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TS:  Deanna Ellis, your title is “Plant Manager of Elgin Fastener’s Telefast Division”.  To my knowledge, in the fastener industry there are not a lot of female plant managers.  But, you paid your dues and worked your way up to that position and have held this position for many years.  But first, let’s travel back in time a bit.  How did you first get into the fastener industry?

Deanna:  When I started at Telefast, Jeff Ferry was the owner.  I was introduced to Jeff Ferry by his brother.  Over the next couple of years, I moved into different roles, HR, AP/AR and the assistant to Jeff Ferry.  After Jeff Ferry passed away his wife Kathleen Ferry took over formally running the company and I slowly moved more into the operations side of the business.  Under Kathleen I learned about the company from the financial side and the operations side.  I eventually started scheduling the production floor and just being more involved in the operation.  Kathleen was a great mentor and she showed me every aspect of the business from the P&L to how to build, manage and lead a team.

TS:  How did you transition into the manufacturing side of the business?

Deanna:  Kathleen was the owner at this time and asked if I would be interested in learning other parts of the business.  I think Kathleen noticed that I have a knack for setting up systems and processes and felt it would be a good fit.  I was always willing to help or learn something new, so I moved into purchasing the tooling and eventually moved into scheduling when the opportunity came up.  As I started scheduling the primary machines, I eventually took over scheduling the secondary machines and scheduling what needed to be done in our toolroom.  Once I started spending more time out on the production floor I was hooked.  I really enjoyed working with the operators as a team to get the product out the door.

TS:  Today, you run a plant that manufactures nuts.  But previously, bolts were also produced at Telefast.  What different types of fastener products have been produced at factories where you were the Plant Manager?

Deanna:  In the 30 years I have been in the fastener industry, I have always worked only at Telefast but in past years we produced nuts, standard hex head cap screws on our bolt makers and specialty bolts on our #89 & #56 Nationals.

TS:  Have you personally run parts in your production facilities?

Deanna:  Yes, I have run tappers and helped run the CNC machines that we use to make our tooling.

TS:  Telefast is a division of the Elgin Fastener Group.  Tell us a little bit more about Elgin.

Deanna:  Sure, happy to do that.  Elgin is made up of seven manufacturing plants.  Three of those plants specialize in small screws (Holbrook, Rockford and Leland Powell), another one does bent wire products (Northern Wire)  , another concentrates on larger diameter cold formed bolts (Quality Bolt).  Ohio Rod is another unique operation as they make cold formed bolts but they can produce parts up to 84 inches long.   And then of course there is Telefast which only makes nuts.  We also have a few facilities that can do plating but for the most part those plants are plating our own parts.

TS:  Is everything you make special order or do you stock some items?

Deanna:  Of the Elgin factories, Telefast is the only plant that does stock some off the shelf items and those would be domestically produced hex nuts, but a lot of what we do are made-to-print special parts.  There are very few manufacturers of domestic nuts these days in the fastener industry.

TS:  Great, thanks for that info.  Lets switch back to your career in the fastener industry for a moment.  Have there been specific challenges you feel you have faced being a woman in what has been traditionally a male dominated role?

Deanna:  I think earning the respect of the operators was difficult.

TS:  How were you able to overcome that?

Deanna:  By working with them.  By helping them with whatever they needed to get done.  Like helping get something fixed or ordering tooling or helping solve whatever issue comes up and listening to their issues.  With each small step you build more credibility.

TS:  What challenges have you seen in manufacturing over the last few years?  What are some of the biggest challenges in manufacturing today?

Deanna:  Finding skilled workers has been the biggest challenge over the past few years and will be for the future.  With the younger generations focused on going to college we have seen a drop in candidates who want to work not just in manufacturing facilities but also skilled labor positions.

TS:  So, you’ve worked hard and been able to establish yourself in the fastener manufacturing world.  What about your time away from work?

Deanna:  I am lucky there.  I have been married for almost 30 years to my wonderful husband Mike.  I have raised three great kids (two boys and a girl) and all have graduated from college.  And we are excited because one of my sons is getting married in July, 2024.  So, I am fortunate to have found that nice balance between work life and home life.

Note from TS:  I have a regular column in Fastener Technology International (FTI) magazine called 10 Minutes with the Traveling Salesman, which can be read online at www.fastenertech.com  Subscriptions to FTI, print and digital editions, are free-of-charge for fastener manufacturers, distributors and users as ell as suppliers to the industry.

TS:  I remember a few years ago you came to a fastener show and set up your guitar in the G.L. Huyett booth.  Now, I am pretty sure that playing at the Country Music Hall of Fame will pale in comparison to playing inside a fastener trade show, but at least you will still be surrounded by fastener people when you play.

Have you ever had the chance to play Country music hall of fame before?

Tommy:   I am so excited and honored to play at the Country Music Hall of Fame. I have never played there and it is definitely on my Music Bucket List. As Nashville continues to grow and change, I feel that the CMHF still upholds the culture and tradition of Nashville and what it means to be a great songwriter and artist.

TS:   You have had a good deal of success so far breaking into the industry.  I know you were nominated for New Artist of the Year at the Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards in 2022.  Let’s briefly go back to the beginning.  When did you start playing and singing and when did you realize you might want to pursue a career in music?

Tommy:  Growing up I always loved singing. I would write parody songs in Elementary school and it was always something I was interested in. My parents always loved music and I was exposed to a lot of different genres throughout the years. In high school, a few of my best friends could play guitar. My friend Ryan Baker signed me up for the School Talent show without telling me. We did really well there and then we decided to start a high school band. We played our Prom and other local events. In college I played every bar I could get into and eventually I went to Nashville and recorded my first two EPs.

TS:  Of course, many of us in the industry know your dad, Tim O’Keeffe, owner of G.L. Huyett.  When you were young did your dad make you pack boxes, sweep floors or separate pins or any fun jobs like that?

Tommy:  I grew up in Hastings, Nebraska which was about 2 hours from Huyett.  My parents grew up in Hastings and wanted us to grow up in their hometown so most of my early work experience included working nine seasons for “S & J Detasseling,” which is an agricultural company that works with companies like Pioneer for seed corn.   I eventually became a supervisor through the company leading up to my final summer in college.  Then, the summer between my Junior and Senior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I got an internship with a retail clothing store in Nashville and I moved there for three months.  I wanted to get to Nashville to get more familiar with the music scene and then I eventually moved there permanently once I graduated in 2018.

So, my first summer in Nashville I worked at The Buckle as a Sales Management Intern. My first full year in Nashville was at Enterprise Rent a Car as a Management Trainee. I’ve spent the last 4 years working as a Server/Bartender at a restaurant called NashHouse. That is where my singing kitchen videos are made that you can find on YouTube. We actually have six viral videos in the kitchen including one video with 5.5 million views on Tik Tok.

