, IL 61104 TOLL-FREE 877-237-4554
EMAIL info@brynolfmanufacturing.com WEB www.brynolfmanufacturing.com
BRYNOLF MANUFACTURING ADDS TO ITS PRODUCT LINE
Brynolf Manufacturing, Inc., a family owned and
operated business in Rockford Illinois, is pleased to
announce the addition of two new diameters to its
in-stock line of self-drilling screws. Adding to the line up
are three 5/16-18 diameters in lengths of 1”, 1-1/4”
and 1-1/2” and three 8-18 diameters in lengths of
1/2”, 3/4” and 1” all coated in our 1,000 hour silver
ProCorrTM finish.
Brynolf Manufacturing will continue to evolve our
stock line based on our customer’s needs and is excited
to offer these new products. In stock now and available
for immediate shipment!
Brynolf Manufacturing, Inc. opened for business
in Loves Park, Illinois in March of 2000 and relocated
to nearby Rockford into a much larger 116,000 sq. ft
facility in 2012. The company was started by Bob and
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
Dan Brynolf, who between them had over 70 years’
experience in the fastener industry.
The Company is currently managed by Dan and
Bob’s two sons, Chris and Zack, who both have nearly
25 years of experience each in the industry and Dan’s
Son-In-Law, Aaron Traum, who has 8 years of experience
in the industry.
Brynolf Manufacturing expanded into the self-drilling
screw market in 2009 with the addition of Pat Monahan
who brought with him over 40 years of construction
fastener knowledge.
Today we are producing over 50 million self-drilling
screws annually for both the Industrial and Construction
Fastener markets. We pride ourselves on competitive
pricing, quality product, and timely delivery. We have
been ISO 9001 registered since June of 2001.
BRYNOLF MANUFACTURING

92
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
WESTERN WIRE PRODUCTS
770 Sun Park Dr, Fenton, MO 63026
TEL 1-800-325-3770 EMAIL sales@westernwireusa.com WEB www.westernwireusa.com
WESTERN WIRE: AN INDUSTRY LEADER
WITH OVER 100 YEARS OF EXPERTISE
Since 1907, Western Wire has been a leading
manufacturer and supplier of industrial wire forms and
fastener products. Whether you are looking for something
as simple as a standard cotter pin or a complex wire form
that requires specialty bends and multiple secondary
processes, Western Wire can help. We offer several
standard fasteners including everything from cotter pins
and hitch pin clips to spring pins, s-hooks, and beyond.
In June of 2023, Western Wire Products became a
member of the MW Components family of companies.
MW Components is a precision component and product
manufacturer that stops at nothing to help today’s
engineers realize their design objectives. As a result of
this acquisition, Western Wire’s product offering was
expanded exponentially. When you partner with Western
Wire Products and MW Components, you can rely on us
to add value at every stage - from initial design concepts
and prototypes to final production at any volume. We
apply the latest value engineering techniques to help
you solve challenging product development problems,
and our Design for Manufacturing expertise helps turn
groundbreaking innovations into real-world commercial
success. Western Wire Products also offers a wide variety
of military-grade parts. Work with our team at any stage of
the production lifecycle and we’ll help you optimize your
parts, simplify your processes, and get to market faster.
From concept to production Wester Wire and MW
Components can offer you and your team: 30+ locations
manufacturing everything from springs and fasteners to
bellows and shims, more than 100 engineers to help
improve designs, and rapid build-to-spec capabilities for
virtually any component you can design. Additionally,
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
we focus on providing thousands of parts in stock for
immediate delivery, streamlined management covering
your entire component portfolio, and the supply chain
security of a large well-funded business.
In addition to taking on the vast lines of Springs
and Fasteners, two new sales positions were added that
never existed before. John Bardwell covers outside sales,
and Patrick O’Driscoll covers inside sales on location.
Together, they are ready to handle your product questions
and assist with your RFQs.
Reach out today and let us know how we can help you
and your team. Contact John Bardwell by Tel: 985-517-2882
or email at JBardwell@westerwireusa.com and contact Patrick
O’Driscoll by Tel: 314.391.6702 extension 33, or email at
PODriscoll@westernwireusa.com.
WESTERN WIRE PRODUCTS

94
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROB LaPOINTE FASTENER SCIENCE: STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS AND THE ORIGIN OF METAL from page 8
Metals are generous like this; they like to party.
When metals share electrons among a group of atoms,
this creates an electric bond between the atoms known
as a covalent bond because the atoms share valence
(outside) electrons. This is what makes metallic atoms
stick together. With electrons being shared all around and
free to move around the atomic crystal, metals get one of
their most interesting properties, electrical conductivity.
Once electrical potential (voltage) or pressure is applied
to a metal, electrons flow through the metal from atom
to atom in the direction towards the positive side of the
potential from the negative side of the potential. This is
very similar to a stone rolling downhill where gravitational
potential interacts with the stone’s mass acting to pull it
from high potential to low potential. The physics of these
two phenomena are nearly identical, see Figure 2.
FIGURE 2 GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL AND ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL
ARE NEARLY IDENTICAL. IN ONE, THE ACTION IS ON THE MASS AND
IN THE OTHER THE ACTION IS ON THE CHARGE.
So how is it that the stars above us produce the
metal and other materials from which Earth is made? At
first, this may seem like a crazy assertion, being that the
stars other than the Sun, are so far away from us that is
seems implausible for there to be an intrinsic connection
between us and them. The stars we see in the night
sky are, on average, 6,000,000,000,000,000 miles
(9,656,064,000,000 km) from us. This only accounts for
the stars we see with the naked eye. Most of the stars in
the Milkey Way are beyond our view as they are blocked
by the bright galactic nucleus and dust or are too dim for
our eyes to see due to their distance from us.
Before we discuss how material produced by stars
that are so distant makes its way to us, it is beneficial
to lay the foundations of the creation of the metal
inside stars. Similar to the way we broke down the
FIGURE 3 THE LOCATION OF EARTH IN THE MILKEY WAY GALAXY.
contents of earth by percentage, let’s break down the
contents of the universe by percentage. If we look at
the normal material contents of the universe, which is
mostly stars, we see that the universe is comprised
mostly of hydrogen. Hydrogen is the lightest and most
simple atom in the universe with one proton and one
electron. There are other forms of hydrogen that differ
slightly from this composition, but all hydrogen atoms
have only one proton. Both theory and observation tell us
that the universe today is approximately 75% hydrogen,
23% helium and about 2% everything else. This is an
accounting of the normal matter in the universe that is
comprised of protons, neutrons and electrons. This is
the normal stuff like me and you and stars and planets.
Exotic forms of matter such as dark matter and dark
energy, which seem to make up most of the universe in
total are beyond the scope of this article.
In the very early universe as the first stars
were forming under the influence of gravity, the universe
was comprised only of hydrogen and helium and just a
smidge of lithium. No other elements on the periodic
table existed yet, so studying chemistry was much
simpler then (a joke I used to tell my physics students).
The first stars that formed from these materials are
known as population III stars for their lack of metals or
other elements.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 148

FASTENER FAIR USA - HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 22-23, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 115

96
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS WHY FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD OFFER APPLICATION ENGINEERING from page 10
Being my first opportunity to work with this client,
I was notably anxious about doing a good job and
finding as many opportunities for cost savings or quality
improvement as possible. I joke that the week prior
I chewed my fingernails down to stumps and didn’t
get a wink of sleep. Although, an exaggeration, I was
concerned that there wouldn’t be much to find. How
wrong could I be? After all was said and done, I would
estimate that there was easily several hundred thousand
dollars of potential savings, and likely, much, much more.
So let me share three examples from this experience
that illustrate the value of Application Engineering and
then what these experiences can teach us.
Example 1: Mispairing Of Nuts And Bolts
A little background is required to explain this first
example. When designers set out to engineer a bolted
joint using a standard bolt and nut they have many
variables to consider. One variable that rarely ever
changes, however, is the preference to have the bolt
fail before the nut. Although the reasoning behind this
is counterintuitive to some, it’s quite simple, it is much
easier to detect that that the bolt has failed than the
nut. To guarantee this behavior, therefore, the nut must
be designed and manufactured to be stronger than the
bolt. In fact, all the current Consensus Standards are
designed to achieve this by using the “nut and bolt
pairing rule”. Simply stated this principle establishes
that the Proof Strength of the nut is equal to or greater
than the Minimum Tensile Strength of the bolt. The Proof
Strength is an established value slightly below the Elastic
Limit of the fastener (load at which fastener begins to
exhibit plastic deformation), while the Tensile Strength is
the ultimate load the fastener can experience before it
fractures.
The Consensus Standards have been developed
to be true to this principle so that fasteners made to a
specific Grade or Property Class should be paired with a
similar Grade or Property Class of opposing fastener type.
In other words, as an example, a Grade 8 bolt should be
paired with a Grade 8 nut. Although it is best to pair like
with like, it would also satisfy the “rule” to pair a stronger
nut with a weaker bolt. For example, pairing a Grade 8 nut
with a Grade 5 bolt would still suit the principle. However,
it is unlikely that anyone would choose this path because
higher Grade and Property Class fasteners almost always
come with a premium, since they typically require higher
grade materials and heat treating.
So, let’s return to my story. This was a large
manufacturing site of my client’s customer producing a
wide range of their commercial refrigeration products.
Many of these units were quite large and used bolts in
sizes from about 1/2” to 3/4” diameter. What I discovered
though was that many of these larger diameter nut and
bolted joints were Grade 8 and Grade 5 bolts paired with
Grade 2 nuts. (See Figures 2 and 3) This means that my
client’s customer was either assembling substandard
joints or they were using superfluous high strength
hardware. If, in fact, they were unnecessarily using Grade
5 or Grade 8 bolts, then they were likely paying a twenty
plus percent premium for these parts. If they were using
low strengths nuts, they were potentially risking assembly
scrap or field failures during maintenance, both of which
could contribute to unnecessary scrap or warranty costs
and exposure to reputational damage.
FIGURE 2: EXAMPLE OF GRADE 8 BOLT (IN YELLOW) PAIRED WITH
GRADE 2 NUT (IN SILVER)
CONTINUED ON PAGE 150

COMPONENT PACKAGING
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 97
7931 E 24th St, Joplin, MO 64804 TEL 417-624-9395
EMAIL lorim@componentpackaging.com WEB www.componentpackaging.com
COMPONENT PACKAGING ADDS NEW EQUIPMENT
At Component Packaging, we have been facing the
challenges of rising inflation, labor costs and supply chain
issues like most of the Distributors we work with. Being
in the service arena it is critical for us to be flexible to
adjust to the changing needs of our customers. Over
the past year or so we have noticed that orders are more
frequent, more time sensitive (HOT), and smaller in run
size. This has been difficult, which resulted last year in
lead times becoming longer than they ever had been. In
an effort to accommodate these needs and demands we
have purchased additional equipment that will allow us
to machine run orders that in the past had to be hand
packaged … specifically in the 1,000 – 5,000 kit run.
What benefit does that bring to you: it will greatly
reduce lead times (from 6-8 weeks to 2-3 weeks or less);
reduce costs as they can now be produced by machine
and allows us greater flexibility to meet hot demands.
Our new packaging lines allow for faster changeovers
and setups, giving us the flexibility to move between jobs
quicker and more efficiently.
We added the machinery to allow us to lower our
machine minimums from 2,500 to 1,000 which allows us
to be very (much more?) competitive on these run lengths.
Reach out to our team to find out how we can help!
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
COMPONENT PACKAGING

98
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRUNO MARBACHER THE VARIOUS METHODS OF THREAD LOCKING from page 12
Prevailing Torque Nuts
The locking element never extends over the entire
height of these nuts. The locking feature is typically in a
few threads in the middle or at the top side of the nut. The
remainder of the nut thread is free spinning. The locking
element exists in a variety of designs.
¤ Nylon ring clinched to the top side of a nut.
¤ Elastic metal plates instead of a nylon ring.
¤ An area on the top side of the nut that is slightly f
formed into an oval shape.
¤ Two-way lock nuts (center lock) with 2 or 3
depressions on hex flats.
¤ With a slotted collar, with an attached spring that
contracts the collar.
¤ Slotted locking feature on top of the nut.
¤ A 30° wedge ramp at the root of the internal thread.
¤ Slotted laterally one/two sides and then pressed
together.
¤ Nut with an eccentric boss in circular concave nut.
Assembly And Use
The screws are always turned into the nut from
the bottom side, where the thread is free spinning.
Assembly can take place from both sides on horizontally,
symmetrically slotted nuts.
It is important to always turn the screws into nuts to
the extent that the end of the thread protrudes beyond the
locking element by at least 1.5-2 threads. Otherwise, the
full locking effect of the nut cannot be guaranteed.
Just as with screws with a locking element, nuts
cannot be turned through the locking feature with finger
force.
When exposed to strong vibrations, nuts with a locking
feature are not resistant to rotational loosening, they only
secure screws/nuts from unwinding.
Nylon insert as well metallic insert lock nuts can be
re-used 2-3 times for the purpose of maintenance and
repairs.
This is also true for all-metal lock nuts where the top of
the thread is squeezed into an oval. Nuts that have been
clinched from three sides can possibly be used again a
second time.
The purpose of lock nuts is to prevent unwinding.
These types of bolted joints ought to be checked during
scheduled maintenance and are to be retightened as
needed.
Single Slotted And Dual-Slotted, All-Metal,
Self-Locking Hex Nut
A nut is slotted laterally from one side and then
pressed together. Thus, a
partial thread pitch feature
is formed in the nut. The
nut threads are spread apart
when the screw is turned into
this area and the prevailing
torque is generated. This nut also comes with two lateral
slots 180º apart. It has a higher on-torque, it requires a
wrench.
With horizontally slotted nuts, the slot is widened
during the first assembly. There is practically no locking
effect remaining during the second assembly. Such nuts
should be replaced with new ones when equipment is
repaired.
Center Lock Nuts
Two-way reversible lock nuts (also known as Center
lock Nuts) got their name because the distorted thread
is in the middle. The distorted internal threads increase
resistance on the mating thread. This creates a locking
mechanism in the center of the nut, which helps it resist
loosening from vibration. Because the locking mechanism
is at the center of the nut, the mating external thread can
be engaged from either side.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 154

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 99

100
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
MW INDUSTRIES, INC
2400 Farrell Rd, Houston, TX 77073
TEL 1-800-875-3510 EMAIL sales@mwindustries.com WEB www.mwindustries.com
MASTERING THE ART OF LONG-TERM PLANNING
At MW Industries, we are continually forging ahead
with a clear vision for the future. Our people are the heart
of our company. Recognizing this, we prioritize investing
in training the next generation of leaders, sales staff,
and machinists. By fostering a culture of continuous
learning and innovation, we are ensuring that our legacy
of excellence will thrive for decades to come.
and Machining Center along with a Vertical Machining
Center. These strategic investments underscore our
commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation. This
new equipment will enhance our production capabilities,
ensuring we continue to meet and exceed the high
standards our clients expect.
WE DON’T START THEM THIS YOUNG, BUT OUR STAFF IS SO
EXCEPTIONAL YOU’D THINK THEY’VE BEEN HERE SINCE YOUTHS.
Our long-term planning extends beyond our staff.
We are excited to announce the acquisition of two
additional state-of-the-art machines – a Turning Center
GL 300 TURNING CENTER AND MACHINING CENTER
REVEALING THE NEWLY ARRIVED D 1250 VERTICAL
MACHINING CENTER
Our holistic approach to growth encompasses
every aspect of our business. By adopting cutting-edge
technology, nurturing talent, and maintaining our core
values of quality and integrity, we are paving the way
for sustained success. Looking to the future, we remain
steadfast in our mission to lead with innovation, inspire
with our dedication, and excel in everything we do.
As we approach our 50th anniversary, we extend
our deepest gratitude to our customers and employees
who have been integral to our journey in the washer
manufacturing industry.
Thank you for being a part of our story.
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
MW INDUSTRIES INC

2024 CUSTOMER APPRECIATION CRAWFISH BOIL
VALUING OUR RELATIONSHIPS…‘PRICELESS’

104
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
GUY AVELLON WHAT DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ECHNIQUE WHEN TIGHTENING A BOLTED CONNECTION from page 14
An experiment was performed in the early 1980’s
where transducers were mounted on the heads of each
bolt to be tightened in the joint. It was found that if bolt
#1 was tightened at its full torque value, then bolt #2 was
also tightened to its full torque, bolt #1 would become
tighter. This is due to the effect that the two rigid plates
were being drawn together while one bolt was resisting the
change.
FIGURE 1
As bolt #2 is being tightened, it compresses the
area around it as it draws the joint together. In doing so,
it creates additional pressure on bolt #1 by creating a
‘wedge’ effect or prying moment on the bolt which creates
more stress on the bolt.
As bolt #3 is tightened it will relieve some of the
added strain on bolt #1 and a little on bolt #2. Further loss
of preload is experienced by both bolts #1 and 2 when
bolt #4 is tightened. As bolt #5 is tightened, the joint is
finally and more completely drawn together, but most of
the previously tightened bolts will relax even more. Some
bolts lost as much as 50% of their preload after the last
bolt was tightened.
If this scenario is non-critical, the bolt’s diameter
and applied torque are significant and the joint is not
subjected to fluctuating dynamic loads, the loss may not
be that critical. To avoid any chance of the joint not being
tight enough and failing, it is prudent to retighten each bolt
again in the criss-cross pattern. This will ensure a more
solid joint connection.
Load Cycling
A wheel would be an example of a joint that receives
dynamic loading as well as tractive and prying forces.
Most of the time wheel nuts are installed onto the wheel
studs with a common air powered impact wrench. The
common 1/2” impact wrench delivers an initial impact of
around 425 lb-ft of torque. The average passenger vehicle
has a wheel torque between 80-110 lb-ft. Automakers
suggest using torque sticks, a regulated and adjustable
air gun or a torque wrench so the power of the impact gun
does not warp the rotors of disc brakes.
It doesn’t matter what the joint connection is, the
power of the impact wrench will drive the nut into the joint
surface. The surface area around the nut compresses
momentarily, then experiences an elastic rebound like a
spring. However, the nut remains at a new location on the
threads of the bolt.
In other words, instead of the tightened nut being on
the joint at position X on the threads of the bolt, it is now
at X + 1. When the joint surface rebounds to X, the bolt
is subjected to a greater stress than anticipated when it
rests against the nut at the X + 1 position.
When this occurs, the joint is not evenly loaded as it
is difficult to determine how much compression and extra
tension the other studs received or lost. Since the joint is
to be dynamically loaded, it is recommended that service
loads be applied for a period of time, then retorque the
nuts or bolts. As with vehicles, automakers recommend
driving between 50-100 miles so the seating surfaces can
adjust to each other, then retorque the wheel nuts.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 156

