How do you manage employees much older than you? “You treat everyone fairly,” said the 2017 Young Fastener Professional honoree.

Courtesy LINK Magazine

“You respect everyone in the organization,” Adam Pratt said in accepting the award in conjunction with the International Fastener Expo. “You trust the veterans and their knowledge.”

Pratt grew up in upstate New York where his father was a machinist. He started in the fastener industry in 2001 by responding to an online want ad from Buffalo, NY-based Sherex Fastening Solutions when he was 21 and the company had seven employees. That led to an ownership opportunity by the time he was 24 and Sherex growing into a global manufacturer with 170 employees worldwide with annual revenue topping $30 million. 

Pratt became vice president overseeing engineering and sales in 2004 and president in 2012.

Pratt pointed out that the veteran employees “nurtured and supported” Sherex as the company grew.

Sherex has introduced innovative products including the patented Riv-Float and Riv-Float Short, a full hex line and a large diameter rivet nut line.

Growth has included adding facilities in Ohio and Mexico.

It has not all been easy growth. Sherex weathered the 2008 recession 40% sales drop. 

Pratt attributed growth to listening to the Sherex strategy of “solving customer problems.”

Sherex was nominated nine times as one of western New York’s top Fast Track businesses and six times for Best Places to Work in Buffalo.

Pratt is the 2017-18 associate chair of the National Fastener Distributors Association.

Pratt is involved in Buffalo Manufacturing Works and is a chair of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s Manufacturer’s Council.

Through Sherex, money has been raised through philanthropic initiatives including the 11 Day Power Play, an attempt to beat the world record for longest continuous hockey game, cancer research, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Pratt sponsors a University of Kentucky program to assist foster youth pursuing higher education, and sponsors business development through peer-to-peer learning support as Forum chair for the local chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization. He founded the Automated Fastener Assembly Systems Group to combine new technologies and develop strategic global partnerships.

The Fastener Industry Coalition chose Pratt for the second Young Fastener Professional of the Year Award recognizing a person under 40. Web: Sherex.com