Hariton Machinery Company Inc. has completed 50 years by being global from the company’s start in 1970.

The Connecticut-based fastener machinery supplier was “internationally focused,” while competitors limited themselves to the North American market, founder Mark Hariton commented.

Hariton started in the Mexican market and then as the UK was closing fastener plants, he began shipping containers of machinery back from Europe.

He and his sales people continue to make “four, five or six trips a year to Europe, Asia and South America.”  Hariton says half of company’s business comes from overseas.

Indeed, his standard “Best regards” closing on his email adds: Atenciosamente, Cordiali Saluti, Saludos, Freundliche Grübe and Bien cordialement.

Including the multiple languages demonstrates “we care about them,” Hariton said.  “We respect them.  We appreciate them.”

Mark Hariton’s first job was as a technician for AT&T, where he appreciated that the company paid him while he trained.

But after four years he was “bored” and sought another outlet for his mechanical aptitude.  He ended up with a small family company led by three brothers.  He was assigned different jobs, including handling lathes and presses.  Beyond that he had to find his own niche within the company.  While looking for potential business, Hariton found a screw company selling used cold headers.  That led him to contact the J.L. Lucas business, which handled fastener machinery.

He decided he could do the machinery business on his own and in 1970, Mark Hariton and wife Sue opened Hariton Machinery in the basement of their Long Island, NY, home.

A year later they rented an office and next bought a 6,000 sq ft warehouse and office in Oceanside.  In 1991 they bought a 80,000 sq ft industrial building in Bridgeport, CT – where Hariton Machinery remains today.

While metal cutting has “revolutionized,” cold forming and hot forming has “evolved,” Hariton observed.  That allows used machinery to hold value vs. becoming obsolete.  He still sells used Waterbury Farrel machines built over 40 years ago.

“There are machines from the 1920’s and 1930’s that are still functioning,” Hariton noted.  “Manufacturers worldwide are still buying and using them.”

Of course Hariton sells new machines as the exclusive USA agent for SACMA Machinery of Italy; Shimazu Tapping Machines from Japan; and Tecno Impianti wire drawing machines from Italy.  Hariton Machinery is the international agent for Jehren Industries of Rockford, IL.

Tough spots along the way?  “Every 10 years or so there is a recession and recessions are always a challenge,” Hariton observed.  Surviving requires being “creative, tough and optimistic.”

Will operators be able to work from home or be replaced by robots?  Hariton doesn’t see that happening.  “There is an art to it in cold forming.  There is a lot of skill involved. Operators need the ability,” Hariton explained.

However, there will continue to be more computerization, he predicted.  Customers want machinery that is easier to setup, change over and higher speed production.

Change ahead?  Hariton advised the fastener industry to keep its eyes on electric vehicles.  As the world gravitates to more electric vehicles, be aware that electric motors that drive the vehicles require fewer fasteners than the internal combustion engines, Hariton pointed out.

Mark Hariton has his 50+ years in the business and his son, Alan Hariton, and nephew, Michael Coda, have more than three decades each with Hariton Machinery.  Also Michael Carelli has more than 30 years.

“We’re very proud we survived and ready for a new generation,” Mark Hariton told GlobalFastenerNews.com.

Hariton Machinery Company Inc. is located at 810 Union Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06607-1137.  Tel: 203 367-6777  Web: HaritonMachinery.com