PERSPECTIVE: Can I Afford to Join?

John Wolz

Editor�s Note: The following are excerpts from an article by the Fastener Industry Coalition.
Have you ever asked yourself: Can I afford to join my local and/or national fastener trade associations? Is the money I pay to become and remain a member of these associations worth the investment? Will joining these organizations provide me with opportunities and information to grow my business, or are they just organizations that have social gatherings and golf outings?
Trade associations have been around almost since the beginning of business. They were initially formed because it was recognized early on that individually companies could not influence their industries or government legislation as dramatically as a group or coalition of companies working toward a common goal. Associations quickly grew and expanded their roles and transitioned into organizations that provide a great deal more than what they were originally intended to be. Today they provide so much that they are recognized as not-for-profit, nontaxable institutions that advance the industry in ways no other organization could or would attempt.
There are primarily three national and eight regional fastener organizations in the U.S. National groups are the manufacturing-oriented Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI), the National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) and the Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA). The eight regional groups are the Chicago Bolt, Nut & Screw Association (CBNSA), Los Angeles Fastener Association (LAFA), Metropolitan Fastener Distributors Association (MFDA), New England Fastener Distributors Association (NEFDA), North Coast Fastener Association (NCFA), Southeastern Fastener Association (SEFA), Southwestern Fastener Association (SFA), and the Western Association of Fastener Distributors (WAFD).

� Associations provide excellent forums for networking opportunities, on both a national and regional basis. Although large, privately owned fastener shows are important and provide visibility to exhibiting companies, they are normally quite expensive and rarely provide the opportunity for serious networking opportunities with clients, potential clients and peers on a noncompetitive basis. Almost every meeting and program associations sponsor has the potential of increasing business for members. Many regional shows are ideal for showcasing and networking on both a regional and national basis. There are variations from CBNSA�s Midwest Expo to regional tabletops and NFDA�s one-on-one Executive Sales & Planning Sessions.
Almost all of the fastener associations publish a member directory, maintain a website that lists all of their members, and retain a non-member database that can be shared among members. Even such social events as golf outings, receptions and dinners are designed to provide networking opportunities.

� Associations provide almost all of the education and training opportunities offered within the fastener industry. This training can be during annual meetings or separate, such as NEFDA�s semiannual seminars. Programs are designed to train novices as well as the most experienced executive. Every association schedules programs during annual meetings designed to provide education that either cannot be obtained anywhere else or at a cost that would be prohibitive. You can even certify individuals within your company through LAFA�s Certified Fastener Specialist program. Associations also partner with colleges and universities, such as the University of Industrial Distribution through the University of Alabama.
In addition to off-site training opportunities, almost all of the fastener associations have developed training programs, such as NFDA�s basic fastener training program, the Exciting World of Fasteners and its Train the Trainer (T3) technical training modules. These programs are specifically designed to be used within the company for training without traveling or attending a meeting off-site. NFDA also publishes training guides, handbooks and manuals. IFI publishes standards and reference guides, all of which are intended to assist companies doing day-to-day business.

� Associations provide technical expertise and support to the industry. For example, IFI sits on the supplier and advisory technical committees of key OEM�s in the automotive and aerospace industries. Both the NFDA and IFI have representatives on the national standards committees, thereby playing a major role in the development of standards within the industry.

� Associations are a primary source of information for their members. Almost all of the fastener associations publish a newsletter and other informational materials, such as CBNSA�s Fastener Information Directory; maintain websites with direct links to information; and provide e-mail, faxes and mailings on the industry; provide educational articles. Meetings include forums for information exchange regionally, nationally and in the global arena. They answer questions for their members and when they don�t readily have the answer they find it.

� Associations provide benchmarking statistics and data for the industry.

� Associations are advocates for the fastener industry. Recent examples of associations working for the industry include the U.S. Fastener Quality Act, tax legislation, abolishment of steel tariffs and China currency valuation.
� Associations provide discounted benefit programs to member companies. The programs also provide commissions back to the association � money that is funneled back into the industry to develop additional education and training programs, support advocacy and other member benefits. Examples include discounted shipping, health and liability insurance, human resources, and energy buyers programs.

� Associations network with national and international sister associations. Like their individual members, the part is never as strong as the whole, where new ideas and innovations are shared among association professionals across industry boundaries.

� Associates provide scholarship opportunities for employees of member companies and their children and conduct fundraisers to contribute to various charities, such as �Toys for Tots.�

� Associations provide leadership opportunities for their members.

� Associations funnel profits from publications, meetings, research, shows, training materials and all other income-producing programs back into the industry.

� Associations do far more than this article can do justice to in the space provided. Most importantly, however, their staffs are dedicated to their members and the industry, and they want to see their members succeed.
Now answer the questions asked at the beginning of the article. Is the money I pay to belong to associations worth the investment? Absolutely! Will joining these organizations provide me with opportunities and information to grow my business? Without question! Can I afford to join? Can you afford not to join?
Editor�s Note: For fastener association information contact Fastener Industry Coalition secretary Dave Merrifield at the NFDA. Tel: 216 579-1571 E-mail: dmerrifield@nfda-fastener.org or any of the member associations. \ �2003 FastenerNews.com