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 105

106
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
AMERICAN BOLT YOUR TRUSTED FASTENER SOURCE from page 26
Warehousing
American Bolt supports their customers by running
two shifts and has a variety of delivery options. They boast
a company-owned fleet of delivery vehicles, partner with
premier 3PL services, or your orders can be scheduled for
pick-up the same day to keep your business running.
Inventory
With 65,000 square feet of warehoused material,
American Bolt carries many standard items and a wide
range of nonstandard and hard-to-find items. If you are
having trouble locating a special item, American Bolt can
help you out.
Vendor Managed Inventory - Inventory Solution
Designed For Production Stability
When you partner with American Bolt, they help find
ways to streamline your fastener needs. By taking a
hands-on role in the active management of items they
provide, they can help you significantly reduce inventory &
procurement costs while maintaining production stability.
Their goal is to provide you with the best possible
managed inventory experience!
Personalized Service
Each VMI Program is assigned a dedicated VMI
Specialist. These specialists are trained to help customers
reduce costs while meeting inventory demands.
Inventory Optimization
Their data-driven approach leads to accurate stocking
objectives. The focus is on maintaining adequate levels of
inventory while optimizing turns.
Flexible
VMI programs are designed around each customer
and are tailored to their unique requirements. Programs
can be as simple as a single stocking area to a
complex point-of-use system. Since parts are delivered
with American Bolt’s trucks, customers are not charged
for freight.
Organization
Storage systems included with each program create
visibility to all items being managed. All bins are clearly
labeled, sized to the optimal space required, and continually
maintained. Barcode labels show the full description,
customer part number, minimum and maximum stock
levels, and bin location.
Manufacturing Value Added
Cutting & Chamfering
American Bolt Corp. offers a vast selection of 12’ fully
threaded rods in various diameters and materials, ready to
meet your project requirements.
Need custom lengths? No problem! Their cutting
department provides quick service and ensures excellent
quality.
Whether you need threaded rod, round bar, bolts,
rebar, or struts, they have you covered. They can tailor their
products to fit your needs perfectly.
Threading & Anchor Bolts
American Bolt is your go-to source for anchor bolts
designed for pre-cast concrete embedment, available in
diameters ranging from 1/2” to 6”.
They are all about speed and customization. With
their additional in-house production capabilities, they easily
produce anchor bolts and rod assemblies from 1/2” to 2”
diameter. Plus, they keep a ready stock of 20’ long round
bars in F1554 specifications, allowing them to thread
single—and double-ended studs quickly and efficiently.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 158

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 107

108
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ERIC DUDAS UNTHREADED: SO YOU WANT TO BE A FASTENER ROCK STAR... from page 28
That was a few years back. The term papers were
written on an actual typewriter. I consumed prodigious
amounts of white out. So it might be more than a few
years ago, actually. In other words, my guitar chops
aren’t the sharpest these days.
Not a rock star.
Nevertheless, a few weeks before Fastener Fair I
decided to ask Tim to let me take the stage to crank
out a number with the band. I may never get a chance
like this again, I was thinking, so I’d better go for it.
At first, Tim was unsure.
“No offense, but can you sing?” he asked me.
This is where I finally was able to leverage many
years of creative fastener podcasting towards the cause
of realizing my latent and nearly forgotten rock star
aspirations.
“Tim,” I replied confidently, “have you heard the
Old Rusty Bolt song, or my rendition of Jackie Screw on
the Fully Threaded Radio podcast?”
Over the years, I’ve written and produced a few
lighthearted songs for FTR, and those are two of my
favorites. Evidently, they were enough to land me the
gig because after sending him audio files of my songs
as an audition, Tim agreed to have me join the band to
open their second set.
Finally, ready or not, I was getting a chance to
pretend to be a rock star, on an actual stage with an
actual band. And it would be at the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame during a fastener industry soiree no less!
I was thrilled. But fast forward to the start of the
fastener bash, and as the time for me to jump on stage
approached I began to feel that old familiar nervous
energy. Nobody enjoys that feeling.
Turns out most people get nervous when they have
to go on stage. For some, even speaking in front of
small groups induces terror. According to ChatGPT, the
fear of public speaking ranks higher than the fear of
death for some people.
As business professionals, most fastener people
find themselves speaking or presenting in front of
groups of people at least occasionally. It can be a big
challenge.
Young Fastener Professionals president Craig Beaty
moderated one of the panel discussions at Fastener
Fair ‘24. He handled the task smoothly, without a hint
of obvious nervousness. But his calm demeanor belied
the anxiety he actually was feeling.
During his follow up interview for our FTR special
report episode, Craig commented, “I was a little
nervous, I hadn’t done a presentation since I graduated
college in 2014. I was glad to see the microphone was
attached to the podium because I didn’t have to worry
about what to do with my hands.”
Having recorded hundreds of interview segments
for the FTR podcast over the years, I’ve worked with
plenty of would be fastener rock stars who found it very
difficult to let their music play once the mic went hot.
Despite having all the personality and knowledge to
make the top 40, some find the fear of being in front of
an audience simply shuts them down.
Fortunately for me, I’ve spent a fair share of time on
stage in various roles over the years. With experience,
you learn to work with those nervous feelings and
accept that no stage appearance ever goes exactly
as envisioned. You also get comfortable with the
excitement and develop techniques to moderate the
anxiety, which everyone feels to some extent.
It also helps that I’ve reached the point where I
don’t let the thought of making mistakes bother me very
much. A sour note here or there never stopped Jerry
Garcia, so why should it worry me? Maybe that’s one of
the side benefits of reaching classic rocker age.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 109

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 109
ERIC DUDAS UNTHREADED: SO YOU WANT TO BE A FASTENER ROCK STAR... from page 108
Don’t let your fears prevent you from taking your
own shot at fastener rock stardom. Here are my top two
suggestions for making that happen:
1. Seek out opportunities to address groups.
It’s cliché, but you must reach beyond your comfort zone
to grow. Begin with a small group if that’s where you’re
starting, but wherever you are, push yourself to the next
level. Climb onto a larger stage. Eventually, turn your
amps up to 11 and listen to the crowd roar.
Thought: Perhaps you’ve imagined joining in on a
Fully Threaded Radio podcast segment but have been too
afraid to take the plunge.
Well?
2. Practice. It goes without saying the more you do
anything, the more at ease you will feel and the better
you will become. I strongly recommend Toastmasters
International (www.toastmasters.org) to anyone serious
about their professional development, and I feel fortunate
to have participated in their program during my previous
corporate life. However you approach it, tune up your
speaking skills and practice them.
With time and practice comes confidence. With
confidence, you’ll be surprised when you hear yourself
play the music you never thought you had inside you. Next
stop, your own world tour?
Getting back to the Rock Hall stage that night, it
wound up being just as much fun as I’d hoped. Tim’s
band covered up my occasional botched chords, and it
came out sounding pretty good. It didn’t even matter that
I flubbed half the lyrics on the third verse. When you’re a
fastener rock star, even for just a minute, nobody really
minds.
Now get out there, dust off those rusty strings, and
sell some screws.
ERIC DUDAS

110
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROTOR CLIP WHAT IS A RETAINING RING? from page 30
¤ Radial Rings (C-Clips, E-Rings, and Poodle
Rings): Radial rings are designed for direct installation
into the groove without needing to expand over the shaft.
Their open-ended design offers a reliable shoulder for
retaining components on shafts.
¤ Bowed and Beveled Retaining Rings: Beveled
and bowed retaining rings provide endplay take-up,
minimizing or eliminating space between components
caused by tolerance stacking. They keep components
tightly together, enhancing stability.
¤ Spiral Retaining Rings: Coiled from flat wire,
spiral retaining rings can be wound into the groove without
tools and removed with simple tools like a screwdriver.
They are ideal for production in stainless steel or exotic
alloys.
¤ Custom Retaining Rings: Our engineering team
works with you to design and manufacture custom
retaining rings that address specific challenges and
ensure optimal performance. From material selection to
intricate design details, we provide the perfect solution for
your distinct needs.
Retaining rings are essential components that bring
stability, reliability, and ease of maintenance to machinery
and equipment across various industries. Rotor Clip, with
over 65 years of expertise, is the only manufacturer offering
every style of retaining ring on the market. Whether you
need a standard or custom retaining ring, a spiral ring,
circlip, or snap ring, Rotor Clip has the solution.
ROTOR CLIP COMPANY INC.
NEW ENGLAND FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION
PO Box 701, Tewksbury, MA 01876 TEL 816-686-8987 EMAIL nefda@nefda.com WEB www.nefda.com
NEFDA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS by Laura Murphy
The New England Fastener Distributors Association’s
Annual Scholarship Awards is the most significant effort
the association makes annually. Over the past six years,
the New England Fastener Distributors Association has
awarded an incredible $90,000 in scholarship funds to
member students and this year we’re adding another
$17,500 to that amount!
This program makes a significant financial impact
for member-students and it is only possible through the
generous contributions, donations, and participation of
our membership.
The NEFDA Scholarship Committee received a
record number of applications this year and selected 18
recipients in total. Congratulations to the 2024 recipients!
We wish you the very best in the coming school year and
your future educational endeavors.
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
2024 Scholarship Recipients
$3,000 - Joshua Monteiro - Fall River Manufacturing
$2,500 - Carmine Sicignano - DB Roberts
$2,000 - Lindsey Weaver - Ken Forging
$2,000 - Victoria Weaver - Ken Forging
$1,500 - Amanda Barr - Stelfast
$500 - Emily Brandt - Lindfast, Liam Burns - Richard
Manno, Nora Chernosky - Buckeye Fastener Corp, Riley
Cockrell - DB Roberts, Deanna Ebert - Tower Fasteners,
Alyson Hourihan - Atlantic Fasteners, McKayla Orvis -
Atlantic Fasteners, Kyle Peske - Metric Multistandard,
Alexis Phillips - Eurolink, Jack Schroeder - DB Roberts,
Amanda Stackpole - DB Roberts, Megan Stover - Ken
Forging and MaKayla White - Brighton-Best International.
For more information on the NEFDA, please visit www.
nefda.com, contact Laura Murphy, administrator at nefda@
nefda.com or PO Box 701, Tewksbury, MA 01876.
NEW ENGLAND FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

112
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
JOE DYSART GOOGLE AND YAHOO!’S CRACKDOWN ON EMAIL: A QUICK TRIP TO THE SPAM FOLDER from page 32
“If outbound teams don’t abandon bulk cold outreach
-- and the tools that enable it -- they’re in serious trouble,”
says One Shot’s Rishi.
As old as email itself, spam has been the bane of
everyone who uses the messaging medium. Crackdowns
in previous years have helped mitigate the problem. And
Google and Yahoo! apparently feel it’s worth it yet again to
tighten spam restrictions so they can get a better handle
on unwanted email.
Says Neil Kumaran, group product manager, Gmail
security and trust, Google: “Gmail’s AI-powered defenses
stop more than 99.9% of spam, phishing and malware
from reaching inboxes -- and block nearly 15 billion
unwanted emails every day.
“But now, nearly 20 years after Gmail launched, the
threats we face are more complex and pressing than ever.
To help fix that, we’ve focused on a crucial aspect of email
security: The validation that a sender is who they claim to be.”
Marcel Becker, senior director, product management,
Yahoo!, who is working in concert with Kumaran, agrees:
“A key mission of Yahoo is to deliver messages that
consumers want to receive and filter out the messages
they don’t.
“Numerous bulk senders fail to secure and set up
their systems correctly -- allowing malicious actors to
exploit their resources without detection. A pivotal aspect
of addressing these concerns involves sender validation.”
The silver lining in all this: If your fastener
distributorship is already engaging in email marketing best
practices, you’ll have a much easier time dealing with the
Google/Yahoo! crackdown.
Even so, many of the most diligent email marketers in
the fastener distribution industry may still find themselves
GOOGLE’S CEO SUNDAR PICHAI
HAS DECIDED ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’
WHEN IT COMES TO UNSOLICITED
EMAIL.
squirming to meet the
new -- and in the view
of some, draconian --
.3% maximum spam
threshold that Google
and Yahoo! have set.
In any event, here’s
what Google and Yahoo!
will be looking for when
they’re judging your
email for telltale signs
of spam -- as well as
BUSINESSES DEEMED AS ESPECIALLY DELINQUENT SPAMMERS
WILL SEE EMAIL FROM ALL THEIR COMPANY DEPARTMENTS
BLOCKED BY GOOGLE AND YAHOO!
some additional email marketing best practices you
should use that are recommended by email marketing
experts:
¤ Bulk Sender Adherence: Any fastener distributor
that sends more than 5,000 emails/day must adhere to
the new rules, according to Google. (Yahoo! has refrained
from offering its definition of a bulk sender.).
¤ 0.3% Spam Threshold Max: This is a tough one.
If you send 1,000 emails and four of your subscribers hit
the spam button instead of requesting an unsubscribe,
you’ll be over threshold.
In such cases, Google and Yahoo! draw no distinction
between ‘cold call emails’ that you send without any opt-in
and emails that have been requested by your subscribers
who nevertheless prefer to ‘hit the spam button’ rather an
request an unsubscribe.
Bottom line: At .3%, there’s very little room for
‘mischaracterization error’ under the new rules.
¤ One-click unsubscribe: “You shouldn’t have to
jump through hoops to stop receiving unwanted messages
from a particular email sender,” says Google’s Kumaran.
“It should take one click.
“So we’re requiring that large senders give Gmail
recipients the ability to unsubscribe from commercial
email in one click.”
¤ Two-Day Unsubscribe, Max: Any unsubscribe
request from an email recipient must be processed within
two days by your fastener distributorship. No exceptions.
¤ SPF Record Mandatory: A technical email
component already embraced by email senders with good
reputations, SPF records help prevent spammers from
spoofing your email and sending emails that have your
company domain.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 160

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 113
E-Z LOK, a leading manufacturer and master
distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic
and wood is now offering E-Z Knife brass and
stainless steel threaded inserts for wood.
Suited for use in hardwoods like oak,
cherry and maple, these inserts are ideal wherever
assembly or disassembly could cause thread
erosion or stripping. E-Z Knife threaded inserts
use a proprietary external “knife” thread to slice
into the wood and provide superior holding power.
They are most often machined out of brass when
internal thread sizes range from #4 to 3/8” or
M3 to M8. Notable features include superior
hardwood holding power with sizes available in
inch (coarse/fine) and metric. The inserts easily
install with a bolt/jam nut or optional drive tool.
Brass inserts are ideal for furniture, cabinetry
and partitions, while stainless steel is used in
marine applications. Several industries including
shipping containers, outdoor furniture and storm
shutters use either.
E-Z Knife threaded inserts and thread repair
kits provide an easy solution for adding machine
threads to hard woods. They can also be used
for softwood, but they are not recommended for
plywood. A proprietary external thread for superior
holding power is used by these inserts.
A variety of kits for the inserts are available
and feature installation tools, drill bits, etc.
E-Z LOK is a third-generation family owned and
operated company. Founded in 1956, it primarily
sells through local, regional, and national
industrial distributors.
For more information, contact E-Z LOK at 240
E. Rosecrans Ave, Gardena, CA 90248. Tel: 1-800-
234-5613, Email: sales@ezlok.com or visit them
online at www.ezlok.com.

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FASTENER FAIR USA CELEBRATING INNOVATION AND GROWTH IN CLEVELAND, OH from page 40
Networking And Celebrations At The
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
One of the standout moments of Fastener Fair
USA 2024 was the highly anticipated Opening Night
Networking Party, held on May 22 at the iconic Rock
& Roll Hall of Fame. Hundreds of guests gathered to
celebrate a successful first day of the show with live
music, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and exclusive
private tours of the museum’s exhibits. This event
offered a unique environment for attendees to connect
and build lasting business relationships.
Looking Ahead: Fastener Fair USA 2025
In Nashville, TN
As this year’s achievements are celebrated,
anticipation is already building for Fastener Fair USA
2025, which will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, on May
28-29, 2025. Building on the momentum from Cleveland,
next year’s event promises even greater opportunities for
industry advancement and connection.
About Fastener Fair USA
Fastener Fair USA is North America’s premier trade
show and conference for the fastener industry and the
manufacturing sectors it serves. This dynamic event is
an essential marketplace drawing fastener professionals
from every segment and from all over the world. Organized
by RX, a leading organizer of international trade shows
and conferences, Fastener Fair USA continues to elevate
industry standards and foster growth.
For more information and updates on the 2025
event, please visit the Fastener Fair USA website at
www.fastenerfairusa.com.
About RX (Reed Exhibitions)
RX is in the business of building businesses for
individuals, communities and organisations. We elevate
the power of face to face events by combining data
and digital products to help customers learn about
markets, source products and complete transactions
at approximately 400 events in 22 countries across
42 industry sectors. RX is passionate about making
a positive impact on society and is fully committed to
creating an inclusive work environment for all our people.
RX is part of RELX, a global provider of informationbased
analytics and decision tools for professional and
business customers.
About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based
analytics and decision tools for professional and business
customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180
countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It
employs more than 35,000 people over 40% of whom
are in North America.
FASTENER FAIR USA

FASTENER FAIR USA - HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 22-23, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 123

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THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROBERT FOOTLIK WHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN BREAKS from page 36
The INCOTERM “FOB” means that the seller is
responsible for delivering the goods to the port of
shipment and loading them on the vessel, but the buyer
is responsible for everything after that and assumes all
risks and responsibilities associated with final delivery
of the goods and transportation. You should keep this
in mind when buying from China or other countries,
especially if the goods are high value, environmentally
risky or hazardous. A barrel of cutting oil spread over the
landscape can be very expensive to retrieve.
Now go back to the chart. There are 11 different
terms for who owns the goods and takes responsibility at
each link of the supply chain. Each column then defines
the responsibilities and duties of everyone involved. This
is especially important for international shipments where
Customs Brokers, intermodal delivery services, common
carriers and/or dedicated carriers are involved.
From your perspective as a Fastener Distributor as
long as nothing goes wrong you rarely read the bill of
lading, negotiate the shipment freight terms or even give
it a thought. But you should.
What Happens When Something Goes Wrong?
Almost every day we hear about a train derailment,
trucking accident, ship sinking, airplane crash and other
logistics disasters. Rarely does this involve us directly,
unless it just happens that our shipment, parcel, letter,
etc. was damaged or destroyed. Then things can get
complicated…for us.
For example, on December 14, 2002 the Norwegianflagged
MV Tricolor collided with another ship in the
English Channel 20 miles north of France. On board were
containers owned by many different shippers, along with
around 4,000 Volvo, BMW, Saab and Mercedes luxury
cars. Even worse, the vessel sank in relatively shallow
water in a major shipping channel and ultimately caused
three other disasters.
Interpretation of the INCOTERMS for every shipper
and recipient, along with the applicable interpretations
of multiple countries was a nightmare. Some of the
automobiles were the property of the manufacturer, or
consignments to dealers. Others were owned by the
dealers directly or indirectly and a few were titled to
people who took delivery in Europe and expected to be
reunited with their vehicle at an East Coast port of entry.
Everything was a total loss, but who was reimbursed,
who was sued and what happened to the cargo? That’s
another story. Search on incident and read about how the
ship was cut apart and raised. The litigation is ongoing, 22
years after the accident.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 160

