90 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK FAB - Email Don Nowak: dnowak@falconfastening.com • Ron Stanley: rons@empirebolt.com FASTENER ADVISORY BOARD FASTENER INDUSTRY NETWORK GROUP ‘FAB’ PASSES 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY The FAB group (Fastener Advisory Board) concept began at an NFDA meeting where members were placed into noncompeting executive networks back in 1992 to provide an independent group of advisors for each member’s company. Approximately 6 groups were formed at the NFDA meeting, but only one “the FAB group” decided to continue to meet after the initial program at the NFDA meeting. The group met casually at the 1993 NIFS show in Columbus but the first formal meeting was hosted at Hoyt Fasteners in Chicago in the summer of 1994. Over the years, the purpose has grown to include benchmarking and the sharing of best practices, among others. The current mission statement for the FAB group is fairly simple: To assist each other in establishing and succeeding in business and personal goals, through sharing experiences, through sharing methods of analysis, by providing accountability, by maintaining focus and by challenging one another. By reviewing critical issues and Best practice concepts The group typically meet 3 times a year with two of the meetings held at a member’s business and one meeting that focuses on best practices and is held in a nice venue away from the businesses, where spouses or significant others are invited. Current member Jim Ruetz stated “I can’t put a price on the value of having 5 or 6 industry owners come in to our facility and conduct a review of our team, processes, and strategies.” Ruetz added “unlike consultants the FAB members absolutely know the business and relate well to the issues involved in today’s distribution marketplace. Having the FAB group audit your company is very similar to having a board of directors with industry knowledge at your disposal.” While most of the membership over the years has been strict distribution company members, in 2006 current member Tim O’Keeffe joined the group as the first manufacturer/distributor member. O’Keeffe (GL Huyett –Minneapolis, KS) decided to join because he felt that “In spite of being on the supply side of the business- O’Keeffe felt many of the issues discussed cross the boundaries of traditional distribution vs. manufacturing.” Besides O’Keeffe, other current members of the group include charter members: Don Nowak (Falcon Fastening Solutions, Charlotte NC) and Ron Stanley (Empire Bolt, Spokane WA), Mark Shannon (Tower Fasteners Holtsville, NY) who joined the group in 2007 along with Jim Ruetz (All Integrated Solutions- Franksville, WI). Over its 20 year history the FAB group has had 13 other members active in the organization with an average group size of 7 members at any one time. Founding member Ron Stanley noted “changes in ownership and/or retirement were the most common reasons for a change in the group’s membership. We have grown from the input of the various members over the years and have benefitted from the resulting changes to the dynamics of the group. “ Most of the members are owners but not always- Founding member Don Nowak was a member of the executive team at Hoyt Fasteners when he joined the group and later served in that same role at Falcon Metal Products before buying the company in 2008 from Bruce Roberts . Don commented “I don’t know that I would have made the move to buy Falcon had it not been for the guidance and input from the FAB group.” Besides conducting business reviews the group spends time on best practices in areas from IT, Sales/Marketing concepts, HR, technology, etc… “Sometimes we get wrapped up in our traditional way of doing things and it’s extremely helpful to see a different approach” stated current member Mark Shannon (Tower Fasteners). Each member of the group is required to report to the other members on their key metrics and provide a short narrative monthly.. Members are held accountable by the group on their reporting requirements. “The monthly update forces me to stop and take stock in how my business is progressing, putting my thoughts on paper helps me to consistently analyze things like sales results, HR concerns, and process issues in my business” states current member Tim O’Keeffe. The only items that are off limits are specific customer information and of course any competitive discussions involving pricing. If you are interested in joining the group you can contact any of the current members. There are no fees to join and the costs for meetings are split amongst the members. All members must be committed to participate and be interested in sharing their ideas and have some fun & laughs along the way!
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 91 Your reliable option for FORMED SPRING STEEL FASTENERS Supplying Distributors Nationwide Since 1989 U-CLIPS U-NUTS • DIRECT COMPETITOR MATCHES • MANY IN-STOCK ITEMS J-NUTS • DISCONTINUED ITEMS! • FACTORY DIRECT PRICES • SHORT LEAD TIMES • ON TIME OR B4 DELIVERY SPECIALS e-qual-fast Your e-conomical Source for qual-ity Fasteners and fast Delivery ® brand TWIN NUTS 405 Production Drive • South Elgin, Illinois 60177 FLAT NUTS Toll Free: 888-NUTS-R-US (888-688-7787) Fax: 847-695-6336 On Line: www.e-qual-fast.com E-mail: sales@e-qual-fast.com
6 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK The Gilc
10 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK Guy Ave
24 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK NATIONA
28 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK Don Con
32 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK Fascomp
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 35 KEY BEL
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 139 Fasten
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 141 FASTEN
MWFA 33rd ANNUAL FASTENER SHOW ELK
146 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK FASTEN
150 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK WHY A
152 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK EFC In
156 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK NATION
158 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK NATION
162 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK FASTEN
164 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK Distri
MWFA 33rd ANNUAL FASTENER SHOW ELK
170 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK SOCIAL
172 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK SOLON
MWFA 33rd ANNUAL FASTENER SHOW ELK
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 179 Durham
182 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK ISO 90
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 185 Tel: 1
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 189
At this time TN Galvanizing is prou
John Boe John Boe presents a wide v
202 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK R&R En
204 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK WHEN P
MWFA 62nd ANNUAL GOLF OUTING EAGLEW
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 209 Cable
212 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK EFFORT
214 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK WHAT T
218 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK SALESP
220 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK WE ARE
224 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK AUGUST
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 227 DISTRI
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 229 Akro-M
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 231 USA FA
234 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK ISO 90
236 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK WHEN P
238 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK WHAT T
240 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK SALESP
242 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK J.W. W
244 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK FASTEN
246 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK ISO 90
248 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK WHAT T
252 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK WHAT T
MWFA 62nd ANNUAL GOLF OUTING EAGLEW
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
SHARE A PAGE FROM THIS MAGAZINE OPTION 1: Click on the share tab above, or OPTION 2: Click on the icon (far right of toolbar) and then click on the icon (top right of the page). |
Copyright © Distributor's Link, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy