Fastener Training Institute (FTI), the leading source for ongoing fastener education, is planning its next Fastener Training Week in Cleveland, OH, April 8-12. The training will be held at Brighton-Best International. 

“We are excited to welcome our next class of Fastener Training Week students,” shared Jo Morris, Marketing Director for Fastener Training Institute. “Knowledge builds confidence and leads to a safer industry. FTI is committed to providing continuous opportunities for all levels of fastener education,” she added. 

The Gilchrist Foundation scholarship application is available at: http://www.gilchristfoundation.com

Robbie and Gina Gilchrist established the Gilchrist Foundation Fastener Scholarship in 2000. Their goal was to return something to an industry that was very good and supportive to them.

PennEngineering^® announced today the acquisition of Sherex^® Fastening Solutions, a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and installation of blind rivet nut and associated fastening solutions.

Headquartered in Buffalo, New York, Sherex is the premier technical provider of blind rivet nuts, with strong application expertise, and production capabilities worldwide.  Sherex has achieved an impressive growth trajectory and continues to grow through technical solutions selling, providing best total installed cost solutions along with industry leading rivet nut capabilities.

SPIROL International Holding Corporation Board of Directors announces the unanimous decision to appoint Jeffrey F. Koehl as Chairman of SPIROL International Holding Corporation.  Jeff joined the company in 1997, and has been serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SPIROL International Corporation since his appointment in 2010. 

Jeff succeeds his father, Hans H. Koehl, who passed away on November 30, 2023.  Serving as Chairman of SPIROL International Holding Corporation since his appointment in 1969, Hans retired from active management of the company in 2004 after 45 of dedicated service.  Hans’ vision, dedication, and passion led to the transformation of SPIROL from being a small, family-owned business in Northeast Connecticut into a world-renowned manufacturing company with locations on 4 continents and in 13 countries.  It is impossible to put into words the unparralled contributions that Hans made to SPIROL over the last 64 years – most importantly the education, coaching and mentoring of his son, Jeff, in preparation for him to be his successor.

DECEMBER 19, 1934 – NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Hans passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife Christina, son Jeff, and close friend Russ on November 30, 2023.  Born in Stolberg, Germany to the late Herman Koehl and Maria Altdorf Koehl, Hans immigrated with his mother, father and two sisters, Gerda and Emmy, to the United States in 1948 and settled in Woodstock, CT.

Shortly after starting school in the US, Hans quickly mastered the English language and skipped ahead two grades within his first year at The Woodstock Academy.  After graduating from Killingly High School in Dayville, CT, Hans went on to earn his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in 1956, and his Juris Doctorate from Stanford University in 1958.  While at WPI, Hans was a member of the men’s soccer team, and he participated in Masque (student led dramatic theater organization), the Peddler (yearbook for the graduating class) and the Debating Club.  He was also a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity where he served as President his senior year. 

Eurolink FSS is pleased to announce the addition of two new manufacturer sales representative firms to our already amazing nationwide sales force. Beginning January 1, 2024, these strategic partnerships will significantly enhance our presence in the West, Southwest, and Rocky Mountain states, and help us to improve service for our valued clients in these regions.

With a commitment to excellence and a proven track record in driving sales growth, Budd Sales (Tom Buddenbaum) and Desert Distribution (John Wachman, Jo Morris, & David Palmquist) bring a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to our expanding network. Their dedication to customer satisfaction aligns seamlessly with our core values, and we are confident that these partnerships will contribute to mutually beneficial relationships. We look forward to the increased opportunities and collaboration that these partnerships will bring, ultimately delivering unparalleled service and support to our customers in their represented states.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Fastener Training Institute (FTI) announces it will offer Fastener Training Week in Southern California, December 4-8. It comes on the heels of a sold-out session, so advance registration is encouraged.

“We had an incredible full class in Chicago last month and are eager to be on the west coast for an equally successful training week,” shared Jo Morris, FTI marketing director. “It’s wonderful to support students on the path to acquiring advanced knowledge, skills and confidence,” she added.

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) announces upcoming Fastener Basics classes in three separate locations in Colorado and California.

September 22: Denver, CO
September 27: Los Angeles, CA
November 16: Union City, CA

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

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

By Nancy Friedman, Founder, Chairman, Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training

All clients are important. No matter what industry they are. You’re serving them – they’re important. Whether they’re with large companies or small business folks, they deserve, need, and want GREAT customer service.

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

They are as follows and their sponsoring companies:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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