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118
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
JIM TRUESDELL FTC IMPLEMENTS NON-COMPETE BAN from page 42
One might ask whether the deliverance of this notice
might set some workers to considering their option for
other employment they may have believed previously was
“off-limits” to them.
What does this mean in terms of protecting a
company’s confidential information or preventing a
departing employee from pirating away customers?
Apparently NDA’ (Non-Disclosure Agreements) are not
prohibited by the new rule, as long as they are not so
broad and all-encompassing as to effectively constitute
a bar to working for another competitive company.
Nevertheless the company does have rights to protect
such information, and to what extent those rights will
be played out will no doubt become a subject of future
litigation if this takes effect.
One group that existing NCA’s can be enforced
against is “senior executives” such as CEO’s and others
involved in key policy making who make in excess
of certain annual compensation limits (which initially
appears to be an annual total compensation in excess of
$151,164). Those allowed to be maintained must have
been in force prior to the new rule’s effective date.
The lawsuits initiated by business groups are being
filed in federal courts in Texas where they are likely to
have a good chance of at least prevailing to temporarily
stall enforcement of the FTC action--- but the cat may
have gotten out of the bag by this action. Imagine the
kind of reaction an employer might face from workers
who have publicly read about the FTC action and who
start making plans to change jobs only to have their
current boss attempt to enforce a non-compete. Even if
the courts eventually determine that the agency had no
power to do this it may be next to impossible to go back
to the way things have been, especially since the laws in
the various states have been progressively moving in this
direction anyway.
It is noteworthy that so many agency rules that
impinge upon management’s rights have been unilaterally
implemented in this past Spring. We apparently are in the
midst of what should be a very tight presidential election.
The Biden Administration remembers that when Donald
Trump first came into office in early 2017 he used a
1996 law called the Congressional Review Act to allow
an incoming Administration to eliminate regulations his
predecessor and his allies in agencies and the congress
had put into effect in the months just prior to stepping
out of Office. Because there are time deadlines involved
there has been a scramble to enact new rules before
cut-off dates spelled out in the Congressional Review
Act can make them vulnerable to overturning. We do
not know which way the election will go, but both sides
are assuming the worst and therefore acting to protect
all of their options. At this point the party in power
holds the leverage to move forward and implement last
minute measures unless the courts say the Executive
Department has overstepped its bounds.
In the months to come distributors and other small
businesses will face a raft of changes that will impact
the way they interact with their employee base. No
doubt many of these changes will have wide popular
support. After all, most of us in America are employees.
People will identify with the point of view that makes a
worker’s position stronger. Nevertheless, our business
spokespeople will have to make the case that the more
we restrict a business in reaping the benefits of good
training of new employees and development of new
technologies and solid customer relations, the less likely
those businesses will be to risk their capital in hiring
more, opening new locations, investing in R and D, and
all the things that keep our economy humming along.
It’s going to be an interesting Fall season as these
things play out on the electoral battlefield!
JIM TRUESDELL

120
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LARRY BOROWSKI TORSIONAL STRENGTH TEST IS CRITICAL IN MANY SCREW SPECIFICATIONS from page 44
Fortunately, for screw suppliers there is agreement
among the various screw standards and specifications
regarding the torsional strength testing apparatus and
the torsional strength testing procedure. The typical
torsional strength testing apparatus illustration is show
in this article.
Torsional Strength Test Apparatus
[1] The purpose of the torsional strength testing
fixture is to enable the operator to establish and maintain
full engagement of the screw driving tool with the screw’s
driving feature throughout the torsional strength test.
The upper arm of the fixture can be adjusted up and
down its main shaft to accommodate the testing of
screws having various lengths. On the end of the upper
arm opposite the fixture’s main shaft is the fixture’s
rotating shaft through which the torsional testing force
is applied to the screw. The lower end of this shaft
generally has a male square drive to which the screw
driving tools are affixed for screw testing.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 162

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122
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
CHRIS DONNELL HERE WE GO AGAIN... from page 46
For those that utilize the trucking industry, something
to keep in mind: At this time, contracted rates are
significantly higher than the spot market. With the new
shipping season underway, hedge your bet by looking at
both, because in the long run, you’ll be surprised at what
you’ll find.
Intermodal (International and Domestic Rail)
This is where we start to see some familiar
service disruptions. As of today, the current industry is
experiencing service disruptions from rail car shortages
which in turn is causing congestion at some of our
nations busiest ocean terminals and rail depots. This rail
car shortages stem from available slot car capacity being
positioned in places like Chicago, Memphis and others
and not making its way back to the ports. With imports
and exports showing mediocre growth, any additional
increase in tonnage will only exasperate the delays in
cargo moving by rail. The average container to rail wait
times at most of our nations’ west coast ocean terminals
have steadily grown. Through the 1st quarter of 2024,
the average time it took a container to be placed on the
rail and leave was around 3-5 days. Today that figure is
6-10 days. As mentioned in my previous articles, when
you see this, there are multiple factors at play but the
end result means congestion at our ports, rail depots
and a shortage of equipment which all puts the beneficial
cargo owners at risk and thrusts the power into the
hands of those responsible. It gives the rail lines, the
ocean carriers and others the ability to increase costs
and pass along questionable surcharges. In the end, this
means more money out of your pocket.
Another issue which will contribute to service
disruptions in the short term is the expansion of our
nations rail infrastructure. As our nations Class 1 rail
carriers look at improving current rail depot productivity,
they are also looking at smaller market cities which do
not currently have the rail infrastructure as possible
new locations for development. Cities such as Phoenix,
Las Vegas, Albuquerque and Oklahoma City are a few.
For Phoenix and Las Vegas, developing a sizable rail
depot will remove a lot of trucks currently being used to
transport goods out of the Los Angeles basin, meaning
less pollution, less traffic and more jobs.
One concerning issue on the horizon is the
potential strike / work stoppage with the Canadian
rail system that could happen in July. Negotiations
have been on-going for months with little to no traction
for either the rail union members or the rail owners.
A strike would impact more than 9,300 rail workers
and encompass both national Canadian rail lines - the
Canadian National (CN) and the Canadian Pacific (CP).
Initially this strike was set to take place in May. In the
waning days before the strike was to take place, the
Canadian government, namely the Canadian Industrial
relations Board (CIRB) stepped in and ordered a cooling
off period. The timing of the potential strike couldn’t
come at a worse time. Should a strike happen in early
July, it would fall during the busy crop, agricultural
season as well as potentially pose safety issues
with the disruption of services related to petroleum,
natural gas, food and water treatment chemicals to the
communities of Canada.
The impact would cripple the Canadian economy
as well as have a significant impact on the US market
as 100’s of thousands of ocean containers utilizes the
ports and rail systems of Canada to move cargo into
the United States. Regions such as the rust belt region
would see significant service and product disruptions.
Should a strike happen, the ocean carriers contingency
plan is to move Canadian ocean-going containers through
the ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Portland and then use
our current rail system to move this cargo inland. This
would only amplify the current congestion issues and
cause significant delays and congestion to a market that
is already at its breaking point.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 164

FASTENER FAIR USA - HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 22-23, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 133

124
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SOUTHEASTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION
PO Box 448, Elba, AL 36323
TEL 847-370-9022 FAX 847-516-6728 EMAIL sefa@thesefa.com WEB www.thesefa.com
SEFA SPRING CONFERENCE - MEMBER EVENT
OF THE YEAR by Nancy Rich
SEFA held their Annual Spring Conference April
22nd to 24th at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte
Concord Golf Resort and Spa. Members enjoyed an
opening reception with outdoor patio games, food, and
beverages as they connected with old and new friends
in the industry. Rocky River provided a great venue for
the Golf Outing, which is always a component of the
conference members look forward to. Golf was followed
by an awards dinner honoring many including Outgoing
Chairman-Anthony Crawl of Birmingham Fastener, and
Outgoing President-Stephanie Wood of Fastener Supply.
Golf Awards Were Presented To:
1st Place Team
Rob Reynolds, INxSQL
Eric Gates, INxSQL
Bryan Wheeler, Star Stainless Screw
Donnie Shrum, Fastener Supply
2nd Place Team
Bobby Fail, XL Screw Corporation
Andy Roach, Huyett
Sean Costello, RIE Coatings
Closest to the Pin - Women
Stephanie Wood, Fastener Supply
Closest to Pin– Men
Donnie Shrum, Fastener Supply
Longest Drive - Women
Tina Windham, DIFCO
Longest Drive - Men
Rob Reynolds, INxSQL
Thank you to Nucor Fasteners for donating golf balls
for our winners!
The next day brought more opportunities for the
members during the Table Top Show in the morning
as well as afternoon events. Key representatives
from the industry: Lee Parker/Birmingham Fastener,
Rob Reynolds/INxSQL Software, Kent Carter/Wrought
Washer, and Bryan Wheeler/Star Stainless Screw
provided a panel of widespread knowledge, while sharing
their thoughts on dealing with the industry challenges.
Attendees especially enjoyed learning procedures others
had put in motion to keep their employees motivated as
well as maintain employees since this has become an
ongoing issue across many industries. Their discussion
was followed by keynote speaker Meridith Elliot Powell.
Meridith’s high energy presentation encouraged
attendees to think ahead to turn uncertainty into competitive
advantages. Always be ready for a challenge. Utilizing
Meridith’s 9 strategies are a proven
formula for thriving in uncertainty can
assist everyone in greater success..
Visit www.meridithelliottpowell.com
to learn more about thriving in
business and life.
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 126

SEFA SPRING CONFERENCE
CHARLOTTE CONCORD GOLF RESORT - APRIL 22-24, 2024

FASTENER FAIR USA OPENING NIGHT NETWORKING PARTY
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME - MAY 22, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 167
SEFA SPRING CONFERENCE - MEMBER EVENT OF THE YEAR from page 124
The conference allowed for many networking
opportunities which is key to businesses. The support
of the members and guests is what makes events,
throughout our industry, successful. Thank you to all who
supported SEFA Spring Conference 2024.
Thank you to our sponsors who continue to elevate
the event.
Mark Your Calendars Now for the 2025 SEFA
Spring Conference Celebrating 50 Years!! April 29th
to May 1st, 2025, Saddblebrook Resort, Tampa, FL
SEFA Socials And More
July 18, 2024 SEFA Social, Atlanta, GA
December 12, 2024 SEFA Holiday Social, Tampa, FL
April 29 - May 1, 2025 50th Anniversary SEFA
Spring Conference
Saddlebrook Resort-Tampa, FL
SOUTHEASTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION

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128
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
E-Z LOK CONTINUES ITS TRADITION OF INNOVATION AND SERVICE from page 50
Director of Sales & Marketing for the company,
Kyle Lindsly-Roach, echoes Ben’s commitment. “I’m
an engineer at my core, so I thrive on looking at a
customer challenge, working with my team to figure
out the optimum solution, then bringing that solution
to life through our manufacturing talents in the metal
insert world, which are founded on nearly 70 years
in the business. At E-Z LOK, we never rest on our
achievements, as we constantly look for ways to
improve our current product line and marketing/delivery
strategies in the market. To that end, we are actively
engaging all the electronic forms of communication and
customer service our customers require today. Plus, our
packaging options are pretty cool!” Kyle supports the
company’s field sales efforts, which include a network of
distributors and representatives.
KYLE LINDSLY-ROACH, DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING AND
STEVE SCHAEPER, GM
Kyle works daily with Steve Schaeper, who manages
the E-Z LOK manufacturing and distribution centers
across the country.
EZ-LOK
IMSM IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING! from page 54
[5] Environmental Regulations
¤ Challenge: Compliance with environmental
regulations is critical. Fastener production processes
impact energy consumption, emissions, and waste
generation.
¤ ISO’s Role: ISO standards address environmental
aspects and promote sustainable practices. By
following ISO guidelines, manufacturers can reduce
their environmental footprint and meet regulatory
requirements.
In summary, ISO standards are pivotal in ensuring
uniformity, quality, and safety in the fastener industry.
They provide manufacturers, suppliers, and users a
framework to make informed decisions and enhance the
sector’s competitiveness.
Turn to pros at IMSM to help you win more
business.
About IMSM, Inc.
Founded in 1994, IMSM operates internationally as a
full ISO implementation company, offering ISO services to
businesses of all types and sizes in all industry sectors,
including manufacturing and service. We provide qualified
professional expertise to add value and efficiency by
assisting those businesses in achieving prestigious
Management System Standards for Quality, Environmental,
Health and Safety, and Information Security, plus Industry-
Specific Standards such as Laboratory Testing, Medical
Devices, Automotive, Aerospace, and Food Safety.
We also offer Training, Auditing, Transition, and Gap
Analysis. As active Members of the European Foundation
for Quality Management (EFQM) and the British Quality
Foundation (BQF), we are continually assessed and
audited independently to ensure we deliver the quality
required in the services we provide to our clients.
IMSM LTD.

130
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
NELSON VALDERRAMA AI FOR DISTRIBUTORS: TOP APPLICATIONS AND STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES from page 52
This knowledge is often lost when these individuals
retire or move on, however. AI addresses this challenge
through:
¤ Knowledge Retention: AI models capture and
retain the critical “tribal secrets” embedded in data,
processes, and interactions, converting them into easily
accessible explicit knowledge.
¤ Future-Proofing: By preserving this wealth of
information, industrial suppliers can ensure continuity
and sustained performance across generations.
[2] Unlocking Efficiency/Boosting Productivity
Operational efficiency is paramount to maintaining a
competitive edge, and AI offers significant enhancements:
¤ Data-Driven Insights: AI leverages vast data
sets to identify competitive opportunities and optimize
operations, reducing administrative burdens and
minimizing potential errors.
¤ Productivity Gains: This increased efficiency
allows businesses to handle higher transaction volumes
without proportional increases in personnel, driving
productivity and growth.
[3] Increasing Working Capital And Risk
Mitigation
Inventory management is a balancing act between
supply and demand, with significant implications for
working capital. AI helps industrial distributors navigate
this challenge by:
¤ Anticipating Demand Shifts: AI algorithms
predict customer demand changes, enabling proactive
adjustments to inventory levels.
¤ Risk Management: By identifying potential
supply chain vulnerabilities, AI helps distributors mitigate
risks, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction
through accurate demand forecasting.
AI Adoption In The Industrial Distribution Sector...
[1] Current State Of AI Adoption
AI adoption within the industrial distribution sector
is gaining momentum, with many early adopters already
reaping significant benefits:
¤ Leading Adopters: Distributors with annual sales
exceeding $200 million are among the first to embrace
AI, driven by its potential to transform operations and
deliver substantial returns on investment.
¤ Smaller Distributors: Companies like Intuilize
cater to distributors with annual sales exceeding $10
million, demonstrating that AI advantages are accessible
to a broad spectrum of businesses.
[2] Barriers To AI Adoption
Despite its potential, several barriers hinder
widespread AI adoption:
¤ Awareness and Understanding: Many
businesses lack awareness and a comprehensive
understanding of AI technologies and their applications,
leading to misconceptions and skepticism.
¤ Skills Gap: The specialized expertise required
for AI adoption, including data science and machine
learning skills, is in short supply, making it challenging
for industrial distributors to attract the necessary
talent.
¤ Change Resistance: Implementing AI often
necessitates significant workflow, process, and
organizational structure changes. Resistance to change
and the complexities of integration can slow adoption.
As AI continues to evolve, its applications in industrial
distribution will only expand. It will offer increasingly
sophisticated tools for optimizing operations and gaining
a competitive edge. By embracing AI technologies
today, industrial distributors can position themselves for
success in the rapidly changing landscape of tomorrow.
The journey toward AI integration may be complex,
but the rewards—enhanced efficiency, preserved
knowledge, and strategic growth—are well worth the
effort. For business owners and CEOs ready to explore
AI’s transformative potential in their operations, the
future looks promising, and the time to act is now.
Dive into the world of AI and unlock new opportunities
for your business. Embrace the next big thing in
industrial distribution and lead the way into a smarter,
more efficient future.
NELSON VALDERRAMA

SEMS AND SPECIALS INC
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 131
6483 Falcon Road, Rockford, IL 61109
TEL 1-800-888-7367 FAX 815-874-0100 EMAIL sales@semsandspecials.com WEB www.semsandspecials.com
SEMS AND SPECIALS - YOUR THREAD FORMING EXPERTS
Sems and Specials is a domestic small screw
manufacturer located in Rockford, IL. Our size ranges
is #2 (M2) thru 1/2” (M12), up to 5” long, with #8-1/4”
(M4-M6), up to 7”. We offer a full range of generic
thread forms and drives. In addition to these generic
equivalents, we do have 2 licensed products to offer.
Sems and Specials secured the Registered
Trademark Swageform, a product with 40 years of proven
applications. Swageform High Performance Thread Rolling
Screws features a special Swageform design which
consist of 3 sets of forming lobes located on the flank of
the tapered lead threads 120 degrees apart. The initial
contact of the lobes with the hole significantly reduces the
installation drive torque.
The 360 degree thread engagement in the typical
Swageform screw eliminates the need to pre-tap holes
which is typical of convention machine screws. The
swaging action associated with Swageform screws
produces a full form thread with less frictional contact,
allowing a much lower drive torque. Swageform screws
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
provide high strip-out and prevailing torques due to
increased male to female thread contact. Swageform
screws produce no cutting chips as material is swaged
during the tapping process and not cut.
In late 2023, Sems and Specials also became a
Mathread® licensee. This is traditionally an automotive
type product, but is becoming more popular in industrial
applications. Mathread® is a self-correcting design
that makes thread damage and seizing impossible.
Mathread® offers many benefits, including:
¤ Fixes Cross-Threading... it never cross-threads
¤ Eases Every Assembly... product ‘glides in’ with
ease each and every time
¤ Aligns Components... always finds holes and aligns
itself to the path, forcing itself straight
¤ Fixes Clogged Internal Threads... upon entry, slides
through paint and residue build up in the threads
Please email (sales@semsandspecials.com) or call
800-888-7367 with your per-print fastener needs!
SEMS AND SPECIALS

