Earnest Machine Products completed its acquisition of Ohio-based National Threaded Fasteners (NTF) for an undisclosed sum.  NTF is an ISO certified stocking importer and master distributor of flange screws and hex flange nuts.

Earnest Machine closed NTF’s facility in Perry, OH, and moved the inventory and operations to its facilities in Indianapolis and Atlanta.

“We have always grown our business organically,” stated Earnest Machine president Kirk Zehnder.  “This is our first-ever acquisition, and it is a great fit for us.  NTF specializes in hex flange products, so this enables us to strengthen our existing product lines and also expand into new products and markets in both the U.S. and the U.K.”

Zehnder said that previously Earnest Machine focused on high-strength, large-diameter fasteners for the heavy truck, agricultural, heavy construction, manufacturing and mining markets.  The addition of NTF’s product lines strengthens Earnest Machine’s position in existing markets while enabling the company to expand into new markets with:

  • Grade 2 lag bolts;
  • Grade 5, Case-Hardened and Grade 8 flange and serrated flange screws and nuts;
  • ISO 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 flange and serrated flange screws and nuts;
  • 316 and 18-8 stainless steel flange screws;
  • JIS flange screws and nuts.

“Adding these products enables us to take advantage of the trends toward smaller excavation, agricultural and construction equipment, such as mini excavators and skid steers and medium duty trucks,” Zehnder noted.  “And the addition of 316 and 18-8 stainless steel flange screws allows us to serve new markets such as the marine and food processing industries.”

Zehnder added that the acquisition “provides our distributor partners with more choices and the opportunity to reduce the number of vendors they need.”

“We understand that consolidating spend to a single vendor may leave some customers feeling like they are on a supply chain island, but we believe that our record of providing the right part in the right quantity at the right time 99.3% of the time will provide peace-of-mind to our customers.”

As part of the deal, former NTF president and 35-year industry veteran Kathy Marazzi has joined Earnest Machine to help transition accounts and assist with product procurement.

The acquisition comes months after Earnest Machine launched spinoff Zirks, LLC, an importing platform that allows purchasing, supply chain, and logistics managers to order and receive commodity fasteners from overseas in as little as five days.  Web: Zirks.io

Founded in 1948, Earnest Machine is a global importer, distributor and manufacturer of large diameter and hard-to-find fasteners for agriculture, construction equipment, heavy transportation, mining, structural construction and wind industries.  Earnest Machine is based at 1250 Linda St., Rocky River, OH 44116.  Web: EarnestMachine.com