Chip Lippincott and Initial Publications, Akron, Ohio, have purchased American Fastener Journal, effective March 1, 2023. Lippincott takes over as publisher from Tom Massar, who is retiring after 32 years with the publication. In addition to AFJ, Lippincott is the owner and publisher of various trade publications serving the fastener, wire and cable, wire forming and rubber industries.
“American Fastener Journal and its staff will remain unchanged, continuing to deliver the same high quality editorial content and coverage for which it has long been recognized,” Publisher Chip Lippincott said. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work closely with Tom Massar and his staff on this transition of ownership. I look forward to serving the loyal readers and advertisers in this exciting next chapter of fastener industry coverage.”
AFJ will continue to operate out of Ohio, with no changes to its current production schedule.
Chip Lippincott can be reached at American Fastener Journal, 1741 Akron Peninsula Rd. Akron, Ohio 44313; phone 330.864.2122; fax 330.864.5298; or email chip@fastenerjournal.com
American Fastener Journal is pleased to announce Anna Lippincott has joined the publication as Sales Manager. Anna takes over for Tom Massar, who retired after 32 years with the company. Anna will oversee advertising for American Fastener Journal, fastenerjournal.com / FASTENER NEWS NOW, and the American Fastener Source Guide.
“I am thrilled to join the AFJ team and look forward to being part of this longstanding publication,” Anna said. “The fastener industry is filled with vital, innovative companies, and I am proud to help share their stories and showcase their work.”
Anna brings years of experience in marketing and fundraising consulting, and her past clients include trade publications, political campaigns, and nonprofit organizations. She is a native of Akron, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio University. She will act as the primary point of contact for all advertisers and has worked with the AFJ staff closely to ensure a seamless transition. Any current or prospective advertisers can reach out directly to Anna with questions or new materials. Anna and the AFJ team look forward to seeing readers and advertisers alike at upcoming industry events, including Fastener Fair USA and the International Fastener Expo!
Progress through digitalization – Würth Industrie Service is one of the “Digital Champions 2023”
Bad Mergentheim/Main-Tauber-Kreis. Innovation and progress are the principles firmly embedded in the company strategy of Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co. KG. Headquartered in Bad Mergentheim, Würth Industrie Service has one of the most modern logistics centres for industrial supply in Europe. The company has always been focusing on innovative solutions dedicated to automation, digitalization and Industry 4.0. in the field of holistic production and equipment supply for around 20,000 customers. In the “Digital Champions 2023” study conducted by DEUTSCHLAND TEST and Focus Money, the C-Parts partner emerged as a digital pioneer with the second place in the category “building materials and building accessories (wholesaler)”.
Success stories made in Germany: The Digital Champions Award shows how digital pioneers have profitably integrated innovation into their companies using intelligent technologies and solutions. True innovators are those who dare to do new things and shape the future. In short: they offer exactly what is important in the age of digitalization. The “Digital Champions 2023” study conducted by the Institute for Management & Economy Research (IMWF) with scientific support from the Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI) on behalf of Focus Money and DEUTSCHLAND TEST examines which measures are important for a successful change. Various parameters in the categories digitalization, technology and innovation were analyzed broadly and comprehensively for around 12,000 companies in the defined period from 1st December 2021 to 30th November 2022.
One step ahead as a digital champion
True innovators are constantly bringing in change and setting the benchmark for innovation success every day as pioneers in their respective industries. Factors like rising customer expectations and a constantly changing market and competitive environment are important key drivers. According to its motto “Always looking forward and one step ahead”, Würth Industrie Service contributes to driving digital change. “We value innovation and curiosity immensely,” says Stefan Reuss, General Manager, IT and Digital Solutions at Würth Industrie Service. A dedicated Digital Business Development department is responsible for the targeted management and coordination of innovation projects and collaboration with start-ups. Moreover, agile working methods designed by experts facilitate daily work using intelligent solutions.