132
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
STS INDUSTRIAL YOUR ONE-STOP WHOLESALE SUPPLIER from page 60
Technology And Relationships
STS Industrial prides itself in its effective use of
technology to drive customer service. The Business
Edge TM
by Computer Insights, Inc allows STS to offer
customers data reporting options, custom forms, and
labels, etc. Documentation management features allow
for high resolution lot tracing information and certificates.
In several cases STS’s forms, labels, and certificates
have given us a competitive advantage we needed to
win projects and customer accounts. Our capabilities
to effectively and efficiently manage customers’ VMI
gives us a leg up on any competitors still relying on
manual entry. And the Wireless Warehouse System
allows for 100% lot isolation, location tracked-barcoded
management of inventory at the highest level. STS
pushes for innovation and we prefer to partner with
companies that share this passion like Computer
Insights.
Client Testimonial
I have had the unique pleasure to personally know
and professionally work with Jake Miller and many other
STS Team Members for multiple decades.
STS brings not only energy, enthusiasm and
commitment, but also has proven themselves to have
the perseverance, initiative and intellectual creativity
necessary to perform at a high level within our demanding
industry. Whether it was the many assignments which
required formulating logistic strategies or simply
observing them managing and leading people, STS
has consistently delivered high-quality team results
throughout the organization with impeccable integrity.
STS is a valued vendor of our organization whom we
have learned we can trust, regardless of the challenge.
- Colby Plaia, Vice President, Construction and
Modules, Turner Industries
More Information
STS Industrial is located at 3067 Carbide Dr.,
LA 70665. Contact Scott Habetz, Owner, for more
information at (855) 416-265, or visit them online at
www.stsindustrial.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.
STS INDUSTRIAL

FASTENER FAIR USA - HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 22-23, 2024
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THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
FASTENER EXPERTS MENTOR GROUP TONY REID: WHAT ARE STANDARD COMMITTEES ABOUT AND SHOULD I JOIN? from page 62
Monday and Tuesday, the ASTM F16 committee met.
Some of the main topics we discussed were a revision
to ASTM F606 test methods, ASTM A354 quenched and
tempered alloy steel bolts, ASTM F1137 Phosphate/oil
corrosion protective coatings on fasteners, ASTM F436
hardened steel washers, inch and metric, and the review
of ASTM F1941/1941M. There was work on socket head
cap screws to be produced in grade 2, 5 and 8.
Thursday, the ASTM B08 committee met. Some of
the main topics we discussed were revisions of ASTM
B0481 preparation of titanium and titanium alloys for
electroplating, a new standard for electrodeposited
nanostructured zinc nickel coatings, the reapproval of
ASTM B533, test method for peel strength of metal
electroplated plastics, the revision of ASTM B695
specifications of coatings of zinc mechanically deposited
on iron and steel, and C743, the test method for
continuity of porcelain enamel coatings.
Monday night we celebrated the ASTM F16’s 50th
anniversary party. The ASTM B08 committee was created
in 1941 so their 85th anniversary is quickly approaching.
If anyone has any questions about joining a committee,
please reach out to myself at tony@lindfastgrp.com or
Darlene Collis at dcollis@lindfastgrp.com.
FASTENER MENTOR EXPERTS GROUP

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 135
During its 50th
anniversary celebration held
on May 6, 2024, the ASTM
International Committee
F16 awarded Chad Larson,
President of LeJeune Bolt
Company, its highest
society honor, the Award of
Merit.
The Award of Merit
was established in 1949
to recognize individual
members for distinguished
service and outstanding
participation in ASTM
International committee
activities. The award
includes the honorary title
of Fellow.
Chad was recognized
for his many years of
service and outstanding
contributions to Committee
F16 on Fasteners.
Larson has served in
several F16 leadership
positions including Main
Committee Chair, F16.02
Subcommittee Chair, and
Producer Vice-Chair. Beyond
ASTM, Chad has also served
on the Research Council on
Structural Connections, the
American Institute of Steel
Construction Committee
on Standards, and the
Japanese Society of Steel
Construction.
Chad has left an indelible
legacy on the structural
fastener industry through
his many committee
accomplishments including
authoring ASTM F3125 and
ASTM F3148.
Chad is also the inventor of the
TNA® Fastening System.
From the entire staff at LeJeune
Bolt Company, congratulations to
Chad on this well-deserved award.
LeJeune Bolt Company,
headquartered in Burnsville, MN,
with a West Coast office in Chino,
CA, is an international distributor of
structural grade fastening systems,
installation tools, and related
fasteners for the commercial
steel and concrete construction,
bridge building, and transportation
markets. Our products include
TNA® Torque + Angle Fastening
System, Structural Bolts, Anchor
Bolts and Threaded Rod, Weld
Studs and Equipment, Industrial/
OEM Fasteners, and Installation
Tools and Equipment.
For more information about
LeJeune Bolt Company or their
products, Tel: 1-800-872-2658,
email:sales@lejeunebolt.com or
visit them online at either of their
websites at www.lejeunebolt.com or
www.tightenright.com.

136
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
STAFDA 2024 CONVENTION SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED from page 64
Those who use their strengths have a better quality
of life – both at home and in the workplace. The more
people know about their superpowers, the more likely
they are to communicate better, perform better, and
build better work teams.
During the lunch hour
on Sunday, the Women in
Distribution program will feature
JJ DiGeronimo with her tips
on Finding & Aligning Your
Career Catalysts. JJ started
the conversation at STAFDA’s
2023 Convention and will build on that momentum to
explain how female leaders can take their careers to
the next level by identifying and aligning with mentors.
Concurrently, the NextGen Luncheon & Panel will be
for those under 35 along with the attending college
students. This session is an open dialogue between a
panel of industry veterans sharing their experience with
the younger generation. It’s a lively give-&-take covering
a variety of business topics. Afterwards, students have
the opportunity to interview with members in the Speed
Interviewing Session.
Education continues Sunday
afternoon with Mark Noon who’ll
lead the Emerging Leaders
workshop. This session caters to
family and non-family members
who are moving up the ladder
at their company. One thing a
good leader does is identify other potential leaders at the
business. Once identified, does the person have to STEP
UP to a position of leadership or can they simply STEP IN?
Discover the characteristics of leadership development,
creating effective teams by putting people in the right
positions, and developing a culture of teamwork.
Monday, November 11
In response to the ’23 Convention surveys, attendees
wanted a business session to address the use of AI in
the construction channel. People’s knowledge of it
ranges from bits and pieces to a solid understanding.
No matter a person’s level, technology expert, Mike
Foster, will bring it all together along with a panel of
other IT experts and STAFDA members. The theme is
Tools of Tomorrow: Leveraging AI & Innovation in
Construction & the Industry.
In addition, STAFDA President, Andrew Hartman,
Hartman Independent Co., Pittsburgh, PA, will present
the Distributor State of the Industry address.
Tuesday, November 12
Tuesday morning’s educational speaker is Alan
Beaulieu. An economist who needs no introduction,
Beaulieu’s forecasts are
extremely well researched
and accurate. He’ll address
the U.S., Canadian, and
global economies along
with how the 2024 election
outcome will impact
businesses. Nashville marks
Alan’s last STAFDA Convention before his retirement
and handing the torch to colleague Connor Lokar, his
successor to the STAFDA channel.
Education is the key to keeping attendees ahead of
their competition and with the variety of knowledgeable
experts STAFDA is bringing to its Nashville Convention,
there’s no excuse not to learn something and take it
back home.
For more information about the 2024 Conference,
please contact STAFDA by email: info@stafda.org, Tel: 1-800-
352-2981 or visit them online at www.stafda.org.
SPECIALTY TOOLS & FASTENERS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 137
UNICORP ELECTRONIC HARDWARE
291 Cleveland St, Orange, New Jersey 07050
TEL 1-800-526-1389 FAX 973 674-3803 EMAIL sales@unicorpinc.com WEB www.unicorpinc.com
UNICORP NOW OFFERS RETAINING RINGS
Unicorp Electronic Hardware is proud to announce we
are now selling retaining rings, wave springs, and hose
clamps through our Electro Hardware affiliate division, as
an official Rotorclip Master Distributor & Rotorexpress®
partner. Electro Hardware is the first Rotorexpress®
partner on the East Coast of the United States.
Unicorp Electronic Hardware also offers custom
designed products. Parts can be manufactured to blueprints
and we can modify all standard products to meet your
specifications. Unicorp can manufacture any type of CNC
and automatic screw machine part. Additionally, Unicorp
provides custom services for complete technical support
that can lead to cost-savings and design improvement. We
offer the largest range of material options and finishes in
the industry.
The Unicorp product lines consist of: Standoffs &
Spacers, Male-Female Standoffs, Male-Male Standoffs,
Jackscrews, Swage Standoffs, Captive Screws and
BUSINESS FOCUS ARTICLE
Retainers, Insulating Shoulder & Flat Washers, NAS/
MS Hardware, Shoulder Screws, Plastic Circuit Board
Supports, Nylon Fasteners, Dowel Pins, Thumbscrews
& Thumbnuts, Self-Clinching Fasteners, Cable Ties, 24
styles of Handles, Fixed, Folding, Rack- Panel & Ferrules,
& Retaining Rings.
Since 1971, Unicorp has been a socially and
environmentally responsible leading manufacturer
of American standard and metric precision electronic
hardware, fasteners and handles. We pride ourselves
on our dedication to customer satisfaction and our
commitment to support the needs of our distributors.
Unicorp offers top quality products, fast delivery, excellent
pricing, technical assistance, and manufacturer to
customer print specifications. We are known throughout
the industry as the “oddball king” because we offer the
widest variety of diameters, lengths, and finishes in our
numerous product lines.
UNICORP ELECTRONIC HARDWARE

138
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SPIROL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COILED SPRING PINS AND SLOTTED SPRING PINS from page 70
Mr. Koehl designed a pin that was strong enough
to resist the forces generated during use, yet also
flexible enough to absorb the forces so as to preserve
the integrity of the hole material and keep the assembly
intact. The Coiled Pin is available in three different duties
for the optimal combination of strength and flexibility to
accommodate different types of applications and host
materials. The most common industry standards for
Coiled Pins are ISO 8750, ISO 8748, ISO 8751 and
ASME B18.8.2 and ASME B18.8.3M. These standards
do not differ a lot between each other and are considered
to be virtually equivalent.
Physical Features & Differences
Cross Section
The main difference between a Coiled Spring Pin and
Slotted Spring Pin is in the cross section as shown in
Figure 1. While the Slotted Pin is a C-shaped pin usually
rolled from a thicker strip of material, the Coiled Pin is
rolled from a thinner strip to achieve its typical 2¼ coils
cross section for the same nominal diameter. The key
implication of this difference is the pin’s flexibility.
A Coiled Pin, on the other hand, can flex even
beyond its initial installation interference given the
virtually unlimited flexibility of the coils. In fact, when the
proper Coiled Spring Pin is selected for an assembly, the
pin will indefinitely absorb vibrations and shock forces
and protect the hole material to maximize the useful life
of the assembly.
Slot/Seam
Another key differentiator is the design of the edge
where the steel strip ends. With a Slotted Pin, this is the
slot. In some configurations, the slot is as wide as the
strip thickness itself (ISO 8752), which means that the
pins can interlock or nest within each other as seen in
Figure 2. These types of Slotted Pins should be avoided
in highly automated assembly lines as this will result in
jammed feeding equipment.
FIGURE 2- EXAMPLE OF
INTERLOCKED SLOTTED
SPRING PINS
FIGURE 3 - CROSS
SECTION OF A COILED
SPRING PIN
FIGURE 1 - CROSS SECTION OF A SLOTTED SPRING PIN (LEFT)
AND COILED SPRING PIN (RIGHT) SHOWING THE DIFFERENCE IN
RADIAL TENS
A Slotted Pin can only flex so much before it closes
its gap and effectively becomes a stiff, solid tube. The slot
allows the Slotted Pin to absorb manufacturing tolerance of
the hole during installation, but shock and vibration after
installation are not dampened because further flexing is
limited by the closed slot. This can lead to premature failure
of the joint and damage to the host component.
A Coiled Pin, with multiple wraps of material, has
a smooth seam rather than an open slot (Figure 3). Not
only does the enclosed cross section prevent interlocking
or nesting, but it also provides a smooth surface for
rotation, which is especially useful in hinge applications.
Another benefit of having a more uniform cross section is
that a Coiled Pin’s strength is not orientation dependent.
This is not the case with a C-shaped Slotted Pin
where its shear strength can vary by approximately 5%,
in favor of the load being aligned to the slot (0° or 180°
(Figure 4).
CONTINUED ON PAGE 172

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 139

140
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
IOVISTA FASTENER INDUSTRY: EVOLVE OR GET LEFT BEHIND from page 72
We leverage a strategic mix of account-based
marketing, digital marketing, and even traditional
methods like targeted mail campaigns to ensure your
message reaches the right decision-makers.
Partnerships You Can Trust
ioVista is a trusted partner of top eCommerce
platforms, including WooCommerce and Shopify. Our
B2B expertise has earned us awards from Adobe-
Magento and BigCommerce.
We also collaborate with industry leaders like
Avalara, Google, ShipperHQ, DotDigital, and others to
ensure our clients have access to the most advanced
technology.
Meet Us At The International Fastener
Expo!
ioVista will be exhibiting at the International
Fastener Expo 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada (September
9-11). Stop by booth # 466 to discuss how we can help
your fastener business thrive in the digital age. Learn
how to leverage technology to strengthen relationships,
streamline operations, and attract new customers.
ioVista is committed to connecting as many
businesses with buyers as possible. We were at the
International Expo last year and had a booth at Fastener
Fair USA 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 22-23.
ioVista: Where tradition meets technology to
drive fastener industry success.
IOVISTA
NCFA CELEBRATES A MILESTONE! from page 80
Of course, this event would not have been complete
without all of our BAR SPONSORS that help keep all of
us hydrated for this event.
¤ AFC Industries
¤ Beacon Fasteners and Components
¤ BTM Manufacturing
¤ Buckeye Fasteners Co.
¤ Feeks & Associates
¤ IFE Americas Inc.
¤ INxSQL Software
¤ Kerr Lakeside
¤ NJS Global
¤ Ventura Industrial Products
¤ Wyandotte Industies Inc.
Thank you to all of these sponsors as well as
everyone who attended, these events are nothing without
each and every one of you!
Our NCFA board is back to work organizing our next
event which will be our 2nd annual “NCFA Cork-Screw…
Cheers to Fasteners.” This event is being held on June
20th at Sharon James Cellars in Newbury, OH. There will
be plenty of charcutier boards, pizza, food, and of course
some amazing wine made right here in Ohio.
Save The Dates
August 1 Night at the Ball Park
Cleveland Guardians vs Baltimore Orioles
September 5 Screw Open Golf Outing
Valliare Golf Club
December TBD Holiday Bash
Pins and Mechanical
For more information about the North Coast Fastener
Association, visit them online at www.ncfaonline.com.
NORTH COAST FASTENER ASSOCIATION

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148
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROB LaPOINTE FASTENER SCIENCE: STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS AND THE ORIGIN OF METAL from page 94
FIGURE 4 THE BREAKDOWN OF NORMAL MATER IN THE UNIVERSE
WHICH, EXCEPT FOR HYDROGEN, IS ALL PRODUCED IN STARS.
These first-generation stars fell together by gravity
into enormous spheres of hydrogen known as protostars
because they hadn’t yet reached the pressure inside
where nuclear fusion can be supported. As the protostar
gets bigger and bigger, its core eventually gets hot
enough, about 15 million degrees, to ignite the protostar.
And there you have it, a star is born!
These first-generation stars were extremely large and
burned their fuel very quickly. At this point, we must
ask, what is the fuel a star burns and how is it that it
burns this fuel? A star doesn’t burn in the sense of how
we observe things burning although the liberation of
light and energy is common to both stellar burning and
chemical burning. Stars are not on fire. That is, stars do
not burn due to a chemical reaction known as oxidation.
Stars burn by combining lighter elements like hydrogen to
form heavier elements like helium. Stars burn by making
new elements. The light and energy that emanates from
a star’s surface is a byproduct of the formation of new
atoms in its core.
FIGURE 5 LIKE CHARGES REPEL EACH OTHER.
UNLIKE CHARGES ATTRACT.
I think it is worthwhile to dive into a bit of detail here
regarding the fundamental production of helium from
hydrogen. This theory was critical to our understanding
of how stars work and is the simplest example of stellar
nucleosynthesis. Refer to Figure 6 as a diagram of how
stars produce helium from hydrogen. In the core of
stars, the temperature is so high, that electrically neutral
matter is not possible. All electrons are ripped from their
protons and the matter is a swarm of charges known
as plasma. Since protons are positively charged, they
don’t want to be near each other. They are repelled from
each other by the electric force similarly to bringing two
north poles of magnets near each other (Figure 5). This
repulsion is very strong, so it’s rather odd that they could
sit beside each other in the nucleus of any atom with
more than one proton. However, there are more than one
hundred elements in the universe that have more than
one proton and most of them are very stable. As it turns
out, there is another force in nature between protons
beside the electric force. This other force is attractive
and very strong but has a very short range. It is known as
the strong nuclear force (strong force) and is what holds
protons together in the nucleus of atoms against the
repulsive electric force. For the strong force to have an
effect, the protons must be very close together. It takes
an enormous amount of energy to push protons close
enough, against electrical repulsion, to enable the strong
force to make them stick. Normally, this won’t happen,
but in the ultra-high temperatures and pressures in the
cores of stars, this becomes possible.
Following Figure 6 from left to right, we see two
protons (1H) coming together under the strong force
(frame 1). In the collision (frame 2), one proton ejects a
positive charged particle known as a positron (a positive
electron) and a neutrino (little neutral particle) as it
mutates into a neutron. The nucleus created (2H) is an
isotope of hydrogen (frame 3) known as deuterium or
heavy hydrogen.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 166

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 149
NCFA 15th
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTOR SOCIAL
ABOARD THE GOODTIME III - MAY 21, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 163

