Ruetz, Heppes Head NFDA

John Wolz

Jim Ruetz took over as president of the National Fastener Distributors Association, and a former chairman of the manufacturers� Industrial Fasteners Institute is poised to become the distributors� next leader.
Don Heppes was elected vice chairman at the NFDA�s annual meeting in Palm Springs, CA. Heppes was the 1986-87 IFI chairman.
Ruetz, of All Fasteners Inc. of Racine, WI, started in the fastener business for his father�s company during high school. The company was founded as All Tool Sales Inc. in 1962. In 1980 a fastener division was created and has always been headed by Ruetz.
In the 1980s Ruetz was active in the Central States Industrial Distribution Association and was president of the Wisconsin Industrial Distributors Association. He joined NFDA five years ago to concentrate on fasteners.
Reutz was on the CSIDA board when regional distribution organizations were rolled up and formed the IDA.”This experience and exposure was probably a factor in my choice as NFDA chairman,” Reutz observed.
Heppes started in the fastener industry in 1975 as general manager of Times Screw Manufacturing in Rockford, IL. From 1978 through 1992 he was president of the Medalist/Champion Screw division of Medalist Industries Inc.
Heppes joined the distribution side of the fastener business when he purchased Arlington, IL-based Pacific Fasteners in 1993.
Ruetz succeeds Joe McIlhon of Iowa Industrial Products.
In his opening remarks to members Ruetz promised to lead them into the new �clicks and mortar� business world, which he noted is replacing the traditional �bricks and mortar.�
�There is a locomotive speeding down the tracks,� Ruetz observed. �We need to be ready to jump on. The train is moving much too fast to jump on whenever we decide we are ready.�
NFDA will provide the programs necessary to give members �a seat on the train,� Ruetz said. Ruetz headed the efforts to put NFDA registration and information online.
Mowins Heads Associates
Mike Mowins of Phillips Screw Company became associate chairman, succeeding Barry Porteous of Porteous Fastener Co.
The new associate vice chairman was Skip Gallo of Holo-Krome. Gallo is a member of the IFI board.
Elected to three-year terms on the board were: R.J. Harris, Southern Fasteners & Supply Inc.; Bryan Shannon, Tower Fasteners Co. Inc.; and Don Westby, Westby Production Components. Associates elected Joe Butvin of AVK Industrial Products to the board.
NFDA Honors Edick, Zehnder
Gary Edick of QSN Industries Inc. and Jim Zehnder of Earnest Machine Products were presented lifetime memberships in the NFDA.
Edick responded that there �is no greater honor than being recognized by your peers.� Edick has been with 12 companies during his 40 years in the fastener industry.
Zehnder retired recently as CEO of Earnest Machine Products Company. Zehnder and his brother, John Zehnder, created a unique sharing of the CEO position by alternating annually for 18 years.
Jim Zehnder entered the fastener business as a teenager stocking shelves and filling orders in the family business founded in 1948. Jim Zehnder was a minister for 20 years and returned to Earnest in 1979. He became chairman in 1981.
NFDA Plans One-On-One Sessions
Mowins noted the NFDA is planning one-on-one supplier/distributor meetings for the next annual meeting, April 25-29, 2001, in Naples, FL.
Mowins added that the Education & Training Committee is working on a certified fastener specialist training program.
The committee is planning more technical training workshops, which the NFDA sponsored in cooperation with several regional associations in 1998 and 1999.
Randy Revercomb reported NFDA signed up 13 new company members last year, but the total number of company memberships slipped by one because of nine consolidations and five nonrenewals. NFDA membership now stands at 246, Revercomb reported.
The vice chairman of the Industrial Fasteners Institute, Steve Fischer of Fischer Special Manufacturing Co., told distributors that the manufacturers� organization �is extremely happy with our relationship, which is growing all the time.�
Robbie Gilchrist reported scholarship recipients this year include students who came to the U.S. from Eastern Europe.