Ironically, the first time I worked in a warehouse was in 2020 when the restaurant was shut down during the pandemic.  I worked for Fed Ex as a “Package Handler” for 6 months during the heart of the pandemic.

TS:  What did you do when you first arrived in Nashville with the goal of breaking into the music scene?

Tommy:   During my internship summer in 2017, my main focus was Networking. I got to meet a lot of great songwriters and artists. It provided me with a crucial foundation for 2018. As I mentioned, I permanently moved to Nashville in May of 2018 after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I think my first year in Nashville was just about figuring it out and finding my sound. I wrote about 150 songs in my first two years in Nashville and just tried to figure out who I wanted to be as a songwriter and artist. You have to just throw everything at the wall and see what sticks when you first get to town.

TS:  How is it networking in Nashville?  There are a lot of artists in Nashville with a similar vision of breaking into the industry.  Do you try to play out as much as possible?  Do other artists collaborate with you?

Tommy:  A big part of networking in Nashville is something called a “writer’s round.” This is an artist/songwriter showcase that usually occurs on the weeknights in Midtown. Songwriters will play only original music onstage and the audience is mostly other songwriters looking to meet people and hear each other’s music. My 2nd year in Nashville, I got to Host my own Showcase called “Nashville Southerners” through a friend I met through networking. That showcase ended during the pandemic. I recently started my own Showcase called “Friday Night Cowboys” which features live, Full-band sets for each artist. It’s a great way for me to network and get my name into the industry, while also allowing the artists to showcase their music.

TS:  You do a lot of your own writing but I believe you also work with other writers to come up with material.  How does all that work?

Tommy:   I do co-write nearly all of my songs with other songwriters in Nashville. Co-writing is a major part of the songwriting process in Nashville and a great way to network. I spent my first 2-3 years in Nashville almost, “speed dating,” for co-writers. Once you find the writers that you connect with, you can start to build your crew of writers or, “camp.”

TS:  Who are some of your influences?

Tommy:  Kenny Chesney would definitely be my biggest influence because he is the one that got me into country music. My parents raised me on Classic Rock. My first exposure to Country music was actually through my Grandma. She showed me older acts like Johnny Horton and Neil Young when I was in Pre-school. In High school, my friends got me into Kenny Chesney and Eric Church. I always related to Kenny’s lifestyle of living in the moment and taking risks.  Bruce Springsteen is another artist that influenced my life in a big way. I respect his desire to be the best artist that he can be and his emphasis on making the most of your time.

TS:   Let’s jump right in and talk about the big topic at hand. Nashville!  Fastener Fair USA 2023 will be held in Nashville. What feedback are you getting so far from the fastener industry?

Bob:  It was our exhibitors who first told us they wanted to go to Nashville. And the response has been very positive since we first announced that the 2023 show would be held at the Music City Center right in downtown Nashville. The show is shaping up to be about double the size of the 2022 event with many exhibitors taking larger booths than ever before.

TS: Tell us what the schedule looks like for that week in Nashville. 

Bob:  The schedule if very full starting on May 15^th, the day before the show opens. On that day the Fastener Training Institute is offering their Fastener 101 educational program. This has become a fixture at Fastener Fair and is a great introduction and overview to the fastener Industry. On Monday night the NCFA invites everyone to join them for a casual get-together at one of the honkytonks on lower Broadway just two blocks from the convention center. The show will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday the 16^th and 17^th. On Tuesday Night we are very excited about our Networking Party at the Country Music Hall of Fame across the street from the Convention Center.  Drinks, food, live band and a tour of the museum is included at this event. There will also be a few surprises during the show on the show floor.

TS:  What new things should we be looking for?  Things that you’ve added for this year’s show.

Bob:  For the first time this year we have a golf tournament run by the MWFA and the NCFA also on Tuesday.  It will be held at the Hermitage Golf Course/President’s Reserve. The President’s Reserve has been recognized by Golf Digest Magazine as one of the TOP 10 in TENNESSEE. On the show floor we will have a new Innovation Zone where exhibitors may submit their new or unique products in a special area.  We will also have some

TS:  Let’s talk a little about some of the previous Fastener Fair shows. Covid forced you to cancel the show that was scheduled for Charlotte. So, we have been to the show twice in Cleveland and twice in Detroit. What kind of feedback did you get for those shows and those locations? 

Bob:  Everyone loves Cleveland. That’s where we started Fastener Fair USA and the reception has always been great there. We plan on returning to Cleveland in 2024 and we will be back in Nashville in 2025. At some point in time we will return to Detroit. The automotive companies send many more engineers when we are in Detroit which many exhibitors really like. Did you know that 46% of our attendees do not attend any other Fastener tradeshows except Fastener Fair USA.  We did have to cancel Charlotte a couple years ago because of Covid, and we even canceled Stuttgart in 2021 during the pandemic.  But almost everything is back on track for 2023.

TS:  You are part of Relex and Fastener Fair shows are held worldwide. How are other shows going?  How has attendance been in other regions as the whole world has had different responses to Covid?

Bob:  Fastener Fair USA is part of a global series of shows dedicated to the fastener Industry. Fastener Fair Global is the international flagship event of the Fastener Fair series dedicated to fastener technology held in Stuttgart Germany. With 978 exhibitors taking 239,500 square feet of space Fastener fair Global attracts over 12,000 visitors. We also have Fastener Fair shows in Italy, India, Turkey and France being held in 2023

TS:  We know you because of the Fastener Fair show but you are actually part of a larger trade show industry. What do you hear about trade shows in general?  Do you get industry information regarding the health and viability of trade shows overall?  Are people eagerly returning to in person trade shows? 

Bob:  There was a lot of talk during the pandemic that with health concerns and the internet that trade shows were dead. Wow was that wrong! Trade shows are booming. Most of our shows are already at pre-pandemic level of size and attendance. Fastener Fair USA will be twice the size of our 2022 show. People have realized that meeting face to face in an important component of doing business even in the age of the internet. Going to a web page is no substitute for seeing, feeling and touching products and discussing attributes, quality and pricing. The same is true for our B to C shows like Comic Con New York which has done extremely well post pandemic.  

Note from TS:

I have a regular column in Fastener Technology International (FTI) magazine, called 10 Minutes with the Traveling Salesman, which can be read online at www.fastenertech.com. Subscriptions to FTI, print and digital editions, are free-of-charge for fastener manufacturers, distributors and users as well as suppliers to the industry.”  

TS:   You and your company have certainly been making a lot of news this year.  I have seen pictures on various news and social media sights that Volt Industrial is expanding and adding to your facility.  Would you like to fill people in on what is going on and how far along you are in the process?

Heidi:  Yes, 2022 has been a busy year for Volt, and busy in the best way possible. 2021 was our best sales year to date so far, so the demand coming in forced us to expand our facility. We are expanding our production, and warehouse space to give our customers the excellent service they have become accustomed to over the last 30 years. We are adding 36,000 square feet to bring our facility square footage over 100,000 square feet total. The expansion itself is complete, but now we have to build the inside of the addition with moving CNC to make room on the production floor for more molding machines, shelving for our warehouse space, and new offices for our customer service team. We could not be more excited about the expansion, and what this means for everyone at Volt moving forward. I know I am excited every time I pull into our parking lot, and I just cannot believe how big our building is now.  We will have a ribbon cutting ceremony sometime next year, and I will, of course, keep you posted.

TS:  It is great to see a domestic manufacturer of any type of fastener expanding its production capabilities.  That suggests to me that you see growth potential for the future.  What are you seeing out there?

Heidi:   I do feel the pandemic made people look to domestic manufacturers much more than they ever have, and I hope this will continue in the future.  We have total control making everything in house, so unless there is a force majeure God forbid, we meet or beat the lead times promised to our customers…did I impress you with my very limited French? As far as potential, I see a lot of potential for plastic fasteners and some new industries opening up for their use, or possibly new to us. Volt’s customer base is mostly distributors, so we are not usually privy to where our products are being used. I do know that the last few trade shows we have exhibited at, we had many more inquiries from companies that did not know about Volt, and some new uses for our products. I wish I had a crystal ball to make my sales forecast but guessing and instincts are going to have to work for now.

TS:  You and I have spoken about staffing at your facility.  Over the last few years I know a lot of companies have struggled to add additional employees.  How is that going for you at Volt?

Heidi:   The worst of our staffing issues were actually during, and right after the pandemic. Right now, it seems to be a little better, but it is still hard to find people that are really willing to work, or even show up consistently (New Hires). Our current staff is a great group of hard working people, and it really feels like a big family.  I am hoping as we grow, we are able to find the same caliber of employees that we have currently working at Volt.

TS:    On another exciting topic, I saw you in Las Vegas on stage as your father Joe was inducted onto the National Fastener Hall of Fame.  You accepted on his behalf and gave a very wonderful, heartfelt speech.  How excited was the Voltrauer family about that development?

Heidi:  This topic is very exciting for my Dad especially, and of course the entire family, along with our Volt Family.  He has been in the Fastener Industry for such a long time, so for him to be recognized and honored by being inducted into the Fastener Hall of Fame was definitely a career highlight for him.  I was so proud to accept the award for him, and share in his excitement for that moment.  I had to remind myself it was not mine..LOL  We are going to have a big celebration for him at Volt, and we are going to place the award in a beautiful case in our front entry.  He said everyone at Volt helped him get to where he is at, so he wants to share the award with all of us.

TS:  Now I have a few personal questions for you.  Let me know if you are comfortable answering these, but I’m going to ask them.  You have two sisters but you are the only child that joined your father in the fastener business.  I have met your family and everyone is very close.  But are there ever challenges that are presented to you as you are the one carrying on the family business?

Heidi:  I feel like we need to have a drink with this one Marty…LOL..  Well, as with any family there have been challenges along the way working for my family.  My parents have always been very fair with everything they have ever provided to all three of us, so with that said…my parents gave each of us a percentage of Volt, so we are all owners.  I am the only one that wanted to work at Volt starting in 1992, and my sisters had their own career paths that they have successfully navigated over the last 30 years.  Of course, Volt is a big part of all of our lives, and the benefits far outweigh the challenges it has presented over the years.  Anyone working in a family business knows exactly what I am talking about, but now I am running the company and my sisters are very supportive of me taking on that role.

TS:  I am sure working with your father all these years has been wonderful for you.  I know you are very close with him.  Are there any insights or commentary you have about being involved with a family run business that you would want to share?  

Heidi:  Again, working for a family has its challenges, and working for my Dad has been very rewarding along with a lot of challenges.  I do think those challenges go both ways, and I am sure he has had many head scratching moments with me…LOL  I have grown up a lot over the years to be where I am now 30 years later, so I need to give my Dad a big pat on the back and probably a hug for his patience… and he also had his not so patient moments of course…then we have family dinner like all is good…that is how you do it…leave work at work..  I have learned so much from my Dad over these last 30 years, and I am still learning and grateful he is still here to ask questions and give his experienced input toward Volt decisions. I would not trade a single day of working for my Dad, and now working with my Dad.  I still cannot believe it has been 30 years since I started working for Volt, and I am able to look back and actually see where we started to where we are now….just seems surreal.  Very proud of my Dad, and everything he has given to provide for his family…he has always said family is everything.  So, I would say any challenges can seem overwhelming in the moment, but in the end when you look back you realize how lucky you are and those challenges were meant to help you grow and have gratitude for time.

TS:  What’s next for Volt Industrial?  

Heidi:  Volt is growing, and the next phase is to grow some more…LOL…I know this is probably a boring answer, but this is the ultimate goal…growth.

TS:  You have been doing this for quite a while now.  What changes have you seen and what do you see changing in the future as your look into your crystal ball?

Heidi:  Well, technology has changed just a little bit…I didn’t even have a cell phone when I started in this industry….can you imagine??  I remember getting our first fax machine, and watching a fax coming in, and then faxing something out was so exciting..LOL  I would say throughout our industry technology has been such a big change….can you imagine a pandemic like Covid in let’s say 1997?  Communication is key to doing business in any industry, and with cell phones and zoom calls you can make business happen anywhere now. Also, trade shows have changed, in the fact that we have more of them, and some are on a smaller scale….in 1993 I went to my first trade show, and it was the only trade show..Columbus OH.  Everyone was at this one show…the only thing that has not changed is that we can still fill up a bar with fastener people…LOL Even with all of the new technology people still want to see people, so that is a big plus that has not changed. There are a few more women in the industry than when I started at Volt…just a few, meaning a lot more women.  Again, bringing up back in the day like an old person, but when I would go to a show in the very beginning I did not see many women at all, but now the industry has a nice balance.

TS:  What does Heidi enjoy doing when she is not running Volt Industrial and thinking about fasteners?

Heidi:  I love to look at houses on Zillow, and I get emails from Zillow to keep me hooked on looking Daily.  Watching the Real Housewives of any city (don’t judge me) It’s a great escape for me, and I know I am not alone out there in fastener land.  I do like to go for walks, and I like doing things outside, but not really the outdoorsy kind of person. I do love to cook..that is something my Mother was excellent at, so I like to cook some of the dishes she used to make, and also some of my own creations.  During the pandemic I pushed my cooking boundaries a little bit, so I have a lot of fun cooking for family and friends..entertaining in my home.  And of course, one of my very favorite things to do is spend time with my little love of my life…Sophia (my fur baby).  She turned 11 this year, and she goes with me anywhere they allow it.  