150
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS WHY FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD OFFER APPLICATION ENGINEERING from page 96
FIGURE 3: NOT ODD COMBINATION OF (3) GRADE 8 BOLTS (IN
YELLOW) AND (1) GRADE 5 BOLT (UPPER LEFT IN SILVER)- ALL BOLT
PAIRINGS ARE WITH GRADE 2 NUTS
Example 2: Parts Too Long And Too Strong
This example also requires a brief introduction to
bolted joint principles. Although it is often counterintuitive
to the lay person, for a bolt to function as intended it must
be elastic like a spring. This “stretch” is a tension force
known as the Preload. As this Preload begins to grow,
it generates opposing forces between the contacting
surfaces of the nut and bolt (or washers if they are used)
which squeeze what is in-between closed. This is known
as the Clamp Load. Thus, the higher the Preload, the
higher the clamping forces and more tightly the joint is
held together.
Armed with this understanding, we see that the
stronger the bolt the longer it can stretch before the
material it is made of begins to yield. This means that
considering bolts of the same size, the higher the strength
the more Preload they can achieve and, thus, generate
much higher clamping loads. This is an important
consideration if the application is critical and must remain
tightly clamped together. In such instances, the designer
should choose the highest strength, smallest diameter
bolt that the design parameters can accommodate.
Returning to my story, another product line which
my client’s customer manufactured at this site were
the large, glass-fronted refrigerators that one finds in
a convenience or grocery store. In the final step of the
assembly process, these refrigerator cabinets were
FIGURE 4: ILLUSTRATES PRELOAD AND CLAMP LOAD
prepared for shipping. To accomplish this task, the
assembler first raised the unit with a lift. He then walked
over to a stack of wooden 2 x 4s, grabbed one off the
pile, took it to a jig, and drilled two holes in it. These
holes aligned with two holes drilled in a one-eighth inch
sheet metal base that supported the entire unit and
raised it several inches off the ground. He then took a
bolt and nut, aligned the two holes, fitted a bolt through
it, and finally tightened a nut against the back side of the
metal flange.
As was my habit by now, I walked over and grabbed
a sample of the nut and bolt. The first thing that jumped
out at me was the length of the bolt. It was probably a
three-eighths inch diameter hex bolt about four to fourand-a-half
inches long.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 168

152
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
PACIFIC-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
3020 Old Ranch Parkway #300, Seal Beach CA 90740 TEL 562-799-5509 FAX 562-684-0695 EMAIL info@pac-west.org WEB www.pac-west.org
PAC-WEST AFTER HOURS NETWORKING EVENTS by Amy Nijjar
Pac-West is pleased to announce these upcoming
dates for the next After Hours Networking Events:
September 26 Denver, CO
November 7 Bay Area, CA
We can’t wait to see everyone at these fun and
casual events! There is no charge to attend but we do
require an RSVP.
Pac-West Tabletop Show Scheduled for 2025
It’s not too early to save the dates March 12-14,
2025 for Pac-West’s Spring Conference and Tabletop
Show at the Westin Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, CA. Start
making plans to bring your family for some Disney fun!
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
Don’t Miss These Upcoming
Pac-West Events
Don’t forget to save the date for these upcoming
Pac-West events:
September 26, 2024 After Hours, Denver, CO
October 10, 2024
November 7, 2024
Fall Dinner Meeting and Vendor
Showcase, La Mirada, CA
After Hours, Bay Area, CA
December 12, 2024 Holiday Party, La Mirada, CA
March 12-14, 2025 Spring Conference & Tabletop
Show, Anaheim, CA
For more information on Pac-West and its activities, or
to view the full event schedule, visit www.pac-west.org.
PACIFIC-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION

PAC-WEST AFTER HOURS
ALESMITH BREWING COMPANY, SAN DIEGO - APRIL 18, 2024

154
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRUNO MARBACHER THE VARIOUS METHODS OF THREAD LOCKING from page 98
Castle Nuts
A Castle nut can prevent the complete loss of a
fastener as well. The pin that is subsequently inserted
secures the assembled nut, however, a hole must be
drilled into the screw for this purpose. The hole is beyond
the nut thread engagement area of the screw thread and
thus has no effect on the load bearing capacity of the
screw.
Brand Name Lock Nuts
The Flexloc Locknut
The Flexloc is an all-metal locknut which stands up
to extreme temperatures,
vibration and shock. Flexloc
locknut has no nylon
insert, making them ideal
for elevated temperature
applications. Flex lock nuts
have a slotted locking feature (slotted collar). As the bolt
engages the locking feature, the slotted portion expands,
initiating the locking action. This type of nut locks reliably
against vibrational loosening.
Vargal ® - All-Metal Lock Nut
Vargal® lock nuts are designed for applications where
a reliable anti-loosening
performance is critical.
When tightened, the external
spring is radially expanded
and pressed against the
nut’s collar, resulting in a
reliably locked fastened joint. Operators can apply
wrenches for the assembly, as a low torque is enough to
reach the desired locking effect.
The locking effect is ensured by spring force that
contracts the vertically slotted collar; locking effectiveness
is maintained even after repeated assembly because the
locking feature is not in direct contact with the friction
surfaces.
Spiralock Technology
Spiralock locking technology has been used for decades
for critical and highly stressed bolted joints. The locking
system securely prevents vibrational loosening. They can
be spun on freely to a standard external thread.
This locking effect is achieved by the special design
of the internal thread, by adding a 30° wedge ramp at
the root of the internal thread. This design provides great
resistance to vibrational loosening, improves joint integrity
and consistent reusability.
Spiral lock nuts are available in class 10 and SAE
Grade 8.
Hardlock Nut
The Hardlock nut’s wedge locking feature prevents
loosening. To effectively utilize the wedge design, two
nuts are used: a nut with an eccentrically formed boss
and a nut with a perfectly circular concave recess. When
these nuts are fastened together, the wedge creates a
powerful locking effect transverse to the bolt shaft. Once
locked with this strong force, the Hardlock nut can resist
loosening and shocks.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 170

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156
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
GUY AVELLON WHAT DISTRIBUTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ECHNIQUE WHEN TIGHTENING A BOLTED CONNECTION from page 104
Gaskets
Joints with gaskets usually provide a seal to a flange
to prevent fluid, gas or steam leaks. Since all materials
will compress, it is even more expedient to have the bolts
on the flange evenly tightened. This will take technique.
Returning to the example of tightening the bolts using
transducers to measure the relaxation of the bolt, some of
the tightened bolts lost 100% of their preload after their
first round of tightening. Load cycling on a gasketed joint
would come from temperature variations; steam, moving
fluids, etc. Since heat causes the surrounding metal to
expand it will also cause compression of the gasket.
Once any flanged joint has a leak the immediate
response is to tighten the joint again and get it as tight as
possible. This only works a few times before overtightening
to compensate for the leak causes permanent damage to
the flange, bolt and/or gasket.
Besides flange joints, there are rectangular joints,
similar to automotive heads. The multiple fasteners
in a rectangular configuration take on different torque
patterns, depending upon their materials.
variables involved with applying the torque. You may offer
torque values to your customers with the caveat that they
are approximate and suggested values only and under
controlled and constant conditions.
A torque wrench is like a calibrated elbow. It gives
feedback to resistance. Is it accurate? No, but it is better
than anything else we have. When used with the proper
technique we can have a joint connection that will last.
Solid Joints
First, apply a torque that is between 65-75% of the
recommended torque. Tighten in a criss-cross pattern.
When finished, apply the final torque. If it is a critical joint,
apply the final torque once again or apply 105% as the
final torque. By the time the first pass has been made, the
joint has relaxed enough to be sufficiently compressed for
the final torque.
Gasket Joints
Again, it is best to tighten these joints in increments
to provide a gradual compression and relaxation. However,
after the last pass, repeat the tightening pattern in
a reverse sequence. That is, begin with the last bolt
tightened and finish by tightening the first bolt.
FIGURE 2
The top figure sequence would keep the center from
bowing. The bottom rectangle would be for a more brittle
material, such as cast iron, where the load is spread out
from the middle rather than taking a chance and cracking
the center after the ends are tightened and secured.
Technique
Torque values have been calculated for decades
as a guide, not an absolute. One of the reasons many
manuals give a range of torque values is due to the many
Conclusions
¤ Be consistent; avoid changes in bolts,
lubricants, tools, operators, gaskets, etc.
¤ Each joint is unique. There is no magic solution
for all joints.
¤ Torque is only effective when used with a
lubricant.
¤ Multiple fasteners need to be fastened multiple
times.
¤ Fasteners need to be retightened shortly after
being used.
¤ Uniform Tightening is More Important than
Torque.
GUY AVELLON

FASTENER FAIR USA - HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 22-23, 2024
CONTINUED ON PAGE 189

158
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
AMERICAN BOLT YOUR TRUSTED FASTENER SOURCE from page 106
system, with dual guns, has 200’ of lead cable capacity.
A Nelson 6000 is also available to rent if you have
480V service. The units are set up for ease of use, and
on-site training is provided.
Tension Control Gun
Tension control guns are available to rent on a daily,
weekly, or monthly basis to facilitate the assembly and
erection of structural steel.
That’s not all – their anchor bolt assemblies are
fully customizable to your exact specifications. From light
fabrication of plate washers to welding and assembling
components, they’ve got you covered. And with their ability
to punch and shear up to ¾” flat bar into square plate,
they are equipped to handle even the most demanding
projects.
Production Equipment
American Bolt is invested in various machinery to
assist their customers in supporting multiple solutions.
⬡ Multiple FMB Sirius bandsaws are used for
precision cutting threaded rod, round bar, and strut.
Each has minimal set-up and production time for quick
turnaround.
⬡ Three Landis single spindle threaders for creating
cut threads on round bar ranging from 1/2” through 2”
diameters.
⬡ Piranha P-90 Ironworker: A 90-ton Ironworker used
to shear and punch holes in flat bars to create plates and
washers.
⬡ Servo Auto Champ Chamfering machine for a costeffective
method to chamfer large volumes of threaded
studs.
Equipment Rentals
Stud Welding Equipment
For job site needs, rent American Bolt Corp’s fully
enclosed trailer-mounted diesel engine, generator, and
stud welding system. The Nelson 6500 stud welding
Packaging & Kitting
AISC Packaging for High-Strength Bolts
As needed for your field bolts, American Bolt packages
your structural bolts to protect them from moisture and
dirt contamination to ensure the required installation
torque is met. Product can be bagged and tagged per your
needs, including by sequence, to aid job site organization.
Product Kitting & Packaging
Whether you need one item per bag or several items
kitted, American Bolt can streamline your operations by
providing custom packaging and kitting solutions. Reduce
your shop labor and increase accuracy and efficiency by
ordering complete kits for installation and assembly needs.
Logisitics
Company Owned Fleet
American Bolt has a large vehicle fleet to service
delivery needs to our branches and beyond. Whether it’s
to your door or a job site, count on American Bolt to deliver
your parts when needed
Partnering with UPS & 3PL Freight Lines
American Bolt has arranged for evening UPS pick-up,
allowing same-day shipments when made by 2:00 PM
CST. Same-day LTL freight shipments also available if your
order is placed by 12:00 PM CST.
Will Call Service for Scheduled Orders
Save on freight & waiting time by having your order
scheduled for pick-up with American Bolt.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 159

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 159
AMERICAN BOLT YOUR TRUSTED FASTENER SOURCE from page 158
Supply Chain
Partnering with the best suppliers and manufacturers
in the industry allows American Bolt to provide you with
the best value. They understand the importance of quality,
reliability, and delivery to reduce the total cost of ownership.
Technology And The Future
American Bolt uses the latest scanning technology,
which eliminates writing errors and creates an immediate
order. Larry Egofske, Owner of American Bolt Corp, told
me, “Fifteen years ago, we decided to partner with the
people at Computer Insights, Inc and install The Business
EdgeTM ERP system. That has been one of the best
business decisions we have made. Like American Bolt
Corp., Computer Insights never stops innovating and
looking for new and better ways to solve problems and
streamline processes. The system connects us directly
with our key suppliers, providing live pricing and availability
for quicker & accurate quoting. The VMI features save
time and eliminate mistakes. The system also offers
material certs tracking, wireless warehouse features, and
much more.“
American Bolt Corp is currently working on an
e-commerce project that will be launched later this year.
American Bolt Corp continues to exceed their customers’
expectations in all facets.
More Information
American Bolt Corp. is located at 16555 W Glendale
Drive, New Berlin, WI 53151. Contact John Nutt, President,
for more information at (262) 786-6530, or visit them
online at www.americanboltcorp.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.
AMERICAN BOLT CORP.

160
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
JOE DYSART GOOGLE AND YAHOO!’S CRACKDOWN ON EMAIL: A QUICK TRIP TO THE SPAM FOLDER from page 112
BOTH GOOGLE AND YAHOO! OFFER FREE, DETAILED GUIDES ON
HOW TO ‘PLAY NICE’ WHEN YOU’RE SENDING EMAILS TO EMAIL
DOMAINS THEY MANAGE.
¤ DKIM Record Mandatory: Another commonly
embraced technical email component, DKIM records add
a digital signature to your fastener distributorship emails.
That makes it more difficult for spammers to alter your
emails as they’re en route to the recipient.
¤ DMARC Record Mandatory: Yet another
commonly embraced technical email component, DMARC
records add another layer of protection against spammers.
These records enable the receiving mail server to better
verify where emails are coming from. Plus the record also
checks to see if your SPF and DKIM records appear valid.
¤ Email Sender Reputation Monitoring: It’s a
good idea to ensure that the domain of your fastener
distributorship is not ending up on any email sender
blacklists. Free services like MX Toolbox (www.mxtoolbox.
com/blacklists) help you track your blacklist reputation
across dozens of spam monitoring services.
¤ Google Email Sender Guidelines: This is a
great reference for fastener distributors to monitor to help
ensure that the way they engage in email marketing meets
Google’s ‘You’re playing nice’ standards.
¤ Yahoo Sending Best Practices: This is Yahoo!’s
version of its email marketing ‘You’re playing nice’
standards and is also well-worth monitoring.
JOE DYSART
ROBERT FOOTLIK WHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN BREAKS from page 116
More recently, when the container ship Dali hit a
bridge in Baltimore tens of thousands of container loads
were impacted, some by the bridge and many more by
the closure of the sole path to and from the port. Direct
damages to goods in transit, redirection of shipments to
other ports, off-loading of containers stuck in Baltimore
and time delays for everyone causes some severe
distortion of an otherwise seamless supply chain. As a
Fastener Distributor you might think you were not affected,
but if your customers are impacted, so are you. And if your
shipment/order needed to be somewhere on time and in
perfect condition what did you do to satisfy contracts? No
one was totally immune.
Every shipment is in effect controlled by INCOTERMS
that are of little concern normally, but when things go
wrong you as shipper or recipient are subject to the
damages, lawsuits and aggravation involved.
So Why Was My Student So Passionate? Every
working day, and often into the night, she was the point
person helping supply chain partners with tragic incidents,
lost shipments, containers dropped overboard, capsized
ships and other disasters. This put her into position to act
as the investigator, detective, prosecutor, judge and jury
when it came to INCOTERMS. Her decisions often dictated
the outcome of the inevitable litigation in courts around
the world.
For her, it was not a matter of power, but a career
where she could really help people interpret what went
wrong, who had to pay and most importantly would
the damages or losses be covered by insurance. One
person, in a small office in New Jersey is a vital link in
the international supply chain. And there she found a very
meaningful and rewarding career. She wanted to share
this with her classmates and esteemed Professor…who
learned that there is more to logistics than just getting the
goods from point A to point B.
ROBERT FOOTLIK

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 161

162
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LARRY BOROWSKI TORSIONAL STRENGTH TEST IS CRITICAL IN MANY SCREW SPECIFICATIONS from page 120
The lower base of the fixture provides a groove
directly below the upper arm for clamping the split collets
that hold the screw’s threaded area while the torsional
test is performed.
[2] The threaded split collets for holding the screw
come in two styles. One style for testing screws smaller
than ¼” or 6 mm in diameter are generally small and are
placed into a split collet holder which fits into the groove
in the base of the test fixture. The collets for screws ¼”
or 6 mm and larger generally are bigger and fit directly
into the groove in the fixture’s base without need for the
collet holder.
It is critical that screws be gripped in these threaded
split collects to prevent the threads from being crushed
or cut by the clamping action which keep the screws from
rotating while being tested. If the threads are crushed
or cut when clamped, as is the case when screws are
clamped in a vise, the screw’s torsional values are
frequently lower than when the parts are held properly in
the threaded split collets.
[3] A calibrated torque wrench is engaged in the
fixture’s rotating center shaft on top of the fixture for
measuring the amount of torque required to twist the
test screw into two pieces. Torque wrenches come in
many styles and types, both analog and digital. The only
critical features of the torque wrench used to perform the
torsional strength test is that it must be calibrated and
it should have a “memory needle” mechanism of some
type that indicates the highest torque value occurring
during each test.
The torque wrench calibration requirements vary
slightly among the standards and specifications, but
the most common requirement is for the wrench to be
accurate throughout the upper 80% of its torque range
within +/- 4%. Torque wrenches are not necessarily
accurate in the lower 20% of their full range and should
not be used for testing in that lowest 20% range.
The step-by-step procedure is as follows:
Torsional Test Procedure
[1] The split collet that matches the test screw’s
size and thread pitch is selected and the screw is
screwed into the collet while the collet is not yet clamped
in the fixture’s base. For proper testing at least two
screw thread pitches must remain above the top surface
of the collet:
[2] The collet is placed in the split collet holder.
The split collet holder is then placed in the fixture’s base
so that the screw is positioned directly below the rotating
spindle of the fixture. The clamp screw in the fixture’s
base in tightened sufficiently tight to prevent the screw
from turning in the collet when the torsional force is
applied to the screw.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 176

NCFA 15th
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTOR SOCIAL
ABOARD THE GOODTIME III - MAY 21, 2024

