Abbott-Interfast Corp. named Robert (Bob) Baer president and CEO, effective January 1.  He will be responsible for all operating units and report directly to the Binder family.  

Baer succeeds retiring president James Calabrese who will continue as legal-in-house counsel. 

Baer joined Abbott-Interfast 25 years ago as controller/CPA. After three years, he was promoted to purchasing VP. Subsequently he has taken on responsibility for Abbott’s two manufacturing plants, quality, warehouse/distribution and IT. He took a key role in Abbott-Interfast’s recent ISO Quality System certification. He is the 2016 president of the Mid-West Fastener Association and represents MWFA on the Fastener Industry Coalition. 

“We have over 68 years of history as a manufacturer, importer, publisher, innovator, and distributor with a diverse network of our own companies,” Baer said. “We currently are in the final stages of upgrading both our hardware and software to facilitate aggressive growth plans. In addition, our manufacturing plant recently installed a new CNC machine with plans to add additional capacity as we expand our customer base and manufacturing capabilities.”

Founded in 1948, Abbott-Interfast  is a fourth generation, privately-held corporation supplying screw machined products, assemblies and fasteners, as well as publishing The Nationwide Directory. 

Abbott-Interfast is headquartered at a five-acre, 100,000 sq. ft. facility at 190 Abbott Dr., Wheeling, IL 60090. Tel: 847 459-6200 Web: Abbott-Interfast.com

Arlington Plating Co. named Brian Isola VP of sales. 

Previously Isola was director of sales and marketing for Chem-Plate Industries in Elk Grove, IL. His 30-year career also included sales roles with S&D Products, Chicago Anodizing Company and Pioneer Metal Finishing.

He has been active in the Industrial Fasteners Institute, National Association for Surface Finishing, Precision Machined Products Association and Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).

“Brian brings a wealth of experience to Arlington, coupled with a passion for delighting customers,” Arlington president Richard Macary said. 

Arlington provides decorative and functional plating; anodizing; and metal stamping operations, and is located at 600 S. Vermont St., Palatine, IL 60078. Tel: 847 359-1490 Web: ArlingtonPlating.com

The ASTM International Committee on Fasteners honored Charles J. Wilson with the Frank W. Reinhart Award.

Since retiring in 2007 as the director of engineering for the Industrial Fasteners Institute, Wilson has been an Ohio-based independent consultant.  

Previously Wilson was honored with the American Society for Testing & Materials’ Weingruber Award for “exceptional leadership and sustained service in fasteners” in 2001; the American Society of Mechanical Engineers dedicated service award; and the IFI’s Soaring Eagles meritorious service award for “outstanding service in achieving higher levels of mechanical fastener standardization and enhanced technical practices facilitating improved application and use in all sectors of the economy on both domestic and international levels.”

A member of ASTM since 1984, Wilson was recognized for helping standardize terminology for the fastener industry. In 2001, the ASTM F16 committee honored Wilson with the Fred F. Weingruber Award for contributions to fastener standardization.

Wilson is an ASTM Fellow and has been chair of the F16.94 subcommittee on terminology. He was a member of the SAE fasteners committee, the Standards Engineering Society and the Bolting Technology Council. Wilson is an ASME fellow and chair of the ASME committee for fastener accreditation. He was a member of the U.S. DOC Fastener Quality Act advisory committee.

Before joining the IFI, Wilson taught at Cleveland State University. He holds a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from Case Institute of Technology and a masters degree in mechanical engineering from Bucknell University. Wilson has been a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and an American Society of Mechanical Engineering fellow.

Reed Machinery has produced a new Model A22C CNC 3-die thread rolling machine, VP Adam Kettles announced. The machine features automatic die match; custom Cam profiles; pushbutton size adjustment, work-shop height, die RPM and cycle time; digital taper reading; and auto loader.

Privately-owned Reed Machinery manufactures Reed two- and there-die cylindrical thread rollers, planetary thread rollers, Hartford flat die thread roller, Reed thread rolling attachments, and Waterbury headers and threaders. 

Reed is located at 10A New Bond St., Worcester, MA 01606. Tel: 508 595-9090 Email: akettles@reed-machinery.com Web: reed-machinery.com

Evan Puckett is the new GM of Valley Nut & Bolt, which is constructing a bolt making plant five miles south of the distributorship. The 12,000-sq-ft plant is on an 85-acre parcel, allowing the company to use current space for office, warehouse and distribution.

The manufacturing operations include heading, threading, punching, machining and welding.  

Evan Puckett succeeds Dallas Puckett Jr. Don Conant will direct operations.

Founded in 1969, VNB is headquartered at 10111 Tilley Rd. South, Olympia, WA 98512. Tel: 360 754-4877 E-mail: dallas@valleynutandbolt.com Web: valleynutandbolt.com