Heidi Volltrauer

Heidi with constant companion Sophia

Back in the day, working in the plant

The Family Volltrauer

Joe Volltrauer surrounded by his proud daughters

Note from TS:

I have a regular column in Fastener Technology International (FTI) magazine, called 10 Minutes with the Traveling Salesman, which can be read online at www.fastenertech.com. Subscriptions to FTI, print and digital editions, are free-of-charge for fastener manufacturers, distributors and users as well as suppliers to the industry.”

Back in 2014, the Fastener Industry Coalition (FIC) in cooperation with the Young Fastener Professionals, sponsored a program recognizing individuals from the fastener industry who were 30 years of age or younger.  The program was held for two years.  Below is a description of the program and a list of the 60 Young Fastener Professionals recognized through that program.

Recently, I sat in on a panel discussion held by the YFP that dealt with the topic of attracting and retaining young talent in our industry.  I would be curious to hear updates on any of those chosen to be recognized?  Still with the same company?  Still in the Fastener Industry.  Here is the info from 2014 & 2015:

The Fastener Industry Coalition (FIC) in cooperation with the newly formed  association, Young Fastener Professionals (YFP), sponsored an initiative to identify 30 individuals 30 years of age or younger who have made a significant impact within their companies and/or the fastener industry .  Termed 30 Under 30, this recognition program was open to any fastener industry professional 30 years old or younger.  Candidates were nominated by members of the fastener community, and a short essay was part of the selection process.

30 Under 30 Class of 2014 includes:

Josh Ballard, Sems & Specials

John Medcalf, Field Fastener

Julie Clarke, BHJ Bay City Screw & Bolt    

TJ Munson, International Fasteners

Shelby Cunningham, Hudson Fasteners, Inc.      

Mark Meyers, Komar Screw

Kristen Kessler, Solution Industries

Landon Nye, LISI Aerospace

Cory Facemire, NSK Industries

Melissa Patel, Field Fastener

Alexandra Giangrade, Nylok

Christopher Rider, Stelfast, Inc.

Andy Graham, National Threaded Fasteners

Aaron Shushan,       Specialty Sales Reps

Angelo Gramulgia, Jergens

John Sundstrom, Sems & Specials

Mark Hundley, Unytite, Inc.

Colin Tansey, Specialty Bolt

Allison James, Stelfast, Inc.

Andrew Urhausen, All American Systems

Christopher Jeznach, SPIROL

Jeffrey Von Fossen, Penn Engineering

Miguel Jones, Divspec (Edwards & West)

Bryan Wheeler,        Star Stainless Screw Co.

Jordan Lohrens, Trinity Logistics

Dustin Windsor, Solution Industries

Mathew Lomando, Bel-Metric

Adam Wong, Bisco Industries

Patricia Lomando, Bel-Metric

Caleb Zehnder, Trinity Logistics

Class of 2015 includes:

Allison Morse, Innovative Components, Inc.

Bobby Boulette, Perkins Machine Company

Candice Cedillo, Above Board Electronics, Inc.

Carl Lipski, Buckeye Fasteners Co.

Chris LiCausi, Field Fastener

Christoper Mader, OMG, Inc.

Daniel Devora, Bayou City Bolt

Gary Graham, National Threaded Fasteners, LTD.

Jason Ruetz, All Integrated Systems (AIS)

Jason Webster, North East Fastener Corp.

Jennifer Ruetz, All Integrated Systems (AIS)

Jewel Burks, Partpic, Inc.

Jorge Rosales, Brighton Best International

Joseph Pearce, SPIROL International Corporation

Kyle Hinckley, Cable Ties Unlimited

Kyle Miller, Bamal Fastener Corporation*

Luke Carlton, H.W. Eckhardt Corp

Mark Goodman, Industrial Rivet & Fastener

Marlon Gamez, Industrial Threaded Products, Inc.

Matt Angel, AFIXX Alliance

Michael Naidenovich, AFI Industries, Inc.*

Nathanial Durgin Jr., Yankee Industrial Supply

Rusty Flocken, Valley Forge & Bolt

Sandra Way, Hodell-Natco Industries, Inc.*

Sandy Salinas, Cube Global LLC

Spencer Sanford, Wurth Service Supply, Inc.

Taryn Goodman, Industrial Rivet & Fastener

Timothy Irwin, OMG, Inc.

Tosha Morgan, Martin Fastening Solutions*

Zach Barr, Field Fastener

TS:  So, to some part of the fastener industry, you are Salim Brahimi, instructor for the Fastener Training Institute (FTI).  That is possibly where a number of people have actually had an opportunity to meet you.  But, I did a little bit of research and see that you have a couple other jobs that occupy your time.

Let’s start with your current position as the Director of Engineering & Technology for the IFI – Industrial Fasteners Institute.  That’s not a bad sideline to have in addition to being an instructor for the FTI.  Oh yes, and while you are doing that you are also the Principal Engineer/President for the IBECA Technologies Corp where you have worked for nearly 20 years.  Then there’s the roll as an Adjunct Professor at the McGill Hydrogen Embrittlement Facility.  You maintain a position with ISO as the Chairman for the Standards Council of Canada Mirror Committee (Technical Committee on Fasteners), and you still have a role with ASTM International as a Committee Chairman.

I am beginning to think you do not sleep.

Salim:  Hi TS, first of all, thank you for the invitation to give this interview, and for the interest in my work. I am quite passionate about the fastener industry. The seemingly endless technical and commercial challenges the industry faces certainly keep me busy, but I feel that I am in a position to contribute and make a small difference, which is what motivates me.

TS:   Let’s start at the beginning.    How did you first get involved in the fastener industry? 

Salim:  The truth is it was dumb luck!  I was studying Metallurgical Engineering at McGill University in Montreal. As students, we were unbelievably fortunate to have a professor with many contacts in industry who made it his business to find summer internships for the students. We had a small department, and Prof. Williams was relentless, so he always succeeded in placing each student. In 1987, for my third summer internship, I was hired at Ivaco Rolling Mills in Ontario. This put me on the fastener path because the next summer I was hired at Galvano, the coatings & plating division of Infasco. The fact that Infasco and Ivaco are sister companies was key in terms of getting a good reference. Right after I graduated in 1989, I was offered a job at Galvano as process engineer. I was very fortunate that my boss was Joseph Bahadrian. He was my first professional mentor and remains a dear friend to this day. He impressed upon me the importance of learning everything related to my job. So, once I started at Galvano, I immersed myself in the coating processes (electroplating, galvanizing, phosphating, etc.). This is where I was first introduced to the topic of hydrogen embrittlement. After seven years at Galvano, I moved to Infasco, as metallurgical engineer, where I started the slow process of understanding how bolts and nuts are made, and how simple yet complex mechanical fasteners are.  Reading and trying to peel the layers to understand the specifications was a big part of this learning curve.