Hand in hand: progress through innovation
Innovative technologies for modern C-Parts management succeed by learning from and with own customers and are developed in collaboration with partners from science, trade and industry – and are applicable far beyond the company boundaries. The innovation strength of Würth Industrie Service is visible in its supply systems, which engage in high level of automation. In one of the innovative new developments – the battery-operated iPLACER® – RFID technology is used not only for ordering process, but also for inventory management. Equipped with a reader and transmitter, the iPLACER® can be installed anywhere – in production, at the workplace, in the assembly, logistics or intralogistics. As a result, the customers can benefit from an automated replenishment at any place, and in turn, from a complete transparency about their consumption. An almost independent, logistical storage management for C-Parts can be achieved with iSCALE, a sensor-controlled scale that is directly connected to the Kanban bins and reports the requirements of production materials and other small parts based on weight. Würth Industrie Service is also focused on improving its intelligent ORSY®mat vending machines for all production-related MRO materials. For example, the ORSY®mat WGT detects the withdrawal of items through its integrated weighing cells. With its vending machines, the C-Parts partner takes care of everything from delivery, storage and stocking to fully automatic replenishment of auxiliary and operating materials. Currently, more than 20,000 customers are already using over 1,500 vending machines, more than 13,000 RFID solutions and more than 2 million Kanban bins. At the heart of Würth Industrial Park, one of Europe’s most modern logistics centers for industrial supplies, the C-Parts partner is continuously increasing the level of automation and digitalization. This includes modern, fully automated high-bay and shuttle warehouses with a capacity of over 650,000 storage spaces, 34 kilometers of conveyor technology, camera inspection systems, driverless bin shuttles and use of self-learning robots for picking and palletizing. Impressed by the innovation strategy of Würth Industrie Service, Focus Money and DEUTSCHLAND TEST felicitated the company with the award “Digital-Champions 2023”.
Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co. KG Pia Schmitt Press and Public Relation 97980 Bad Mergentheim, Germany T +49 7931 91-3409 F +49 7931 91-4000 www.wuerth-industrie.com
Pia.Schmitt@wuerth-industrie.com 06.03.2023
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Würth Industrie Service is one of “Germany’s most innovative companies in 2023”
77% of B2B marketing decision-makers agree that buyers and customers expect an immediate response to their questions, Forrester says.
The table stakes are rising for B2B sellers from even more demanding digital buyers. And if more B2B sellers don’t up their ecommerce game, they may find find themselves out of the game altogether, says new data and analysis from Forrester Research.
“B2B buying is in danger of becoming a numbers game dominated by procurement professionals, vendor selection checklists, and lowest-price mentality,” writes Forrester. “2022 data indicates that, on average, buyers consider three vendors, only one of which succeeds in winning the deal.”
Business buyers are more restless than ever, and their buying behaviors keep changing, says Forrester.
“77% of B2B marketing decision-makers agree that buyers and customers expect an immediate response to their questions, and 74% agree that buyers expect an experience personalized to their needs and preferences across sales and marketing interactions. Forrester’s Buyers’ Journey Survey, 2022, reveals that 83% of buyers were dissatisfied in one or more areas with the winning vendor. “Organizations that lack a digital sales strategy may fail to meet the needs of their customers. The longer they hold off on creating such a strategy, the more likely they are to lose customers to the competition,” Forrester says.
Forrester is also charting other B2B buyer demands, including:
74% agree that buyers expect an experience personalized to their needs and preferences across sales and marketing interactions.
More than half of buyers responding to Forrester’s Buyers’ Journey Survey, 2022, reported that they used a digital transaction for their purchase.
“Organizations that lack a digital sales strategy may fail to meet the needs of their customers. The longer they hold off on creating such a strategy, the more likely they are to lose customers to the competition,” Forrester says.
Although 59% of employees in B2B organizations say their companies encourage alignment and collaboration between different parts of the business, major challenges persist, according to Forrester’s 2022 data.
