What drew Ken McCreight to take the managing director role of the Industrial Fasteners Institute?

After growing up on the streets of Cleveland, on his first day as a high school graduate, McCreight walked into Fredon Corporation in Cleveland looking for a job in manufacturing. 

In the ensuing eight years, McCreight rose to shop foreman. Then after four more years of working in a tool and die plant, he opened his own precision machine shop – American Standards Tool & Die in Cleveland.

He joined the IFI from Cleveland-based Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET). Previously as vice president of the National Tooling & Machining Association, he designed and developed NTMA-U (a certified and registered On-Line Apprenticeship Training Program), and he was an advocate for manufacturing organizations. Before his association role, he developed Workforce & Economic Development initiatives at Cuyahoga Community College and North Central State College in Ohio.

Along the way he earned a bachelor’s degree in applied technology education and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering technology from Bowling Green State University.

With his tool & die and manufacturing experience, he enters the IFI with a practical understanding of such issues as galling, hydrogen embrittlement and workforce.

That education and work background makes being the managing director of the fastener manufacturers’ organization “like being a kid in a candy shop, but seeing all new candy,” McCreight said.

He officially began the role in November as the seventh managing director in the IFI’s 87-years. He has spent most of January touring IFI member plants, because “I don’t know what I don’t know.”

One of his early stops was touring Industrial Nut Corporation with Jim Springer. Next he was heading to Detroit, where there are eight fastener manufacturers, then onto Chicago.

He quickly found differences from his days in a tool & die shop. The first is cell phones. That makes communication with suppliers and customers so much easier.

And there are different problems from his tool & die days. For example, substandard threaded rods in violation of ASTM A307 being imported (see FIN, November 27, 2017) and the role government should take.

McCreight succeeds Rob Harris – the managing director since 1995 who retired at the end of 2017. 

McCreight appreciates that he isn’t alone. Salim Brahimi is the director of engineering technology; Laurence Claus is the director of education & training; Barbara Grachanin and Michelle Lightfoot, administrative staff; and three “retired” IFI members heading divisions: Pat Meade, aerospace; John O’Brien, automotive; and Bob Hill, industrial. Harris and retired director of engineering technology Joe Greenslade remain on consulting retainers.

“These guys have been warm, welcoming and wonderful,” McCreight said in expressing that “he feels part of the family already.” Email: kMcCreight@indfast.org Web: indfast.org