The moral of the story, I always tell my students: when starting out, take whatever comes your way with open arms. That your first job gets your foot in the door; where it goes from there depends on you.

TS:  Although you are mostly involved with the industry from the quality side, do you follow the industry and keep a pulse on the supplier base as well as the distributor base?

Salim:  Yes, certainly. As I mentioned, the first half of my career was in fastener manufacturing, so I am very connected with the supplier/ manufacturing side, and the distributor network in North America. Today, given my role with IFI, I have even more contacts with manufacturers, who comprise our members, albeit from a technical and engineering aspect, and the distributors who in many cases are our customers.

One of the things I love to do is teach. Fastener Training Institute classes are a great way to meet people from the industry, at all levels of operations, from sales, to quality, engineering and manufacturing. Since many of the students work at distributors, the FTI classes are a great way to connect and keep a pulse of the happenings in the distributor world.

TS:  What are the biggest challenges facing our industry in the upcoming years?

Salim:  Let’s put things in historical context. In the last 20 years, the North American Fastener industry faced a serious commercial challenge resulting from the globalization of the industry, and competition from overseas manufacturing of the lower end and commodity products. The industry has adapted to this reality. Manufacturers in North America are focused on higher value products and the distributors have found a balance between sourcing products from overseas and North American manufacturers. But the challenges of dealing with distant sources, on top of cultural differences remain problematic. Spurred in part by the geopolitical realty today, it seems there is a limited but successful “re-shoring” effort of some products back to North American manufacturers. But can we absorb a bigger re-shoring wave?  Going forward, the challenge of our industry is to maintain and advance our manufacturing know-how. This is a matter of personnel. In today’s digital world it is increasingly difficult to bring young people to see the opportunities in traditional manufacturing industries. So, our biggest challenge in the coming years is to attract talented young people to come into the industry. As a whole the industry should spare no effort to recruit and retain young people, by offering a good career path, training, and long term opportunities.

TS:   As someone involved in industry wide quality issues, what worries you the most?  Bridges?  Trucks?  Where do you see fastener standards not being adequate?

Salim:  I don’t think we have problems with fastener standards being inadequate. The challenge is for users to apply them effectively, and for that to happen, they must understand what the standards require. So, education is key, irrespective of the industry.

TS:  What quality issues do we still need to address, in your opinion?

Salim:  I am a bit biased on this subject, but we still have some road to travel in terms of getting everyone on the same page about understanding hydrogen embrittlement. We have made a lot of progress to align the most important standards over the last 25 years, but there is still work to be done. The main issue is to get everyone to understand where HE is a problem and where it is not a problem. Notably, baking is not required below 39 HRC. On the other hand, above 39 HRC, traditional baking practices were inadequate. Generalizing this understanding will make it easier for us all to determine “true root cause,” when a fastener failure does occur.

TS:  As I referred to in my introduction, you are heavily involved with the Fastener Training Institute.  What are you most proud of regarding your association with the FTI?

Salim:  I mentioned earlier, I see education as being key to the success of our industry. This is why I see education as my core mission, and in my roles as technical director of IFI and a teacher with both IFI and FTI, I can fulfill this mission one student and one class at a time. I love this side of my job, and I love seeing the eyes light up when students understand key concepts we are teaching. It is deeply rewarding and a very human experience at the same time.

TS:  Does the IFI or any manufacturing trade association have an idea how we will regulate additive manufacturing or 3D printed parts?

Salim:  This is an excellent question. Currently, parts manufactured by AM must still meet the same physical and mechanical properties as traditional forged parts. But it is unclear how well AM parts will perform in long-term service or aggressive environments. Once the AM techniques become more available for making fasteners in larger numbers, the current standards committees in ASTM, ASME, ISO etc. will need to attract subject matter experts to help write standards, similar in nature to our current standards, on fasteners made by AM.

Having said this, let’s keep in mind that AM will not be able to compete with the unit cost of large scale production in traditional cold/hot forging. But it will become a growing presence for low volume production parts.

TS:  Do you see new products or industries on the horizon that you think will change our industry?  One example might be the variety or parts used in Electronic Vehicles versus the parts used in gas operated vehicles.  Any other examples that you see that makes you think there are large changes on the horizon?

Salim:  Certainly, the quantity of fasteners used in EVs is smaller, and the mix of fasteners is a bit different. This is going to be a challenge for the automotive fastener manufacturers in terms of adjustment to new market conditions.

In terms of other changes, as we move away from carbon to renewables, the equipment, such as wind turbines, solar panels, hydrogen fuel infrastructure will each have specific fastener needs. I see this as an evolution of the mix of products that will be needed. In the end, the concept of building things by mechanically joining sub-components remains the same. The question is what will we build?

TS:  Tell us something about yourself that we would not know from just meeting you in the FTI classroom.

Salim:  My passion growing up and up to this day is soccer. It is a common language in sporting terms that is spoken all over the world. I played at the highest amateur levels, including at University, where I was a goalkeeper for McGill University. I spent much of the past 25 years coaching at various levels from national championship winning university teams (both women and men), to coaching girls and boys as young as 6 years old. I have had many accomplishments in sports and in soccer, but the memories I cherish the most include coaching my kids, and the gift that is the most enduring legacy of sport is the many lifelong friends and bonds I have forged with former teammates and players that I coached.

TS:  Patriot Bolt and Supply has certainly been active on social media sites this year.  It caught my attention enough to reach out and ask some more questions about what is going on at Patriot Bolt as well as Patriot Sealing Technologies.   And you are the President and owner of both Patriot operations, is that correct?

Kris:  Hello TS, and thank you for the opportunity to talk about our organization.  Patriot Bolt was started about 4 years ago with a few key partners including Jocelyn Midyett and Bryce Oliveira.  We have a large stake in Patriot Sealing and oversee the sales and operations in the US.  I have partners in the UAE that manage and oversee those two operations.  We all collaborate well together to ensure the success of the overall organization and capitalize on the synergies that we all create for each other.

TS:  What is your background?  Where did you work before Patriot Bolt?

Kris:  I have about 25 years’ experience in the gasket and fastener industry working for various major organizations and industry leaders.  Most of that time was spent in engineering, applications and research and development working with end users and distributors to solve problems and improve equipment reliability.  I have spent the last part of my professional career in a global commercial role managing major global supply agreements for products such as gaskets, hose and fasteners. I managed all aspects of P&L for branches and manufacturing facilities around the world in a variety of global markets including Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East.  These experiences have served me well and have resulted in so many great relationships with friends and colleagues around the world.

