GTSE is proud to announce the official launch of www.ephadistribution.com, a dynamic new platform dedicated to streamlining access to the innovative EPHA Hose Protectors, Looms, Spacers and Safety Sheaths. The EPHA product line is dedicated to preventing hose and cable wear, routing and management solutions.

This launch marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between GTSE and Mitch Myers, the President/CEO and co-founder of EPHA Inc. EPHA the “ORIGINAL HOSE PROTECTOR” has been a trailblazer in delivering high-quality hose and cable protection products for industrial and commercial applications for over 42 years. Through this collaboration, GTSE aims to enhance product availability, ensuring that customers across the globe can efficiently secure and protect their equipment with trusted EPHA solutions.

Milan is preparing to host the fourth edition of Fastener Fair Italy, the leading event for the fasteners and fixing industry, scheduled between October 29 and 30, 2024, at CityLife - Allianz MiCo, in Milan, Italy. With just one month to go, over 200 exhibitors from 18 countries have already confirmed their participation, with strong representation from companies in Italy, Germany, Turkey, China, and Taiwan, highlighting the strategic importance of the event and the high level of activity in the sector in Italy. 

The fair is an unmissable event for manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and end users of fastening systems and related technologies, as well as a unique opportunity to strengthen business relationships, discover the latest innovations and market trends, and forge new collaborations. In a rapidly evolving economic environment, the fair stands out as the ideal platform for exploring advanced technological solutions and addressing the new challenges related to sustainability and production digitalisation. 

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will host its final Fastener Training Week of 2024 in Cleveland, OH, November 18-22. This five-day advanced fastener training program will be held at Industrial Fasteners Institute and is presented by Birmingham Fastener. 

FTI offers three Fastener Training Weeks each year. Graduates are eligible for Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) designation upon class completion and passing a final exam. 

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is excited to announce a new Spanish Webinar Series offering dual access for both English and Spanish speaking attendees. 

“Spanish training has been a goal of ours for years. Removing the language barrier for training is important and it will make the perfect training opportunity for entire teams. It’s critical everyone in our industry has access,” shared FTI’s Marketing Director, Jo Morris. 

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will host a Fastener Basics and Beyond Workshop during International Fastener Expo (IFE) on Monday, September 9, in Las Vegas – the first day of the 2024 show. 

Carmen Vertullo, FTI instructor, and owner and founder of Carver Labs, will present the workshop. Attendees will invest in professional development by expanding knowledge well beyond the basics. 

The National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) recently awarded a scholarship for Fastener Training Week, an advanced fastener technical training program produced by the Fastener Training Institute, to Kristin Glink, inside sales for S.W. Anderson Co.

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

The Gilchrist Foundation has awarded three scholarships from the 2024 applicants. Congratulations to the recipients, we wish them well and are pleased to assist them with their education.  

They are as follows and their sponsoring companies:

Preparations are underway for the 4th edition of Fastener Fair Italy, the biennial event dedicated to the fastener and fixing industry. The event will kick off on October 29th in Milan, in hall 3, at CityLife - Allianz MiCo. Starting today, online registrations are open for free access at this link.

This is an unmissable two-day event dedicated to fastening and fixing technologies, where national and international producers and distributors will showcase their products, equipment and services. At the show, attendees can expect to see the latest innovations and technological advancements in the industry.

Scott McDaniel of Martin Fastening Solutions has been elected as the 2024-2025 president of the National Fastener Distributors Association. Ed Smith of Wurth Revcar will serve as vice president, Christian Reich of Goebel Fasteners will serve as associate chair, and Jim Degnan of S.W. Anderson will remain on the Board as immediate past president.

Melissa Patel of Field, Angela Philippart of AFC Industries, and Christian Reich of Goebel Fasteners have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors effective June 12, 2024. 

Martin Supply is pleased to announce that we have been recognized with the 2023 Supplier Excellence Award from Hunter Engineering Company. This prestigious accolade places us among only 11 businesses to receive this honor, underscoring our commitment to excellence and quality. Having last received this award in 2021, we are particularly proud to have reclaimed our position on the list through dedicated efforts.

