6/30/2009
HEADLINES
LAFA and WAFD Unify as
Pacific-West Fastener Association
By near unanimous consent, the members of the Los Angeles Fastener Association and Western Association of Fastener Distributors approved a “unification” and together will be known as the Pacific-West Fastener Association.
After nearly a decade of considering merger proposals, a “unification task force” presented proposals at spring meetings of both groups.
The task force cited greater strength, increased member benefits, better support to regions and local networks in the western U.S. and Canada, improved education programs and deeper leadership resources as reasons for unification.
A new P-WFA board will meet for the first time in August to elect leaders.
The new association is the result of months of negotiations between the LAFA and WAFD and member discussions.
In 2008, each association developed its own strategic goals. “In order to accomplish those goals, both associations independently realized that additional resources are needed. This unification will make it possible for many of those goals to be realized.”
Board members envision continuing two conferences per year focused on issues of importance to business owners and executives, as WAFD traditionally offered, plus Southern California events and training programs like LAFA provided. Local events and training programs will be expanded to other metropolitan areas in the West.
The WAFD and LAFA boards have considered merger proposals since 2002. After earlier merger talks stalled, the boards agreed in 2004 to pursue a strategic alliance before proceeding further. The alliance was intended to acquaint each association to the benefits of the other group. Both associations offered member discounts at conferences, seminars and training programs to each other’s member companies.
In 2002 the boards noted that consolidations and closings have decreased the number of current and potential member companies, lowering each group’s primary funding source and limiting financial resources. The committee determined that combining the associations would reduce administrative costs.
WAFD and LAFA have long been closely linked and operated out of the same Long Beach, CA, offices with Vickie Lester as executive director for both organizations since 1986.
In the unification announcement LAFA president Kelly Cole of WCL Co. said the combined associations “create a synergy that will position us as industry leaders. The alliance will enable the creation of industry-wide training standards, with new and existing training programs delivered to a wider audience in more cities and soon via an on-line platform.”
“This is a great fit,” declared WAFD’s immediate past president Suzanne Dukes of Hayes Bolt & Supply. She noted it is the “result of strong collaborative strategic planning by two great boards of directors.”
Keeping WAFD and LAFA services “was an initial goal of the unification,” Dukes noted.
LAFA board member Robert Lopez of Specialty Sales said he believes “the combined banner of the Pacific-West Fastener Association will do much to improve and strengthen our industry as a whole.”
The new association will provide the financial resources and leadership to continue the growth of the fastener product training programs now offered through the Fastener Training Institute, unification task force member John Wachman of Desert Distribution said.
FTI is an expansion of LAFA’s original Certified Fastener Specialist training program. FTI recently conducted a CFS program in Chicago and is planning additional curriculum, Wachman added.
LAFA traditionally has monthly dinner meetings in Southern California.
The next WAFD meeting is scheduled for October 15-17, 2009, at the Miramonte Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, CA.
Pacific-West’s address will remain P.O. Box 15862, Long Beach CA 90815-0862. Tel: 562 596-2040 ©2009 GlobalFastenerNews.com
Related Links:
Share: