2011 FIN – Fastener Salesman Linebarger Retiring After 57-Year Career
May 25, 2011 FIN – Bob Linebarger is retiring after 57 years in the fastener industry. Linebarger started in 1954 as a teenager part-time in the warehouse at the Dallas Bolt, Nut & Screw division of Kansas City Bolt, Nut & Screw. He was paid 85 cents an hour.
On May 20 Linebarger will retire after 15 years with Advance Components.
In between Linebarger was with the Bosco division of RB&W; a branch manager for Brighton-Best; alloy stud bolt manufacturer Threaded Steel Products; created his own job with HRS Fastener; manager of the Dallas Fastener structural fastener division of Birminghan Fastener; and Advance Components.
“Bob is truly a master salesman and he has generously shared his knowledge of specialty fasteners with colleagues and customers throughout the U.S.,” Advance Components co-owner Suzy Cravens said. “Bob is not only one of the industry’s finest salesmen, he’s a terrific person and we wish him all the best.”
“The product may have changed throughout the years, but the way I treat people has been the same since the day I started in this business,” Linebarger reflected. “And that’s #1 with me – never forget to take care of your customers and the people who work with you.”
One reason Linebarger is leaving is the change from personal sales to electronic transactions. He started in “the days of giving your word face-to-face” and telling about your company’s “knowledge, experience and people. Today they quote electronically and order electronically.”
“I like the personal contact,” Linebarger told FIN. “It seems like people hide behind voice mail and e-mail. That’s not me.”
Linebarger recalled the two biggest fastener product changes during his career as American steel companies giving up fastener manufacturing and the introduction of blind rivets and self-drilling screws.
Messages to Linebarger may be sent c/o Advance Components, 2920 Commodore Dr. #100, Carrollton, TX 75007. E-mail: sales@advancecomponents.com ©2011/2013 Fastener Industry News.For information on permission to reuse or reprint this article please e-mail: FIN@GlobalFastenerNews.com
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