164
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
CHRIS DONNELL HERE WE GO AGAIN... from page 122
Air Freight
The air market is currently going through an interesting
time. For the first quarter of 2024, the air import and
export markets were fairly flat, tonnage and rates held
steady, and there were minimal service disruptions.
Those disruptions were tied directly to the local ground
handling stations in the United States in areas technically
managed by third party service providers for the airlines.
These disruptions are caused by a shortage in the labor
force, something that is plaguing most national markets.
These disruptions caused lengthy drive pick-up delays
from the airlines which in turn caused companies such
as yourself to pay driver detention fees. We’re hearing
reports of drivers waiting anywhere from 4 to 12 hours
at some of the nations business cargo hubs just to pick
up cargo.
Today, we’re seeing the airlines take an aggressive
approach to shoring excess expenditures including
making adjustments to their routings, eliminating direct
services, and focusing more and more on multi-city
flights where they can capitalize on maximizing their
tonnage. They are also eliminating flights altogether,
something the ocean carriers have been doing for the
past year.
One sector within the air freight industry that is
thriving is e-commerce and small package. For imports
and exporters this is a high volume, high profit cash cow.
With more and more consumers ordering from places
like Amazon, TEMU, Alibaba and other online business
platforms, this is a trend which should see continued
significant growth in the coming years.
Another strong market trend is the growth North
America has seen with regards to air imports and exports
to Europe and Middle East countries. Overall, the first
quarter of 2024 saw an 11% increase in tonnage YOY
yet the air freight rates have only increased an average
of less than 1%. A good sign as many airlines have
increased their available cargo tonnage allocation to and
from those locations to North America.
The outlook for the air freight industry in 2024 is
cloudy. Many cargo models and analysts are predicting
a strong “peak-season” plus many are assuming that
the current service disruptions affecting the global
ocean market will cause importers and exporters alike
to utilize the air market more frequently. Should the two
happen, and I think based on what the cargo models are
predicting, we should see a strong air market starting to
take shape which would be higher per kilo air costs, an
increase in fuel, and even more potential issues within
the industries labor force. Right now, the market track
is to see our first significant rate increase for Pacific
Rim to North American take hold come mid-June and
it’s anticipated that the market will be more of a roller
coaster ride for the balance of 2024.
Ocean Import & Export
I’ve left the worst for last. As most of you know that
the ocean import market, whether for full container (FCL)
or Less Than Full Container (LCL) the recent trend in the
market equates to substantially higher costs with longer
lead times. The question really comes down to what’s
driving these issues. Is it speculation? Is it greed? Is it
just smoke and mirrors? The answer to those questions
varies depending on who you speak with and they change
with each passing week. Before I get into the issues, I
think it’s important to put the market into context.
First, make no mistake about it, with regards to
the international shipping community, ocean freight far
and away exceeds all other services. Ocean shipments
make up roughly 80% of all global tonnage moved. This
dominance is due in large part to overall lower costs and
increased capacity. Today, most companies which delve
into international shipping have designed their supply
chains to utilize this service – taking into account the
longer transit times but taking advantage of the lower
costs when compared to air freight.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 178

TFC, an AFC Industries
Company and leading provider
of vendor managed inventory
solutions and technical
engineering products, has
made a further acquisition in
the O-Rings and Seals market,
acquiring Midlands, UK-based
Supaseal.
Supaseal is a major player
in the rubber seals industry,
growing a business which
started in 1991 to now supplying
a wide range of O-Rings, Rotary
Shaft Seals, Bonded Seals,
Circlips, and associated
products to customers in the
UK, Europe, the U.S., Middle
and Far East.
“Supaseal have the same
customer dedication as we do
at TFC and a clear commitment
to providing quality products
along with high customer
service levels” said Morgan
Burgoyne, President of TFC.
“Working alongside TFC
feels like a great match for the
Supaseal team,” remarked Lisa
Bingley, Director of Supaseal.”
The company will continue to
be run by its current management
team and continue to operate
out of Market Harborough,
Leicestershire.
TFC, an AFC Industries
Company, has an unrivalled
reputation, with exemplary
customer service and added
value technical solutions to
help them provide product
advancement, innovation and
significantly raised standards of
manufacturing efficiency.
For more information
about TFC visit them online at
www.tfc.eu.com.
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 165

166
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROB LaPOINTE FASTENER SCIENCE: STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS AND THE ORIGIN OF METAL from page 148
FIGURE 6 STELLAR PRODUCTION OF HELIUM KNOWN\
AS THE P-P CHAIN.
Heavy hydrogen is unstable and will decay quickly, but
if it gets hit by another proton within its short lifespan,
it will release some energy in the form of a gamma ray
(frame 4) and form (frame 5) an isotope of helium (3He)
known as tritium. If then, two tritium (3He) nuclei collide
(frame 6) they will kick out two protons and form a stable
helium nucleus. This is how stars manufacture helium
from hydrogen.
A byproduct is the release of neutrinos and energy
in the form of light (gamma ray). This process has been
verified by the observation of the correct abundances
and types of neutrinos coming from the sun.
As stars exhaust their supply of hydrogen in core
region that has the required temperature and pressure
needed for helium production, the outflow of energy will
be reduced. As a result of the reduction in outward push
from energy outflow, the star will begin to collapse further
due to gravitation. With increased collapse comes higher
temperatures and pressures suitable to fuse helium into
carbon. The star now has carbon accumulating in its
core from helium fusion and a shell of helium production
around the carbon core from hydrogen fusion.
Figure 7 shows the production of increasingly heavier
elements deeper into the star as concentric shells
like the layered candy known as a jawbreaker. Stars
of suitable size will continue to produce heavier and
heavier elements until iron is produced from the fusion
of silicon. After the production of iron, stars will no longer
produce heavier elements because the biding energy
required to produce heavier elements has a net negative
result. In other words, iron is the heaviest element that,
when produced, yields a net positive amount of energy.
Remember that the star is supported against gravity by
the outward flow of energy toward the surface. Once the
silicon supply is exhausted, the star will collapse as the
fusion of iron into heavier elements will require more
energy than is liberated. This core collapse happens in
less than a second as all the layers above the core follow
downward.
FIGURE 7 CONCENTRIC SHELLS OF NUCLEAR FUSION
INSIDE GIANT STARS.
FIGURE 8 THE CRAB NEBULA IS A SUPERNOVA REMNANT. THE
NEBULA IS A CLOUD OF ATOMS PRODUCED BY THE STAR DURING
ITS LIFETIME OF NUCLEAR FUSION AND THOSE, HEAVIER
THAN IRON, THAT WERE PRODUCED DURING THE SUPERNOVA
EXPLOSION.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 180

FASTENER FAIR USA OPENING NIGHT NETWORKING PARTY
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME - MAY 22, 2024

168
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS WHY FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD OFFER APPLICATION ENGINEERING from page 150
Now consider this, the thickness of the 2 x 4 was
one-and-a-half inches and the thickness of the flange
was about one-eighth inch. Considering the height of
the nut with a couple of threads extending beyond the
top, the length of this bolt should have been about twoand-a-quarter
inches. At four to four-and-a-half inches
long, the bolt was nearly twice that. This means that
the bolt was about forty to fifty percent longer than
necessary. As I took a closer look, I saw that this bolt
was yellow. Although there is no “rule” that dictates this,
it is an unofficial North American convention that Grade
5 fasteners are silver and Grade 8 are yellow. Sure
enough, I looked at the head and the Grade 8 strength
marking was prominently displayed. (See Figure 5) Think
about this application, as the bolt is tightened and Clamp
Load is generated, the soft wood material gives way, and
the head begins to embed itself into the surface. In fact,
because of the softness of the wood, the bolt is either
unable to stretch or stretches only a small amount. Thus,
a high strength bolt is unnecessary in this application.
Putting it all together, my client’s customer was paying
for a premium high strength bolt that was probably twice
as long as it needed to be. This equated to a part costing
perhaps 35%-40% more than was necessary.
cooling fans mounted on them which were covered
with a protective wire grate. The connection points for
the fan, grate, and side or top wall sheet metal were
often comprised of a long stud or bolt that had multiple
washers and nuts in the stack. I probably saw about fifty
different versions of this fastening strategy. The problem
was that many of these multicomponent joints were
comprised of a mix of stainless steel and zinc coated
steel hardware. (See Figure 6) It was clear that the intent
of the Stainless-Steel hardware was to prevent corrosion
in these stacks. However, it was obvious that over
the years manufacturing expediency, loose purchasing
practice, or unclear design intentions led to them mixing
components made of these two materials. Although this
could actually create some accelerated corrosion of
the zinc coated parts due to galvanic interaction, let’s
ignore that for the moment. The bigger problem is that
the stainless hardware was likely costing them four to
five times more than the zinc coated hardware. If they
could get away with using some zinc coated hardware in
the stack, then, in theory, because all the hardware in
the stack would be equally exposed to the same service
environment, it could all be zinc coated steel, thus
saving a great deal of money. Of course, if stainless
was truly necessary then the inclusion of the zinc coated
hardware in the stack created a potential corrosion site,
which could have resulted in costly warranty or field
maintenance costs.
FIGURE 5: GRADE 8 HEAD MARKING
Example 3: Combining Stainless Steel And
Zinc Plated Hardware
Perhaps the most obviously costly problem my
client’s customer had was combining stainless steel
and zinc fasteners together. Many of their units had
FIGURE 6: JOINT STACK SHOWING MIXTURE OF ZINC COATED STEEL,
STAINLESS STEEL, AND POWDER PAINT COATED PARTS
CONTINUED ON PAGE 174

Fastener Industries, Inc. welcomes Die
Co., Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary to the
Fastener family of employee-owned companies.
Die Co., Inc. was founded by Donald Hawk
in 1963 and has been continuously operated
by the Hawk Family for over six decades. All
employees from Die Co., Inc. will be retained,
and the company will operate separately under
the Die Co., Inc. name.
“Die Co., Inc. is the perfect fit for our
Fastener family, from their complimentary line
of products, solid financial results, and well-run
operations to their culture and positive focus on
their employees,” comments Bob Perry, CEO, of
Fasteners Industries, Inc.
Die Co., Inc., located in Eastlake, OH, has
a long history of combined high-volume and
customized manufacturing of spring steel
fasteners and metal stampings, in-house
secondary processes, and superior service to
customers that range from small distributors to
Fortune 500 companies. “Die Co. was built on
quality products, outstanding customer service,
and having a good place to work. Fastener
Industries exemplifies those values. The ESOP
(Employee Stock Ownership Plan) is an added
benefit for our people and the long-term future
of Die Co., We are honored to become part of
the Fastener Industries family.” states Mike
Hawk, General Manager and son of founder
Donald Hawk.
Fasteners Industries, Inc., the parent
company of the group of companies that includes
Brainard Rivet Company, Plan-E-Tech Industries,
Inc., Joseph Industries, Inc., and Ohio Nut and
Bolt of Canada, Ltd. The first in the family was
The Ohio Nut and Bolt Co., founded in 1905,
which started as a bicycle chain manufacturer,
and then moved into the manufacturing of weld
screws in 1926. The company later changed
its name to Fastener Industries, Inc. The
organization became employee-owned in 1980.
For more information about Fastener Industries
Inc., contact them at One Berea Commons, Suite
209, Berea, OH 44017, Tel: 440-243-0034 or
visit them online at www.fastenerind.com.

170
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRUNO MARBACHER THE VARIOUS METHODS OF THREAD LOCKING from page 154
Screws With A Locking Feature On The
Thread
The locking patch is typically made of nylon (polyamide),
a soft elastic synthetic material.
adjusting screws. The nylon patch replaces the counter
nuts. The adjusting process is much simpler and faster
than countering.
As of this writing, there are no international standards
covering thread locking screws.
Assembly Concerns
If the screws are assembled at high RPM’s, the
plastic can heat up and soften. Therefore, the screws
must be driven in relatively slowly.
The screws cannot be assembled with bare fingers. The
installation always requires a tool, even for driving the
screw.
The nylon is fused on to a pre-determined, heated
thread area as a fine powder. The high temperature of
the thread surface allows a layer of the powder to soften
immediately and to stick to the screw thread. The excess
powder is suctioned off and used again.
If the screw is rotated during the patching process,
a 360° nylon coating is formed. This not only locks, but
simultaneously seals the thread, which is important in
screws that are designed to seal containers.
That soft small nylon patch on the screw thread
is jammed into the mating thread. The joint will not
continue to rotate on its own.
The nylon coating can be directly applied to the
area where it must be effective, i.e. where the threads
intermesh. The thickness of the patch is adjustable to a
certain extent, and consequently its locking effect.
Generally, the first 2-3 thread pitches at the end of
the thread are left free of coating. Thus, the screw can
be started without a problem when turning it into the
mating thread.
Screws with locking patches are often used as
Some Brand Names of Thread Lockers
ND PATCH, PATlok Nylon Patches, Nylok Blue Patch,
Nylok Tuflok, Nylok Red Patch, Astorlok, Eslok, and
others.
Most thread jamming, locking features, essential
function the same way, the following information
highlights things that are different.
Nylok ® Blue Patch Torq-Patch and
Nylok ® Red Patch Torq-Patch
They are a self-locking patch comprised of nylon
permanently bonded onto the threads of a fastener. They
compressed patch provide metal to metal contact; they
can be reused several times. The difference between the
2 is the color.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 186

MWFA SCREWED UP GOLF OPEN
WHITE PINES, BENSENVILLE, IL - MAY 30, 2024

172
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SPIROL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COILED SPRING PINS AND SLOTTED SPRING PINS from page 138
FIGURE 4 - ORIENTATION OF THE SLOT AFFECTS SHEAR STRENGTH
IN SLOTTED SPRING PINS BY APPROXIMATELY 5%
Chamfer
Some configurations of Slotted Pins have a chamfer
diameter specified simply as “less than the nominal
pin diameter” (ISO 8752). This prevents the pin from
pre-aligning itself with the hole prior to installation and
prevents the pin from compensating for misalignment
between the pinned parts. Other Slotted Pin industry
specifications have a more controlled chamfer diameter
designed to be smaller than the hole with a margin
specifically to facilitate assembly.
All Coiled Pins have chamfers specified as smaller
than the hole with a specific margin. A Coiled Pin’s
chamfer is swaged with a smooth transition to facilitate
trouble free assembly.
Square Ends
Due to the different manufacturing methods, Slotted
Pins can often have ends not perfectly perpendicular to
their axis due to the manufacturing method. This can
present an obstruction in automatic feeding where pins
stacked atop each other can grab the neighboring parts
and cause a jam. This can also be caused by small “nibs”
of material sometimes present at the end of the pin
resulting from the manufacturing process (Figure 5).
FIGURE 5 - SOME SLOTTED PINS HAVE SMALL “NIBS” OF MATERIAL
THAT CAN LEAD TO JAMS IN AUTOMATIC FEEDERS (EXAGGERATED
FOR DEMONSTRATIONAL PURPOSES)
Coiled Pins have square ends that enable them to
self-align with the installation punch/quill. This ensures
the pin remains straight and that uniform force is applied
during installation into the hole.
Pin Recommendations Based on Application
Dynamic Applications
When it comes to dynamic applications, the Coiled
Spring Pin outperforms all other types of press-fit pins. In
dynamic applications, the pin endures vibrations, shocks
or impacts and it needs to be able to absorb them in order
to achieve the longest service life.
Coiled Pins were specifically designed to remain
flexible after insertion and absorb the changing loads and
vibrations (Figure 6). Studies have shown that the Coiled
Pin clearly outperforms the Slotted Pin in fatigue testing in
both – 1) the ultimate load for an infinite life, and 2) cycles
until failure at a set load.
A Slotted Pin has very limited flexibility – most of
which is consumed during installation. Once installed,
Slotted Pins have very little gap width left to absorb any
changing loads. When the slot closes, the Slotted Pin
becomes a stiff, solid tube and acts similarly to a Solid Pin
where it transfers the load directly to the host. This can
damage the hole, rendering the parts unusable or in need
of reworking.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 188

174
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS WHY FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD OFFER APPLICATION ENGINEERING from page 168
Although these are interesting stories, and they are
real, more important than the story is what they can teach
distributors about value and application engineering.
From the last example someone might want to argue that
more money could be made by ignoring this discovery and
continuing to sell the potentially unnecessary stainless
steel hardware. So, why suggest a change? To answer
this, one must raise another question, specifically, what
does such a strategy achieve in the long run? The simple
answer to that question is, most likely, a dissatisfied,
disloyal customer who will flee to the next cheapest
solution or vendor at the first available opportunity. In
contrast, the ideal scenario is a satisfied and fiercely loyal
customer that has no reason to seek out other vendors.
One way for distributors to earn this loyalty is to foster
a “solution provider” reputation and strongly support
applications and value engineering activities. So, returning
to the previous examples, what can they teach us about
becoming “solution providers”?
Know and Recognize Errors IN Fundamental
Fastener Engineering
Distributors should have engineers or technically
minded individuals at their disposal that understand
fundamental fastener engineering principles for the
different products that they sell. In the previous examples,
the primary fastener engineering involves bolted joint
technology, but thread forming technology, rivets, plastic
fasteners, roll pins, to name a few, all operate on
established fundamental engineering principles. If you
don’t have internal experts for each product line you sell,
consider the following:
¤ Develop From Within Through Training: Find available
training that would benefit members of your team. This
might involve sending one or more team members to an
external training class such as the weeklong “Certified
Fastener Specialist” training conducted by the Fastener
Training Institute. For more customized training or when
the goal is to reach more than a couple of individuals,
bringing in an on-site trainer such as NNi Training makes
sense. In some instances, distributors can benefit from
the relationships they have with their manufacturing
vendors. Many of these suppliers are both well equipped
and eager to teach their distributor customers more about
their products. Finally, consider adding training sessions
to sales or other similar meetings which utilize outside
experts or vendors.
¤ Engage External Experts: When building the expertise
with in-house experts is not practical, a good solution is
to partner with an outside expert or trainer. The stories
in this article represent an example where a distributor
client of mine did just that. Lacking in-house engineering,
they hired me to provide specific application engineering
services they did not have. In addition to such services,
over the years I have been hired on multiple occasions
to provide training for distributors at their customers as
well as retained as an on-call source of assistance when
problems or questions arise that they don’t have the
in-house knowledge to immediately answer.
¤ Subscribe to IFI’s Technology Connection: About
ten years ago the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI)
released its IFI Technology Connection (ITC). This is a
one-of-kind web-based subscription service full of valuable
technical information on fasteners. Many users claim it
is indispensable to helping them navigate around often
confusing fastener standards and fastener technology
issues.
¤ Join North American Fastener Standardization
Activities: Participation on the committees that generate
fastener standards is open to all. In fact, it is highly
encouraged. The fastener committees: ASME B18, ASTM
F16, ISO TAGs, and the SAE Fastener Committee are
always looking for new and engaged members to join
their ranks. The cost is usually just the time invested in
participating in the process and travel to the meetings,
while the returns can be quite substantial. Engaged
participants not only learn a tremendous amount about
the subjects they are working on but establish a network of
industry contacts and friends that can provide invaluable
assistance in times of need.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 184