“This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team”, said Kevin Cozine, Vice President, Fastening Sales. “We will continue to strive for excellence and uphold the high standards that this recognition represents.”

Fastener Training Week, the flagship fastener training program from Fastener Training Institute (FTI), returns to Chicago this year from August 19 to August 23.

The event will be held at the Lincolnshire Marriott and hosted by the Mid-West Fasteners Association (MWFA) as part of their annual FSTNR Week.

Martin Supply, one of the nation’s leading providers of custom-tailored solutions for maintenance, repair, operation, and production supplies, proudly announces its acquisition of Trinity Hardware Headquarters (THHQ) from Agrisolutions (AGS), a leading global manufacturer of wear parts, components, and accessories. Based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, THHQ specializes in the supply of standard and custom components through catalog distribution, customized inventory management programs and product delivery services. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Martin Supply's dedication to bolstering its presence within the fastening market and growing in this geographic region.

Commenting on the acquisition, Douglas Ruggles, Co-CEO of Martin Supply, stated, "We are excited to welcome THHQ to Martin Supply. This acquisition aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver unparalleled quality and service to our valued customers. We are committed to upholding the legacy of excellence that THHQ has established."

The National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) is honored to announce that the 2024 recipient of its Fastener Professional of the Year award is Marc Strandquist.

In his nomination of Marc, Doug Ruggles stated “I don’t know anyone who has had a broader impact on the industry driving professionalism, growth, and a commitment to giving back. He was beloved by his team and customers because of his ability to connect with them and truly care for their goodwill.”

The Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will offer two training classes during the Fastener Fair Conference at Fastener Fair USA in May. Each class will be presented by Laurence Claus, Industrial Fasteners Institute’s Director of Education and Training. 

• The Making of Fasteners & the Cost Drivers Behind this Engineering Marvel, is planned for Tuesday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In this full-day class, Claus will take students into the fastener manufacturing world to explore why these sometimes-underappreciated components are complex engineering marvels. Topics will include fastener production methods (cold heading, hot heading and screw machining); the advantages and disadvantages of each manufacturing method; and thread rolling, grinding, machining, heat treatment and plating. 

Martin Supply, a leading provider of custom-tailored solutions for maintenance, repair, operation, and production supplies (MROP) in the industrial and construction markets, proudly announces its 90th anniversary. Established in 1934 by Louis Martin in Sheffield, AL, the company has achieved unparalleled growth and transformation, now led by the third and fourth generations of the Martin family.

From its modest origins, Martin Supply has undergone a remarkable evolution, expanding its footprint to encompass 48 distribution centers and integrated sites across the United States, while also conducting business internationally. Over the course of its 90-year journey, the company has continually evolved to meet the dynamic needs of its customers, transcending its role as a mere product supplier to offer a comprehensive suite of services. The company's dedication to “helping companies operate better" has earned it a well-deserved reputation for quality and reliability.

Sherex Fastening Solutions, a PennEngineering® Company and global leader in engineered fasteners, tooling, and automation, is proud to announce its relationship with Southeast Sales & Engineering as its new sales representative.

Southeast Sales & Engineering is a professional manufacturer’s representative specializing in the transportation and industrial markets in the southeastern United States, including Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, the Carolinas, Mississippi, and Virginia. Led by president Bo Oliver, Southeast Sales & Engineering brings over 20 years of experience working with manufacturers to find the right fastening solutions for their applications.

The Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is pleased to announce Würth Industry North America (WINA) will continue as sustaining sponsor in 2024. 

FTI is the leading nonprofit provider of fastener product and technical training with content-rich and expertly instructed courses. WINA is a division of Würth Group, the world’s largest industrial distributor. The partnership between FTI and WINA is now in its sixth consecutive year. 

Sherex Fastening Solutions’ Optisert, the best performing round body rivet nut on the market, was recently awarded as a winner of the 2023 Fastener Innovation Awards by WorldwideFastenerSources.com.

The innovative Optisert was chosen as a winner because of its incredible performance against spin-out. Its proprietary combination of an engineered knurled body and underhead wedge design helps it grip into the base material to prevent it from spinning. In softer materials, like aluminum, plastics, and composites, the spin-out performance matches that of a full hex body rivet nut.