“Improving marketing alignment and collaboration with other departments, including sales and product,” was frequently cited by B2B marketing decision-makers as needed to support marketing priorities over the next 12 months,” Forrester says.
NOTE: This content has been curated by Fastener News Desk for fastener industry professionals seeking knowledge and reliable information regarding digital transformation, eCommerce, digital distribution, marketplaces, product information management. All of which provide the customer experience B2B buyers expect today.
What is the fastener industry?
A fastener distributor is a company that specializes in the supply and distribution of fasteners, such as bolts, screws, nuts, and washers, to various markets and industries. These distributors typically carry a wide range of fasteners in various sizes, materials, and finishes to meet the diverse needs of their customers.
Fastener distributors serve a variety of markets, including construction, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, marine, and many others. Their customers can range from small businesses and repair shops to large industrial manufacturers and government agencies. By providing access to a wide selection of fasteners and related products, fastener distributors help their customers to save time and money by reducing the need to source and stock these items themselves.
Industrial fasteners refer to high-quality fastening products used in construction, automobile, aerospace, and marine industries. The industrial fastener market size has been valued at USD 91.73 billion in 2002. Forecast to reach USD 131.28 billion by 2030. Growing machinery, motor vehicles, and other durable goods production are likely to support the overall market growth due to economic expansion and high investment expenditure. Aerospace fasteners has the highest growth rate with CAGR forecast at 6.5% through 2029.
Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich and Harvey Rottenstrich are married and co-founders of ZAGO Manufacturing Co.
“March is Women’s History Month, and it is only fitting that we recognize the pivotal roles women play in shaping the manufacturing industry,” says Jackie Luciano, ZAGO Vice President. Jackie joined ZAGO 15 years ago as a part-time bookkeeper while raising her young children and advanced to a leadership role after earning her Rutgers MBA in Finance. “Gail and Harvey envisioned ZAGO being a diverse employer and a great place for both women and men to work and flourish.”
Thriving in Newark
Today, ZAGO is thriving in Newark, NJ, the city where it started 30 years ago, and employs 35 women and men hailing from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. Out of eight management-level positions, women occupy six of them. Gail serves as CEO and Harvey as President and Lead Engineer. ZAGO is now a woman-owned business.
When it comes to leadership roles and owning a manufacturing company, women are vastly underrepresented. “There are many qualified women in manufacturing and in other industries who can excel in this sector – but they have to see themselves in these positions,” says Gail.
Becoming Woman-Owned
“Both Harvey and I realized that ZAGO should become a woman-owned manufacturer to show women, explicitly and implicitly, what is possible,” says Gail.
“Among the reasons I love working at ZAGO is the level of support given to all employees,” say Alejandra Damacela, Contract Review/Buyer, and 10+ year veteran of ZAGO who is also the mother of two little ones. “ZAGO offers tuition reimbursement so associates can pursue higher education and advanced degrees.” Aly earned her Bachelor of Science, Marketing, Spring 2021, from Kean University. “For that, we are grateful.”
About ZAGO:
Founded in 1993, ZAGO is a sustainable manufacturer making sustainable sealing fasteners and switch boots for a sustainable world. Based in Newark, NJ, ZAGO is Buy American Act compliant and provides sealing solutions to thousands of engineers, manufacturers, and distributors worldwide. Visit www.zago.com.
Technology is changing the nature of work. To prepare the workforce of tomorrow and ensure sustainable and inclusive growth, education and vocational training will need to adapt to new ways of working.
As companies and organizations in all sectors deploy new technologies—including automation and artificial intelligence—ensuring this evolution fosters shared, sustainable prosperity will likely hinge on how well societies prepare the workforces of tomorrow.
Private- and public-sector leaders have a critical role to play in helping to create family-sustaining jobs, close skills gaps, and ensure tech-fueled growth leaves no one behind. This topic is explored in a new report prepared by McKinsey for the 2023 World Government Summit that can be downloaded here. Drawing from McKinsey research, the report examines trends across the major stages of education, from early childhood to lifelong learning, with a particular focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It highlights the importance of focusing on skills development at all educational stages and examines how new technologies and approaches can help both students entering the workforce and workers to succeed. This report explores eight key findings, among the myriad factors shaping the future of education.
