Gordon Vandermeulen and Elaine Vandermeulen acquired Grand Rapids Bolt & Nut in 1976 and are retiring December 31, 2016, with nearly 41 years in the business.

The company was renamed Great Lakes Fasteners & Supply in 1987.

Great Lakes was acquired during 2016 by the New York-based private equity company High Road Capital Partners. In 2012 High Road acquired Minnesota-based distributor Accurate Components & Fasteners and in 2013 the Wisconsin-based All Tool Sales.

Great Lakes was started in 1937 as Grand Rapids Bolt & Nut by George Plafkin and Oscar Plafkin.  Oscar Plafkin left the partnership to become a manufacture’s rep for Solar Screw in Wheaton, IL. – which is now part of Acme Companies.

Vandermeulen said he came into entrepreneurship by heritage – his parents had owned two “5 & Dime” stores in Grand Rapids.   

Early in his career Vandermeulen dabbled in college teaching, real estate, hospitality ‘roll up’ corporation and insurance area manager.  

Upon entering the fastener business, he took on the CEO role and Elaine Vandermeulen became CFO and treasurer.

Great Lakes supplies automotive, furniture, material handling, process equipment, fabricated metal, rail/transit systems, electronic/electrical, appliance, heavy truck, oil exploration, industrial manufacturing and marine markets. Great Lakes Fasteners is headquartered at 5075 Clay Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49548.  Tel: 616 534-7200.  Web: glfasteners.com

Among the changes during his tenure, Vandermeulen acquired H&K Fasteners in Traverse City, MI, and Great Lakes gained a northern Michigan location.

During his decades in the fastener industry, Vandermeulen said key changes were the reduction in the domestic manufacturing base, the rise of the stocking importers and subsequent consolidation; and most recently offshore direct purchasing – bypassing distributors.

Globalization and consolidation of industry leaders has led to names such as ITW and Acument.  European-based companies Würth and Bossard have gained “large footprints in North America.”

Vandermeulen’s advice to future industry leaders:  “See where the trends are and stay ahead.  Take your customers along in the process.”

Combined as All Integrated Solutions

The three state divisions are being integrated into a new corporate structure under the AIS / All Integrated Solutions name, with Jim Ruetz as CEO. Each division will be headed by a vice president. Teresa Ramirez, who was director of marketing & sales for Great Lakes under Vandermuelen, is VP for the Michigan division.

The combined Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan companies can share resources, Vandermeulen explained. 

Vandermeulen can be contacted c/o Clay Avenue Associates, 5075 Clay Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548. Cell:  616 581-7001 Email:  Gordon.43@outlook.com  

Editor’s Note:  Great Lakes Fasteners has locations in Grand Rapids in Western Michigan and Traverse City in the northern Lower Peninsula. Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas are connected by the Mackinaw Bridge, which was constructed in the 1950s with 4,851,700 rivets and 1,016,600 bolts. 

The five mile suspension bridge weighs 1,024,500 tons an the main towers are 552 feet high.  Web:  MackinawBridge.org