TS:  How did this experience parlay into your starting Patriot?

Kris:  I had spent my career in middle and executive management working for companies owned by public and private equity, holding groups and venture capital.  In my experience, these companies can be great at managing high volume commodity products, but their ability to participate in specialty markets with demanding service levels is limited.  Recognizing and acting upon this opportunity was the basis for the inception of Patriot Bolt.  There was plenty of room in the industry for a reliable, high service level, specialty fasteners and gaskets supplier/manufacturer in the energy sector.  Many of the companies that existed and flourished years ago, had been swallowed by these larger entities and the need in the industry was strong.  I think we have capitalized on that in the last few years.

TS:  Where did the name Patriot Bolt come from?

Kris:  Any worthwhile organization will have a mission to serve and give back to the community that supports and provides for it.  Even before the first order was processed, we chose to partner with select veteran organizations such as Wounded Warrior Foundation as a way to support those who defend our freedoms.  The patriotic theme resonates with so many in the oil and gas industry and serves as a reminder that our work positively affects so many lives.  In a world that increasingly relies on product and raw material that arrives on a container, we are focused on supporting American jobs and American raw material that arrives on a flatbed truck.

TS:  More specifically, what are your main product lines?  What is your niche in the marketplace?  And what markets do you target?

Kris:  We serve many markets but they all primarily relate to the oil and gas sector.  This is a service industry with high expectations and high demands.  It is not for everyone and only the most hungry tend to survive and prosper.  While we can and do provide any type of commodity fastener or gasket, we focus on specialty engineered components that require a high level of precision and also orders where fast responses and turnarounds are required to meet an immediate demand.  Even though there are countless fastener and gasket houses, this particular niche is an underserved market that we cater to.

TS:  Supply chain issues have been a real problem for companies this past year.  Have you experienced issues with getting materials or tooling?

Kris:  Like most manufacturers and distributors in our market, we have faced some challenges but they have not slowed us down to any great extent.  One of our great strengths is having a wide range of strong material suppliers and the versatility to modify finished goods or materials to meet customer demand.  The greatest supply chain problems during the last few years have been with companies that import heavily from overseas dealing with shipping bottlenecks and tarriffs.  This is another reason to support domestic suppliers and domestic manufacturers.

TS:  Your LinkedIn activity frequently focuses on your quality systems.  What would you like to share about the quality systems at Patriot Bolt?

Kris:  Like most companies, our quality system is an evolving process.  We achieved ISO9001 approval very early in our short history and have been audited by major end users and distributors with great reviews.  We have an excellent set of procedures and documentation that provide a consistent set of guidelines for our daily work.  Our internal culture is rooted in quality as many of our employees come from aerospace fastener backgrounds and have been surrounded by these concepts their entire career.  For a company of our age and size, we maintain a very sophisticated analytical equipment arsenal such as XRF equipment for positive material identification, calibrated hardness testers to ensure mechanical properties are met and a library of thread gauges and plugs to ensure any thread standard is adhered to.

TS:  You are located in Humble Texas but you also have a location for Patriot Sealing Technologies in Abu Dhabi. UAE.  It is not real often that I see fastener or sealing companies set up in UAE for their second location.  How did that come about?

Kris:  Our original UAE location is in Dubai and we just opened a second facility in Abu Dhabi next to many of the major users.  After a few years of growing Patriot Bolt, a friend and now partner in Dubai, Santosh Kumar asked about duplicating this success in another underserved market like the UAE.  In our short time in this market, we have seen excellent progress securing many large projects for gaskets and fasteners and growing an experienced team.  We are poised for great things in the years ahead in this market.

TS:  Yours is a fairly young company.  What are your plans for the upcoming years?  

Kris:  These last four years have been a whirlwind of success and challenges.  There is more opportunity to grow in our current market.  We are in the process of moving Patriot Bolt into a building that we purchased which is double the size of our current location.  We have equipment that we have not connected because of space constraints and have plans to add more capacity and capability in the coming years.  We also look to expand in other complimentary product lines and in other underserved markets where we can achieve the same levels of success.

TS:  What else should we know about you and about Patriot Bolt that I haven’t asked about yet?

Kris:  I cannot say enough good things about our team and the success we have had attracting great talent.  I am fortunate to be surrounded by one of the best teams in the industry with a great sense of urgency and customer satisfaction.  Most of us having come from a corporate world of private equity and holding groups who place emphasis on clawing back as much as they can from their employees, our focus is to take care of our employees.  Every team member is treated as a stakeholder and their input is valued.  We just started a highly matched 401K program and are constantly looking for ways to give back and take care of our employees.  They are truly the strength of our organization and this will continue to be the case as we grow and move forward.

TS: I do not know if there is a company making more news than AFC. In the last few months you have completed four acquisitions, and we are not talking about little mom & pop operations. The growth rate of AFC is impressive. What is going on with AFC??
Kevin: As you know, there are so many great companies in the industry. We have been fortunate that we were a good fit for several who were either looking for a partner to help them move their business forward or provide a stable transition plan where they knew their customers and employees would be treated well.
AFC has a good organic growth rate, but acquisitions remain an important part of our strategy. We continue to see consolidation of customers as well as competitors and if we can address strategic needs by acquiring businesses that have successfully developed target capabilities or markets then we think it makes sense to do that.
I guess that is a long-winded way of saying we are having fun and working hard to build a great company. Acquisitions just happen to be more visible than the other things we do.
TS: Is there an end game or goal? Does AFC have a specific dollar amount or some target you are trying to attain?
Kevin: I suppose that depends upon who you ask. We have several different stakeholders that each are looking for different things from the business. Part of my job is to balance all of that. There are certainly investment objectives and when those are met the investors will exit, but those are just one factor in what we do. We are confident that ultimately the investors will get their best returns if we do what is right for the business.
So no, we do not have a specific number we are trying to hit. Our goal is to continually focus on those things we believe will allow us to build the best business possible. If we do that then it will create value for investors and customers, opportunities for our employees and suppliers, and provide management with the flexibility to adjust as needed to changing needs in the business.
TS: And, in addition to the business acquisitions you have recruited several industry veterans and you are assembling a strong management team.
Kevin: I am glad you asked about that. The thing I am most proud of at AFC is our team. The first thing I did when I got here was recruit a team of experienced professionals who knew this industry and were excited about our vision. We have continued to add to that as we have grown.
The thing I probably think about, worry about, and focus on the most is the culture and capabilities of our management team. It is critical that we have experienced, smart, high-integrity, people running the business. Much of our success is because we have good strategic alignment without stifling bueracracy, and that is possible because our team understands the industry.
TS: One last AFC question. Although private equity is involved it seems like your companies are retaining and being run by “fastener people”. Is that the strategy?
Kevin: Our P.E. investors are excellent at what they do and what they do is very important to our success, but they are not operators, they are investors. It is our responsibility to run the business. If we are doing what we are supposed to do they shouldn’t need to be involved in running the operation.
TS: Now, I knew you before you became the CEO of AFC but for those readers who are not familiar can you share your fastener background? Where did is start and what have been the stops along the way to becoming the CEO of AFC?
Kevin: I began working at 13, so there were a lot of stops and I learned valuable lessons from each of them that I still use. Prior to joining the industry, I had various production, machining, and quality jobs eventually working my way up to materials and operations management. A couple of those stops included helping to manage large reorganization projects. I was recruited to General Fasteners Company to help with some restructuring projects they were considering. That was my introduction to the industry. I originally planned to be here about a year or two and that was 17 years ago!
I believe you and I first met when I was working with the purchasing group at GFC. Those initial projects were successful, and they asked me to stick around. I did and eventually became the president and CEO of the company. There are lots of great people at GFC and I really enjoyed my time there. You spoke earlier of industry veterans and at GFC I was able to work with several of them that broadened my perspective on value creation and the role distribution can play in the manufacturing supply chain.
I was at GFC until late 2015 when I left to take the position at AFC Industries.
TS: And, I think it is important to point out that you are the current President of the NFDA. You are making time to give back to that organization. What news do you have to share with us about what is going on with the NFDA?
Kevin: We are very excited about the future at NFDA. We have always offered several benefits such as access to data and benchmarking reports as well as discount programs and things like that, but the events and networking opportunities were a unique part of the value for NFDA members. Obviously, COVID made that more difficult, but the team worked really hard to develop content and provide networking opportunities that can be delivered virtually.
In a sense, the pandemic forced an acceleration of things we were already working on and we have had great feedback from those events like the roundtables and virtual meetings. That just opened our toolbox even further and we will continue to look for opportunities to provide those kinds of opportunities, but we also recognize that in-person meetings still offer unique value and so we are excited to resume onsite meetings this year. We have the ESPS meetings coming up in Minneapolis as well as the executive summit in Florida later in the year, etc. The more opportunities we have to facilitate interaction between industry leaders the more value we can provide.
Another thing that I am really excited about is our partnership with the Young Fastener Professionals (YFP) group. There are few, if any, issues more important than the recruitment, retention, and development of the talent our companies need to remain competitive in the coming years.
YFP is a group of bright energetic folks who are the future of our industry, and we want to use our platform at NFDA to help extend their engagement of talented people who are earlier in their career or new to the industry. I think we all benefit by expanding the role of the association from being a resource primarily for owners and executives to providing support for the next generation of leaders as well.
TS: Clearly, AFC is in acquisition mode but you are not alone. The fastener industry is seeing a lot of mergers and acquisitions both on the distribution side as well as the supplier side. I’d like to hear your thoughts about where the industry is heading.
Kevin: Barring some sort of major disruption, I think that is likely to continue for some time. Several factors are contributing to this being an attractive market for acquisitions.
As the largest manufacturers get more sophisticated, they are looking for suppliers that have the scale, technology, and geography to support them. The investments and purchasing power required to push their requirements down the supply chain are difficult for smaller businesses to make.
There is also a lot of pent-up capital waiting to be deployed in the investment markets, particularly for private equity. For several reasons the businesses in this space are increasingly attractive to private equity investors as they are looking to put that money to work. This pushes up valuations in the market for other buyers as well and makes selling a business attractive to a broader number of owners.
Because of these reasons and several others we could discuss, I think we will see continued consolidation and it will be increasingly difficult for localized players to compete for larger customers in the long run.
TS: I hope next year I am not asking this question when doing interviews but I want to ask how supply chain issues are affecting AFC. I know everyone in our industry is experiencing challenges but how challenging has it been with AFC and recognizing that, to some degree, you still run as individual businesses?
Kevin: As you said, everyone is facing the same challenges. It takes time, but we are working to integrate those supply functions. We know which supply partners have supported us across the divisions and which still have some work in that area. Although in many cases we are issuing releases locally, the supply chain team coordinates efforts to ensure we don’t have disruptions. So, I don’t think our structure has been an advantage or a disadvantage regarding the supply chain shortages, although we continue to work on further integration.
TS: Finally, let’s finish up with some personal questions? Are you still enjoying yourself? Still having fun with this crazy fastener industry?
Kevin: Absolutely! Everyday I have the opportunity to learn something new and work with amazing people who are passionate about what they do.
TS: And what else do you want to accomplish in the coming years?
Kevin: Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. I just want to be faithful in whatever God brings my way and do whatever it is to the best of my ability. If I can do that and help others to be successful along the way I know I won’t have any regrets.

TS:  What is SmartCert and how does it help people in the fastener industry?

Lyndon:  SmartCert is a cloud based, subscription platform that helps companies automate and take control of inbound and outbound certs. It was designed and built by the industry, for the industry. I spent 20 years watching required traceability documents hold up the works for suppliers, processors, manufacturers- all the way up to the OEM level. Perfect parts, sitting on a quarantine shelf, waiting for the paperwork to catch up with the shipment. Talk about the dime holding up the dollar! We built SmartCert to solve this problem and become the standard for sharing certs in the fastener supply chain, and beyond.

TS:  Does SmartCert work within QMS and ERP systems, or is it a standalone product?

Lyndon:  It’s both! The SmartCert platform stands on its own and also plays well with others. We have partnered with INxSQL to provide SmartCert functionality with enhanced automation to their customers. We have also integrated SmartCert into other systems and created a linking system that connects a part or customer to the associated cert package in SmartCert without the need for integration. Companies gain a lot of process efficiency regardless of how it’s used.

TS:  Is it particularly beneficial for companies certified in ISO or AS?

Lyndon:  Yes, it provides excellent management and visibility of cert packages for your entire organization. SmartCert is beneficial for any company that has product that requires certs, docs, and traceability. It is designed to help small garage operations all the way to giant OEMs.

TS:  How did you get involved in SmartCert, and what is your background?

Lyndon:  I have been in the fastener supply chain for 20 years, and I got my start in Detroit at a company owned by Ed Palm called Spiralock. We were bought by Black and Decker, then Stanley, then became Emhart. Since then, I’ve been primarily in sales for both manufacturing and distribution of fasteners. It was watching deals and relationships go sideways because of missing, lost or slow cert packages that I finally decided we, as an industry deserved better. So, I found the smartest folks I could find, and we built SmartCert.

TS:  Where will the growth of SmartCert come from?