Millions of workers globally will need to change occupations as automation is increasingly deployed. In the MENA region, 45 percent of existing work activities can be automated today—close to the global average of 50 percent—and the skills gap is significant. But studies suggest that MENA countries are highly adaptable.
Demand for social and emotional skills along with higher cognitive skills will grow, as will demand for both basic and advanced digital skills. Educational systems and companies are already building a living list of future skills to mobilize learners and educators. Alongside skills of the future, focusing on foundational skills including basic literacy and numeracy will be essential.
Bold and frequent upskilling can expand earning opportunities. Work experience contributes between 40 and 60 percent of an individual’s overall human capital value, according to our research, and people in the most upwardly mobile cohorts make frequent bold moves.
Demand for new technologies in education, boosted by the pandemic, is rising. Technologies that enhance connectivity, support self-paced learning, and inform student progress are increasingly deployed as part of a “blended” education in higher education. However, the essence of any successful blended-learning model is to combine the best of technology with intensive human interaction, especially for younger students.
Early childhood education is a critical period for skills development. Every dollar invested in high-quality early childhood education produces a 7 to 10 percent per annum return on investment, and recognition is growing of the intersection between early education, health, and social services. This is an opportunity for the MENA region, whose preprimary gross enrollment ratio is the third lowest in the world.
K–12 education is seeing increased focus on embedding future skills in curriculums and ways of teaching and engaging students. This often involves approaching basic literacy and numeracy and future skills together and focusing on professional development and training for teachers. Research nonetheless shows that knowledge remains critically important, with major new opportunities arising from cognitive neuroscience and other evidence-based approaches.
Higher education is shifting to a skills-first approach. Programs include real-world application of skills, with an emphasis on building communities and networks. A new micro-credentialing system in higher education is also starting to emerge that prepares students for the world of work more flexibly.
Skills development continues in the workplace long after formal education ends. To ensure a workforce with skills appropriate for the changing workplace, employers can consider hiring more for skills and less for experience and qualifications, embracing a “talent incubator” mindset that supports employees who take on different roles and being thoughtful and deliberate about how to address skills gaps.
Read report: The skills revolution and the future of learning and earning
Here’s what’s happening in fastener industry the week of March 13, 2023.
Watch now on FastenerTV at YouTube (11:14)
Martin Inc. announced the appointment of Kevin Cozine as the new Vice President of Sales for Martin Fastening Solutions. In his new role, Kevin will be responsible for expanding the market share of Martin Fastening Solutions and collaborating with the sales team across all of Martin’s lines of business. Kevin brings extensive experience in operations and sales leadership to his new role. He most recently served as the Director of Operational Excellence at Optimas Solutions, where he led the growth of new customer engagement and expanded the customer engagement team’s analytical coverage. Kevin has also held leadership positions at MSC Industrial Supply Co. and H&D Distributors, where he developed and grew key accounts.
The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) registered its first expansionary (>50) reading since November, improving to 51.6 from 47.7 last month. Consistent with this, commentary from participants was also a bit more positive this month, with some respondents seeing “some positive signs” for the first time in a while. Looking forward, the Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) also improved, albeit remaining in contractionary territory, with a 43.8 reading. Overall, the FDI/FLI results suggest February saw improvement in fastener market conditions relative to January.
WIFI honors the memory of Maryann Marzocchi, Co-Owner of Distributor’s Link Magazine. Maryann served as Co-Owner and Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Working together with Leo for 36 years and with her daughter Tracey Lumia for 15 of those years, The $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to a woman to attend college or trade school. The recipient must have a female family member who is employed by a fastener company.