176
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LARRY BOROWSKI TORSIONAL STRENGTH TEST IS CRITICAL IN MANY SCREW SPECIFICATIONS from page 162
[4] The torque wrench is firmly engaged in the upper
end of the rotating shaft’s female square recess. The
wrenches indicator is set to “zero” before any force is
exerted on the wrench.
[3] The appropriate style and size driver bit or socket
is affixed to the lower end of the fixture’s rotating shaft
using an adaptor or bit holder if necessary. The upper arm
is lowered until the bit or socket fully engages the screw’s
recess or head and the upper arm is firmly clamped to
the fixture’s main shaft. The driver or socket’s height
relative to the screw‘s head can be adjusted by rotating
the threaded adjustment wheel which houses the fixture’s
rotating shaft in the upper arm.
[5] A smooth torsional force is exerted on the torque
wrench in a rotary manner until the screw twists into two
separate pieces. The torsional strength of the tested
screw is the highest torque value observed on the wrench
at any point during the test.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 177

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 177
LARRY BOROWSKI TORSIONAL STRENGTH TEST IS CRITICAL IN MANY SCREW SPECIFICATIONS from page 176
All torque wrenches have a specific
point on the handle where the force
must be exerted to achieve accurate
torque values. This point is designated
as a notch, pivot, or by some other
means. The operator’s force should be
concentrated at that designated location
on the wrench handle to achieve accurate
and repeatable results.
Torsional strength testing is an
integral part of many screw standards
and specifications. When screws exceed
their minimum specified torsional strength
in the applicable standard or specification it is a good indication
that the screw will perform properly in its intended application.
Torsional tests should be performed by screw suppliers using the
appropriate testing apparatus and the correct test procedure to
assure the validity of the results obtained by testing.
LARRY BOROWSKI | GREENSLADE & COMPANY INC

178
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
CHRIS DONNELL HERE WE GO AGAIN... from page 164
You’d have to go back to the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s
when air freight was the preferred means of global
transportation. In the 70’s we had the introduction of
“Just in Time.” We saw amazing advancements in supply
chain management and technologies which lasted up
until the pandemic where we all learned first-hand how
fragile the global supply chain eco system really is.
Today, with our advanced algorithms and flow charts,
one thing is for sure: during the pandemic we all learned
something and that goes for the ocean carriers as
well. The ocean carriers learned that with every service
disruption, whether small or large, there is an opportunity
to control the market and make money. Truth: import
volumes for the first 4 months of 2024 have been on
the rise with current YOY TEU (20’ft Equivalent Units
or 20’ft ocean container) up around 18% compared
to 2023. However, the first part of 2023 was marked
by a weaker economy, lower import volumes from the
Pacific Rim, and excess inventory numbers through
North America. Another truth: more and more importers
who typically used the Panama Canal have made the
necessary changes to their supply chain to move those
containers via the West Coast in order to off-set the risks
associated with shipping to the East Coast.
With all that, over the course of May, importers
have seen ocean rates triple in costs and transit times
increase by roughly 10 days. If the ocean carrier’s
prediction of a strong “peak-season” are true, further
disruptions and higher costs are on the horizon. To put
things into context, the average 20’ft container container
costs from Shanghai to Los Angeles before May 1st was
around $1500.00 USD whereas today, that market cost
average is around $4000.00 USD.
Now, given the current market situations, the
ocean carriers are keeping a pulse on the global market
and looking at potential risks such as the situation
surrounding the Red Sea and Houthis. They are looking
at the impact of the Panama Canal and its continued
issues with low water levels. They are anticipating a
stronger than normal “peak-season” and then comes the
potential risk of strike from the Canadian rail as well as
this being an election year. This all leads to one thing.
Get while the getting is good. It’s no secret that the
ocean carriers continue to roll containers and continue
to utilize the practice of “blank sailings” in order to place
themselves in a stronger, more profitable position, in the
market.
With all of this being said it may appear that I’m
somewhat biased against the ocean carriers - that
couldn’t be further from the truth. The ocean carriers are
hedging their bets that the market will take a downward
position in the coming weeks. Given the circumstances,
I think most companies would do the same if they were
in the carrier’s shoes. It’s capitalism at it’s finest.
Don’t get me wrong, I find the sudden increase and
the overall amount of change to be a bit questionable,
however, it’s something we all have to work through.
Much like what we learned during the pandemic, having
options, utilizing the strength of your service providers,
and increasing communication and relationships will
play a vital part in moving forward. The ocean carriers
aren’t going to stop increasing the costs until they feel
the market can’t sustain itself. Ocean carriers have
already introduced the use of their so-called “premium
or diamond” rates into the market, something they did
during the pandemic. Do I think we’re headed to the
same level of rates we saw during that time? No, but it
wouldn’t shock me to see the ocean carriers continue
their rate hikes every 15 days until late August or early
September.
In closing, the ocean market is in for a bumpy ride
and it’s anyone’s guess as to what the future holds.
Make no mistake, there will be further service disruptions
and the costs are going to increase. My only suggestion
is to ensure you have the right service providers in place
now to weather the storm.
CHRIS DONNELL

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 179

180
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROB LaPOINTE FASTENER SCIENCE: STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS AND THE ORIGIN OF METAL from page 166
The core will continue to collapse until the iron
reaches the maximum density that matter can have. This
is the density of the neutron in the nucleus of the atom,
about 100,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms per cubic
meter. At that density, the matter stops contracting and
sends a shock wave outward blowing all the other fusion
shells away from the iron core in a cataclysmic explosion
known as a supernova.
You may be wondering how elements heavier than iron
are formed if not inside the core of stars. All elements
heavier than iron are formed during the massive outflow
of energy from the downward falling star impacting the
shockwave produced by the collapsed core. This is the
source of the binding energy required to produce atomic
nuclei heavier than iron including nickel, copper and zinc
which all have a substantial contribution to alloys from
which fasteners are made. What is typically left over after
a supernova of this type is a rapidly spinning object of
neutron density known as a neutron star.
Our star, the Sun, is a population I star. Population
I stars are categorized as being rich in metal and are
found in and near the spiral arms of galaxies like our own
Milkey Way. These stars are among the youngest stars
in the universe and the material they consist of is the
product of 3-4 previous generations of stars. Population
II stars are metal poor and tend to be very old, as much
FIGURE 9 A LOW-HEAD SOCKET CAP SCREW MADE FROM THE
ASHES OF A DEAD STAR.
as the age of the universe, namely 13.7 billion years.
Population II stars are primarily found near the galactic
halo and in globular clusters. These stars formed near
the time of Population III stars or around the second
generation, so contain relatively few metals or heavier
atoms.
When stars die, they spew their ashes out into space
to drift and be collected by other star forming regions as
the dust falls into newly forming stars and planets. Our
star, our planet and ourselves are built from the ashes
of magnificent stars of the past. Nearly all the atoms in
your body were built and once resided in the core of a
super-giant star somewhere near where we are now, in
the Milkey Way. If you’re like me, you probably always
thought you were hot, but really…15 million degrees,
that’s ridiculous!
Next time you pick up your favorite fastener product,
think about the source of the metal from which it’s
made. Think about the rich history and the beauty of
the process that formed the nuclei that build its fabric.
Think about the enormous explosion that launched it
away from the gravitational grip of the star that formed it
and sent it drifting in the expanse of space. Think about
it falling into a newly forming planetary system 26,000
lightyears from the core of the Milkey Way. Think about
yourself and your common ancestry to the metal object
in your hand. Think about the journey of life on earth
and our ability to observe, comprehend and understand
how and from what, things are made. Think about our
comprehension of mortality both before and after we call
these atoms us. Think about the longevity of the universe
and the fact that all these atoms will find their way to a
new shore, where they will build glorious structures.
Remembering these facts always makes me stop and
ponder the immenseness of time and the closeness
of our connection to the universe we observe. As the
astronomer Carl Sagan once said, “The cosmos is within
us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the
universe to know itself.”
ROB LaPOINTE / EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE

182
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
MID-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
PO Box 255, Park Ridge, IL 60068
TEL 847-438-8338 EMAIL mwfa@mwfa.net WEB www.mwfa.net
ESSENTIALS IN HEAT TREATING & PLATING
by Francesca Lewis
On April 18th, students attending the Essentials of
Heat Treating & Plating seminar had a valuable handson
experience at SWD Inc. in the morning and Morgan
Ohare in the afternoon. The seminar provided an
excellent blend of theoretical knowledge and practical
exposure. Industry experts delivered insightful lectures
on metallurgy, heat treating, and plating, enhancing the
students’ understanding of these critical processes.
The day began with a visit to SWD Inc., where
Matt Delawder presented various plating techniques
and their applications. Joan Sosinski and Ed Garcia
discussed different types of heat treating and their
specific uses. The students then toured both facilities.
These tours allowed students to witness the processes
firsthand, reinforcing their classroom learning with realworld
applications.
The feedback from students was overwhelmingly
positive, highlighting the effectiveness of seeing the
processes in action. This unique approach to learning
has made the class highly popular, leading to its annual
recurrence in response to industry demand for welleducated
professionals. The generous support of SWD
Inc. and Morgan Ohare in providing expert speakers and
comprehensive plant tours was greatly appreciated.
2024 Event Schedule
July 11
Milwaukee Event- Brewers Game
Milwaukee, WI
August 18-21 FSTNR Week ‘24
Marriot Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, IL
August 18 Sleep In Heavenly Peace Bed Build
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
Marriot Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, IL
August 19 Chicagoland Plant Tours
Multiple Locations
August 19 MWFA Welcome Mixer
Marriot Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, IL
August 20 Fastener Failures Seminar
Marriot Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, IL
August 20 42nd Annual Table Top Show
Marriot Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, IL
August 20 Game On! Fastener Bash
Marriot Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, IL
August 21 71st Annual Golf Outing
Cranes Landing, Lincolnshire, IL
August 19-23 Fastener Training Week
Marriot Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, IL
September 9-11 International Fastener Expo
Las Vegas, NV
November 7 Scholarship Awards, Hall of Fame
Dinner & Board Elections
Belvedere Banquets, Elk Grove, IL
November 9 Planning Meeting
Eaglewood Resort, Itasca, IL
December 12 Holiday Party
Medinah Banquets, Addison, IL
MWFA Welcomes New Members
¤ Volt Industrial Plastics - Yellville, AL
¤ NOF Metal - New Hudson, MI
¤ Industrial Steel - Jackson, MI
¤ Trusort Fastening Service - Posen, IL
¤ Duraswiss - Winterville, NC
MID-WEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION

MIDWEST FASTENER ASSOCIATION
WINE TASTING EVENT - APRIL 11, 2024

184
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
LAURENCE CLAUS WHY FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD OFFER APPLICATION ENGINEERING from page 174
Know What Drives Cost
A good Application Engineer understands
the manufacturing technologies required to
make the parts they sell. An understanding
of the manufacturing inputs will drive an
understanding of why two parts, perhaps very
similar in appearance and size might have very
different costs. Understanding what drives the
cost will foster a greater appreciation of the
importance of fasteners but also equip your
team to better handle the inevitable question
from some customers of, “Why does it cost so
much?”
Regularly Engage Your Customer In
Application And Value Engineering
Activities
The examples I have shared here are from
a single site visit and represent only three of
maybe several dozen opportunities discovered
by simply walking the assembly line. I have done
this multiple times in my career and it has never failed
to bear some fruit. Getting out and “walking the line” is
probably the single most powerful tool and opportunity you
have to impress your customer with your expertise and
knowledge.
Another fantastic opportunity is to conduct some
product teardowns. This may not be practical on a 7
Series BMW, but what if your customer makes chainsaws?
Purchasing a couple of hundred-dollar chain saw and
conducting a professional tear down study that identifies
quality improving and cost savings ideas that you can
share with your customer could pay significant returns. If
you don’t have the ability to conduct a teardown internally,
hire someone externally that can do it and provide you
with a professional report. Sometimes just offering this
to the customer will improve your reputation and earn you
the opportunity. In fact, a customer agreeing to such an
FIGURE 7: SAMPLE TEARDOWN ANALYSIS
analysis will almost always supply you with the product to
be studied at no charge.
Look Beyond Just The Fastener
Very often salesmen and those looking at applications
get tunnel vision. They get so fixated on selling that bolt or
nut that they completely miss the greater opportunity that
is staring right at them. At one point in my career, I was
the General Manager for a start-up that focused on higher
level products that incorporated one or more fasteners as
a component. We ended up developing some parts that
sold for $7.00 plus dollars apiece. If we had just sold the
fastener, we would have had a $0.20 sale. These higherlevel
products were a real win-win situation. Our customer
was able to purchase a single multi-component part from
one vendor while it was a big win to our bottom line.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 188

186
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
BRUNO MARBACHER THE VARIOUS METHODS OF THREAD LOCKING from page 170
ND Patch
ND is another thread locking patch, works as described
above. ND patches are yellow.
PATlok Nylon Patches
PAT Nylon patches are available in orange, blue,
yellow and red. Orange is the standard color.
Nystay Patch
Nystay is a plastic precoated (polyolefin) patch, which
holds fasteners in place during transport and assembly.
It aids automated assembly; it can be positioned at any
position on the screw thread.
Poly-Lok Patch
Poly-Lok is a reliable prevailing torque type self-locking
feature which is due to the polyester patch material
that is more resilient, has higher strength, and can be
reused more often with higher back-off torque than other
patch material. According to the manufacturer they use
a patented, unique patching process.
Pellet Locking
A plastic pellet is compressed into a precision hole
that is drilled through the thread to a depth just below
the minor diameter and at a specific location on the
threaded portion of the bolt.
The locking action is by friction developed between
the pellet and the mating thread, and from the metal-tometal
friction opposite the locking pellet.
Products: ND Pell-It, Wedge lock, Tek-Lok are some
brand names
Long-Lok Patch
Long-Lok strip fasteners are manufactured by
forming a narrow longitudinal slot long enough to assure
engagement with the female thread in an otherwise normal
bolt or screw and compressing a special locking material
in the slot. This prevailing
torque characteristic can be
re used for more than 5
installations.
The jamming effect of a
strip can be more accurately
controlled than for a nylon
patch. The milling of the
thread slot must be done
beforehand. However, it is
an expensive work process
that also weakens the screw thread.
Several insert materials are available for specific
operating temperatures.
¤ Polycap Nylon Green -60°F to +250°F (-51°C to +121°C)
¤ Kei-F Blue -320°F to +390° ( -195°C to +199°C)
¤ Vespel Brown -450°F to +500°F (-268°C to +260°C)
Omni-Lok Fasteners
Omni-Lok fasteners hold single or multiple pins,
completely contained in holes located within the thread,
and held parallel to the thread axis. The pin is exactly
located so that that the O.D. of the pin extends above
the minor diameter of external threads and below the
minor diameter of internal threads.
In Conclusion
Most thread locking fasteners do not prevent a
certain amount of loosening. As stated, they block
unwinding of nuts and bolts. To prevent initial rotational
loosening, locking features underneath the head and or
bearing area of the nuts are needed. 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 to counter this. We will address joint relation in an
upcoming issue. We also will address locking adhesive
in a separate article.
BRUNO MARBACHER

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 187
H.B. Fuller Company, the biggest pureplay
adhesives company in the world, announced
today that it has acquired ND Industries Inc.,
a leading provider of specialty adhesives and
fastener locking and sealing solutions serving
customers in the automotive, electronics,
aerospace, and other industries.
The acquisition is expected to accelerate the
realization of H.B. Fuller’s top growth priorities,
consistent with the company’s strategy to
proactively drive capital allocation to the highest
margin, highest growth market segments within
the functional coatings, adhesives, sealants
and elastomer (CASE) industry. As part of the
acquisition, products under ND Industries’ Vibra-
Tite® brand will be added to H.B. Fuller’s existing
epoxy, cyanoacrylate, UV curable and anaerobic
product range.
“ND Industries has been a very profitable,
family-owned business for several decades and
has impressively built one of the most extensive
product portfolios in the pre-applied fastener
industry,” says President and CEO Celeste Mastin.
“Their products are a natural fit with our existing
market segments and bring new technology
to our portfolio — combining the benefits of
an adhesive and a mechanical fastener within
extremely demanding applications — resulting in
a powerful advantage for our customers.”
ND Industries specializes in formulating and
manufacturing a wide variety of materials applied
on fasteners and assemblies to aid in critical
functions such as locking, sealing, masking,
lubricating, and noise and vibration dampening.
The company also has a network of processing
centers providing in-house engineered coating
application services to help increase the safety
and reliability of fastener assemblies, and a
world-leading line of small pack technologies for
maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO). The
combination of innovative adhesives, custom
equipment, and pre-applied processing centers
expands H.B. Fuller’s already extensive adhesive
application expertise.
“With more than 55 years of excellence and a
strong customer base, ND Industries has been at
the forefront of technological advancements for
decades,” added Richard Wallace, chairman of
ND Industries Inc. “Both companies have worked
closely over the past several months to ensure a
smooth transition and share many of the same
values, including close customer collaboration and
innovating with speed.”
Headquartered outside Detroit, Michigan, ND
Industries serves a global market with facilities in
the United States and Asia, and pre-applied coating
partners around the world. The company generated
approximately $70 million in revenue in fiscal 2023.
The new business, which includes five U.S. locations
and 300 employees, will operate within H.B. Fuller’s
existing Engineering Adhesives global business unit.
Founded in 1887, H.B. Fuller is the largest
pureplay adhesives company in the world, with 2023
revenue of $3.5 billion, with more than 7,000 global
team members who collaborate with customers
across more than 30 market segments in over 140
countries.
For more information visit H.B. Fuller Company
online at www.hbfuller.com.