Lydon:  Both through the user network and product rollout. First, the network effect has been amazing. Most of our customers want their customers to know their product is now powered by SmartCert, but they really want their vendors to start sending their cert packages via SmartCert. When this happens, the required documents automatically populate in your dashboard. Those are HUGE efficiency gains for the entire network of customers and vendors. Second, like your watch, phone, and some cars, we are constantly evolving. In fact, we are already working on SmartCert 1.5, updated security features for docs requiring ITAR protocol and IP issues (drawings, PPAPs), even document processing in the platform. We are just getting started!

TS:  I spoke with you at the NCFA Social and it’s clear you are “all in” with SmartCert. Where do you see the company going and where do you see the fastener industry going that makes you excited about bringing this product to market?

Lydon:  We really are all in. We launched in March of 2021, are close to 8,000 docs managed to date and adding customers all the time. It’s our mission to become the standard for cert transfer and management in the industry. We are proud to meet our customers where they are at, with tools they already have (internet, computers, mobile devices, label printers) to streamline their inbound, internal, and outbound processes as a partner in their digital transformation.

Even the leaders in our industry are making moves towards digital automation. SmartCert, and our parent company Aramid Technologies, is a partner in helping our industry make that transition with people who have walked in their shoes. We could not be more excited about what’s ahead. This cert problem is not unique to fasteners. We are also getting traction for SmartCert in the chemical, oil and gas, medical device, food, and automotive industries. Anywhere paperwork is causing bottleneck, we’ll be there to help!

TS:  OK, so I’ve seen that you are now the Chairman and Executive Director of the Southwest Fastener Association.  You were once the leader of the Young Fastener Professionals organization.  And a couple years ago you were chosen as the Young Fastener Professional of the year and honored at the Vegas Show.  And, you are still kind of a young guy in this industry, at least compared to me!   So, I think it is about time we find out a little more about the “The Bearded Nut”, as you are known in the Twitter world.  You ready for this?

Baron:  Let’s do it!

TS:  Most importantly, when is the last photo you have when you were without your distinctive long red beard?

Baron:  My distinctive beard has slowly been getting long since I joined the industry. I think the last time there is record of me clean shaven would be my yearbook photo from my sophomore year of high school. I grew a goatee that year and it has been spreading ever since. 

TS:  Now, back to fasteners.  How did you first get involved in the industry and how long have you been doing this?

Baron: My father and grandfather both worked for LFC in Arlington, Texas and then for Interstate Thread Products.  I guess I was kind of born into the industry as I was around it my whole life.  I grew up going to ITP Christmas lunches, holiday parties, etc. so I was familiar with the business.  After college, I married my college sweetheart and got a job managing an inside sales team for a data company.  My father-in-law was also in the fastener business and was a partner at Spring Bolt.  When one of the Spring Bolt co-owners, Tim Malone,  decided to retire my father-in-law wanted to bring on a sales guy to grow the business.  He knew I was familiar with the industry and that I had managed a sales department with the data company so when he approached me about the position I knew it was time to jump into the fastener field.  I started working at Spring Bolt in 2015

TS:  What distinguishes Spring Bolt from other companies that do similar products.

Baron:  A few things. The big one would be material knowledge; how to machine, heat treat, forge types of materials most people would have trouble with. Most exotic metals require heat treating and testing after you form and or machine them.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention lead time. About 30% of Spring Bolt’s business is rush orders. Our average lead time is 4 weeks, but on these rush orders the lead time usually ranges from one week to 1 hour depending on the customer’s needs.

TS:  Talk a little bit about the oil and gas market.  It is almost as distinct as the automotive industry is up in the Detroit area.  At times, oil and gas seems like its own distinct industry niche yet products you make for the industry can be used in other industries.

Baron:  The Oil patch is an industry of feast or famine. Depending on a lot of factors, political, environmental, both locally and globally.  Right now, it is starting to pick back up.

One reason why you see crossover in parts is because there is crossover in who wrote the specs SAE or ASTM.  For example, because of my geography I had to become an expert at ASTM A453 660B, but that means with just a few more steps I could become an expert at AMS-5732 A286. These two items are made up of the same elements and are heat treated the same way. In most ways they are identical if you know what you are doing. Because of instances like this we have been able to market ourselves across the nation instead of just across Houston.

TS:  What are your professional aspirations?  You have a whole lot of years left in this industry, what do you envision for yourself in the coming years?

Baron:  To be “the most electrifying man in” the fastener industry. In all seriousness to make this a better industry. While heading up YFP I focused on training managers and really any fastener pro that would listen on how to retain young talent. And despite what some people tell you its not all about the money. Is it a factor? Hell yeah it is! But is it the driving force of the mass exodus so many industrial industries are seeing? No. They don’t feel heard, they are told to stay in their place while they are trying to work to get a spot at the table. You can buy younger talent with your wallet or with your actions, its up to you.

Well that was a bit of a soup box.  At the end of the day I plan to make everything I associate with the best it can be, that means the industry, the company, and the associations.

TS:  In the intro to this interview I mentioned your participation in the fastener industry associations.  You have embraced participation and I think that has helped you to meet a lot of people more rapidly than a lot of younger people in the industry.  

Baron:  Associations are just like most things in this world, what you put in is what you get out. I have a tendency of jumping in feet first into things and the SFA is no exception.

 TS:  What is something about the industry that you observe that a guy my age does not?

Baron:  I do not know if this is age specific. It falls under that “We’ve Always Done It This Way” quote. The industry has a habit of calling order-takers salespeople. I am not saying there is not a place for order-takers in the industry, they are certainly important.  But if you are not actively hunting for accounts or actively growing accounts in some way, you are not in sales.

TS:  You are very active at trade shows and often represent Spring Bolt at the shows.  What are some of your observations about “fastener people”?

Baron:  I don’t think I can add much that has not already been said by most people in the industry. Fastener people are the best, work hard play hard type people, and every other cliché you can think up when describing an industry of high functioning alcoholics, 😊 myself included. In all sincerity, I could not see myself in any other industry. There is a reason I use the hashtag #fastenerfamily and it is because that is exactly what this industry is.. a big ol’ family

TS:  You’ve been doing this for a while now even though you are a younger guy.  What changes in the industry have you noticed and what changes do you anticipate?

Baron:  There are more companies in the industry that are starting to embrace the internet of things. Not just posting on social media but innovating their companies by utilizing the web. There for a while companies like Earnest Machine were a bit of an outlier. I’m glad to see they no longer have to carry the torch of technology by themselves.

In the future I would expect to see more companies like Initialize pop up. Companies that are the “Secondary Processors” of the intangible 21^st Century. 

Note from TS:

I have a regular column in Fastener Technology International (FTI) magazine, called 10 Minutes with the Traveling Salesman, which can be read online at www.fastenertech.com. Subscriptions to FTI, print and digital editions, are free-of-charge for fastener manufacturers, distributors and users as well as suppliers to the industry.”