Desert Distribution Sales and Incentive Sales Merge. Jo Morris, Managing Partner at Desert Distribution Sales, LLC, and Karen Ardizone, owner of Incentive Sales, announced that they are combining their manufacturer’s representative agencies, effective March 1, 2023, they will conduct business as Desert Distribution Sales and cover the territories of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah. John Wachman, Founder and Partner at Desert Distribution, expressed his appreciation for the work Karen and Jo did to bring this agreement forward. He also noted the long and accomplished careers that both these women have had in the fastener business.
NFDA Virtual Panel Program | Developing Talent | Join the National Fastener Distributors Association on Thursday March 16th at 2:00PM ET for a panel discussion followed by a Q & A session. A panel of industry leaders will discuss tactics for hiring, cultivating, and retaining talent. Engaged employees are the lifeblood of our organizations. If you are a human resource professional, hiring manager, or anyone interested in employee retention, don’t miss this event! It’s free to attend, but registration is required. Register today at NFDA-Fastener.org
MWFA – A Hands On Fascination With Fasteners Seminar
The Mid-West Fastener Association is once again sponsoring their popular seminar Fascination with Fasteners on March 22nd – 23rd in Elk Grove Village, IL. The seminar is designed to educate fastener industry personnel. This is not a sales or manufacturing course, but a semi-technical course on many facets of the industry. Register today at MWFA.net
Fastener Fair Global 2023 is set for a strong comeback showcasing technological developments in a fast-moving market. After four years, Fastener Fair Global 2023, the 9th international event dedicated to the fastener and fixing industry, returns to Stuttgart from March 21st – March 23rd . The exhibition represents once again an unmissable opportunity to establish new contacts and build successful business relationships between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, engineers and other industry professionals from various production and manufacturing sectors looking for fastening technologies. For more information and registration go to https://www.fastenerfairglobal.com/.
The Fastener Training Institute has a scheduled upcoming webinar. Corrosion Resistant Fasteners & Stainless Steel Fastener Specs. The webinar will take place on Thursday, March 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PT The instructor is Carmen Vertullo, Vice President of Business Development at AIM Testing Laboratory. The webinar will address FIGHTING CORROSION IN FASTENING and strategies to combat it, which cost billions of dollars every year. Industrial, transportation, construction, marine and military fastening applications all have specific solutions to the corrosion problem. This webinar will explore the various approaches to corrosion prevention in each of these areas. Brikksen is sponsoring the webinar.
Thursday, March 23, 2023, NEFDA will host their annual Bowling Party. The party will be held at High Rollers at Foxwood Resort & Casino. Attendees will enjoy Bowling, Dinner & Drinks, Prizes and Fun! For more information go to https://www.nefda.com/events/
Fastener Training Week in Cleveland, OH will take place April 3-7th. The Fastener Training Institute and the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) continue their partnership to present Fastener Training Week — This robust program includes five days of education and plant tours as part of the acclaimed FTI Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) advanced technical training program. After completing this invaluable industry training in a small group environment and passing a final exam, attendees are eligible for the CFS designation. To register and learn more about any of the fastener training events we highlighted go to FastenerTraining.org
Women in the Fastener Industry accepting applications for Margaret Davis Scholarship. Scholarship application submission will offer WIFI Members requesting financial assistance to attend Fastener Fair USA. WIFI honors the memory of Margaret Davis of ISSCO, INC/BTM Manufacturing. Member Applications are due by April 5th, 2023.Apply Now: https://www.fastenerwomen.com/scholarships
Dirk Beveridge of UnleashWD has announced the first human resources event for distributors, designed to challenge traditional thinking on HR and help independent distributors win the war on talent. Registration is now open for the UnleashWD Human Resources Summit for distributors, April 27-28, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seating is limited for this event be sure to register today to reserve your seat. To Learn more or register at https://events.unleashwd.com/HRSummit
Have you tried buying fasteners online? Industrial products are comprehensive and purchasing them online can lead to poor customer experiences when utilizing filtered search, buyers are forced to use a multitude of search filters just to find a bolt. Product Genius’s grid technology organizes and displays entire product categories from a one page buying experience. Experience the future of fastener buying online at 1-800-Fasteners.com.