188
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SPIROL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COILED SPRING PINS AND SLOTTED SPRING PINS from page 172
There’s another factor which affects the service life of
Slotted Pins – slot orientation. Through testing, it has
been found that the service life of a Slotted Pin can
decrease by roughly 50% when the slot is oriented 90° to
the load (Figure 4).
The service life of a Coiled Pin, on the other hand, is
orientation independent.
Automatic Assembly
For highly automated environments, it is critical to
achieve consistent quality of installation and prevent line
stoppage. Due to the combination of unique features,
the Coiled Pin is best suited for highly automated
environments as its lack of slot, square ends, swaged
chamfers and consistent installation force facilitates
trouble-free installation and minimal down time. In
addition, the performance of a Coiled Spring Pin is not
affected by its orientation to the applied load.
FIGURE 6 - COILED SPRING PINS REMAIN FLEXIBLE AFTER
INSTALLATION, ABSORBING SHOCK AND VIBRATION, AND
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE ASSEMBLY
SPIROL INTERNATIONAL CORP.
LAURENCE CLAUS WHY FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD OFFER APPLICATION ENGINEERING from page 184
Every fastener is connecting or holding something
together. Sometimes the design or process which
makes that happen can be complicated and fraught with
challenges. Finding a solution that solves a quality, scrap,
or rework problem is hugely beneficial to a customer and
likely opens up an opportunity to sell a higher margin
fastener. When conducting a plant walk through, one
should train themselves to ask questions about problems
and look for clues to places where fasteners might be
causing quality or efficiency problems.
FIGURE 8: EXAMPLE OF A HIGH LEVEL COMPONENT, AN
AUTOMOTIVE CENTER CONSOLE HINGE, THAT STARTED BY LOOKING
AT JUST THE FASTENERS.
Wrap Up
The truly proactive distributor will embrace the idea
of value selling. To effectively support this, however,
they must have internal or external resources that can
provide application engineering and technical services for
their customers. Companies that really engage in such
activities benefit from an improved reputation and higher
margins. It simply makes good business sense!
LAURENCE CLAUS

FASTENER FAIR USA - HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 22-23, 2024

190
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
SOUTHWESTERN FASTENER ASSOCIATION
TEL 817-269-0436
PO Box 173994, Arlington, TX 76003
EMAIL info@southwesternfastener.org WEB www.southwestfastener.org
SFA CONFERENCE REPORT
by Becky Buddenbohn
Fort Worth hosted this year’s SFA conference in
a historic way! Members enjoyed the fresh air and
wide open spaces of the Iron Horse Golf Course before
meeting up at the Second Rodeo Brewing for the welcome
reception on a warm April evening! The Fort Worth stock
yards provided the perfect venue for our 50th anniversary
celebration! All of our guests enjoyed Cowtown and all the
boots, hats and cattle that go with it!
The conference included a presentation from Lonni
Kieffer of Smart Cert offering tips and tricks to for
embracing and preparing for change in the ever-changing
technology world. This proved to be a topic that all are
interested in and affected by. SFA is grateful to Lonni for
her willingness to share her expertise and experiences.
Jon Colby provided an interesting and active keynote
presentation that had the group out of our chairs, laughing
while learning how to improve our listening skills as well
as forcing most to think outside of the box! Remember…
there are no wrong answers!
To wrap up the conference, Joe T Garcia’s provided
the perfect setting with a great, big Tex-Mex meal, awards
and 50th anniversary cake to top it off!
Our anniversary year began in a great way and we are
looking forward to many opportunities to gather, share
information and celebrate our great members!
SFA Houston Happy Hour
May certainly has brought the spring showers to our
Houston membership. Luckily, we were able to spend
a warm and wonderful evening on the porch of Little
Woodrow’s Heights for a happy hour between the storms!
Thanks to all who attended! We’ll be back in Houston in
ASSOCIATION ARTICLE
September (see note below) and are hopeful that you’ll all
make plans to attend our future events!
Sleep In Heavenly Peace
Our April Bed Build for Sleep in Heavenly Peace
had to be cancelled due to spring storms. Now, we are
planning to meet at Advance Components in Carrollton on
Saturday, October 26 to complete this important project!
Please check our website for the volunteer and support
links! We are excited to make a real difference in the lives
of children who can only dream of sleeping in a real bed!
SFA/NFDA Happy Hour
We’ll be joining forces with the NFDA members in
town for their conference at Bar Louie in Las Colinas for a
happy hour that’s sure to be a great time! Craig McDaniel
and his band will be performing live at Bar Louie and the
SFA is happy to be hosting this gathering to bring fastener
friends (old and new) together again!
SFA Upcoming Events
August 6 Houston Astros @ Texas Rangers
Globe Life Field, Arlington 7pm
September 25-26 Houston Clay Shoot and
Distributor Appreciation Dinner
October 26 Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build
Advance Components, 9am-1pm
November 14 DFW Happy Hour & Canned Food Drive
December 12 Houston Happy Hour & Toy Drive
Please check our website at www.southwestfasterner.
org for updates on all our future events.
NATIONAL FASTENER DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 191

advertisers index
A
ACS MANUFACTURING, INC 117
Formed spring steel fasteners
Tel (888) NUTS-R-US
Email: info@acsmanufacturing.com
ALBANY STEEL & BRASS 55
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 113
Quality producers of washers and stampings
Tel (847) 566-9091
Email: sales@washerwerks.com
ALLOY & STAINLESS FASTENERS 45
Special metal fasteners in over 150 material
grades, over 25 coatings and platings
using over 300 machines with a 10,000
ton inventory and Emergency 24-7 On Call
Service.
Tel (713) 466-3031
Email: info@GoASF.com
ALPHA-GRAINGER MFG. CO. 25
Electronic hardware, captive screws,
shoulder screws, spacers & standoffs
Tel (508) 520-4005
www.agmi.com
ALUMINUM FASTENER SUPPLY 86, 87
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 77
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
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
AVANTE IMPORTS, INC. 111
Full-service fastener importer dedicated to
delivering quality products and exceptional
service to our valued customers. Offering
standards and specials in a wide variety of
sizes, materials and finishes.
Tel (847) 767-6140
Email: sales@avanteimports.com
B
BARBAROTTO INT’L MACHINERY 37
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
BAR STOCK SPECIALTIES 187
Metal bar processing; drawing, peeling,
grinding and cutting. Long length stainless
bar to 60ft.
Tel (713) 849-0055
Email: info@GoBarStock.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
BRADLEY COATINGS 173
Our proprietary applications of thread lockers,
sealants and nylon patches are renowned
for their effectiveness and reliability. We use
brand names you can trust including Loctite
Driloc and 3M Scotch-Grip, Precote, all applied
in our quality assured processes.
Tel (800) 201-7381
Email: coatingpros@bradleygoc.com
BRIGHTON-BEST INTERNATIONAL
OUTSIDE BACK COVER
Socket & square head set screws, hex keys,
L-Nine products, Grade 8 hex head, shoulder
bolts, pipe plugs, dowel springs, nuts & metrics,
hand tools and a full line of stainless products.
Tel (800) 275-0050
www.brightonbest.com
BRIKKSEN STAINLESS 21
Full line of stainless-steel inch and metric.
Tel (800) 962-1614
Email: sales@brikksen.com
BTM MANUFACTURING 67
Leading manufacturer of bent and threaded
products. U-bolts, J-bolts, studs, anchor
bolts, spade bolts, eye bolts and bent/
threaded product to custom specifications.
Tel (800) 369-2658
Email: sales@btm-mfg.com
BRYNOLF MANUFACTURING INC. 91
Manufacturer of cold-headed fasteners, rivets,
drill screws and bolts. Your source for quality
American Made Cold Headed Fasteners.
Tel (877) 237-4554
Email: info@brynolfmanufacturing.com
C
CABLE TIES UNLIMITED 59
One-Stop-Shop for cable ties, accessories and
wire management products, including Thomas
& Betts, Panduit and Hellermann Tyton.
Tel (330) 558-0600
Email: info@cabletiesunlimited.com
CAPITAL MARKETING 147
Sales, marketing, and consulting from a premier
agency. Capital Marketing is headed by Robbie
Gilchrist, a 48-year veteran of the fastener industry.
Tel (336) 906-9401
Email: rgilchr485@aol.com

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C
CARVER ENGINEERING 191
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
CAVALIER INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTIES 65
Manufacturers machined parts per drawing,
quality detailed fasteners, and custom
manufactured studs. We support customers’
requirements with CNC machining, upset
forging and thread rolling.
Tel (713) 983-0055
Email: sales@GoCAV.com
THE CENTER FOR FINANCIAL,
LEGAL & TAX PLANNING, INC. 191
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. 77
Mfrs of Wire Rope and Chain Fittings, Industrial
and Marine Hardware and Allied Products
Tel (847) 455-6609
Email: info@chicagohardware.com
COMPONENT PACKAGING 97
Kitting, hand packaging, and assembly. We are
passionate about packaging - it’s what we do!
Tel (417) 624-9395
Email: nickm@componentpackaging.com
COMPUTER INSIGHTS 19
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
CRESCENT MANUFACTURING 83
Over 60 years of manufacturing expertise in
the field of miniature screws and miniature
fasteners, Crescent offers distributors an
established source for Aerospace, Military,
Commercial, and Special Engineered needs.
Tel (860) 673-5983
Email: sales@crescentmanufacturing.com
D
DARLING BOLT 193
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 199
Tel (800) 356-1639
Email: tracey@linkmagazine.com
E
E & T FASTENERS, INC 151
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.
FRONT COVER, 2, 16
The Distributor’s Source supplying high
quality rivets for 60 years!
Tel (203) 879-2529
Email: CustomerService@edsonmfg.com
ELECTRONIC HARDWARE
CORPORATION 165
Your premier manufacturer of clamp knobs,
handles, ratchet handles, and custom
assemblies. Largest selection of control
products and industrial hardware.
Tel (631) 752-1950
Email: sales@echknobs.com
EXPEDITE TESTING SERVICE 149
Fast and efficient testing solutions.
Delivering excellence, on-time.
Tel (619) 736-7872
www.expeditetest.com
E-Z LOK 51
Your single-source supplier of threaded
inserts used in metal, plastic, wood, and
additive products.
Tel: (800) 234-5613
www.ezlok.com
F
FALL RIVER MFG CO., INC. 27
Mfrs of Stainless steel & non-ferrous fasteners
Tel (800) 275-6991
Email: sales@fallrivermfg.com
FASCOMP ELECTRONIC HARDWARE 9
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. 127
Coiled and Slotted spring pins, dowel pins,
cotter pins, taper pins, grooved & special pins
Tel (845) 369-7990
Email: fastar@optonline.net
FASTENER WEBSITE LINKS 142
FCH SOURCING NETWORK 147
(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 105
‘One-stop’ for grease fittings and
accessories. Couplers and hose whips,
grease fitting caps, grease guns, custom
designed fittings, assortments, private
labeling, custom kitting.
Tel (800) 360-1318
Email: sales@gfdsystems.com
GLOBALFASTENERNEWS.COM 152
GOEBEL FASTENERS, INC. 7
Innovative fastener solutions: blind rivets, selftapping/drilling
screws, toggles, strapping, wing
seals, tools & safety and insulation accessories.
Tel (713) 393-7007
Email: sales@goebelfasteners.com

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G
GRAPHIKA CREATIVE 175
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. 121
Fastener inspection equipment, innovative
gage design, and dimensional calibration.
Tel (817) 870-8888
Email: sales@greensladeandcompany.com
GROOV-PIN CORPORATION 99
Leading manufacturer of solid Grooved Pins,
Tap-Lok Threaded Inserts, Speedserts, and
custom turned components.
Tel (973) 628-0002
Email: info@groov-pin.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 185
USA Hanger bolts, studs, dowel screws, pins.
Tel (800) 537-7925
Email: sales@hangerbolt.com
HANSON RIVET & SUPPLY CO. 121
Rivets, threaded inserts, riveting tools,
riveting machines, washers
Tel (800) 777-4838
HILLSDALE TERMINAL 169
U.S. manufacturer of solderless crimp
terminals and also carry a line of wiring
accessories. Our manufacturing capabilities
include a full line of crimp terminals, noninsulated,
brazed seam, vinyl, nylon, heat
shrink and instant tap connectors.
Tel (800) 447-3150
sales@hillsdaleterminal.com
HUYETT 69
Manufacturer and Master Distributor of
Industrial Fasteners and Lifting Hardware.
Tel (785) 392-3017
Email: sales@huyett.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
IDEAL SUPPLY, INC. 53
One of the largest Monel® fastener
inventories in the world to meet your
customer’s military & commercial
requirements to ASTM/MIL-SPEC.
Tel (847) 961-5900
Email: idealsupply@idealsupplyonline.net
INDUSTRIAL RIVET & FASTENER CO. 79
One name, one number, one source for
rivets and RivetKing® FreeSet Series.
Tel (800) BUY-RIVET
Email: info@rivet.com
INTEGRATED PACKAGING 67
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
INTERNATIONAL FASTENER EXPO 99
September 9-11, 2024 – Las Vegas, NV. 500+
Exhibitors at the Largest B2B Expo for Fasteners,
Tooling & Machinery in North America.
www.fastenershows.com
INTERNATIONAL FASTENERS, INC. 161
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 103
Full-featured, easy-to-use ERP distribution
software designed and optimized for the
Fastener Industry.
Tel (877) 446-9775
Email: sales@inxsql.com
IOVISTA 73
B2B commerce features to fit your needs.
Customer portal, quote negotiation, inventory
management, custom catalog and pricing, net 30,
60, 90 days or custom payment options. Connect
all of your data sources and easily integrate them
into back end systems. Contact us today!
Tel (214) 699-4391
Email: solutions@iovista.com
ISC – INTERCONTINENTAL SALES 109
Fastener and Building Related Products. Same
day shipping, free private labeling, no minimums
Tel (800) 741-4278
Email: info@isc-sales.com
J
J. LANFRANCO FASTENER
SYSTEMS, USA 161
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 38, 39
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

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K
KINTER 119
X-mas tree clips, binder posts and screws, binder
rings, steel barrel bolts and screws, wall anchors.
Tel (800) 323-2389
Email: sales@kinter.com
L
THE LAB MATERIALS TESTING 107
Quick 96-hour-turnaround on testing orders.
Mechanical, metallographic, chemical, and
non-destructive testing.
Tel: (909) 944-2777
www.TheLabMT.com
LELAND INDUSTRIES INC 177
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 155
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 33
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 169
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 COMPONENTS 75
Precision machined and cold-headed fasteners
delivered fast. Widest variety of fasteners
available in any quantity, with solutions ranging
from design optimization to production.
www.mwcomponents.com
MW INDUSTRIES, INC – TEXAS 101
Washers, special fasteners, and metal stamping
for over 45 years. ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Tel (800) 875-3510
Email: sales@mwindustries.com
N
NEWCO PRODUCTS 113
JIS indented hex flange bolts, 7603 metric
sealing washers, JCIS micro screws, pan & flat
head phil and more. Over 35 years in business.
Tel (818) 341-9216
Email: info@newcoproducts.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
NOVA FASTENERS CO. INC. 141
Anchors, screws, nuts, washers, rivets, pins,
inserts, rods. Serving industry since 1948.
Tel (800) 645-1234
Email: info@nova-anchor.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
THE PHILLIPS SCREW COMPANY 76
2x Award Winning Technology: BIT-LOK -
Requires Zero Force to Install Screw!
Email: cgallant@phillips-screw.com
www.phillips-screw.com
PIVOT POINT 129
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
PROSPECT FASTENER 155
Master distributor for Rotor Clip, Driv-Lok,
KMC Stampings, SPIROL, Davies Molding
and Kerr-Lakeside. Our products are made
by American manufacturers.
Tel (800) 822-6080
Email: sales@prospectfastener.com
R
RHS STAINLESS 179
Stocking a full range of domestic/DFARS
stainless pitch diameters and standard
diameters. Non-standard and custom
lengths are also available. Supplying
nationwide.
Tel (610) 997-7604
Email: sales@rhsstainless.com
W.J. ROBERTS CO. 61
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
ROTOR CLIP 31
The only manufacturer of every style of
Retaining Ring (tapered section, constant
section, spiral rings). Wave Springs and
Self-Compensating Hose Clamps. We offer
a full line of inch, metric, DIN, ANSI and
JIS parts. Also support assembly through
installation tooling, including applicators,
pliers, dispensers, and automated assembly
equipment available.
Tel (732) 469-7333
Email: info@rotorclip.com
R2 PRECISION MACHINING 107
Industries served: defense, aerospace,
energy, waterworks and infrastructure.
Machined parts to print, milling, turning,
prototypes. Hot forging, grinding, heat treat
and roll threading.
Tel: (844) 940-9000
www.R2Precision.com

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R
R&D FASTENERS 90
Hot forging standards and specials.
Tel: (800) 884-8712
www.rdfast.com
R&R ENGINEERING CO. 49
Largest U.S. Manufacturer of U-Bolts, Bent
Bolts, and Threaded Products.
Tel (800) 979-1921
Email: sales@randrengineering.com
S
SEMS AND SPECIALS 131
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 90
The original instant thumbscrews. The
ultimate socket head cap screw accessory.
Over 5000 combinations. Inch and Metric.
Tel (800) 775-5668
Email: sales@shear-loc.com
SPIROL 71, 135
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. 47
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
STELFAST® INC. 29
Our socket products are trusted by industry
professionals around the world. We carry
complete line of Socket Shoulder Screws,
Socket Set Screws and Socket Cap Screws.
Tel (800) 729-9779
www.stelfast.com
SUBSCRIPTION FORM 107
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
SUNCOR STAINLESS 139
Manufacturer of stainless steel hardware
and components in the industrial, marine,
architectural, commercial, government and
OEM markets. Suncor’s product line is one
of the world’s most complete and highest
quality sources for stainless steel chain,
hardware and custom parts.
Tel (800) 394-2222
Email: sales@suncorstainless.com
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. 181
Leader in Security Screws since 1974.
Tel (562) 531-9340
Email: sales@tamperpruf.net
TORTOISE FASTENER CO. 117
Slow moving hex heads. Stainless, brass,
silicon bronze, aluminum, nickel-copper and
alloy 20 hex.
Tel (800) 691-8894
TUTTLE MANUFACTURING 195
Anchors, bent bolt specials, spade bolts,
acme threaded bars.
Tel (847) 381-7713
Email: tuttlemfg@gmail.com
U
UC COMPONENTS 139
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 179
Lubrication equipment, grease fittings and
accessories line. Made in Germany for over 80
years. OEM quality and ISO 9001 certified.
Tel (704) 966-0724
Email: usa@umeta.com
UNICORP 137
Manufacturer of electronic hardware,
fasteners and handles since 1971.
Tel (973) 674-1700
Email: sales@unicorpinc.com
V
VIRGINIA FASTENERS 159
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 93
Your source for Standard and Specialized
Wire Fasteners. Cotter Pins, Hitch Pins,
S-Hooks, V-Hooks, Spring Pins, Safety
Pins, D-Rings, Key Rings, King Clips, and
Perforated Hanger Bar.
Tel (800) 325-3770
Email: sales@westernwire.com
WILLIE WASHER MFG. 197
Domestic manufacturer of fender, spring,
tab and flat washers,
Tel (847) 956-1344
Email: sales@williewasher.com
X
XL SCREW CORPORATION 37
Importer of standard fasteners - hex cap screws,
bolts, nuts, locknuts, sheet metal screws, selfdrilling
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