PGT’s services also include, data cleaning and preparation, consulting, and strategizing. Contact ProductGeniusTechnology.com or call 1-800-fasteners to find out how to get started today.
The stories featured in this week’s episode of IN THE NEWS can be found at Fastener News Desk or in our Twitter feed @FastenerNews and on LinkedIn in the Fastener News Group!
If you would like to share your company’s events, news or sponsor an upcoming episode of IN THE NEWS or would like to add to the Fastener Museum me: lisa@fastenernewsdesk.com.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of IN THE NEWS with Fastener News Desk.
Until next week, be well, be safe and Keep it Fastenating!
Accomplished Executive, Kevin Cozine, Joins Martin Inc. Leadership Team
March 8, 2023
(FLORENCE, AL) Martin Inc. is excited to announce the appointment of Kevin Cozine as the new Vice President of Sales for Martin Fastening Solutions. In his new role, Kevin will be responsible for expanding the market share of Martin Fastening Solutions and collaborating with the sales team across all of Martin’s lines of business.
Kevin brings extensive experience in operations and sales leadership to his new role. He most recently served as the Director of Operational Excellence at Optimas Solutions, where he led the growth of new customer engagement and expanded the customer engagement team’s analytical coverage. Kevin has also held leadership positions at MSC Industrial Supply Co. and H&D Distributors, where he developed and grew key accounts.
Marc Strandquist, Executive VP, Fastening, said of Kevin’s appointment, “We are excited to welcome Kevin to the Martin team. His experience in operations and sales leadership, as well as his proven track record of developing and growing key accounts, make him the ideal candidate for this position. We are confident that Kevin’s expertise and leadership will help us continue to grow and expand our market share in the fastening solutions industry.”
Martin Fastening is ISO 9001 certified and a member of GSA (Global Sourcing Alliance) and the National Fasteners Distributor Association.
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About Martin, Inc. 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. Martin offers a wide variety of products and services in Industrial, Safety, Integrated Supply, and Fastening – all uniquely designed to help companies operate better. Martin is a member of Affiliated Distributors, the Industrial Supply Association, the National Fasteners Distributor Association, and the Global Sourcing Alliance. For more information, visit www.martinsupply.com.
The Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) survey for February, 2023 edged back into expansionary territory last month with a reading of 51.6, after January’s rebound to 47.7, seasonally adjusted.
The Forward Looking Indicator (FLI) also climbed from the previous reading, but remained soft at 43.8.
Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) registered its first expansionary (>50) reading since November, improving to 51.6 from 47.7 last month. Consistent with this, commentary from participants was also a bit more positive this month, with some respondents seeing “some positive signs” for the first time in a while. Looking forward, the Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) also improved, albeit remaining in contractionary territory, with a 43.8 reading. Overall, the FDI/FLI results suggest February saw improvement in fastener market conditions relative to January.
Stay tuned for episode #186 of the Fully Threaded Radio for further commentary and analysis.
FND encourages all North American fastener distributors to take part in the FDI. If you are interested in being a more active part of the fastener industry, you can apply to add your company to the FDI survey group. Complete the “Request an Invitation to Participate” form by clicking here. Once verified, you will receive login ID and password information and you will be notified by email every month when the survey period has been opened. – Fastener News Desk
About the Fastener Distributor Index (FDI).
The Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) was developed as a service to the fastener industry by the FCH Sourcing Network in 2012 to be a new benchmark for the fastener industry. The FDI is a monthly survey of North American fastener distributors, conducted with the FCH Sourcing Network and Baird with support from the National Fastener Distributors Association. It offers insights into current fastener industry trends/outlooks. Similarly, the Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) is based on a weighted average of four forward-looking inputs from the FDI survey. This indicator is designed to provide directional perspective on future expectations for fastener market conditions. As diffusion indexes, values above 50.0 signal strength, while readings below 50.0 signal weakness. Over time, results should be directly relevant to Fastenal (FAST) and broadly relevant to other industrial distributors such as W.W. Grainger (GWW) and MSC Industrial (MSM).
The FDI Survey website is a resource than can be accessed by anyone, but it can only be updated by registered users during the monthly open survey period, which occurs during the last week of each month.
Jo Morris, Managing Partner at Desert Distribution Sales, LLC, and Karen Ardizone, owner of Incentive Sales, are today announcing that they are combining their manufacturer’s representative agencies. Effective March 1, 2023, they will conduct business as Desert Distribution Sales and cover the territories of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah.
John Wachman, Founder and Partner at Desert Distribution, expressed his appreciation for the work Karen and Jo did to bring this agreement forward. He also noted the long and accomplished careers that both these women have had in the fastener business.
Karen Ardizone says she looks forward to working with the new team and to continue servicing the needs of their customers and principals. She adds that the fastener business and its people have been her life’s passion for 50+ years!
About Desert Distribution Sales
Desert Distribution Sales, LLC is a multi-line manufacturer’s representative agency with locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Colorado. Desert Distribution Sales provides professional sales representation to engineered fastener and component manufacturers and suppliers. We offer sales support, product training and OEM development to distributors and end users throughout the Southwest and Rocky Mountains. Our approach is to aggressively promote the products and services of our principals. We strive to both increase market share and to grow the overall business. We provide services including value analysis and value engineering to help drive down assembly costs and improve product quality. We service most major manufacturing sectors including aerospace, automotive, appliance, solar, wind-power, and telecommunications industries.
WIFI honors the memory of Maryann Marzocchi, Co-Owner of Distributor’s Link Magazine
Maryann started her career in the fastener industry at Southern Screw Company in 1958 in the sales department where she developed her love of sales and service to customers. Maryann left Southern Screw to be home with her children and start her own business, Accurate Addressing and Mailing Service. Her at home business flourished as she worked with many fastener companies creating and managing all of their newsletters, advertising, correspondence, and mailings. In 1976, Maryann’s brother-in-law Leo J. Coar recruited her to start a quarterly publication with him. They saw a need where people, products, and in-depth reporting could all come together in one publication and be conveyed to the fastener industry. Link Magazine published its first issue in Winter 1977.
Maryann served as Co-Owner and Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Working together with Leo for 36 years and with her daughter Tracey Lumia for 15 of those years, her love of the fastener industry was evident. Through the many trade shows she attended, her relationships with advertisers, writers, associations, and numerous industry friends she made throughout the years, Maryann had a unique ability to connect with people and bring them together.
“Working side-by-side with my mother for over 15 years was an honor. I’m proud of all that she accomplished both in business and personally. This scholarship will allow other female ‘go-getters’ of any age to achieve their dreams just as she did. Thank you to Women In The Fastener Industry for honoring Maryann with this scholarship.” – Tracey Lumia
Become a WIFI member and join the conversation. Receive scholarship and mentoring opportunities, receive WIFI email newsletter, get reduced rates at WIFI and other industry events, plus other member benefits.
Individual membership: $50 annually.
Corporate memberships: $200 annually for 5-9 members and $350 for 10+ members.
Technology is changing the nature of work. To prepare the workforce of tomorrow and ensure sustainable and inclusive growth, education and vocational training will need to adapt to new ways of working.
Kevin brings extensive experience in operations and sales leadership to his new role. He most recently served as the Director of Operational Excellence at Optimas Solutions, where he led the growth of new customer engagement and expanded the customer engagement team’s analytical coverage. Kevin has also held leadership positions at MSC Industrial Supply Co. and H&D Distributors, where he developed and grew key accounts.
FND encourages all North American fastener distributors to take part in the FDI. If you are interested in being a more active part of the fastener industry, you can apply to add your company to the FDI survey group. Complete the “Request an Invitation to Participate” form by 
